I lost £6,000 after falling victim to a job website scam says 24-year-old Stockport woman

Additionally, less than half of people (46%) would be comfortable telling their families if they had lost money to a scam.

People were concerned that speaking up would make them feel embarrassed, stupid, or foolish. They also feared being judged and didn’t want to worry others.

Chay, 24, from Stockport, fell victim to a scam when she applied for a job through what seemed to be a reputable jobsite.

She said: “I was sold the dream job, working from home for a couple of hours a day, and good money.”

Chay was told she had to invest money into the company, and was promised that if she did, she would receive her money back plus profit. After her first day, she earnt £100 but could only withdraw half.

Her investments gradually increased to thousands of pounds and her money was then stuck, in total losing her around £6000.

“I felt so silly,” she says. “I couldn’t believe that someone could do something like this. I was disgusted, this person had taken all my money.”

Fortunately, Chay had people around her she could turn to. She told her boyfriend who told her to report the scam to Action Fraud. Action Fraud suggested Chay ring MoneyHelper for further support.

“I’d rather this happen to me than someone vulnerable, who has nobody they can talk to. That would be so scary.”

“I thought I was pretty clued-up recognising scams, but this was so sophisticated and well planned out. Looking back, alarm bells should have rung, but I’ve had to learn the hard way.”

MaPS is encouraging people who have been affected by scams to talk to an expert at MoneyHelper for free, non-judgemental, confidential support.

MoneyHelper can help by understanding the situation, warning about the risks of secondary scamming, and providing a route to recovery.

Make sure you report the scam to Action Fraud if you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland if you live in Scotland.

Charlotte Jackson, Head of Guidance Services at the Money and Pensions Service says: “If you're planning on shopping for online deals, be vigilant around scams. Don’t rush into purchases and only shop from trusted retailers.

“If you believe you have lost money to a scam, there’s no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. You are the victim of a crime, and you are not to blame.

“The first step is to report the scam. It can also be helpful to talk to someone you trust or contact MoneyHelper for free and confidential support.”