5
(1)

Compassionate Reframing – a Very Important Recovery Tool for Scam Victims

Compassionate Reframing Helps Scam Victims Overcome and Tolerate the Negative Thoughts they Experience After a Scam

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Intended Audience: Scam Victims-Survivors / Family & Friends

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Compassionate reframing is a psychological tool that helps scam victims shift their perspective from self-blame and shame to understanding and resilience. After a scam, victims often struggle with guilt, regret, and negative self-perceptions, believing they should have known better or could have prevented the deception. By challenging these harsh thoughts and replacing them with compassionate, realistic interpretations, victims can break free from destructive mental patterns and foster healing.

This process involves recognizing that mistakes are part of the human experience, viewing the scam as a learning opportunity rather than a personal failure, and practicing self-kindness. While reframing takes time and effort, it allows victims to regain confidence, restore self-worth, and move forward without the burden of self-judgment. Rather than ignoring the pain, compassionate reframing helps individuals process their emotions in a way that leads to personal growth and emotional resilience.

Compassionate Reframing - a Very Important Recovery Tool for Scam Victims - 2025

Compassionate Reframing Helps Scam Victims Overcome and Tolerate the Negative Thoughts they Experience After a Scam

What Is Compassionate Reframing?

Compassionate reframing is a cognitive technique used in psychology to help individuals shift their perspective on distressing experiences, thoughts, or emotions by viewing them through a lens of self-compassion, understanding, and growth. Instead of focusing on blame, shame, or negative self-perceptions, compassionate reframing encourages a person to reinterpret their experiences in a way that promotes healing, resilience, and self-acceptance.

At its core, compassionate reframing involves recognizing that suffering, mistakes, or negative emotions are part of the human experience and not an indication of personal failure. This approach is often used in therapy, self-help practices, and trauma recovery to reduce self-criticism and promote emotional well-being. It is particularly useful for individuals dealing with guilt, regret, self-blame, or unresolved trauma, as it helps them develop a healthier, more balanced relationship with their thoughts and feelings.

The Psychological Basis of Compassionate Reframing

Compassionate reframing is rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles, where individuals are taught to challenge automatic negative thoughts and replace them with more balanced and constructive interpretations. However, it differs from standard cognitive restructuring because it integrates self-compassion, which reduces emotional resistance to change and fosters long-term healing.

This technique is also supported by research on self-compassion, particularly the work of psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff, who emphasizes that self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness are essential for emotional resilience. Instead of suppressing painful emotions or engaging in self-criticism, compassionate reframing encourages individuals to acknowledge their experiences with understanding and perspective.

Neuroscientific research suggests that self-compassion activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and promoting a sense of emotional safety. This allows individuals to regulate their emotions more effectively, making it easier to process difficult memories and reframe them in a way that fosters healing.

How Compassionate Reframing Works

Compassionate reframing involves taking a distressing thought or belief and looking at it through a different, more understanding perspective. The goal is not to dismiss or minimize pain but to see it in a way that reduces suffering and enhances personal growth.

For example:

    • Instead of thinking, “I was so stupid for falling for that scam,” a scam victim might reframe the experience by saying, “I was targeted by professionals who manipulate even the smartest people. This experience has taught me to be more cautious and informed.”

    • Instead of saying, “I should have known better,” a person can reframe their thought to, “I made the best decision I could with the information I had at the time.”

    • A trauma survivor struggling with self-worth might replace “I am broken because of what happened to me” with “I am healing and learning to rebuild my life with strength and resilience.”

By consciously adopting a more compassionate perspective, individuals can reduce emotional distress, decrease feelings of shame, and improve their ability to move forward in a healthier way.

The Role of Compassionate Reframing in Trauma Recovery

For individuals recovering from trauma, compassionate reframing is a crucial tool in breaking cycles of self-blame and emotional distress. Trauma often distorts self-perception, leading individuals to internalize negative beliefs about themselves, such as thinking they are weak, unworthy, or responsible for their suffering.

By using compassionate reframing, trauma survivors can begin to separate themselves from their trauma, recognizing that their experiences do not define their identity. This helps them cultivate self-compassion, which is essential for long-term emotional resilience.

