SCARS Institute Knowledge & Support for Scam Victims/Survivors

- Email Scam — An email scam is a fraudulent communication sent to deceive a recipient into revealing information, transferring money, opening a harmful attachment, visiting a fraudulent website, or performing an action that benefits a criminal. The message commonly impersonates a financial institution, government agency, employer, executive, delivery service, technology company, charity, vendor, or familiar contact while using copied logos, forged sender information, false invoices, account warnings, fabricated emergencies, or promises of refunds and rewards. Criminals create urgency and direct the recipient toward links, attachments, telephone numbers, payment instructions, or changed banking details that remain under criminal control, and sophisticated messages frequently contain accurate personal or organizational information obtained through research, data breaches, or compromised accounts. A recipient protects against the scheme by refusing to use the contact information within the message and independently contacting the claimed sender through a trusted website, known telephone number, or established business channel before responding or taking action. — Cybercrime and Communication Fraud

Added September 29, 2026

- Money Mule — A money mule is a person who receives, transfers, converts, withdraws, transports, or forwards money or property on behalf of another person when the activity moves, conceals, or launders proceeds from crime. Criminals recruit money mules through romance scams, fraudulent jobs, investment schemes, business opportunities, emergency stories, online friendships, and requests to help someone who supposedly cannot access a financial account. Some participants knowingly assist criminal operations, while others believe they are helping a romantic partner, performing legitimate employment, processing customer payments, forwarding packages, or protecting money from theft, yet the participant’s bank account, cryptocurrency wallet, address, or identity becomes part of the criminal transaction chain. Money-mule activity exposes the person to financial losses, frozen accounts, repayment demands, identity theft, banking restrictions, and possible criminal investigation, which makes any request to receive and forward unexplained money or property a serious warning requiring immediate independent verification. — Financial Crime Facilitation

Added September 29, 2026

- Phone Scam — A phone scam is a fraud conducted through a live call, robocall, voicemail, or voice message in which a criminal impersonates a trusted person or organization to obtain money, information, account access, or control over a device. The caller may claim to represent a bank, government agency, police department, court, utility company, technology provider, employer, charity, hospital, delivery service, or distressed family member, and caller ID spoofing allows the displayed name and number to appear genuine. The criminal creates fear, urgency, secrecy, authority, or excitement while demanding payment, credentials, security codes, remote access, or immediate action, and artificial intelligence now allows criminals to imitate familiar voices with convincing emotional detail. A person confronted by such a call protects against manipulation by ending the conversation and contacting the claimed individual or organization through independently obtained information, because no legitimate caller needs to prevent verification, demand secrecy, or require unusual payment methods. — Impersonation and Communication Fraud

Added September 29, 2026

- Pig Butchering Scam/Crypto Investment Scam — A pig butchering scam, also called a relationship investment scam or crypto investment scam, is a prolonged confidence scheme in which criminals cultivate friendship, romance, admiration, or professional trust before introducing a fraudulent investment opportunity. The criminal presents apparent wealth and investment expertise, directs the targeted person to a controlled trading platform, displays fabricated profits, permits a small early withdrawal to strengthen confidence, and then encourages increasingly large deposits funded through savings, loans, retirement accounts, property sales, or borrowed money. When the person attempts to withdraw the displayed balance, the platform demands invented taxes, security deposits, liquidity payments, commissions, or verification fees, although the supposed profits exist only inside an interface controlled by the criminal organization. The term “pig butchering” comes from offender language and does not describe the victim, whose trust is deliberately developed through sustained psychological grooming, manipulated evidence, professional technology, false customer service, and a coordinated criminal infrastructure. — Relationship Investment Fraud

Added September 29, 2026

- Romance Scam — A romance scam is a relationship-based confidence crime in which an offender creates a false or stolen identity, develops emotional attachment, and exploits the resulting trust for money, property, information, account access, criminal assistance, or another benefit. The offender commonly uses frequent communication, rapid declarations of love, emotional mirroring, future promises, fabricated vulnerability, and carefully timed crises while avoiding ordinary independent verification and repeatedly preventing an in-person meeting. Financial requests frequently involve medical emergencies, travel expenses, business problems, customs charges, legal difficulties, military restrictions, family needs, investments, gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or requests to receive and forward money, and the emotional relationship makes each request appear connected to a shared future rather than a criminal scheme. The victim’s attachment remains psychologically real even though the identity and circumstances were manufactured, because the crime targets normal human capacities for trust, empathy, hope, loyalty, and love rather than any defect in intelligence or character. — Relationship Fraud

Added September 29, 2026

419 Scam — A 419 scam promises access to a substantial sum of money in exchange for advance payments or financial assistance. The criminal invents expenses involving transfers, documents, taxes, or official approvals. The name refers to a provision of Nigeria’s criminal code, while offenders operating this type of scheme are not limited to Nigeria. – Advance-Fee Scam www.aarp.org

Added October 7, 2026

Abandonment of Healthcare — Abandonment of healthcare is a sustained withdrawal from medical attention needed to protect health. It includes missed appointments, untreated symptoms, and failure to seek help when care is no longer effective. Assessment identifies whether symptoms, practical barriers, or deliberate rejection explain the withdrawal. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Abandonment of Home Maintenance — Abandonment of home maintenance involves leaving necessary repairs and upkeep undone while living conditions deteriorate. The concern is the preservation of a usable and safe home rather than perfect housekeeping. Assistance addresses essential needs while examining the reasons maintenance stopped. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Abandonment of Personal Hygiene — Abandonment of personal hygiene is a continuing reduction in basic bodily and clothing care. Bathing, tooth brushing, laundry, and changing bedding fall away. The pattern requires attention to functioning and beliefs about care rather than an assumption that the person simply lacks discipline. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Abandonment-related trauma — Abandonment-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with severe or threatening loss of expected care or protection. Developmental dependence and the circumstances of abandonment shape its meaning. The phrase distinguishes profound injury from ordinary disappointment or separation. — Attachment context.

Added October 5, 2026

Access Control — Access control determines who or what receives permission to use a resource. Systems enforce these permissions through rules, roles, and identity checks. Effective access control limits exposure of information and prevents unauthorized actions. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Access Control List — An access control list specifies which users or systems have permission to access a resource. Each entry identifies an identity and its permitted actions. Administrators use these lists to enforce restrictions on files, networks, and applications. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Access to Care — Access to care means the practical ability to obtain appropriate medical or mental health assistance. Cost, transportation, appointment arrangements, and symptoms affect whether that assistance is reachable. Restoring access requires addressing the specific obstacle rather than repeating instructions to seek help. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Accessibility accommodations — Accessibility accommodations are adjustments that help a victim participate in the reporting process. These adjustments address needs that affect communication or access to the agency’s services. The victim asks what assistance is available before or during the reporting conversation. — Reporting Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Account access — Account access is the ability to enter or use an account and its associated information or services. Requests involving passwords, account codes, or financial access deserve careful examination. A survivor protects access by withholding sensitive information from an unverified person and contacting the relevant institution independently. — Digital Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Account compromise — Account compromise occurs when an unauthorized person gains access to an account or interferes with its security. Suspected compromise requires prompt contact with the relevant institution through an established route. Instructions from a questionable caller do not establish the correct protective response. — Digital Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Account Lockout — Account lockout temporarily or permanently blocks access after specified conditions occur, such as repeated failed login attempts. The restriction interrupts automated password guessing. Poorly configured lockouts also allow attackers to disrupt legitimate users by deliberately triggering the limit. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Account Suspension Scam — An account suspension scam threatens loss of access unless the target acts immediately. The criminal invents policy violations or failed verification. A deceptive appeal or restoration process collects money or login credentials. – Credential Theft Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Account Takeover — Account takeover occurs when an attacker gains control of another person’s account. Attackers obtain access through stolen credentials, phishing, malware, or weaknesses in recovery procedures. They then impersonate the account owner, steal information, or conduct fraudulent transactions. – Account Security

Added October 7, 2026

Accountability — Accountability involves recognizing responsibility for specific actions and addressing their consequences. Criminals remain responsible for the crime, while survivors receive support in making protective decisions afterward. Supporters encourage useful action without blaming survivors for the deception or attacking their character. — Support Principles

Added October 16, 2026

Accumulating Health Risks — Accumulating health risks are dangers that increase as necessary care and protective activities remain neglected. Untreated symptoms and unsafe living conditions add concerns over time. Their seriousness does not depend solely on whether the survivor expresses an intention to die. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Achievable Starting Point — An achievable starting point is the smallest practical action that begins a necessary task. Locating one document provides a clearer beginning than attempting an entire application. The step matches the survivor’s present capacity while creating a path toward further work. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Acknowledgment of loss — Acknowledgment of loss means recognizing what the survivor believed the relationship provided and what its ending took away. The loss includes companionship, trust, plans, or an expected future. This recognition gives grief a place without treating the criminal’s promises as truthful. — Grief and Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Acting at the Peak of Emotion — Acting at the peak of emotion means making a decision while a feeling is especially intense. Urgency then leaves little room for clarification or reflection. A survivor benefits from recognizing this timing and delaying nonurgent decisions until perspective improves. — Emotional Regulation

Added October 12, 2026

Action Consequences — Action consequences are the results that follow a decision or behavior. An impulsive reply creates additional messages, while a hurried commitment creates an obligation. Considering these results helps distinguish immediate emotional relief from a response that supports longer-term stability. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Action urge — An action urge is the felt impulse to do something in response to an emotion. Fear, loneliness, or hope sometimes accompanies an urge to reply, agree, or send money immediately. Recognizing the urge separately from the emotion creates an opportunity to choose a response. — Emotional Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Active Directory — Active Directory is Microsoft’s directory technology for organizing identities, computers, and access within an organization. Its services support centralized authentication and policy administration. Attackers frequently target privileged directory accounts because those accounts provide extensive control over connected resources. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Acute trauma — Acute trauma describes trauma associated with a single overwhelming event or a brief period of exposure. Examples include an assault, a disaster, or witnessing a killing. The word acute describes the exposure pattern rather than predicting how long its effects last. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Acute trauma response — Acute trauma response refers to immediate or early reactions following a traumatic experience. Distress, confusion, heightened arousal, or detachment are relevant examples. It differs from a formal diagnosis of acute stress disorder. — Time-related response.

Added October 5, 2026

Adolescent trauma — Adolescent trauma refers to trauma experienced during the transition between childhood and adulthood. It intersects with identity development, peer relationships, growing independence, and emotional maturation. Its effects are shaped by both the harmful experience and the adolescent's developmental circumstances. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Adult trauma — Adult trauma refers to psychological trauma first experienced or newly encountered during adulthood. Relevant contexts include violence, exploitation, disasters, and severe interpersonal betrayal. Adult status does not eliminate vulnerability to overwhelming experiences or their lasting effects. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Advance Fees — Advance fees are payments requested before a promised service or transaction is completed. In timeshare fraud, criminals describe these payments as necessary to arrange a sale or meet supposed requirements. The victim pays before receiving the promised sale proceeds. — Fraud Tactics

Added October 11, 2026

Advance-Fee Scam — An advance-fee scam requires an initial payment to obtain a promised benefit. The criminal presents the fee as a necessary step toward money, services, or access. The benefit never arrives as represented, and further charges frequently follow. – Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Advanced Encryption Standard — The Advanced Encryption Standard, or AES, is a symmetric encryption algorithm that protects information with a shared secret key. It supports several key lengths and operates on fixed-size data blocks. Secure implementations also require appropriate operating modes and careful key management. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Advanced Persistent Threat — An advanced persistent threat involves a capable adversary conducting sustained, targeted activity against an organization. The adversary establishes access, maintains a presence, and pursues objectives over time. Such operations commonly seek intelligence, sensitive information, or strategic disruption. – Threat Classification

Added October 7, 2026

Adversary-in-the-Middle Attack — An adversary-in-the-middle attack places an attacker between communicating parties to intercept or manipulate their exchange. The attacker exploits weaknesses in connection security, routing, or identity verification. Strong authentication and correctly implemented encryption help prevent this interference. – Attack Method

Added October 7, 2026

Adware — Adware displays advertising through installed software or browser activity. Some versions collect browsing information, change settings, or introduce unwanted content without meaningful consent. Its security significance depends on its behavior, permissions, and methods of installation. – Unwanted Software

Added October 7, 2026

Affective Dissonance — Affective dissonance describes a conflict between emotional responses or between feelings and an expected emotional state. A scam survivor experiences this conflict when affection for the fabricated persona persists alongside anger toward the criminal. The term describes an emotional mismatch and overlaps with emotional dissonance rather than identifying a separate diagnosis. — Emotional Experience

Added October 7, 2026

Affinity Investment Scam — An affinity investment scam exploits trust within a religious, ethnic, professional, or other identifiable community. The promoter uses shared identity and respected connections to gain credibility. That trust discourages independent scrutiny of the investment. – Investment Scam Investor.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Aftermath — The aftermath is the period following the main financial exploitation, when discovery, separation, and further criminal approaches unfold. Scammers sometimes return with new identities, romantic claims, or offers to recover money. Survivors benefit from recognizing that the end of payments does not automatically end criminal targeting. — Criminal Stages

Added October 15, 2026

Agency — Agency is a person’s ability to make choices and take purposeful action. Scam victim support strengthens agency by involving survivors in decisions about goals, activities, and practical steps. Growing independence demonstrates that assistance supports the survivor’s judgment rather than replacing it. — Recovery Processes

Added October 16, 2026

Aggregate Ownership — Aggregate ownership means the combined ownership interests held by multiple parties. Under OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule, ownership by blocked persons is added together when determining whether an entity meets the blocking threshold. Two blocked owners holding 25 percent each reach that threshold collectively. — Financial Sanctions ofac.treasury.gov

Added October 11, 2026

AI-Generated Profiles — AI-generated profiles are online identities that use artificial intelligence to create photographs, descriptions, or other personal details. Criminals use these materials to present a convincing person who does not exist as described. Realistic appearance alone does not establish that a profile represents an authentic individual. — Digital Deception

Added October 3, 2026

Airline Customer Service Scam — An airline customer service scam impersonates staff helping with bookings or cancellations. The criminal appears through deceptive search results, calls, or messages. Travelers pay fabricated charges or disclose information that enables further theft. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Airline Refund Scam — An airline refund scam falsely offers assistance obtaining reimbursement for a booking. The criminal requests processing payments, card information, or account access. The supposed refund process steals additional money or information. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Airport Taxi Scam — An airport taxi scam misrepresents authorization, fares, or transportation arrangements. The operator exploits unfamiliarity and travel fatigue. Passengers pay inflated or fabricated charges under conditions different from the advertised agreement. – Transportation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Alcohol-free ceremony — An alcohol-free ceremony uses water or another nonalcoholic drink during the farewell. The ritual derives its meaning from the survivor’s intention, words, and chosen action. Alcohol holds no required role in acknowledging the loss or marking the ending. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Alias — An alias is a name someone uses instead of a confirmed legal identity. A criminal uses an alias to support the identity presented during the scam. The victim records it as a name used by the account rather than treating it as verified identification. — Identity Information

Added October 18, 2026

Allowlist — An allowlist identifies items that a system explicitly permits, such as approved applications, addresses, or users. The system restricts items outside that list according to its configuration. This approach reduces exposure but requires maintenance as legitimate requirements change. – Security Control

Added October 7, 2026

Alternative symbolic object — An alternative symbolic object represents the relationship without requiring the survivor to handle a photograph. Examples include a folded sheet bearing the presented name, a description of promises, or an empty envelope. The survivor selects an object that communicates the intended meaning without recreating the entire experience. — Ritual Materials

Added October 18, 2026

Amazon Impersonation Scam — An Amazon impersonation scam uses false messages or calls concerning supposed purchases, account restrictions, or refunds. The criminal requests payments or security information. Familiar branding and invented order details support the impersonation. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Animal Rescue Donation Scam — An animal rescue donation scam solicits funds through false rescue, treatment, or shelter claims. The operator uses stolen photographs and invented emergencies. Contributions do not support the animals or services described. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Anniversaries — Anniversaries are dates associated with the relationship, its promises, or the discovery of the crime. Holidays, birthdays, and other meaningful occasions bring renewed awareness of what the survivor lost. Their emotional significance deserves recognition rather than interpretation as proof that recovery has failed. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 15, 2026

Anniversary preparation — Anniversary preparation involves arranging support and practical plans before a difficult date arrives. The survivor identifies the occasion’s meaning and considers which routines or contacts will help maintain stability. Preparation gives anticipated distress a response instead of leaving the person to face it without support. — Recovery Practices

