logo
What You Do After a Scam Matters More Than You Think

What You Do After a Scam Matters More Than You Think

CNET27-05-2025

Getty Images/CNET
Falling for a scam once feels bad enough. But the reality is that if you've been a victim, there's a good chance you'll be targeted again -- perhaps by the same swindler.
In fact, con artists are known to go after scam victims by posing as FBI agents or other agencies and claiming to be helping get your money back. Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, a 25% increase from the year prior. These scams included investment scams and job scams.
Here's how to avoid becoming a victim twice.
What steps can you take to not become a repeat victim?
If you're a scam victim and want to do everything you can to avoid becoming one again, there are several steps you can take.
Get ID theft protection
Most scams are intended to steal your money. But if in the process of falling victim to a scam you cough up your sensitive information to a bad actor, it could lead to identity theft.
An identity theft and protection and monitoring service will actively look for clues that somebody else is using your identity, such as by monitoring your credit reports or the use of your personal data online.
There are free services that monitor the dark web and your credit reports for unusual activity. But paid services offer more advanced features, such as bank account monitoring, identity theft insurance and identity restoration services in the event your ID is stolen.
Freeze your credit report.
A credit freeze on your credit reports -- or your kids' credit -- stops criminals from opening a credit card or taking out a loan in your name. The process is also completely free. However, you won't be able to either unless you unfreeze or "thaw" your credit. You must do this with all three major credit bureaus -- Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.
Lock your Social Security number.
You can even lock your Social Security number. What this does is prevent somebody from using your Social Security number to apply for a job or collect government payments. It's almost like making your SSN invisible.
Watch out for targeted phishing scams
After you've fallen victim once, you might start to see targeted phishing messages pop up in your texts or emails. This can happen after your personal data is compromised in a data breach, too.
If you receive a message from someone posing as a government agency or perhaps an organization claiming they can refund your money, pay attention to the tone and language. If it's pushy, demanding and contains suspicious-looking links, delete and report the message as spam right away.
Safeguard your personal data
Don't be so quick to hand out your personal identifying information. If someone is asking for your bank details or your SSN, always ask why they need this information before providing it.
Remember, you likely won't get your money back
Unfortunately, once your money is in the hands of the scammers, it's unlikely to come back. You can reach out to your bank but if they're unable to reverse the wire transfer, your money is gone. However, if fraudsters got hold of your credit card information, you're covered against fraudulent charges, so work with your card issuer to get those charges reversed.
How scammers will try to trick you again
So, how do criminals try to trick victims again? They generally use tactics from the same playbook.
Scammers pose as authority figures
This strategy is often referred to as an imposter scam. Granted, any crook pretending to be somebody they're not is an imposter, but imposter scams typically refer to somebody pretending to have the power to make your life pretty uncomfortable -- think law enforcement, a court judge or a high-profile attorney.
That's why many thieves going after scam victims pose as FBI agents or somebody high up in the government, like an official from the FTC. Chances are, if you believe them to be who they say they are, you're going to listen to them.
"People, especially those who are older, were raised to respect authority," said Gary MacNamara, former Fairfield, Connecticut, Police Department chief, now the chief and executive director of public safety and government affairs at Sacred Heart University.
Scammers prey on your fear
According to MacNamara, if somebody contacts you from the FBI, police or some other law enforcement entity, respect for authority isn't the only thing they're banking on.
"Having the FBI approach or call will instill fear in someone," MacNamara said. That fear will make it easier for them to convince you to do what they say.
In these situations, it's important to slow down and try to think through the interaction. Why would the FBI need your banking information or other personal identifying information in order to help you get your money back? Chances are, they wouldn't need to ask.
Scammers know you're desperate
You're probably distressed if you've recently been scammed out of a lot of money. Crooks use that as leverage,
"I have had many cases over the years where this kind of manipulation was used," MacNamara said. "They also play on a sense of urgency, embarrassment and other techniques."
Sometimes, older people who have lost a lot of money are afraid their family members may put them in a nursing home, he added. Some tend not to reveal they've lost money, unless they have to, which just makes them more isolated and likely to accept help from an imposter government official.
How can you verify that the person you're speaking with isn't a scammer?
Scammers are increasingly getting more skilled at spoofing government agencies -- and swindling people out of their money multiple times over, as the FBI imposter scam warning demonstrates.
"I can say with confidence that the FBI does not guarantee the recovery of funds lost to scams, nor does it charge for any such service," said Tracey Jenkins, a retired FBI supervisory special agent and an assistant teaching professor at Wichita State University School of Criminal Justice.
If the "agent" you're speaking with claims to do so, your defenses should go up.
Regardless of the company or agency contacting you, find an independent phone number -- not one the scammer provides -- and call to them verify.
Why do my chances of being scammed again go up?
Your chances of being conned again after falling victim to a scam are for the same reasons that the famous Willie Sutton stated about robbing banks: "Because that's where the money is." Sutton actually didn't say it, according to his memoir; a reporter doing a story on Sutton made up the quote.
Still, it's a great explanation as to why scammers often pursue scam victims. It also makes a lot of sense from a criminal's perspective. You, the victim, have shown that you can be tricked, and now you're scared and feeling vulnerable and possibly desperate for some help.
Scammers sometimes refer to this practice of going after scam victims as "reloading," Jenkins said
"They or others use the victim's past experience to try and scam them again, often under a different pretext," he said. And often that different pretext is a crook posing as a good guy offering help.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

