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The New Job Scams & Scammers Scammers Are Exploiting Job Seeking Victims Like Never Before! How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Scammers Are Hijacking Job Ads. Here’s How To Spot The Fakes Scammers advertise jobs the same way honest employers do — online (in ads, on job sites, and on social media), in newspapers, and sometimes on TV and radio. They promise you a job, but what they want [...]
Don’t be Re-Victimized by Recovery Scams/Fraud Avoid Money Recovery Scams How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Avoid Recovery Scams - Don’t Become A Victim Money recovery scams target desperate victims when they are most in need right after their scam! “We can get your money back.” Recovery Scams: If you recently lost a portion of your savings or retirement nest egg to a cryptocurrency, forex, or binary options scam, or other [...]
Recovery Room Scams Criminals Promising That They Can Recover Your Money! How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight After The Scams Ends Comes The Recovery Room Scams - Promising To Recover Your Money! Recovery room scams, a type of advanced fee fraud or asset recovery scam, are fraudulent schemes that target individuals who have previously fallen victim to an investment or financial fraud (including relationship scams.) How Recovery Room Scams [...]
Crypto Dusting Attack - Another Cryptocurrency Scam A New Way To Target You And Your Cryptocurrency How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Did You Know That Even If You Have Not Been Scammed Your Crypto Wallet And You Are Vulnerable To Crypto Dusting Attacks What Is A Crypto Dusting Attack? A crypto dusting attack is a malicious attempt by cybercriminals to gain access to a large number of cryptocurrency [...]
Are You Really The Lucky Lotto Winner? Spot The Lotto Or Sweepstakes Prize Scams How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight You've Won the Lotto! Say you hear or read the words: “You’ve won the Lotto!” What will you do with your winnings? Who wouldn’t be excited to win a prize, sweepstakes, or lottery (lotto)? But…did you actually win? And how do you know? Sweepstakes, prize, and lottery frauds are [...]
Does Your Bank Care About You & Online Scams? Financial Institutions Need To Do More To Protect Their Customer From Online Scams Victim's Advocacy - A SCARS Insight Will The US Embrace The UK Contingent Reimbursement Model To Fight Online Scams Losses? Online Scams And Your Bank According to Thompson Reuters: Online scams threaten thousands of Americans each year, and US regulators and financial institutions should pursue new methods to [...]
Scam Basics: Grandparent Scams Learning The Basics Of Online Scams & Educating Consumers To Avoid Them Scam Basics - A SCARS Insight Grandparent Scams A Type Of Relationship Scam Grandparent Scams In grandparent scams the scammer calls and poses as a grandchild or relative in distress, requesting money for bail, hospital bills, or other emergencies. Grandparent scams are one of the types of scams in which scammers [...]
Scam Basics: IRS Scams Learning The Basics Of Online Scams Scam Basics - A SCARS Insight IRS Scams A Type Of Relationship Scam The scammer poses as an IRS agent and claims you owe taxes. They may threaten arrest or legal action if you don't pay immediately. IRS scams (Internal Revenue Service) are an impersonation scam and are one of the types of scams in which scammers [...]
Report Of The U.S. Attorney General’s Cyber Digital Task Force Cryptocurrency Enforcement Framework Advocating For Victims - A SCARS Special Report The U.S. Governments Plan For Cryptocurrency Enforcement Introduction to Cryptocurrency Enforcement Innovation can drive a society forward. But innovation does not occur in a vacuum. Public policy can establish background conditions that help the innovative spirit thrive—or create an environment in which that spirit is inhibited, or suppressed. Even [...]
Evolution In Pig Butchering Scams A Guest Editorial By Brad Gorka About A New Trend In Scams How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Inevitable Evolution Of Crypto Pig Butchering Is Here - More Gifts From AI An Editorial By Brad Gorka, Cybersecurity Professional, CISO, and Information Security Leader About Brad Gorka: Provide Value and Be Valued. I do this by building exceptional teams. This means hiring the right people and [...]
How To Effectively Follow Up Scams and the Local Police Guiding Victims to Positive Outcomes with Their Local Police Law Enforcement - A SCARS Insight Following Up With The Police After Your File The Report Scams and the Local Police Often, in the first hours, days, or weeks after a crime has been reported, you may feel lost or confused about what happens next. You may expect the officer to [...]
