SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Scam Basics: What Is A Scam?
You Would Think This Would Be Well Understood? But It’s Not!
What Is A Scam?
About half the people that we talk to think it is only a scam if they sent money to the scammer! A very large number of people who have been scammed, don’t think they were scammed.
So what is it?
SCAM
is a noun, and is pronounced: ˈskam
Definition of scam: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation
That Is According To Merriam Webster.
Did You Notice That It Did Not Mention Money?
Synonyms of the word Scam: bunco (or bunko), con, flimflam, fraud, gyp, hustle, sting, swindle
According to the Business Dictionary:
A SCAM is a fraudulent scheme performed by a dishonest individual, group, or company in an attempt to obtain money or something else of value. Scams traditionally resided in confidence tricks, where an individual would misrepresent themselves as someone with skill or authority, i.e. a doctor, lawyer, investor. After the internet became widely used, new forms of scams emerged such as lottery scams, scam baiting, email spoofing, phishing, or request for help. These are considered to be email fraud.
Notice again that it says “an attempt to obtain money or something else of value”
Also, notice that THEY consider Scam Baiting to also be a fraud!
For those of you that think you were not scammed, the simple act of contacting you using a fraudulent name or identity for the purpose obtaining money or something else of value (namely your trust) is a SCAM.
In Reality, Even If You Only Engaged In A Conversation With A Scammer, And You Believed Their Story If Even For A Moment – Then You Were Scammed.
Another word for Scam is Bunco (Bun·co). Also called bun·ko (bŭng′kō). The plural is bun·cos also bun·kos. It is a swindle in which an unsuspecting person is cheated; a confidence game. In other words, they were bun·coed bun·koed or bun·ko·ing or bun·kos. It means to swindle. This term probably is an alteration of the Spanish “Banca” card game or “banco” which means bank.
Regardless, A Scam Is The Attempt To Cheat Or Swindle, Not The Success Of It
So stop thinking you were not scammed just because you did not lose money. You lost your trust, you time, and in most cases your heart to the scammer. And of course, for all too many their precious money.
You Were The Victim Of A Scam – Own It!
Now Move On To Becoming A Survivor!
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SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
TAGS: Believe Their Story, Bunco, Bunko, Cheat, Con, Conversation With A Scammer, Definition, Scam, Swindle, What Is A Scam, You Were Scammed
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
- You Would Think This Would Be Well Understood? But It’s Not!
- What Is A Scam?
- is a noun, and is pronounced: ˈskam
Definition of scam: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation - According to the Business Dictionary:
- In Reality, Even If You Only Engaged In A Conversation With A Scammer, And You Believed Their Story If Even For A Moment – Then You Were Scammed.
- Regardless, A Scam Is The Attempt To Cheat Or Swindle, Not The Success Of It
- You Were The Victim Of A Scam – Own It!
Now Move On To Becoming A Survivor! - 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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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.
I encounter somebody on Facebook who claims they want to start a business, Selling cellphones. They keep on asking me if I can give them my cellphone account ID and password so they can buy cellphones, have them shipped to my address and then send me payment for these phones. I do not trust this idea so I put this person off. Do you have other cases of this scam?
This is a very common scam
I have a question does tricking a person to obtain items of value count as a scam? And what does the victim do about that if the victim has the has tried to file police report but can’t due to not having all the correct Information on the thief scammer.?
As the post says, it is the “Intent” that makes it a scam. The police do not want to take reports because it affects their case closure rate. So you file an “Informational report” – tell them it is just for your insurance and taxes. Report the scammer through the SCARS network for distribution worldwide.