According to the Federal Trade Commission’s most recent survey, more than thirty million Americans were the victims of scams last year.  However, the number of scams was indicated as close to 49 million scams, which means that many scam victims were victimized more than once.   This is not a coincidence or mere bad luck.  Scammers often compile lists of their victims with information including their names, addresses and contact information.  They sell this information to other scammers who often contact the victims and tell them that they are with a consumer group or government agency and that they are available to help the victim regain the money lost to the previous scam.  The new scammer then asks for processing fees or other personal information, such as a Social Security number in order to proceed with the recovery effort.  Of course, the recovery effort never occurs.  In fact, the victim is merely victimized again, either by paying for services the victim never receives or by giving away personal information that leads to identity theft.

TIPS

No government agency or consumer agency will contact you about recovering money you have lost to a scam.  It is up to you to contact them.  Only the scammers know you have been scammed so if you receive contact from someone seeking to help you, just say no.  Never give your personal information to anyone whom you have not contacted and are sure that they are legitimate and need the information.