Our words matter when it comes to fraud.
The victim didn’t “fall for it.” It was a crime.
The victim didn’t “fall for it.” It was a crime.
Let’s change how we talk about fraud victims.
AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM and FINRA Investor Education Foundation have studied the impact of our national tendency to blame fraud victims for the crime they've experienced. We have documented the resulting emotional harm and how it shifts the focus away from perpetrators, allowing these crimes to flourish. Small changes can make a big difference. Collectively, we can shift the narrative to focus on the crime and the criminal.
Changing our words can change outcomes.
When we change how we talk about fraud and remove language that blames victims, we demonstrate more compassion and understanding of the victim experience.
And that can lead to more victims reporting to law enforcement and seeking needed support. It can also grow recognition that fraud is at a crisis level, and we must do more to combat it.
See the devastating effect of fraud on victims and how our words can help heal.
The devastating impact of fraud
A fraud survivor shares her experience
TEDx: Let's talk about how we talk about fraud
2-minute training.
2-minute training.
Complete this short microlearning developed by AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM and FINRA Foundation to learn more about why changing the fraud victimization narrative is important and how our language can do more to support victims.
Access the trainingYou're leaving AARP.org and going to the website of a trusted provider. The provider's terms, conditions and policies apply.
Don’t let victims suffer twice.
Victim blaming can come from strangers, friends or family. It might be overt, or it might be subconscious and unintentional. In either capacity, victim blaming adds to the emotional burden of the victim. It’s important to blame criminals and not the people hurt by fraud. Your words matter.
Here are examples of what to say:
Instead of this:
How could you fall for that?
Say this:
This isn’t your fault — you experienced a crime.
Instead of this:
How much money did you give them?
Say this:
How much did the criminal steal?
See more examplesBacked by research.
A report from AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM and FINRA Foundation explores how victim blaming exacerbates the deep sense of shame and low self-esteem many fraud victims experience and how it shifts the focus away from perpetrators, allowing these horrific crimes to flourish.
Key findings from “Blame and Shame in the Context of Financial Fraud”:
- Over half (53%) of respondents identify victims as culpable and blameworthy.
- About a third (32%) of respondents agreed with the statement, “Honestly, if you fall victim ... a lot of that is on you.”
- Nearly half (47%) of respondents think that reporting a scam is a lost cause.
Additional fraud resources.
AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM
A free resource for all to learn how to proactively spot scams and get guidance from our fraud specialists if you’ve been targeted.
FINRA Investor Education Foundation
Through innovative partnerships and outreach, the FINRA Foundation alerts consumers to the red flags of financial fraud and empowers them to become fraud fighters.
AARP also provides fraud resources for consumers.
Click here for consumer resources