Support Harriet: Victim of Fraud, Needs Help

Hello everyone--my name is Harriet Shields. I am a seventy-one-year-old retired veterinarian who has lived and worked here in Jackson County, NC since graduating from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1980.

I am seeking help in raising funds to pay my 2024 state and federal tax debt in the amount of $62,462.00 combined. The reason for the size of this tax bill and my inability to pay it on my own is a sadly common problem--I fell victim to an elaborate high fraud involving a Publishers Clearing House prize notification received on my non-published number at home in Caney Fork. It was believable to me because, due to being housebound from a job-related severe back injury that effectively ended my ability to practice my profession, I ended up playing every PCH entry that came in the mail for thirteen months--it was what helped me get up and walk a quarter mile down to the mailbox once a day and, along with a year of physical therapy, enabled me to get some mobility back. It was also a way to move forward.

At the same time, rising costs of living with a significant decrease in income and five years of shuffling in place due to the NC DOT Highway 107 project over the condemnation of my business property (Jackson Co. Vet. Assoc.) led to heightened financial anxiety that is also a factor in making me vulnerable to a fraud of this nature--it seemed like the answer to an uncertain financial future.

Lastly, I also had several physical ailments that contributed to depression, fatigue, isolation, and muddled thinking--once well and truly down the rabbit hole, the only way out, rationally, seemed forward.

I have lost 90% of my savings, my property is entailed, and the IRS has sent multiple letters threatening property seizure, garnishment of wages (that is Social Security), and levying of bank accounts (not much there). There is little to no hope of justice or restitution as these criminals are most probably based out of this country, but also involving U.S. citizens impersonating prize officials, bank officers, federal reservists, FBI agents...

If you can help, I would be most grateful--if you at least can express outrage that over 13 million reported cases of fraud and identity theft in 2023, which was when I was targeted, that is also welcome support.

Thanks to all of my family, friends, clients, and community members for listening. Thanks also to all my animal friends that help keep me going!