What Can You Do?
Talk about fraud, scams and financial abuse with your friends and family
Share your experiences and make fraud, scams and financial abuse part of day-to-day conversations. This will help to break down the stigma and shame which is so often felt by victims, and will encourage victims to report and get the help and support that they need.
Recognise the impact that this crime can have on its victims
Victims of fraud, scams and financial abuse are not stupid, naïve, or greedy – they are victims of a crime.
Do not victim blame. Put the blame on the criminal where it belongs.
Phrases such as ‘how could anyone fall for that’ implies that it’s obvious and puts blame on the victim for not realising and responding. The criminals behind fraud, scams and financial abuse use coercive and controlling behaviour to defraud victims – the blame should be on the criminals, not the victims.
The phrase ‘fall for a scam’ is often used, but you don’t hear ‘fall for a burglary’. This kind of language puts blame on the victim. We need to change the language we use when talking to, and about scam victims, to take away the blame and shame.
Research showed that when people realised they’d become a victim of a scam, the most common feelings were being ‘angry’ with themselves, (46%), feeling ‘stupid’ (40%) and ‘embarrassed’ (38%).
The language we use when talking to, and about scam victims is really important – No Blame. No Shame.