I Was Scammed Out of $6,000, and I Still Live With the Shame

I did a stupid thing, and boy, did it cost me.

I needed help with my social media account, so I called what I thought was a customer representative. Two hours later, I ended a call having been scammed out of $6,000.

While it was painful, I forced myself not to mourn the financial loss. Now, almost a year later, I find myself still struggling to recover from the deeper trauma of embarrassment, humiliation, and fear.

I knew better, but I still lost money anyway

I’m no stranger to avoiding scams. I frequently get those texts about new job opportunities offering high salaries. I don’t pick up phone calls from unknown numbers or respond to demands to pay random parking tickets.

But I was caught off guard this time because, as my scammer reminded me, I called him.

That’s true. I’d been locked out of my Facebook account weeks earlier when my computer did an automatic security upgrade. None of my numerous attempts to get back in worked, so when I Googled Facebook customer support and found an 800 number, I decided to try it.

A representative picked up my call. He told me someone was trying to use my identity to purchase $40,000 worth of goods on Facebook Marketplace. My gut told me that was unlikely, but it didn’t stop me from following his instructions to complete several financial transactions.

He started by asking me to send money to my daughter, which would then be credited back to me. I watched that happen. Then he snuck in another name, assuring me I’d see the credit back immediately. I didn’t.

I try not to think about what happened next. After a slow wind-up, things started moving at warp speed. He asked me to use Venmo, Apple Cash, and Zelle to move money around. Fortunately, Venmo puts a hold on transactions, so those didn’t go through, but when you pay with Apple Cash and Zelle, the money is gone.

It could have been so much worse, but as things progressed, my body started shaking. I finally told him I had to end the call. He said we didn’t have too much more to do and that he’d call me back on Monday to complete the process. He never did.

It’s too easy to get scammed

Once I realized what had happened, I called my bank. While the representative was sympathetic, she explained there was nothing she could do; my money was gone. She did recommend I contact the police and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. When I met with the police officer at my local precinct, he scolded me, saying, “What were you thinking?”

That’s just it. I wasn’t thinking. I can’t explain what came over me and why I let myself become so vulnerable. I know better, don’t I?

But I’m not alone. Pew Research Center estimates that in the past year, 73% of Americans have fallen victim to online scams. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that in 2024, Americans were defrauded out of $16.6 billion. Although it’s assumed that the elderly are the most vulnerable, we’re all at risk.

I’m now dealing with the shame and embarrassment

It’s been difficult to admit that I was scammed. Until they read it here, most of my children will have been unaware of this incident.

When I finally told my oldest son, he admitted he’d almost been a victim himself. He’d responded to a text about a package being held by the post office. Fortunately for him, he realized what was happening in time.

I’ve made peace with the fact that no one is going to be punished for scamming me; I’m just one more statistic. My police report is in the same black hole as countless others, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still feel the impact.

Now every time I contact a customer service representative about any financial issue, my stomach clenches. I get a little sweaty, and I start to panic. I worry that I’ll get scammed again.

These reactions may actually be healthy. Hopefully, they’ll protect me from becoming a victim again. They were there the first time; I just didn’t pay attention. I’ll be paying attention now.