Survivors Remember
- It was not your fault!
- You are a survivor!
- You are stronger than you know!
- You are not alone!
- Axios! You are worthy!
- Vera! It’s all true!
To get help, please visit ScamVictimsSupport.org and sign up for the SCARS Institute Support & Recovery Program at support.AgainstScams.org
My Scam Victim Story/Survivor Story #86
Police/Banking Impersonation Scam
Survivor’s Country: USA
This is the original victim’s story, enhanced by the SCARS Institute Editorial Team to improve comprehension, readability, and continuity. The names were changed to protect the survivor’s identity.
WARNING: THIS SCAM VICTIM/SURVIVOR’S STORY MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME PEOPLE. DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
ADVERTENCIA: LA HISTORIA DE ESTA VÍCTIMA/SOBREVIVIENTE DE ESTAFA PUEDE SER INSENSIBLE PARA ALGUNAS PERSONAS. SE RECOMIENDA DISCRECIÓN.
If you need help, join our free SCARS Institute Support and Recovery Program at support.AgainstScams.org
Si necesita ayuda, únase a nuestro Programa gratuito de Apoyo y Recuperación del Instituto SCARS en support.AgainstScams.org
My Scam Victim Story
A Call That Changed Everything
I’m Sarah, 62, a freelance writer living in a cozy apartment in Chicago with my husband, David. I’ve always prided myself on being careful, skeptical even, especially with money. But in late 2023, one phone call turned my world upside down, pulling me into a web of lies that cost me $50,000 and left me questioning everything I thought I knew about myself.
It started on a hectic morning, my phone buzzing while I juggled coffee and emails. A woman’s voice, calm but firm, greeted me, saying she was from a customer service team, checking on a suspicious $1,000 purchase on my account. I froze, my mind racing. I hadn’t made any big purchases recently. I denied placing the order, my voice shaky. She asked if I’d like to speak to someone higher up to sort it out. I nodded, though she couldn’t see me, and said yes. The call transferred, and a man introduced himself, his tone serious but reassuring. He gave a badge number, a direct line, and said our conversation was recorded for my protection. I scribbled down the details, my hand trembling.
He asked me to confirm my name, address, and the last four digits of my Social Security number. I hesitated but complied, rattled that he already had this information. He said my personal details were tied to a major case, with 22 bank accounts, nine cars, and four properties registered in my name, wiring over $3 million overseas. My stomach churned. I denied any knowledge, my voice barely a whisper. He asked if I knew a woman named Lisa Chen. I didn’t. He texted me a photo of her ID, claiming it was found in a car rented under my name, abandoned in southern Illinois with drugs and blood inside. Another photo followed, showing stacks of cash and pills from a raided house in Wisconsin, supposedly linked to me. My head spun, disbelief mixing with panic.
I opened my laptop, searching my name with terms like “fraud” or “warrant,” but found nothing. I texted David, my fingers fumbling: “I’m in trouble. Someone stole my identity.” The man on the phone asked if I’d used public Wi-Fi recently, maybe at an airport. I admitted I had, a few weeks ago. He sighed, saying that’s how breaches often start. Shame washed over me, like I’d been careless, though I knew plenty of people used airport Wi-Fi. He urged me to keep this quiet, saying secrecy was critical to protect my family. I swallowed hard, agreeing, my heart pounding.
He explained that my accounts were at risk, and I needed to move my money to a secure account to avoid it being seized. I balked, my instincts screaming this was wrong, but his calm authority chipped away at my doubts. He knew too much, my Social Security number, my address. I called David, desperate for advice, but the man insisted I stay on the line, saying any delay could jeopardize everything. I hung up briefly, my hands shaking, but called back, unable to shake the fear that this was real. He guided me to check my accounts, confirming my balances, which only deepened my trust. How could he know all this if he wasn’t legitimate?
The plan unfolded. I needed to withdraw $50,000 from my savings, the bulk of our nest egg, and hand it to a courier who’d place it in a protected account. I drove to my bank in downtown Chicago, my mind a fog of fear and urgency. I told the teller it was for a home renovation, avoiding her curious glance. The cash felt heavy in my hands, unreal. Back home, I stuffed it into a shoebox, my son’s toys scattered nearby, a stark reminder of what I was risking. The man stayed on the phone, his voice a constant presence, guiding my every move. He said a courier would arrive soon, someone I could trust. I waited, my pulse racing, glancing out my window every few seconds.
A car pulled up, and a man in a suit approached. I opened the door, clutching the shoebox, and asked for his ID. He showed me a badge, his demeanor professional, and I handed over the box, my hands trembling. He promised I’d get a receipt soon, then drove away. I stood frozen, the weight of what I’d done sinking in. Hours passed, then days, with no receipt, no updates
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PLEASE NOTE:
In the case of Scam Survivor’s Stories: The SCARS Institute displays this story to help recent scam victims. We are authorized to display this story and in this form or edition is copyright © Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. All rights reserved. The specific survivor’s identity has been anonymized for their protection. Photos are generated and are not of the real person.
In the case of the Criminal’s Stories: The SCARS Institute presents the Criminal Stories to assist scam victims in understanding that criminals are real individuals, despite their terrible actions, and we can gain valuable insights from their experiences to prevent crime and identify these schemes as they emerge. We aim to support victims and survivors in releasing the emotions they harbor toward the criminals, fostering a path toward potential forgiveness over time.
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors, please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish. Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors’ experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started For New Victims of Relationship Scams: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- For Scam Victims Advocates: www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
More Survivor Stories
More Criminal Stories
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times, this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims; we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens, and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
SCARS Institute articles can help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org and www.ScamsNOW.com
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on SCARS Institute websites are for information & education only
The information provided in SCARS Institute articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair, please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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