• Scam Victim Psychology - on 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

Relationship Scam Self-Assessment Test

Are You In A Scam?

A self-assessment test designed for individuals who suspect that they may be involved in a relationship or romance scam:

Instructions:

Reflect on your current relationship and read each statement carefully. Use the following scale to rate your responses:

1 – Strongly Disagree
2 – Disagree
3 – Neutral
4 – Agree
5 – Strongly Agree

Self-Assessment Test: Recognizing Potential Relationship Scams

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Relationship Scam Indicators:

1: My partner initiated contact with me first and was extremely affectionate right from the beginning.(Required)
2: My partner asks for money or financial help, even for seemingly small amounts.(Required)
3: When I try to talk about meeting in person, my partner always has an excuse to avoid it.(Required)
4: My partner quickly expressed deep feelings of love and commitment.(Required)
5: My partner's stories about their background, job, or family sometimes have inconsistencies.(Required)
6: I feel uncomfortable with how much personal information my partner has asked for.(Required)
7: My partner has suggested moving our conversations to other private messaging platforms.(Required)
8: I have been asked to keep our relationship secret or to not discuss it with my friends and family.(Required)
9: When I bring up any concerns, my partner reacts defensively or tries to reassure me excessively.(Required)
10: I have sent my partner money, gifts, or other forms of financial support.(Required)
11: My partner has stories that elicit strong emotional reactions, such as sudden emergencies or dramatic past events.(Required)
12: My partner's online presence is minimal, and they have few verifiable connections or social media activity.(Required)
13: My partner has asked for help with things like setting up bank accounts, receiving packages, or transferring money.(Required)
14: I often feel the need to justify or defend my relationship to others who are skeptical.(Required)
15: I feel uneasy or have doubts about my partner's authenticity but dismiss these feelings to keep the relationship going.(Required)
16: He/she contacts me day and night, and often keeps me awake and missing sleep.(Required)
17: He/she makes me feel guilty when I do not do what he/she asks.(Required)
18: He/she tells me to lie when I send money.(Required)
19: He/she has asked me to send cryptocurrency, but he/she says he/she does not have access to a bank account.(Required)
20: He/she says he/she is working and is unable to get access to his/her money.(Required)

Finish

Please Select Your Gender(Required)
Terms & Conditions(Required)

Scoring Your Self-Assessment:

Add up your scores for each statement.

  • 20-40: Low likelihood of being in a scam. Your relationship shows few signs of common scam tactics, but remain vigilant and trust your instincts.
  • 41-60: Moderate likelihood of being in a scam. Some behaviors suggest caution. It may be beneficial to evaluate the relationship more critically.
  • 61-80: High likelihood of being in a scam. Many signs point to potential deception. Consider seeking advice from trusted friends, family, or professionals.
  • 81-100: Very high likelihood of being in a scam. Strong indicators of fraudulent behavior. It is highly recommended to reassess the relationship immediately and seek help from the SCARS Institute – visit support.AgainstScams.org for assistance now.

Reflection:

Regardless of your score, it’s important to remain critical and aware of the signs of relationship scams. If you have any doubts or concerns, consider talking to someone you trust or consulting a professional scam victim’s support provider for advice such as SCARS Institute. Being aware and proactive can help protect you from more emotional and financial harm.

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

Relationship Scam Self-Assessment Test Copyright © 2024 SCARS

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Published On: August 8th, 2024Last Updated: August 9th, 2024Categories: • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RESEARCH STUDY, ♦ SELF-TESTS, 20240 CommentsTags: , , , , , 257 words1.3 min readTotal Views: 1056Daily Views: 8

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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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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: