PLEASE Help me & Pets After PayPal Fraud

This already is entirely humiliating. But I suppose this is what it means to be at ‘your wits' end’. If you know me, I’m Chris, and if not, nice to meet ya. To make a very lengthy story short, allow me.

Last month, in May, a former client/friend of mine committed what is known as a ‘chargeback scam’ or ‘overpayment scam’ on me, leaving my PayPal account, which I use often for my clients to pay for services, $10,290 over. To my horror, since this is obviously a very large number, of course, never in my life have I ever experienced anything like this. So what happens? The stress, the anxiety, the time spent on the phone with law enforcement, fraud departments at both Amex and PayPal, the time spent communicating to this woman’s husband that she is scamming people out of GREAT amounts of money, likely including him as well. I end up developing, in my early 30s, shingles. Of course, I’m well and okay now, but it did take weeks away from my ability to work and earn money to sustain mine and my animals' lives.

Because of all the setbacks with my financial status, my physical and mental health, and the inability to work, I’ve fallen behind more than I ever have in my entire life. I am a wildly responsible young adult. I have 3 animals I give my last dollar to keep happy and healthy. I have a home that is my own, and it’s my absolute sanctuary. For 8 years, I’ve turned my home into a HOME and a salon, where I’ve been able to build beautiful relationships with my clients. Never in a million years did I ever think this “friend” of mine would con me or take advantage of my kindness and vulnerability, but such is life, right?

I have done everything in my power within reason. I have cycled my home, my own personal possessions that have great value to me sentimentally, and considered what I can part with so that I can maybe get back to where I’m supposed to be before this all happened.

My rent alone is $2250, which sounds like a lot, and it is, but for Hollywood and for what I have, it’s such a great place. One that you really don’t find in this city anymore. With the added utility bills, the medical expenses, essentials like food, of course, food and essentials for my animals, things really have gotten quite hard.

It’s now June, and I’m a month behind on what I should be. I have never, ever been at this low point, much less publicly. I actually Googled on a realistic scale, “How embarrassing is it to post a GoFundMe so you don’t lose your home?” The answer was pretty expected, although it did say it took a great deal of strength and a lot of courage to ask for help. I’ve never been one to ever enjoy asking for help; I don’t think anyone does! But where I come from, how I grew up, I’ve always been a very independent person, very strong, very courageous. So while this is mortifying for me, I can’t be afraid to admit when things are too hard or too scary. Because I suppose you never know who’s out there that’s experienced the same or similar.

I’m still the same Chris. I’m just naive, and a very unkind person took advantage of MY kindness and friendship. I can admit that I’m at fault for falling for that person’s con. But the truth is, I’m here now. And it’s not my normal atmosphere; things right now feel dark, gloomy, and out of whack. I’m a Libra and a Virgo. I’m accustomed to bright and shiny, happy and butterflies. I just want to get back to that, and I don’t think I can do it alone.

I hope this doesn’t make you think less of me, and I hope that this passes and I can stay where I am, where I’ve spent years building my clientele and portfolio. Where I’ve built a home.

Things in the world, especially this city, overall are quite scary. I can’t imagine the things others are facing and feeling. I don’t mean to distract or pull from them in any way. I’d give everything to help anyone at any moment. But for the first time in my life, I can’t be the hero of anyone’s story, certainly not my own at the moment.

I love you all deeply. I have no expectation other than the hope you’ll send me all your love and that this will pass. Thank you.