For Under $50, You Can Get Three Months of Unlimited Service From Mint Mobile
For Under $50, You Can Get Three Months of Unlimited Service From Mint Mobile

CNET

time27 minutes ago

  • CNET

For Under $50, You Can Get Three Months of Unlimited Service From Mint Mobile

Phones plans are by no means cheap, especially with tariffs on the rise. Phones definitely aren't either, but service adds to that expense even more. And it doesn't help that it's a cost that comes back every month, not to mention an essential that most of us can't go without. Mint Mobile is known for having some affordable options for phone plans -- and that just got even better. Mint Mobile has currently slashed 50% off various plans for your first three months, including the Unlimited plan. This plan includes unlimited talk, text and data -- now for just $45. Not $45 per month, $45 total for three months. This comes out to just $15 bucks a month. The only catch is that this deal is for new customers only. All new customers can get three months of service from Mint Mobile for just $15 per month. You have to pay the full three months, $45, up front and be a new customer to qualify for this deal. You can chose from any plan they offer. This includes everything from the 5GB per month plan to the unlimited plan. After your first three months are over, you can renew with a 3, 6 or 12-month plan to continue enjoying savings. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The best value is the Unlimited plan. It includes unlimited talk, text and data. Plus, it truly is unlimited, with no data caps unlike other networks. This plan normally retails for $30 per month when you pay $90 up front. But right now you can score 50% off that price, which drops it down to just $15 per month. We don't know when this promo will end so act fast before it's too late. Why this deal matters Phone plans can cost hundreds per month, especially if you want specs like unlimited data. Mint Mobile is now offering 50% off its Unlimited plan, bringing the price down to $15 per month. You can also chose from the 5GB, 15GB and 20GB plans. The 5GB plan is $15 per month regardless, but the other ones are also discounted to $15 per month from $20 and $25, respectively. Just keep in mind, you have to be a new customer and pay the $45 up front to qualify.

Best Buy Brought the Sonance MAG5.1 Premium In-Wall Speaker System Down by a Door-Busting $3,499
Best Buy Brought the Sonance MAG5.1 Premium In-Wall Speaker System Down by a Door-Busting $3,499

CNET

time32 minutes ago

  • CNET

Best Buy Brought the Sonance MAG5.1 Premium In-Wall Speaker System Down by a Door-Busting $3,499

Though plenty of TVs today offer great sound quality, nothing can beat the power of an in-wall surround speaker system. These speaker systems take some extra work to install, but they're well worth the effort if you want a state-of-the-art home speaker system. Right now, Best Buy has brought the cost of the Sonance MAG5.1 channel in-wall speaker system down to just $1,000 -- a massive $3,500 savings over its usual asking price of $4,499. Now is an excellent time to stock up on this system if you've been meaning to make a home audio upgrade like this or if you're looking for a next-level surprise for Father's Day. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. This purchase includes three rectangular speakers, two circular speakers, one subwoofer and one transmitter/receiver kit you can strategically install in your chosen space. Each driver included in this speaker system measures 6.5 inches, and its woofers are 10 inches in diameter for powerful sound with up to 725 watts of power overall. This speaker kit can be installed in walls or in your ceiling. Its support for 5.1 channels of sound provides a more life-like and immersive audio profile so you can better enjoy sports, movies and more. To see if this speaker system is truly the best in-wall option for you, make sure to check out the product's specification sheet and instruction manual, which also explains how to paint the grille if you choose the paintable white option. Looking for a new speaker option and not sure if this one is for you? Check out our list of the best speakers so you can compare before you shop. Why this deal matters Ths Sonance MAG5.1 channel in-wall speaker system typically costs $4,499 when you buy it at full price, but this Best Buy deal brings it down to just $1,000. Now is an excellent time to shop this deal if you've been interested in installing a more immersive audio system to your home or business.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store