Arts & Humanities

Scammed

Arts & Humanities

Posted by: EileenW1

7th Feb 2026 04:39am

Not sure into what category to put this discussion.
It was our 60th wedding anniversary and we were the victims of an incredible and very professional scam with the result that every cent in our bank account was withdrawn and scattered around the world. I won't go into the long involved story of how it happened but the Bank claimed it was our fault and will not refund anything even though I reported the missing money within minutes of it disappearing.
So now in our 80s and both in ill-health with no immediate family close by, we were left destitute with no money at all to get through Christmas and New Year.
Thankfully friends sent donations, bought us groceries but two months later we are still fighting the Bank, trying to sort out what bills we can pay out of our aged pensions.
If you have gone through a similar crisis, how did you stay strong, survive or where did you find help?
Every so-called help line or agency just pass on yet more phone numbers.
we even lost internet access through using up our data allowance and had to borrow money to get a new data plan and wait a week to be reconnected.
Five times I have asked the Bank to review or reconsider its decision but they accept no responsibility for not calling me to ask if we really want every cent we own to be emptied for our account.
I have worked all my life volunteering and fundraising for charities and now have the humiliation of begging for help myself,
I really would appreciate your stories for surviving or suggestions of how to survive.

Help Caféstudy members by responding to their questions, or ask your own in Café Chat, and you will get the chance of earning extra rewards. Caféstudy will match these and donate equally to our two chosen Australian charities.

AMCS
Australian Marine Conservation Society are an independent charity, staffed by a committed group of scientists, educators and passionate advocates who have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years.
Reach Out
ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. The information they offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.
Challenge
Challenge Challenge is a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and families living with cancer, 365 days a year.

Our support is free and immediate, helping to lighten the cancer journey by addressing the practical, social, and emotional needs of all our members.