Contact Fraud Has Consequences for Elderly Health and Emotional Well-being

Contact fraud is inflicting deep emotional and physical wounds on Denmark's elderly population, according to Berlingske.

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Often the anger over the cynicism of some people is the first reaction. Then comes the self-reproach for falling into the trap, and finally, shame that someone was able to deceive you.

A recent report by researchers from Roskilde University, commissioned by the Danish Council on Crime Prevention (DKR), reveals that these scams are not just about financial loss. The emotional toll is profound, leaving victims feeling violated, angry at the perpetrators' cynicism, and ashamed of falling into the trap. This psychological impact is so severe that the report characterizes the fraud as an assault.

The study, based on interviews with elderly victims and their relatives, confirms that vulnerability to these scams is not linked to technological skills, education, or economic standing. Instead, it hinges on the scammer's mastery of manipulation, exploiting emotional responses and linguistic tricks. This finding is crucial for understanding the pervasive nature of the problem, as many victims hesitate to report the incidents due to overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame.

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We have various documentation that many people do not report it. And that is a sign of how overwhelming and severe this form of crime is to be a victim of.

Louise Kambjerre Scheel, a chief consultant at Ældre Sagen (The Elderly Association) and a representative on the DKR, emphasizes the need for technological solutions to combat this form of crime. Given that the manipulation plays on psychological mechanisms, developing technical safeguards is deemed essential for prevention. This collaborative effort, involving organizations like Ældre Sagen, Forbrugerrådet Tænk, and the National Unit for Special Crime (NSK), aims to protect the elderly from these devastating deceptions.

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It is a form of manipulation that plays on linguistic mechanisms and emotional reactions. Therefore, technical solutions to prevent the fraud from affecting us are absolutely crucial.