Added October 15, 2026

Annotation — An annotation is a note or mark added to a document to explain or highlight information. Annotations help identify important requests, dates, or payment instructions within working copies. The victim keeps original material intact and adds these explanations to separate copies. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Anomaly Detection — Anomaly detection identifies activity that differs from an established pattern or expected behavior. Security systems examine unusual logins, transfers, or processes for signs of trouble. An anomaly signals a need for investigation rather than proving that an attack occurred. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Anticipated future — An anticipated future consists of the plans and possibilities the survivor expected from the relationship. Its loss remains emotionally significant even when deceptive promises created those expectations. Naming that future helps the survivor identify what the farewell represents. — Grief and Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Anticipated pain — Anticipated pain is distress expected before a feared event occurs. A survivor rehearses rejection, failure, or betrayal and experiences emotional strain while waiting. This expectation does not prevent the event and deserves examination when it discourages preparation, participation, or necessary care. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Anticipated Reunion — Anticipated reunion is the expected future meeting or shared life promised within a deceptive relationship. The expectation gives the victim a direction and something to await. Its emotional importance does not establish that the promised meeting or relationship is genuine. — Relationship Manipulation

Added October 13, 2026

Antimalware — Antimalware detects, blocks, or removes malicious software. It uses methods such as known signatures, behavioral analysis, and reputation checks. Its effectiveness depends on current intelligence, sound configuration, and additional security controls that address threats beyond malicious files. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Antivirus — Antivirus software detects and addresses computer viruses and other forms of malware. Modern products often examine files, processes, and behavior rather than relying solely on known signatures. Antivirus contributes to protection but does not eliminate every security threat. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Antivirus Renewal Scam — An antivirus renewal scam sends a false notice about an upcoming or completed security subscription charge. The criminal provides a fraudulent cancellation or refund channel. The response exposes the target to remote-access manipulation or payment theft. – Technical Support Scam

Added October 7, 2026

App Optimization Scam — An app optimization scam promises earnings for supposedly improving application rankings or performance. The platform presents repetitive tasks and artificial commissions. Required deposits and impossible withdrawal conditions turn the advertised work into theft. – Employment Scam FBI

Added October 7, 2026

Appeal to Authority — Appeal to authority occurs when a claim receives acceptance because an apparently authoritative person or organization supports it. The reasoning becomes misleading when the claimed authority is false, irrelevant, or treated as a substitute for evidence. Scammers exploit this tendency through fabricated credentials, official logos, and impersonated professionals. — Reasoning Fallacy

Added October 3, 2026

Appeal to Popularity — Appeal to popularity treats widespread acceptance as evidence that a claim is true or an opportunity is legitimate. A large following or numerous favorable comments does not establish factual accuracy. Scammers manufacture apparent popularity through fake accounts, staged testimonials, and coordinated endorsements. — Reasoning Fallacy

Added October 3, 2026

Apple Impersonation Scam — An Apple impersonation scam uses false warnings about purchases, device security, or account access. The criminal requests credentials, verification codes, or payments. Familiar product details create an appearance of legitimate customer support. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Application Programming Interface Security — Application programming interface security protects the interfaces through which software systems exchange requests and information. Controls address authentication, authorization, input handling, and excessive access. Weak API security exposes data or functions even when an application’s visible interface appears secure. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Application Security — Application security protects software throughout its design, development, deployment, and operation. It addresses weaknesses in code, configuration, dependencies, and access controls. Organizations strengthen application security through secure development practices, testing, monitoring, and timely corrections. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Appointment Preparation — Appointment preparation involves organizing information and questions before meeting with a bank, therapist, or other provider. Written notes reduce the need to recall every detail during distress. Preparation supports participation without requiring complete certainty about how the meeting will unfold. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Approved communication channels — Approved communication channels are the methods an organization authorizes for contact between supporters and members. These channels establish where support conversations and related information belong. Their use helps maintain consistent boundaries and keeps communication within the organization’s established procedures. — Community Operations

Added October 16, 2026

Arrest Warrant Scam — An arrest warrant scam claims that authorities will arrest the target unless a payment resolves the matter. The criminal invents charges or unpaid obligations. The threat converts fear of detention into financial compliance. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Artificial intelligence-generated images — Artificial intelligence-generated images are pictures created by software rather than photographs documenting an actual person. Scammers use these images to give fictional romantic identities a convincing appearance. An attractive or realistic profile picture does not establish that the person described in the profile exists. — Digital Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Asset Blocking — Asset blocking restricts dealings with property covered by applicable sanctions. The property remains subject to restrictions rather than becoming freely available for withdrawal or transfer. Blocking does not automatically return stolen money to victims or establish a right to compensation. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Asset Inventory — An asset inventory records the systems, software, devices, and other resources an organization maintains. Useful records identify ownership, purpose, location, and security significance. Accurate inventories help organizations find unmanaged resources and prioritize protection, maintenance, and incident response. – Asset Management

Added October 7, 2026

Assistance Seeking — Assistance seeking means identifying a difficulty and requesting appropriate help with it. A survivor asks for practical support, professional assessment, or clarification rather than concealing the obstacle. Seeking assistance forms part of responsible action when independent effort is insufficient. — Support and Treatment

Added October 12, 2026

Assumption — An assumption is information accepted as true before sufficient evidence establishes it. A survivor assumes a familiar account belongs to its usual owner or interprets an unanswered message as rejection. Identifying the assumption reveals which part of the situation still requires examination. — Thinking Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Assurances of Reimbursement — Assurances of reimbursement are promises that an earlier payment will be returned later. Timeshare fraud operators use these promises to make advance fees appear temporary and manageable. The reassurance encourages further payments despite the absence of a genuine buyer or completed sale. — Fraud Tactics

Added October 11, 2026

Asymmetric Encryption — Asymmetric encryption uses a mathematically related public key and private key. A sender encrypts information with the recipient’s public key, and the recipient decrypts it with the corresponding private key. This arrangement reduces the need to share secret encryption keys beforehand. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Attachment disruption trauma — Attachment disruption trauma describes psychological trauma associated with a severe disturbance in a relied-upon attachment relationship. Forced separation, frightening caregiver loss, or profound relational rupture are relevant contexts. It emphasizes disrupted emotional security and continuity of care. — Attachment context.

Added October 5, 2026

Attachment to a Cherished Home — Attachment to a cherished home is the emotional connection to a dwelling as a place of belonging or future possibility. A survivor values the home while struggling to preserve its condition. The attachment and the ability to maintain the property require separate attention. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Attachment to an Imagined Future — Attachment to an imagined future involves investing emotional meaning in a life that has not yet occurred. The imagined life includes companionship, security, or a fresh beginning. Concern develops when present care depends almost entirely on that future becoming real. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Attachment trauma — Attachment trauma describes trauma involving disruption or violation of relationships relied upon for safety and emotional security. Caregiver abuse, profound neglect, and threatening relational ruptures are examples. It concerns injury to attachment security rather than ordinary relationship disappointment. — Relational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Attack Surface — An attack surface includes the points through which an attacker could interact with or compromise a system. These points include exposed services, accounts, interfaces, and human processes. Reducing unnecessary exposure makes attacks more difficult and simplifies security oversight. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Attack Vector — An attack vector is a route or method an attacker uses to reach a target. Examples include phishing messages, exposed services, and compromised software updates. Identifying likely vectors helps organizations choose protections that address their actual exposure. – Attack Method

Added October 7, 2026

Attitudinal Dissonance — Attitudinal dissonance describes discomfort arising from conflicting attitudes or from a mismatch between an attitude and personal behavior. A survivor values caution while continuing to view the criminal’s messages with interest. Recognizing the inconsistency helps the survivor examine the competing attitudes without treating the conflict as a personal failure. — Cognitive Process

Added October 7, 2026

Audit Log — An audit log records activities that support accountability and investigation. Entries commonly identify who performed an action, what occurred, and when it happened. Organizations protect these records against alteration and review them for misuse or policy violations. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Authentication — Authentication verifies an asserted identity or confirms control of an associated authenticator. A system evaluates evidence such as a password, security key, or biometric factor. Successful authentication establishes identity confidence but does not itself determine every permission that follows. – Authentication CSRC

Added October 7, 2026

Authorization — Authorization determines which actions an authenticated identity or other requester receives permission to perform. Systems evaluate roles, policies, and contextual requirements before granting access. An identity might authenticate successfully while lacking authorization to view a particular record or change a setting. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Automated Detection — Automated detection uses computer systems to identify information or activity associated with deception. Such systems examine features of profiles, messages, or accounts and classify them according to learned patterns or established rules. Their performance depends on the quality of their design, testing, and application to actual conditions. — Digital Protection

Added October 3, 2026

Automated Screening — Automated screening examines incoming content or account activity for indicators requiring filtering, review, or intervention. Platforms and email services use screening to reduce exposure to suspicious material before an individual evaluates it. Screening provides a protective layer without establishing that every item passing through it is safe. — Digital Protection

Added October 3, 2026

Automatic agreement — Automatic agreement occurs when a person accepts a request or suggestion without examining its meaning, evidence, or consequences. Emotional pressure and the desire to end discomfort influence this response. A deliberate pause creates room to evaluate the request before committing to an action. — Decision-Making Patterns

Added October 17, 2026

Automatic explanations — Automatic explanations are familiar interpretations that arise with little deliberate examination. A survivor dismisses kindness as politeness or progress as luck before considering the evidence. Identifying these explanations helps reveal how negative expectations remain intact despite experiences that contradict them. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Automatic rejection — Automatic rejection occurs when a person dismisses guidance or a request before examining its relevance. Embarrassment or a painful interpretation sometimes drives the response. Clarification helps a survivor evaluate both the content and delivery of guidance while retaining the right to disagree. — Decision-Making Patterns

Added October 17, 2026

Availability — Availability means that authorized users have timely and reliable access to information and services. Hardware failures, attacks, and operational mistakes threaten this objective. Organizations protect availability through resilient design, maintenance, capacity planning, and recovery arrangements. – Information Security

Added October 7, 2026

Avoidance — Avoidance involves turning away from experiences, feelings, or tasks because they seem difficult to face. It offers immediate relief while leaving the underlying concern unresolved. Persistent reliance on avoidance differs from a deliberate protective decision to stop contact with a criminal. — Coping Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Avoidance — Avoidance involves staying away from experiences, feelings, or responsibilities that produce discomfort. It provides immediate relief but leaves important needs unresolved when it becomes the main response to distress. Recovery requires distinguishing withdrawal from safe activities from appropriate protection against criminals and genuinely dangerous situations. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Backdoor — A backdoor provides an alternative route into a system that bypasses normal security controls. Attackers introduce backdoors through malicious code, compromised updates, or unauthorized configuration changes. Their presence allows continued access even after defenders address the original entry point. – Unauthorized Access

Added October 7, 2026

Backstory — A backstory is the invented personal history that supports a scammer’s fictional identity. Details about employment, widowhood, children, illness, or overseas travel make the character appear believable. Criminals also introduce these details early to prepare explanations for later emergencies and financial requests. — Identity Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Backup — A backup preserves a separate copy of information for restoration after loss or damage. Reliable backup arrangements include protected storage, appropriate retention, and restoration testing. Backups that share the same vulnerabilities as production systems remain exposed to the same incident. – Business Continuity

Added October 7, 2026

Badger Game — A badger game uses a staged compromising encounter to create grounds for blackmail. An accomplice appears as an outraged spouse, investigator, or other threatening figure and demands payment. The offenders exploit fear of exposure, reputational damage, or supposed legal consequences. – Extortion Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Bail Payment Scam — A bail payment scam falsely claims that someone needs money to secure release from custody. The criminal impersonates the detained person or a legal official. The payment funds the deception rather than a genuine release process. – Emergency Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Baiting — Baiting uses an attractive offer or object to encourage a person to take an unsafe action. Examples include deceptive downloads and abandoned storage devices containing malicious software. The attacker exploits curiosity, convenience, or promised rewards to overcome caution. – Social Engineering

Added October 7, 2026

Bank Examiner Ploy — A bank examiner ploy involves criminals pretending to investigate dishonest bank employees or irregular transactions. They persuade the target to withdraw money and surrender it for supposed examination or evidence. The investigation is fictitious, and the criminals keep the money entrusted to them. – Financial Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Bank Impersonation Scam — A bank impersonation scam involves someone falsely representing a financial institution. The criminal claims account problems, suspicious transactions, or urgent security checks. Requests for transfers, passwords, or verification codes enable theft. – Financial Institution Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Banking credentials — Banking credentials are information used to access a financial account, including usernames and passwords. Disclosure gives the criminal information that threatens account security. The victim protects these credentials and excludes them from ordinary email exchanges containing evidence. — Account Security

Added October 18, 2026

Barriers to Treatment — Barriers to treatment are circumstances that interfere with obtaining or continuing appropriate care. They include financial loss, transportation problems, shame, and difficulty completing the steps involved. Identifying these barriers distinguishes limited access from an assumed rejection of recovery. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Behavioral activation — Behavioral activation is a treatment approach for depression that uses planned activities and examines patterns of avoidance. A clinician helps the person reconnect with meaningful responsibilities, relationships, and sources of satisfaction. Its purpose extends beyond keeping busy and includes understanding how behavior affects daily functioning and mood. — Therapeutic Approaches

Added October 14, 2026

Behavioral Analytics — Behavioral analytics examines patterns of activity to identify unusual or suspicious conduct. Security teams compare current actions with expected behavior for users, devices, or applications. Effective analysis considers context because legitimate changes also produce departures from normal patterns. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Behavioral Cues — Behavioral cues are observable actions or expressions that people use when interpreting another person’s state or intentions. Examples include eye contact, pauses, facial movements, and changes in voice. These behaviors do not provide a universal or dependable distinction between honesty and deception. — Deception Assessment

Added October 3, 2026

Behavioral Dissonance — Behavioral dissonance describes a mismatch between a person’s actions and their beliefs, values, or stated intentions. A survivor commits to ending contact but continues checking an account associated with the scam. The term identifies the inconsistency, while understanding its triggers helps the survivor bring behavior into alignment with recovery goals. — Cognitive and Behavioral Process

Added October 7, 2026

Behavioral test — A behavioral test examines a specific prediction through a safe, clearly defined action. The survivor records the expected result, completes the activity, and compares the actual outcome with the original expectation. Useful tests preserve safeguards and examine ordinary situations rather than exposing the person to criminals or unnecessary danger. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Belief Dissonance — Belief dissonance describes discomfort when a person holds incompatible beliefs or encounters evidence that challenges an established belief. A survivor believes the relationship involved genuine commitment while also recognizing evidence of deliberate deception. Examining the evidence helps distinguish the survivor’s real emotional experience from unsupported beliefs about the criminal. — Cognitive Process

Added October 7, 2026

Beliefs About Undeservingness — Beliefs about undeservingness are judgments that a person does not merit comfort, improvement, or assistance. These judgments give neglect or rejection of care an emotional justification. Treatment examines the belief without treating criminal victimization as evidence that further suffering is deserved. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Bereavement-related trauma — Bereavement-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with the circumstances of a death or its aftermath. Violent death, witnessed suffering, or disturbing exposure are relevant contexts. Bereavement and trauma overlap in some cases but remain distinguishable experiences. — Loss context.

Added October 5, 2026

Betrayal trauma — Betrayal trauma refers to trauma involving a serious violation of trust by a person or institution. Dependence on the betraying party is especially important in betrayal trauma theory. The experience combines harm with disruption of an expected source of safety or protection. — Relational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Betrayal trauma theory — Betrayal trauma theory examines the consequences of harm inflicted within relationships involving trust or dependence. It proposes that maintaining necessary relationships sometimes conflicts with recognizing betrayal. Its claims about attention and memory are theoretical propositions rather than universal rules. — Named theory.

Added October 5, 2026

Big Con — A big con is an elaborate confidence scheme involving preparation, coordinated performers, and a convincing fabricated situation. The offenders develop trust before inducing the target to commit substantial resources. Historical versions used staged businesses and apparent insider opportunities to make the deception seem credible. – Elaborate Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Big Store — A big store is a staged establishment that provides a realistic setting for an elaborate confidence game. Criminals furnish it as a brokerage, betting operation, or other apparently legitimate business. Staff, customers, documents, and routine activity create the appearance of independent confirmation for the fraudulent opportunity. – Confidence-Game Setting

Added October 7, 2026

Big-Mitt — Big-mitt is historical slang for a crooked poker game arranged to defraud a participant. The offenders manipulate cards, coordinate their play, or use other dishonest advantages. The target believes the losses result from legitimate competition rather than a controlled scheme. – Gambling Confidence Game soapysmiths.blogspot.com

Added October 7, 2026

Bilk — Bilk means to cheat someone out of money or evade a payment that the person legitimately deserves. An offender accomplishes this through false promises, misrepresentation, or deliberate avoidance. The word describes fraudulent conduct rather than one particular scam structure. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Binary Options Scam — A binary options scam uses deceptive platforms or sales practices involving fixed-outcome trading contracts. The operator manipulates representations, blocks withdrawals, or misappropriates deposits. The trading format supplies the appearance of a legitimate financial opportunity. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Biometric Authentication — Biometric authentication evaluates physical or behavioral characteristics to help verify an identity. Examples include fingerprints, facial characteristics, and voice patterns. Secure implementations protect biometric information and address false matches, spoofing attempts, and practical recovery options. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Birth-related psychological trauma — Birth-related psychological trauma refers to psychological injury associated with a frightening or overwhelming childbirth experience. Perceived threat, loss of control, and experiences of mistreatment are relevant factors. The term concerns emotional consequences rather than obstetric injury itself. — Healthcare context.

