Neurodivergent individuals 50% more likely to be a fraud victim

New study calls for better understanding and support for neurodivergent victims

New research has found that neurodivergent[i] individuals are 50% more likely to have been a victim of fraud in the last two years[ii] and are more likely to have been retargeted by criminals after the initial crime.

The study by the National Trading Standards Scams Team with criminologist Dr Elisabeth Carter found that, as well as being particularly susceptible to fraud and scams, people living with neurodivergence may be more severely affected by fraud. They were almost twice as likely to report the highest financial impact compared with neurotypical victims, as well as reporting higher emotional and health impacts as a result of being defrauded.

Not only that, 44% of neurodivergent victims indicated that they were retargeted by criminals after the initial crime, compared with a third (33%) of neurotypical victims. This suggests that neurodivergent victims may be more susceptible to follow-up crimes including ‘fraud recovery fraud’ where criminals pose as professionals that can recover stolen money – for a fee.

Despite this, 96% of neurodivergent individuals said they were confident that they can spot a scam, with 31% saying they are ‘very’ confident, compared with 24% of neurotypical respondents. This confidence suggests a potential mismatch between perceived and actual risk, highlighting the need for more tailored and relatable scams and fraud prevention programmes.

With around one in seven people now thought to be neurodivergent, NTS is calling on the government to commission research and training to understand further how neurodivergent individuals experience fraud and how fraud education and prevention programmes can be redesigned to better support everyone.

In its new report, published today, it sets out the following key recommendations:

• That scams and fraud prevention information is clear, inclusive and actionable. Written in language suitable for all, incorporating visual cues, aids, and clear, actionable steps.

• We provide ways to verify information. Neurodivergent individuals are more likely to check information externally, providing an opportunity to mitigate risk.

• We recognise the emotional tactics and impact of fraud. Neurodivergent individuals may be more emotionally vulnerable to the persuasive tactics used. Fraud prevention messaging should a focus on emotional regulation strategies and decision-making support.

• We myth bust. Scams and fraud are often thought of as crude or basic, but in reality it is often highly sophisticated and difficult to spot. It also affects all parts of society, including young, old, neurodivergent and neurotypical.

• Research be commissioned into how different neurodivergent groups uniquely experience scams and fraud. Additionally, there should be further investigation into how scams and fraud prevention systems can be redesigned to better support these populations in both protecting from and reporting fraud.

Louise Baxter, Head of the NTS Scams Team, said:

“With society’s understanding of neurodivergence growing, we wanted to understand better how neurodivergent individuals are impacted by fraud. This early-stage research has shown that the traditional approaches to scam protection and prevention simply aren’t working, with neurodivergent individuals more at risk in a range of ways.

“We believe there needs to be more research to understand the experience of different groups, ahead of a comprehensive overhaul of the language used around fraud prevention, to make it clearer and more inclusive. And as well as prevention, if victim services can be redesigned to better suit neurodivergent individuals, they will be better for everyone.”

Dr Elisabeth Carter, Associate Professor of criminology and forensic linguist, Kingston University, said:

Despite the number of fraud awareness, information and protection communications now in the public domain, fraud continues to dominate crime statistics, while the percentage of victims reporting this crime remains low. It is clear there are gaps between fraud prevention communications and these being received in a way that is effective in increasing public understanding, protections or reporting. This report identifies clear gaps in message reach and effectiveness in relation to neurodivergent members of society. It proposes initial steps to remedy this, and a call to action to increase our knowledge of diverse communication styles to protect those hard to reach and most at risk of harm. Inclusive messaging will be better at protecting all.”