For scam victims, compassionate reframing is particularly important because many struggle with overwhelming feelings of shame and regret. Without reframing their experience, they may remain stuck in cycles of self-blame, preventing them from fully recovering. Reframing the scam as an unfortunate event rather than a personal failure can help victims regain confidence, self-respect, and the ability to trust themselves again.

Some Types of Negative Thoughts Compassionate Reframing Works For

Compassionate reframing is a powerful tool for addressing a wide range of negative thoughts, particularly those that involve self-blame, shame, regret, fear, or distorted perceptions of reality. By shifting their perspective on these thoughts with self-compassion, individuals can reduce emotional distress, improve their self-esteem, and foster healing from trauma, mistakes, or setbacks. Below are several categories of negative thoughts that compassionate reframing can effectively address.

Self-Blame and Guilt

Compassionate reframing is particularly useful for people who struggle with self-blame after making mistakes or experiencing setbacks. Many individuals internalize failure and believe that they are personally responsible for negative outcomes, even when external factors played a role. This type of thinking is common in trauma survivors, scam victims, and those who have faced personal or professional failures.

Examples:

      • Negative Thought: “It’s my fault I got scammed. I should have known better.”
        • Reframed Thought: “I was deceived by professional manipulators who take advantage of human trust. This experience has taught me valuable lessons that I will use moving forward.”
      • Negative Thought: “I ruined my chances at success because of one mistake.”
        • Reframed Thought: “Mistakes are part of learning and growth. This experience is helping me improve and make better choices in the future.”

Shame and Feelings of Inadequacy

People who have experienced trauma, rejection, or failure often struggle with deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. They may believe that they are fundamentally flawed, unworthy, or incapable of success. Compassionate reframing helps individuals recognize that their worth is not defined by a single event or perceived failure.

Examples:

      • Negative Thought: “I am worthless because I was betrayed.”
        • Reframed Thought: “Being betrayed says nothing about my worth—it only shows that someone else acted dishonestly. I still have value and deserve respect.”
      • Negative Thought: “I’ll never be good enough.”
        • Reframed Thought: “I am a work in progress, like everyone else. I have strengths and areas to improve, and that’s okay.”

Regret and Rumination

Regret often leads to rumination—replaying past events over and over in an attempt to undo them in one’s mind. This kind of thinking prevents people from moving forward and contributes to prolonged emotional distress.

Examples:

      • Negative Thought: “If only I had made a different choice, everything would be better.”

        • Reframed Thought: “I made the best decision I could with the information I had at the time. I can use what I’ve learned to make wiser choices in the future.”
      • Negative Thought: “I wasted so much time on the wrong path.”

        • Reframed Thought: “Every experience, even the difficult ones, has contributed to my growth and understanding.”

Catastrophic Thinking and Anxiety

People with anxiety often engage in catastrophic thinking, assuming the worst-case scenario will happen. Compassionate reframing helps ground these fears in reality and reduces emotional overwhelm.

Examples:

      • Negative Thought: “Everything is falling apart, and I won’t recover from this.”

        • Reframed Thought: “This situation is difficult, but I have survived challenges before. I will find a way to move forward.”
      • Negative Thought: “If I fail, people will judge me and I’ll lose everything.”

        • Reframed Thought: “Everyone fails at some point. Failure is an opportunity to grow, not a permanent reflection of my worth.”

Fear of the Future and Hopelessness

When individuals feel overwhelmed by uncertainty or fear of the future, they often assume that things will never improve. Compassionate reframing helps shift the focus to possibility and resilience.

Examples:

      • Negative Thought: “I’ll never recover from this loss.”

        • Reframed Thought: “Right now, it feels overwhelming, but healing is a process. I am taking steps every day to rebuild.”
      • Negative Thought: “Nothing ever works out for me.”

        • Reframed Thought: “There have been challenges, but there have also been victories. I will continue to find ways to move forward.”

Social Anxiety and Fear of Judgment

The fear of being judged or rejected by others often keeps people from engaging in social interactions or taking risks. Compassionate reframing helps individuals understand that most people are not scrutinizing them as closely as they think.