Added October 5, 2026

Black Box Testing — Black box testing evaluates a system without giving testers detailed knowledge of its internal design. Testers examine externally observable behavior and available interfaces. This approach helps reveal weaknesses that an outside attacker would encounter, although it provides limited internal coverage. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Black Money Scam — A black money scam claims that valuable currency has been stained or treated for concealment. The criminal demonstrates a deceptive cleaning process and requests money for supplies or release. The supposed hidden wealth consists of worthless material rather than recoverable funds. – Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Blackmail — Blackmail involves threats to reveal sensitive information unless a victim meets the criminal’s demands. Romance scammers threaten to expose private communications or involvement in activities such as moving criminal funds. The threat uses fear of consequences to extract further payments as the victim attempts to leave. — Criminal Coercion

Added October 15, 2026

Blind Contour — Blind contour refers to blind contour drawing, an art exercise that also serves as a mindfulness activity in some therapeutic settings. The person looks closely at an object, such as a hand, leaf, or face, and slowly draws its outlines without looking at the paper. “Blind” refers to the absence of visual feedback from the drawing, not to closing the eyes. The purpose involves careful observation rather than producing an accurate or attractive picture. Its psychological application centers on practicing sustained attention, noticing self-criticism, and tolerating uncertainty or imperfection. Because the person does not watch the drawing develop, the exercise removes opportunities to continually inspect and correct the result. Some art therapists incorporate it into mindfulness work, including practice informed by dialectical behavior therapy, to emphasize observing and participating without immediate judgment. A simple version involves drawing the outline of a leaf for one or two minutes while keeping the eyes on the leaf and moving the pencil slowly. Afterward, the person examines both the drawing and the experience, including urges to check, correct, criticize, or abandon the task. Blind contour drawing is an exercise rather than a standalone psychotherapy, and its use in mindfulness does not establish it as a proven treatment for trauma or rumination.

Added October 5, 2026

Blockchain network — A blockchain network is the system on which a cryptocurrency transaction occurs and its record appears. Identifying the network helps distinguish the transaction from activity involving other systems. The victim records it alongside the asset, amount, addresses, and transaction hash. — Cryptocurrency Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Blocked Funds Release Claims — Blocked funds release claims assert that an agency has frozen money and that a payment will secure its release. Timeshare fraud operators use this explanation while impersonating government employees. The claim creates another reason for victims to send money after an earlier loss. — Fraud Tactics

Added October 11, 2026

Blocklist — A blocklist identifies items that a system rejects or restricts. Examples include known malicious domains, prohibited applications, and abusive network addresses. Because new threats appear continually, blocklists require updates and work best alongside controls that evaluate unfamiliar activity. – Security Control

Added October 7, 2026

Blow-Off — A blow-off is the concluding maneuver through which confidence operators dismiss the target or end the encounter. The offenders provide an explanation that conceals their responsibility or discourages further questions. Historical versions included staged emergencies, apparent police intervention, or manufactured disputes. – Confidence-Game Stage

Added October 7, 2026

Blue Team — A blue team defends an organization’s systems and information against security threats. Its responsibilities include monitoring, strengthening controls, investigating alerts, and responding to incidents. Blue teams also examine defensive weaknesses and improve protection through exercises and operational experience. – Security Operations

Added October 7, 2026

Boiler Room Scam — A boiler room scam uses an organized sales operation to pressure people into fraudulent investments. Callers promote exaggerated returns and urgent opportunities. Persistent contact and scripted persuasion substitute for reliable investment information. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Bootkit — A bootkit is malware that interferes with a computer’s startup process to establish control or persistence. It targets components that operate before or during operating system loading. Its early execution creates serious detection and removal challenges for defenders. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Borrowed identity — A borrowed identity consists of personal details or photographs belonging to someone other than the criminal using them. The fabricated presentation gives the survivor an apparent person to recognize and trust. Discovering the substitution forces a painful separation between the visible identity and the criminal behind the communication. — Scam Mechanisms

Added October 15, 2026

Bot — A bot is software that performs tasks automatically. Legitimate bots support services such as indexing and customer assistance, while malicious bots conduct abusive activity. Security assessment depends on the bot’s purpose, permissions, behavior, and scale of operation. – Automated Systems

Added October 7, 2026

Botnet — A botnet is a collection of devices that an operator controls together, commonly through malware. Operators use compromised devices for activities such as spam, credential attacks, and service disruption. Device owners often remain unaware that their equipment participates. – Malware Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Breeder Impersonation Scam — A breeder impersonation scam uses another breeder’s identity, photographs, or business reputation. The criminal accepts deposits for nonexistent animals. Buyers believe they are dealing with a known professional while paying an impostor. – Pet Purchase Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Bride from Overseas Scam — A bride from overseas scam uses a deceptive marriage prospect involving a person supposedly living abroad. The criminal requests payments for travel, documents, family obligations, or wedding arrangements. The promised relationship provides leverage for obtaining money without delivering the represented commitment. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Browser Lock Scam — A browser lock scam uses a webpage that appears to prevent normal computer use. The page displays threats or fake security warnings. A supplied telephone number connects the target with criminals demanding payment or access. – Technical Support Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Brushing Scam — A brushing scam uses someone’s identity or address to create misleading purchase records and reviews. An operator sends unsolicited merchandise or fabricates transactions. The activity manufactures apparent customer demand without a genuine purchase by the recipient. – Marketplace Manipulation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Brute-Force Attack — A brute-force attack systematically tries possible values until it finds a working password, key, or other secret. Its success depends on search size and available computing resources. Strong secrets and appropriately designed access controls make this approach less practical. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Bubble — A bubble is a protected mental or social environment in which a person’s beliefs receive reassurance while conflicting evidence and challenging perspectives receive limited attention. In scam victimization, a bubble forms around a fabricated relationship, while in recoveriness, it forms around the assumption that participation alone establishes meaningful progress. The comfort within a bubble makes familiar explanations feel sufficient, even when daily behavior and available evidence reveal unresolved problems. Moving beyond a bubble requires examining assumptions, considering constructive feedback, and assessing progress through practical changes rather than reassurance alone. – Psychological Environment

Added October 8, 2026

Buffer Overflow — A buffer overflow occurs when software writes more data into a memory area than that area accommodates. The excess data corrupts adjacent memory or disrupts execution. Attackers exploit some buffer overflows to change program behavior or execute unauthorized code. – Software Vulnerability

Added October 7, 2026

Bullying-related trauma — Bullying-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with repeated aggression involving a power imbalance. Humiliation, threats, exclusion, and intimidation are relevant experiences. Its effects concern enduring disruption in safety, trust, or functioning. — Victimization context.

Added October 5, 2026

Bunco — Bunco is an older term for a swindle or confidence trick. It describes deception that induces someone to surrender money, property, or another benefit. The word also names a legitimate social dice game, so its meaning depends on context. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Bunco Game — A bunco game is a fraudulent arrangement that relies on deception, manufactured trust, or dishonest manipulation. Offenders present the activity as an opportunity, transaction, or fair contest. The target participates without knowing that the operators have designed the outcome for their own benefit. – Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Bunko — Bunko is an alternative spelling of bunco when the word refers to fraud or swindling. It appears in older descriptions of confidence operators and deceptive schemes. The spelling does not identify a different criminal method. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Business Coaching Scam — A business coaching scam sells instruction through false claims about expertise or expected earnings. The operator escalates charges for supposedly essential advanced services. Clients pay for misrepresented guidance without the promised opportunity or support. – Business Opportunity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Business Continuity — Business continuity maintains essential organizational functions during and after a disruption. Planning identifies critical activities, dependencies, responsibilities, and alternative operating arrangements. Cybersecurity contributes by reducing disruptions and supporting continued service when systems or information become unavailable. – Business Continuity

Added October 7, 2026

Business Directory Scam — A business directory scam bills organizations for unauthorized or misrepresented listings. The operator claims someone previously approved the service. Threats of collection pressure the business to pay for an unwanted or nonexistent product. – Business Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Business Email Compromise — Business email compromise uses deceptive or compromised email communications to induce fraudulent business actions. Attackers impersonate executives, suppliers, or other trusted parties to redirect payments or obtain information. Independent verification of sensitive requests helps interrupt the deception. – Social Engineering

Added October 7, 2026

Business Email Compromise Scam — A business email compromise scam uses deceptive or compromised business communications to redirect money or information. The criminal impersonates a trusted workplace contact. Employees act on instructions that benefit the offender rather than the organization. – Business Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Bust-Out Scheme — A bust-out scheme uses a business or credit account to obtain goods or funds before deliberately abandoning payment obligations. The offenders establish apparent credibility and then expand purchases or borrowing. They remove the value while leaving suppliers or creditors with unpaid losses. – Business Credit Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Buyer Overpayment Scam — A buyer overpayment scam sends a fraudulent payment exceeding the agreed price. The criminal asks the seller to return the difference. The original payment fails while the seller’s refund represents real money. – Marketplace Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Calendar Invitation Scam — A calendar invitation scam inserts deceptive events containing alarming notices or promotional links. The criminal uses the calendar’s familiar appearance to attract attention. Following the event instructions leads to fraudulent payments, credential theft, or malicious websites. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Call Center Fraud — Call center fraud involves coordinated telephone operations that use deceptive conversations to obtain money or information. Staff contact prospective victims and present scripted offers, explanations, or payment demands. A professional telephone manner does not establish that the operation conducts legitimate business. — Fraud Operations

Added October 11, 2026

Call records — Call records document telephone or app-based calling activity connected with the scam. They help establish contact details and the sequence of communications. The victim preserves available records alongside messages, emails, and other material showing how the interaction developed. — Communication Records

Added October 18, 2026

Caller identity falsification — Caller identity falsification involves making a telephone call appear to originate from someone or somewhere other than its actual source. Scammers use this deception to support their invented identities and locations. The identity displayed during a call does not independently confirm the caller’s personal story. — Digital Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Captivity trauma — Captivity trauma refers to trauma associated with being confined under coercive or threatening conditions. Loss of freedom, dependence on captors, and inability to escape shape the experience. Its consequences concern psychological injury rather than confinement alone. — Coercion context.

Added October 5, 2026

Car Rental Deposit Scam — A car rental deposit scam collects advance money for a vehicle that the advertiser cannot legitimately provide. The criminal uses deceptive listings and documents. The customer loses the deposit without receiving the promised rental. – Transportation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Carbon Credit Investment Scam — A carbon credit investment scam misrepresents environmental credits and their resale value. The seller claims easy profits or access to a growing market. Buyers receive nonexistent, unsuitable, or effectively unsellable assets. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Care Restoration — Care restoration is the rebuilding of activities and services that sustain health, safety, and everyday life. It includes reconnecting with healthcare and renewing basic personal or household care. Practical help and qualified treatment address different parts of the restoration process. — Recovery Practices

Added October 13, 2026

Carefree disregard — Carefree disregard involves dismissing risks, warnings, or responsibilities to preserve emotional comfort. The person treats caution as an obstacle and proceeds without giving consequences appropriate attention. It differs from healthy enjoyment because enjoyment remains compatible with verification, boundaries, and responsible decisions. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación — Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, abbreviated CJNG, is a Mexico-based criminal organization associated with drug trafficking and other illicit activities. U.S. authorities have linked it to timeshare fraud networks targeting Americans. Its involvement connects apparently ordinary sales calls with a broader organized criminal enterprise. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Cartel Enforcement Group — A cartel enforcement group carries out coercive or violent activities for a criminal organization. The Puerto Vallarta group described by authorities includes individuals associated with assassinations and armed violence. Such groups help maintain criminal power through intimidation rather than lawful authority. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Cartel Threat Scam — A cartel threat scam falsely claims involvement with an organized criminal group. The offender demands payment for alleged offenses, debts, or protection. Graphic threats and personal information create an appearance of immediate danger. – Extortion Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cartel-Linked Companies — Cartel-linked companies are businesses that authorities connect to a cartel through ownership, control, representation, or other supported relationships. They operate under business names and describe commercial activities. Their corporate appearance does not establish independence from the criminal organization. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Cash Courier Scam — A cash courier scam persuades a target to withdraw money for collection by a supposed authorized representative. The criminal invents an emergency or investigation. The courier takes the cash as part of the fraud. – Financial Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cashier’s Check Scam — A cashier’s check scam uses a counterfeit or otherwise fraudulent bank-issued payment instrument. The criminal relies on the check’s apparent credibility. The recipient transfers money or releases goods before discovering the payment is invalid. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Catfish Scam — A catfish scam uses a fabricated online identity to obtain money, information, sexual material, or another benefit. The offender supports the identity with stolen photographs, invented personal history, and deceptive communication. The false identity creates trust that the offender then exploits. – Identity-Based Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Catfishing — Catfishing means creating or using a deceptive online identity to mislead another person about who is communicating with them. The deception includes false photographs, background information, or relationships. Catfishing supports many scams, but the term alone does not establish that financial theft occurred. – Identity Deception

Added October 7, 2026

CBP.gov — CBP.gov is the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency responsible for border security and facilitating lawful trade and travel. It provides information about customs procedures, imports, exports, and entry requirements. The website also publishes warnings about criminals impersonating CBP officers. Its official information helps distinguish legitimate customs procedures from fabricated demands involving packages, fees, or supposed investigations. — Government Border and Customs Resource help.cbp.gov

Added October 2, 2026

Celebrity Romance Scam — A celebrity romance scam involves someone pretending to be a public figure who wants a private relationship. The impersonator promises special access and personal attention. Requests for money involve management fees, emergencies, travel, or supposed investments. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

CEO Fraud Scam — A CEO fraud scam impersonates a senior executive requesting an urgent payment or confidential action. The criminal exploits workplace hierarchy and secrecy. Staff transfer money or disclose information based on fabricated executive instructions. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Ceremonial ending — A ceremonial ending provides a clear point at which the survivor finishes the symbolic exercise. A final sentence and the act of putting materials away establish that stopping point. The ending does not require grief, longing, or unwanted memories to disappear. — Ritual Practice

Added October 18, 2026

Certificate Authority — A certificate authority issues digital certificates that connect public keys with identified entities under established procedures. Browsers and other systems rely on trusted authorities when evaluating certificates. An authority’s trustworthiness depends on its validation practices, security, and operational integrity. – Public Key Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Certificate Pinning — Certificate pinning restricts a connection to a specified certificate, public key, or approved set of related values. An application rejects connections that fail the expected match. This restriction strengthens some trust arrangements but creates operational challenges during legitimate certificate changes. – Connection Security

Added October 7, 2026

Certificate Revocation — Certificate revocation withdraws trust in a certificate before its scheduled expiration. Reasons include private key compromise, incorrect issuance, or changes in authorization. Systems use revocation information to assess whether they should continue accepting the certificate. – Public Key Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

CFO Impersonation Scam — A CFO impersonation scam falsely represents a chief financial officer or equivalent finance leader. The criminal requests transfers, financial documents, or account changes. Apparent financial authority conceals the unauthorized nature of the request. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Chain of Custody — Chain of custody documents who collected, handled, transferred, and stored evidence. The record supports confidence that evidence retains its identity and integrity. Digital investigations use this process to establish accountability and explain how investigators preserved relevant material. – Digital Forensics

Added October 7, 2026

Challenge-Response Authentication — Challenge-response authentication requires a party to produce a valid response to a challenge. The response demonstrates possession of a secret or private key without necessarily transmitting that secret. Fresh challenges help prevent attackers from reusing previously captured exchanges. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Chance Accuracy — Chance accuracy is the level of correct classification expected from guessing under specified conditions. A balanced task with two possible answers produces an expected guessing accuracy of 50 percent. The appropriate comparison changes when the possible answers or their frequency differ. — Research Measurement

Added October 3, 2026

Charity Impersonation Scam — A charity impersonation scam falsely represents a real charitable organization. The criminal copies names, branding, or fundraising messages. Donations reach the offender rather than the organization the donor intended to support. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Checkable Details — Checkable details are specific statements that permit confirmation through evidence beyond the speaker’s account. Examples include an employer’s name, an event date, or a location connected to documented activity. Their value depends on actual verification rather than the mere presence of impressive detail. — Verification Practice

Added October 3, 2026

Checksum — A checksum is a calculated value that helps detect changes in data. Systems commonly use checksums to identify transmission errors or accidental corruption. Ordinary checksums do not provide the same protection against deliberate manipulation as appropriately designed cryptographic integrity controls. – Data Integrity

Added October 7, 2026

Childhood adversity — Childhood adversity includes difficult early experiences such as instability, repeated criticism, broken promises, and rejection. These experiences shape expectations about safety, acceptance, and the consequences of expressing needs. Their influence deserves understanding without treating childhood history as a permanent sentence against trust or recovery. — Developmental Influences

Added October 14, 2026

Childhood sexual abuse trauma — Childhood sexual abuse trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with sexual exploitation or abuse during childhood. Developmental vulnerability and dependence on adults shape its effects. It concerns harm imposed on a child rather than any responsibility of the child. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Childhood trauma — Childhood trauma refers to psychologically harmful or overwhelming experiences occurring before adulthood. Abuse, neglect, violence, and threatening losses are common contexts. Its consequences vary with the experience, developmental stage, available protection, and subsequent support. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Childhood trauma exposure — Childhood trauma exposure refers to encountering traumatic experiences during childhood. It identifies the timing of exposure rather than a uniform symptom pattern. Assessment considers developmental stage, exposure characteristics, and available protection. — Exposure assessment.

