SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
See A Red Flag And Move On!
HERE IS A RIDDLE: HOW MANY RED FLAGS CAN YOU FIT INSIDE YOUR HEAD?
Obviously, for most victims it is a lot!
You see the RED FLAGS and ignore them. Then after a while your brain and the scammer work against you so that you don’t see them at all.
But in the beginning you saw them …
To avoid scammers you first have to accept a simple reality.
No one will contact you out of the blue who is real.
Real people may contact you but you and they already have a connection. You may be connected by mutual friends, or a workplace, clubs or charities, etc. That connection will be obvious and verifiable.
Fake identities lack that, so that is the first RED FLAG right there. You only need ONE RED FLAG to walk away.
This is the fatal flaw. Everyone who is scammed ignores that simple basic premise – real strangers are really really not out there trying to find love this way. And if they are, you don’t want to know them either!
It is so simple to avoid a scam, yet so hard for people to do it.
It is important to understand these things, not to blame yourself, but to learn from them.
Failing to learn from the mistake is what sets you on a path to either hating, or to denial with being scammed over and over.
You don’t want those paths.
You want to recover and learn. Don’t you?
Staring at an endless stream of fake faces is not how to learn. What that does is program you to be fearful of any new person you will meet in the future. Staring at those fake identities takes you down the road to despair.
Learn the lessons from your scam with our help and others who understand how this works and if you do, you will recover and be safer.
That is what you should want, isn’t it?
Going forward there two simple rules to apply to every new encounter online – with a person, a company, or a product:
- Ask yourself if it is real? Not if you want it to be real, but is it real?
- Then ask, how did it come to me? Did I find it, or did it show up out of the blue?
If it came to you out of the blue – walk away. Always!
- If it was real, you will find it again.
- If it was a person, assume real people do not do that. If they are real, then you will find them again in your connections.
Being safe means walking away from ALL strangers who come to you!
Being safe means not accepting any offers at first glance.
Being safe means not clicking on anything that you do not know is safe.
It simply comes down to this:
When In Doubt – Don’t
And Always Be In Doubt
Apply this to us and every other so called anti-scam group too! Because most of them are fake – some are amateurs trying to sell you that they are what they are not, and other run by actual scammers. Only a few are real – SCARS Members for example.
This is what it takes to be safe online!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
This is a message from RSN: 27 Years And Counting
Published by the RSN division of the Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams™ [SCARS]™ a non-profit non-governmental organization [NGO] based in Miami Florida U.S.A.
To learn more about SCARS visit www.AgainstScams.org
Please be sure to report all scammers on this website here or on www.Anyscam.com
Copyright © 2018 SCARS
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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
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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