If You’ve Already Lost Money to a Scam, Watch Out for This Second One

What Happened

The Federal Trade Commission and the FBI have both issued warnings this summer about scammers who specifically target people who already lost money to a scam. The FTC’s alert came out August 3, 2026. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3, issued its own warning on July 20, 2026, about criminals impersonating IC3 itself to run this same scam.

How the Scam Works

Scammers buy lists of people who have already been scammed once. They call, email, or message these people claiming they can get the lost money back.

To sound legitimate, they pretend to represent a government agency, consumer advocacy group, or law firm. Some even pretend to be the FBI’s IC3. They use fake social-media profiles or AI-generated videos of FBI officials to direct victims to a fake website designed to resemble the real ic3.gov website.

Once they have your trust, they ask for one of two things:

• An upfront fee—sometimes called a “retainer fee,” “processing fee,” or “administrative charge”—to start recovering your money.

• Your financial information so they can supposedly deposit your refund.

If you pay, they keep the money. If you share your financial information, they may also steal your identity.

Red Flags

• Someone unexpectedly contacts you and offers to recover money you lost to a scam.

• They ask for a payment before they will help you.

• They ask for your bank account or other financial information to process a refund.

• They claim to represent the FBI, IC3, or a law firm but contact you through social media, a text message, or an unfamiliar telephone number.

• Someone claiming to represent IC3 contacts you directly. IC3 does not contact people through social media, telephone calls, or email. Its only official website is www.ic3.gov.

What You Should Do

• Never pay anyone upfront to recover money lost in a scam. Government agencies and legitimate organizations will not ask for money or financial information in exchange for helping you obtain a refund.

• Do not give your bank account number, Social Security number, or other financial information to someone who contacts you first.

• If someone claims to represent the FBI or IC3, type www.ic3.gov directly into your browser. Do not click a link they send you.

• If you are age 60 or older and have lost money to a scam, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

• Report the recovery scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or www.ic3.gov.

Pete’s Bottom Line

If you have already lost money once, do not let someone talk you into a second loss by promising to get the first one back.

Government agencies and legitimate recovery organizations will not ask you to pay an upfront fee or provide financial information in exchange for recovering your money.

Remember: STOP. THINK. VERIFY. DECIDE.

Sources

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Alert, August 3, 2026

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center Public Service Announcement I-072026-PSA, July 20, 2026

Protect Yourself With Our Free Checklist

If this sounds familiar—or you are uncertain whether someone contacting you is legitimate—download the free Senior Scam Safety Checklist at ScamProofAZ.com. It provides simple ways to check before you act.