Added October 5, 2026

Childhood trauma history — Childhood trauma history refers to the record of traumatic experiences occurring during a person's childhood. It concerns past exposure even when assessment occurs in adulthood. Available information varies because memory, documentation, and willingness to disclose differ. — Assessment concept.

Added October 5, 2026

Choosing Not to Engage — Choosing not to engage is a deliberate decision to withhold participation in an unsafe or unproductive interaction. A survivor declines contact with an unknown sender while addressing relevant account risks separately. The decision protects safety without abandoning necessary responsibilities. — Protective Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Chosen timing — Chosen timing means scheduling the farewell around the survivor’s present needs and expected emotional demands. Preparation leaves room afterward rather than placing the exercise immediately before an important obligation. The survivor retains authority to postpone the ceremony when its demands exceed current capacity. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Chronic trauma — Chronic trauma describes trauma associated with repeated or continuing harmful experiences. Examples include ongoing abuse, persistent intimidation, or prolonged captivity. Its defining feature is sustained exposure rather than one isolated event. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Chronic trauma response — Chronic trauma response refers to trauma-related reactions that persist over an extended period. Continuing symptoms affect emotions, relationships, attention, or everyday functioning. Persistence requires assessment and does not mean recovery is impossible. — Time-related response.

Added October 5, 2026

Cipher — A cipher is an algorithm for transforming plaintext into ciphertext and reversing that transformation with appropriate key material. Its security depends on its design and correct use. Strong ciphers still require suitable configurations, protected keys, and reliable implementations. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Ciphertext — Ciphertext is information that an encryption process has transformed into an encrypted form. A recipient needs the appropriate key and procedure to recover the plaintext. Ciphertext protects content confidentiality but does not automatically conceal communication patterns or other metadata. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Civil Penalties — Civil penalties are consequences imposed through civil or administrative enforcement rather than a criminal conviction. Sanctions violations expose covered persons or businesses to these penalties under applicable law. A civil penalty against an offender does not automatically compensate a fraud victim. — Legal Enforcement

Added October 11, 2026

Civilian war trauma — Civilian war trauma describes psychological trauma experienced by noncombatants during armed conflict. Bombardment, atrocities, forced flight, deprivation, and loss are relevant exposures. Its definition centers civilian experience rather than military participation. — Conflict context.

Added October 5, 2026

Claim — A claim is a statement that someone presents as true. Receiving a message establishes that the statement was made, but it does not establish the accuracy of its contents. Describing information as a claim preserves the distinction between an assertion and verified information. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Clarifying question — A clarifying question seeks specific information about a statement, concern, or suggestion. It helps a survivor understand what another person actually means before responding to an assumed meaning. Questions about the exact concern or missing information support a more informed response. — Communication Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Clickjacking — Clickjacking tricks a person into interacting with an interface hidden beneath or disguised by another interface. The person believes the click serves one purpose while it triggers another action. Browser restrictions and careful interface design help prevent this manipulation. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Clinical assessment — Clinical assessment is a qualified professional’s evaluation of a person’s symptoms, functioning, and treatment needs. It determines the nature of significant difficulties and identifies appropriate care options. Observations from advocates and peers inform support decisions but do not replace this professional evaluation. — Clinical Care

Added October 16, 2026

Clinical competence — Clinical competence is the professional ability required to assess and treat mental health concerns appropriately. It involves qualifications and skills suited to the service being delivered. Personal experience with victimization provides valuable understanding but does not independently establish competence to deliver psychotherapy. — Professional Responsibilities

Added October 16, 2026

Clinical credentials — Clinical credentials are the professional qualifications associated with a clinician’s role and preparation. They help distinguish qualified clinical providers from supporters whose responsibilities involve advocacy or peer assistance. Credentials, professional scope, and the actual service together help establish whether an interaction constitutes psychotherapy. — Professional Responsibilities

Added October 16, 2026

Clinical referral — Clinical referral is the process of connecting a survivor with a qualified professional for assessment or treatment. Supporters initiate this process when symptoms, impairment, or other needs exceed community support responsibilities. Referral responds to care needs and does not serve as punishment for disagreement or slow progress. — Care Coordination

Added October 16, 2026

Clinical Trial Enrollment Scam — A clinical trial enrollment scam falsely offers participation in medical research. The criminal requests fees, documents, or financial information. The supposed trial lacks the represented research organization or legitimate enrollment process. – Health Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Closed container — A closed container holds the chosen symbol outside the survivor’s everyday view. Placing the object inside provides a nondestructive way to mark a boundary around reminders. The container serves the symbolic exercise rather than replacing secure storage for original crime records. — Ritual Materials

Added October 18, 2026

Closing — Closing is the stage at which a property transaction is completed and the required documents and payments are finalized. Fraud operators refer to this stage when promising reimbursement of earlier fees. Mentioning a future closing does not prove that a buyer or genuine transaction exists. — Property Transactions

Added October 11, 2026

Cloud Access Security Broker — A cloud access security broker applies security policies to an organization’s use of cloud services. Its functions often include visibility, access restrictions, and data protection. Organizations use these capabilities to address risks across multiple cloud applications and user accounts. – Cloud Security

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Mining Scam — A cloud mining scam sells supposed access to remotely operated cryptocurrency mining equipment. The operator invents production records and projected profits. Investors pay subscription or contract fees for mining that does not occur as represented. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Security — Cloud security protects information, applications, and infrastructure that operate through cloud services. Responsibilities vary according to the service model and contractual arrangement. Organizations still need secure identities, appropriate configurations, monitoring, and a clear understanding of provider responsibilities. – Cloud Security

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Storage Scam — A cloud storage scam falsely claims a storage problem, shared file, or account limitation. The criminal imitates a legitimate cloud provider. The deceptive process collects credentials or persuades the target to install harmful software. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Code Injection — Code injection occurs when an application treats attacker-controlled input as executable instructions. The attack exploits inadequate separation between data and code. Secure input handling and execution design prevent untrusted material from changing the application’s intended behavior. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Code Signing — Code signing attaches a digital signature to software so recipients can evaluate its source and integrity. Verification detects changes after signing and identifies the associated signing credential. A valid signature does not establish that the software behaves safely. – Software Integrity

Added October 7, 2026

Coercive control trauma — Coercive control trauma describes psychological trauma associated with a pattern of domination restricting another person's autonomy. Surveillance, intimidation, isolation, deprivation, and threats are relevant methods. Its effects arise from continuing entrapment and control rather than one argument. — Coercion context.

Added October 5, 2026

Cognitive Ability — Cognitive ability refers to a person’s capacity to perform mental activities such as learning, remembering, reasoning, and solving problems. Different abilities support different tasks, so difficulty in one area does not establish difficulty in every area. Assessment considers the specific ability involved and the circumstances affecting performance. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Aging — Cognitive aging describes changes in mental functioning across adulthood and later life. Some abilities, such as processing speed, tend to decrease, while accumulated knowledge and vocabulary remain comparatively strong. Cognitive aging differs from dementia and does not automatically indicate a disease. — Cognitive Development

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Analytic Therapy — Cognitive analytic therapy is a psychological treatment that examines recurring patterns in a person’s relationships with others and with themselves. The therapist and client identify how those patterns developed and how they contribute to current difficulties. Treatment emphasizes recognizing problematic patterns and practicing alternative responses. — Psychological Treatment ACAT

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Anthropology — Cognitive anthropology studies how culture influences knowledge, categorization, interpretation, and thought. Researchers examine how communities understand subjects such as family relationships, illness, morality, and social responsibility. The field helps explain why people from different cultural backgrounds interpret similar experiences differently. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Appraisal — Cognitive appraisal is the process through which a person evaluates the meaning and significance of an event. That evaluation includes whether the situation involves danger, loss, opportunity, or a demand on available resources. Appraisal influences emotional responses without necessarily involving a deliberate or fully conscious judgment. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Architecture — Cognitive architecture is a framework describing how mental processes operate together within an organized system. It specifies relationships among functions such as memory, attention, learning, and decision-making. Researchers use cognitive architectures to develop and test explanations of human thinking. — Cognitive Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Assessment — Cognitive assessment evaluates mental abilities through interviews, observations, and structured tasks. It examines areas such as memory, attention, language, reasoning, and planning. A qualified professional interprets the findings alongside the person’s history, health, and daily functioning. — Assessment Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Automation — Cognitive automation uses technologies such as machine learning and language processing to perform tasks involving information interpretation or decision support. Examples include sorting documents, identifying patterns, and responding to routine inquiries. The term describes technological functions rather than establishing that a machine possesses human understanding. — Technology Application

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured psychological treatment that examines relationships among thoughts, emotions, and behavior. The therapist and client identify patterns that contribute to distress and practice more useful responses. Treatment involves active participation and exercises tailored to the person’s difficulties and goals. — Psychological Treatment

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive behavioral therapy — Cognitive behavioral therapy examines relationships among thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It helps a person evaluate interpretations and practice responses that support functioning. Its clinical use requires an approach suited to the individual’s difficulties rather than a demand to replace distress with positive thinking. — Therapeutic Approaches

Added October 14, 2026

Cognitive Bias — Cognitive bias is a systematic tendency in how a person selects, interprets, or remembers information. Such tendencies sometimes favor an existing belief or a familiar explanation over conflicting evidence. Recognizing a bias helps a person examine a judgment, but awareness alone does not eliminate the bias. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Capacity — Cognitive capacity refers to the mental resources available for processing information and completing tasks. Demands on attention, memory, and reasoning affect how much a person manages at a particular time. Capacity is not identical to intelligence, and a difficult day does not define someone’s overall abilities. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Change — Cognitive change refers to an alteration in mental processes or abilities over time. Changes include improvements, declines, and shifts in how a person approaches a task. Understanding a change requires attention to its duration, context, and effect on everyday functioning. — Cognitive Development

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Clarity — Cognitive clarity describes a subjective sense of thinking clearly and following information without excessive confusion. A person experiencing clarity generally finds it easier to organize ideas and identify the next step. The phrase is descriptive rather than a standardized diagnosis or a precise measure of brain functioning. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Complexity — Cognitive complexity refers to the degree of differentiation and integration in a person’s understanding of a subject. A more complex understanding recognizes several relevant perspectives and relationships among them. Complexity does not automatically produce accuracy, because an elaborate explanation still requires sound evidence. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Computing — Cognitive computing describes computer systems designed to assist tasks involving language, learning, pattern recognition, and reasoning. These systems analyze information and produce responses or recommendations based on their design and training. The term does not establish that the systems experience awareness or think like a human being. — Technology Application

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Control — Cognitive control is the regulation of attention and behavior in support of a goal. It includes maintaining relevant information, resisting competing responses, and adjusting actions when circumstances change. This regulation helps a person follow an intention despite distractions or an immediate impulse. — Executive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Decline — Cognitive decline is a reduction in one or more mental abilities compared with a person’s earlier functioning. It involves changes in areas such as memory, attention, language, or reasoning. Persistent decline requires appropriate evaluation rather than an assumption that aging, stress, or trauma fully explains it. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Deficit — Cognitive deficit refers to a limitation or reduced performance in a particular mental ability. The term identifies an area of difficulty, such as remembering information or maintaining attention. It does not describe the person’s worth, character, or complete range of abilities. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Defusion — Cognitive defusion is the practice of relating to thoughts as mental events rather than treating them as unquestionable facts or commands. A person notices a thought such as “Everything is my fault” without automatically accepting its conclusion. The practice changes the relationship with the thought rather than requiring its immediate disappearance. — Psychological Skill

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Development — Cognitive development describes changes in thinking, understanding, learning, and problem-solving across the lifespan. It includes the acquisition of new abilities and changes in how existing abilities operate. Development reflects interactions among biological maturation, experience, education, and social surroundings. — Cognitive Development

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Difficulties — Cognitive difficulties are problems with mental activities such as concentration, remembering information, or organizing a task. These problems interfere with the steps needed to complete ordinary responsibilities. Recognizing their impact supports practical adjustments and appropriate assessment instead of accusations about character. — Cognitive Functioning

Added October 12, 2026

Cognitive Disequilibrium — Cognitive disequilibrium is a state in which new information conflicts with a person’s existing understanding. The conflict creates a need to reconsider an explanation or adjust an established mental framework. In developmental theory, this imbalance contributes to learning through the revision of existing knowledge. — Learning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Dissonance — Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort associated with conflicting beliefs, commitments, or actions. A person sometimes reduces that discomfort by changing behavior, revising a belief, or creating a justification. After deception, the conflict between trusting someone and recognizing their dishonesty illustrates this experience. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Dissonance — Cognitive dissonance describes psychological discomfort associated with inconsistency among beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, or behavior. A survivor experiences this discomfort when evidence of fraud conflicts with a firmly held belief in a relationship. Efforts to reduce the discomfort include revising beliefs, changing behavior, or rationalizing the inconsistency, with different consequences for accepting the facts. — Psychological Mechanism

Added October 7, 2026

Cognitive Distortion — Cognitive distortion is an inaccurate or unbalanced pattern of interpretation that contributes to distress. Examples include treating one failure as proof of permanent inadequacy or assuming knowledge of another person’s judgment. Examining the evidence helps distinguish a painful interpretation from an adequately supported conclusion. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Diversity — Cognitive diversity refers to differences in how people perceive problems, process information, and develop solutions. Those differences arise from factors such as experience, expertise, and approaches to reasoning. A group benefits from diversity when its members evaluate different perspectives constructively rather than assuming that every perspective is equally accurate. — Social Cognition

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Efficiency — Cognitive efficiency describes how effectively a person uses mental resources to complete a task. It considers the relationship among effort, time, accuracy, and task demands. Faster performance does not necessarily indicate greater efficiency if it produces errors or overlooks important information. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Effort — Cognitive effort is the mental work invested in understanding information or completing a task. Unfamiliar, complicated, or conflicting material generally requires more effort than familiar material. Effort reflects the demands of the activity and does not directly establish a person’s intelligence. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Elaboration — Cognitive elaboration is the process of expanding information by connecting it with explanations, examples, or existing knowledge. A learner does more than repeat a fact and instead considers its meaning and relationships. Elaboration supports deeper understanding when the connections remain relevant and accurate. — Learning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Empathy — Cognitive empathy is the ability to understand another person’s perspective or emotional experience. It involves recognizing what someone thinks or feels without necessarily sharing that feeling. This understanding differs from compassion, because a person also uses knowledge of another’s perspective for manipulation. — Social Cognition

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Engineering — Cognitive engineering applies knowledge about human thinking to the design of tools, systems, and work environments. It examines how people interpret information, make decisions, and respond to demands. Its purpose includes improving usability and reducing errors caused by a mismatch between system design and human capabilities. — Applied Research

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Enhancement — Cognitive enhancement refers to efforts intended to improve mental performance beyond a person’s current level. Approaches include training, environmental changes, and proposed biological or technological interventions. Claims of enhancement require evidence that identifies the abilities improved, the duration of improvement, and associated risks. — Cognitive Intervention

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Ergonomics — Cognitive ergonomics examines how mental processes interact with tasks, equipment, and working conditions. It addresses subjects such as workload, decision-making, usability, and human error. A clear interface that reduces unnecessary demands on attention illustrates its practical application. — Applied Research

