I need a hug…

Hugs to you .I was nearly scammed making a donation to an appeal for the Ukraine. Santander said I wasn’t the first that day and I certainly won’t be the last. I’m not kicking myself any more but the DDs said oh mum surely you didn’t go to the first thing on the internet. more hugs to you.

🤗 so sorry Secondwind. It literally can happen to anyone. Hope you feel better about it soon, time will help.

Although I always considered myself able to spot a scam, after I was nearly scammed myself I saw things in a different way, absolutely anybody can be scammed. Don't beat yourself up about it you are no different from anyone else. Have a hug, know that you are not alone.

You have a big hug from me..
I went through an ordeal 10 years ago and found my true friends...and the ones who just wanted gossip who I totally blocked and have never spoken.to them again..
When you feel ready and a bit stronger you might feel upto telling her.

I am still upset by a scam that happened a few years ago. Primarily because I feel so stupid falling for it. You don't need a lecture from friends or family you are suffering enough. Big Hugs.

When my marriage ended ( my husband ran off with my best friend)., I was in need of just a kind word or a hug , but my cousin proceeded to tell me all about people she knew who were having it worse than me, dying of cancer and so on.. It didn't help at all .Her message seemed to be "pull yourself together , there are people worse off than you !"She meant well , but she should never go into counselling I think you'll agree ! Your friend was trying to help in a rather insensitive way, but maybe just avoid her till you feel better

Your friend was only trying to say that it could happen to anyone. Try not to let it bother you. There are so many scammers out there.

What a horrible time you have been having. Sending you a big hug too. Many others on here have first hand experience of similar situations and understand how you are feeling, sounds like your friend has been lucky enough not to have been there so was probably just doing her best to sympathise. Hopefully she will understand your reaction and all will be well between you soon.

To the OP - you are not in any way , shape or form to blame.
Today’s scammers can be part of a huge and wealthy network. They train their people better than most businesses! They use sophisticated psychological techniques designed to cause confusion, doubt and a sense of urgency to comply before things get worse!
Until you’ve experienced this, it’s easy to think or say I won’t get caught out. Many highly intelligent, savvy people have been scammed.
The Which? report have a Dept now that looks at various frauds and scams. It’s worth having a look at their site as they try to keep up to date with what’s happening.
Familiarising yourself with the types of scams, words and phrases used, tricks employed etc may help - if you’re in the middle of a scam, something familiar they say may trigger the alert and give you pause for thought.
The key is often to refuse to be hurried into a decision. No matter how you’re being pushed or cajoled or rushed, stop the conversation to break the momentum. Take some time out to think about the situation. If it’s genuine, it won’t matter. If it’s a scam, you’ll have time to talk with your bank, a relative or friend. Scammers will desperately try to stop you doing this.

My flowers have gone missing Secondwind,sorry

Sending you a hug. Just a warm, friendly hug. Hope you got your money back/ We must all be aware.

Hi, I was scammed by people pretending to be virgin media, but saved myself as it got to the point where they started asking too many personal details! I just hung up.
On phoning my bank & Virgin and the police one thing they all stressed was that no major company will ‘cold call’ for anything! It is illegal for them to do so!
I felt foolish and angry with myself but appreciated the kindness shown by all.
I understand completely your need for a hug - I have a friend, I’ve known forever who has a health obsession, yes she does have some real issues, MS etc but I do too, and never does she listen. Just compares and says hers are more serious, always worse, as if it’s a competition as to which one of us has the most serious issues.
May I suggest, you give yourself a treat, a nice restaurant, tea room, and give yourself a big hug.
If you feel too low give age concern or the Samaritans a call and you’ll be surprised at how nice strangers can be.
I’m sending you a big big hug and love - also see if your phone has a ‘block’ system and ‘block’ the scam number. Also use TPS - it blocks cold callers on your mobile and landline!
Good luck

Big hug from me too . I’ve been there & felt so violated and such an idiot . It’s hard to describe the agony being scammed causes . I hope your loss wasn’t too great

And a big hug from me and dh too {flowers}

Big hugs from me too, I too got caught some years back it stings badly but by sharing you are definitely helping others to be extra vigilant. After 4-5 years I am now ready to share my experience with the world, if it helps one person to get caught that is just great. {flowers}

Big hug, kiss and a squeeze from me (ds says they work wonders). There are some miserable gits about. Don’t forget it’s not your fault that there are some low life scum about who think they have the right to take what’s not theirs. I hope they don’t get a minutes joy from it. Wishing you all the best. Xx

A huge hug from me too. These vile people are so clever, you shouldn’t feel daft at being taken in when the scams are so sophisticated. We just have to believe in karma. Fingers crossed that you may get your money back.

Here’s a hug from me. I'm so sorry you've been scammed, it happens such a lot these days. I was nearly caught out the other day when I had a call about my internet- they told me that there was a problem and they could remote onto the system and sort it. Luckily for me my son was here and took over the call, he told them that he was an engineer for the company that the scammer was supposed to be from and that he’d just check to see if there was a problem. Funnily enough the call went dead

Huge warm hug.

I feel sorry for you. I think your friend was just trying to be helpful.

💓💞💞💞 Big hugs for you xx

Flowers and a very big hug 🤗

Big hug. As has been said it is not your fault! Do something nice and love yourself x

Big hug. Scammers are down there in the dregs of society. Even the wariest of us can be taken in by these people. I don’t think I would want to chew over the details of how stupid I’d been …. ever! But it would be nice to have a nice chat with a supportive friend who reminds you of all the times you’ve made good choices.

Did any of you watch the television series about scams and fraud,presented by Michelle Ackerley and her mum Mavis.It was app.10/12 episodes and brilliant at showing what these scum of the earth are doing to people. Funnily enough I started watching it just after my husbamd was scammed.He is techno savvy and very good with money but still they caught him out.We changed banks as getting through to our bank on the phone or on-line chat was so difficult.They have closed so many bank branches lately beacause we would have gone into a local one to sort the matter out.