• 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

Please Note:

This self-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.

Self-Blame Self-Assessment Test For Scam Victims

Scam Victim Self-Blame Self-Assessment Test

Instructions:

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

Scale:

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

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

Self-Blame Indicators:

1: I often think about what I could have done differently to avoid being scammed.(Required)
2: I believe that I should have seen the warning signs and prevented the scam.(Required)
3: I feel like it was my fault for trusting the scammer.(Required)
4: I frequently replay the events in my mind and blame myself for what happened.(Required)
5: I feel ashamed of myself for falling for the scam.(Required)
6: I struggle to forgive myself for being scammed.(Required)
7: I believe that if I had been more cautious, the scam would not have happened.(Required)

Next Section

Self-Compassion and External Blame Indicators:

8: I understand that the scammer is to blame for the scam, not me.(Required)
9: I recognize that scams are designed to deceive even the most cautious people.(Required)
10: I acknowledge that I was a victim of a well-orchestrated scam.(Required)
11: I have compassion for myself and recognize that anyone could be scammed.(Required)
12: I focus on the actions of the scammer rather than blaming myself.(Required)
13: I accept that I was deceived by a professional criminal who exploited my trust.(Required)
14: I feel that being scammed does not reflect on my intelligence or worth.(Required)

Finish

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

Self-Blame Score [Top Section]:

  • 7-14: You have low self-blame and likely do not blame yourself for the scam.
  • 15-28: You have moderate self-blame and may partially blame yourself for the scam.
  • 29-35: You have high self-blame and likely blame yourself significantly for the scam.

Self-Compassion and External Blame Score [Bottom Section]:

  • 7-14: You have low self-compassion and may struggle to externalize the blame for the scam.
  • 15-28: You have moderate self-compassion and partially recognize that the scam was not your fault.
  • 29-35: You have high self-compassion and strongly believe that the scam was not your fault.

Recommendations:

  • High Self-Blame Score: Consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor to help manage feelings of guilt and develop a more compassionate view of yourself. Understand that scams are designed to deceive and that anyone can be a victim.
  • Balanced Score: Work on increasing self-compassion and recognizing that the scam was not your fault. Engage in self-care practices and seek support from trusted individuals.
  • High Self-Compassion Score: Maintain your compassionate perspective and continue to focus on healing and moving forward. Share your experience to help others and reinforce your understanding that you were not to blame.

By taking this self-assessment, scam victims can better understand their feelings of self-blame and work towards accepting that the scam was not their fault, which is crucial for recovery and healing.

Scam Victim Self-Blame Self-Assessment Test Copyright © 2024 SCARS

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Published On: August 7th, 2024Last Updated: August 9th, 2024Categories: • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RESEARCH STUDY, ♦ SELF-TESTS, 20242 CommentsTags: , , , , 345 words1.8 min readTotal Views: 769Daily Views: 5

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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.

Please Leave A Comment

  1. Carmen Rivera August 7, 2024 at 6:19 am - Reply

    Loved this assessment. I think it is a great tool to measure our progress during our recovery journey.

  2. Corey Gale August 7, 2024 at 9:21 am - Reply

    It may not have been my fault by I do feel responsible and plan on being more careful in the future.

Your comments help the SCARS Institute better understand all scam victim/survivor experiences and improve our services and processes. Thank you

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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: