The Reporting and Support Needs of Online Fraud Victims: An Australian Case Study

• In Event: Out of the Shadows: Focusing Attention on Less Visible Forms of Victimization

Abstract

This paper examines the experiences of 80 online fraud victims in Australia, who reported losses of over $AUD10,000 to the ACCC (Australia’s federal consumer protection agency). Based on semi-structured interviews with these victims this paper presents the motivating factors for victims in reporting their fraud, given the known under-reporting across fraud generally. It documents two main reasons, one focused on a need for individual justice and the second premised upon protecting others from similar situations. Common to both of these reasons was a strong desire for action. However, the paper details the overwhelming negativity experienced by victims in seeking to report their case, and notes the additional trauma suffered as a result. The paper also explores the support needs of online fraud victims that demonstrates the heterogeneous nature of this group and the diversity of their needs. While some victims were able to accept the loss and move on, others reported severe depression and contemplated suicide. Alarmingly, small numbers of victims knew about, or were able to, access support services. Based on these findings, this paper advocates for an array of changes to current practice that are argued to dramatically improve the likelihood of a positive outcome for these victims.

Authors

• Cassandra Cross, Queensland University of Technology

• Kelly May Richards, Queensland University of Technology