SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Recovery: Phases Of Recovery
Scam victims go through a series of phases from the scam to recovery.
Many victims do not make it through all of them and become trapped in denial or anger, preventing them from recovery. Sadly the majority of victims do not recover, but being aware of the process can help you recognize where you are and what steps you need to take to move forward through the process.
Phases Of Recovery
THE SCAM
- The scam is underway and the victims is manipulated into believing.
- The scammer isolates the victim from family and friends creating dependency.
- The victim’s very identity is tied to the belief in the reality created by the scammer.
- There may be doubts but the victim rejects them in favor of continued belief in the scam relationship.
THE AWARENESS
- The scam is discovered and the victim goes into shock and hormonal withdrawal.
- Denial and doubt set in – how could this be real?
- Realization of the magnitude of the scam, its impact on the victim personally, their finances, and their future.
- The victim scrambles to understand and find help – someone must be able to help.
THE REJECTION
- The victim begins to experience anger and rage – how could this happen – who is to blame.
- This includes self-hate for allowing it to happen – how could they have been so stupid!
- For many victims hate takes hold and they become vigilantes, saviors, or simply hate themselves.
- They will target anyone that could be to blame and can not ever forgive themselves so they take it out on others.
THE ACCEPTANCE
- With knowledge and comprehension, the victim can forgive themselves for their mistake.
- They are not to blame, the criminal is. They accept the new reality and adjust their future to compensate.
- They seek real support and education to better understand why this could happen and how to realistically prevent it from happening again.
- When they are ready, they can help others make it through the phases.
So many victims of scams make the mistake of believing that recovering is something quick and short. They will recover just by deciding to do it, and then all of the trauma will be gone – sadly this is just a form of denial.
Recovery is a process that can take the average realist victim a year or several. It all depends on how committed each person is to let go of the anger, shame, and self-blame. These are the secrets to a successful recovery.
However, there is another important component of the recovery process. It is recognizing that you might not be able to do it alone, There is no shame in asking for help – a victim may need support, or counseling, or trauma therapy. Regardless of what is needed, get it and do not be ashamed to ask.
Here is what it looks like from a more traditional Grief Model
It is also about making the right choices during recovery
What does this journey look like?
The typical time span for scam victims’ recovery
Now you know!
We wish you well and we want you to know that this is our purpose – to help you recover from the scam!
TAGS: SCARS, Important Article, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Phases Of Recovery
SCARS™ Team
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
A Worldwide Crime Victims Assistance Nonprofit Organization
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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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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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