Zelda
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
‘I have been ripped off by quite a few different people, and I just get sick and tired of being the one they pick on.’
Zelda has epilepsy.
She told the Royal Commission that she doesn’t think as quickly as other people do.
For many years, Zelda lived with a person who was scamming and financially exploiting her.
The woman would take Zelda away for a holiday and buy her treats, telling her there was no need to pay her back.
The woman would later demand money and tell Zelda she owed her.
‘Just because they’ve done good things doesn’t mean they can always ask for money, because I don’t get all that much money. There needs to be some kind of agreement, but there was no agreement.’
The woman was educated and good with words.
‘It took me a while to realise that she was ripping me off … It was her mind over mine, and her mind always won.’
Zelda said the woman’s behaviour made her feel depressed and a failure. She spent a lot of time lying in bed wanting to give up.
‘It was hard for me to realise that I was better off without this person. I didn’t want to end up living by myself. I really didn’t. That’s what made me stay with this person for so long. But I just came to the point where I had enough.’
Living by herself was lonely.
Zelda started to go online for company, and found herself being scammed.
‘You can’t always pick a scammer. It’s like trying to predict the future, you just can’t.’
COVID-19 lockdowns made things worse.
Then one day, Zelda found a scammers survivor group.
‘Just an outlet and a little bit of company, through people that have been scammed like myself, and help me realise that I’m not the only one.’
She believes people with disability are particularly vulnerable and need more help to avoid scams.
The group has helped Zelda recognise scammers.
‘I try not to type in too much information either on my mobile or whatever. Especially when they are wanting your personal information and stuff like that. And they say things will have to cost an extra amount of money, I just totally avoid that.’
Zelda now takes her time to think about what people are asking her to do.
‘I just make doubly sure I don’t get ripped off. It may seem as though I’m getting about slow, but I just like to think for myself, rather than just rushing into things like a bull in a china shop.’
If someone phones or messages Zelda and she thinks it a scam, she can contact the scammers group and ask their advice.
‘It’s about time for me to stand up for myself, because nobody else is here standing up for me.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.