Scammers Claiming to Be FTC Agents Send Fake Photo IDs by Text to "Verify" Their Identity
Scammers are reaching out via text messages and apps like WhatsApp, claiming to be FTC employees or "agents" assigned to help you recover money you lost in a previous scam. To convince you they are legitimate, they send photos of employee IDs and badges — all fabricated. Once they have your trust, they ask for money, financial account access, or personal information under the guise of "processing" a refund.
The FTC is clear: real employees will never contact you first by text or messaging app, will never send a photo of their ID to prove who they are, and will never offer to recover money you lost to a scam. If someone texts you a badge and claims to work for the FTC, they are a scammer.
What to look for
- Unexpected text messages or WhatsApp messages from someone claiming to be an FTC agent or employee
- Photos of employee IDs, badges, or government credentials sent to "verify" the caller identity
- Offers to help you "recover" or "refund" money you lost to a previous scam
- Requests for financial information, bank account access, or payments to "process" a recovery
What to do
Block the number and do not respond. The FTC will never contact you by text to recover funds — report impersonators at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.