Avoiding Romance Scams This Valentine's Day Avoid Falling For Romance Scams Traps How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Avoid Romance Scams! Valentine's Day Can Be Anything But Romantic If You Get Trapped In Romance Scams Valentine's Day Is A Time Of Love And Celebration, But It's Also A Time When Romance Scams Tend To Rise. However, remember that you need to play it safe year-round too! Romance scams are [...]
How To Avoid Pig Butchering Scams An Overview Of This New Plague! How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Pig Butchering Scams: What They Are and How to Avoid Them Don’t trust that unexpected text or direct message from a stranger—it might be the first step in pig butchering scams. These scams are so-named in reference to the practice of fattening a pig before slaughter, these [...]
Cryptocurrency Businesses That Appear To Be Engaged In Fraud A Scam Victim Alert A SCARS Special Report Cryptocurrency Is Full Of Fraud According to State Regulators, the Following Cryptocurrency Businesses Should Be Avoided! They are Engaged in Pig Butchering Scams! The following are the identified companies (or fake companies) and the story of at least one of their victims. Cryptocurrency broker RB Hood The victim met a woman calling herself [...]
Common Tactics & Types Of Relationship ScamsViolating Trust & Stealing Victims' Money!How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Scammers Use Many Tricks During Relationship Scams But the outcomes are almost always similar! The victim loses their money, or worse. HERE ARE SOME OF THOSE COMMON TACTICS: 1. Investment Opportunities There are many different types of online investment scams that can target individuals looking to invest their money online. Some common types [...]
Can The Police Trace Cryptocurrency & Recover It? A Guide for Law Enforcement & Victims Money Recovery - A SCARS Guide Every Day Scam Victims Lose Their Cryptocurrency Investment However, what victims and the police often do not know is that cryptocurrency transactions are visible and traceable. This means that the transactions can be traced as they pass through wallets most of the time, and that law enforcement can recover [...]
Fake Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery Scams The promise of Big Winnings is Just a Fantasy! How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight A Lottery Scam Is No Win For Its Victims You get a call, email, or letter saying you won a sweepstake, a lottery, or a prize — like an iPad, a new car, or something else. But you can tell it’s a scam because of what they do [...]
Utility Scams / Electric-Gas Company Scams Beware of Fraudsters Pretending to be Your Utility Company How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Utility Scammers Pretend To Be Your Utility Company Utility Scams Are Typically Done As Either A Form Of Phishing Or Vishing Attack A call or message from your gas, electric, or water company threatening to immediately turn off your service is probably a scam. Here’s what you need [...]
Government Grant Scams Beware of "Free Money from the Government" A SCARS Insight The Federal Government Grant Scam Has Been Around For Years Offers of free money from government grants are scams. Someone might offer you a grant to pay for education, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills. But they’re all scams. Here’s how to avoid a government grant scam, and how to report it. Now, scammers are [...]
Spotting U.S. Health Insurance Scams How Scams Work While This Is Not About Romance Scams These Are A Kind Of Relationship Scam! A SCARS Series Health Insurance Scams Are Exploding Out Of Control Wading through your health insurance options and plans can be complex, overwhelming, and confusing. NOTE: This article is for residents of the United States, however, the problem occurs in most of the developed countries. So always be [...]
Money Refund and Recovery Scams How Scams Work A SCARS Insight After You Are Scammed The Scammers Come Out To Get You Again With Money Recovery Scams They’re the worst of the worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam. If you’ve been scammed, you may be targeted by a refund or recovery scam. In these scams, someone says they can help get your money [...]
Pig Butchering Investment Scams Official FBI Podcast Presented by SCARS Building A Digital Defense Against A New Romance + Cryptocurrency Scam Called "Pig Butchering" Listen to the Podcast below - Podcast will automatically play The Pig Butchering scam pulls on heartstrings and purse strings, and it is much easier to execute than regular emergency-based romance scams! The fraud is named for the way scammers feed their victims with [...]
Reporting Scams - A Scam Victim's Checklist Reporting Scams And Interacting With The Police Here Is A Checklist Of What To Do Before Speaking With The Police And While You Are Reporting Scams! This Will Help You Get What Is Possible From The Police And Help You Consider Your Options! The SCARS Police Interaction Checklist For Reporting Scams Basically, It's All About Reporting Scams Reporting Scams is one of the [...]
U.S. Federal Trade Commission Pivots In Major Change On Impersonation Scams This is the first significant action to help protect consumers since 2020 A SCARS Special Report On December 16, 2021 SCARS Was Invited By The U.S. Federal Trade Commission To Testify On that day, the FTC held a meeting to vote on new rulemaking to outlaw certain impersonation scams. SCARS was there in the meeting to support the new [...]
