Have you lost money to a scam? Watch for scammers who say they can help

They're the worst of the absolute worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam. If you or someone you know paid a scammer, here's what to know to avoid scammers who pretend to be helpers.

Refund and recovery scammers buy lists of people who've already been scammed, hoping they can be scammed again. The scammers contact you, saying they'll help get your money back or recover the prize or merchandise you never got. To sound trustworthy, they might say they're with a government agency (even the FTC), a consumer advocacy group, or a law firm - but it's all a lie. They'll then tell you to pay a "retainer fee," "processing fee," or "administrative charge," or share your financial information so they can (supposedly) deposit the refund. But if you pay, they'll steal your money…and if you share your information, they might steal your identity.

To avoid these scams:

• Don't trust someone who contacts you claiming they can recover your lost money for a fee. You'll lose more money.
• Never pay up front for a refund…or for help getting one. Neither government agencies nor legitimate organizations will ever ask for money or financial info in exchange for help getting a refund. Anyone who does is a scammer.
• Always research anyone who contacts you about a refund. Search online for their name plus words like "complaint," "scam," or "review." Look up the contact info for government agencies on your own, if you want to confirm they contacted you. Don't use any number they give you.

If you've paid a scammer, here are some real steps to try to stop a transaction, get a transaction reversed, or get a refund. Then, report the scam to the FTC and your state attorney general.