Beyond Financial Loss: Restoring Your Well-being and Confidence After a Scam

01 · Recognising the Emotional Toll

After experiencing a scam, you may feel shame, anger, sadness or betrayal. Thoughts such as “I should have known” or “How could I have missed it?” can be difficult to put aside.

Scammers deliberately manipulate trust, fear and urgency. Being deceived does not define your intelligence or personal worth. The responsibility for the scam lies with the person who deceived you.

Start by acknowledging how you feel. You do not have to minimise the experience or force yourself to feel better immediately.

02 · Taking Action With Support

Discovering a scam can feel overwhelming. Having someone you trust beside you can make the next steps easier.

If you suspect a scam:

• Contact your bank immediately if money or banking details are involved.
• File a police report and keep relevant messages, screenshots and transaction records.
• Secure affected accounts by changing compromised passwords, removing unfamiliar linked devices and enabling two-factor authentication.
• Report the suspicious account to the relevant platform.

Ask a friend or family member to help organise information or sit with you while you make calls. You can take urgent protective action without handling everything alone.

If you are helping someone, keep your response calm and free of blame. “Let’s work through this together” is more helpful than “Why didn’t you check?”

03 · Making Space for Self-Kindness

You may find yourself replaying what happened. When this happens, try speaking to yourself as you would to a friend in the same situation.

Instead of “I was foolish,” try: “Someone deliberately misled me. I am taking steps to protect myself now.”

You may also be grieving the loss of savings, security or trust. Give yourself time to process that loss. You can begin caring for your well-being while your bank and the authorities investigate; emotional recovery does not have to wait for a financial outcome.

Be cautious of anyone promising to recover your money for a fee. These offers may be another scam targeting people who have already experienced a loss. Check with your bank or the police before engaging such services.

04 · Rebuilding Confidence Through Safer Habits

After a scam, using digital services may feel unsettling. A few clear safeguards can give you a practical way to approach uncertain situations.

These habits are useful for everyone, including people who have never experienced a scam.

You can also check suspicious messages, numbers or links using ScamShield, or call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 when unsure.

05 · Staying Connected as You Recover

Embarrassment may make you want to withdraw from others. You do not have to tell everyone, but consider choosing one person who can listen without judgement.

You could say:

“I’ve experienced a scam, and it has affected me more than I expected. I’m not ready to discuss everything, but I would appreciate your support.”

Let them know what would help: listening, checking a suspicious message together or accompanying you to seek support.

Alongside practical tasks, make room for meals, rest and activities you usually enjoy. You do not need to spend every moment thinking about the scam.

06 · Knowing When to Seek More Support

If distress is affecting your sleep, concentration, relationships or daily routine, consider speaking with a counsellor or healthcare professional. You can seek support even if you are unsure how to describe what you are feeling.

In Singapore, national mindline 1771 provides 24-hour mental health support and guidance on accessing further help.

Recovery may take time. Reaching out, securing an account or setting a boundary with an unexpected caller are all steps you can take at your own pace. You deserve care as you rebuild your sense of safety.