Gullibility, loneliness, exploitation or just bad luck? Exploring older adults’ perceptions of fraud risks, protections and victimhood

• In Event: Hidden forms of Victimization

Abstract

This paper explores older adult cybercrime and fraud victimisation in the UK. Using a discourse analysis approach of semi-structured interviews with older adults, this paper examines perceptions of risk, protections and victimhood in this age group. It explores the implications of isolation, technical knowledge and trusted sources of protection advice, and reveals what underpins the interconnected and dichotomous narratives of blame and empathy in relation to victimhood. The analysis further highlights the importance of age and associated conditions, social and mental, that come with older age in relation to victimisation, underlines youth and education/intelligence as important for resilience and also explores perceptions towards victims’ behaviours and mechanisms for support. The paper concludes with relevant practical and policy recommendations focusing on dispelling existing perpetuated myths in relation to older adult victimisation, socially and on behalf of older adults themselves. Furthermore, the recommendations aim to also identify how best to reinforce prevention and victim support mechanisms that would be relevant to this age group in the current climate taking into account the threats they face and their own perceptions of risk, vulnerability and resilience.

Authors

• Vasileios Karagiannopoulos, University of Portsmouth

• Elisabeth Carter, Kingston University, London

• Anne Louise Kirby, University of Portsmouth