Examples:

      • Negative Thought: “Everyone is laughing at me and thinks I’m stupid.”

        • Reframed Thought: “Most people are too focused on their own lives to notice small mistakes. Even if someone does, it doesn’t define me.”
      • Negative Thought: “If I open up about my experience, people will judge me.”

        • Reframed Thought: “Many people have gone through similar struggles. Sharing my story could actually help someone else.”

Compassionate reframing is a valuable tool for addressing a wide range of negative thoughts, including self-blame, shame, regret, anxiety, and social fears. By shifting from a perspective of judgment to one of self-compassion, individuals can break free from destructive thought patterns and move toward greater emotional resilience. This process does not erase pain but allows people to interpret their experiences in ways that promote healing, growth, and self-acceptance.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Practicing Compassionate Reframing

Compassionate reframing is a technique that helps individuals shift their perspective on negative thoughts, emotions, or experiences by replacing self-criticism with understanding and self-compassion. It allows you to see your struggles through a kinder lens, reducing emotional distress and fostering resilience. Below is a complete guide to performing compassionate reframing on yourself.

Step 1: Identify the Negative Thought

The first step in compassionate reframing is to pinpoint the negative thought or belief that is causing distress. This could be a statement about yourself, a situation, or a past mistake.

How to do it:

      • Pay attention to recurring negative thoughts throughout your day.
      • Write down thoughts that cause distress or make you feel ashamed, anxious, or self-critical.
      • Ask yourself: What am I telling myself about this situation? What is my inner voice saying?

Example:
“I should have known better than to trust that person. I’m so stupid for falling for it.”

Step 2: Recognize the Emotional Impact

Once you have identified the negative thought, examine how it affects you emotionally and physically.

How to do it:

      • Close your eyes and notice what emotions arise when you think about this belief.
      • Identify any physical sensations (tightness in your chest, stomach discomfort, headaches, etc.).
      • Ask yourself: How does this thought make me feel? What emotions come up—guilt, shame, fear, sadness, anger?

Example:
“Every time I think about being deceived, I feel ashamed and embarrassed. My stomach tightens, and I want to avoid talking to people about it.”

Step 3: Challenge the Thought’s Accuracy

Negative thoughts are often distorted or exaggerated. This step involves questioning their validity.

How to do it:

      • Ask yourself: Is this thought 100% true? What evidence do I have that supports or contradicts it?
      • Consider whether you would say the same thing to a loved one in your position.
      • Identify any cognitive distortions (black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing, overgeneralization, etc.).

Example:
“Is it really true that I should have known better? The scammer was highly manipulative, and many intelligent people have been deceived. It wasn’t about intelligence—it was about being targeted and misled.”

Step 4: Shift Perspective with Self-Compassion

Instead of judging yourself harshly, practice self-compassion by reframing the situation with kindness and understanding.

How to do it:

      • Imagine what a compassionate friend, mentor, or therapist would say to you.
      • Acknowledge your emotions without judgment.
      • Remind yourself that mistakes, setbacks, and difficult experiences do not define your worth.

Example:
“I made a mistake, but that does not mean I am stupid. I was deceived by a professional manipulator. Instead of blaming myself, I will focus on what I can learn from this experience.”

Step 5: Find a Balanced and Realistic Alternative Thought

Now that you have challenged the negative thought, replace it with a new thought that is both compassionate and realistic.

How to do it:

      • Reframe the thought into a balanced statement that acknowledges reality but removes self-judgment.
      • Use words that promote growth, learning, and resilience.

Example:
“I was manipulated, but I am not alone in this experience. Many people have been scammed, and I can recover from this. I am taking steps to protect myself and learn from this situation.”

Step 6: Reinforce the Reframed Thought with Evidence

Strengthen your new thought by looking for evidence that supports it.

How to do it:

      • List examples that validate your new perspective.
      • Remind yourself of times when you have learned from mistakes and grown stronger.
      • Reflect on stories of others who have overcome similar struggles.

