
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

Victim’s Bias – The Mistaken Belief That Only Other Victims Understand And Can Help!
Victim’s Bias Introduction
Victim’s Bias is a cognitive bias – the belief that only other victims who have experienced the same type of crime can possibly understand what a victim has experienced. That somehow other victims become experts and are able to provide advice about victimization, criminology, and recovery psychology, even though they are only experts in the experience they had which is often not comparable to the other victims’ experience.
It is often coupled with other biases, such as the Confirmation Bias leading victims to believe that another victim experienced exactly the same even though the details may be quite different.
This can lead to serious errors of judgment after a crime by seeking out nonprofessionals that do not understand the need for grief processing, trauma counseling, or the recovery process.
The fact is the other victims can provide encouragement and support, but they are NOT the only ones that understand the victim’s experience. Tragically, this bias causes at least a third of scam victims to avoid getting the professional help they need.
To learn more about cognitive biases and the negative effects that they have visit: Cognitive Biases Catalog
Victim’s Bias Appeal
Why is victim’s bias so compelling? Crime victims, specifically scam or financial fraud victims often have a bias that only other victims can understand what they went through.
This is because crime victimization can be a very isolating and traumatic experience. Victims may feel like they are the only ones who have ever experienced what they have, and they may not feel comfortable talking about it with people who have not been through it themselves.
There are a few reasons why crime victims feel this way.
- First, crime victimization can be very personal and violating. Victims may feel like they have been stripped of their sense of safety and security, and they do not feel comfortable sharing their story with people who have not been through the same thing.
- Second, crime victimization can be very confusing and disorienting. Victims may not understand why they were targeted, and they may be struggling to come to terms with what happened. They may feel like they are going crazy, and they may not feel like anyone else can understand what they are going through.
- Third, crime victimization can be very isolating. Victims may feel like they are the only ones who have ever been through what they have, and they may not feel like they can talk to anyone about it. They may feel like they are being judged or blamed, and they may not feel like anyone can truly understand what they are going through.
As a result of these factors, crime victims often feel like only other victims can understand what they went through. This is why it is so important for crime victims to have access to support groups and other resources where they can connect with other people who have been through similar experiences. These resources can provide victims with a safe space to talk about their experiences, and they can help victims to feel less alone and more understood.
The Danger of Victim’s Bias
Victim’s bias is the tendency for people to believe that only other victims can understand what they have been through. This can be a dangerous bias for scam victims, as it can lead them to seek help from incompetent or even harmful “experts.”
There are many incompetent so-called experts who claim to know how to help scam victims recover. These experts may offer services such as emotional support, amateur-run support groups, financial recovery, or legal help. However, many of these experts are not qualified to provide these services, and they may actually make the victim’s situation worse.
Some of these experts may be suffering from Savior Syndrome. Savior Syndrome is a condition in which someone believes that they are uniquely qualified to save or help others. People with Savior Syndrome often have a need to feel powerful and in control, and they may exploit scam victims in order to satisfy their own needs.
These experts may use manipulative and controlling techniques to gain the trust of scam victims. They may make promises that they cannot keep, or they may pressure victims to make decisions that are not in their best interests. In some cases, these experts may even emotionally abuse scam victims.
Scam victims who are vulnerable to victim’s bias are more likely to fall prey to these incompetent or harmful “experts.” This is why it is so important for scam victims to be careful about who they trust. If you are a scam victim, it is important to do your research and only seek help from reputable nonprofit organizations and experts.
To find real help you can contact your State or Province’s Attorney General’s Office/Prosecutor’s Office and ask for their victims’ assistance or advocacy department. Then ask for a victims’ assistance or services provider they know or recommend. You can also find them on VictimConnect.org Never accept help from just anyone because they claim to be an expert, verify who they are – always!
Here are some tips for scam victims to avoid incompetent or harmful “experts”:
- Do your research. Before you seek help from anyone, be sure to do your research and make sure that they are qualified to provide the services you need.
- Get multiple opinions. If you are considering working with an expert, get multiple opinions from different people. This will help you to avoid being taken advantage of. You can get help from professional licensed psychologists, nonprofit support organizations, and government agencies.
- Walk away. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a situation that doesn’t feel right.
It is also important for scam victims to remember that they are not alone. There are many resources available to help them recover from their experience without trusting just anyone. These resources can provide victims with emotional support, psychological counseling, financial assistance, and legal help.
