SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
Unfortunately, A Large Number Of Scam Victims Are Scammed Again, And Some Dozens Of Times!
Being Scammed Again Is Common
Did you know that statistically, as a victim of a scam, you have a ONE IN SEVEN chance of being scammed again?
Most victims will shut down after a scam – not trusting anyone. However, for most scam victims, the same tendencies that created the opportunity for the scam remain. You will still be too trusting even while you tell yourself that you trust no one.
It is vitally important to make sure you are getting the right support after your scam or your life can easily go off of the rails, emotionally, psychologically, and even into the hands of another set of criminals.
As someone who has been scammed please d read this first: SUPPORT & INFORMATION FOR NEW SCAM VICTIMS (romancescamsnow.com)
Messiah Groups
Most victims seek out saviors after they have been scammed. If law enforcement does not respond the way they want, they seek out other authority figures to save them – these are the Messiah or Savior Groups! This is only natural, but it opens the door to a range of scams or increased trauma that can follow.
The fact is there are a few good and ethical anti-scam groups. But there are also those that will take advantage of your vulnerable state by promising the sun the moon and the stars, and filling your head with hate and false information. Be careful of anyone promising anything. If it looks like a cult it probably is.
Support Groups For The Scammed
SCARS provides free, confidential, trauma-informed professionally facilitated support & recovery groups. Go to support.AgainstScams.org to sign up.
However, there are so many amateur anti-scam hate groups that are run by victims that know nothing about how to help you recover. Victim Support is a serious matter and not the realm of amateurs regardless of how well-intentioned they may be. Be sure to look for groups that are incorporated nonprofit organizations, and have training, experience, and certified staff that understand how to help people in a crisis.
Counseling
Counseling is regulated by state and national governments. No anti-scam group can even use that word legally unless they have licensed counselors on staff. SCARS provides a counseling benefit to our members through our partnership with BetterHelp – this helps us bring low-cost counseling to all scam victims in over 200 countries – visit counseling.AgainstScams.org to find trauma counselors.
Being Scammed Again – Recovery Scams
This is one of the more despicable scams since it goes after victims to scam them again promising to recover their money.
In general, no one can recover your money except law enforcement. Private investigators the world over will promise much and deliver nothing except your empty wallet. Cultish group leaders say they go there and get your money or promise other things just as fanciful but they are not true and they never have. Anyone the says they will get your money back is lying. An honest person will admit they cannot.
It’s law enforcement’s job to get your money back! And they will do it for free!
Change Your Behavior To Avoid Being Scammed Again
Once you have been scammed you need to stop the behavior that led you to be scammed in the first place.
Stop rebounding. Stop blindly trusting. Stop putting your faith in Snake Oil salesmen.
Nothing Is Easy, Nothing Comes With Certainty Or Guarantees
- Scammers are more frequently arrested, but it is still beyond your control
- Most victims do not get their money back even though things are getting much better
- Most victims will believe the wrong people again and again
- Recovering is hard, it takes a significant amount of time, but you can make it through this if you decide to!
Remember,
IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT!
But if you fail to recover and are scammed again, it will be!
Look out for yourself FIRST. Stop worrying about helping the world learn the truth, the only person you are going to make the difference for is yourself.
Focus on your own recovery, we and others will take care of the world for you. When you HAVE recovered then we will welcome your help, because then you might be able to help. But for now, you are no help to anyone but yourself!
Resources:
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainsstScams.org
- Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
More:
- You Have Been Scammed – So Back To Online Dating (romancescamsnow.com)
- A Serial Victim – Recognizing If You Are One (romancescamsnow.com)
- Abstinence for Scam Victims – A Requirement For Healing (scamsnow.com)
- Why Scammers Don’t Give Up (scamsnow.com)
- Magical Thinking – How Biased & Delusional Thinking Enslaves Scam Victims (scamsnow.com)
- What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams? (scamsnow.com)
- Scam Victim Support Groups (romancescamsnow.com)
- Stages Of A Victim’s Experience Without Support (romancescamsnow.com)
Do You Need Support?
Get It Now!
SCARS provides the leading Support & Recovery program for relationship scam victims – completely FREE!
Our managed peer support groups allow victims to talk to other survivors and recover in the most experienced environment possible, for as long as they need. Recovery takes as long as it takes – we put no limits on our support!
SCARS is the most trusted support & education provider in the world. Our team is certified in trauma-informed care, grief counseling, and so much more!
To apply to join our groups visit support.AgainstScams.org
We also offer separate support groups for family & friends too.
Become a
SCARS STAR™ Member
SCARS offers memberships in our STAR program, which includes many benefits for a very low annual membership fee!
SCARS STAR Membership benefits include:
- FREE Counseling or Therapy Benefit from our partner BetterHelp.com
- Exclusive members-only content & publications
- Discounts on SCARS Self-Help Books Save
- And more!
To learn more about the SCARS STAR Membership visit membership.AgainstScams.org
To become a SCARS STAR Member right now visit join.AgainstScams.org
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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
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.
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