A message promising to recover money lost to a scam can feel like a chance to put a painful experience behind you. Washington’s financial regulator is warning that the offer may be another attempt to take your money.
In its Fall 2026 newsletter, the Department of Financial Institutions describes recovery scams that target people who have already lost money. The caller or message may appear to come from an investment professional, a government agency or someone offering to help.
For residents dealing with a loss, the useful first step is to contact the bank or payment company through a number or website you find independently. An unexpected recovery offer should not become a reason to send another payment.
What a second scam can look like
The Federal Trade Commission warns that recovery scammers may know details of an earlier fraud, including how much someone paid. That information can make the new approach seem convincing.
Watch closely when someone:
- Contacts you unexpectedly and promises to recover lost money.
- Asks for an advance payment described as a processing charge, tax or recovery fee.
- Requests bank-account information or other sensitive details to release a supposed refund.
- Pressures you to act immediately, keep the conversation secret or pay with cryptocurrency, gift cards, cash or a wire transfer.
DFI recommends checking the person or organization using official contact information you look up yourself. Use that independently found contact rather than a number, link or email address supplied in the unexpected message.
If money has already been sent
Contact the bank, credit-card issuer, payment app or transfer company involved promptly. Explain what happened and ask whether the payment can be stopped, reversed or refunded. The FTC’s payment-by-payment guide sets out steps for cards, bank transfers, payment apps, gift cards, cryptocurrency and other methods. Getting money back is not assured.
If account passwords or other personal information were exposed, the same guide explains how to protect affected accounts and where to start an identity-theft recovery plan.
Keep the records and use official reporting channels
Save the original messages, emails, receipts, transaction records and website addresses. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center recommends retaining original evidence securely; its complaint form does not accept attachments.
Washington residents can use these official channels:
- Washington DFI for financial companies and professionals it regulates. Its complaint page also directs readers to other regulators.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center for suspected internet-enabled crime.
- FTC ReportFraud to report a scam.
If you file with IC3, save or print the submitted report before closing the confirmation page. Its FAQ says that is the opportunity to retain a copy; it does not email one to you.
Be cautious about someone claiming to act for IC3, too. The FBI’s impersonation warning says IC3 will not ask for payment to recover funds or refer someone to a company charging for that recovery.
Reporting gives agencies information they can assess and share. It does not guarantee an investigation, a personal response or repayment. You can still take protective steps with your bank or payment provider while a report is being reviewed.
Information checked November 2, 2026.
