Being financially scammed (as we were) leaves the victim reeling with a range of turbulent emotions including:
Despair – what do I do now? This is especially true if the loss is sizeable, and even more so, if it directly affects one’s livelihood or future.
Guilt, embarrassment, and shame – for example, “how dumb of me to have allowed this to happen!” Such thoughts and emotions can tend to keep victims in isolation – not wanting to share the scam suffering with others, or report it to authorities.
If only … “– if only I did/didn’t do …” Such thinking tends to exacerbate the feelings of guilt and shame.
Anger – “how could they have dared do this to me?” When loving trust has been betrayed by the scammer, anger toward the scammer can quickly arise.
Denial – “it can’t be true!” To fully realize that a sizeable amount of money has suddenly been stealthily taken away is difficult to come to terms with – and will take time to acknowledge and accept.
Fear – could it happen again? It is a sad fact, that once a person has been scammed, unless they are extra vigilant, it could happen again.
Grief with all of its associated emotions – having, for example, suffered a financial scam, this represents a genuine loss. Therefore, a period of grieving will occur, as happens whenever we experience a substantial loss in life.
Depression – self-pity and sadness. In more serious cases, such depression can be debilitating.
From our personal experience – but undoubtedly true of others in similar situations – waves of emotions can keep one awake at night and “down in the dumps” during the day.
However, the good news is that healing does come in due time.
The information that follows on this website has helped us, and it is our heartfelt hope and trust that it may help others to reorient their perspective, learn valuable lessons, and be wiser in the future.
Eva and Alexander Peck