In today’s world of multi-tool connectivity, scams have become an unfortunate reality. Scammers are astute masters of deception who can interrupt our lives in a matter of minutes. They can cause loss of money, personal information or both, and they can attack via email, phone or a combination of methods.

The prevalence of scams is staggering, with millions falling victim each year. Losses can be devastating and the emotional toll can be worse than the financial fallout.

To help manage the aftereffects of being scammed, Scam Survivor Day will be held on May 14 to shed light on the aftermath of being scammed. Started by the Better Business Bureau in 2024, Scam Survivor Day highlights the needs of scam survivors and aims to combat the stigma associated with being scammed. It’s designed to acknowledge the emotional and psychological impacts of scams and recognize the journey that scam victims endure.

Most importantly, it helps victims realize they are not alone and that they can reclaim their power. Many victims of scams struggle with mental health issues in the aftermath of the scam. Feelings of anxiety, shame and loss of trust can be severe and long-lasting, impacting not only the financial aspects on their lives but also the emotional and psychological toll that being a victim can take.

The immediate aftermath of realizing you’ve been a victim of a scam can cause your heart to race, your palms to sweat and your head to spin as your brain struggles to process the reality of the situation. The result can be shock, disbelief and denial, followed by anger and frustration, and finally shame, anxiety and fear.

Once the initial reaction subsides, often the victim is left with psychological effects like depression, paranoia and despair that can linger for months. These effects can morph into a lack of self-esteem and self-confidence and an overwhelming sense of vulnerability. The fears of making another mistake can cause simple choices to become agonizing ordeals, with every decision carrying the weight of potential disaster.

The impact of scams can also cause social anxiety with the victim withdrawing to the point of isolation. Shame, fear of judgment and the fear of being taken advantage of again can cause the victim to erect an emotional wall that will inevitably put a strain on personal relationships. This silent withdrawal often goes unnoticed and unaddressed.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Confiding in a professional is the most important step to helping victims manage the aftereffects of being scammed. A therapist or support group can provide tools to process and manage the emotional aftermath of a scam and can help the victim to understand that they are not alone.

Understanding the mindset of a scammer can also help the victim feel less culpable. The psychology of a scammer is complicated, with a lack of empathy and willingness to exploit others acting as the driving forces. Scammers are deliberate, precise and calculating in their efforts to deceive.

Recovery is not always easy and often requires patience from the victim as well as a willingness to confront uncomfortable emotions. Building up resilience and learning from the experience can turn a negative situation into a source of strength and wisdom.

Because knowledge is power, learning to protect yourself going forward is crucial to a healthy recovery. This includes educating yourself about common scams, implementing stronger security measures and learning to once again trust your instincts and manage the aftereffects of being scammed.

Here are some effective ways to protect yourself against scammers.

• Install video cameras at your front and back doors. If you see a visitor you don’t recognize, don’t answer. Be wary of people posing as utility workers and never allow anyone into your house without an appointment.
• Be aware of the whereabouts of your mail, both incoming and discarded. To ensure that nothing is stolen from your mailbox, pay attention to regular delivery dates and sign up for alerts from the post office about mail that is scheduled that day. To discard unwanted mail, either shred any papers that contain private information or use a roller stamp to conceal the details.
• Regularly check your credit report to detect any unusual activity. Report any suspicious activity to the appropriate financial institution.
• Protect your online and mobile accounts by using a variety of passwords, reviewing your transaction list, using multi-factor authentication when possible, let unfamiliar phone numbers go to voicemail, never respond to unsolicited business calls, texts or emails, and be sure to log out of apps when you’re not using them.
• Set your social media profile so that only your friends can see your pages and never accept friend requests or respond to messages from people you don’t know. Be aware that imposter scams begin with fraudsters trolling social media pages to gain information about unwary victims that they can use to pretend to be your friend.
• To avoid shopping scams, verify the URLs of online stores. Scammers will often create a URL that is one letter off from the authentic one. Do not save your credit number when using online sites. If possible, pay using an e-payment service that keeps credit card information on a highly-secured site. If someone is asking for payment using gift cards, cryptocurrency or prepaid debit cards, be wary. Criminals prefer untraceable methods of payment so it’s best to pay with a credit card which can be reversed if necessary.
• Inspect all terminals when paying at a gas station or other point-of-sale location. Credit card skimming is responsible for $1 billion in losses annually so be sure to examine credit card readers before inserting your card looking for loose or broken machinery.

Finally, trust your instincts. If something doesn’t sound right, learn to say no and hang up or disengage. With a little diligence, patience and determination, you can manage the aftereffects of being scammed.