ScamsNOW!
The SCARS Institute Magazine about Scam Victims-Survivors, Scams, Fraud & Cybercrime
SCARS Institute’s New Survivor Community: www.SCARScommunity.org
❤️ SCARS Institute Commentary on Facebook
Primary Category: SCARS Institute Announcements
Author:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
❤️ SCARS Institute Commentary on Facebook
Social media platforms like Facebook, while intended to connect people and facilitate communication, have become increasingly unsuitable for providing support and healing for scam survivors.
This is primarily due to the nature of their algorithms, which are designed to maximize engagement and promote content that generates strong emotional responses, leading to the proliferation of hate and hostility.
Algorithmic Bias Towards Negativity
The algorithms used by Facebook are optimized to keep users engaged by prioritizing content that elicits predominantly negative reactions.
Unfortunately, negative content, such as hate speech, controversial opinions, and hostile interactions, tends to generate more engagement than positive or neutral content. This bias towards negativity has created an environment where scam survivors, who are already vulnerable, are exposed to a constant stream of hostile and hateful content.
This exposure only increases their trauma and hinders their healing process.
Lack of Privacy and Safety
Social media platforms are public spaces where anyone can join and participate in discussions. This lack of privacy can be detrimental to scam survivors who may wish to share their experiences and seek support in a safe and confidential environment.
The fear of judgment, exposure, or further victimization can prevent survivors from fully engaging in these platforms, limiting their access to the support they need.
Additionally, non-professionals do a very poor job of keeping scammers and criminals out of their groups on Facebook, and Facebook does nothing to aid in this.
Echo Chambers and Misinformation
Algorithms on social media platforms create echo chambers, where users are primarily exposed to content that reinforces their existing beliefs and biases.
For scam survivors, this can mean being surrounded by misinformation or overly pessimistic/negative views about their situation, which is counterproductive to their healing.
Additionally, the spread of misinformation and urban legends leads to further confusion and distress, making it difficult for survivors to distinguish fact from fiction.
The SCARS Institute’s Alternative: SCARScommunity.org
Recognizing these issues, the SCARS Institute has taken a different approach by creating a private, safe, and free platform specifically designed for scam survivors.
This platform is built on the principles of community and support, without the influence of algorithms that prioritize engagement over well-being.
No Algorithms, Just Community
By removing algorithms from the equation, the SCARS Institute’s platform allows a more organic and authentic community experience.
Survivors can connect with each other in a space that is free from the manipulation of content by algorithms, ensuring that the focus remains on support, healing, and mutual understanding.
This approach creates a sense of trust, safety, and reliability that encourages survivors to share their stories and seek the help they need without the fear of exposure to hostile content.
A Focus on Healing and Support
The SCARS Institute’s SCARScommunity.org platform is designed with the specific needs of scam survivors in mind. It provides a safe space where survivors can access vast resources, share their experiences, and receive support from professionals and others who have gone through similar ordeals. The community-driven nature of the platform ensures that the content and interactions are tailored to promote healing and resilience, rather than engagement and conflict.
Remember …
While social media platforms like Facebook used to offer some benefits, their algorithms now promote an environment of hate and hostility, which is detrimental to the healing process of scam survivors.
The SCARS Institute’s private, safe, and free SCARScommunity.org platform provides the best alternative – a much-needed escape from social media where many of these crimes took place.
By focusing on community and support without the influence of algorithms, the SCARS Institute has created a space where survivors can truly heal and find a welcome, supportive community.
Sign up today at www.SCARScommunity.org
For scam survivors and affected family members only.
SCARS Institute
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors, please visit counseling.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
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 not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and 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 INSTITUTE RESOURCES:
If You Have Been Victimized By A Scam Or Cybercrime
♦ If you are a victim of scams, go to www.ScamVictimsSupport.org for real knowledge and help
♦ Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
♦ To report criminals, visit https://reporting.AgainstScams.org – we will NEVER give your data to money recovery companies like some do!
♦ Follow us and find our podcasts, webinars, and helpful videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RomancescamsNowcom
♦ Learn about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
♦ Dig deeper into the reality of scams, fraud, and cybercrime at www.ScamsNOW.com and www.RomanceScamsNOW.com
♦ Scam Survivor’s Stories: www.ScamSurvivorStories.org
♦ For Scam Victim Advocates visit www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
♦ See more scammer photos on www.ScammerPhotos.com
You can also find the SCARS Institute on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TruthSocial
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.
More ScamsNOW.com Articles
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.
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