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Ethology — Cognitive ethology studies animals’ mental processes in relation to their behavior and natural environments. Researchers investigate activities such as navigation, communication, memory, and problem-solving. The field connects questions about animal cognition with the ecological circumstances in which those abilities operate. — Research Discipline digitalcommons.unl.edu

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Evaluation Theory — Cognitive evaluation theory explains how social conditions influence intrinsic motivation, or engagement in an activity for its inherent satisfaction. It emphasizes experiences of autonomy and competence. Within self-determination theory, it examines how feedback, rewards, and controlling conditions affect those experiences. — Motivation Theory selfdeterminationtheory.org

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Fatigue — Cognitive fatigue describes mental tiredness associated with sustained cognitive activity or other burdens on mental functioning. A person experiences reduced willingness or ability to maintain demanding attention and effort. It differs from a simple lack of motivation and requires consideration of workload, rest, and relevant health factors. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Film Theory — Cognitive film theory examines how viewers perceive, understand, remember, and emotionally respond to films. It draws on research about mental processes to explain experiences such as following a plot or identifying with a character. The approach studies how cinematic techniques interact with the viewer’s attention and interpretation. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Flexibility — Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adjust thinking or behavior when information, goals, or circumstances change. It includes considering alternative explanations and moving between different approaches to a problem. Flexibility supports revising a conclusion without treating that revision as a personal failure. — Executive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Fluency — Cognitive fluency is the subjective ease with which a person processes information. Familiar wording, repetition, and clear presentation generally make information feel easier to process. That ease does not establish truth, even when a smoothly presented claim feels convincing. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Function — Cognitive function refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring, understanding, using, and retaining information. These processes include attention, memory, language, perception, and reasoning. Different functions work together during everyday activities such as reading instructions or planning an appointment. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Fusion — Cognitive fusion describes becoming closely entangled with thoughts and treating their content as literal truth or a demand for action. A person experiencing fusion responds to “I am worthless” as though it were an established fact. Psychological approaches addressing fusion emphasize creating distance between a thought and the response to it. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Grammar — Cognitive grammar is a linguistic framework that explains grammar through meaning and general cognitive processes. It treats grammatical structures as meaningful patterns rather than a completely separate system of rules. The framework examines how language reflects attention, perspective, categorization, and conceptualization. — Language Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Hypothesis Testing — Cognitive hypothesis testing describes forming a possible explanation and evaluating it against available evidence. A person compares what the explanation predicts with what observations actually show. Sound testing includes looking for evidence that challenges the explanation rather than collecting only supportive information. — Reasoning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive immunization — Cognitive immunization describes a process that preserves negative expectations by dismissing contradictory experiences. A person explains away a respectful response or successful effort so that the original belief remains unchanged. Recognizing this process helps the survivor examine whether contrary evidence receives a fair evaluation. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Cognitive Impairment — Cognitive impairment is difficulty in one or more mental functions that exceeds what is expected in the relevant context. It affects abilities such as memory, attention, language, or judgment. The term describes a problem requiring further understanding and does not identify its cause by itself. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Inhibition — Cognitive inhibition is the suppression of irrelevant information or competing mental responses. It helps a person keep distracting material from interfering with a current task. Inhibition differs from avoiding emotions because its central function involves selecting what is relevant to ongoing mental activity. — Executive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Interference — Cognitive interference occurs when competing thoughts or information disrupt performance on a task. Worry during reading, for example, competes with attention needed to understand the text. The term describes interference with processing rather than proving that the underlying ability has been lost. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Interviewing — Cognitive interviewing refers to methods that explore or support the mental processes involved in answering questions or recalling information. In eyewitness interviewing, structured retrieval methods assist recall, while survey researchers use the term for examining how respondents understand questions. The relevant setting determines which method the term describes. — Interview Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Interviewing Technique — A cognitive interviewing technique is a specific procedure used within a cognitive interviewing approach. Examples include mentally reinstating the context of an event or asking a survey respondent to explain an answer. The technique supports a defined interviewing purpose and does not guarantee that every recalled detail is accurate. — Interview Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Justice — Cognitive justice is the principle that different knowledge traditions deserve recognition and meaningful participation in the production of knowledge. It challenges the automatic exclusion of local, Indigenous, and other marginalized perspectives. Recognition of those perspectives does not remove the need to evaluate factual claims and their practical consequences. — Social and Ethical Framework mdpi.com

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Learning — Cognitive learning emphasizes acquiring knowledge through mental activities such as attention, interpretation, memory, and reasoning. The learner connects information with existing understanding rather than relying only on repetition. This approach considers how information becomes meaningful and usable. — Learning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Learning Theory — Cognitive learning theory explains learning through changes in knowledge, mental representations, and information processing. It examines how learners attend to material, organize it, remember it, and apply it. The term covers several related theoretical approaches rather than one universally accepted explanation. — Learning Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Linguistics — Cognitive linguistics studies language as part of broader human cognition. It examines relationships among language, meaning, categorization, experience, and conceptual structure. Researchers investigate how people use language to organize and communicate their understanding of the world. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Load — Cognitive load is the demand placed on working memory during a task. Following unfamiliar instructions while handling interruptions creates greater demands than completing one clearly explained step at a time. Understanding load helps explain why task design matters alongside the learner’s abilities. — Cognitive Demand

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Load Theory — Cognitive load theory explains how the limited capacity of working memory influences learning. It examines the demands created by the material itself and by the way that material is presented. Instruction informed by the theory reduces unnecessary processing and organizes learning into manageable elements. — Learning Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Map — A cognitive map is a mental representation of spatial relationships or, more broadly, relationships within a conceptual environment. A person uses such a representation to understand locations, routes, or connections. The representation supports navigation or reasoning without necessarily matching every detail of the actual environment. — Mental Representation

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Mapping — Cognitive mapping is the process of developing or expressing a cognitive map. It includes learning how places connect and representing relationships among ideas or beliefs. Researchers also use mapping methods to examine how individuals understand a situation. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Mediation — Cognitive mediation describes the role of mental interpretation in connecting an event with a response. A person’s beliefs, expectations, or appraisal help explain why the event leads to a particular emotion or behavior. The concept does not imply that external circumstances are unimportant or that distress is imaginary. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Model — A cognitive model is a structured explanation of how mental processes contribute to a particular behavior or experience. It identifies proposed relationships among factors such as attention, beliefs, memory, and decision-making. Researchers and practitioners use models to organize evidence and develop testable predictions. — Cognitive Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive model of PTSD — The cognitive model of PTSD described by Ehlers and Clark explains persistent distress through interpretations and memory processes that sustain a sense of current threat. Negative meanings assigned to a traumatic experience influence how the person understands present circumstances. The model does not establish that every scam victim has PTSD. — Psychological Models

Added October 14, 2026

Cognitive Neuropsychology — Cognitive neuropsychology examines mental processes through patterns of preserved and impaired abilities, particularly following brain damage or neurological illness. Researchers use those patterns to investigate how cognitive functions are organized. The field contributes to theories of normal cognition as well as understanding particular difficulties. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Neuroscience — Cognitive neuroscience studies how brain processes support mental activities such as memory, attention, language, and decision-making. It combines methods from psychology, neuroscience, and related disciplines. Findings connect mental functioning with biological processes without reducing a person’s experience to a single brain region. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Offloading — Cognitive offloading is the use of external tools or actions to reduce demands on internal mental processing. Writing an appointment in a calendar or using a checklist provides an external support for memory. Offloading is a practical strategy and does not itself indicate a cognitive disorder. — Cognitive Strategy

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Overload — Cognitive overload occurs when a task places greater demands on mental processing than a person effectively manages at that moment. Confusion, missed steps, and difficulty retaining information are possible signs. Reducing simultaneous demands and simplifying instructions addresses the task burden without assigning blame to the person. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Penetration — Cognitive penetration is the proposed influence of beliefs, expectations, or other cognitive states on perceptual experience itself. The concept differs from interpreting or judging something after perceiving it. Researchers and philosophers debate its extent and how to distinguish it from effects involving attention, memory, or judgment. — Perception Theory plato.stanford.edu

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Performance — Cognitive performance is how a person carries out a mental task under particular conditions. It includes observable results such as accuracy, speed, and completion. Performance reflects both underlying abilities and circumstances such as distraction, fatigue, and task familiarity. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Plasticity — Cognitive plasticity is the capacity for mental functioning to change through experience, learning, and adaptation. It includes changes in strategies and improvements in particular abilities. Plasticity does not mean that every difficulty is reversible or that every form of practice produces broad improvement. — Cognitive Development

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Poetics — Cognitive poetics examines how mental processes contribute to the experience and interpretation of literature. It considers subjects such as metaphor, imagery, perspective, and the reader’s construction of meaning. The field connects literary analysis with research and theory about language and cognition. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Pragmatics — Cognitive pragmatics studies the mental processes involved in understanding language within a particular context. It examines how listeners infer intentions and meanings beyond the literal words spoken. Understanding an indirect request or recognizing what a speaker implies illustrates the processes it investigates. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Processing — Cognitive processing refers to the mental operations through which a person receives, interprets, organizes, stores, and uses information. These operations involve interacting abilities rather than one isolated function. The term applies to activities such as understanding a message, recognizing a pattern, or evaluating a choice. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Processing Therapy — Cognitive processing therapy is a structured treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder that addresses distressing beliefs associated with trauma. The therapist helps the person examine conclusions involving subjects such as blame, safety, trust, and control. Treatment supports more balanced interpretations without denying the reality of the traumatic event. — Psychological Treatment ptsd.va.gov

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Processing Therapy — Cognitive Processing Therapy is a trauma-focused treatment that examines beliefs connected to traumatic experiences. It addresses areas such as safety, trust, control, esteem, and intimacy. A qualified clinician assesses whether the treatment fits the survivor’s symptoms and helps examine conclusions that extend beyond the evidence. — Therapeutic Approaches

Added October 14, 2026

Cognitive Psychology — Cognitive psychology studies mental processes such as attention, memory, perception, language, reasoning, and problem-solving. Researchers investigate how people acquire and use information. The field provides evidence about thinking processes rather than evaluating a person’s moral character or worth. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Reappraisal — Cognitive reappraisal is the reinterpretation of a situation to change its emotional significance. A person examines whether an initial meaning accurately reflects the available information. Reappraisal differs from pretending that harm did not occur because it seeks a more useful and evidence-based understanding. — Emotional Regulation Skill

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Recovery — Cognitive recovery describes improvement in mental functioning following a period of difficulty, illness, injury, or disruption. Progress includes changes such as clearer attention, better memory, or more effective planning. The term describes an outcome or process rather than a single treatment with a fixed timeline. — Recovery Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Reflection — Cognitive reflection is the tendency or ability to reconsider an immediate answer before accepting it. A person pauses to examine whether an intuitive response withstands further reasoning. Reflection supports deliberate judgment but does not guarantee that the final conclusion will be correct. — Reasoning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Rehabilitation — Cognitive rehabilitation is a structured approach to improving everyday functioning affected by cognitive difficulties. It combines strategies aimed at strengthening skills with methods that compensate for persistent limitations. Goals focus on meaningful activities such as managing appointments, completing work, or following daily routines. — Rehabilitation Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy — Cognitive rehabilitation therapy is the delivery of planned therapeutic interventions for cognitive difficulties. Practitioners select exercises, compensatory strategies, and environmental adaptations according to assessed needs. The phrase substantially overlaps with cognitive rehabilitation and emphasizes its provision as a treatment service. — Psychological and Rehabilitation Treatment

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Remediation — Cognitive remediation uses structured practice and strategies to improve targeted cognitive skills. Programs address areas such as attention, memory, or executive functioning and sometimes include support for applying skills in daily life. Improvement on a practiced exercise does not automatically establish improvement across unrelated activities. — Cognitive Intervention

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Reserve — Cognitive reserve refers to the adaptability of cognitive processes that helps explain differences in functioning despite comparable brain changes. It concerns how efficiently or flexibly a person uses available mental resources. The concept does not mean that someone is immune to neurological disease or other cognitive difficulties. — Cognitive Resilience Framework

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Reserve Hypothesis — The cognitive reserve hypothesis proposes that differences in cognitive adaptability help explain why similar brain pathology produces different levels of impairment. Researchers examine factors such as education, occupation, and mentally engaging experiences in relation to reserve. The hypothesis describes a framework for explaining variation rather than a guarantee of protection for an individual. — Cognitive Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Resilience — Cognitive resilience describes maintaining or regaining effective mental functioning despite adversity or disruption. Depending on the research context, it involves adaptation to stress, aging, illness, or brain changes. The term does not imply that a resilient person never struggles or requires assistance. — Recovery Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Restructuring — Cognitive restructuring is a structured method for identifying, evaluating, and revising unhelpful interpretations. A person examines the evidence for a thought and develops a more balanced alternative. The method does not require replacing every painful thought with a positive statement. — Psychological Skill

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Rigidity — Cognitive rigidity is difficulty adjusting a belief, strategy, or response when circumstances or evidence change. A person continues using the same approach despite information indicating that another approach is needed. The term describes a pattern of thinking rather than a complete or permanent identity. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Schema — A cognitive schema is an organized mental framework that helps a person interpret information and anticipate what happens next. Schemas develop through learning and experience and influence what a person notices or remembers. A schema becomes problematic when it repeatedly imposes an inaccurate interpretation on new situations. — Mental Representation

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Science — Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of minds, intelligence, and information processing. It draws on psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, and anthropology. The field investigates cognition across several levels rather than relying on one disciplinary explanation. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Screening — Cognitive screening is a brief evaluation used to identify signs of possible cognitive difficulty. Screening tools sample selected abilities and help determine whether further assessment is appropriate. A screening result does not establish a complete diagnosis or explain the cause of a difficulty. — Assessment Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Semantics — Cognitive semantics studies meaning through conceptual structures and broader cognitive processes. It examines how experience, categorization, metaphor, and perspective shape language understanding. The approach treats meaning as connected to human conceptualization rather than solely to dictionary definitions. — Language Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Sociology — Cognitive sociology studies how social life shapes thinking, perception, memory, and categorization. It examines shared assumptions and mental practices within groups, institutions, and communities. The field explains how understanding reflects social participation as well as individual mental activity. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Stimulation — Cognitive stimulation involves activities that engage several mental abilities through meaningful participation. Examples include discussion, word activities, practical tasks, and shared problem-solving. It differs from narrowly targeted training because it generally emphasizes broad engagement rather than repeated practice of one skill. — Cognitive Intervention

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Strategy — A cognitive strategy is a deliberate approach used to support thinking, learning, remembering, or problem-solving. Examples include grouping related information, summarizing a lesson, and checking an answer against evidence. The usefulness of a strategy depends on its fit with the task and the person’s needs. — Cognitive Strategy

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Style — Cognitive style refers to a characteristic way of approaching information and mental tasks. It concerns preferences or tendencies in processing rather than a fixed level of ability. The concept does not establish that a person learns effectively only through one presentation format. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Symptoms — Cognitive symptoms are experienced or observed difficulties involving mental functions such as attention, memory, language, or reasoning. A person reports symptoms through examples such as losing track of instructions or struggling to find words. The symptoms require contextual understanding because different conditions produce similar complaints. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Task — A cognitive task is an activity that requires mental processing to achieve an objective. Reading a paragraph, comparing prices, remembering a name, and planning a route are examples. The particular task determines which abilities and resources are most relevant. — Cognitive Activity

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Task Analysis — Cognitive task analysis is a systematic method for identifying the knowledge and mental processes required to perform a task. Researchers examine decisions, judgments, attention demands, and strategies used by experienced performers. Findings inform training, system design, and the identification of potential errors. — Assessment and Design Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Testing — Cognitive testing uses structured tasks to measure selected mental abilities. Tests examine functions such as memory, processing speed, reasoning, or attention under specified conditions. Interpretation considers the person’s background and the test’s limitations rather than relying on a score alone. — Assessment Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Therapy — Cognitive therapy is a psychological treatment that emphasizes the relationship between interpretations and emotional or behavioral difficulties. The therapist and client examine beliefs and evaluate them against evidence and experience. The approach includes practical methods for developing more balanced thinking and useful behavior. — Psychological Treatment

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Training — Cognitive training involves repeated, structured practice intended to improve particular mental abilities. Exercises target functions such as attention, memory, or processing speed. Gains on trained activities do not establish that all everyday cognitive abilities improve to the same degree. — Cognitive Intervention National Institute on Aging

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Transfer — Cognitive transfer is the application of learning or skills from one task or setting to another. Near transfer involves similar tasks, while far transfer involves more substantially different activities. Claims of transfer require evidence beyond improved performance on the original exercise. — Learning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Unconscious — The cognitive unconscious refers to mental processing that occurs outside conscious awareness. Such processing includes aspects of perception, learned associations, and automatic information handling. The concept differs from treating every unconscious process as a hidden wish or repressed memory. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Vulnerability — Cognitive vulnerability refers to patterns of thinking or information processing associated with greater susceptibility to a particular difficulty. Examples include persistent negative interpretations or strong sensitivity to specific types of information. Vulnerability is a risk-related concept and does not establish that harm is inevitable or the person is responsible for it. — Vulnerability Factor

