What You Do After a Scam Matters More Than You Think

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 monitori ... Read full article.