The Silent Struggle: Brits Coping with Scam Shame

Silent Suffering After Falling Victim

Over a quarter of adults who have been scammed confess to feeling too ashamed to discuss their ordeal, leading many to remain silent.

Feelings of Shame and Distress

While 60 per cent of victims express anger post-scam, others admit to feelings of humiliation and distress, as per a recent survey. The study, which polled 2,000 scam-targeted individuals, disclosed that nearly half had their money pilfered within the past year, with the average loss amounting to £481.

The Impact of Different Scam Types

The most prevalent types of fraud were marketplace scams, involving counterfeit items for sale, and impersonation scams, where fraudsters masquerade as someone else. However, romance scams, where swindlers exploit victims under the pretence of romantic relationships were highlighted as the ones that came with the most shame, as almost half admitted they would also feel embarrassed if they were tricked in this way.

Initiatives for Sharing Experiences

In response to the escalating number of scams, international money transfer appWisehas partnered with fraud prevention group We Fight Fraud to introduce a new initiative dubbed 'Scam Safe Space.' This platform is designed to encourage people to share their scam experiences without fear of judgement. Dr Nicola Harding, who has a PhD in criminology, left a financially abusive marriage at aged 28. Since leaving her marriage, she has since gone on to become CEO of We Fight Fraud.