4 ways to help a fraud victim
Watching a friend or loved one suffer the after-effects of a scam is an incredibly difficult experience, which millions of people endure every year.
It's easy to feel powerless in the face of the UK's most common crime, because of the sheer scale of fraud offences annually and the devastating impact on individuals.
But friends and family can play a vital role in helping victims recover from a scam, both by offering non-judgemental emotional support and by and helping with the practicalities of mental health and financial recovery.
Read on to find out how you can help if someone you care about is a victim of a scam.
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1. Tell them: 'You're not to blame'
Victim blaming is common with scams. Scam victims sometimes endure hurtful attitudes or comments such as: 'How on earth did you fall for that?'.
Remarks like these show ignorance of the sophisticated psychology of scams; criminals deliberately cause powerful emotions such fear and panic, or pose as an authority figure to override their victims' natural caution and get them to comply.
Fraud makes up 40% of all crime in England and Wales, and it's the crime type you're most likely to experience. Yet people who've experienced fraud are often deeply ashamed, which in turn fuels under-reporting.
So in a world that too often blames and mocks victims of fraud, remind your friend or relative that they are not to blame for the fraud. The only person responsible is the fraudster.
2. Find support
Guilt, shame, fear and loss of confidence are just some of the painful feelings that can arise for someone who's been scammed.
Victims suffering mental health issues following fraud may wish to explore support options such as talking therapy.
If your loved one is struggling with the emotional aftermath of fraud, encourage them to talk to their GP. They can also contact the helpline for Victim Support, a specialist charity for victims of crimes, including fraud.
They should also report the fraud to Action Fraud, or by calling the Police on 101 in if they live in Scotland.
When reporting the crime, they can also request victim support services, such as advice on how to secure their identity and avoid becoming a victim again.
3. Help them understand their rights
Victims may feel a sense of hopelessness about recovering their stolen funds. But you can empower them with the knowledge that many scam victims do recover some or all of their stolen funds.
Let them know that, depending on how they've paid the scammer, they may be able to benefit from consumer protections to help them get their money back.
For example, bank transfers may be covered by the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM), a voluntary code of which most major banks and building societies are now signatories.
Debit card payments (or credit card payments worth under £100) may be eligible for chargeback protection, while credit card payments worth £100+ could benefit from Section 75 protection.
- Find out how to get your money back after a scam.
4. Recognise an emergency
In a crisis, where someone is in profound distress as a result of fraud and is at risk of hurting themselves, call 999.
Officers can conduct a welfare check at the person's home to assess them, make sure they're safe and signpost them to medical assistance if required.
