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SCARS Institute Journal of Scam Victims’ Advocacy, Support and Recovery Providers – 20252025-04-02T23:28:47-04:00
There is hope with the SCARS INSTITUTE

Welcome Advocates to the

Journal of Scam Victims’ Advocacy, Support and Recovery by the SCARS Institute

Providing the World’s Leading Resource for Scam Victim Advocates and Support Providers about the care and support of the victim-survivors of scams, fraud, and cybercrime.

ScamVictimsAdvocates.org, a project of the SCARS Institute, is dedicated to guiding those who support scam victims toward ethical, informed, and psychologically sound practices.

It exposes harmful myths, misguided interventions, and unregulated support models that can retraumatize victims. By offering evidence-based insights, the site empowers advocates to help without causing unintended harm. Its mission is to promote safety, responsibility, and integrity in victim support by highlighting both effective strategies and the real risks of poor, unethical, or uninformed approaches.

Read more here.

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What is the Purpose of Crime Victim Advocacy?

Crime victim advocacy and support exist to ensure that victims receive the necessary assistance, resources, and protection to recover from the impact of crime. Many victims experience emotional, financial, and psychological distress after being targeted, and without proper support, they may struggle to rebuild their lives. Advocacy focuses on empowering victims, ensuring they are heard, and helping them navigate the legal, financial, and emotional consequences of crime. Victim advocates work to secure justice, restitution, and access to services, while also raising awareness about the rights of victims. They provide guidance on reporting crimes, seeking compensation, and connecting with mental health professionals, ensuring that survivors receive comprehensive care. In many cases, victims feel isolated and vulnerable after an incident, making advocacy crucial for restoring confidence and stability.

Support services for crime victims address both immediate and long-term needs, recognizing that recovery is a process that varies from person to person. Many victims suffer from trauma, post-crime anxiety, or financial difficulties, requiring sustained care beyond the initial crisis. Support groups, counseling services, and financial assistance programs help victims regain a sense of control over their lives. Organizations specializing in crime victim support also focus on education and prevention, working to reduce the likelihood of future victimization while providing survivors with the tools they need to heal. Long-term support is essential, as victims may struggle with the aftermath of a crime for years, requiring ongoing advocacy, therapy, and legal assistance. By ensuring victims receive compassionate and effective care, crime victim advocacy and support help survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.

About the SCARS Institute

SCARS Institute™ is the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. helping to build a world without online crime. But we need your help! Volunteer to help SCARS help other scam victims!

Always look for the SCARS Seal as your assurance of professionalism, ethics, and integrity in assisting victims of financial fraud and online crime.

U.S. State of Florida Nonprofit Charitable Registration #N20000011978 [SCARS DBA Registered #G20000137918 // Scam Survivors United DBA Registered #G23000086919] – Click Here To Confirm  Previously incorporated in the State of Delaware.

Address Of Record: Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., 9561 Fontainebleau Blvd., Suite 602, Miami, Florida 33166 U.S.A.

Please help everyone by reporting all scammers – reporting.AgainstScams.org

SCARS Institute Website Resources

Victim Resources

Our Goal With This Website

The SCARS Institute’s goal is to educate and train scam victim advocates, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to provide effective support to scam victim-survivors. By expanding the network of trained advocates, we can reach more victims, offer informed guidance, and ensure that survivors receive compassionate, trauma-informed care throughout their recovery. Through specialized training & education programs, we empower advocates to navigate the complexities of scam victimization, reduce stigma, and help survivors rebuild their lives with confidence and resilience.

