Help Jody and her Westies Recover From Cyber Crime

Hello, everyone. My name is Jody, and I have recently joined the ranks of those affected by cyber criminals. A very well-planned, elaborate scam robbed me of a significant portion of the money I was carefully saving to supplement my Social Security and pay my bills as I age, especially once I am no longer able to work. As I have told my story I have encountered reactions ranging from sincere concern and anger at what these criminals did to me to the cynical "well, she should have known better". But I do know better. I'm smart. I'm aware that cyber crime is out there. I was caught off-guard, and the initial steps of the scam were so completely believable that I was pulled in before I knew it, and it took three days and a third party to recognize what was happening. By that time it was too late. I have been told not to beat myself up. I went public with a television interview, and the reporter shared that recently a United States Attorney was successfully scammed. I filed a report with the FBI. I'm trying to take things day by day, even in the face of those people who are now chastising me for being just a bit too gullible. But the first steps of this scam were designed to get me so panicked that I would be absolutely receptive to anything I was told to do. The details of the scam can be found at https://www.forumfinancial.com/new-scam-targeting-charles-schwab-clients/

I was sent this link by a friend after the fact, and what infuriated me the most was that to my recollection Charles Schwab never sent out any sort of general alert, either by email or regular mail. Added to that is the fact that if this scam had been operating for more than a year (because it had to have begun months earlier so that a pattern could be discovered) and they weren't able to shut it down...... well, I have no words.

I did not 'experience' every single step of this scam, most likely because it did not continue long enough in my case, but even in the short time I was targeted, enough damage was done.

So now I am left to pick up the pieces and figure out what to do so I can go on living and prepare for a future which is now very different from what I had imagined. Every single aspect of my life is now under a microscope. Each choice must be carefully considered in terms of which answer has more benefits than drawbacks. Conundrums are everywhere; there are no absolutes in terms of the right thing to do.

I am facing the possibility of a huge tax liability next year, with no way to pay it. I am scared of how I will cover any major repairs. I am frightened of a major medical expense which could cripple me. I am terrified of losing my home; if I am forced to leave, I lose my income as an independent dog groomer (small though it may be), I lose my well-established network of friends and the security of having access to basic services within easy reach. I am taking advantage of every kind of savings I can to make my grooming income stretch to cover my basic expenses, and I will have Social Security payments in the near future, which will help, but now I have precious little extra to draw on, and we all know it costs more to be old.

And I somehow need to find funds to continue my passion, which is my dogs. There are probably those among you who are thinking that in the face of such a huge financial loss this is completely frivolous, and many of you may not understand. This is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is my identity. I have been involved with West Highland Terriers at the highest level for many, many years. I now have a reputation and visibility within the national organization due to my hard work and successes in many areas. With no husband, no children, and no close family, this is my reason for living, and my connection to the community of committed dog enthusiasts is vital to my emotional stability. I have already forsaken or cut to a bare minimum many of the activities that gave both me and my dogs a great deal of pleasure, and I miss that involvement terribly, but I will do whatever I must not to give up that connection entirely. And my dogs must never want for anything. Those of you reading this who know me and are part of the dog community yourselves can understand, I'm sure. Ordinarily I'd be using funds from my income, but now every penny I earn, even most of my tips, has to go towards paying not only my day-to-day expenses but also my larger bills, such as property taxes and insurances, because I no longer have the cushion of the savings I lost.

I've been prioritizing expenses for years, and I was looking forward to being able to relax a bit in this respect. Not now. When was the last time you had to think twice about buying a new pair of sneakers? I just had to hold off because I needed to spend over $300 on things even more essential, adding to credit card balances I have been trying to pay down at a painfully slow rate, accepting the interest charges. I already go without many things that most of us take for granted.

Unfortunately, at this point there is no compensation for me. Schwab's position is that there is no way I can prove that I wasn't behind the transaction that robbed me of my money. Someone is looking into whether or not Schwab has some exposure despite their denial, but I am realistic about any outcome in my favor. And the Victim's Compensation Program in Pennsylvania has a very narrowly defined list of which types of loss of cash they will consider, and my loss is not one of them.

And so I am reduced to asking people for help.

I wish I could tell you exactly how the money will be used. I suppose it really depends on the generosity of those of you who decide to help. This scam couldn't have hit me at a worse time (not that there is ever a better time). My car is very old and starting to cost me money. My technology is badly in need of updating and I feel as if my computer and phone are both on borrowed time. When I see what I have I can decide where it will do the most good, either in the short-term or down the road. I suppose the first most frightening result of this scam is the huge capital gains tax bill I may face a year from now for money I don't actually have.

It goes without saying that I am deeply, deeply grateful to anyone who contributes their hard-earned money to help me recover from this horrible turn of events. Whether you are reading this as a friend or a stranger, I hope you appreciate that I would not make this plea if my situation weren't so precarious. If you aren't able to contribute, thank you for taking the time to read my petition, and perhaps you'll share it.