--- title: "Scam Victim Homelessness" canonical: https://romancescamsnow.com/scam-victim-homelessness/ type: post author: "SCARS Institute Editorial Team" published: 2023-01-15 modified: 2023-01-15 categories: ["Insights", "2023", "Victim Financial Recovery", "Victimology", "VICTIMS & MONEY"] summary: "" organization: "SCARS Institute - Encyclopedia of Scans - World's #1 Anti-Scam Website - Romance Scams NOW" organization_url: https://romancescamsnow.com/ llms: https://romancescamsnow.com/llms.txt --- # Scam Victim Homelessness # Scam Victim Homelessness ## Understanding The Financial Impact On Scam Victims ### Cyber-Enabled Financial Fraud Victimology - A SCARS Insight ## Has Financial Fraud Become a Major Driver of Homelessness with Scam Victims? ♦ A SCARS Commentary by Dr. Tim McGuinness We all know that addiction, job loss, and mental health issues ranked as the top three responses from experts on homelessness up to 2019. However, something new is being seen across the world, but especially in the United States. ## That is Scam Victim Homelessness! The average losses from cyber-enabled financial fraud are increasing to staggering proportions. It is now estimated that the average loss per victim is nearing $100,000 - in 2019 this was estimated to be $9,000 to $14,000 depending on whom you talked to (the FBI or the FTC.) **Our organization SCARS is now talking with one or more people a day who say they have lost everything, including their homes, and are facing homelessness.** Local police are not doing enough (or in many cases, anything) to help connect these victims with social services that can help them. This is just one of the things that drive Scam Victim Homelessness! But what makes it worse is the apparent fact that well below 5% of these crimes are never reported to law enforcement (the SCARS Analytics estimate is only 1.2%.) this means they don't qualify for many services because they are not technically a victim of a crime, since it was never reported. We talk with people who have nowhere to turn. Unfortunately, our own organization ([www.AgainstScams.org](http://www.AgainstScams.org)) is not able to offer financial assistance - we simply do not have the donors to help victims financially. Transnational organized cyber-enabled crimes are destroying millions of lives a year. The people making a difference can only help a fraction of those in need, This is a crime wave like nothing the world has EVER SEEN! It affects EVERY resident of every country - directly or indirectly. Yet as a society, we generally pretend it is not a big deal! It will never happen to me, and if it did I would get my money back. WRONG. Most victims turn to their local police and walk away with no help. They are either not aware, or are too ashamed to ask their local social services for help. This is a crisis of victims' legal rights and their human rights! SCARS would like to form a working group to help explore how we can all do a better job in helping victims on the local level. If you are interested in joining with us on this, please let us know by email at [contact@AgainstScams.org](mailto:contact@AgainstScams.org). Our goal is to identify resources worldwide that can help avoid Scam Victim Homelessness. ## Victims Deserve Better! ## Are You Homeless Or At Risk Of Scam Victim Homelessness? There are many resources that can help when you are facing homelessness, but they can also help any scam victim in need of financial help. These resources are all for the United States, but similar services are available in many countries. Please check to see what is available in your country! ## Resources To Avoid Scam Victim Homelessness: ### Housing Assistance Contact a [housing counseling agency](https://hudgov-answers.force.com/housingcounseling/s/) in your area or call 800-569-4287. #### Homeless Housing Help - Contact a [homeless service provider](https://www.hudexchange.info/housing-and-homeless-assistance/homeless-help/) in your community. - Find [local community development and affordable housing contacts](https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/find-a-grantee/). - Search [justshelter.org](https://justshelter.org/community-resources/) to find community organizations working to preserve affordable housing, prevent eviction, and reduce family homelessness. #### Renters: Find an Affordable Unit - Find [affordable rental housing](http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance) near you. - Find [State Housing Finance Agencies](https://www.ncsha.org/housing-help/) with affordable rental properties. - Find [subsidized units in rural areas](https://rdmfhrentals.sc.egov.usda.gov/RDMFHRentals/select_state.jsp). - Find [affordable units in properties supported by tax credits](https://lihtc.huduser.gov/). #### Renters: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities - Find [information about tenant rights and responsibilities](https://www.hud.gov/groups/tenants). - Find [tenant rights by state](http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance/tenantrights). - View [state laws regarding security deposits](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/security-deposit-limits-deadlines-your-state-36186.html). - View [ten tips for tenants](https://www.hud.gov/states/shared/working/r8/mf/topten). - View the [Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Form](https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/90106.PDF). #### Homeowners - Search for a HUD home to purchase on [HUDhomestore.com](https://www.hudhomestore.com/Home/Index.aspx). - Get [assistance with home improvements](http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/home_improvements). - Find [assistance to avoid foreclosure](http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/avoiding_foreclosure) near you or call the [Making Home Affordable](https://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/) hotline 888-995-4673. #### Fair Housing - File a [housing discrimination complaint](http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_discrimination). - File a [Housing Choice Voucher complaint](https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/am/helpdesk) by calling 1-800-955-2232 or sending an email to Public Housing's Customer Service at [HUD-PIHRC@tngusa.net](mailto:HUD-PIHRC@tngusa.net). --- ### Food - Find your local [Food Bank](http://www.feedingamerica.org/). - Apply for [WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Benefits](http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/who-gets-wic-and-how-apply). - Apply for [SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Benefits](https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility). Learn more about other [available food programs](http://www.fns.usda.gov/). --- ### Health and Safety - Locate a [Health Center](http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx) near you, including Health Care for the Homeless Programs. - Locate a [Diaper Bank](https://nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/get-help-now/) near you that distributes diapers to families in need. - Locate [Behavioral Health Treatment Services](https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/) near you, including substance abuse, mental health, and veteran services. - Locate [Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment](https://www.samhsa.gov/esmi-treatment-locator) near you, including evidence-based programs providing medication, therapy, family and peer support, and other assistance for those seeking treatment for a recent onset of serious mental illness such as psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. - [National Suicide Prevention Lifeline](http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/): 1-800-273-8255 is available 24/7 to confidentially provide counseling services at a crisis center in your area. - [National Domestic Violence Hotline](http://www.thehotline.org/): 1-800-799-7233 is available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. - [Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline](https://www.childhelp.org/hotline/): 1-800-422-4453 is available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing child abuse, seeking resources or information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. --- ### Employment and Job Training - DOL’s [Employment and Training Helpline](https://www.doleta.gov/jobseekers/): 1-877-872-5627 provides information for job seekers, workers, and employers on employment and training. - [Workforce Development Board Locator](http://www.servicelocator.org/workforcecontacts.asp) provides local job centers where job seekers can get employment information, find out about career development training opportunities and connect to various programs in their area. - The [American Job Center Finder](http://www.careeronestop.org/localhelp/americanjobcenters/find-american-job-centers.aspx?newsearch=true) provides local job centers that help job seekers find jobs, training, and answer other employment-related questions. - DOL’s [Employment Training page](http://www.servicelocator.org/Aslprograms.asp?prgcat=1) provides a short-term training finder, an education and training finder, a Certification Finder, links to Apprenticeship programs, financial aid, and much more. - [Unemployment Benefits Finder](http://www.careeronestop.org/localhelp/UnemploymentBenefits/find-unemployment-benefits.aspx) provides information about filing for unemployment benefits by state. - [Job Corps Helpline](http://www.jobcorps.gov/): 1-800-733-5627 provides information about this education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. 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