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

A HATER JUST CALLED US FAKE!
Our Official Response
Unlike incompetent scam haters this or captain that or police team group something else, RSN’s Team has been working against scammers for 27 years – since 1991 – starting on the old AOL. Our first webpage was published on TigerDirect.com in 1995 (yes our founder was also a co-founder of TigerDirect in 1985), then was spun out as a separate website in 1998 – with the RSN brand appearing in the late 2000’s.
We don’t make bogus claims to have saved victims Bazillions of Dollars, we just try to help you minimize the damage that the scam did to you. Unfortunately, knowledge doesn’t save most people because they will not listen until it is too late! BUT we have saved lives and helped real people recover after their scam.
We also don’t claim to get victims’ money back or to get scammers arrested (no one can guarantee that). Unlike one group, we never claim to go on hunting trips to Ghana & Nigeria. Most of the work we do remains off the radar working with governments – including the U.S. Government.
We are a real organization, with offices and employees – not one other anti-scam group is! RSN is a division of the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams [SCARS] www.AgainstScams.org We are a non-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) domiciled in the United States of America. SCARS was founded in 2015 and acquired RSN from its original founder in early 2017 to better support and educate victims, and hopefully those who had not yet become victims.
We (SCARS that is) built the world’s only real clearinghouse and network model for scammer data that distributes scammer reports around the world to more than 1,000 government agencies, law enforcement, businesses, websites, and social media. You can report on hundreds of Facebook pages and dozens of websites (including www.Anyscam.com and www.RomanceScamsNow.com – here)
We are a registered crime victims’ assistance & support organization – registered with the United States Department of Justice – through their National Center for Victims of Crime. We are a cybercrime partner with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Europol, Council of Europe, Russian FSB, and the PRC Ministry of Public Security. We are making changes that in time will bring a close on this chapter of global online fraud. Our team also holds dozens of certifications.
Be careful who you believe online – after all that is how you were scammed in the first place. Trust no one, not even us, until you know for sure!
Fortunately, all SCARS personnel and members adhere to and comply with the SCARS Code of Conduct, and the NOVA standard for victims’ assistance. Always look for the SCARS logo as the first sign of trustworthiness. If a group is not a SCARS Member, ask them why – either they cannot comply with our ethical standards or they have been removed for violations of those standards. Are those the kinds of groups you want to put your faith into?
Now you know who WE are! Real organization, real people, real mission! If you want to join us, you too can become a SCARS Member for free – visit our website for more information (www.AgainstScams.org)
This is what it means to be transparent! Transparency is a requirement of SCARS Members!
Remember to stay safe and trust no one (until you can verify)!
Cynthia Reyes,
Compliance Officer
Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams Inc. [SCARS]
Miami (Doral) Florida U.S.A.
contact@AgainstRomanceScams.org
Tom Borman,
RSN Division Managing Director
Romance Scams Now Division
Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams Inc. [SCARS]
Miami Florida U.S.A.
info@RomanceScamsNow.com
Please remember to report all scammers here or on www.Anyscam.com
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!
Article Rating
Table of Contents
POPULAR ARTICLES
ARTICLE META
RATE THIS ARTICLE?
LEAVE A COMMENT?
Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.
Recent Comments
On Other Articles
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.
Hvala Vam za podršku ,informacije i pomoć koju nam nesebično pružate.