Fraud having lasting impact on mental health of victims, Which? warns

Dr Rasha Kassem, senior academic and leader of the Fraud Research Group at Aston University, feels victims need more support after Which? said fraud was having a lasting impact on mental health.

She said: “These findings are important, but it is not new that fraud can have serious consequences for victims’ financial wellbeing, mental health and psychological wellbeing.

“What is perhaps more concerning than the recognition of these impacts is that victims can still face significant gaps in the support available to them.

“Fraud can be a deeply distressing and, in some cases, traumatic experience. Yet the support available to victims does not always reflect the complexity of that harm.

“GPs and other healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies, victim support services, financial institutions and other organisations that encounter victims all have a potential role to play.

“However, victims may find themselves navigating fragmented systems without a clear pathway to appropriate practical, financial or psychological support.

“We therefore need greater training and awareness among the different professionals and organisations that interact with fraud victims. There should also be clearer pathways for identifying when someone needs additional mental health or psychological support and for directing them towards appropriate services.

“At the same time, greater public awareness and education about fraud are essential so that people are better equipped to recognise evolving fraud methods, protect themselves and know where to turn when fraud occurs.

“This requires a holistic approach. Preventing and responding to fraud cannot be the responsibility of individuals alone, nor can it sit solely with banks, law enforcement or technology companies.

“Government, financial institutions, technology and telecommunications companies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, victim support organisations and communities all have a role in creating an environment in which fraud is harder to perpetrate, and victims receive appropriate support when it does occur.

“I am also concerned about the increasing tendency to use the word “scam” when discussing fraud. Language matters. “Scam” can make serious criminal conduct sound comparatively trivial or suggest that the victim was simply deceived because they failed to recognise something that should have been obvious.

“That risks minimising the sophistication and severity of modern fraud and can inadvertently reinforce victim-blaming.

“Fraudsters deliberately manipulate human behaviour. They exploit trust, authority, fear, urgency and increasingly sophisticated technology to deceive their victims.

“Describing these offences consistently as fraud helps place responsibility where it belongs: on those committing the crime. It also reinforces that victims have experienced a crime rather than merely made a poor financial decision.

“Consistency of terminology is therefore important across government, law enforcement, financial services, technology companies, healthcare, victim support organisations and the media.

“If we want the public to understand the seriousness of fraud, the word “fraud” itself needs to resonate clearly in the public consciousness. Using consistent language can contribute to greater awareness, reduce stigma and encourage victims to report what has happened and seek support.

“The wider lesson from these findings is that measuring fraud primarily in pounds lost provides only a partial picture of its true cost. The psychological, emotional, relational and social consequences can be substantial and long-lasting.

“An effective response must therefore combine prevention and public education with stronger institutional safeguards, professional training, consistent terminology and clear pathways of support for those affected.

“Fraud is not simply about stolen money. It is a crime that can profoundly affect people’s lives, and our prevention strategies, language and support systems should reflect that reality.”