Forum Editorial: While scams are everywhere, so is help

EDITORIAL MUG: Editorial art Vertical

When Forum Managing Editor Skye Pournazari began her ambitious 12-part monthly series on scams back in January, some of us (OK, maybe just one or two — you know who you are!) were somewhat skeptical that there would be enough fresh material to cover each month.

Unfortunately, it’s abundantly clear, five months in, that there is no shortage of ways scammers across the globe are trying — and succeeding — in tricking Nodaway County residents out of their hard-earned money.

But what’s become just as clear is that there is a network of people from law enforcement to shipping experts to banking professionals who make it their business to help those in our community when they’re at their most vulnerable and embarrassed.

While we hope that just one person will read something in our series this year and recognize a scam that they wouldn’t have otherwise, we hope just as much that the people featured in the scam stories help to assure those who may feel too ashamed or afraid to seek help that they’re not alone — that whatever damage has been done will not be the end, that you are not the first and won’t be the last, and that there’s more you can do to restore your peace of mind and sense of security than you might think.

Scammers, just as they always have, will adapt and find new ways to take advantage of others. But we take comfort in the fact that no matter what, victims can find support and help around our community wherever they may look.