SCARS Recovery Effect — The SCARS Recovery Effect is a cognitive bias identified by the SCARS Institute in which some recent scam victims overestimate how quickly and easily they will recover while underestimating the work required. The person can believe that personal determination will produce full recovery despite avoidance, resistance, withdrawal, or limited participation. The bias can make insufficient recovery activity feel adequate because intention is mistaken for progress. — Cognitive Bias

Added September 26, 2026