At this time, I am not facilitating a support group for scam survivors. However, please let me know if you are interested in this, and I’ll add you to my email list. I hope to begin facilitating another group soon!
The groups are conducted by phone only. We aren’t allowing anyone to join with video and we ask that you only use your first name when introducing yourself and participating.
You might be wondering why we are doing that. It’s because:
A big challenge in offering support groups for people who have been scammed is preventing a scammer from joining. They will try so they can try to scam people again! This is why we aren’t doing this on video and ask you to only offer your first name. You can use an alias if you choose to do that, too.
If a scammer can’t get your name or copy an image of your face … and if they can’t chat with you privately to arrange a meeting outside of our group … then this will not be an attractive place for them and we can keep scammers OUT!
It is a supportive environment for you to connect with others who have had similar experiences as you.
We are also screening everyone before they get the day and time of the group, or the telephone number to dial in to our group. This is another way we are trying to keep any scammers out.
My video conference account is secure and HIPAA compliant to protect your privacy and confidentiality.
For you to get access, the link below takes you to a secure form where you will need to provide some personal information. You will also need to agree to the rules about confidentiality and other aspects of the group. Once I have your form, I will review it and contact you as soon as possible to give you the access information for the group.
Here’s the link, and I hope to hear from you soon: https://www.ScamSurvivorHealing.com/support-group-agreement/
I have one additional thing to note that may be helpful or interesting to you. Different kinds of groups in mental health are sometimes confusing. I wrote an article to describe the differences and you can find it here: https://www.scamsurvivorhealing.com/2022/12/14/counseling-support-groups/
If you prefer, I have listed some organizations below that also offer support groups. I am careful about who makes it to this list, and I encourage you to decide for yourself if a particular organization or group feels supportive for you. If you sense any judgement, condescension, shaming or anything else that doesn’t feel comfortable, please speak to the facilitator or another member of that organization to decide whether you want to continue or not. If it feels as if you are being coerced, consider your alternatives.
AARP – https://www.aarp.org – AARP has a Fraud Watch Network and they offer support groups at many times and days. You don’t have to be a member and you don’t have to be age 49 or above to join them.
Cybercrime Support Network – https://www.fightcybercrime.org – This organization also offers support groups, which you’ll find under the menu item “Programs” on their website.
Give an Hour – https://www.giveanhour.org – Give an Hour has a network of mental health providers that offer free counseling to different populations. This began with offering this service to active military, veterans, and their family members. It has expanded to other populations, including people who have been the victim of a fraud or scam. Look under programs in their menu, choose the Financial Fraud program, and from there you should be able to find their support groups.
I will add more as I find them.