SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
For A Decade We Have Said That Talking To Scammers Is A Bad Idea! But Data Now Proves The Point!
Vast numbers of scam victims keep talking to scammers believing that they are getting critical information that will put them behind bars. But nothing could be farther from the truth.
Playing With Scammers Is No Game!
If you think you are hanging on and talking to scammers to get their data, you could be in real danger!
Here is the REAL data on how many scam victims have their accounts taken over or their identities stolen because they were talking to scammers.
The FTC Reports:
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) collects data on consumer complaints about identity theft, and this data includes information on how the theft occurred.
- According to the FTC’s 2022 Consumer Sentinel Network (CSN) Data Book, there were over 1.43 million identity theft complaints in the United States in 2022.
- Of these complaints, 22% involved account takeover, which is when a scammer takes over an existing account of the victim. This can be a bank account, credit card account, or other type of account including email accounts.
- The FTC also found that 21% of identity theft complaints in 2022 involved new account fraud, which is when a scammer opens a new account in the victim’s name. This can be a credit card account, bank account, or other type of account.
That is 1 in 5 scam victims have their personal accounts taken over or their identities stolen!
The average cost of identity theft is $1,393 per victim. Is that worth continuing to talk to these criminals?
So, based on the FTC’s data, it is estimated that over 314,000 scam victims (just in the United States) had their accounts taken over or their identities stolen in 2022 because they were talking to scammers.
The FTC says that this number is likely to be an underestimate, as many people do not report identity theft to the FTC.
Reasons To End The Conversation Immediately
Continuing talking to scammers after suspecting it is a scam can be extremely dangerous for several reasons:
-
Providing more information: Engaging with scammers further can provide them with additional personal information, such as financial details or sensitive passwords, which they can exploit for fraudulent purposes.
-
Increasing emotional manipulation: Scammers are skilled at exploiting emotional triggers, such as fear, guilt, doubt, or hope, to manipulate their victims. Continuing to interact with them can prolong and intensify these emotional vulnerabilities, making victims more susceptible to their schemes.
-
Enabling further financial losses: By maintaining contact with scammers, victims may unknowingly authorize additional transactions, provide access to their accounts, or even send them money directly, leading to greater financial losses.
-
Hindered recovery: Continued interaction with scammers can distract victims from taking necessary steps to protect themselves and recover from the scam. This can delay reporting the scam to authorities, freezing accounts, or seeking legal assistance.
-
Psychological impact: The emotional manipulation and stress associated with ongoing interactions with scammers can have detrimental psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
-
Risk of physical harm: In some parts of the world, scammers are escalating their tactics to physical threats or intimidation, putting victims at risk of harm.
Do You Understand The Danger?
Do you understand how serious it is to be playing around with these criminals? Once you suspect, end it immediately, and tell them nothing.
If they can’t get your money they will go after your identity and you will probably never know until someone shows up to collect or arrest you!
Once you detect a scam, STOP ALL CONTACT.
If you lost money report the crime properly (not in a Facebook group), and BLOCK them everywhere! Go to reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn more.
Please stop talking to strangers online!
If you suspect you are being scammed, it is crucial to cease all communication with the scammer immediately. Disconnect from any calls or emails, and do not respond to any further messages or requests. Protect your financial accounts, change your passwords, and report the scam to the appropriate authorities. Seeking support from trusted friends, family members, or mental health professionals can also be beneficial in navigating the emotional and financial repercussions of a scam. Learn more below.
More:
- New Scam Victims – Support & Information Resources (romancescamsnow.com)
- Next Steps – Protect Your Financial Identity (romancescamsnow.com)
- After Discovering A Scam – What Is Immediately Important? (romancescamsnow.com)
- There Are Real Monsters Online (romancescamsnow.com)
- Confronting Scammers & The Guilt Or Flip Scam (romancescamsnow.com)
- SCARS™ Anti-Scam Tip: Confrontation & The Scammer Dodge (romancescamsnow.com)
- Victim Vulnerability After The Scam – Physical Risks (romancescamsnow.com)
Do You Need Support?
Get It Now!
SCARS provides the leading Support & Recovery program for relationship scam victims – completely FREE!
Our managed peer support groups allow victims to talk to other survivors and recover in the most experienced environment possible, for as long as they need. Recovery takes as long as it takes – we put no limits on our support!
SCARS is the most trusted support & education provider in the world. Our team is certified in trauma-informed care, grief counseling, and so much more!
To apply to join our groups visit support.AgainstScams.org
We also offer separate support groups for family & friends too.
Become a
SCARS STAR™ Member
SCARS offers memberships in our STAR program, which includes many benefits for a very low annual membership fee!
SCARS STAR Membership benefits include:
- FREE Counseling or Therapy Benefit from our partner BetterHelp.com
- Exclusive members-only content & publications
- Discounts on SCARS Self-Help Books Save
- And more!
To learn more about the SCARS STAR Membership visit membership.AgainstScams.org
To become a SCARS STAR Member right now visit join.AgainstScams.org
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!
Article Rating
Table of Contents
POPULAR ARTICLES
Rapid Report Scammers
In the U.S. & Canada
U.S. & Canada Suicide Lifeline 988
ARTICLE META
RATE THIS ARTICLE?
LEAVE A COMMENT?
Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.
Recent Comments
On Other Articles
on Nigeria – [EFCC] Economic & Financial Crimes Commission: “Thank you for your comment, but this is patently false. China is the source for the most scammers. Brazil has…” Jul 9, 06:20
on Nigeria – [EFCC] Economic & Financial Crimes Commission: “NIgeria has produced more scammers than the whole world produced. Seems like their law enforcement is pretty incompetent.” Jul 8, 02:51
on Self-Pity & Scam Victim Recovery: “I like how this article incorporates gratitude as an antidote to self-pity. I also like how the writer corelates that…” Jul 7, 19:48
on Romance Scams – Crime Typology Overview / Victim Impact Analysis – 2025: “Excellent compendium of knowledge on romance scams . Thank you Dr. Tim” Jul 5, 07:43
on Romance Scams – Crime Typology Overview / Victim Impact Analysis – 2025: “Dr. Tim, in the couple of hours you took to pull this information together into a victim impact analysis, is…” Jul 4, 18:56
on Stolen Face / Stolen Identity – Stephen Murphy: Do You Know Him?: “He contacted me on Facebook as General Henry Martinez from Dallas Texas but currently stationed in Syria. He was a…” Jul 1, 17:40
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.
I now understand how important it is to block them and focus on yourself. To protect your identity and your mental health as well as preventing them from manipulating more money from you.
Thank you for reinforcing the dangers of continued communication with the criminals.
I had a follow-up scammer reach out to me on WhatsApp a month after my first scam ended. I already knew it was another scam but I still engaged in messaging anyway. At the time, there was part of me that was hoping he would connect me back to my first scammer. So many red flags. I asked what the purpose was for contacting me and they said it was to help me because they knew I had been scammed. I then questioned if it was a tactic to try to get more money from me, which they obviously denied. I finally stopped engaging after that and blocked them. I didn’t like the mental/emotional state it put me in.
It’s too bad internet dating will no longer be a real option for me. I don’t think I ever made contact with a real person, just chatbots. It’s all just so fake.
We will be publishing a REAL dating guide for men shortly.