For millions of people, being scammed is not a one-off experience. It’s a vicious cycle that can lead to more financial loss and emotional distress. The Federal Trade Commission is warning about a scam targeting people who have already been robbed, with scammers calling and texting recent fraud victims, posing as FTC agents who could recover stolen money.
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center’s 2026 Trends in Identity Report, 25.6% of identity crime victims were managing two or more incidents at the same time. The report also found that 62.1% of attempted identity misuse cases involved new account applications. Scammers often keep track of who has already paid, what worked and how much money was lost, turning one fraud into a longer cycle of repeat identity theft.
Scam groups keep what the FTC calls “sucker lists,” which can include a victim’s name, address, phone number, type of scam and amount paid. Criminals buy and sell the lists because they believe someone who paid once may pay again. The same group may call back with a new story or sell the information to another scammer who uses a different pitch.
Aura, a cybersecurity company, scans the dark web and more than 200 data broker and people search sites for exposed SSNs, driver’s license numbers and email addresses. It can alert you when one appears, naming what was found and where. This is crucial because your Social Security number cannot be replaced like a credit card. When a thief opens an account with your SSN, birthdate and address, canceling the account only fixes part of the problem. The stolen information can still be used again.
Credit checks can also miss repeat identity theft, especially since most identity fraud involves a new account, such as a credit card, loan or financial account opened in your name at a company you have never used. The ITRC found in its 2026 report that more than a quarter of identity crime victims were managing two or more incidents at the same time, up from 23.5% the year before.
To avoid money recovery scams, look for warning signs and take steps to protect yourself. Never pay upfront recovery fees, and be cautious when a caller knows your loss amount. Scammers use this information to sound official and make you feel like the call must be real. Avoid Telegram, WhatsApp and remote access requests, and verify restitution through official channels. Finally, report the recovery scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The FTC and Aura are urging people to be vigilant and take control of their financial security. By being aware of these tactics and taking proactive steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to repeat identity theft.
By the end of this year, the FTC plans to launch a new initiative to help victims of identity theft recover their losses. The initiative, which is still in development, aims to provide a more streamlined process for victims to report and recover from identity theft. Stay tuned for more information on this initiative and how you can benefit from it.
It’s time to take back control of your financial security. By being aware of the tactics used by scammers and taking proactive steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to repeat identity theft.
