Someone to Call

Elijah was scammed out of $80,000. A retired senior living alone in Toronto, he had been targeted by fraudsters promising financial opportunity, only to lose a chunk of his savings and a great deal of trust in others.

The bank couldn’t help. The police took a report, but the money was gone. Elijah was ashamed, isolated, and traumatized.

The local fraud investigator shared Elijah’s story with Exit Route’s embedded Social Work professional.

Elijah didn’t trust anyone on the phone. So he walked into his local police station and met Solomon face to face.

Through tears, Elijah explained that while the financial loss was substantial, the humiliation hurt more. He shared that he was a newcomer to Canada, estranged from his only living brother, and had no friends. The loneliness, he realized, had made him vulnerable.

Solomon listened. Then he helped.

He connected Elijah to a trauma counsellor and a local health centre, which invited him to join a walking group for newcomer seniors. For the first time since arriving in Canada, Elijah began to feel a sense of connection.

Solomon also helped Elijah apply for — and receive — government financial support.

In those fragile first weeks, the scammers came back.

But this time, because Elijah had a trusting relationship with Solomon, he walked straight into the police division. Solomon acted quickly, alerting the fraud unit and contacting the bank, stopping another $12,000 transfer.

Because of Exit Route, Elijah had a trusted person to turn to.

Someone right in his community who cared, stayed connected, understood his needs and intervened, without judgment.