At National Fraud Helpline we are always keen to give a voice to scam victims to help people understand the damage that fraud does to people’s lives.
Part of our reasoning for this is so that the Government and other relevant bodies start to take fraud and scams more seriously.
We also want to help prevent other individuals and businesses from falling victim to scams.
Below are 25 of our clients, chosen at random, describing the emotional and financial affects that becoming a fraud victim has had on them.
We think this is a powerful way of showing just how devastating fraud is for victims.
25 Fraud Victims Explain How Falling Victim To A Scam Has Affected Them
It has made me have a breakdown and I’m not the same person anymore I only invested to get a higher interest rate and guaranteed monthly income to support my family and look forward to retirement in 5 years devastated angry and hurt is how I’m feeling everyday
It made me feel so upset and shocked. My energy felt so low, but I still have to go to work, as I am working as a carer and they need me here. My sister in law is with me and she too was so shocked and felt very emotional, she cried in the property and cancelled to go to work because of that. She’s still can’t think straight and wanted to rest.
It has ruined my life, I sold my late mothers jewellery and my Horsebox to fund the scams as they promised I would be financially free, as I result I have lost everything, I had to give my horse up and it nearly cost me my marriage. I have no money and now I am emotionally struggling. Horses are my therapy and my life. All I was wanting to do was earn a little more money.
I did not sleep for weeks so I struggled with my family life. As I can’t tell my husband how stupid I have been. Struggled with work as I’m a senior carer it’s been tough. I just hope I can get some of my money back as I’m crippled in debt now and see no way out
It’s emotionally draining for me as I’ve got my 2 girls to care for, 1 is 13 and a 3 year old and it’s a struggle to be cheery and happy again like I used to. I try my best for them and my husband when he comes home . He works away with the military.
It has had a massive impact on myself and my wife as we are only just surviving.
I had taken out some of my pension early and so that has affected my retirement investments. You feel such a fool and although I guessed I was being taken for a ride, I could not get back any funds as they were controlling the show.
The impact of these scams on my life and plans has been devastating. I had to keep working after I’d planned to retire at 60, in order to pay back the bank loan. I also recently suffered a heart attack, which was partly attributed to the stress of the last few years.
This has put a strain into my marriage. My husband was not aware of the land proposal. It has financial destroyed.
Made me so low that everything had been taken from me. I had no money left to afford to live my partner left me made me homeless and I’ve been depressed since.
It has made me suffer with severe depression and anxiety. I’ve had a mental breakdown and now suffer PTSD from this. This has ruined my life and I feel embarrassed that I got myself into this. they knew I was vulnerable and preyed on it. I am in severe debt because of all of this. I just feel like giving up on life and i feel suicidal.
I have severe anxiety and depression and it has made me even worse to the point where I can’t even eat or get out of bed.
Can not afford anything struggle to buy food and fuel for my car which is on hp.
It’s made me feel so stupid and worthless knowing I’ve been taken in by these scammers it all looked so legit.
I feel very low down as my hard savings have gone.I have sleepless nights thinking whether I will get my back or not
Being scammed has caused me serious emotional harm. I felt very anxious, ashamed and mentally exhausted. I lost sleep and blamed myself. I still feel insecure and deeply affected. I am left in debt, with no savings, and constantly worrying about my future. I don’t trust people easily anymore, and this experience left a lasting emotional scar.
I’ve had issues sleeping and eating for days. I also had a severe panic attack that an ambulance had to be called.
Suicidal
I don’t want to be here anymore
Emotionally and mentally unstable as I’m unable to trust any one
I am really disappointed that I gave my money to scammers. I cry often. My financial situation is bad. I am a single parent, there is no more money for food, medicine, bills, so I am depressed. I am afraid of the future. I hate lies. My heart breaks. I can’t be happy. I pray for a miracle every day and I am disappointed every day. I am afraid of people. The fate of my son worries me a lot. Suicidal thoughts. I am not afraid to give all the information I have, because the truth hurts, but it can save someone else. Long-term manipulation brings pain, even heart problems.
I feel utterly destroyed, my husband has passed away and I am now widowed without any savings at all to live. I was promised the opportunity to have a better life for me and my family. My mental health deteriorated dramatically following the scam I have never recovered. I’m scared whenever the phone rings.
I had already been admitting into a mental health unit due to my mental capacity dropping. As I was financially vulnerable, I went with this scheme thinking it’d help. Now that everything feels lost, it’s made me feel anxious every day, I don’t want to wake up, I don’t want to see anyone, it’s truly made me feel absolutely worthless and stupid. Made me question whether life is worth living.
Stupid. Causing marriage breakdown.
Lost a major amount of my savings that were meant to go towards my parents as my dad got recently diagnosed with cancer. I was hoping for a quick income so then I can go visit my parents and give them some money so they don’t need to worry about the bills, mortgage etc. Losing the money affected my daily wellbeing and mental health and unable me to help my family in need.
Have you lost money to a scam? Contact National Fraud Helpline. Call 0333 0033218 or fill out our Claim Form.