• 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.

Shame Self-Assessment Test For Scam Victims

Scam Victim Shame Self-Assessment Test

A self-assessment test designed for scam victims to help determine if they feel substantial shame because of the scam:

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

Self-Assessment Test: Evaluating Feelings of Shame Post-Scam

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

Shame Indicators:

1: I often feel embarrassed when I think about being scammed.(Required)
2: I avoid talking about the scam because I feel ashamed.(Required)
3: I blame myself for falling victim to the scam.(Required)
4: I feel that others judge me negatively because of the scam.(Required)
5: I believe the scam happened because of my personal flaws or weaknesses.(Required)
6: I frequently replay the events of the scam in my mind, feeling humiliated.(Required)
7: I think less of myself because I was scammed.(Required)
8: I feel like a failure because I didn't see the scam coming.(Required)
9: I worry that others see me as gullible or naive because of the scam.(Required)
10: I often think, “How could I have been so stupid?”(Required)

Finish

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

Scoring Your Self-Assessment:

Add up your scores for each statement.

  • 10-20: You have low levels of shame associated with the scam. You might have a healthy perspective on the incident and are less likely to blame yourself.
  • 21-30: You have moderate levels of shame. While you may occasionally blame yourself, you also have moments of understanding that the scam was not your fault.
  • 31-40: You have high levels of shame. You often blame yourself and feel embarrassed about the scam, which might be affecting your self-esteem and interactions with others.
  • 41-50: You have very high levels of shame. You frequently experience intense feelings of self-blame and embarrassment, which could be significantly impacting your mental health and recovery process.

Reflection:

Regardless of your score, it’s important to remember that falling victim to a scam is not a reflection of your intelligence or worth. Scammers are skilled manipulators who prey on human vulnerabilities. Consider reaching out to a mental health professional to discuss your feelings and work on building a more compassionate understanding of your experience.

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

Shame 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, 20240 CommentsTags: , , , , 334 words1.7 min readTotal Views: 850Daily 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.

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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: