This past month has been both exciting and challenging. You may be surprised, but you may not be surprised at how many people are victims of scams. These people are afraid, ashamed, and embarrassed. They suffer alone in silence. One reason for suffering alone in silence is that they don’t want anyone to know that they have been scammed. Another reason is that they cannot believe that they fell for the okie doke. Finally, the reason that they suffer in silence is that they knew better that what they were being led to do was wrong, but they felt helpless, and they did not stand up for themselves.
Research shows that the people who practice scamming are professional criminals. They know how to play on vulnerable people’s emotions. However, enough about the scammers and more about the victims. I want to help you to be better, do better, and think better about yourself. The victim (temporary identity) feels anxious, depressed, experiences flashbacks and intrusive thoughts after this traumatic event. Some even have nightmares about the scam.
Together, we will process your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to meet your recovery goals from this or these traumatic experiences of being scammed. In other words, I want you to discover that you can recover from the scam and be, feel, and think like a victor instead of a victim.
I researched scam or fraudulent activities and found these helpful suggestions to help us all be more safe from these criminals. Please read further to mitigate the damage and protect yourself.
- If you think that your computer has been hacked or if you are a victim of a scam, disconnect your computer from the internet to prevent further access by the scammers.
- Use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to scan your computer for any malicious software that may have been installed during the scam. Windows Defender or other trusted security software can help with this.
- Your passwords need to be changed for your email, online banking, and any other sensitive accounts that may have been compromised. Make sure to use strong, unique passwords for each account.
- You need to contact your bank or other credit card company if you provided any financial information to the scammers to report the incident and prevent any unauthorized transactions.
- Report the scam to the appropriate authorities by filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint, as well as report it to your local law enforcement.
- You may educate yourself by familiarizing yourself with common scams and learning how to recognize and avoid them in the future. The FTC and other organizations provide resources and tips for avoiding scams.
- Stay vigilant. Be cautious of unsolicited calls or emails, especially if they claim to be from tech support or a reputable company. Legitimate companies will not ask for sensitive information or remote access to your computer without prior arrangement.
- Finally seek support. If you're feeling overwhelmed or need assistance, consider reaching out to a trusted friend or family member, or support organization for help and guidance. Remember you are not alone and it's important to take action to protect yourself and to prevent further harm.
You are welcome to schedule yourself a free 15-minute consultation call or to call me at 938-227-2404 so that we can talk about this traumatic event and how it has impacted your life. We can also talk about the services that I provide and how I can be of service to you.