Recovery Scams Add to Identity Theft Victims’ Losses

Scam and identity theft victims often face months of stress, lost sleep and difficult account repairs after the initial crime. A new U.S. survey also warns that people seeking help may be targeted again by companies promising to recover money, repair credit or catch the criminal.

What happened

The Identity Theft Resource Center surveyed 1,111 U.S. adults in August and September 2026. It also surveyed 197 people who had contacted the organization for help during the previous year, according to Help Net Security.

Among scam victims who contacted the center, 54.8% said they felt ashamed or embarrassed. Victims of both scams and identity theft also reported difficulty sleeping.

The recovery process can become another source of risk. In the general consumer survey, 87.9% of scam victims who sought help from an organization said they received no response. Another 78.9% paid a third party that claimed it could recover stolen money, repair their credit or identify the scammer. The center classified such offers as recovery scams.

Identity theft can create a longer administrative burden. Criminals may use stolen information to open bank accounts, seek credit, make unauthorized card purchases or misuse employment and medical records. Among identity theft victims who contacted the center, 64% spent more than 40 hours trying to resolve the damage, and most said their cases were still unresolved when surveyed.

Who is affected

The findings apply to U.S. adults across age and income groups. Some victims in the general survey reported unrecovered losses of at least $100,000, while others said the crime affected their jobs, promotion opportunities or relationships with supervisors.

Even people who consider themselves security-aware can be vulnerable. Ninety-one percent of general survey respondents said they knew how to protect their personal information, yet nearly half had almost sent money or shared information with a scammer during the previous 12 months.

What to do now

1. Stop before paying a recovery service. Do not send another fee simply because someone promises to retrieve stolen money, repair your credit or catch the scammer. A request for upfront payment after a loss should be treated as another possible scam.

2. Review every account that could be affected. Open your bank, card and payment apps and inspect recent transactions. Contact the provider through its official app, website or the number printed on your card if you find activity you do not recognize.

3. Secure exposed accounts. Change passwords for any account connected to the incident, starting with email and financial services. Use a different password for each account so one stolen login cannot unlock several services.

4. Keep a written recovery record. Save dates, case numbers, transaction details and copies of messages. The survey found that identity theft recovery can consume dozens of hours, so organized records can help when several organizations are involved.

5. Do not blame the victim. Shame can delay reporting and make recovery harder. If a relative or employee has been scammed, help them review accounts and contact legitimate providers without criticism.