--- title: "SCARS™ Scam Basics: What Is A Scam?" canonical: https://romancescamsnow.com/rsn-guide-what-is-a-scam/ type: post author: "SCARS Institute Editorial Team" published: 2019-05-02 modified: 2022-03-24 categories: ["♦ ABOUT SCAMMERS/FRAUDSTERS"] summary: "SCARS™ Scam Basics: What Is A Scam? You Would Think This Would Be Well Understood? But It's Not! What Is A Scam? About half the people that we talk to think it is only a scam if they sent money…" organization: "SCARS Institute - Encyclopedia of Scans - World's #1 Anti-Scam Website - Romance Scams NOW" organization_url: https://romancescamsnow.com/ llms: https://romancescamsnow.com/llms.txt --- # SCARS™ Scam Basics: What Is A Scam? # SCARS™ Scam Basics: What Is A Scam? ## **You Would Think This Would Be Well Understood? But It's Not!** ## What Is A Scam? About half the people that we talk to think it is only a scam if they sent money to the scammer! A very large number of people who have been scammed, don't think they were scammed. ### So what is it? # SCAM > ## is a noun, and is pronounced: ˈskam > Definition of scam: a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation ### ### That Is According To Merriam Webster. ### Did You Notice That It Did Not Mention Money? ### Synonyms of the word Scam: bunco (or bunko), con, flimflam, fraud, gyp, hustle, sting, swindle ## **According to the Business Dictionary:** A SCAM is a fraudulent scheme performed by a dishonest individual, group, or company in an attempt to obtain money or something else of value. Scams traditionally resided in confidence tricks, where an individual would misrepresent themselves as someone with skill or authority, i.e. a doctor, lawyer, investor. After the internet became widely used, new forms of scams emerged such as lottery scams, scam baiting, email spoofing, phishing, or request for help. These are considered to be email fraud. Notice again that it says "**an attempt to obtain money or something else of value**" Also, notice that THEY consider [Scam Baiting](https://romancescamsnow.com/dating-scams/scam-baiting-is-a-waste-of-time/) to also be a fraud! For those of you that think you were not scammed, the simple act of contacting you using a fraudulent name or identity for the purpose obtaining money or something else of value (namely your trust) is a SCAM. ## In Reality, Even If You Only Engaged In A Conversation With A Scammer, And You Believed Their Story If Even For A Moment - Then You Were Scammed. Another word for Scam is Bunco (Bun·co). Also called bun·ko (bŭng′kō). The plural is bun·cos also bun·kos. It is a swindle in which an unsuspecting person is cheated; a confidence game. In other words, they were bun·coed bun·koed or bun·ko·ing or bun·kos. It means to swindle. This term probably is an alteration of the Spanish "Banca" card game or "banco" which means bank. ## Regardless, A Scam Is The Attempt To Cheat Or Swindle, Not The Success Of It So stop thinking you were not scammed just because you did not lose money. You lost your trust, you time, and in most cases your heart to the scammer. And of course, for all too many their precious money. ## You Were The Victim Of A Scam - Own It! Now Move On To Becoming A Survivor! SCARS™ Scam Survivors' Medal © 2016-2018 SCARS ### **PLEASE SHARE OUR ARTICLES WITH YOUR CONTACTS HELP OTHERS STAY SAFE ONLINE** **SCARS™ Team** **A SCARS Division** **Miami Florida U.S.A.** **TAGS: **Believe Their Story, Bunco, Bunko, Cheat, Con, Conversation With A Scammer, Definition, Scam, Swindle, What Is A Scam, You Were Scammed --- END --- # MORE INFORMATION --- - - - ## Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our [Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/SCARS.Avoidance.Information.Public.Group/) » --- - - - ## 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:** 1. **Local Police** - ask them to take an "informational" police report - say you need it for your insurance 2. Your **National Police or FBI** ([www.IC3.gov](http://www.IC3.gov) ») 3. The **SCARS|CDN™ Cybercriminal Data Network - Worldwide Reporting Network** [HERE](https://www.romancescamsnow.com/how-to-report-scammers-fraudsters/) » or on [www.Anyscam.com](http://www.Anyscam.com) » This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide. --- - - - Visit our **NEW** Main SCARS Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: [www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information](http://www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information) » To learn more about SCARS visit [www.AgainstScams.org](http://www.AgainstScams.org) ## Please be sure to report all scammers [HERE](https://www.romancescamsnow.com/how-to-report-scammers-fraudsters/) » or on [www.Anyscam.com](http://www.Anyscam.com) » ## **Legal Notices: ** All original content is Copyright © 1991 - 2020 SCARS All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge. SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated. Contact the law firm for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org