
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

SCARS Wrote The Book On Scam Victim Recovery!
In addition to the massive information published here on RomanceScamsNOW.com – free for all scam victims, families, and friends – SCARS also published guides and useful books available on our SCARS Company Store at shop.AgainstScams.org
100% of all profit goes to help SCARS help more scam victims worldwide. Your generous purchase allows us to maintain our scam avoidance, support, and recovery services. Please help SCARS and stand proud.
New Book From SCARS: Workbook For Trauma & Goals Self Assessment – 8 Steps for Improvement
A Part of the SCARS Scam Victims’ Recovery Program
Supporting Scam Victim Recovery!
Our Goal Is To Expand Understanding And Support For Scam Victims
This book should be purchased by Scam Victims to help them better understand the trauma that they have experienced now and in the past. It will help each victim better understand their present and their past, and their goals as they go through recovery.
This was created by SCARS – the world leader in assisting scam victims, by author Tim McGuinness Ph.D., the Managing Director of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc – a nonprofit crime victims’ assistance and crime prevention organization.
DESIGNED FOR SCAM VICTIMS TO SELF-ASSESS THEIR TRAUMA!
Each person is different and it is important to understand how relationship scams work and why people are vulnerable to being scammed. To understand how they were lured in, then groomed and manipulated. This understanding is essential in helping them through the process of ending the scam and then on to recovery. That information is available here on RomanceScamsNOW.com, but it is often useful to have additional tools that you can have in your hands.
This New Workbook will provide the information and structure necessary for scam victims to better understand themselves and see their progress. We recommend that this workbook be used together with our GREEN BOOK Self-Help Recovery Guide and our BLUE BOOK Scam Victims’ Journal.
SCARS provides a large library of educational articles on all the topics of recovery from scams and the psychology of scams to help victims better understand these concepts. But, we also publish several unique books written by the global experts in scam victim recovery.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are the victim of a scam please see also our SCARS GREEN BOOK – Self Help Guide for Scam Victim Recovery
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on SCARS INSTITUTE SCAM WARNINGS – 2025: “This list is astounding! This just shows the general public has no idea the lengths the criminals will go to…” Jul 12, 10:17
on Nigeria – [EFCC] Economic & Financial Crimes Commission: “Thank you for your comment, but this is patently false. China is the source for the most scammers. Brazil has…” Jul 9, 06:20
on Nigeria – [EFCC] Economic & Financial Crimes Commission: “NIgeria has produced more scammers than the whole world produced. Seems like their law enforcement is pretty incompetent.” Jul 8, 02:51
on Self-Pity & Scam Victim Recovery: “I like how this article incorporates gratitude as an antidote to self-pity. I also like how the writer corelates that…” Jul 7, 19:48
on Victim Psychology – Managing Your Emotional 5 Saboteurs: “It is so possible to stand in our own way during our recovery. That self-doubt about what happened, even feeling…” Jul 5, 12:51
on Romance Scams – Crime Typology Overview / Victim Impact Analysis – 2025: “Excellent compendium of knowledge on romance scams . Thank you Dr. Tim” Jul 5, 07:43
on Romance Scams – Crime Typology Overview / Victim Impact Analysis – 2025: “Dr. Tim, in the couple of hours you took to pull this information together into a victim impact analysis, is…” Jul 4, 18:56
on The Normalcy Bias: Understanding the Cognitive Bias that Can Put You in Danger – 2022 [UPDATED 2025]: “The article has been reviewed and updated. Thank you.” Jul 2, 07:31
on Victims As Activists & Why Many Scam Victims Should Delay Or Not Become One: “This article is clear in the ways that survivors can put themselves off track trying to help before they are…” Jul 1, 20:05
on Victim Vulnerability After The Scam – Physical Risks: “Thank you for this article. I had no idea that after a crime we walk differently, or use smaller gestures.…” Jul 1, 19:41
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now 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 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 Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
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
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
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 to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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