Teacher Mom conned out of $5,900. Help?

Hi, my name is Danielle. I am a single mom and a public school teacher. This is really hard to ask for help, but when I look at my child, I know they deserve for me to swallow my pride and reach out to my community.

 

I recently saved money by working summer school so I could move out of an apartment and into a home.  This was/is an important move because I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and a mold allergy. My proximity to I-5, breathing neighbors dryer sheets, and the fruitless battle to get Prime Locations to address the mold and provide proper updates to the apartment I have lived in for 8 years requires a prompt move to protect my health.

 

In July, I learned that Prime Locations was raising my rent $570 without doing any updates and without checking the apartment for mold. They even provided a waiver to excuse themselves from any action regarding mold.

 

I knew I had to move my child and myself out of there. I started looking tirelessly and saved everything I could from working summer school.

 

I found what I thought was the perfect place, however, the people I interacted with and paid $5,900 (first, last, security and pet deposit) to turned out to be con artists. All of my savings, plus every workable dollar for my monthly bills, is gone.

 

Additionally, the real homeowner threw my paddle board, my child’s kayak, my bed frame, and a camping chair on the curb. All things were taken except for the bed frame.

 

I have been telling myself that I can get back on track with saving. I am not in danger of being homeless. I have been telling myself all the things I should be grateful for. I know this is a hard time and many people are struggling in ways that are more significant and life altering than myself.

 

I have been told by police that if I find out the people’s identity, I can sue them in civil court. I have been told by the bank if I pay $110 dollars I might get my money back but there is no guarantee. I cannot afford to add even a $110 dollar extra expense at this time.

 

When I mapped out the timeline of how long it will take me to be ready to look for another place, I realized we are truly stuck in this apartment for who knows how long, because the rent was raised so much.

When I calculated anticipated medical expenses with the new year, I realized my ability to pay those bills will also be impacted. This will impede my ability to heal. Health is the foundation of our ability to give. I simply want to be able to give all I can to my students, community, and my child every day.

 

I am asking for help replacing every dollar lost to the people who tricked me and stole from me, it is my only shot at recovering from this more quickly so I can get my health on track. During the summer I camped outside every single week, I learned that my eyes can be bright, my headaches and chronic stiffness and soreness can go away, my circulation can improve, and my brain fog can dissipate if I live and sleep somewhere environmentally safe.

 

if you are able and willing, please help me recover from this financially, so I can get my child and I into an environment where our health can thrive.

 

Thanks for reading, thanks for showing up as you do in the world, and have a great day, regardless of how and who you give to in the world.