Lots of people who fall victim to scams report feeling ashamed or embarrassed about it. They often feel as though they made a mistake, or that they should have known better - but the reality is that scams can affect anyone, regardless of their intelligence, wealth, or status. Here are a few examples of famous individuals who were duped by scammers in recent years, and who were brave enough to share their stories. Their experiences prove that no one is immune to deception, and that there really should be no stigma attached to being a scam victim. Rather, we should focus our energy on educating ourselves on how to spot, report, and stay safe from scams.
1. Moira Stuart
Veteran broadcaster Moira Stuart came very close to losing a significant amount of money when she was targeted by a sophisticated bank scam. A scammer called claiming there was an "inside job" at her bank and convinced her to go to another branch to withdraw funds. Thankfully, a vigilant cashier stopped her just in time. “I was absolutely devastated, embarrassed and angry with myself,” she said.
2. Helen Skelton
Former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton wasn’t so lucky, losing £70,000 after falling victim to a bank impersonation scam. The fraudsters convinced her to transfer her savings into what they claimed was a "safe account," but it was a trap, and her money was stolen. Afterwards, she said, “'We're not talking about little old ladies who are victims who don't understand the internet, that's a massively naive assumption. It's happening to people and they're too embarrassed to say that it's happened.”
3. Matthew Wright
TV presenter Matthew Wright was scammed out of £19,000 after receiving a fake Evri delivery message about a missed laptop delivery. The scammers sent a link asking for a small payment to rearrange the delivery, which led Wright to provide his credit card details. He was later tricked into sharing his bank login details with someone posing as a bank employee. Wright described the experience as "devastating" and admitted that it left him feeling embarrassed and frustrated.
4. Denise Welch
Loose Women star Denise Welch fell victim to a fraudster who pretended to be a bank employee. After convincing her that her account had been compromised, the scammer tricked her into revealing her PIN, allowing them to access her funds. She later advised, “'In my opinion, do not give your information to anybody unless you can somehow be 100% sure.”
5. Gloria Hunniford
TV presenter Gloria Hunniford lost £120,000 to fraudsters who impersonated her using fake ID and bank details. The thieves even visited a bank branch and withdrew the money in person, leaving Hunniford feeling deeply frustrated at the security in place. “Banks are going to have to step up their security with staff and systems. If someone can be scammed as easily as this they have to up their game,” she said.
These examples barely scratch the surface of the types of scams that people of all backgrounds are susceptible to, and how easy it is to fall for them. Remember, staying informed and vigilant is the key to protecting yourself from similar threats.
Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
