Resources
Communicating with someone who has been scammed can be challenging
They may feel great shame or embarrassment so they won’t talk about it.
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Some with cognitive issues may have forgotten it happened.
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The con criminal also could be threatening them if they tell anyone.
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The victim may have developed positive relationship with the con criminal, therefore, they do not believe they are being conned.
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The person caught in a scam may be concerned that if someone finds out they fell for a scam, they may lose their independence or financial security or be deemed incompetent.
How to communicate with a victim of fraud
There are effective ways to approach your loved one to help them get out of or report a scam.
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1. Listen to their story and collect as much information as possible.
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2. Work with them gently and with respect.
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3. Do not shame them or make them feel stupid for the scam.
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4. Ask them what they would do if someone else was caught in a scam.
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5. Ask how they would feel about going to the authorities.
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6. Express your concern for their well-being.
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7. Ask what are their concerns about the scam.
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Investment Help Resource
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Information​
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"FINRA is authorized by Congress to protect America's investors. They are dedicated to protecting investors."
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Investment Help Resource
North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)​
(202) 737-0900
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"NASAA members have a multifaceted mission of protecting investors from fraud and abuse, conducting investor education..."
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Medicare Fraud Resource
Senior Medicare Patrol ​(SMP)
(877) 808-2468​​​​
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"SMPs empower and assist medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors and abuse..."
Medicare Fraud Resource
Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare
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The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare covers signing up for medicare, medicare costs, what medicare covers and more.
Investment Help Resource
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
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​(800) 732-0330​​
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"The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission mission is to protect investors."
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Fraud and Identity Theft Resource
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
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"The FTC's mission is to protect consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive and unfair business practices through law enforcement, advocacy and education..."
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Identity Theft Resource
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ​(CFPB)
(855) 411-2372
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"The CFPB regulates the offering and provision of consumer financial products or services under the federal consumer financial laws..."
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Credit Fraud Resources
Three Credit Reporting Companies:
Equifax:
(800) 685-1111; equifax.com
Experian:
(888) 397-3742; experian.com
TransUnion:
(800) 916-8800; transunion.com
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Mail Fraud Resources
"The postal inspection service maintains an elite police force tasked with securing high-value Post Offices, facilities, and vehicles."