REPORT ALL SCAMS!
SCARS Institute™ Encyclopedia of Scams™ RomanceScamsNOW.com
Continuously Published for 26 Years – Since 2000
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. [SCARS]
is a publication of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. [registered dba SCARS]
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SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Curiosity In The Age Of Scams
You Have To Assume Every Stranger Online Is Dangerous
Learning To Be Safe In A Dangerous Online World!
A SCARS Commentary
Do You Know What Is More Dangerous Than A Scammer?
Your Own Curiosity !!!
A stranger online sends you a friend request, and what do you do?
You automatically look to see who it is, right? Ok, so far?
Except it is like one of those horror movies, where the group of friends is standing outside an old run-down gothic haunted house and they all want to leave, but you want to go it.
They are right! Turn around NOW and run!
Treat all strangers online as potential threats!
The minute you determine that this unknown friend request is a person you don’t know, or from a country you don’t know or a place you don’t know …
BLOCK HIM or HER!
RUN AWAY! NOW!
This is not the age of open social media anymore, where we connect with everyone and any place, to learn about cultures and different people. This is the age of SCAMS and FRAUD and FEAR and TRAUMA.
Every day we speak with a thousand people who never learned that simple lesson. That 98% of all strangers online that contact you are going to be scammers or fakes!
Many industry analysts estimate that 30% of online fraud funds terrorists. That is a 1 in 3 chance YOU are FUNDING TERRORISM. You cannot afford to allow even one scammer through the door. If you do, you also serve the scammer ALL of your friends and family on a silver platter.
We Cannot Emphasize This Enough!
If you have friends, real friends, and real family that connect to your Facebook or social media profile, you have a responsibility and so do they to protect their connections, to help keep everyone safe. You have to think about strangers online just like strangers at your front door, just like others during the height of the pandemic – every stranger is a potential carrier of the plague. Should you open the door and let them in?
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!
Because if you do, a year from now you will be someone who gave away even more of your treasure and let the scammer go after your friends and family. AND THEY WILL go after them.
Scammers have become increasingly mean and vicious. They are using blackmail scams, and threats of violence more and more. Is this what you want to unleash on yourself, on your real friends and family? OF COURSE NOT!
What is the rule ABOUT venomous snakes?
Look but don’t touch! The same with strangers online!
If you are curious, look but don’t touch.
DON’T FRIEND. DON’T CONNECT.
If you cannot learn this lesson, you will be forever reliving those old horror movies. Chained in the basement, with the monster bleeding you to death.
Is that too dramatic?
No, it is not, because that is exactly what scammers do – they bleed you to death! They take and take until you have nothing left. Then they move on to your friends and family.
You must learn this lesson, and share it with your family and friends too.
There is always one person that screws up and lets the monsters in under the cover of night. Don’t be that person!
Always Report All Scams – Anywhere In The World To:
Go to reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn how
U.S. FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=SCARS and SCARS at www.Anyscams.com
Visit reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn more!
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Table of Contents
ARTICLE CATEGORIES
An Essay on Justice and Money Recovery – 2026
AI is Deceiving You – Essay by AI Warning You About AI – 2025
Dead Internet Theory – An Urban Legend – 2025
A Letter to Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America – 2025
URGENT WARNING About European Free Speech – Scam Victims Need to Be Careful when Commenting About Scammers – 2025
Avoid Christmas Holiday Scams – 2024
Rapid Report Scammers
Visit SCARS www.Anyscam.com
Quick Reporting
Subscribe & New Item Updates
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
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.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.