Recovery scammers hit you when you’re down: Here’s how to avoid a second strike

Recovery fraud represents a secondary attack vector targeting individuals who have already been victimized by initial scams. These threat actors purchase or obtain 'sucker lists' containing information about previous fraud victims and execute follow-up attacks disguised as recovery assistance. The scammers exploit victims' emotional vulnerability and desperate desire to recover lost assets, often demanding upfront fees or sensitive personal information. Organizations should educate customers and employees about this growing threat pattern. Key mitigation strategies include verifying the legitimacy of any recovery services, avoiding upfront payments, reporting incidents to authorities, and maintaining awareness that legitimate agencies do not charge fees in advance for recovery services. This type of fraud underscores the importance of ongoing security awareness training.

If you’ve been the victim of fraud, you’re likely already a lead on a ‘sucker list’ – and if you’re not careful, your ordeal may be about to get worse.

Recovery fraud represents a secondary attack vector targeting individuals who have already been victimized by initial scams. These threat actors purchase or obtain 'sucker lists' containing information about previous fraud victims and execute follow-up attacks disguised as recovery assistance. The scammers exploit victims' emotional vulnerability and desperate desire to recover lost assets, often demanding upfront fees or sensitive personal information. Organizations should educate customers and employees about this growing threat pattern. Key mitigation strategies include verifying the legitimacy of any recovery services, avoiding upfront payments, reporting incidents to authorities, and maintaining awareness that legitimate agencies do not charge fees in advance for recovery services. This type of fraud underscores the importance of ongoing security awareness training. If you’ve been the victim of fraud, you’re likely already a lead on a ‘sucker list’ – and if you’re not careful, your ordeal may be about to get worse. If you’ve been the victim of fraud, you’re likely already a lead on a ‘sucker list’ – and if you’re not careful, your ordeal may be about to get worse.