Cuyahoga County fraud fighters say an old scam is back on the phones and circling people who can least afford it. Officials are warning residents about what they call the "reloader" scam, a scheme that zeroes in on people who have already been ripped off, then dangles a fake investigator or attorney who claims they can get the money back for an upfront fee.
Sheryl Harris, director of the county's Department of Consumer Affairs, told News 5 Cleveland that the pitch had faded from view for years but is now popping up again in fresh complaints. "We're starting to say if someone approaches you and tells you to pay money to help catch these criminals or make them pay you back, that itself is a scam," Harris said. Scam Squad investigators are reaching out to new victims one-on-one, trying to stop a second hit before it lands.
What Is A Reloader Scam?
The tactic, often called a "reloader" or "recovery-room" scam, starts with a list of people who were already conned. Scammers buy or trade those lists, then call back the same victims with a smooth offer to help them recoup their losses in exchange for fees or "processing" payments. Federal investigators and investor-protection agencies have been warning about this pattern for years, noting that the follow-up call is usually just another con, not a rescue mission.
As laid out in a U.S. Senate Aging Committee report, reloaders lean on embarrassment and hope, telling victims that a little money up front will unlock the recovery of funds that never actually come back.
How It's Showing Up In Cuyahoga County
The local numbers show just how pricey scams can be. WOIO reported that Cuyahoga County logged more than 1,300 scam reports in 2025, with residents reporting over $5.2 million in losses. The reloader scam is now one of several repeat plays on that list that county investigators are tracking.
To slow the cash drain, the Scam Squad has teamed up with banks on a teller-based questionnaire that nudges customers to pause and think before making large withdrawals, especially if someone on the other end of a phone line is pushing for fast cash. That program, aimed at catching scams in real time at the counter, was detailed by WOIO.
How To Protect Yourself
The core rule is blunt: do not send money to anyone who claims they can recover past losses for an upfront fee. Paying an "up-front recovery fee" is a major red flag and a hallmark of reloader scams. The Cuyahoga County Scam Squad urges people to hang up, call their bank directly and then contact the Scam Squad at 216-443-SCAM (7226). Information about the team and how to reach an investigator is available through Cuyahoga County.
The Ohio Attorney General's consumer site also advises letting unknown calls roll to voicemail, forwarding scam texts to 7726 and reporting illegal robocalls using its online tools. Those resources are collected at OhioProtects. Keeping screenshots, receipts and phone records can make a real difference for investigators and banks trying to stop any further damage.
If you have been targeted, officials say to stop payments immediately, contact your financial institution and report the contact to the Scam Squad and to the Ohio Attorney General. For a local breakdown and the consumer reporter's overview of the scam's return, see News 5 Cleveland. Staying skeptical of anyone who asks for cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers or prepaid cash remains one of the strongest defenses against reloaders and other frauds.
