Scams Are a Mental Health Issue Too: What Healthcare Organisations in Singapore Can Do to Support Patients
- gripconnect
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
If it feels like every other day someone is getting scammed in Singapore, it’s not your imagination.
According to the Singapore Police Force, people here lost about S$1.1 billion to scams in 2024, a jump of around 70% from 2023, with more than 51,000 scam cases reported in that year alone.
Another report found that 65% of Singaporeans encounter scam attempts at least once a month, and more than half say they’re seeing more scams now than a year ago.
So, when hospitals start talking about scams and digital literacy, it’s not “extra.” It’s basic healthcare now.
Why hospitals care about scams (and not just banks)
Hospitals aren’t just about scans, blood tests and prescriptions anymore. A lot of our healthcare life is online:
Booking appointments
Paying bills
Checking lab results
Managing our parents’ or kids’ health records
In Singapore, this mostly happens via HealthHub, the national digital health platform where you can book appointments, access health records and pay medical bills across public healthcare institutions.
That’s super convenient… and also a huge attack surface for scammers.
Scammers love pretending to be:
Hospitals or clinics
Government agencies
Banks handling your “medical bill issue”
That’s why big healthcare clusters are now actively warning patients:
Singapore General Hospital (SGH) tells patients that legitimate organisations like SGH will never ask you to transfer money over the phone and urges anyone unsure to hang up and call the official number, or check via the ScamShield helpline at 1799.
NUHS institutions (like NUH, Ng Teng Fong, etc.) have also put out public advisories that they will never ask you to transfer money over a call or text, and you should contact ScamShield or the hospital directly if in doubt.
So, you can see the shift:
Hospitals are moving from “we only treat you” to “we also help protect you from digital harm.”
Digital literacy is now a health skill
Think of digital literacy as the new “reading prescriptions properly.” If you can’t navigate digital health safely, your money, data and peace of mind are all at risk.
Some key things Singapore is already doing:
HealthHub & digital health services
HealthHub lets you book polyclinic appointments, see test results, refill medication and pay bills online in one place.
This is powerful, but it also means fake HealthHub links, fake payment pages and fake “your bill is overdue” messages are prime scam material.
ScamShield ecosystem
The ScamShield helpline 1799 runs 24/7 to help people check if something is a scam, redirect them to their bank, and advise them on next steps.
ScamShield’s website also teaches people how to recognise common scam tactics, including government and healthcare impersonation scams.
Scamshield Banner
Public messaging from health institutions
SGH, NUHS and others keep repeating a simple rule: “We will NEVER ask you to transfer money over the phone or via email.”
That one line, repeated everywhere, is a core digital literacy message.
When hospitals push digital literacy, they’re not doing “IT stuff.” They’re trying to stop their patients from being emotionally and financially crushed by scammers.
The part we don’t talk about enough: mental health after scams
Money loss is visible. The emotional damage… less so.
Recent research on internet scams and cyber-fraud shows a very clear pattern:
Scam victims frequently report depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms and social withdrawal, especially when the loss is big or feels very personal.
A UK government study found that among fraud victims:
37% had difficulty sleeping or fatigue
Around 1 in 5 experienced panic or anxiety, stress or depression-related illness
A small but serious group reported suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
Another survey found 69% of fraud victims said their mental health was negatively affected, with many becoming more anxious and less trusting of people and online services.
When someone gets scammed, it’s not just:
“I lost $10,000.”
It’s often:
“I can’t sleep. I feel ashamed. I can’t tell my family. I don’t trust anyone now.”
And in Singapore, where scams are constantly in the news, even people who’ve never been scammed can feel:
Hyper-vigilant
Afraid to use online services
Embarrassed to ask questions (“What if I look blur?”)
That’s why scam prevention and mental health support must be tied together.
What hospitals and health partners can actually do
If a hospital, clinic or health NGO asks, “Okay, but what can we do tomorrow morning?” here’s a straightforward guide that doesn’t require big budgets or new technology.
1. Turn every patient touchpoint into 30 seconds of scam protection
These small reminders add up to huge prevention.
a) Add a scam-safety line to every SMS or email
Short and consistent is key. Something like:
“We will never ask you for your Singpass password, OTP or to transfer money over the phone or text. If unsure, verify through our official hotline or ScamShield resources.”
You don’t need a whole campaign. Just embedding this line into everyday communication protects thousands of people over time.
b) Use posters, standees and table cards at clinics
People absorb information when they’re waiting. Quick visuals work best, especially in multiple languages. Examples of simple titles:
“Protect yourself from impersonation scams”
“Before clicking on a medical link, check these 3 things”
“Verify first — especially if there is urgency or payment involved”
Add QR codes leading only to official and safe sources (not long URLs that can be spoofed), so people learn to check and verify without fear or shame.
c) Teach scam-awareness naturally during digital help moments
When staff help someone with digital tasks — such as booking online appointments, setting up health apps, or paying bills — that is the perfect moment to drop a very quick reminder like:
“If anyone contacts you about payments or personal details and you’re not sure, just verify before doing anything. Better to check than to feel stressed later.”
