• 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-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.

Trauma Self-Assessment Test For Scam Victims

Scam Victim Trauma Self-Assessment Test

A self-assessment test designed for scam victims to help determine if they may have been traumatized 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 Psychological Betrayal Trauma Post-Scam

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

Trauma Indicators:

1: I feel a deep sense of betrayal when I think about the scam.(Required)
2: I have trouble trusting people, even those close to me, since the scam.(Required)
3: I often feel intense anger or sadness when I recall the events of the scam.(Required)
4: I experience nightmares or flashbacks related to the scam.(Required)
5: I avoid certain places, people, or activities that remind me of the scam.(Required)
6: I find it difficult to enjoy activities or hobbies that I used to love.(Required)
7: I have physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomach issues, or fatigue) when thinking about the scam.(Required)
8: I struggle with feelings of shame or guilt about being scammed.(Required)
9: I feel a loss of safety and security in my daily life since the scam.(Required)
10: I often feel disconnected or detached from others and from my own emotions.(Required)
11: I have difficulty concentrating or making decisions since the scam.(Required)
12: I feel a persistent sense of hopelessness or despair when I think about the future.(Required)
13: I frequently find myself overwhelmed by emotions and struggle to manage them.(Required)
14: I notice significant memory problems or difficulty retaining information since the scam.(Required)

Finish

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

Scoring Your Self-Assessment:

Add up your scores for each statement.

  • 14-28: You may have low levels of psychological betrayal trauma. While the scam may have impacted you, you may not be experiencing significant trauma symptoms.
  • 29-42: You may have moderate levels of psychological betrayal trauma. You are likely experiencing some trauma-related symptoms and might benefit from talking to a professional.
  • 43-56: You may have high levels of psychological betrayal trauma. The scam has had a substantial impact on your mental health, and seeking professional help could be very beneficial.
  • 57-70: You may have very high levels of psychological betrayal trauma. It is highly recommended to consult a mental health professional to address and work through your trauma.

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 Self-Assessment Test Copyright © 2024 SCARS

-/ 30 /-

What do you think about this?

Please share your thoughts in a comment below!

Published On: August 8th, 2024Last Updated: August 9th, 2024Categories: • ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT PSYCHOLOGY, • RESEARCH STUDY, ♦ SELF-TESTS, 20240 CommentsTags: , , , , 250 words1.3 min readTotal Views: 1085Daily Views: 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PUBLICATION CATEGORIES

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

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

Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.

Recent Comments
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: