SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ CAUTION: Fake Surveys Of Scam Victims
SCARS has long used surveys and polls to help refine our services as well as to inform our crime victims’ advocacy actions with government and other global organizations.
It is important to fully understand how victims respond to the trauma of scams, and the methods they use in coping. Plus it allows a better understanding of the skills both victims and the public acquires in avoiding future scams. These are legitimate studies and they respect our members’ and general public rights to privacy and are bound under the SCARS’ Code of Conduct and the NOVA Standard for Crime Victims’ Assistance.
UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS A SURGE OF AMATEUR AND EVEN SCAMMER CREATED POLLS & SURVEYS TARGETING VICTIMS WORLDWIDE!
We want to urge caution when considering any poll or survey on any topic, but especially if you are the victim of an online crime!
You know that scammers maintain “victims lists” or “sucker lists” and they are using surveys & polls as a means to get inside your heads so that they can tailor secondary scams against you.
SCARS will not recommend or introduce surveys or polls to our members, victims, or audience unless they meet these criteria:
- Are SCARS approved
- Is provided by
- SCARS or our Member Groups, or
- From a government agency or other recognized NGO or Nonprofit, or
- From an academic research organization or institution or university – clearly identified
SCARS is proud to work with, as we have in the past, with leading universities studying the processes and effects of online scams on victims & their families. SCARS will continue to support this important research.
In addition, SCARS – through our websites and social media will, from time to time, conduct our own research, studies, surveys, and polls to help us better understand your needs and tune our FREE victims’ services to help you. No strings attached.
Remember, all of the SCARS services for victims are FREE. In addition, we conform to our own SCARS Code of Conduct and the NOVA Standard – these prohibit the sale or sharing of victim information with third parties without the victim’s content and knowledge. In this regard, we are committed to complying with the GDPR and other applicable privacy regulations and standards to the maximum extent possible.
Take Care
We are very concerned about surveys now in circulation because many are directly from scammers or individuals that have no ethical commitment to your safety.
Here is an example of one survey – that appears to come from an individual “researcher” (as in an amateur looking to connect with victims) that we prohibited because there was no legitimate institution behind it, there was no commitment to the privacy of the victims, nor even any proper identification of the individual behind it.
unauthorized victim survey
Warning
We recommend NEVER taking a survey regarding scams, scam victims, your trauma, your recovery, or other related subjects unless:
- It is SCARS Authorized & Approved
- Displays the SCARS or the SCARS|ANALYTICS logos
Remember, that you are your own first line of defense against scams and scammers.
We will be happy to tell you if something like this is safe. You can reach us by:
- You can leave a comment on this post to ask
- You can contact us through Facebook: m.me/SCARS.News.And.Information or m.me/SCARS.SocietyAgainst.org
- You can send us an email: contact@AgainstScams.org
It is always best to be safe rather than sorry, right? After all, that is what brought you here in the first place!
STAY SAFE, ALWAYS
TAGS: SCARS, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Victim Studies, Victim Surveys, Polls, Scam Data Analysis
SCARS™ Editorial Team
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
A Worldwide Crime Victims Assistance Nonprofit Organization
Visit: www.AgainstScams.org
Contact Us: Contact@AgainstScams.org
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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
- U.S. State Police (if you live in the U.S.) – they will take the matter more seriously and provide you with more help than local police
- Your National Police or FBI « www.IC3.gov »
- The SCARS|CDN™ Cybercriminal Data Network – Worldwide Reporting Network on « www.Anyscam.com »
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
– – –
To learn more about SCARS visit « www.AgainstScams.org »
Please be sure to report all scammers
on « www.Anyscam.com »
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This content and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (“Content”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for licensed or regulated professional advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider, lawyer, financial or tax professional with any questions you may have regarding the educational information contained herein. SCARS makes no guarantees about the efficacy of information described on or in SCARS’s Content. The information contained are subject to change and are not intended to cover all possible situations or effects. SCARS does not recommend or endorse any specific professional or care provider, product, service, or other information that may be mentioned in SCARS’s websites, apps, and Content unless explicitly identified as such.
The disclaimers herein are provided on this page for ease of reference. These disclaimers supplement and are a part of SCARS’s websites Terms of Use.
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Table of Contents
- SCARS has long used surveys and polls to help refine our services as well as to inform our crime victims’ advocacy actions with government and other global organizations.
- UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS A SURGE OF AMATEUR AND EVEN SCAMMER CREATED POLLS & SURVEYS TARGETING VICTIMS WORLDWIDE!
- Take Care
- Warning
- STAY SAFE, ALWAYS
- Yangyang Sweet / 阳阳 Sweet – Impersonation Victim – Used By Scammers – 2025
- Elicitation – A Scammer’s Manipulation Technique – 2025
- SCARS Institute’s New Survivor Community – www.SCARScommunity.org – 2025
- WARNING: AI-Enabled Browsers Pose a Cybersecurity Risk – 2025
- New United Nations UNODC Report on Corruption and Cybercrime – 2025
- SCARS Institute – 12 Years of Service to Scam Victims/Survivors – 2025/2026
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
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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