Every scam leaves behind more than a financial loss. For many victims, it leaves a lingering question that can be harder to escape than the fraud itself. How could I have let this happen to me?
While conversations around scams often focus on the money lost, the methods used by criminals and the possibility of legal action, the emotional aftermath rarely receives the same attention. A new report by the US-based Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) highlights the psychological toll of fraud, revealing how shame, self-blame and sleepless nights can follow victims long after the incident.
The ITRC’s 2026 Consumer Impact Report, based on research conducted in August and September among 1,111 US adults and 197 victims who sought the organisation’s assistance, found that 54.8% of scam victims who approached the ITRC reported feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
For some, the damage goes beyond the money they have lost. Victims may repeatedly revisit the moment they trusted a stranger, clicked a link or transferred their savings, wondering what they should have done differently. Sleep becomes difficult, anxiety lingers, and the fear of being deceived again can undermine their confidence in everyday decisions.
The struggle does not necessarily end when victims report the crime. Among respondents in the general consumer group, 87.9% of scam victims who sought organisational assistance said they received no response. Some also felt they were being blamed rather than supported. Meanwhile, 78.9% paid third parties promising to recover their money or catch the perpetrators, only to risk falling into recovery scams.
Identity theft can bring a different, prolonged burden. According to the report, 64% of identity theft victims who contacted the ITRC spent more than 40 hours trying to resolve the crime, with most reporting that their cases remained unresolved when surveyed.
The consequences can spill into professional and personal lives, affecting employment opportunities, workplace relationships and trust in others.
ITRC CEO Eva Velasquez described scams as an acute trauma and traditional identity theft as a chronic burden, stressing the need for stronger victim support.
The findings underline a crucial point: being scammed is not simply a financial setback; it can become a deeply personal experience that reshapes how people see themselves and the world around them.
Victims need more than investigations and recovery procedures. They need accessible support, patient guidance and reassurance that manipulation by a criminal is not a measure of their intelligence or worth. Removing the stigma surrounding fraud is an essential step towards helping people seek assistance without fear of judgment.
