WARNING: Scam Victims Exploited By The News Media [UPDATED]

Scam Victims Must be Very Careful when asked by News Organizations to Tell Their Story

Primary Category: Advocacy / Policy

Authors:
•  Debby Montgomery Johnson, BA – Businesswoman, Scam Survivor, Banker, Public Speaker, Writer, USAF Veteran, Chair of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Polymath, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

In today’s media landscape, the exploitation of scam victims remains a distressing reality, perpetuating harm rather than offering support or understanding. Sensationalized reporting often takes precedence over sensitivity and empathy, leaving victims feeling marginalized and invalidated.

Exploitation and Insensitivity: How the News Media Perpetuates Harm to Scam Victims

In today’s world news, one disturbing trend continues to be prevalent: the exploitation of scam victims by the news media.

Far from offering support or understanding, many news outlets sensationalize stories of scam victims, focusing more on juicy soundbites than on the devastating impact of these crimes. From subtle victim blaming to overt insensitivity, the media’s coverage often increases the trauma experienced by scam victims, leaving them feeling marginalized and invalidated.

Author’s Note

The article highlights some important information for victims who, after years of recovery/support, feel “ready” to talk to the media and others about the financial fraud they survived. It takes time to process what actually happened, and it takes a “No Victim Blame” stance to adequately articulate the process and the desired results. No one should feel the blame and shame from the media; remember it could be your mother/father/best friend who is the “victim”, yet they may not tell because of others’ judgment/condemnation. No one wants to be a victim of anything…but we all are at one time or another in our lives. Kindness and understanding go a long way in recovery.

Debby Montgomery Johnson

The Pursuit of Sensationalism

In the race for ratings and clicks, news media (especially local news, tabloid, and exposure shows) that often prioritizes sensationalism over victim sensitivity when reporting on scam victims. Instead of highlighting the severity of these crimes and the vulnerabilities exploited by scammers, journalists often seek out the most salacious details to captivate their audience. This approach not only trivializes the experiences of victims but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions. Such approaches also re-traumatize the victims being exploited through interviews or one-sided reporting.

“I’ve seen firsthand how reporters twist the narrative to fit their agenda,” says Sarah*, a scam victim who was targeted by a romance scam who told SCARS about her experience. “They were more interested in painting me as a naive fool than in understanding the tactics used by scammers to manipulate people.”

Victim Blaming and Shaming

Another troubling aspect of news media coverage is the prevalence of victim-blaming and shaming. Rather than acknowledging the sophisticated lure, grooming, manipulation, and control tactics employed by scammers to deceive even the most cautious individuals, some reporters choose to focus on portraying victims as naive, gullible, foolish, or even stupid when they are not.

“During my interview with a local news station, the reporter kept asking me why I didn’t see the red flags,” recalls John*, who fell victim to an investment scam who told SCARS about his experience. “It felt like they were insinuating that I deserved what happened to me because I should have known better.”

Such reporting serves to help the viewers feed their cognitive biases that they could never be scammed because they are not like the scam victim on the screen.

Lack of Sensitivity and Empathy

The news media often fails to approach scam victims with the empathy and sensitivity they deserve. Interviews are conducted in a manner that disregards the emotional and traumatic toll of the experience, with reporters more interested in extracting dramatic anecdotes than in providing support or understanding.

“I felt like I was being interrogated rather than interviewed,” says Maria*, a victim of identity theft & impersonation. “The reporter seemed more interested in getting a sensational story than in recognizing the trauma I went through.”

Impact on Victims’ Recovery

The detrimental effects of the news media’s exploitation of scam victims extend beyond the initial trauma of the crime. For many victims, the sensationalized coverage only serves to significantly their distress if they are not ready to go public and hinder their recovery process.

“After my story was aired on television, I received countless messages from people ridiculing me and calling me names,” shares Tom*, who was scammed out of his life savings. “It felt like the whole world was laughing at my expense.”

Victim Traps & ‘Gotcha Moments’

Scam victims often find themselves unwittingly thrust into the spotlight on shows like Dr. Phil, where the dynamics of their exploitation can be particularly pronounced. In many cases, victims are lured onto these shows (in our opinion) without fully explaining the obvious real objective, only to discover that they themselves are the main attraction. This manipulation not only disregards the victim’s emotional well-being but also sensationalizes their plight for entertainment value.

