Coping with Scams! Anyone Can Become a Victim of a Crime!

Being a Victim of a Crime Can Be a Very Difficult and Stressful Experience!

If it Happens to You or Someone You Love, here are Some Important Points to Remember:

While most people are naturally resilient and over time will find ways to cope and adjust with the proper help, there can be a wide range of after-effects to a trauma. One person may experience many of the effects, a few, or none at all. Not everyone has the same reaction. In some people, the reaction may be delayed days, weeks, or even months. Some victims may think they are “going crazy,” when they are having a normal reaction to an abnormal event.

Getting back to normal can be a difficult process after a personal experience of this kind, especially for victims of relationship scams. Learning to understand and feel more at ease with the intense feelings can help victims better cope with what happened.

Victims may need to seek help from friends, family, a member of the clergy, a counselor, or a victims’ assistance professional provider such as SCARS.

Coping with Scams

Being a victim of a crime, especially a scam, can be a very difficult and stressful experience. The emotional and psychological impact can be profound, leaving victims feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. If you or someone you love becomes a victim, here are some important points to remember:

While most people are naturally resilient and over time will find ways to cope and adjust, there can be a wide range of after-effects to trauma. One person may experience many of the effects, a few, or none at all. Not everyone has the same reaction, and in some people, the reaction may be delayed days, weeks, or even months. Some victims may think they are “going crazy,” when in reality, they are having a normal reaction to an abnormal event.

Getting back to normal can be a difficult process after a personal experience of this kind, especially for victims of relationship scams. Learning to understand and feel more at ease with the intense feelings can help victims better cope with what happened.

Victims may need to seek help from friends, family, a member of the clergy, a counselor, or a victims’ assistance professional provider such as SCARS.

Potential Effects of Trauma

Victims of scams may experience a variety of symptoms, both immediately and long after the event. Some of these symptoms include:

Emotional Effects

Intense Fear or Anxiety: Victims may feel an overwhelming sense of fear or anxiety, particularly when reminded of the scam or encountering similar situations.

Panic Attacks: Sudden, intense episodes of fear or discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and trembling.

Anger or Irritability: Victims may struggle with feelings of anger or irritability as they come to terms with the betrayal and violation of trust.

Sadness or Depression: A profound sense of sadness or depression can occur as victims deal with the financial and emotional consequences of the scam.

Cognitive Effects

Intrusive Thoughts: Persistent, distressing thoughts related to the scam can intrude into the victim’s mind, making it difficult to concentrate.

Memory Disturbances: Victims may have difficulty remembering details about the scam or may experience gaps in their memory related to the event.

Confusion or Disorientation: A sense of confusion or disorientation about what happened and why can be common, as victims try to make sense of their experience.

Behavioral Effects

Avoidance Behaviors: Victims may avoid reminders of the scam or situations that could trigger memories of the event.

Hyper-vigilance: Heightened alertness and vigilance to potential threats, including a fear of being scammed again.

Social Withdrawal: Withdrawal from social interactions and relationships due to feelings of shame, embarrassment, or mistrust.

Increased Substance Use: Some victims may turn to alcohol, drugs, or other substances as a way to cope with their distressing emotions.

Physical Effects

Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing nightmares related to the scam.

Physical Symptoms: Manifestations of stress, such as headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle tension, and fatigue.

Psychosomatic Effects

Somatization: Psychological distress may manifest as physical symptoms without an underlying medical cause, such as unexplained pain.

Relational Effects

Trust Issues: Difficulty trusting others and feelings of betrayal by those they trusted before the scam.

Isolation: Withdrawal from family, friends, or social support networks due to feelings of shame, embarrassment, or fear of judgment.

More Effects of Trauma

Some people who have been victims of crime may experience some of these symptoms. Seek medical advice if the symptoms persist.

Physical

• Nausea
• Tremors
• Chills or sweating
• Lack of coordination
• Heart palpitations or chest pains
• High blood pressure
• Headaches
• Sleep disturbances
• Stomach upset
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Startled responses

Emotional

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Guilt
• Grief
• Depression
• Sadness
• Anger
• Irritability
• Numbness
• Feeling lost, abandoned, and isolated
• Wanting to withdraw or hide

Mental

• Slowed thinking
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Memory problems
• Intrusive memories or flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Inability to concentrate
• Difficulty in making decisions

Tips for Coping

These are some ideas that may help you cope with the trauma or loss:

• Find someone to talk with about how you feel and what you are going through. Keep the phone number of a good friend nearby to call when you feel overwhelmed or feel panicked.
• Join a qualified scam victims’ support group here.
• Allow yourself to feel the pain. It will not last forever.
• Keep a journal – you can use a journal of your choice or SCARS publishes a journal specifically designed for scam victims here.
• Spend time with others, but make time to spend time alone.
• Take care of your mind and body. Rest, sleep, and eat regular, healthy meals.
• Re-establish a normal routine as soon as possible, but don’t overdo it.
• Make daily decisions, which will help to bring back a feeling of control over your life.
• Exercise, though not excessively, and alternate with periods of relaxation.
• Undertake daily tasks with care. Accidents are more likely to happen after severe stress.
• Recall the things that helped you cope during trying times and loss in the past and think about the
  things that give you hope. Turn to them on bad days.

These are things to avoid:

• Be careful about using alcohol or drugs to relieve emotional pain. Substance abuse not only postpones healing but also creates new problems.
• Make daily decisions, but avoid making life-changing decisions in the immediate aftermath, since judgment may be temporarily impaired.
• Don’t blame yourself—it wasn’t your fault.
• Your emotions need to be expressed. Try not to bottle them up.

For some victims and families of victims, life is forever changed. Life may feel empty and hollow. Life doesn’t “mean” what it used to. Part of coping and adjusting is redefining the future. What seemed important before may not be important now. Many victims find new meaning in their lives as a result of their experience. It is important to remember that emotional pain is not endless and that it will eventually ease. It is impossible to undo what has happened but life can be good again in time.

For Family and Friends of a Victim of Crime

• Listen carefully.
• Spend time with the victim.
• Offer your assistance, even if they haven’t asked for help.
• Help with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, caring for the family, minding the children.
• Give them private time.
• Don’t take their anger or other feelings personally.
• Don’t tell them they are “lucky it wasn’t worse”—traumatized people are not consoled by such statements.
• Tell them that you are sorry such an event has occurred to them and you want to understand and help them.

Seeking Help and Support

It is crucial for scam victims to seek support to help them navigate the aftermath of their trauma. Here are some steps to consider:

Talk to Trusted Individuals: Sharing your experience with trusted friends or family can provide emotional support and help you process your feelings.

Seek Professional Help: Consider reaching out to a counselor, therapist, or victims’ assistance professional. Organizations like SCARS can provide specialized support for scam victims.

Join Support Groups: Connecting with others who have had similar experiences can offer a sense of community and understanding.

Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as exercise, hobbies, and mindfulness practices.

Educate Yourself: Understanding the nature of scams and the psychological impact they can have can empower you to take proactive steps in your recovery.

Summary

Being a victim of a scam can be a deeply traumatic experience, but understanding the potential effects and seeking support can aid in the recovery process. Remember that reactions to trauma vary, and it is important to be patient with yourself or your loved one as you navigate this challenging time. Seeking help and utilizing available resources can significantly improve coping mechanisms and promote healing.