// Remote Report August 17, 2026 2 Findings · Government Impersonation

Remote Scam Watch — August 17, 2026

Two active Government Impersonation scams confirmed by the FTC — one targeting people who have already been defrauded, the other preying on anyone struggling with IRS tax debt. Both free to read, no subscription required.

Critical Alert Government Impersonation Targets Older Adults

Scammers Are Buying Lists of Prior Fraud Victims — Then Calling Them Pretending to Be the FTC — to Steal Money a Second Time

One Critical-Alert Government Impersonation scam confirmed by the FTC targeting prior fraud victims nationwide: Scammers purchase lists of people who have previously lost money to fraud — lists that include your name, address, phone number, the type of scam you were tricked with, and how much you paid. They contact you posing as the FTC, a government agency, a law firm, or a consumer advocacy group, claiming they can recover your lost money. They demand a "retainer fee," "processing fee," or "administrative charge" upfront — and then steal that too. The FTC will never contact you to offer a refund in exchange for a fee, and no legitimate organization will charge you to recover money you already lost. If anyone calls or messages you claiming they can recover your lost money for any fee, hang up immediately — it is always a scam.
// Elder-Targeted Alert

Older adults who have previously been scammed are the primary targets for this second wave of fraud. If a parent, grandparent, or older neighbor has mentioned being scammed in the past, warn them specifically: any call or message promising to recover lost money — for any fee — is a follow-on scam, not help. The fraudster already knows what happened to them the first time.

How This Scam Works

Scammers who run "refund and recovery" operations deliberately purchase victim databases — lists of people who lost money to prior scams, including how much they paid and what type of fraud was used. They contact you claiming to represent the FTC, FBI, a government task force, a law firm, or a consumer group. To sound credible, they may accurately describe the original scam that affected you. They say they have identified the culprits and can arrange your money's recovery — but only if you pay an upfront fee to cover "processing" or "legal retainer." Once paid, they disappear. If you provided account details, those may be used for further fraud.

Red Flags to Watch For
What To Do
// The Defense That Matters Most

Legitimate organizations will never charge you a fee to recover money you already lost to a scam. The FTC reaches people owed refunds through official mail — not cold calls. Any call, email, or text promising to recover your money for an upfront payment is a second scam, not a rescue from the first one.

Sources: FTC Consumer Alert — "Have you lost money to a scam? Watch for scammers who say they can help" (consumer.ftc.gov, August 3, 2026 — Mandatory Source #1)
High Alert Government Impersonation

Fraudulent Tax Debt Relief Companies Are Charging Upfront Fees — Then Doing Nothing — While Your IRS Debt Keeps Growing

One High-Alert Government Impersonation scam confirmed by the FTC targeting people with IRS tax debt nationwide: Dishonest tax debt relief companies promise to settle IRS debt for "pennies on the dollar" — often before reviewing your actual financial situation. They charge large upfront service fees, then do little or nothing, leaving victims further in debt with both the IRS and the phony company. In some cases, deadlines pass during the delay, making the IRS situation worse. The IRS has real relief programs that taxpayers can access directly and for free — no third-party company or upfront fee is required. Before paying any company that promises to settle your tax debt, verify your actual options directly with the IRS at irs.gov or by calling 1-800-829-1040 — the real programs are free and accessible without a middleman.
How This Scam Works

Tax debt relief scammers advertise through social media, radio, and unsolicited calls using dramatic promises — reducing $50,000 in IRS debt to $500, for example — and urgent language about avoiding wage garnishment or asset seizure. They collect large upfront fees, sometimes thousands of dollars, and may ask you to sign a power of attorney granting them access to your IRS account. After payment, they do little: they request repeated documents, delay responses, or stop communicating entirely. By the time victims realize the company is not working on their case, months may have passed, IRS penalties have accumulated, and the fee is unrecoverable.

The IRS does have legitimate relief programs — Installment Agreements, Offers in Compromise, Currently Not Collectible status, and penalty abatement — all accessible directly at irs.gov for free. If your situation is complex, a licensed CPA, enrolled agent, or tax attorney (not a generic debt relief company) is the appropriate help.

Red Flags to Watch For
What To Do
// The Defense That Matters Most

The IRS's own free relief programs — Installment Agreements, Offers in Compromise, and others — are available at irs.gov without hiring anyone or paying upfront fees. Verify your real options directly with the IRS before paying any third party a single dollar.

Sources: FTC Consumer Alert — "Struggling with tax debt?" (consumer.ftc.gov, August 13, 2026 — Mandatory Source #1)
Where to Report These Scams
FTC
Report refund/recovery scams and fake tax relief companies.
reportfraud.ftc.gov
IRS
Verify your actual tax debt options — free, no middleman needed.
irs.gov · 1-800-829-1040
AARP Fraud Helpline
Free counseling — especially for the elder-targeted refund/recovery scam.
1-877-908-3360
BBB Scam Tracker
Research tax relief companies for prior complaints before paying anything.
bbb.org/scamtracker
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