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BBB Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California recognizes May 8th as Scam Survivor Day

Cropped shot of a group of unrecognizable people forming a hearts with their hands

(Getty Images)

Better Business Bureau Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California (BBB) is recognizing “Scam Survivor Day” with the BBB Scam Survival Toolkit, an online resource aimed at helping people who have been impacted by scams. On May 8th, BBB will recognize the brave men and women who are coming forward to report scams, tell their stories, and help others avoid being impacted. The special date will be recognized on the second Thursday in May each year going forward.

The stigma around scam victimization reduces reporting, which increases risk, so BBB is offering a Scam Survival Toolkit to support people who are affected by a scam, helping them gain peace of mind and work toward their recovery. 

What is the BBB Scam Survival Toolkit?

The Scam Survival Toolkit connects people with the information they need to restore their

financial, mental, and emotional well-being. The toolkit provides tailored guidance and resources based on a person’s specific situation, including steps they should take to stop any further financial impact and guidance for restoring their long-term financial and emotional well-being. Users will also be connected to the BBB Scam Prevention Guide to provide them with the knowledge they need to spot future scam attempts. Both online tools are available on BBB Scam Tracker, BBB’s online scam prevention and reporting tool.

Scam survivors available for media interviews:

From fake jobs to phony online sales, every-day people continue to lose thousands to sophisticated scams—and now, some are bravely sharing their stories in hopes of protecting others.

Susan* thought she had secured the perfect remote job. Instead, she unknowingly sent thousands of dollars to a fake employer—just one of many examples of why job scams remain among the riskiest reported to BBB Scam Tracker. Listen to her full story in a new episode of the Joe Knows Better podcast, hosted by BBB’s Joe Ducey.

Beth* also fell victim to a job scam, paying upfront for “training” she was told would be reimbursed from her high-paying salary. The money vanished, along with the fake job offer.

John*, looking to buy a shipping container on Facebook Marketplace, wired thousands to a seller who disappeared without a trace. Online purchase scams like his are consistently among the top complaints to BBB.

As part of BBB Scam Survivor Day, these local voices are stepping forward to raise awareness. 

Media are invited to speak with these Phoenix-based victims, whose names have been changed to protect their identity, and BBB experts to highlight the real cost of scams—and how communities can fight back.

BBB expert industry speaker available:

Joe Ducey, BBB’s AVP of Public Engagement and Investigative Outreach, and the Joe Knows Better Podcast's host, is a consumer protection expert. He shares insights on trending scams, ethical business practices, and empowers consumers to make informed decisions. He is available for media interviews on such topics.

More information

For media inquiries, contact pr@bbbcommunity. Please allow a 24 hour courtesy for interview requests. For additional news stories, visit BBB.org/us/news. Published with permission from Better Business Bureau.