SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Essential Information For New Scam Victims
After the scam, you are going to be confused, angry, traumatized, and you need to know what you can do!
Anger and revenge are not the path for new scam victims, or at least they should not be. Learning and regaining control of your life is the direction to recovery.
Here are a series of guides and information for new scam victims that will help you better understand what your options are.
The first one to read immediately is the “SCARS 3 Steps Guide For New Victims” – this is your starting place
There is a mountain of information, but just take it one bite at a time. The answers will come that will help you survive this!
PLEASE WATCH THIS
There is so much to learn and understand!
As a new scam victim be patient all the answers are here on this website. But as a new scam victim, it will take time for you to be able to grasp all that you see. Trauma impairs most victims and makes it hard to understand everything.
Are you a Married Romance Scam Victim?
Married Scam Victim has special difficulties ending and recovering from these scams. Here is useful information for you:
Why Do We Separate Information?
We help victims in different stages of recovery, and not all information is suitable for new scam victims. We separate it so that you can find the information you are looking for without additional confussion if you are not ready for it.
Never Be Afraid To Ask For Help!
Only about 1/3 of scam victims will effectively recover from their experience – you need to give yourself the best opportunity to be one of them.
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org (U.S. & Worldwide)
After A Scam, You Need To Recover
SCARS Offers Free Support Recovery Programs – visit support.AgainstScams.org to sign up!
Our services are completely confidential and private!
About SCARS
SCARS (the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.) is an incorporated nonprofit crime victims’ assistance and crime prevention organization supporting cybercrime & scam victims worldwide.
SCARS was incorporated in 2015 but its leadership has been supporting scam victims since 1991 – nearly 32 years.
To learn more about SCARS or to see our leadership and other programs visit www.AgainstScams.org
Additional SCARS websites & resources:
- Corporate website: AgainstScams.org
- SCARS Magazine: ScamsNOW.com
- Scammer Photos: ScammerPhotos.com
- Reporting Scams & Scammers: reporting.AgainstScams.org
- SCARS Victim Support Groups: support.AgainstScams.org
- Find trauma counseling or therapy: counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Self-Help DIY Recovery Book Shop: shop.AgainstScams.org
- SCARS membership with benefits: membership.AgainstScams.org
- SCARS on Facebook: news.AgainstScams.org
- SCARS on Twitter: twitter.AgainstScams.org
- SCARS YouTube Videos: youtube.AgainstScams.org
- SCARS on LinkedIn: linkedin.AgainstScams.org
How To Contact SCARS
- EMAIL: Contact@AgainstScams.org
- FACEBOOK MESSENGER: m.me/SCARS.SocietyAgainst.org
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Table of Contents
- We Understand What New Scam Victims Are Going Through And Are Here To Help You Learn
- It was NOT your fault, and you can get through this with help!
- Essential Information For New Scam Victims
- PLEASE WATCH THIS
- There is so much to learn and understand!
- After A Scam, You Will Have Questions
- Why Do We Separate Information?
- Never Be Afraid To Ask For Help!
- Did You Receive Money From A Scammer, Or Give A Scammer Access To Your Accounts?
- After A Scam, You Need To Recover
- About SCARS
- How To Contact SCARS
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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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.
He did not ask for money yet but said he can’t call or vediochatt
I was 63, after my wife passed last January 2024, in April I joined eHarmony, putting out there I am a widow of just looking to chat. I was very lonely and on a third visit an Asian woman befriended me ultimately, she got me into this short term investing countdown cryptocurrency fraud scheme that I didn’t pick up on until it was too late. I pulled money out of my 401(k) and I took a second mortgage against my house all in all $298,000. I reported all this to the police. I had a photo of the could’ve been a Nigerian I don’t know he was from Brooklyn New York he said and picked up the cash here two times. I must not have been in my own right mind because I never went for anything anything ridiculous in my life like this and I called myself stupid constantly days on end I wanted to put a bullet to my head. I had a side profile head to toe picture of the young man that came to pick up. At one point, the police did come to my house and ultimately took me to the psycho hospital for a few hours, but let me go cause I wasn’t serious about doing that.
In your slides of ‘please watch this’ has helped me so much in lessening the pains and understanding what went on with me.
Gary, we are glad you are a survivor. Please consider enrolling in our Scam Survivor’s School – it’s free – at http://www.SCARSeducation.org
My sisterinlaw is being scamed by him
Does she understand that she is being scammed or denies it?
Read http://www.ScamVictimsSupport.org to learn what you both need to know right now.
So sorry to inform you I just had a guy pose as you he is on X please see if you can take him off i actually looked you up and found this before I let anything get too far but he had stated he is 60 years of age which I knew better from your pictures thank you! sincerely Malisa Davila
Guten Tag, ich werde auch von einen Soldaten er angeblich im Kriegsgebiet Irak betrogen, nach 2 Tagen schrieb er schon die ersten Liebesnachrichten, ich sollte ein Urlaubsantrag stellen und dann sollte ich Geld auf ein Konto von der UNO senden, dieses Bankkonto war sehr seltsam und nach Nachfrage auf der Bank sollte ich dies Anzeigen, was ich auch bei der Polizei getan habe, ich soll den Chat noch weiter laufen lassen, weil das Betrugsdezernat dies wahrscheinlich lesen möchte, ich würde dies aber gerne am besten heute noch Blocken.
Vielen Dank, dass Sie uns kontaktiert haben. Ja, das ist ein Betrug.
Denken Sie daran, das ist nicht Ihre Schuld!
Obwohl wir eine englischsprachige Organisation sind, bieten alle unsere Websites Übersetzungen ins Deutsche an.
Besuchen Sie http://www.ScamVictimsSupport.org, um viel mehr darüber zu erfahren, was Sie jetzt tun können!
I was scammed out of $50,000 just because I believed the lies from the scammers, I’ve even had one come clean with me and told me his name, he was from Nigeria, I was just looking for my soulmate, now I’m so ashamed of my self
This was not your fault, and if you know the real identity of the criminal you might be able to get an arrest. We suggest that you contact us by email so we can see how we can help you. Email us at contact@againstscams.org
I wish that I had found SCARS earlier. The first months after realizing what happened were pretty rough.