ScamsNOW!
The SCARS Institute Magazine about Scam Victims-Survivors, Scams, Fraud & Cybercrime
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CATEGORIES
ARTICLE META
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims.
- SCARS Institute now offers its free, safe, and private Scam Survivor’s Support Community at www.SCARScommunity.org – this is not on a social media platform, it is our own safe & secure platform created by the SCARS Institute especially for scam victims & survivors.
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery learning 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
♦ SCARS Institute now offers its free, safe, and private Scam Survivor’s Support Community at www.SCARScommunity.org/register – this is not on a social media platform, it is our own safe & secure platform created by the SCARS Institute especially for scam victims & survivors.
♦ 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’s knowledge and information 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 – international numbers here.
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.
I am not in the habit of feeling sorry for myself. After the deception, although it was not easy at times, I did everything to avoid falling into this trap. I didn’t want to be stuck dwelling on the past, I wanted to move forward, I wanted to recover.
With the help of SCARS I was able to achieve this .
I felt self-pity while the enormity of my financial loss washed over me like a tsunami. The self-pity lasted only a short time before I moved on to actively seeking help. It is easy to feel pity when one is overwhelmed, when life is piling onto you and everything seems to be going wrong at the same time. It is how you handle that situation that defines whether self-pity will take you, or you overcome self-pity. However, I feel using self-pity as the antidote to your crime could be harmful. I have considered self-pity to be a short lived emotion. Taking the steps outlined in this article to overcome self-pity can lead one toward combating this emotion and moving forward into recovery.
The antidote for self-pity is gratitude.Yes, the scam did happen to me and it hurts, but it opened the doors for me to grow into a better version of myself. For that I am grateful!
Nobody wants to go to a pity party. Yes, being scammed leaves you feeling violated and used but self pity is not the answer. This article does a great job explaining how to avoid and deal with self pity.