RSN™ Commentary: Talking About The Real Causes Of The State We Are In
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Editorial: Call It What It Is!
Abusing Words Abuses Victims Unintentionally!
Over the years helping victims of real scams, we constantly see people (including victims) throwing around the term SCAM and SCAMMING for the most inaccurate purposes. Not everything you don’t like is a scam.
As “Scam Victims” you especially have to be careful about using the word “scammed.” This is something very specific, just like rape. Yes, there is a multitude of scams out there of varying degrees of severity. But poor service or a product that is not what you thought it was are not scams.
A scam is an intentional criminal act – a crime – and there is a real victim!
When We Abuse Terms Then We Degrade The Meaning Of The Term And The Victims Of It.
People are constantly using terms incorrectly and it results in worse communication not better. Scam, Hack, and the whole range of cybercriminality are thrown around but much of the time it is just wrong. In the process, people get confused about what it really means, and then when you tell someone that you are a Scam Victim they will think it is no big deal because THEY were scammed at the McDonald’s drive through!
Hacking: What you think it’s like and how it actually is
When hacking is mentioned, what is the first thing that immediately pops into your mind? A bunch of indecipherable code flashing across a black screen? Loss of critical data and leaked information? What about your impression of hackers? Thanks to Hollywood and media reports, most people would think of them as evil geniuses who use their knowledge of technology to wreak havoc and create a public nuisance.
People are constantly complaining about their email being hacked or their Facebook accounts being hacked. But the fact of the matter is that most of the time, these are NOT HACKS. Someone figured out your passwords and gained access or took over your account. They did not hack Facebook or Gmail. YOU gave them enough clues that they could figure it out, or you let your account credentials leak out.
Hackers break into computer systems, sometimes to gain access to accounts, but usually, work at the large scale. They don’t hack your grandmother’s Gmail account.
In computer security, a hacker is someone who focuses on security mechanisms of computer and network systems. While including those who endeavor to strengthen such mechanisms, it is more often used by the mass media and popular culture to refer to those who seek access despite these security measures – bad actors. That is, the media portrays the ‘hacker’ as a villain. Nevertheless, parts of the subculture see their aim in correcting security problems and use the word in a positive sense.
Not all hackers are bad!
When a hacking incident is reported in the media it is because something – be it access to a website or confidential information – is being compromised. But do you know that companies are actually paying hackers to attack their own systems as well? These ethical hackers, also known as “white hat” hackers, find ways to get into an organization’s information system and then alert the company about them so as to minimize security lapses.
White hat is the name given to ethical computer hackers, who utilize hacking in a helpful way. White hats are becoming a necessary part of the information security field. They operate under a code of conduct (just like we operate under the SCARS Code of Conduct), which acknowledges that breaking into other people’s computers is bad, but that discovering and exploiting security mechanisms and breaking into computers is still an interesting activity that can be done ethically and legally.
Coming up with ways to hack into something can be really tough, but once someone has figured it out and posted the tutorial online, pretty much everyone else can do the same by following the step-by-step instructions.
So When You Abuse A Term …
It is destroying your ability to be taken seriously as a victim. Think about the terms you use – that you think you know what they mean but don’t! Especially respect “scam” because as you found out, it is not a trivial thing.
Also, help your friends and family use terms more precisely too!
The point we are making is we need to be cautious about crying wolf and applying the wrong terms. Because others believe us and we end up devaluing the real victims of scams (or other crimes) in the process.
SCARS™ Team A SCARS Division Miami Florida U.S.A.
TAGS: Abusing Terms, Devaluing Victims, Hack, Hacker, Improper Use Of Terms, scam, Scammed, Scammer, Scamming, Wrong Words
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
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.
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Editorial: Call It What It Is!
Abusing Words Abuses Victims Unintentionally!
Over the years helping victims of real scams, we constantly see people (including victims) throwing around the term SCAM and SCAMMING for the most inaccurate purposes. Not everything you don’t like is a scam.
As “Scam Victims” you especially have to be careful about using the word “scammed.” This is something very specific, just like rape. Yes, there is a multitude of scams out there of varying degrees of severity. But poor service or a product that is not what you thought it was are not scams.
A scam is an intentional criminal act – a crime – and there is a real victim!
When We Abuse Terms Then We Degrade The Meaning Of The Term And The Victims Of It.
People are constantly using terms incorrectly and it results in worse communication not better. Scam, Hack, and the whole range of cybercriminality are thrown around but much of the time it is just wrong. In the process, people get confused about what it really means, and then when you tell someone that you are a Scam Victim they will think it is no big deal because THEY were scammed at the McDonald’s drive through!
Same goes for the most abused term “HACK”
We have explored the meaning of what a SCAM is before, please refer to that article.
Hacking: What you think it’s like and how it actually is
When hacking is mentioned, what is the first thing that immediately pops into your mind? A bunch of indecipherable code flashing across a black screen? Loss of critical data and leaked information? What about your impression of hackers? Thanks to Hollywood and media reports, most people would think of them as evil geniuses who use their knowledge of technology to wreak havoc and create a public nuisance.
People are constantly complaining about their email being hacked or their Facebook accounts being hacked. But the fact of the matter is that most of the time, these are NOT HACKS. Someone figured out your passwords and gained access or took over your account. They did not hack Facebook or Gmail. YOU gave them enough clues that they could figure it out, or you let your account credentials leak out.
Hackers break into computer systems, sometimes to gain access to accounts, but usually, work at the large scale. They don’t hack your grandmother’s Gmail account.
In computer security, a hacker is someone who focuses on security mechanisms of computer and network systems. While including those who endeavor to strengthen such mechanisms, it is more often used by the mass media and popular culture to refer to those who seek access despite these security measures – bad actors. That is, the media portrays the ‘hacker’ as a villain. Nevertheless, parts of the subculture see their aim in correcting security problems and use the word in a positive sense.
Not all hackers are bad!
When a hacking incident is reported in the media it is because something – be it access to a website or confidential information – is being compromised. But do you know that companies are actually paying hackers to attack their own systems as well? These ethical hackers, also known as “white hat” hackers, find ways to get into an organization’s information system and then alert the company about them so as to minimize security lapses.
White hat is the name given to ethical computer hackers, who utilize hacking in a helpful way. White hats are becoming a necessary part of the information security field. They operate under a code of conduct (just like we operate under the SCARS Code of Conduct), which acknowledges that breaking into other people’s computers is bad, but that discovering and exploiting security mechanisms and breaking into computers is still an interesting activity that can be done ethically and legally.
Coming up with ways to hack into something can be really tough, but once someone has figured it out and posted the tutorial online, pretty much everyone else can do the same by following the step-by-step instructions.
So When You Abuse A Term …
It is destroying your ability to be taken seriously as a victim. Think about the terms you use – that you think you know what they mean but don’t! Especially respect “scam” because as you found out, it is not a trivial thing.
Also, help your friends and family use terms more precisely too!
The point we are making is we need to be cautious about crying wolf and applying the wrong terms. Because others believe us and we end up devaluing the real victims of scams (or other crimes) in the process.
SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
TAGS: Abusing Terms, Devaluing Victims, Hack, Hacker, Improper Use Of Terms, scam, Scammed, Scammer, Scamming, Wrong Words
END
– – –
Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
– – –
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:
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
– – –
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 »
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide – RSN/Romance Scams Now & SCARS/Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated (formerly the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams)
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
-/ 30 /-
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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
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.
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.