Fraud victims hit again by scammers promising to recover stolen cash

HOW FRAUD RECOVERY SCAMMERS FIND VICTIMS How does a scammer know you’re a fraud victim? Sometimes, the criminals who scammed you the first time may re-target you, claiming they can help you

recover your losses. Frequently, however, your status as a fraud victim lands you on a list. Just as a real estate agent might create a list of potential homebuyers, scammers often do the

same, building databases and buying, selling and trading information about victims. That info can include your name, address and phone number; the type of scam that victimized you; and the

amount of money you paid, the FTC reports. “Information is shared within criminal networks,” says Robert Mascio, director of FINRA’s Investor Education Outreach. “There’s a network of

individuals that might know you’ve already been victimized, and they can come back to that individual to try and extract more money.” Because criminals have data about your case, their

recovery appeals can sound legit. They also know that victims are probably still reeling from the first fraud, which makes them susceptible to a follow-up. Strong emotions — embarrassment,

grief, anger, shame, depression — are normal responses after you’ve been robbed, Mascio says. But your raw emotional state can affect your judgment, which scammers can exploit. “Sometimes,

people just don’t want to let go of the idea that they’re going to get that money back,” Kappler says. A recovery scam “takes advantage of human nature and our tendency to follow through on

something we’re invested in, and to keep investing more time and emotional energy.” HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FRAUD RECOVERY SCAMS IGNORE UNSOLICITED OFFERS. This is true of many scams.

“If something is coming to you out of the blue — in this case, the chance for recovery — and you didn’t actively seek it, that’s definitely a red flag,” Mascio says. Start by not answering

calls from unknown numbers. EXPECT PRESSURE TACTICS. Scammers often say you need to act fast to recover your funds. “Victims might think, 'Well, if I don’t act quick, I’ll lose even

more money,'” Mascio says. “Whenever you’re given a short amount of time to do something, we get emotional, we get nervous, we start thinking, ‘OK, we have to do this quick.' And

when that happens, rational thinking can go out the window.”  Pressure tactics are a clear warning sign, Kappler adds. “If you’re entitled to have money back, there’s absolutely no reason

why you need to act now or rush to wire them money,” she says.