In the world of fraud and scams, there are only two kinds of people: those who are victims of fraud and those who will be.
Notice, I purposely steered away from the phrase “fallen for scams.” It’s time for us to recognize that language is critical; terminology is telling. Saying someone fell for a scam is, in a way, saying that the victim should have known better. Do we say the same thing when looking at other property crimes such as assault, robbery, homicide?
The reality of fraud is that “knowing better” is judgmental. Should an individual overcome by emotion know better with a late-night call from a family member in distress? Should parents in financial distress have known better when responding to a job offer that will put food on the table or warm the house? Should law-abiding citizens have known better when threatened with immediate arrest?
It is easy to sit back in an academic environment and say he or she should have known better. Chastisement is not what is needed; compassion and assistance is what is needed. Blame the criminal, not the victim. Help the victim!
Resources are plentiful. Every state has governmental consumer advocates. Federal agencies such as the FBI and Federal Trade Commission have active support mechanisms for those who are victims or wish to help victims. In addition, local agencies on aging or councils on aging…
