SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Crime Prevention Campaign: Avoid Fakes!
All scam victims know about Fakes! Especially romance scam victims!
Impersonations are a central part of the African / Indian scammer tool kit. But did you think about the other kinds of fake that you get scammed by all the time?
YOU’RE SMART. BUY SMART.
Don’t fall for fake products. Buy the brand and keep it real.
The United States Patent & Trademark Office and the National Crime Prevention Council are working together to raise public awareness about the importance of intellectual property and to decrease demand for counterfeit goods in the United States.
SCARS is a proud member of the NCPA – a part of the National Crime Prevention Council
This public education campaign is aimed at tweens and teens up to adults and will tie in the intellectual property community and law enforcement together to combat this scourge.
THE PROBLEM WITH FAKES
Counterfeits aren’t generic brands. They’re cheap imitations of brands we trust. In addition to funding criminal enterprises, counterfeit scams drain the economy, cost Americans real jobs, hurt businesses, and dupe consumers. As if that weren’t enough, certain fakes, such as faulty electronics, cause over 70 deaths and 350,000 serious injuries every year. …So why risk it? #GoForReal and buy from brands you trust.
DON’T BE A VICTIM …OR CRIMINAL
International organized criminals are turning to counterfeiting to fund their other illegal activities like online fraud. gang violence, child labor, and human trafficking. The more you know, the less likely you are to support these criminals or get hurt by fake goods.
WHY DO SHOPPERS BUY FAKE?
Most people want to find the best deal shopping, especially when they can easily compare prices online. Little do they know, they could end up paying twice because of shoddy goods. They could even pay with their lives in the case of electrical fires if what they bought is counterfeit. Sanctioned brands are indicators of quality and reliability. When you buy real, you support the brands that invest in research and development to make quality goods. You might just save your own life.
FAKES CAUSE REAL HARM
From catching fire to causing skin rashes, fake products can cause real harm.
GoForReal Campaign Poster
So How Can You Avoid Purchasing Counterfeit Products And Contributing To Organized Crime, Gang Activity, And Other Criminal Activities?
If you believe that you’ve been duped into buying a counterfeit:
- Report it to the manufacturer of the legitimate product
- Contact your credit card company immediately to challenge the charge
- Report it to:
- Your local law enforcement agency
- The Better Business Bureau
- National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (if safety is a concern)
- StopFakes.gov, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Other sources of help and information include:
- Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, U.S. Department of Justice
- FBI, What We Investigate/Intellectual Property Theft
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Intellectual Property Rights
- Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Intellectual Property Task Force, U.S. Department of Justice
- National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center
- Trademark counterfeiting and consumer fraud related to the COVID-19 outbreak
LEARN MORE – UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY REPORT
[pdf-embedder url=”https://romancescamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DHS_Combating-Trafficking_2020.pdf”]
TAGS: SCARS, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Scam Victims, Fakes, Fake Products, Product Counterfeiting, Counterfeit Products, Buying Online, USPTO, NCRC
SCARS™ Team
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
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MORE INFORMATION
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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.
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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’ Content. The information contained is subject to change and is 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’ websites, apps, and Content unless explicitly identified as such.
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SCARS, SCARS|INTERNATIONAL, SCARS, SCARS|SUPPORT, SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|INTERNATION, 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|LATINOAMERICA, SCARS|MEMBER, SCARS|VOLUNTEER, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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Table of Contents
- All scam victims know about Fakes! Especially romance scam victims!
- YOU’RE SMART. BUY SMART.
- THE PROBLEM WITH FAKES
- DON’T BE A VICTIM …OR CRIMINAL
- WHY DO SHOPPERS BUY FAKE?
- FAKES CAUSE REAL HARM
- So How Can You Avoid Purchasing Counterfeit Products And Contributing To Organized Crime, Gang Activity, And Other Criminal Activities?
- LEARN MORE – UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY REPORT
- 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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