This one short line normalises caution, especially among seniors and vulnerable users. It doesn’t lecture, it empowers.
2. Link scams + mental health clearly and compassionately
Hospitals and partners can:
Train staff (front-desk, nurses, social workers) to recognise distress in scam victims: tears, shaking, saying “I’m a fool,” appearing extremely ashamed.
Use non-blaming language, for example staff can say:
a) “Scammers are very sophisticated; many smart people get tricked. You’re not alone in this.”
Have a clear pathway for support:
a) Immediate help: call the bank + ScamShield 1799 for practical steps
b) Emotional help: offer referral to a counsellor, psychologist, hospital social worker or community mental health service
The key message for victims:
“We focus on your safety and recovery, not on judging your mistake.”
That shift alone can dramatically reduce shame and isolation, which are major risk factors for depression,, anxiety and suicidal thoughts after fraud.
How regular people can protect both their money and their mind
Let’s bring it back to you, your family, your colleagues.
1. Have a “scam emergency plan” like a fire drill
Apply simple rules within the family:
“If I get a scary message about my bank, hospital bill, or a ‘police case’, I’ll pause and call you or 1799 first.”
“No big money transfers when I’m panicking or being rushed.”
You’re basically building a mental speed bump so emotions don’t drive the decision.
2. Normalise talking about near-misses
Instead of laughing at scam victims, treat “almost got scammed” stories as:
“Thank you for sharing. Now we all know how that scam works.”
This makes it safer for someone who did lose money to speak up and get help before their mental health spirals.
3. Use tools so your brain doesn’t do all the work
Install call/SMS protection tools like ScamShield, so fewer scam calls even reach you.
Use official apps (like HealthHub) and official URLs, rather than links in random messages.
Set transfer limits or cooling-off periods for big payments, especially on parents’ or grandparents’ accounts if they’re open to it.
4. Watch for signs your mental health needs backup
After a scam or a serious scare, it’s worth talking to a professional or calling a helpline if you notice:
Can’t sleep properly
Constant worry about money or safety
Intense shame or self-blame (“I don’t deserve anything anymore”)
Thoughts like “I’m a burden” or “Everyone would be better off without me”
Studies show a significant chunk of fraud victims experience anxiety, depression, sleep issues and, for a small group, even suicidal thoughts.
You’re not being dramatic if you reach out. You’re being sensible.
Where SG ScamWISE Bamboo Builders & GRIP Connect fit in
This is where GRIP Connect with SG ScamWISE Bamboo Builders comes into the picture.
Instead of waiting for people to get scammed and then trying to pick up the pieces, this initiative:
Brings together people with real-world fraud and financial crime experience, healthcare workers and community partners.
Runs friendly, practical sessions in hospitals, workplaces and community spaces that explain:
a) How scams actually work (with real patterns you’ve seen in banking and healthcare)
b) How to use tools like HealthHub and ScamShield safely
c) What to do emotionally and practically if you or a loved one gets scammed
Focuses on kids, seniors, and caregivers so families can learn to protect each other, not just themselves.
Builds a mindset of “No shame, only support” – turning scam prevention into a mental-health protecting exercise, not a blame game.
In other words, GRIP Connect with SG ScamWISE Bamboo Builders is acting like a bridge. It links what hospitals, banks, police and mental health services are already doing. Plus, they are translating all of that into human, relatable actions that normal people can actually use in daily life.
Keep yourself and your loved ones safe from scams. Join the next GRIP Connect ScamWISE session. Follow us on our Instagram to catch our updates on the next public session.
References & further reading
Singapore Police Force – Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief 2024 (released 25 Feb 2025).
Reuters – “Singaporeans lose record $822 million to scams in 2024, police say” (25 Feb 2025).
Feedzai – Singapore Scam Report 2024 (25 Feb 2025): data on 65% of Singaporeans seeing scam attempts monthly.
SGH – Scam Alert / Protect Yourself from Healthcare Impersonation Scams.
NUHS – “Beware of Scam Calls” advisory video (Facebook).
ScamShield – Official site and helpline info (1799).
HealthHub – National digital health platform description and services.
Balcombe, L. (2025). The Mental Health Impacts of Internet Scams (PMC).
Chan, C. et al. (2024). Study on cyber-fraud victims and mental health outcomes (ScienceDirect).
UK Home Office – Experiences of victims of fraud and cyber crime (14 Jan 2025).
Future Care Capital – “Majority of fraud victims go onto experience mental health problems” (21 Mar 2024).
Lloyds Banking Group – “What is the emotional impact of fraud?” (5 Dec 2024).
Review article – A Review Based Study on Psychological Impact of Financial Fraud (2024).
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