If you’ve recently been a victim of a scam you may want to watch out for the “recovery pitch”. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, scam victims may be at risk of being targeted again by the same scammer with the hopes of obtaining additional funds.
How does it work?
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the recovery pitch involves scammers trying to convince you that there is an opportunity to recover the money you lost in the previous scam.
The scammers may appear to be a member of law enforcement, investigating agencies, bank employees, or lawyers with the goal of establishing trust and credibility.
Example
Initial scam: You got stuck in a romance scam where the scammer (over time) convinced you to send them money for various reasons. You realize you’ve been scammed and now the scammer is unreachable and you’re stuck trying to recoup your funds.
Second scam (the recovery pitch): Someone approaches you claiming to be a lawyer. They say they can help you get your money back for the price of legal fees. You pay them in advance to assist you in getting your money back. Turns out they weren’t a lawyer at all, and now you’ve lost additional funds.
The recovery pitch can take form using any scam, for example:
Scammers target the same people again on the premise of heightened vulnerability after the initial scam took place.
Once bitten, twice shy: how to protect yourself from the recovery pitch
- Confirm who you’re dealing with: If you’ve been a victim of a scam, be wary of people who (out of nowhere) appear to offer a solution to your problem. Make sure you independently verify their identity and confirm they are who they say they are. This means researching the business or organization and cross-checking all information.
- Never pay an advance fee to obtain a refund: This puts you in a vulnerable position and it should be avoided at all costs.
- Record all information: Take notes and keep a record of all communication.
- Trust your gut: If you’re getting a gut feeling that something is amiss, trust it and take a step back to evaluate the situation.
If you’ve been a victim of a scam or fraud, follow these steps from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
ADDITIONAL READING:
The Little Black Book of Scams, presented by the Competition Bureau
Are you liable for charges on a lost or stolen credit card?
Top 6 red flags for buying online from a private seller
3 tips to avoid problems when booking travel online
About Consumer Protection BC
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
Could someone please contact me regarding my situation? It would take too long to explain here. I know this as I just deleted my issue due to lack of space and complication.
Hi Mar, thanks for reaching out to us here. Does your issue involve a scam? While we don’t have legal authority over scams or fraud we will try our best to provide you with useful information or a referral to another agency/organization who may be better suited to help. I would suggest contacting our inquiry centre at 1.888.564.9963. Thanks!
I am staying abroad. I am a victim from scam. Can I please have an email to report my case?
Thanks
Hi Nawal, thanks for your question. We have no legal authority when it comes to scams. Depending on where you’re located and what type of scam you’re referring to, I may be able to provide you with a referral. Are you able to provide some context? Thanks!
Most of these people claiming to be military personels on dating sites are scammers. You find them on every dating sites, also on instagram. I was involved in a romance scam that I lost a lot of money to the tune $500,000. I advise you to always insist to see your alleged lover before any financial commitment.
Hello,
I am a female, and had been a victim of an online romance scam recently and looking for some help and assistance. I have information of the person within canada, which could help with some leads. I will be happy even if partial amount can be recovered. It is a very bad and an embarrassing experience. Kindly advise and please get in touch with me. Thankyou
Thank you for posting a message here and I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately, Consumer Protection BC doesn’t have the authority to look into a fraud case – however, you can certainly contact your local police about this. I hope they will be able to help you out. You can also report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Here’s their website.
I have been scammed by an online cryptocurrency broker called Nittrex. io how can i get help to recover my money?
Hi Dorcas, thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately, cryptocurrency is not regulated and you don’t have a lot of options to recover your money, I’m afraid. You can report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre but that’s about all I can suggest. Here’s the link to their website. Again, I’m sorry I don’t have better news.