Example:
“I have made good financial and personal decisions in the past. I trusted someone who deceived me, but that doesn’t mean I lack judgment overall. I am learning and growing, just like others who have gone through this.”

Step 7: Practice Self-Forgiveness

Guilt and shame can keep negative thoughts in place. Actively forgiving yourself helps release those emotions.

How to do it:

      • Say a self-forgiveness affirmation: “I forgive myself for being deceived. I am human, and I deserve compassion.”
      • Remind yourself that personal growth comes from learning, not from punishing yourself.
      • Let go of unrealistic expectations of perfection.

Example:
“I forgive myself for trusting the wrong person. It does not define who I am, and I am allowed to move forward without carrying shame.”

Step 8: Take Constructive Action

A reframe is most powerful when it leads to positive action. Identify a small step you can take to move forward in a way that supports your growth.

How to do it:

      • Decide on one action step to reinforce your new mindset.
      • Focus on learning, rather than dwelling on the past.
      • Engage in self-care practices that support emotional healing.

Example:
“I will educate myself about scams to prevent this from happening again. I will also talk to someone I trust about my experience instead of hiding in shame.”

Step 9: Use Visualization and Affirmations

Strengthen the compassionate reframe by reinforcing it regularly.

How to do it:

      • Visualize yourself responding to similar challenges with resilience.
      • Repeat affirmations that align with your new perspective.

Examples:

      • “I am growing and learning from my experiences.”
      • “I deserve kindness and understanding, especially from myself.”
      • “One mistake does not define my intelligence or worth.”

Step 10: Apply This Process to Other Negative Thoughts

Once you have practiced reframing one thought, apply the same process to other areas where you experience self-judgment, regret, or fear. Over time, compassionate reframing becomes a habit that fosters emotional resilience and self-growth.

Compassionate reframing is not about ignoring difficulties or pretending everything is positive. It is about looking at your experiences through a realistic and kind lens—one that allows you to grow, learn, and move forward without unnecessary shame or self-judgment. The more you practice it, the easier it becomes to shift away from self-criticism and toward self-compassion, ultimately improving your mental and emotional well-being.

How Family and Friends Can Help Someone Develop Compassionate Reframing

When someone is experiencing trauma and strong negative thoughts, compassionate reframing can be an essential tool in their recovery. However, it can be difficult for a person in distress to shift their perspective on their own. Family and friends can play a significant role in supporting them by providing reassurance, encouragement, and a safe space to process their emotions. Here are some ways you can help a loved one who is struggling with trauma and negative thinking to develop compassionate reframing.

Provide a Safe and Non-Judgmental Space

Before engaging in reframing, it is important to create an environment where your loved one feels safe to express their thoughts and emotions.

How to do this:

      • Let them share their feelings without interrupting or immediately offering solutions.
      • Avoid judging or minimizing their experience, even if their thoughts seem irrational.
      • Reassure them that their emotions are valid and that they are not alone.

Example:
Instead of saying, “You shouldn’t think like that,” say, “I understand why you feel this way. It makes sense that you are struggling, but I want you to know that you are not alone.”

Help Them Identify Negative Thought Patterns

People dealing with trauma often struggle with cognitive distortions—thinking patterns that reinforce negativity. You can gently help them recognize these patterns without making them feel invalidated.

How to do this:

      • Listen for all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, self-blame, or overgeneralization.
      • Use reflective listening to repeat their thoughts back to them in a nonjudgmental way.
      • Ask gentle questions to encourage them to explore whether their thoughts are completely accurate.

Example:
If they say, “I am such a failure because I fell for that scam,” instead of arguing with them, say, “I hear that you feel like this was a failure, but does this one situation truly define who you are? Have there been times when you made good decisions?”

Encourage Self-Compassion Instead of Harsh Self-Criticism

People experiencing trauma often speak to themselves in ways they would never speak to a friend. You can encourage them to treat themselves with the same kindness they would offer others.

How to do this:

      • Point out the double standard when they are being overly critical of themselves.
      • Encourage them to imagine what they would say to a loved one in the same situation.
      • Validate their emotions while helping them see that their pain does not define them.

