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PACIFIC PALISADES, LOS ANGELES () — The Pacific Palisades community is rallying behind a woman who, in one year, had much of her home damaged in the fire and lost her husband to cancer – only to be victimized again.
Just as Ellen Rudolph was starting to rebuild her home, she says scammers tricked her out of $38,000 meant for repairs.
“Every time I think about it, I’m re-living it,” said Rudolph.
She says the crooks sent her an email pretending to be PayPal, claiming there was a suspicious charge on her account that needed to be addressed. She gave them access to her bank account, including the money she was using to repair her home.
“I just didn’t see that it was a scam. … I was extremely vulnerable, given my other two huge life events,” she said.
While recovering from the Palisades Fire, her husband of 13 years, Steve, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in April. In October, he passed away at 81.
“It hits me usually when I’m alone. Often when I’m driving in the car or I’m getting up in the morning,” said Rudolph. “He was an extraordinary man. I loved him.”
She says the situation is scary, but important for her to go back to her home.
“Steve would want me to… It was our home,” she said. “Going back to the house, I’m filled with mixed emotions. Steve will not be there.”
Rudolph filed a police report and hopes sharing her story prevents others from being scammed.
“F them. You know. They took advantage when I was, and am still, at my most vulnerable in my entire life,” Rudolph said.
Rudolph already raised more than $23,000 through a GoFundMe, hoping to reach her goal of $28,000 to cover some of her losses.
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