I Was Scammed Out of $15,000—Now I’m Fighting Back.

On June 13th, I received a call from what looked like the real number on the back of my RBC debit card. The person on the line claimed to be from RBC’s fraud department. While I was logged into my account (on my own phone, through the real RBC app) they guided me through what I believed were legitimate “security steps.”

It was all a lie.

In a matter of minutes, $15,000 was stolen ( from my business account and mortgage line of credit) through wire transfers and e-Transfers sent to accounts I didn’t even know had been created in my name! All while I was still on the phone with them.

RBC has refused to take responsibility, even though their records show I was actively logged in on my device during the scam at the same time another IP address was clearly accessing my account. The lack of accountability has been devastating.

But I refuse to be silent.

Thanks to an outpouring of support and visibility, an interview with a YouTuber ( @ScammerPayback ) with over 8 million subscribers, I’ve been encouraged to share my story more widely and turn this awful experience into a mission.

Why This GoFundMe Exists:

Scammer Payback has generously offered to donate $5,000 USD and asked me to set up this campaign so others who feel moved to help can also contribute.

Here’s the truth: I never wanted to ask for help. This isn’t your fault. This isn’t your problem. And the idea of accepting public donations feels deeply uncomfortable.

But this isn’t just about me anymore.

Any additional funds raised beyond the $15,000 stolen will go toward helping others who have also been scammed. Whether that’s through awareness campaigns, legal support, or building a network to fight back.

I’m choosing to take this loss and turn it into a purpose. If you feel compelled to help, thank you. If all you can do is share this story, thank you. And if you’ve been through something similar, you’re not alone.

– Melissa Plett