• Self-Assessment Tests on the SCARS Institute ScamPsychology.org

Welcome to the SCARS INSTITUTE Journal of Scam Psychology

A Journal of Applied Scam, Fraud, and Cybercrime Psychology – and Allied Sciences

A dedicated site for psychology, victimology, criminology, applied sociology and anthropology, and allied sciences, published by the SCARS INSTITUTE™ – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Decision-Making Test For Scam Victims

Please Note:

This self-assessment test was developed by the scientists and psychologists at the SCARS Institute based on our experience interacting with very large numbers of scam victims. This is not a diagnosis of a mental condition. It is simply to give you an awareness of the subject. We recommend that you contact a mental healthcare professional, such as a counselor or therapist to explore this further. Take a copy of your results with you for your session to show your therapist as well.

Evaluating the Level of Hate Toward Scammers and Its Impact on Recovery Self-Assessment Test For Scam Victims

Scam Victim Flashback Self-Assessment Test

This self-assessment is designed to help scam victims understand the intensity of their feelings of hate or anger towards the scammers who deceived them, and to evaluate how these emotions may be impacting their recovery process.

Instructions:

Read each statement and select the response that best reflects or that you agree with your feelings or behaviors. Be honest with yourself for the most accurate assessment.

Scale:

  • 1 – Strongly Disagree / Never
  • 2 – Disagree / Rarely
  • 3 – Neutral / Sometimes
  • 4 – Agree / Often
  • 5 – Strongly Agree / Always

Hate Toward Scammers and Impact Self-Assessment Test

Scammer Hate Indicators:

Section 1: Emotional Response to the Scammer

1: I feel intense anger or hatred when I think about the scammer.(Required)
2: I frequently fantasize about getting revenge on the scammer.(Required)
3: The thought of the scammer causes me to feel rage or overwhelming anger.(Required)
4: I find it hard to focus on anything else when I start thinking about the scammer.(Required)
5: I often wish harm or punishment upon the scammer.(Required)

Section 2: Impact on Daily Life and Recovery

6: My feelings of hatred towards the scammer affect my ability to concentrate or enjoy daily activities.(Required)
7: These feelings interfere with my ability to move forward and heal from the experience.(Required)
8: I avoid certain places, people, or activities because they remind me of the scam.(Required)
9: I struggle with feelings of bitterness or resentment that extend beyond the scammer to others in my life.(Required)
10: My hatred for the scammer makes it difficult for me to trust others or form new relationships.(Required)

Section 3: Coping Mechanisms and Perspective

11: I find it hard to forgive myself for falling victim to the scam because of the hatred I feel towards the scammer.(Required)
12: I struggle to find peace or closure because I’m consumed by anger towards the scammer.(Required)
13: I often replay the events of the scam in my mind, focusing on how much I hate the scammer.(Required)
14: My hatred towards the scammer affects my ability to sleep or maintain a healthy routine.(Required)
15: I believe that holding onto this hatred is a necessary part of my recovery.(Required)

Section 4: Willingness to Heal and Let Go

16: I am open to the idea of letting go of some of this anger to help myself heal.(Required)
17: I believe that forgiving the scammer could help me in my recovery, even if I don’t feel ready to do so.(Required)
18: I would consider seeking professional help to work through these intense emotions.(Required)
19: I recognize that my hatred is hurting me more than it is hurting the scammer.(Required)
20: I want to move past these feelings of hatred and focus on rebuilding my life.(Required)

Finish

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Scoring Your Self-Assessment:

Total Score: Add up your scores from all the questions.

Interpretation:

    • 20-40: Low levels of anger or hatred. You may have processed some of your emotions and are on the path to recovery, but further support could still be beneficial.
    • 41-60: Moderate levels of hatred and anger. These feelings may be interfering with your recovery, and it could be helpful to explore strategies for managing and reducing these emotions.
    • 61-80: High levels of hatred and anger. This level of intense emotion is likely a significant barrier to your recovery. It is strongly recommended that you seek support from a mental health professional to address these feelings and work towards healing.
    • 81-100: Extremely high levels of hatred and anger. These feelings may be severely impacting your life and hindering your ability to recover from the scam. Immediate professional support is advised to help you work through these emotions and begin the healing process.

Next Steps

If your score indicates moderate to high levels of anger or hatred towards the scammer, it may be beneficial to seek support from a therapist or counselor. Holding onto these intense emotions can hinder your recovery and overall well-being. A mental health professional can help you develop coping strategies, process your feelings, and work towards forgiveness or letting go of the anger, ultimately aiding in your recovery process.

Reflection:

Regardless of your score, remember that experiencing trauma after being scammed is common. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings and seek support. Consulting with a mental health professional can help you process your experiences and develop coping strategies.

Find a counselor or therapist here: counseling.AgainstScams.org

Trauma/PTSD Flashbacks Self-Assessment Test Copyright © 2024 SCARS
Published On: August 29th, 2024Last Updated: August 29th, 2024Categories: • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RESEARCH STUDY, ♦ SELF-TESTS, 20240 CommentsTags: , , , , , , 392 words2 min readTotal Views: 724Daily Views: 2

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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.

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On Other Articles

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!

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, neurology, and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in these articles 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, please read our SCARS Institute Statement About Professional Care for Scam Victims – here

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.

SCARS Institute Resources: