SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
What Is Important To A Scam Victim Immediately After Discovering They Are In A Scam?
Discovering that you have fallen victim to a scam can be a devastating experience.
Scammers use a variety of tactics to deceive their victims and extract money or sensitive information from them. Once you realize that you have been scammed, it is important to take immediate action to minimize the damage and prevent further losses, and take back control.
After The Scam One Of The Most Important Steps You Can Take Is To Get Organized.
This means collecting and organizing the evidence and assessing what happened during the scam. This information can be valuable in helping law enforcement officials recover any stolen assets.
Getting organized also means reporting the scam to the appropriate authorities – usually your local police first, then to the Federal Trade Commission or your national cybercrime police units. Reporting the scam not only helps protect you, but it also helps prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
In addition to reporting the scam, it is important to reach out to your financial institutions to notify them that you are a victim.
Then join a SCARS Support Group for Scam Victims. SCARS offers many online forums and support groups where victims can connect with each other and share information about their experiences. This can be a valuable source of emotional support, as well as a way to learn about new scams and how to avoid them in the future.
Getting organized after being scammed is essential for protecting yourself and preventing further losses. By keeping detailed records, reporting the scam, and connecting with other victims, you can take proactive steps to regain control and recover.
12 STEPS TO GAIN CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION
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End the scam – stop all contact with the criminals – do not confront them!
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Take time to access the situation – what was done, what information was shared, and how much money was lost!
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How bad it is? Get a sense of how bad the damage is. Catalog all your loses
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Get help and advice on how to go forward – from professionals, not amateurs! We are here to help you!
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Join a professionally manage or facilitated support group – to sign up for a SCARS group visit support.AgainstScams.org
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Accept that you are traumatized and need help!
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Prepare the evidence – just what the police need
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Report to your local police first. Insist that they take the report if needed
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Report to financial institutions and give them the police report number
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Take a deep breath and analyze your situation – develop ideas for a recovery plan
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Find a professional trauma counselor or therapist – SCARS offers free counseling through our partnership with BetterHelp – visit membership.AgainstScams.org to learn more
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Address your financial needs – getting assistance (if possible) but take control
AFTER THIS, YOU WILL NEED TO BEGIN LEARNING:
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Why did this happen?
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How they did what they did to you?
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Can you recover your money?
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How can you recover emotionally?
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What damage did this do to your family and friends?
You will find those answers in our Psychology of Scams articles.
WORK YOUR RECOVERY PLAN!
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Write out an actual plan of what you have to do
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Focus on your emotional recover
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Focus on your financial damage control
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The rest is out of your hands!
SUMMARY
If a scam victim follows these steps they will be substantially better prepared to get the most of the opportunities that will come up for them.
Recovery is never easy for any scam victims but you can make it through this!
Remember that it was NOT YOUR FAULT!
This article is by:
SCARS™ – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
A scams & financial fraud crime victims assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization headquartered in Miami Florida USA & Monterrey NL Mexico, with partners in more than 60 countries worldwide
If you are a Victim sign up for our FREE SCARS Support Groups at support.AgainstScams.org
To learn more about SCARS, or to Join, Volunteer, or Donate visit: AgainstScams.org
To see Scammer Photos visit www.ScammerPhotos.com
Contact Us: Contact@AgainstScams.org
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Table of Contents
- How Victims Can Get Organized After A Scam
- What Is Important To A Scam Victim Immediately After Discovering They Are In A Scam?
- After The Scam One Of The Most Important Steps You Can Take Is To Get Organized.
- 12 STEPS TO GAIN CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION
- AFTER THIS, YOU WILL NEED TO BEGIN LEARNING:
- WORK YOUR RECOVERY PLAN!
- SUMMARY
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ARTICLE META
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
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
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.
I really wish I had known about SCARS when I realized I had been scammed. I was able to put the recovery plan in this article in place but it was incomplete until I discovered SCARS. I now feel like I have a guided path to follow to fully recover. Thank you SCARS!