How do you help a scam victim?
Library of Cons #30: Taking a pause from identifying and stopping fraud to invite you to a free webinar co-presented by Give An Hour and SilverShield on how to strengthen our response to scams.
Sometimes I want to stop writing about scams. With how ubiquitous scams are in our every day lives, it always gives me pause every time I hear about a new one.
In last week’s issue, we reviewed the May 19 congressional hearing where expert witnesses discussed transnational criminal networks that have built an industrial-scale fraud economy out of Southeast Asia, stealing an estimated $10 billion annually from Americans. In his testimony, Jacob Sims, a Visiting Fellow from the Asia Center at Harvard University, recited a quote from a script found inside a scam compound:
“There’s not a single person who hasn’t been scammed. They just haven’t seen the right script at the right moment.”
In this issue, we’re going to shift the focus temporarily away from how to identify or stop fraud but on an upcoming, free resource that can help you to understand the human impact of scams and strengthen how we can respond. There are incredibly high odds that you will meet someone who is controlled by a scam. Do you know what to do to get them out of it?
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Give An Hour and SilverShield are producing a three-part educational series on building practical ways to support someone being actively affected by a scam. The series is open to everyone, and the sessions are especially valuable whether you are a frontline worker or want to develop better strategies to support a loved one through scam recovery as a friend or family member. The third and final session in the series is this Wednesday at 12:30 PM EDT.
Last week’s webinar focused on the emotional reality behind scams and fraud recovery: why people often struggle to break free, and how creating a pause instead of pressure can make all the difference. The next one will go deeper into infrastructure.
I found the session valuable, and I’ve included some tips here for you to take away. In the webinar, we learned that not all people experiencing a scam are on the same page. Some are more open to change, and some are more resistant. The person may be deeply controlled either by the scammer or by the environmental or financial factors that have led to the situation. The best way to support them in the long run is to support their autonomy.
Tips on How To Support A Person You Suspect is Being Scammed:
Start with neutral curiosity.
Do NOT confront.
Focus on safety.
Slow the interaction.
Create space for reflection.
Support the person’s own reasoning process.
These are a few of the practical skills you can develop to support someone actively being affected by a scam. In one hour, we learned how to approach conversations without judgment or shame, understand where someone is emotionally before intervening, and help create moments of clarity and reflection.
Join us for the next one on Wednesday.
Register for “Building a Path to Recovery”
Wednesday, June 3 at 12:30 PM EDT
Free and virtual
Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T2M4nTRaTuqQI85brc1b2w
Give An Hour is partnering with SilverShield to bring together mental health and fraud prevention in a new way, one that focuses not only on stopping fraud, but on understanding its human impact and strengthening how we respond. This free, virtual training is open to the public.
Give An Hour is national organization dedicated to transforming mental health by building strong and healthy individuals and communities. We specifically provide mental health support to people impacted by humanmade trauma through an innovative approach that empowers those we help to actively take part in their own mental health journey.
SilverShield is a consumer software app that provides 24/7 scam support and instant verification through text and email. Plans start at $5/month.
Feel free to share it with someone in your life or network who could use it. The more people we reach, the bigger the impact we can make together.
If there is one thing you remember from this, remember to pause.
Stay safe!
Julia Lipscomb
Disclaimer: Library of Cons does not benefit monetarily from any of the content or links mentioned in this issue. All content in Library of Cons is provided strictly for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, investigative, or operational advice. Please conduct your own independent verification and due diligence before relying on any information presented. Information is subject to change. Make sure to check current market facts, explore different opinions, speak to a trusted financial advisor or licensed therapist, consult legal support, think and meditate on your own goals, and/or talk to trusted friends and family members before acting on any financial decision. And please don’t scam others!
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