Example:
If they say, “I should have known better,” you can respond with, “It’s easy to look back now and feel that way, but you didn’t have all the information at the time. If a friend was in your position, would you blame them, or would you comfort them?”

Offer an Alternative Perspective Gently

Instead of forcing a new way of thinking, guide them toward seeing another viewpoint. The goal is not to argue them out of their emotions but to help them explore possibilities they may not have considered.

How to do this:

      • Use questions instead of direct corrections.
      • Acknowledge their pain while helping them see a broader picture.
      • Share stories of resilience to inspire hope without invalidating their experience.

Example:
If they say, “I will never recover from this,” you might respond with, “It feels that way right now, and I can understand why. But are there times in your life when you’ve overcome other difficult situations? What helped you get through those?”

Reinforce Their Strengths and Resilience

When trauma overwhelms someone, they may feel powerless and incapable. Reminding them of their past strength and ability to cope can help them regain confidence in themselves.

How to do this:

      • Reflect on moments when they handled adversity well.
      • Remind them of their growth and progress, no matter how small.
      • Acknowledge their courage in facing their pain instead of avoiding it.

Example:
“I know this experience has been incredibly painful, but I have seen how strong you are. You are here, facing this, talking about it, and that takes so much courage.”

Support Them in Taking Small, Positive Actions

Shifting thought patterns is difficult when someone feels stuck. Encouraging small, manageable steps can help them regain a sense of control.

How to do this:

      • Suggest low-pressure activities that promote self-care and well-being.
      • Offer to accompany them if they need support with therapy, financial recovery, or other responsibilities.
      • Celebrate even small steps they take toward healing.

Example:
“Would you like to take a short walk together? Sometimes a little fresh air can help clear the mind.”

Be Patient and Consistent

Compassionate reframing is a gradual process. Someone dealing with trauma and negative thinking may not immediately accept alternative perspectives, and that’s okay. Your consistent support can make a significant difference over time.

How to do this:

      • Avoid frustration if they continue to struggle with self-judgment.
      • Continue offering encouragement without pressure to change instantly.
      • Respect their process while reinforcing that healing is possible.

Example:
“I know it’s hard to see things differently right now, but I believe in you. No matter how long it takes, I’ll be here to support you.”

Helping a loved one develop compassionate reframing is not about forcing positivity or dismissing their struggles. It is about offering a supportive, understanding presence that helps them see their experiences through a kinder, more balanced perspective. By providing reassurance, gently challenging distortions, and reinforcing their strength, you can help them move toward self-compassion and healing.

Conclusion

Compassionate reframing is a powerful approach that allows scam victims to shift their perspective, moving away from self-blame and shame toward understanding, growth, and resilience. Recovering from a scam is not just about regaining financial stability; it is about reclaiming emotional strength, self-worth, and confidence in one’s ability to make decisions. By consciously challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with compassionate and realistic interpretations, victims can break free from destructive mental patterns that keep them stuck in cycles of regret and distress.

Developing compassionate reframing takes time and intentional effort. The effects of a scam can deeply shake a person’s sense of trust, making it difficult to accept alternative perspectives at first. However, by practicing self-compassion, engaging in structured cognitive reframing, and seeking supportive conversations with trusted individuals, scam victims can gradually reframe their experience as one of learning rather than failure. This process helps reduce the emotional burden of guilt and allows victims to focus on rebuilding their lives without the weight of self-judgment.

Ultimately, compassionate reframing is not about ignoring pain or pretending the scam did not happen. Instead, it is about acknowledging the reality of the experience while choosing to interpret it in a way that promotes healing rather than suffering. Scam victims who embrace this method can move beyond the trauma, using their experience as a stepping stone for personal growth, renewed confidence, and a healthier perspective on their future.

Please Rate This Article

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Since you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Please Leave Us Your Comment
Also, tell us of any topics we might have missed.

Leave a Reply

Your comments help the SCARS Institute better understand all scam victim/survivor experiences and improve our services and processes. Thank you

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.

Recent Reader Comments

Important Information for New Scam Victims

If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org

If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines

A Question of Trust

At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

SCARS Resources:

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.