Holiday 2021 - Types Of Scams & Cyber Attacks To Be Alert For What To Avoid & Watch Out For! A SCARS Special report Remember That Everyone Can Be Scammed! So Be Careful! Are you scam smart and cyber conscious? Scammers ramp things up during the Holiday Season and more than ever you will be targeted! Are you knowledgeable enough to AVOID • DISCOVER • RECOVER from scams? Pay attention [...]
Crypto-Scams To Avoid In 2021 Cryptocurrency Scams Information Courtesy of Malwarebytes A SCARS Insight Crypto-scams you should be steering clear of in 2021 Cryptocurrency scams are everywhere and victims are constantly falling for them This is one of those areas like stock and bond that can swallow the insufficiently educated. Any investment regardless of the type requires knowledge and a continuing commitment to education. You cannot just take [...]
Spotting Scams & Anti-Scam Tips - Article Catalog The Clues & Tips To Help You Avoid Scams & Scammers From the basics to detailed red flags! Learn how to avoid scams now and in the future! A SCARS Topic Collection Updated: August 9, 2021 Scams Are Complex And Contain Hidden Dangers! Staying Safe Online Requires That you Have More Than Attitude & Intelligence! It Requires Specialized Knowledge! In [...]
Anti-Scam FAQ: What Is A Government Impersonator Scam? Answer: Scammers often disguise themselves as people working for the government and might pretend to offer help. But, really, they’re after your money or personal information. Government imposters may call to “verify your Social Security number,” or say your Social Security number or Medicare benefits have been “suspended” due to a mix-up. Scammers may say your tax returns must be done differently because of a name [...]
Romance Baiting Scams Exploding Through The Pacific Rim & Southeast Asia This new scam technique combines romance scams and investment fraud Make sure you are reporting all scams! Romance Baiting Scams On The Rise A Romance Baiting Scam Is A Scam Where The Lure Is The Romance Then It Flips To A Fake Investment Scam Australians reported a record-breaking $37 million lost to Scamwatch last year for dating [...]
Why Reporting Scams Matters? Not Only Is It Your Duty You Could Be Saving Lives By Reporting These Crimes! Not all scammers are going to be investigated, but the information accumulates and eventually can be used! Scam Reporting - A SCARS Insight Reporting Scams - Why It Really Matters! Did You Know That Most People Do Not Care About Reporting Scams? Sadly, we know that 95% of you who will [...]
Example Money Recovery Scams Updated August 2022 How Scams Work A SCARS Insight Throughout Social Media, You Are Drowned In Fake Money Recovery Scams Here is our guide for how you can tell the real ones from the fake ones! Yes, there actually are real money recovery companies. First: Anyone That Openly Engages In Direct Messages Or Social Media Comments About Money Recovery Is A Fraud Here Is One Common [...]
What To Do About Scams And Scammers? Thoughts On Scammer Options Scam Basics - A SCARS Insight Many Have Asked "What Can We Do" After They Have Been Scammed We actually have had thousands of scammers identified to their local governments. However, this is totally dependent on the country they operate from. So, it is a long hard road. Actually, though, you have many options. First, you should ALWAYS file [...]
An Essay on Justice and Money Recovery Justice Without Power & the Illusion of Recovery: Why Most Scam Victims Are Left With Nothing and How Chasing Justice Deepens the Harm A SCARS Institute Essay Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Scam victims often [...]
SCARS Institute Scam Warnings - Top 20 Scams Fraud & Cybercrime Scam Warnings: The digital age has brought countless conveniences, but it has also created a playground for sophisticated and relentless fraud. From romance scams to cryptocurrency fraud, today’s scammers operate with advanced tools, global reach, and psychological precision. Their tactics continue to evolve, exploiting emotional, financial, and social vulnerabilities with alarming success. Victims span every demographic, but certain groups—such as older adults and [...]
Scam Victim's Guide on How To Guard Against Identity Theft After a Scam How to Guard Against Identity Theft in the Context of Scams, Fraud, and Cybercrime - a Guide for Scam Victims & Survivors Identity Theft - A SCARS Institute Guide Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract Scam [...]
