Scam Victim Identity Crisis – Very Common in Victims Several Months After the Scam Ends

Helping Scam Victims Understand How to Navigate through Their Second Crisis During Recovery

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, 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

Scam victims often experience multiple crises after the scam ends, but the identity crisis that occurs between six months to a year can be particularly devastating.

During the initial phase, victims focus on the immediate impact, like financial loss and cutting ties with the scammer. However, as time passes and they begin to reflect, they are hit by a deep psychological crisis where they question their identity, self-worth, and ability to trust themselves and others.

This delayed crisis is marked by feelings of continuing shame, residual guilt, and emotional disconnection, as victims struggle to reconcile their previous self-image with their perceived gullibility.

The social stigma surrounding scams further fuels this internal conflict, leading to isolation, hypervigilance, and even depression.

Without proper support, this identity crisis can severely hinder their recovery, and in some cases, lead to suicidal ideation due to overwhelming emotions and a loss of self-trust.

Scam Victims Experience Several Crises After the Scam Ends but the Identity Crisis at About 6 Months to 1-Year Can be the Very Devastating

The Scam Victim Identity Crisis

An identity crisis from a scam victim’s perspective typically emerges several months after the scam ends, with many victims reporting these crises around the six-month to 1-year mark.

This delayed response is based on insights gathered from over 10,000 victims, showing that this period is when deeper psychological issues often surface.

Initially, victims are focused on immediate damage control, such as financial recovery or cutting off communication with the scammer, and stabilizing themselves. As time passes and the shock begins to wear off, the emotional and psychological repercussions or consequences set in more intensely.

At around the six-month to 1-year point, victims have had time to recover somewhat and reflect on their experience, and this is when this crisis tends to emerge. They may start questioning who they are, their judgment, and their ability to trust themselves and others. This delayed onset might be because, in the immediate aftermath, they are preoccupied with the immediate trauma and practical aspects of recovery. Once those tasks have been addressed, the emotional weight of the betrayal, manipulation, and loss of self-trust begins to sink in.

Crisis Impact

During this time, victims may feel disconnected from their previous sense of self. They often find it hard to reconcile the person they believed they were with the reality of having been deceived. The self-image of being careful, responsible, or intelligent is now in conflict with the feelings of having been naive or gullible. This internal conflict can trigger a profound identity crisis, leaving them Read More …