Social media scams inflicting mental health toll on victims, Which? warns

A new report from consumer association Which? has revealed the psychological toll of online fraud, showing that social media scams inflict lasting damage on victims’ mental health, stress levels and even personal relationships.

According to a survey of 1,501 UK adults who lost money to fraud over the past two years, more than half of those who encountered scams online traced them back to social media platforms.

Meta-owned services accounted for the vast majority. Facebook was cited by 28% of victims, WhatsApp by 17% and Instagram by 10%.

The emotional fallout is severe. The research shows that 63% of victims experienced heightened stress and 54% suffered negative impacts on their mental health, alongside financial losses. Many reported intense anxiety, depression and feelings of deep shame that left them too isolated to confide in friends or family.

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

“Our research lays bare the long-lasting emotional impact fraud can have on victims. Fraud takes a serious toll on victims’ stress levels and mental health as well as their finances – and many were left too ashamed to tell the people closest to them.”

Which? argues that tech giants profit immensely from illicit ads, with market estimates suggesting billions generated in Europe alone, and will not act without legal compulsion. The consumer group is urging the government and regulators to step up enforcement.

“Ofcom must implement the Online Safety Act’s measures on fraudulent advertising as soon as possible and the Government must ensure that it does so urgently and robustly,” Concha added.

In response, a spokesperson for Meta defended the tech giant’s efforts, stating:

“Scammers are determined criminals who use increasingly sophisticated tactics to defraud people and evade detection on our platforms and across the internet. We fight scams on and off our platforms because they’re not good for us or the people and businesses that rely on our services.”

Meanwhile, regulators maintain they are pushing for industry-wide accountability. A spokesperson for Ofcom said:

“Combatting online fraud is a priority for us, and we’re working at pace to implement new rules on paid-for fraudulent ads….Sites and apps that fail to meet their legal duties, once in force, can expect to face serious consequences.”