Are You a Victim?
If you are a crime victim, it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many people who care about you and want to help. Please reach out for support if you need it.
Here are more tips on how crime victims can avoid incompetent experts and find true professionals to help them:
- Get recommendations from trusted sources. Ask your friends, family, or doctor for recommendations for reputable experts. You can also check with your local victim’s assistance program or law enforcement agency.
- Check the expert’s credentials. Make sure that the expert is licensed and certified to provide the services you need or is a registered nonprofit organization. You can verify professionals’ credentials by contacting their governing professional association or licensing board.
- Get everything in writing. Before you agree to work with an expert, get everything in writing, including their fees, services, and expectations. This will help to protect you in case there are any problems down the road. Please note that SCARS provides all of its victims’ services for free.
- Beware of any promises that seem too good to be true. If an expert is making promises that seem too good to be true, it’s probably a scam or at best a lie – this includes that they can get your scammer/criminal arrested or recover the money that you lost. Be wary of any experts who guarantee that they can get you your money back or that they can solve your problem overnight.
- Trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable with an expert or their services, don’t feel obligated to work with them. There are many other experts out there who can help you. Just remember thought, that after a crime, your gut is not going to be working too well, so be very cautious!
There are many resources available to help them find the right expert. These resources can provide victims with information and support, and they can help victims to avoid being taken advantage of.
If you are a crime victim, please reach out for help. There are people who care about you and want to help you recover.
Here are some resources that can help crime victims find reputable experts:
- Victim Connect is a global directory of victims’ services providers that have been verified (it includes SCARS) at VictimConnect.org
- The National Center for Victims of Crime: VictimsOfCrime.org
- The National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards: NACVCB.org
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org
See below for resources that can help you!
More:
- Victim Connect is a global directory of victims’ services providers that have been verified (it includes SCARS) at VictimConnect.org
- The National Center for Victims of Crime: VictimsOfCrime.org
- The National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards: NACVCB.org
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI.org
- Recovering from Scams (romancescamsnow.com)
- Psychology of Scams (romancescamsnow.com)
- Confirmation Bias: (romancescamsnow.com)
- Cognitive Biases Catalog (romancescamsnow.com)
- Victimology – What Is It? (scamsnow.com)
- The Crab Mentality and Amateur Anti-Scam Support Groups (scamsnow.com)
- Magical Thinking – How Biased & Delusional Thinking Enslaves Scam Victims (scamsnow.com)
- What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams? (scamsnow.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
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 SCARS INSTITUTE SCAM WARNINGS – 2025: “This list is astounding! This just shows the general public has no idea the lengths the criminals will go to…” Jul 12, 10:17
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 Victim Psychology – Managing Your Emotional 5 Saboteurs: “It is so possible to stand in our own way during our recovery. That self-doubt about what happened, even feeling…” Jul 5, 12:51
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 The Normalcy Bias: Understanding the Cognitive Bias that Can Put You in Danger – 2022 [UPDATED 2025]: “The article has been reviewed and updated. Thank you.” Jul 2, 07:31
on Victims As Activists & Why Many Scam Victims Should Delay Or Not Become One: “This article is clear in the ways that survivors can put themselves off track trying to help before they are…” Jul 1, 20:05
on Victim Vulnerability After The Scam – Physical Risks: “Thank you for this article. I had no idea that after a crime we walk differently, or use smaller gestures.…” Jul 1, 19:41
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 did in the early days after my crime ended tend to think only another crime victim would understand me and what I was going through. I quickly got over this feeling as soon as I started survivor school and learned more about this bias. I don’t feel this way any longer as I’ve learned through interaction with the Alumni Support Group that everyone’s crime is as individual as each person is. We all react and feel differently to the circumstances of our crime. Some have prior trauma that was triggered, others may have a greater financial impact, some may feel betrayal trauma deeply. Only certain circumstances of our crimes could be the same but how it was played out by the criminals and how we reacted to it make each crime unique. That is why we should not compare ourselves and our crimes. We should approach our recovery as what each of us needs; in some aspects we are alone because our crime is unique; yet we are not alone because we can support each other with love and compassion as individuals.
SCARS seems to be the best of both worlds. Former victims that are also qualified professionals.
Thank you!