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Chapter 4 - Prevent: Advice for Utility Companies

Language Changes

We need to change the way we speak to and about scam victims, as the words we use can have a massive impact on people who have become victims. Find out more about the language we should stop using, and the language we should start using on this slide.

(Click on the cards below for more information)

Outdated Language

red

'Fell for it'

'Fell for it' suggests the scam was easily avoidable and puts blame on 
victims

red

'Fraudster/Scammer'

Terms like 'fraudster' and 'scammer' take away the reality 
that they are criminals

red

'Lost money'

Saying 'lost money' implies that the financial detriment was the victim's fault,

and does not put any blame on the criminal

red

'Too good to be true'

The phrase 'too good to be true' implies that the victim is being greedy by wanting something
for nothing/that the victim doesn’t deserve good things

Updated Language

'Become a victim of'

Using 'became a victim of' shows that the victim was coerced into giving away money or personal information to dishonest people

'Criminals'

Always use 'criminals' instead of the word scammer/fraudster as this is what they are and it needs to be known


'Had money stolen'/'Stole money'

Always use 'had money stolen/stole money' when talking about financial detriment, as it places the full blame on the criminal instead of the victim

'Hot State'

A 'Hot State' is a tactic used to cause a feeling of panic and urgency in a victim's mind, manipulating them into acts of impulse


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