When Grey’s Anatomy actor Chris Carmack and musician Erin Slaver tried to order custom patio cushions from what seemed like a trustworthy small business, they thought they were making a simple home upgrade.
But after clicking and paying through a special link, the cushions never arrived. Delays turned into excuses, messages went unanswered, and the seller’s account eventually disappeared—along with their money.
It was a scam. And like so many others, they were left frustrated, embarrassed, and unsure of what to do next.
Now, Chris and Erin are sharing their story—not just to warn others, but to help launch Scam Stories, a McAfee-led movement to end the stigma around being scammed, remind people that it can happen to anyone, and help keep everyone safer online.
Real People, Real Stories
Scammers win when we stay silent. At McAfee, we believe speaking out about your experience is a brave way to support your community and help others stay safe from scams.
Built-in partnership with FightCybercrime.org, the Scam Stories movement invites people to share their scam experiences, end the stigma around being scammed, and build a more informed, supportive community.
And Chris and Erin aren’t the only ones speaking up. Our campaign features stories from everyday people who’ve been scammed—and are now helping others by sharing what happened.
These scams happened fast—and could happen to anyone. Each one involved tactics that McAfee Scam Detector is designed to catch:
- Brittany, an elementary school teacher, lost Taylor Swift tickets after clicking a phishing email that looked like a ticket confirmation. Scam Detector could have flagged the email as suspicious and warned her before she engaged.
- Cory, a wellness coach, tapped a convincing text that appeared to be from his mobile provider. Almost instantly, scammers hijacked his number and shut him out of his accounts. Scam Detector’s text scanning could have alerted him to the malicious link before he clicked.
- Henry, a college student, was tricked by a fake concert ticket seller on social media. The message looked urgent and real—but Scam Detector could have flagged the text as suspicious due to common scam language and pressure for fast payment, before it reached him.
- Bradley, a sleep-deprived new dad, received a threatening call from someone posing as the IRS. When they followed up with a phishing email, he panicked—and sent nearly $1,000. Scam Detector could have flagged the impersonation and helped him pause before acting.
These stories are powerful reminders that scam prevention starts with awareness. And when people share what happened, it helps others recognize red flags and feel less alone.
Why We Partnered With FightCybercrime.org
FightCybercrime.org is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people recognize, report, and recover from cybercrime. Their tools, educational materials, and survivor support network make them an ideal partner in our mission.
Together with FightCybercrime.org, we’ll be expanding online safety education —and helping more people recover from scams with real support.
As part of our collaboration, McAfee is donating $50,000 worth of protection products to individuals going through FightCybercrime.org’s recovery programs and to the staff and volunteers who support them every day.
Let’s End the Stigma, Together
At McAfee, we believe that scam protection isn’t just about tools—it’s about empowering people with knowledge and support. And that starts by ending the stigma.
Scam Stories is here to change the narrative—from shame to strength. With help from public figures like Chris and Erin, and brave individuals across the country, we’re turning painful moments into teachable ones—and helping everyone stay safer online.
How to Get Involved
McAfee is collecting scam stories and encouraging people to share their experiences on social media using #MyScamStory and #KeepItReal.
- Use #MyScamStory and #KeepItReal on social media
- Follow along as we amplify survivor voices and help others stay safer
Learn more and join the movement at www.mcafee.com/en-us/scam-stories.
No one should feel alone or ashamed after being scammed. And the more we talk about scams, the harder it is for scammers to succeed.
Scam Stories is here to change the narrative—from shame to strength.
