SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Commentary: Stop Just Reading Headlines
How Many Of You Just Read The Post Headline?
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The Answer Is Most Of You!
Not all to be sure. Many of you are interested in the substance of what is happening, but the majority of victims are looking for instant gratification that comes from stories of scammer arrests, or other actions to help you re-establish control in your life. So many victims just want to skim the information that would help them stay safe, instead of actually learning knowledge that they can use to help others as well.
We get 10 times the attention on a page of scammer photos than we do on an article about helping yourself recover from the scam. That is truly sad.
That Sounds Harsh And Insulting, Doesn’t It?
Over the last few years, we have interacted with hundreds of thousands of comments on our social media and websites, and one thing clearly stands out: how few victims actually read the information we present. We know they were there because they commented on a post or article, but they commented on what the HEADLINE said, and not on the article itself. Their comment clearly showed they did not understand the article since headlines many times are a small aspect of the story. Oh, and yes, we read every comment everywhere!
Consider What That Means In The Context Of Being A Scam Victim?
It means that victims are still being attracted to and make snap judgments from small bits of information instead of taking the time to explore and investigate thoroughly.
Isn’t That Exactly What Got Them Scammed In The First Place?
A perfect example is a story we presented here on SCARS about an Australian Woman who won an appeal to her prison sentence in Cambodia for drug mule charges. The comments were glowing, but since they did not read the story, it does not have a happy ending, since she is still in prison and facing a retrial. The headline was about winning, but the story is far from over – which the commenters would have known if they read it.
We see the exact same thing with the SCARS™ Guides that we publish to help victims understand what happened to them and how to avoid them in the future. We know exactly how many people read them. This is especially true on Facebook since we can see who is liking and commenting compared to who clicks through to the article. This is not a rant, but a statement of caution.
Victims became scammed because of their lack of attention when they were initially contacted. Is that a fair statement?
We also know that most scam victims (statistically) are scammed more than once – of course, this is slightly unfair since some victims are scammed dozens of times. After a victim has been scammed once you would think that the lesson was learned and it would not happen again, right? Unfortunately not so.
There are many changes that a victim needs to make, many things a victim needs to learn to avoid scams in the future. We hear them say “Never Again” countless times yet they continue the same behaviors that brought them to the scam in the first time. Staying safe online is not a conviction to avoid scams alone, it is changing your behaviors to avoid them. A big part of that is taking the time to acquire knowledge and working on your habits – transforming habits from dangerous to safeguarding. Victims can skim information, but that is what scammers rely on – that you will not take the time to spot their flaws.
Our organization spends a vast amount of money creating content to help victims avoid scams in the future and recover from the ones they already experienced.
This is a resource that is here right now for you to take advantage of. It costs you nothing but some of your time. A small amount of time that will be well spent since it helps you avoid losses in the future, or if it helps you recover from the last scam, and help the people in your life to avoid scams as well.
Isn’t That Worth A Few Minutes Of Your Time?
If it really isn’t – please tell us and we can shut down right now and stop wasting money on what is of little value.
As a victim, you have to understand that your habits and behaviors led you to be scammed in the first place.
You have to change because the scammers will not go away. The scammers are there waiting for you to make another mistake and let them in.
You may think you know their ways, but there are hundreds of different kinds of scams out there waiting for you and the only thing that will stop them is the knowledge you need and the changes to your habits. You have to learn and defend yourself, and the way you do that is with knowledge, pure and simple.
Just think about the hundreds or thousands of hours you dedicated to your fake relationship? We only ask a small percentage of that time for you to learn to be safe online and to recover. That seems a fair bargain, doesn’t it?
Maybe You Read This Commentary, Maybe You Only Read The Headline?
We will continue to help those that make the effort to help themselves. To the headline skimmers, feel free to see us after then next tie you fall for a scam!
Tom Borman
SCARS™ Managing Director
a division of the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams [SCARS]
Miami Florida U.S.A.
info@RomanceScamsNow.com
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SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
CHAT WITH SCARS™ – CLICK HERE [icon name=”comment” class=”” unprefixed_class=”2x”]
TAGS: Just Reading Headlines, Knowledge Is Power, Learn About Scammers, Learn To Avoid Scams, Learning And Recovery, Make The Effort
END
MORE INFORMATION
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Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.
Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
- Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
- Your National Police or FBI (www.IC3.gov »)
- The SCARS|CDN™ Cybercriminal Data Network – Worldwide Reporting Network HERE » or on www.Anyscam.com »
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
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Visit our NEW Main SCARS Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information »
To learn more about SCARS visit www.AgainstScams.org
Please be sure to report all scammers HERE » or on www.Anyscam.com »
Legal Notices:
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.
SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated.
Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org
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Table of Contents
- How Many Of You Just Read The Post Headline?
- The Answer Is Most Of You!
- That Sounds Harsh And Insulting, Doesn’t It?
- Consider What That Means In The Context Of Being A Scam Victim?
- Isn’t That Exactly What Got Them Scammed In The First Place?
- Isn’t That Worth A Few Minutes Of Your Time?
- Maybe You Read This Commentary, Maybe You Only Read The Headline?
- CHAT WITH SCARS™ – CLICK HERE [icon name=”comment” class=”” unprefixed_class=”2x”]
- Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
- FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
- Please be sure to report all scammers HERE » or on www.Anyscam.com »
- Legal Notices:
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.
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