The format of these shows often amplifies the exploitation. Victims are subjected to intense scrutiny and interrogation (albeit with a friendly, seemingly caring face), with their vulnerabilities laid bare for public consumption. The focus shifts from empathizing with their betrayal trauma to sensationalizing their naivety or gullibility. This perpetuates harmful stereotypes and biases about scam victims being foolish or deserving of their fate, rather than acknowledging the complex, manipulative tactics used by scammers to deceive even the most intelligent and cautious individuals.

The lack of true informed consent in these situations further compounds the exploitation. Victims always sign a release, but they never fully inform the victim of the treatment that they are going to receive or how the interview will be edited to maximize commercial value. Victims almost never fully understand the implications of sharing their story on national television, nor the potential repercussions it may have on their personal and professional lives. Their trust is betrayed as their intimate struggles are commodified for ratings and entertainment purposes. In our experience, scam victims are never given the opportunity to review their final interviews before being broadcast, nor given approval of the final edits.

The aftermath of these appearances often leaves victims unsupported and vulnerable, since the new media typically never even tells victims or the public where they can go to get proper trauma-informed care and support after the interview. While the show may provide temporary exposure and catharsis, it rarely offers long-term assistance or resources for recovery. Victims are left to grapple with the repercussions of their exploitation alone, while the media moves on to the next sensational story.

After all, almost never would the media dare to do this to victims of other high-sensitivity crimes like rape, domestic abuse, or sexual exploitation. But they believe scam victims are fair game and worth exploiting for their stories!

Overall, the exploitation of scam victims on shows that exploit scam victims underscores the need for greater ethical consideration and sensitivity in media portrayals of vulnerable individuals. It is essential to prioritize the well-being and dignity of victims above sensationalism and ratings, and to provide them with the support and resources they need to heal and rebuild their lives.

The Need for Ethical Reporting

To address the harmful impact of media exploitation on scam victims, there is an urgent need for news outlets to adopt more ethical reporting practices. This includes prioritizing sensitivity, empathy, and accuracy in their coverage of scam-related stories.

“Journalists have a responsibility to tell the whole story, not just the sensational parts,” emphasizes Prof. Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., an ethics expert and member of the SCARS Board of Directors. “By amplifying the voices of scam victims and shedding light on the tactics used by scammers, the media can play a crucial role in raising awareness and preventing future victimization.” But added that “the media almost never properly portrays the criminals in the proper light. These criminals kill people almost daily!”

SCARS Institute has published our ethical standards for journalists and media companies here: https://againstscams.org/scars-journalism-standard-2024/

SCARS Warning to Scam Victims

It is the advice of SCARS that scam victims do not give interviews to the new media without a certified trauma-informed crime victims’ advocate being present and supporting them.

All scam victims should insist on the following before accepting any new media offer to share their story:

• Make sure there is a crime victims’ advocate with you to support you and help control the flow of the interview for the safety of the scam victim.
• Obtain the full details of the interview in advance, such as:
  • What will be the length of the final edit?
  • Will another reporter be inserted in place of the person doing the interviewing?
  • Who else will be included in the segment or video?
  • Will scammers be included in any way, and how will they be portrayed?
  • Demand final approval of the interview before airing or being published.

  When should scam victims NEVER do an interview for public exposure by the news media?

  • Never within the first 6-9 months after the scam ends.
  • If there is no professional trauma-informed care certified advocate who can be with you to support you and make sure that you are not exploited.
  • Consider the impact on families as well; scam victims are not the only victims of these crimes. It is unfair to drag families into the exposure if they are not fully aware or have not consented.
  • Use an alias and not your real name unless you are sure that there will be no consequences from your exposure (professionally or employment, family exposure, social media risks.)
  • Consider physical risks. Not all scammers now are harmless. Many criminal organizations are in your country, state or province, or city. Even if there are no physical risks, coming out can raise the risks of becoming the target again.
  • If possible, shadow out your appearance or blur your face on mainstream new media.

  SCARS Team members are available to aid both the victims and the news media in getting the real story, but in such a way that it supports the victim through the process so that they can come out the other end better off than before.

  Conclusion

  The exploitation of scam victims by the news media is a pervasive problem that can significantly worsen the trauma experienced by individuals who have already been victimized.

  From sensationalized reporting to victim blaming and shaming, the media’s approach usually lacks sensitivity and empathy, further marginalizing those affected by these crimes. By adopting more ethical reporting practices and prioritizing the well-being of victims, the media can help create understanding and support for those who have fallen prey to scams, ultimately contributing to a more informed and compassionate society.

  * Victim names were changed out of respect for the privacy of the survivors mentioned

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