The Crypto Cop Scam A New Cryptocurrency Fraud Preying on Vulnerable Victims Catalog of Scams - A SCARS Institute Resource Author: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract The 'Crypto Cop' scam is a deceptive scheme targeting victims of previous cryptocurrency frauds, such as pig butchering or romance scams. Posing as investigators or recovery specialists, [...]
Rug-Pull - A Scammer Tactic Rug-Pulls Are Used In Crypto And Other Kinds Of Scams How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight A Rug-Pull Is Often The Way The Scammer Cuts Off The Victim & Disappears In financial fraud, a "rug-pull" refers to a deceptive tactic commonly associated with cryptocurrency projects, particularly decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. A rug-pull occurs when the creators or developers of a project [...]
RSN™ Special Report: Europol Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA) 2018 Europol Warns You Could Become A Cybercrime Victim From ransomware through to cryptocurrency scams, Europol says it wants to stop criminals from making you a victim. Europol has warned of 15 ways in which people can fall prey to cybercriminals as it launched a report on the dangers of the web. The report, the fifth annual Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA), is being presented [...]
Police Investigation How Do They Decide What Is Worth It? Law Enforcement - A SCARS Insight How Police Decide What Is Worth Investigating? The Challenge Police Face With Scams: As any scam victim knows, the local police (or even national police) can be very reluctant to investigate these crimes. Some local police don’t even want to take a police report (though they will take “informational reports” if a victim insists). [...]
Updated Analysis of West African Scammers Beyond Poverty and Boredom: Understanding the Motivations of West African Romance Scammers Criminology - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Research, field observations, and criminological analysis increasingly indicate that many West African romance scammers [...]
The Persistence of Danielle Delaunay as a Fake Identity The Enduring Digital Phantom: Why Danielle Delaunay Remains the Scammer's Favorite Identity Nearly 20 Years Later How Scams Work - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract The Danielle Delaunay identity has become a [...]
[raw] Scam Spotter — SCARS Institute SCARS Scam Spotter Test Your Scam Awareness · 10 Rounds · Red Flag Challenge Round 1/10 Score 0 Scam Awareness Training SCAMSPOTTER Can you tell a scam from the real thing?Read the message. Make your call. Tag the red flags. 📧 10 Rounds Email, romance, investment & more — realistic scenarios 🚩 Spot Red Flags Identify the specific tactics scammers use 🧠 Learn as You Play Instant explanations after [...]
The Classic Spanish Prisoner Scam The Spanish Prisoner is a Confidence Trick Originating in the Early 19Th Century As Eugène François Vidocq Described In His Memoirs History of Scams / How Scams Work - A SCARS Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Originally Published: 2021 - Article Updated: 2026 Abstract [...]
Establishing The United States Task Force To Eliminate Fraud A Whole of Government Commitment Government Action - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract The United States has established a centralized interagency task force to address widespread fraud affecting federal benefit programs and public funds, reframing fraud [...]
Combating Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes Against American Citizens United States President Trump Issued a New Executive Order Government Actions - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract Cyber-enabled fraud has evolved into a global organized crime problem that causes billions of dollars in losses for American [...]
America's New Cyber Strategy U.S. White House Unveils President Trump’s Cyber Strategy for America Governmental Actions - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract The United States White House announced a national cyber strategy under President Donald Trump that aims to strengthen protections for Americans against cybercrime, [...]
Finally, Tax Relief for American Scam Victims is on the Horizon Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams, and Disasters Act: A Lifeline for American Scam Victims Governmental Actions - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., DFin, MCPO, MAnth - Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. See Author Biographies Below Article Abstract Financial scams impose [...]
Fake Money Recovery Law Firms Fake “Money Recovery Law Firms” in the U.S.: How Recovery Scams Work, Why They Spread, and How Victims Can Protect Themselves Catalog of Scams / How Scams Work – A SCARS Institute Insight NOTE: While this is mostly about U.S.-based fake law firms, they can be found in Australia, Canada, and the UK Author: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens [...]
Money Laundering 'Drop' Accounts Drop Accounts and the Hidden Financial Infrastructure of Transnational Cybercrime Catalog of Scams / How Scams Work - A SCARS Institute Insight Author: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. Article Abstract Drop accounts are bank or fintech accounts used temporarily to receive, move, and cash out funds derived from [...]
United States Scam Center Strike Force As Promised - President Trump Has Created the New United States Scam Center Strike Force Law Enforcement Action - A SCARS Institute Insight Authors: • SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams Editorial Team - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. • Portions by the United States Government Article Abstract The United States Trump Administration has kept its [...]
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