SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS Publishes New Self-Help Recovery Guide
SCARS Re-Launches The SCARS Steps Program In Book Form
From SCARS Publishing
SCARS Is Very Proud To Launch Its Latest Publication: The SCARS GREEN BOOK!
Our New Self-Help SCARS Steps Recovery Guide
SCARS Re-launches the SCARS Steps Program in book form to provide easier access and more flexible availability of this important program!
It is a scam recovery guide for scam victims that helps you recover from your scam.
The GREEN BOOK
This publication is to help Scam Victims recover from their scam experience – A self-help self-paced 8 step recovery program from scams & online fraud
This was created by SCARS Authors: Tim McGuinness Ph.D., Debby Montgomery Johnson, Vianey Gonzalez, Chris Fromal, Sharon Armstrong, Vismaya Rubin, Lydia Zagorova
Visit the SCARS Store to get your copy today!
Designed For Scam Victims!
This program is designed to help scam victims struggling to recover on their own and for those who want to understand the overall process. You can be using other resources, such as trauma counseling or therapy, qualified support groups, or completely independent – on your own!
The SCARS Steps program is a complete program and is provided for the purpose of helping scam victims to overcome this experience.
NOTE: When working with outside support providers (such as trauma counselors,) some aspects may not be as needed but still useful, but when you are facing recovery on your own – which we know that many scam victims will do – it is essential to have a complete program that you can follow, even if you do not perform everything contained in it.
You are encouraged to use this SCARS Program completely.
We Suggest That You:
- Follow the SCARS Steps Program step by step, but take your time. There is no hurry. Each step will happen when you are ready.
- Make sure that you do perform each Step – do not skip steps.
- We recommend that you also join a qualified support group and regularly participate!
This program was designed by the staff of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. [SCARS] – the world’s leading crime victims’ assistance provider – focused on scam victims in concert with a leading university based upon our nearly 30 years of experience, as a self-help program to assist in the recovery process for those that do not have other means or resources available to them for their scam recovery, or for those that are not ready to take the first step to seek trauma counseling or therapy.
After the trauma of being scammed, you need to take steps to recover and move on. This may be an alternative to counseling in the short term, but we still encourage you to seek out professional help & support.
Your Own Psychology
Throughout this SCARS Steps Program, we speak about issues, challenges, defects, or problems that a victim may have in a generalized way.
Each person is different and it is important to understand your own reasons for being vulnerable to being scammed, how you were lured in, then groomed and manipulated, and then finally your reactions once it ended. (You can learn more about that here.)
SCARS provides a large library of educational articles on all the topics of recovery from scams and the psychology of scams (here on RomanceScamsNOW.com) to help victims better understand these concepts.
THIS GUIDE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO HELP YOU IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF A SCAM! BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND BEGIN THE STEPS TO GET THERE!
Sections (The Steps):
- Step 1 Acceptance
- Step 2 Your Actions
- Step 3 Talk About It
- Step 4 Work On Yourself
- Step 5 Harm To Others
- Step 6 Repair The Harm
- Step 7 Admit Your Mistakes
- Step 8 Moving Forward
Visit the SCARS Store to get your copy today!
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Table of Contents
- SCARS Re-Launches The SCARS Steps Program In Book Form
- Our New Self-Help SCARS Steps Recovery Guide
- The GREEN BOOK
- Designed For Scam Victims!
- We Suggest That You:
- Your Own Psychology
- THIS GUIDE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO HELP YOU IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF A SCAM! BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP AND BEGIN THE STEPS TO GET THERE!
- Visit the SCARS Store to get your copy today!
![Financial Recovery - Avoid Money Triggers - Perspective on Money for Scam Victims - 2023 [UPDAYED 2025] - on the SCARS Institute RomanceScamsNOW.com - the Encyclopedia of Scams™](https://romancescamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Financial-Recovery-Money-Triggers.png "Financial Recovery - Avoid Money Triggers - Perspective on Money for Scam Victims - 2023 [UPDATED 2025] Financial Recovery Money Triggers")
![Married Scam Victims: Rebuilding Trust in a Marriage Following a Romance Scam - [UPDATED 2025] - on the SCARS Institute RomanceScamsNOW.com - the Encyclopedia of Scams™](https://romancescamsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Married-Scam-Victims-2025.png "Married Scam Victims: Rebuilding Trust in a Marriage Following a Romance Scam - [UPDATED 2025] Married Scam Victims 2025")
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
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Recent Comments
On Other Articles
- Pat on What Is The Difference Between A Scam Victim And A Scam Survivor? [Updated]: “Due to my scams I don’t fully trust anyone online and I shouldn’t even those people I knew in high…” Mar 7, 12:46
- on SCARS 3 Steps For New Scam Victims 2024: “I was very fearful “he” would come to my home because I was knew my address, I spoke to someone…” Mar 7, 09:50
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- on Signs of Good & Bad Scam Victim Emotional Health: “ty this helps me with knowing why I cant quit eating when I am not hungry and when I crave…” Mar 2, 20:43
- on The SCARS Institute Top 50 Celebrity Impersonation Scams – 2025: “You should probably add Lawrence O’donnell as a scam also. I clicked on a site on tic tok for msnbc,…” Mar 2, 08:41
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- on Danielle Delaunay/Danielle Genevieve – Stolen Identity/Stolen Photos – Impersonation Victim UPDATED 2024: “She goes by the name of Sanrda John now” Feb 25, 10:26
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.
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