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Walkthrough — A cognitive walkthrough is a usability evaluation method that examines the steps a person takes to complete a task. Evaluators consider whether users recognize the appropriate action and understand the resulting feedback. The method identifies design obstacles, particularly those affecting a new or unfamiliar user. — Assessment and Design Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Workload — Cognitive workload is the mental demand associated with completing an activity under particular conditions. It reflects interactions among task complexity, time pressure, available support, and the person’s resources. Evaluating workload helps identify when a task requires redesign or additional assistance. — Cognitive Demand

Added October 3, 2026

Coherent Guidance — Coherent guidance provides a consistent direction for recovery rather than conflicting instructions. A therapist and an established support provider contribute within their respective roles. Clear guidance helps a survivor understand the next step and discuss obstacles without repeatedly changing approaches. — Support and Treatment

Added October 12, 2026

Cold Poke — A cold poke is a prepared wallet, packet, or apparent bundle of valuables that supports a confidence trick. The contents create an impression of value that exceeds what the target will actually receive. A substitution or deceptive presentation allows the offenders to exchange worthless material for genuine money. – Confidence-Game Prop

Added October 7, 2026

Collaborative planning — Collaborative planning involves the survivor and supporter developing a practical response together. The survivor participates in selecting the action, timing, and assistance required. This shared process respects personal choice while connecting support conversations with manageable activity outside the meeting. — Support Methods

Added October 16, 2026

Collapse of confidence — Collapse of confidence describes a sharp loss of belief in personal competence after a setback. A survivor interprets one disappointing financial outcome as evidence that their judgment is permanently damaged. Rebuilding confidence requires addressing the particular difficulty without allowing it to define every future decision. — Functional Difficulties

Added October 15, 2026

Collapse of routine — Collapse of routine occurs when established daily activities lose their timing, consistency, or organizing purpose. Job loss or another crisis disrupts the structure supporting sleep, meals, contact, and responsibilities. Restoring dependable activities becomes an immediate recovery priority because unstructured days leave more room for repetitive distress. — Functional Difficulties

Added October 15, 2026

Collectibles Investment Scam — A collectibles investment scam markets objects using fabricated scarcity, provenance, or resale prospects. The promoter treats uncertain or nonexistent demand as reliable profit. Buyers pay inflated prices or purchase objects that never arrive. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Collective Attachment — Collective attachment describes the shared emotional connection that members develop toward a community and its relationships. Members value the group as a source of belonging, continuity, and mutual support. This connection strengthens participation, but it also creates conflict when members treat their shared attachment as a right to control the community. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Collective Judgment — Collective judgment involves evaluating information with contributions from several people rather than relying on one person’s interpretation. Different observers contribute knowledge, questions, and perspectives that expose overlooked problems. A group strengthens judgment when its members examine evidence rather than simply reinforce one another’s assumptions. — Social Protection

Added October 3, 2026

Collective Psychological Ownership — Collective psychological ownership describes a shared feeling that a community, place, or other valued resource belongs to a particular group. Members support this belief through their contributions, shared history, or earlier involvement. This feeling encourages responsibility for the community, while exclusive ownership claims create disputes about who has the right to make decisions. — Psychological Mechanism

Added October 6, 2026

Collective trauma — Collective trauma describes a shared disruption affecting a group's security, identity, or social life after overwhelming events. War, mass violence, and catastrophic disasters are examples. Individual members experience different effects even when the event becomes part of a shared history. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Colonial trauma — Colonial trauma describes psychological and collective harm associated with colonization and its continuing consequences. Forced displacement, cultural suppression, family separation, and organized violence are relevant experiences. The term connects historical processes with contemporary distress and disrupted identity. — Historical context.

Added October 5, 2026

Combat trauma — Combat trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with participation in or direct exposure to combat. Threatened death, witnessed casualties, and violent encounters are central contexts. It is an exposure description rather than a synonym for every form of military distress. — Conflict context.

Added October 5, 2026

Command and Control — Command and control describes the infrastructure and communications an attacker uses to direct compromised systems. Those channels deliver instructions and often transfer stolen information. Defenders investigate unusual communications to identify compromised devices and disrupt the attacker’s operations. – Malware Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Command Injection — Command injection occurs when software allows untrusted input to alter commands that an operating system or interpreter executes. Attackers exploit weak separation between input and command structure. Safer interfaces and strict execution controls reduce this risk. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Commitment and Consistency — Commitment and consistency describe the tendency to align current actions with earlier decisions or stated positions. A person who has invested trust, time, or money sometimes feels pressure to maintain that commitment despite contradictory information. Recognizing this pressure helps distinguish a previous choice from a present obligation to continue. — Psychological Influence

Added October 3, 2026

Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures — Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, or CVE, provides standardized identifiers for publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. A CVE record helps different organizations discuss the same weakness consistently. The identifier itself does not express severity or establish an organization’s exposure. – Vulnerability Management

Added October 7, 2026

Common Vulnerability Scoring System — The Common Vulnerability Scoring System, or CVSS, provides a structured method for describing vulnerability severity. Its metrics address characteristics such as exploitation conditions and technical impacts. Organizations combine these scores with operational context because severity alone does not establish overall risk. – Vulnerability Assessment first.org

Added October 7, 2026

Community boundaries — Community boundaries are the rules that define acceptable conduct and the limits of participation within a support setting. They address behavior such as harassment, threats, unauthorized financial requests, and repeated violations. Leaders apply these boundaries to identifiable conduct rather than treating distress or disagreement as misconduct. — Community Governance

Added October 16, 2026

Community trauma — Community trauma refers to trauma affecting people within a connected neighborhood or community. Violence, disaster, or repeated victimization disrupts relationships and expectations of safety. The concept includes both individual distress and damage to community life. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Community violence trauma — Community violence trauma describes psychological trauma associated with violence occurring in a person's surrounding community. Direct victimization, witnessing violence, and repeated exposure to serious threat are relevant pathways. It affects expectations of safety in everyday public life. — Violence context.

Added October 5, 2026

Compelled repetition — Compelled repetition describes feeling driven to perform the ritual again until it feels right. This pattern differs from completing one chosen action and accepting the feelings that follow. The survivor stops the exercise and discusses the response with a therapist when repetition becomes a demand. — Recovery Monitoring

Added October 18, 2026

Compensating Control — A compensating control addresses a security requirement through an alternative measure when the preferred measure is impractical. It should provide suitable protection against the relevant risk. Organizations document its rationale, limitations, and continued effectiveness rather than treating it as a permanent exemption. – Security Control

Added October 7, 2026

Compensation eligibility — Compensation eligibility means meeting a program’s requirements for financial assistance with qualifying crime-related expenses. Rules and covered expenses differ among programs. A police report does not automatically establish eligibility or guarantee reimbursement of money lost through fraud. — Victim Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Competing Needs — Competing needs are simultaneous emotional demands that pull behavior in different directions. A survivor seeks escape from present suffering while longing for a secure future. Understanding both demands explains why expressed hope and deteriorating daily care sometimes exist together. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Complete message export — A complete message export preserves an available conversation record outside its original messaging display. It contributes to documenting what happened alongside original files and relevant screenshots. The survivor checks that the saved record opens and contains the intended information before changing access to everyday reminders. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Complex trauma — Complex trauma describes repeated, pervasive traumatic experiences and their interacting psychological consequences. Interpersonal abuse and profound neglect are important examples, especially during development. The term describes an exposure and impact pattern and is distinct from a formal diagnosis of complex PTSD. [Source](https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma) — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Complex trauma framework — Complex trauma framework organizes understanding of interacting consequences following repeated or pervasive traumatic experiences. It considers exposure patterns, regulation, relationships, self-concept, and functioning. Specific frameworks differ and should not be treated as interchangeable with complex PTSD criteria. — Conceptual framework.

Added October 5, 2026

Con Game — A con game is a shortened expression for a confidence game. The operator uses deceptive claims and manufactured credibility to obtain something of value. The term covers both brief encounters and complex schemes involving sustained manipulation. – Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Concentration Difficulties — Concentration difficulties involve trouble sustaining attention on information or an activity. A survivor loses track of instructions or struggles to remain focused on paperwork. Shorter tasks, written information, and discussion with a professional help address the practical impact. — Cognitive Functioning

Added October 12, 2026

Concert Ticket Scam — A concert ticket scam sells nonexistent, invalid, duplicated, or misrepresented admission rights. The seller uses urgent availability and attractive pricing. Buyers lose money and discover the tickets do not provide the promised entry. – Ticketing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Conditional affection — Conditional affection describes a demand that links apparent care or attachment to compliance. A person presents payment or another action as necessary to prove love or preserve the relationship. Recognizing this condition helps a survivor examine the demand separately from the fear of losing affection. — Pressure Tactics

Added October 17, 2026

Confidence Game — A confidence game obtains money or another benefit by gaining and then abusing someone’s trust. The offender constructs a believable relationship, opportunity, or situation that encourages participation. The resulting transaction serves the offender’s concealed purpose rather than the arrangement the target understood. – Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Confidence Man — A confidence man is an offender who develops trust as a means of defrauding another person. He presents himself as credible, helpful, knowledgeable, or personally connected to the target. The historical term describes a criminal role, while contemporary confidence operators include people of every gender. – Offender Role

Added October 7, 2026

Confidence Trick — A confidence trick uses a persuasive deception to induce someone to surrender money, property, information, or access. The offender supplies apparent reasons to trust the proposed action. The target’s cooperation follows a false understanding that the offender deliberately created. – Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Confidentiality — Confidentiality protects information against unauthorized access or disclosure. Organizations apply access restrictions, encryption, and handling procedures to preserve this protection. Confidentiality concerns who receives information, while other security objectives address its accuracy and continued availability. – Information Security

Added October 7, 2026

Configuration Management — Configuration management tracks and controls the settings and components of systems. It helps organizations maintain approved arrangements and understand changes over time. Security benefits include fewer unintended exposures, clearer accountability, and more reliable restoration after problems. – Security Administration

Added October 7, 2026

Confirmation Bias — Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information supporting an existing belief while discounting information that challenges it. A person who trusts an online contact sometimes interprets suspicious details in ways that preserve that trust. Deliberately examining contradictory evidence supports a more balanced assessment. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Congress.gov — Congress.gov is the official website for United States federal legislative information, maintained by the Library of Congress. It provides bill texts, summaries, legislative actions, voting information, and congressional records. Its status information helps readers distinguish proposed legislation from legislation that has become law. Scam victims and advocates use it to examine federal proposals and laws concerning fraud, consumer protection, and victim assistance. — Government Legislative Research Resource Library of Congress

Added October 2, 2026

Considered Response — A considered response follows examination of the situation, relevant facts, and likely consequences. It gives feelings attention without allowing urgency to determine the entire decision. The response addresses an actual need through an action that fits the circumstances. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Constructed relationship — A constructed relationship is an apparent personal bond that criminals build through deception. The survivor experiences genuine attachment while the criminal supplies a fabricated identity, scripted affection, and false promises. Discovery brings grief for both the believed relationship and the future organized around it. — Scam Mechanisms

Added October 15, 2026

Constructive feedback — Constructive feedback identifies a specific behavior, explains its consequences, and supports a useful next step. It helps survivors examine decisions without turning a difficulty into a judgment about personal worth. Effective feedback combines direct guidance with respect and an opportunity for clarification. — Support Methods

Added October 16, 2026

Container Security — Container security protects packaged applications and the environments that run them. It addresses image contents, privileges, runtime behavior, and shared infrastructure. Organizations reduce risk by controlling dependencies, limiting permissions, and maintaining both containers and their underlying hosts. – Infrastructure Security

Added October 7, 2026

Content Security Policy — Content Security Policy allows a website to instruct browsers about permitted content sources and related behavior. The policy helps restrict unauthorized scripts and other risky content. Effective policies supplement secure coding rather than replacing corrections for underlying application vulnerabilities. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Continuing grief — Continuing grief describes sadness and other feelings that remain after the symbolic farewell. These feelings do not invalidate the survivor’s decision or establish that the ceremony failed. Recovery allows acknowledgment of the loss without imposing a deadline for emotional change. — Grief and Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Continuity of support — Continuity of support is the organized connection between successive conversations, agreed actions, and appropriate services. Clear summaries, necessary records, and follow-up help supporters maintain that connection. Continuity also requires realistic commitments that match the organization’s responsibilities and available resources. — Care Coordination

Added October 16, 2026

Continuous Monitoring — Continuous monitoring maintains ongoing awareness of security conditions through recurring or automated observation. It examines assets, configurations, threats, and control performance. The approach helps organizations detect changes promptly and respond before weaknesses develop into larger incidents. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Contrary evidence — Contrary evidence is information that challenges an existing expectation or conclusion. A thoughtful response contradicts a prediction of automatic dismissal, while a completed task challenges a prediction that effort accomplishes nothing. Accurate judgment acknowledges what the evidence demonstrates without exaggerating it into a guarantee about the future. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Contrast Avoidance Model — The Contrast Avoidance Model explains worry as a way of maintaining negative emotion to avoid a sudden shift from feeling good to feeling bad. Emotional discomfort becomes familiar, while unexpected disappointment feels especially threatening. Its application to some survivors offers an interpretation of coping rather than a separate scam-related diagnosis. — Psychological Models

Added October 14, 2026

Contribution Quality — Contribution quality describes the usefulness, relevance, and care that members bring to community discussions. In a recovery community, thoughtful contributions support understanding, respect established boundaries, and help other members participate meaningfully. The quality of a contribution depends on its value to the community rather than the contributor’s popularity or length of membership. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Controlled Entities — Controlled entities are organizations whose decisions or operations another party directs. Control and ownership describe different relationships, even when they overlap. OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule concerns ownership, so control alone does not automatically trigger blocking under that particular rule. — Financial Sanctions Office of Foreign Assets Control

Added October 11, 2026

Controlled Laboratory Conditions — Controlled laboratory conditions are research settings in which investigators regulate selected features of a task or situation. Participants receive standardized instructions, materials, or exposure so researchers identify relationships among the factors being studied. Results require careful interpretation before application to prolonged, emotionally involving criminal deception. — Research Method

Added October 3, 2026

Controlling behavior — Controlling behavior involves demands that restrict a victim’s time, attention, or contact with others. A scammer questions absences, expects constant availability, or acts possessively to maintain influence. These demands place the criminal at the center of the victim’s daily life and weaken outside connections. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Convincer — A convincer is an event, payment, demonstration, or other apparent proof that makes a fraudulent claim seem credible. An offender supplies an initial success to strengthen the target’s confidence. The apparent proof supports the larger deception rather than independently establishing that the opportunity is genuine. – Credibility-Building Tactic

Added October 7, 2026

Coordinated Care — Coordinated care connects the work of medical, mental health, and established support providers. Each contributor addresses needs within an appropriate role while maintaining a coherent direction. Coordination prevents practical risks and emotional difficulties from being treated as unrelated concerns. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Coping plan — A coping plan identifies agreed responses to distress or a recurring difficulty. It includes practical actions such as pausing, orienting to the surroundings, or contacting an established support person. Supporters help survivors use the plan and review its effects without extending beyond their roles. — Coping and Functioning

Added October 16, 2026

Coping skills — Coping skills are practical ways of responding to distress, disappointment, and uncertainty. They help a person address difficult feelings while maintaining necessary care and responsibilities. Developing these skills reduces reliance on keeping expectations permanently negative as protection against emotional pain. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Coping skills — Coping skills are practical ways of responding to emotional distress and everyday demands. Survivors develop these skills through explanation, chosen practice, and review of what happens outside meetings. Effective support examines whether a skill improves the person’s response rather than assuming that participation alone proves benefit. — Coping and Functioning

Added October 16, 2026

Copyright Violation Notice Scam — A copyright violation notice scam alleges that an account or website infringed someone’s rights. The criminal threatens removal, suspension, or legal consequences. A fraudulent appeal process collects credentials, money, or malicious-file downloads. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Corruption — Corruption involves abusing entrusted authority or influence for improper benefit. Criminal networks use corrupt relationships to support operations, protect participants, or interfere with legitimate institutions. Its role in organized crime extends beyond the individual caller who communicates with a victim. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Counterfeit Goods Scam — A counterfeit goods scam sells imitation products as authentic merchandise. The seller misrepresents brand, origin, or certification. Buyers pay for promised authenticity while receiving unauthorized copies or inferior substitutes. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Counterfeit Prescription Pills — Counterfeit prescription pills are manufactured to resemble genuine medicines while misrepresenting their contents or source. The cartel background describes illicit fentanyl disguised as familiar prescription drugs. Their appearance creates a false impression of legitimacy despite dangerous and undisclosed contents. — Illicit Drugs

