A Fresh Start: Picking Up the Pieces After Being Scammed

by good_witch

Everyone knows that you shouldn't give out your password and that you shouldn't go around brandishing that you have lots of Neopoints. But what if you didn't do all that and you still got scammed? It happened to me, and it might (or already did) happen to you. Here, I will give you the hints and advice you need to get you back on track again, whether you are the poorest Neopian, or the richest.

1. Okay, after getting over the first total panic feeling that your account has been totally drained of all of its Neopoints, items, including your happiness, you're left with a feeling of "now what." The first thing to do is to log off the computer and take some time to think about this and gain some perspective. Take a walk or read a book and come back when you're feeling more grounded and calm. Now you can make your second decision.

2. Now that you're calm and thinking straight, you can now plan your course of action. If you were rich, then this can be a great opportunity to work your way back up again. The rich Neopians sometimes get bored of the game because they can afford anything they want, and being scammed releases a new found sense of freedom. A Faerie holds more value to you now, and finding an apple on the floor makes you happier then it did before. Try not to hold on to that bitter feeling that you lost everything and try to stay positive. Now, if you're poor (1000 NP and under), you're probably thinking "great, another rich Neopian taking advantage of me," this won't get you anywhere and most likely the Neopian was probably poor, like you, and turned to the dark side to get rich quick. And just because you were scammed, doesn't mean that you can go around begging for Neopoints and items and acting like a poor little victim. Since you didn't have that many Neopoints anyway, you might be feeling a little depressed that you can't seem to get a break, but if you keep trying...I know you will get whatever you desire. Go to previous articles in the Neopian Times and there you can find all the help you need. However, if you're middle-class (between 15-70 thousand), I'd just follow all of the tips, because you are neither poor nor rich (I used to be middle-class before I got hacked, very confusing...nevermind).

3. Now, after you've made a couple of Neopoints, you might still have some bitter feelings left. But the scammer didn't take away one thing from you, your love for NeoPets, and no matter now many Neopoints you have, you can always keep that love alive. Neofriends come in handy too at this time. You'd be surprised at how much support you get from friends you've had forever, and even total strangers are lending a helping hand to help you. You can also tell your guild about what happened to you, and if it's a good one, you'll get great support you thought you've never had before. But if you don't, I suggest you join a Neopians-against-hackers guild like the Neopian police, or a soup kitchen one. There, you can direct your energy towards helping other Neopians in their time of need, and stopping scammers from causing more damage. You'll be helping people and it will make you feel a whole lot better about yourself and you won't feel as sad that you lost all your Neopoints

With the right attitude, getting hacked can turn into one of the most adventurous experiences that you may have here, and you will find friends, fun, and support that you never thought was possible in Neopia, and in the end, you will be the winner. Good luck and keep reaching for that rainbow.

If you need support, or a helping hand, my guild, The Snake Den would be happy to help, and you don't have to join to get support, we won't turn anyone away.