Mind Bugs and Scam Victims

The Mind Bugs Behind Scams: How Faulty Thought Patterns Make Us Vulnerable – Scam Victims Especially!

Primary Category: Scam Victim Psychology

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

Scams don’t just thrive on clever tactics; they exploit vulnerabilities in how we think. These “mind bugs”—cognitive biases and flawed thought patterns—play a critical role in making individuals susceptible to scams and complicating their recovery afterward. Whether it’s confirmation bias convincing someone that a scam aligns with their goals or authority bias leading them to trust impostors, scammers are adept at manipulating these mental glitches. For scam victims, mind bugs can perpetuate feelings of guilt, shame, and emotional distress, hindering healing and instilling irrational self-blame.

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