Added October 11, 2026

Court Impersonation Scam — A court impersonation scam involves false contact from a supposed court employee or judicial officer. The criminal claims unpaid fines, legal obligations, or missed appearances. Payment demands exploit the apparent authority of the judicial system. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Harvesting — Credential harvesting collects passwords, authentication codes, or other access information through deceptive or malicious means. Attackers use counterfeit login pages, malware, and impersonation to obtain these secrets. Stolen credentials then support unauthorized access and further attacks. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Stuffing — Credential stuffing uses stolen username and password combinations to attempt access across additional services. The attack exploits password reuse rather than discovering each password through guessing. Unique passwords and stronger authentication reduce the value of previously stolen credentials. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Credibility — Credibility is the perceived believability or trustworthiness of a source or statement. Professional presentation, familiarity, warmth, and apparent expertise influence that perception. Perceived credibility differs from verified reliability because a criminal deliberately reproduces those same features. — Deception Assessment

Added October 3, 2026

Credit Card Fraud Department Scam — A credit card fraud department scam impersonates staff investigating suspicious purchases. The criminal asks for security codes, account credentials, or confirmation codes. The supposed investigation becomes the means of authorizing unauthorized access or transactions. – Financial Institution Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credit Privacy Number Scam — A credit privacy number scam sells a number as a lawful substitute for identifying information in credit applications. The promoter misrepresents its legitimacy and effect. The number sometimes belongs to another person or supports fraudulent applications. – Credit and Identity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credit Repair Scam — A credit repair scam promises changes to credit records through deceptive guarantees or fraudulent methods. The operator collects fees without delivering lawful, represented services. Clients lose money and sometimes face additional identity or credit problems. – Credit Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credit Union Impersonation Scam — A credit union impersonation scam uses false contact from a supposed member-service representative. The criminal requests credentials or instructs the member to move money. Familiar institutional details make the fraudulent request appear credible. – Financial Institution Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credulity — Credulity is a readiness to accept claims without sufficient critical examination. The term describes a response to information rather than a measure of intelligence or personal worth. Understanding the circumstances surrounding acceptance provides a more useful explanation than attaching a blaming label to a victim. — Information Evaluation

Added October 3, 2026

Crime file — A crime file is an organized collection of records documenting the scam and subsequent reporting. It brings together communications, financial information, summaries, and agency contacts. The victim stores the material securely and maintains a separate backup of digital records. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Crime organizer — A crime organizer provides a structure for assembling information about the scam. The SCARS RED BOOK serves this purpose by supporting preparation of the crime record. Organizing the information preserves its practical use without requiring the survivor to keep reminders on daily display. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Crime reporting — Crime reporting involves informing the authorities about the scam and the criminal conduct involved. It is one of the protective actions survivors take after recognizing the deception. Reporting places the experience within its proper context as a crime rather than a failed romantic relationship. — Survivor Protection

Added October 15, 2026

Crime script — A crime script maps the actions criminals use to prepare, carry out, and extend an offense. The romance scam script contains nine scenes, including grooming, financial demands, and the aftermath. Scammers move between scenes and repeat earlier tactics whenever a victim questions the story or resists payment. — Crime Analysis

Added October 15, 2026

Crime summary — A crime summary is a brief factual account that introduces the essential circumstances of the fraud. It explains the contact, deceptive claims, resulting actions, financial loss, and continuing risks. The summary gives the receiving officer a starting point while supporting records remain available separately. — Crime Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Crime-related trauma — Crime-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with criminal victimization or exposure to crime. Violence, threats, exploitation, and serious violations of trust are relevant contexts. Its effects depend on the experience and its consequences rather than the legal label alone. — Victimization context.

Added October 5, 2026

Criminal organizations — Criminal organizations are groups that coordinate scams through shared resources, training, identities, and methods. Their members prepare supporting materials and use established approaches to recruit and exploit victims. This organization helps explain how apparently personal conversations serve a broader criminal operation. — Organized Crime

Added October 15, 2026

Criminal Penalties — Criminal penalties are punishments imposed following a criminal conviction under applicable law. They differ from civil enforcement consequences and involve the criminal justice process. Sanctions-related criminal penalties address unlawful conduct rather than guarantee recovery of a victim’s stolen funds. — Legal Enforcement

Added October 11, 2026

Crisis procedure — A crisis procedure specifies the actions trained staff follow when an urgent safety concern arises. It directs attention toward immediate danger and the appropriate professional or emergency response. Supporters follow the procedure rather than attempting to resolve a serious crisis through ordinary group discussion. — Safety and Crisis Response

Added October 16, 2026

Crisis strategy — The crisis strategy uses an invented emergency to make a financial request appear urgent and necessary. Scammers describe accidents, arrests, medical expenses, customs problems, or frozen bank accounts. The resulting pressure reduces the victim’s opportunity to pause, question the explanation, or seek another perspective. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Critical Social Assessment — Critical social assessment involves evaluating another person’s behavior, intentions, and claims rather than relying entirely on a favorable impression. It includes considering inconsistencies and comparing statements with independently available information. Effective assessment separates emotional closeness from the evidence supporting a particular claim. — Information Evaluation

Added October 3, 2026

Cross-border coordination — Cross-border coordination involves cooperation among authorities when relevant crime information or financial activity crosses national boundaries. Police determine which international channels apply to the circumstances. The victim supplies accurate transaction details without assuming that international involvement guarantees recovery or arrest. — Law Enforcement Cooperation

Added October 18, 2026

Cross-Origin Resource Sharing — Cross-Origin Resource Sharing, or CORS, controls how browsers permit websites to access responses from different origins. Servers express permitted sharing through response headers. CORS governs browser behavior and does not replace server-side authentication or authorization. – Web Security

Added October 7, 2026

Cross-Site Request Forgery — Cross-site request forgery tricks an authenticated browser into sending an unwanted request to another website. The target service mistakenly treats the request as an authorized user action. Request validation controls help distinguish legitimate actions from requests that external content induces. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Cross-Site Scripting — Cross-site scripting introduces attacker-controlled script into content that a victim’s browser processes within a website’s context. The script abuses the trust associated with that site. Appropriate output encoding, safe rendering methods, and supporting browser policies reduce the risk. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Cruise Prize Scam — A cruise prize scam falsely announces a complimentary voyage or winning entry. The criminal requests taxes, booking charges, or personal information. The supposed prize does not provide the represented travel benefit. – Travel and Prize Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptanalysis — Cryptanalysis studies cryptographic systems to identify weaknesses and recover protected information without the intended secret. Researchers examine mathematical properties, implementation behavior, and available data. The work helps evaluate whether a cryptographic design provides its claimed protection. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Airdrop Scam — A cryptocurrency airdrop scam promises free tokens to attract wallet connections or payments. The criminal supplies a deceptive claim process. The process steals assets, collects credentials, or demands fees for rewards that never arrive. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency ATM receipt — A cryptocurrency ATM receipt documents activity completed through a machine used for cryptocurrency transactions. It forms part of the financial record when the criminal directed the victim to use that service. The victim preserves the receipt alongside transaction details and the criminal’s instructions. — Cryptocurrency Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Cryptocurrency exchange — A cryptocurrency exchange is a service involved in obtaining, selling, or transferring cryptocurrency. Its records help document transactions associated with the fraud. The victim contacts the relevant exchange promptly to report the incident and ask what action remains available. — Financial Services

Added October 18, 2026

Cryptocurrency Giveaway Scam — A cryptocurrency giveaway scam promises to return more cryptocurrency than a person sends. The criminal impersonates celebrities, companies, or influential investors. The initial transfer reaches the offender, and the promised return never occurs. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Investment Scam — A cryptocurrency investment scam uses false claims about digital-asset trading, returns, or platforms. Criminals display fabricated balances and apparent profits. Withdrawal restrictions and additional payment demands conceal that the victim’s money has already gone to offenders. – Cryptocurrency Scam FBI

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Mining Scam — A cryptocurrency mining scam misrepresents equipment, mining activity, or expected returns. The promoter sells nonexistent capacity or fabricated earnings. Payments fund the operator rather than the represented mining operation. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency payments — Cryptocurrency payments transfer digital assets through systems that scammers use to collect victims’ money. Criminals select these payments because the funds move quickly and are difficult to recover. The payment method forms part of the financial extraction process rather than evidence that the underlying request is legitimate. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Cryptocurrency Recovery Scam — A cryptocurrency recovery scam falsely promises to retrieve lost or stolen digital assets. The operator demands fees, wallet access, or additional transfers. The recovery claim exploits an existing loss to obtain more money. – Recovery Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Rug Pull Scam — A cryptocurrency rug pull scam attracts buyers or investors before insiders remove essential funds or abandon the project. The organizers misrepresent their intentions or safeguards. Participants lose access to liquidity or hold assets with collapsed value. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Staking Scam — A cryptocurrency staking scam falsely offers rewards for committing digital assets to a service. The operator invents the staking arrangement or misuses deposited funds. Apparent earnings conceal theft and withdrawal barriers. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Tax Clearance Scam — A cryptocurrency tax clearance scam claims that a payment must precede release of trading profits. The criminal invents tax assessments or collection authority. The payment goes to offenders rather than resolving a genuine tax obligation. – Cryptocurrency Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency tracing — Cryptocurrency tracing examines transaction records to follow the movement of digital funds. A tracing report does not itself recover money or authorize its seizure. The victim distinguishes transaction analysis from recovery and treats unsolicited paid recovery promises with caution. — Cryptocurrency Recovery

Added October 18, 2026

Cryptocurrency Wallet Drainer Scam — A cryptocurrency wallet drainer scam tricks someone into authorizing access or transfers from a wallet. The criminal disguises the request as a purchase, claim, or verification. The authorization enables removal of digital assets. – Cryptocurrency Theft Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Withdrawal Fee Scam — A cryptocurrency withdrawal fee scam demands additional money to release a supposed account balance. The operator invents administrative or processing requirements. Paying the fee produces new demands rather than access to the displayed funds. – Cryptocurrency Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptographic Hash — A cryptographic hash converts input into a fixed-length value through an algorithm designed for security purposes. Strong designs make selected forms of reversal and collision finding computationally difficult. Hashes support integrity checks and other controls but do not encrypt their inputs. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptographic Key — A cryptographic key is a value that controls an encryption, decryption, signing, or related cryptographic operation. Different systems use secret, private, or public keys for different purposes. Key protection and lifecycle management determine much of the system’s practical security. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptography — Cryptography uses mathematical techniques to protect information and support secure communication. Its applications include confidentiality, integrity verification, and authentication. Effective protection requires suitable algorithms, correct implementation, and careful management of the secrets on which those algorithms depend. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptojacking — Cryptojacking uses another party’s computing resources to mine cryptocurrency without authorization. Malicious software or compromised services consume processing capacity and electricity for the attacker’s benefit. The activity degrades performance and often signals broader security failures. – Resource Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Cultural Dissonance — Cultural dissonance describes tension between different cultural expectations, practices, or understandings of appropriate behavior. A survivor encounters this tension when family expectations about privacy conflict with a recovery community’s encouragement to discuss victimization. Understanding the competing expectations helps explain the conflict without portraying either culture as uniform or inherently harmful. — Sociocultural Experience

Added October 7, 2026

Cultural responsiveness — Cultural responsiveness involves considering how a survivor’s background and circumstances affect understanding, communication, and support needs. It forms part of supporter training and the review of an approach that is not helping. Supporters examine cultural fit rather than assuming that one method suits every member. — Support Principles

Added October 16, 2026

Cultural tradition — A cultural tradition provides established practices that give meaning to significant events. The survivor chooses whether any such practice belongs in a personal farewell. The ceremony does not require borrowing unfamiliar customs or following a tradition that conflicts with personal beliefs. — Personal Meaning

Added October 18, 2026

Cultural trauma — Cultural trauma describes a collective process through which a group interprets a major injury as changing its identity. Public narratives, remembrance, and disputes over meaning shape this process. It is a sociological concept rather than an individual clinical diagnosis. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Cultural trauma theory — Cultural trauma theory examines how societies construct shared meanings around collective injury. It considers public narratives, representation, responsibility, and changes in group identity. Its focus differs from clinical models of individual trauma symptoms. — Named theory.

Added October 5, 2026

Cumulative trauma — Cumulative trauma describes the combined psychological burden of multiple harmful or overwhelming experiences. Later experiences interact with earlier losses, fears, and adaptations. The concept emphasizes accumulated effects rather than evaluating each event in isolation. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Cumulative trauma exposure — Cumulative trauma exposure refers to the total pattern of traumatic experiences accumulated over time. It considers multiple events rather than a single index event. Measures differ in whether they count events, duration, severity, or combinations of these features. — Exposure assessment.

Added October 5, 2026

Current threat — Current threat refers to the perception that serious danger remains present now. A survivor’s interpretation of a past crime influences whether ordinary situations feel unsafe despite changed circumstances. Recovery involves examining present evidence while maintaining protection against actual risks. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Customs Clearance Scam — A customs clearance scam falsely claims that a shipment requires government-related payment. The criminal impersonates customs staff or a shipping intermediary. Fabricated paperwork supports demands for money unrelated to any genuine clearance process. – Shipping Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Customs-Fee Romance Scam — A customs-fee romance scam claims that a romantic partner’s luggage, valuables, or shipment requires clearance. A supposed customs official demands payment from the victim. The shipment does not exist or does not belong to the claimed sender. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cyber Threat Intelligence — Cyber threat intelligence consists of analyzed information about adversaries, attack methods, and relevant security threats. Analysis connects collected observations with an organization’s defensive needs. Useful intelligence guides decisions rather than merely adding large quantities of unexamined technical data. – Threat Intelligence

Added October 7, 2026

Cyberbullying-related trauma — Cyberbullying-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with repeated harmful targeting through digital communication. Public humiliation, threats, impersonation, and persistent intrusion are relevant forms. Digital reach and repeated visibility intensify exposure without determining every person's outcome. — Victimization context.

Added October 5, 2026

Cybersecurity — Cybersecurity protects digital systems, services, and information against threats and unauthorized activity. It combines technical controls, organizational practices, and human judgment. Its objectives include preventing harm, detecting incidents, and restoring trustworthy operations after disruptions. – Security Discipline

Added October 7, 2026

Daily communication routines — Daily communication routines are repeated exchanges, such as morning greetings and nighttime messages, that structure contact with the scammer. These routines make the fictional relationship a regular presence in the victim’s life. Criminals use that familiarity to deepen emotional dependence and maintain attention. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Daily contact — Daily contact is the repeated communication that gives a relationship a familiar rhythm. Morning messages, evening exchanges, and predictable attention become part of the victim’s ordinary expectations during the scam. Their sudden disappearance leaves a disruptive absence even after the survivor recognizes the deception. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 15, 2026

Daily display — Daily display refers to keeping scam-related images in places the survivor regularly sees or opens. Examples include a photograph beside the bed or an image repeatedly viewed on a phone. Removing that display establishes a practical boundary while preserved records remain available separately. — Reminder Management

Added October 18, 2026

Daily Functioning — Daily functioning describes a person’s ability to manage ordinary responsibilities and activities. It includes attending appointments, handling correspondence, maintaining relationships, and completing essential tasks. Changes in this ability provide useful information about the impact of distress and the need for assistance. — Daily Living

Added October 12, 2026

Daily functioning — Daily functioning describes a person’s ability to manage ordinary responsibilities and activities. Relevant areas include handling necessary communications, attending appointments, maintaining routines, and participating in relationships. Supporters track changes in these activities to understand whether assistance improves life beyond the support conversation. — Coping and Functioning

Added October 16, 2026

Dark Web — The dark web includes online services that require specialized software or configurations for access. Some participants use these services for privacy, while others conduct criminal activity. The technology itself does not establish whether a particular service or user acts unlawfully. – Internet Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Darkness — Darkness is a metaphor for the shame, repetitive thoughts, disconnection, and diminished enjoyment that restrict life after betrayal. It represents the influence these experiences exert over daily functioning rather than a separate clinical condition or literal presence. Recognizing its practical expressions helps identify where support and renewed participation are needed. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Darkness-and-light metaphor — The darkness-and-light metaphor contrasts experiences that deepen distress with experiences that support recovery. Darkness represents restricting patterns, while light represents returning connection, routine, clarity, and enjoyment. The comparison makes changes in daily life easier to recognize without requiring every painful feeling to disappear before progress matters. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Data at Rest — Data at rest is information that resides in storage rather than actively moving between systems. Examples include files on drives, database records, and archived backups. Access controls, encryption, and secure storage practices protect it against unauthorized access. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Breach — A data breach involves unauthorized access to or disclosure of protected information. The incident results from attacks, mistakes, or other failures in safeguarding data. Organizations assess the affected information, contain the exposure, and follow applicable response obligations. – Security Incident