PLEASE NOTE: Psychology Clarification

The following specific modalities within the practice of psychology are restricted to psychologists appropriately trained in the use of such modalities:

  • Diagnosis: The diagnosis of mental, emotional, or brain disorders and related behaviors.
  • Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and resolve unconscious conflicts.
  • Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of trance in which individuals are more susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and pain.
  • Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a type of therapy that teaches individuals to control their bodily functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and pain.
  • Behavioral analysis: Behavioral analysis is a type of therapy that focuses on changing individuals’ behaviors. It is often used to treat conditions such as autism and ADHD.
    Neuropsychology: Neuropsychology is a type of psychology that focuses on the relationship between the brain and behavior. It is often used to assess and treat cognitive impairments caused by brain injuries or diseases.

SCARS and the members of the SCARS Team do not engage in any of the above modalities in relationship to scam victims. SCARS is not a mental healthcare provider and recognizes the importance of professionalism and separation between its work and that of the licensed practice of psychology.

SCARS is an educational provider of generalized self-help information that individuals can use for their own benefit to achieve their own goals related to emotional trauma. SCARS recommends that all scam victims see professional counselors or therapists to help them determine the suitability of any specific information or practices that may help them.

SCARS cannot diagnose or treat any individuals, nor can it state the effectiveness of any educational information that it may provide, regardless of its experience in interacting with traumatized scam victims over time. All information that SCARS provides is purely for general educational purposes to help scam victims become aware of and better understand the topics and to be able to dialog with their counselors or therapists.

It is important that all readers understand these distinctions and that they apply the information that SCARS may publish at their own risk, and should do so only after consulting a licensed psychologist or mental healthcare provider.

Opinions

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The author is solely responsible for the content of their work. SCARS is protected under the Communications Decency Act (CDA) section 230 from liability.

Disclaimer:

SCARS IS A DIGITAL PUBLISHER AND DOES NOT OFFER HEALTH OR MEDICAL ADVICE, LEGAL ADVICE, FINANCIAL ADVICE, OR SERVICES THAT SCARS IS NOT LICENSED OR REGISTERED TO PERFORM.

IF YOU’RE FACING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, OR VISIT THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE CENTER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE FOLLOWING ANY MEDICALLY RELATED INFORMATION PRESENTED ON OUR PAGES.

ALWAYS CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY FOR ANY ADVICE REGARDING LEGAL MATTERS.

A LICENSED FINANCIAL OR TAX PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES OR TAX-RELATED ISSUES AND INFORMATION.

SCARS IS NOT A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR – WE DO NOT PROVIDE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES. ANY INVESTIGATIONS THAT SCARS MAY PERFORM IS NOT A SERVICE PROVIDED TO THIRD-PARTIES. INFORMATION REPORTED TO SCARS MAY BE FORWARDED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AS SCARS SEE FIT AND APPROPRIATE.

This content and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (“Content”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for licensed or regulated professional advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider, lawyer, financial, or tax professional with any questions you may have regarding the educational information contained herein. SCARS makes no guarantees about the efficacy of information described on or in SCARS’ Content. The information contained is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible situations or effects. SCARS does not recommend or endorse any specific professional or care provider, product, service, or other information that may be mentioned in SCARS’ websites, apps, and Content unless explicitly identified as such.

The disclaimers herein are provided on this page for ease of reference. These disclaimers supplement and are a part of SCARS’ website’s Terms of Use

Legal Notices: 

All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2023 Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. (Registered D.B.A SCARS) All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.

U.S. State of Florida Registration Nonprofit (Not for Profit) #N20000011978 [SCARS DBA Registered #G20000137918] – Learn more at www.AgainstScams.org

SCARS, SCARS|INTERNATIONAL, SCARS, SCARS|SUPPORT, SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|INTERNATION, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS|LATINOAMERICA, SCARS|MEMBER, SCARS|VOLUNTEER, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, SCARS ANGELS, SCARS RANGERS, SCARS MARSHALLS, SCARS PARTNERS, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Contact the legal department for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org