SCARS Institute - 11 years of Service to Scam Victims and Survivors

PLEASE NOTE: Psychology Clarification

The following specific modalities within the practice of psychology are restricted to psychologists appropriately trained in the use of such modalities:

  • Diagnosis: The diagnosis of mental, emotional, or brain disorders and related behaviors.
  • Psychoanalysis: Psychoanalysis is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and resolve unconscious conflicts.
  • Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a state of trance in which individuals are more susceptible to suggestion. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and pain.
  • Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a type of therapy that teaches individuals to control their bodily functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including stress, anxiety, and pain.
  • Behavioral analysis: Behavioral analysis is a type of therapy that focuses on changing individuals’ behaviors. It is often used to treat conditions such as autism and ADHD.
    Neuropsychology: Neuropsychology is a type of psychology that focuses on the relationship between the brain and behavior. It is often used to assess and treat cognitive impairments caused by brain injuries or diseases.

SCARS and the members of the SCARS Team do not engage in any of the above modalities in relationship to scam victims. SCARS is not a mental healthcare provider and recognizes the importance of professionalism and separation between its work and that of the licensed practice of psychology.

SCARS is an educational provider of generalized self-help information that individuals can use for their own benefit to achieve their own goals related to emotional trauma. SCARS recommends that all scam victims see professional counselors or therapists to help them determine the suitability of any specific information or practices that may help them.

SCARS cannot diagnose or treat any individuals, nor can it state the effectiveness of any educational information that it may provide, regardless of its experience in interacting with traumatized scam victims over time. All information that SCARS provides is purely for general educational purposes to help scam victims become aware of and better understand the topics and to be able to dialog with their counselors or therapists.

It is important that all readers understand these distinctions and that they apply the information that SCARS may publish at their own risk, and should do so only after consulting a licensed psychologist or mental healthcare provider.

Opinions

The opinions of the author are not necessarily those of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. The author is solely responsible for the content of their work. SCARS is protected under the Communications Decency Act (CDA) section 230 from liability.

Disclaimer:

SCARS IS A DIGITAL PUBLISHER AND DOES NOT OFFER HEALTH OR MEDICAL ADVICE, LEGAL ADVICE, FINANCIAL ADVICE, OR SERVICES THAT SCARS IS NOT LICENSED OR REGISTERED TO PERFORM.

IF YOU’RE FACING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, OR VISIT THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE CENTER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE FOLLOWING ANY MEDICALLY RELATED INFORMATION PRESENTED ON OUR PAGES.

ALWAYS CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY FOR ANY ADVICE REGARDING LEGAL MATTERS.

A LICENSED FINANCIAL OR TAX PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES OR TAX-RELATED ISSUES AND INFORMATION.

SCARS IS NOT A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR – WE DO NOT PROVIDE INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES. ANY INVESTIGATIONS THAT SCARS MAY PERFORM IS NOT A SERVICE PROVIDED TO THIRD-PARTIES. INFORMATION REPORTED TO SCARS MAY BE FORWARDED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AS SCARS SEE FIT AND APPROPRIATE.

This content and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (“Content”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for licensed or regulated professional advice. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider, lawyer, financial, or tax professional with any questions you may have regarding the educational information contained herein. SCARS makes no guarantees about the efficacy of information described on or in SCARS’ Content. The information contained is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible situations or effects. SCARS does not recommend or endorse any specific professional or care provider, product, service, or other information that may be mentioned in SCARS’ websites, apps, and Content unless explicitly identified as such.

The disclaimers herein are provided on this page for ease of reference. These disclaimers supplement and are a part of SCARS’ website’s Terms of Use

Legal Notices: 

All original content is Copyright © 1991 – 2025 Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. (Registered D.B.A SCARS) All Rights Reserved Worldwide & Webwide. Third-party copyrights acknowledge.

U.S. State of Florida Registration Nonprofit (Not for Profit) #N20000011978 [SCARS DBA Registered #G20000137918] – Learn more at www.AgainstScams.org

SCARS, SCARS|INTERNATIONAL, SCARS, SCARS|SUPPORT, SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|INTERNATION, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS|LATINOAMERICA, SCARS|MEMBER, SCARS|VOLUNTEER, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, SCARS ANGELS, SCARS RANGERS, SCARS MARSHALLS, SCARS PARTNERS, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc., All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Contact the legal department for the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated by email at legal@AgainstScams.org

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