SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Editorial: What Is The Answer To Scamming?
The first thing we all need to understand is that there are practical limits to what can be done right now.
The answer to scammers is not arresting them, any more than the answer to immigration is not deporting them all. Some yes, but not all.
The Answer Is A Process Of Change
Anti-Scam Groups do some good. (at least the good ones do). They educate, they inform, they guide, and proper legal support groups assist and support victims.
However, most Anti-Scam Groups do nothing about the problem of scamming. The reason is several-fold:
- They don’t reach or even know how to reach people before they become victims
- They are run by amateurs with zero experience in law enforcement or understanding in transnational crime
- They have no experience or credentials in victims’ assistance, and as such operate illegally in many countries
- They have zero budgets – no money
- They make false claims about what they do or can do – such as the retired Army Captain who has claimed for years that he goes to Ghana to arrest scammers and recover money
Off course, there are Anti-Scam Groups run by scammers too!
SCARS is the only real non-profit non-governmental [NGO] organization that is funded and has a full-time staff of actual employees.
SCARS is having an impact. In less than three years they have established partnerships with other NGOs, governments, and law enforcement around the world. But this is a slow process that is going to take time. It took a generation to profoundly impact other crimes such as drunk driving – today Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a massive force, but it took them a generation to reach their success. It will take a few years more before the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams can reach a similar level and that depends on the cooperation of governments such as the United States Government.
However, there are dozens of initiatives that are having an impact, and as time goes by they will expand and increase their impact.
Each of us has to do our part, this is not a hands-off process. If you expect someone else to do it all for you it will fail. Each of us has to do our part every day.
One of the first things we ALL need to do is stop listening to haters. These people spend more energy trying to destroy other groups (including SCARS) than they do achieving anything positive.
There are many great groups that are honest, transparent, and effective. Become an informed consumer of anti-scam services and information – you have choices and who you believe makes a difference in your own recovery, and for other victims.
In the end, being a spectator and expecting others to save you will not help bring about change.
Each person who has become a victim must stand up and take a stand with SCARS – groups on Facebook are generally just holding hands. Only SCARS member groups are taking active measures or are listened to by governments. So you can and must become an active advocate if you want to contribute.
If you would like more details or have suggestions of what you can do contact SCARS at contact@AgainstRomanceScams.org
For more information about SCARS or to become a member for free just visit their website at www.AgainatsRomanceScams.org
We hope you will step up and help make the online world a better place!
RSN Team
a division of the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams [SCARS]
Miami Florida U.S.A.
Change Has Never Come Easily
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Visit our Main SCARS™ News & Information Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: www.facebook.com/SCARS.Victims.Support.And.Recovery
Please Be Sure To Report All Scammers Here Or On Www.Anyscam.Com
All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2018 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide – RSN/Romance Scams Now & SCARS/Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams Inc.
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Table of Contents
- The first thing we all need to understand is that there are practical limits to what can be done right now.
- The Answer Is A Process Of Change
- SCARS is the only real non-profit non-governmental [NGO] organization that is funded and has a full-time staff of actual employees.
- In the end, being a spectator and expecting others to save you will not help bring about change.
- Please Be Sure To Report All Scammers Here Or On Www.Anyscam.Com
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.
I’ve been seen attentively the translations to Portuguese, and they have some important troubles it’s necessary to revise it. the sentences are quite nonsense.
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Unfortunately, it is Google that controls that. They are great on Spanish, but terrible on several others – it seems to a question of how many times each language is used.