Emotional support
Being caused emotional harm and suffering by fraudsters is often overlooked.
Victims of identity theft and fraud have to sort out the mess the fraudster has caused them which can takes months or even years.
People who have not experienced being a victim of a life-changing crime may find it more challenging to understand why victims feel so depressed, suicidal and angry.
There are many options available which may start through a visit to your doctor. The emotional stress usually turns into physical illnesses so treating the root cause is essential for a healthy body.
Charities that offer telephone support include:
Victim Support Charity
Free victim Support
08 08 16 89 111
Samaritans Charity
116 123 (a correct short number)
Silver Line charity – for older people
0800 470 80 90
(talking help like The Samaritans)
Think Jessica (postal fraud)
There are many local options and this is a good question to get answered by your local doctor.
Fraudsters Guilt
Fraudsters avoid having any feelings of guilt about the harm they do by saying to themselves the victims will be refunded in some way for example from their bank, insurance policy or pension company. This makes fraudsters feel the only party that loses are the financial organisations who make large profits and can afford it. In reality, many victims do not get back what they have lost.
Some victims of identity theft do not lose money. Instead, their identity is used to commit hundreds of other frauds. The victims of the other frauds can then go about seeking out the real person who had their identity stolen in order to get their money back. The fraudster will dismiss this kind of id theft as not harming anyone when they use an identity and do not directly use it to steal money.
Ruining a persons credit rating after a fraudster has finished their work can mean the victim is unable to borrow money for years. Credit repairing is required and this is the victim’s job to go about communicating with all the credit agencies then protecting against further threats. It may sound simple but it can take months. Victims do find they cannot move home, job and many basic financial options get put on hold until the credit files are sorted out.
If fraudsters realised what emotional damage they cause to victims as well as the victims family and friends they would feel too guilty to continue.
Government Code of Practice
Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
This code of working is used to support victims and witnesses when crimes dealt with by the police involve the prosecutions. Click here for the Ministry Of Justice Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
