Coalition Shines Light on Scam Survivors at Washington, D.C. Event
Last week, a powerful gathering of fraud-fighting organizations took place in Washington, D.C. to champion a critical—but often overlooked—group: scam survivors.
Hosted by Capital One and organized by the BBB Institute for Marketplace TrustSM, the May 2nd event brought together leaders, advocates, and survivors ahead of Scam Survivor Day on May 8. This annual day of recognition, launched by the BBB Institute in 2024, aims to support individuals affected by scams, honor their stories, and promote resources that help them heal and recover.
The half-day event featured an emotional and impactful panel of scam survivors who shared their experiences firsthand, reminding everyone that scams aren’t just financial crimes—they take a toll on mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. “More than 50 percent of people targeted by scams report anxiety, stress, or trauma,” said BBB Institute Executive Director Melissa Lanning. “We must support them in every way possible.”
Special guests included Dr. Trina Clayeux, CEO of Give An Hour, along with remarks shared on behalf of Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-04), who was unable to attend but provided a statement emphasizing the need for stronger protections and resources for victims of fraud.
The event also spotlighted programs making a real difference in survivors’ lives:
- Advocate Academy from the National Center for Victims of Crime, empowering victims to become advocates.
- Restoring Trust by BBB Great West + Pacific, connecting fraud victims with supportive BBB Accredited Businesses.
- Scam Justice Legal Clinic, a new collaboration providing free legal help to scam victims.
BBB Institute also introduced new features to its Scam Survival Toolkit, designed to support individuals and businesses emotionally, financially, and practically as they recover.
We’re proud to stand with the dedicated organizations in the Scam Survivor Day Coalition:
Our Coalition partners: Amazon, Capital One, FINRA Investor Education Foundation, PayPal, Target, and Walmart.
Our Coalition members: AARP Fraud Watch Network, Advocating Against Romance Scammers, American Bankers Association Foundation, the Association of Military Banks of America, Consumer Action, Cyber Collective, Global Anti-Scam Alliance, Global Cyber Alliance, National Consumers League, National Center for Victims of Crime, National Cybersecurity Alliance, National Organization for Victim Advocacy, Get Older Adults Online, Retail Gift Card Association, Operation Shamrock, and Stop Scams Alliance
👉 Full event and press release here: Scam Survivor Day 2025 – BBB Institute For Marketplace Trust
👉 Learn more about Scam Survivor Day: National Scam Survivor Day – BBB Institute For Marketplace Trust
