How to Recover from a Financial Scam: Protect Your Money and Mental Health
- Rebecca Branham
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Financial scams don’t just hit your bank account.
They hit your confidence. Your sense of safety. Your ability to trust yourself and others.
At Agave Health, we’ve seen the emotional wreckage these scams leave behind—especially for people already navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, or burnout. The shame runs deep. The ripple effects are real.
If this has happened to you or someone you love:
You are not alone. You are not foolish. And you can recover.
September 2025, Rebecca Branham, ADHD Coach @ Agave Health
Common Financial Scams to Watch Out For
Scams come in all shapes and sizes, but some are more common—especially during economic stress, job transitions, or increased online activity.
Watch for these types:
Phishing Emails or Texts
Messages pretending to be from your bank, healthcare provider, or even the IRS. They claim there’s a problem with your account and ask you to click a link or verify info.
Romance or Friendship Scams
Scammers build emotional connections online, then ask for money due to an emergency or “limited-time opportunity.”
Job or Loan Scams
“Guaranteed” jobs or loans with high pay and no interview. These often request upfront payments or banking details.
Tech Support Scams
You may get a pop-up or call saying your device has a virus. The scammer asks you to install software or pay to fix the issue.
Impersonation Scams
Someone pretends to be your grandchild, a legal official, or a doctor. They create urgency and ask for money to help.
Want a deeper dive? Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s fraud page.
What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
First, take a breath.
You’re not broken. You’re not gullible. Scammers are skilled manipulators who target your emotions.
Here’s what to do next:
1. Stop contact immediately.
Block their numbers, emails, and social media accounts.
2. Report the scam.
IdentityTheft.gov (if your personal info was stolen)
Your bank or credit card company
Local police or your state’s attorney general
3. Change your passwords.
Use a password manager and enable two-factor authentication.
4. Notify your financial institutions.
They may be able to freeze or recover funds if you act fast.
5. Seek support.
Shame thrives in silence. Talk to a therapist, a friend, or your Agave Health coach. Healing starts with connection.
How Financial Scams Affect Mental and Emotional Health
Scammers target people when they’re emotionally vulnerable. That might look like:
Decision fatigue from managing ADHD
Isolation during job transitions or breakups
Hopefulness in hard seasons
Nervous system dysregulation from burnout or anxiety
Scams don’t just drain your money—they drain your energy. Many people report:
Shame, humiliation, or hopelessness
Avoidance of emails, calls, or finances
Loss of motivation or increased depression
Panic attacks or disrupted sleep
You don’t have to spiral. If you are, know that emotional dysregulation after financial trauma is valid—and temporary. With support and structure, you can feel like yourself again.
How to Recover from a Financial Scam: What Healing Can Look Like
You can rebuild. Emotionally. Financially. Psychologically.
Try starting with:
Journaling what happened to help process your emotions
Talking to a therapist or coach who can help you move forward
Rebuilding a simple financial plan using AnnualCreditReport.com
Creating a “reset” savings bucket (even $5 at a time counts)
Practicing self-compassion: You did the best you could with what you knew
Resources We Trust
Final Thought: Your Sensitivity Is Not a Liability
You may feel raw. Ashamed. Like you “should’ve known better.”
But your sensitivity, trust, and generosity aren’t flaws. They’re strengths that were manipulated—and that’s on the scammer, not you.
Let’s help you rebuild your emotional resilience, financial confidence, and self-trust.
You’re not the only one this has happened to.
But your healing? That part is yours—and we’re here to support it.
Struggling After a Scam and Have ADHD?
Agave Health offers ADHD-informed coaching and therapy to help you regain your footing. Whether you’re recovering from a scam, managing emotional overwhelm, or rebuilding your routines—we’ve got your back.
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