Added October 7, 2026

Data Classification — Data classification assigns information to categories according to sensitivity, value, or handling requirements. The categories guide decisions about access, storage, sharing, and disposal. Consistent classification helps organizations apply appropriate protection instead of treating all information identically. – Data Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Data Entry Job Scam — A data entry job scam advertises nonexistent clerical work with attractive pay. The criminal requests fees, equipment purchases, or sensitive information. The supposed administrative position never develops into the represented employment. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Data Exfiltration — Data exfiltration is the unauthorized transfer of information from a system or organization. Attackers use channels such as network communications, cloud uploads, or removable media. Detection focuses on unusual transfers, sensitive content, and destinations outside approved arrangements. – Data Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Data in Transit — Data in transit is information moving between devices, systems, or services. Network interception and manipulation threaten this information during transmission. Properly authenticated encryption helps protect its confidentiality and integrity while it travels between communicating parties. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data in Use — Data in use is information that an application or processor actively handles. Examples include records in memory during calculations or transactions. Protection requires careful access restrictions and secure processing because stored-data encryption alone does not cover every active exposure. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Integrity — Data integrity concerns the accuracy, completeness, and appropriate preservation of information. Unauthorized changes, corruption, and processing errors undermine it. Validation, access controls, and integrity checks help organizations detect changes and maintain dependable records. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Loss Prevention — Data loss prevention identifies and restricts inappropriate exposure or transfer of sensitive information. Tools examine content, activity, and policy requirements across designated environments. Effective programs combine technical detection with clear handling rules and manageable review procedures. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Minimization — Data minimization limits collection and retention to information that serves a legitimate, defined purpose. Organizations avoid gathering unnecessary details and remove information after its useful life ends. Smaller holdings reduce privacy exposure and the potential consequences of a breach. – Data Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Data Recovery Scam — A data recovery scam promises restoration of lost files without the ability or intention to deliver. The operator requests fees, device access, or sensitive data. Invented complications produce additional charges while the promised recovery remains unavailable. – Technical Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Data Remanence — Data remanence is information that remains recoverable after deletion, formatting, or incomplete erasure. Ordinary removal often changes file references without eliminating the underlying content. Appropriate sanitization procedures address these remnants before organizations reuse or dispose of storage devices. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Sanitization — Data sanitization removes or renders stored information unrecoverable to an appropriate assurance level. Methods depend on the storage technology and required protection. Organizations verify the process before releasing equipment that previously held sensitive information. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Dating-App Romance Scam — A dating-app romance scam begins through a dating platform using a false or deceptive profile. The criminal moves communication elsewhere and builds trust. Financial demands emerge after the victim develops expectations of a genuine relationship. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Debt Collection — Debt collection is the process of seeking payment of an asserted financial obligation. Legitimate collection concerns an actual debt and follows applicable requirements. Its appearance within a criminal network requires careful distinction between a genuine obligation and a demand supported by deception or intimidation. — Financial Transactions

Added October 11, 2026

Debt Collection Scam — A debt collection scam demands payment for a nonexistent debt or an obligation the caller has no authority to collect. The criminal uses threats and personal details. Payment satisfies the offender rather than a legitimate creditor. – Debt Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Debt Relief Scam — A debt relief scam promises debt reduction through materially false claims or nonexistent services. The operator collects fees and misrepresents progress. The consumer loses money while debts remain unresolved or worsen. – Debt Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Decision identification — Decision identification involves naming the specific action that requires a choice. A survivor identifies whether to reply, pay, disclose information, attend a meeting, or ask a question. This focus separates a manageable decision from broader distress about relationships, finances, or recovery. — Decision-Making Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Decision outcome — A decision outcome is the result that follows an action or choice. Circumstances and other people’s behavior influence the result alongside the survivor’s preparation. A disappointing outcome does not automatically establish poor judgment, and a favorable outcome does not establish a safe process. — Decision Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Decision Pressure — Decision pressure is the demand to choose while time, emotion, or another person’s insistence limits reflection. It increases the difficulty of checking facts and considering consequences. Preparation and established boundaries reduce the number of decisions a survivor faces under such conditions. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Decision process — A decision process is the sequence used to understand a situation and select an action. It includes identifying feelings, examining evidence, recognizing assumptions, and checking relevant claims. The process remains open to review even when its eventual outcome involves circumstances beyond personal control. — Decision-Making Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Decision review — Decision review examines the reasoning and actions used after immediate concerns have been addressed. The survivor identifies the feeling, assumption, verification step, and selected response. This examination supports one practical adjustment without turning the experience into a judgment about personal worth. — Decision Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Decision stakes — Decision stakes are the potential consequences attached to a choice. Requests involving savings, account access, or personal safety carry greater consequences than ordinary preferences. Recognizing the stakes helps a survivor choose an appropriate amount of checking and assistance. — Risk Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Decryption — Decryption converts ciphertext into readable plaintext through the appropriate cryptographic process. Authorized recipients ordinarily need the corresponding key and algorithm. Successful decryption recovers content but does not independently prove that the content remains authentic or trustworthy. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Deed Theft Scam — A deed theft scam uses deception or forged documents to obtain or transfer property ownership rights. The criminal misrepresents documents or impersonates an owner. The owner discovers unauthorized claims affecting the property. – Property Ownership Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Defamiliarization — Defamiliarization originally names a literary and artistic technique that presents familiar things in unfamiliar ways, prompting people to notice what habit has obscured. Applied to scam victims, it offers a descriptive analogy for the changed perception that follows discovery: familiar messages, photographs, routines, and memories acquire meanings the survivor did not previously recognize. This application describes a way of understanding the experience rather than an established clinical condition. Defamiliarization of the scam experience occurs when the survivor revisits something once understood as ordinary affection and recognizes its role in manipulation. A reassuring message reveals pressure, an apparent emergency reveals a demand for money, or a romantic photograph reveals the use of a stolen identity. The material remains the same, but knowledge of the deception changes how the survivor interprets it, making the previously familiar relationship appear profoundly different. Defamiliarization also offers a useful lens for examining assumptions about trust, intimacy, and credibility. The survivor begins noticing how familiar signals, such as affectionate language or apparent shared interests, acquired authority without independent verification. Its constructive meaning lies in seeing those signals more clearly while distinguishing the criminal’s use of them from their legitimate place in honest relationships, so that greater awareness supports informed judgment rather than universal suspicion.

Added October 5, 2026

Defense in Depth — Defense in depth combines multiple protective measures so that one failure does not expose everything. The measures address different attack stages and security objectives. Effective layering also includes detection and recovery rather than relying exclusively on prevention. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Defense mechanism — A defense mechanism is a psychological process that protects a person from difficult feelings or threatening meanings. Detailed explanations and persuasive justifications serve this function when they create distance from grief, shame, or vulnerability. Their presence requires individual examination because reasoning alone does not establish defensive avoidance. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Defensive pessimism — Defensive pessimism is a strategy that uses low expectations and consideration of difficulties to support preparation. The person anticipates problems, organizes a response, and participates with a plan. Its usefulness depends on whether negative anticipation improves action rather than supplying reasons to withdraw. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Defensive Responding — Defensive responding involves treating a question or comment as an accusation and reacting to protect against perceived criticism. A survivor replies before clarifying the speaker’s meaning. This response creates misunderstanding when the original question concerned assistance rather than blame. — Interpersonal Communication

Added October 12, 2026

Delayed Deterioration — Delayed deterioration is a decline in care or functioning that becomes evident after an interval following discovery of the scam. It differs from distress that appears immediately. Continued attention to daily life remains important even when the initial crisis seems to have passed. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Delayed replies — Delayed replies are responses that arrive later than the survivor expects. A delay in a new relationship resembles communication patterns associated with the scam and revives fear or distrust. The emotional resemblance deserves attention without automatically establishing that the new person is behaving deceptively. — Trauma Responses

Added October 15, 2026

Delayed trauma disclosure — Delayed trauma disclosure refers to communicating a traumatic experience after a substantial interval. Fear, dependence, shame, uncertainty, or lack of safety influence disclosure timing. Delay alone does not establish that an account is false or accurate. — Communication process.

Added October 5, 2026

Delayed trauma response — Delayed trauma response refers to reactions that become apparent or substantially intensify after an interval following trauma. Symptoms sometimes emerge as circumstances, reminders, or demands change. The phrase is broader than formal diagnostic criteria for delayed PTSD expression. — Time-related response.

Added October 5, 2026

Deliberate Pause — A deliberate pause is an intentional break before a response or decision. It creates time for reflection, rest, or assistance rather than leaving the issue indefinitely unresolved. When action remains necessary, the pause includes a clear intention to return. — Emotional Regulation

Added October 12, 2026

Delivery Company Impersonation Scam — A delivery company impersonation scam falsely claims that a shipment requires payment or corrected information. The criminal uses recognizable carrier branding. A fraudulent link collects card details, credentials, or a supposed delivery fee. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Demoralization — Demoralization means a loss of confidence in the ability to cope, find direction, or build a worthwhile future after the crime. It involves feeling defeated, helpless, or unable to see a meaningful way forward, rather than simply feeling sad about what happened. Psychological research identifies perceived inability to cope, hopelessness, and loss of meaning as central features of demoralization. Demoralization after a scam appears in thoughts such as “I no longer trust my judgment,” “Everything I worked for is gone,” or “I do not know how to start again.” Financial consequences, betrayal, damaged relationships, and the collapse of an anticipated future create problems that feel larger than the survivor’s available resources. The person’s sense of incapacity describes their current experience; it does not establish that they lack the ability to recover or that their future holds no possibilities. Demoralization and depression overlap, but they are not interchangeable. Demoralization centers on feeling unable to manage a predicament or identify a meaningful direction, while depression involves a broader clinical assessment of mood, interest, pleasure, and other symptoms. A survivor experiences demoralization without necessarily meeting criteria for a depressive disorder, and both experiences also occur together. The distinction helps explain why someone who still wants a better life nevertheless feels defeated and uncertain about how to pursue it.

Added October 5, 2026

Denial-of-Service Attack — A denial-of-service attack attempts to make a system or service unavailable to legitimate users. The attacker overwhelms resources or exploits weaknesses that interrupt operation. Defensive planning addresses capacity, filtering, resilience, and restoration of affected services. – Availability Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Dental Care Neglect — Dental care neglect involves leaving necessary attention to teeth and oral health unattended. It includes delayed appointments or failure to address symptoms requiring evaluation. Its presence forms part of assessing broader withdrawal from healthcare and the barriers behind it. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Dependable contact — Dependable contact is communication with people who offer consistent, respectful support. It provides another perspective when shame or repetitive thoughts dominate the survivor’s private experience. Maintaining such contact distributes the burden of recovery and preserves access to assistance during difficult periods. — Support Systems

Added October 15, 2026

Dependence on Promised Rescue — Dependence on promised rescue occurs when a person relies heavily on an expected relationship or intervention to make life bearable. Ordinary care becomes something postponed until the rescue arrives. A deceptive promise then gains influence over both hope and present decisions. — Relationship Manipulation

Added October 13, 2026

Deportation Threat Scam — A deportation threat scam pressures a person to pay money to prevent supposed removal from the country. The criminal invents immigration violations or outstanding penalties. Fear for family stability discourages scrutiny of the demand. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Depression — Depression is a mental health condition involving persistent low mood or loss of interest, alongside other possible difficulties in daily life. It differs from a brief period of disappointment. Its possible contribution to difficulty acting requires professional assessment rather than a judgment of laziness. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 12, 2026

Depression — Depression is a mental health condition involving symptoms that interfere with well-being and daily functioning. Relevant difficulties include hopelessness, reduced interest, fatigue, and problems making decisions. Persistent negativity accompanied by these symptoms requires qualified assessment rather than criticism about the person’s attitude. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 14, 2026

Depressive Loss of Motivation — Depressive loss of motivation describes reduced drive to begin or continue activities in the context of depression. Necessary tasks feel difficult to initiate even when their importance is understood. Assessment considers this difficulty alongside energy, interest, and the ability to follow through. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 13, 2026

Depressive Worthlessness — Depressive worthlessness is a diminished sense of personal value associated with depression. A survivor interprets the crime or its consequences as evidence that care no longer matters. The feeling belongs in clinical assessment rather than being accepted as a factual judgment about the person. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 13, 2026

Designated Persons — Designated persons are individuals or entities formally identified under a sanctions authority. In this context, “person” includes a company as well as a human being. Designation subjects the identified party to the restrictions associated with the relevant sanctions program. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Destination account — A destination account is the account to which a payment was directed. Its identifying details help document where the victim sent funds. The victim preserves the account information and recipient name without assuming that the named account holder knowingly participated in the crime. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Destructive Self-Judgments — Destructive self-judgments are harsh conclusions that turn suffering or perceived mistakes into accusations about identity. A survivor treats deception as proof of being disgusting or unworthy. These judgments undermine care without accurately establishing responsibility for the criminal’s actions. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Detention Romance Scam — A detention romance scam claims that a romantic partner faces arrest, imprisonment, or immigration detention. The criminal demands money for lawyers, fines, or release. Additional impersonators sometimes reinforce the invented crisis. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Developmental trauma — Developmental trauma describes trauma occurring during periods when emotional, cognitive, and relational capacities are developing. Repeated abuse or neglect within caregiving relationships is a central example. Its effects concern development, attachment, regulation, and the emerging sense of self. — Developmental context.

Added October 5, 2026

Developmental trauma framework — Developmental trauma framework organizes understanding of trauma around its effects on developing capacities and relationships. Attachment, regulation, cognition, and identity are central domains. The phrase describes a perspective rather than one universally standardized diagnostic framework. — Conceptual framework.

Added October 5, 2026

Device inventory — A device inventory is a written record identifying equipment handed to investigators. It documents what the agency received when a victim submits a phone, computer, or other device. The victim requests an inventory or receipt and clarifies instructions about the device’s handling. — Evidence Submission

Added October 18, 2026

DHS.gov — DHS.gov is the official website of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It provides information about the department’s responsibilities, programs, agencies, and public resources. Its work includes border security, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and protection against threats to the country. The website helps visitors identify the department or component responsible for a particular homeland security concern. — Government Homeland Security Resource Homeland Security

Added October 2, 2026

Diddle — Diddle is an informal verb meaning to cheat or swindle someone. It describes obtaining an unfair benefit through deception or manipulating what another person receives. The word does not identify a particular scam or establish the size of the loss. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Diddling — Diddling describes the act of cheating someone through deception or dishonest manipulation. An offender misrepresents a transaction, withholds an owed benefit, or extracts money under false pretenses. The term is informal and covers conduct that different contexts describe more precisely as fraud or swindling. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Difficulty Beginning — Difficulty beginning is the struggle to initiate a task despite recognizing its importance or wanting to complete it. Distress, exhaustion, and cognitive difficulties require consideration when this occurs. Describing the obstacle accurately helps identify appropriate assistance and a manageable first step. — Daily Living

Added October 12, 2026

Digital Certificate — A digital certificate connects a public key with information about an entity through a digitally signed statement. Systems evaluate the certificate’s issuer, validity, and intended use. A valid certificate supports identity verification but does not establish that a website acts honestly. – Public Key Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Digital Forensics — Digital forensics collects and examines digital evidence through documented, reliable methods. Investigators reconstruct activity from devices, logs, accounts, and other sources. Careful preservation and interpretation help explain events without overstating what the available evidence establishes. – Digital Forensics

Added October 7, 2026

Digital Signature — A digital signature uses cryptographic techniques to support verification of a message’s origin and integrity. A signer uses a private key, and a verifier checks the result with the corresponding public key. The signature does not itself conceal the message’s contents. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Diploma Mill Scam — A diploma mill scam sells credentials while misrepresenting their academic requirements or legitimacy. The operator promises recognized qualifications without the represented education. Buyers receive documents that do not establish the advertised academic achievement. – Education Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Direct Ownership — Direct ownership exists when a person or entity holds an ownership interest in another entity without an intervening company. It differs from ownership through a chain of businesses. Identifying direct owners helps authorities establish relationships between companies and sanctioned parties. — Corporate Ownership

Added October 11, 2026

Direct trauma exposure — Direct trauma exposure refers to personally experiencing a traumatic event. The person is immediately involved rather than learning about another person's experience. Direct exposure remains distinct from the symptoms or diagnosis that follow. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Directory Traversal — Directory traversal exploits inadequate path restrictions to access files outside an intended directory. Attackers manipulate file references to reach information the application should not expose. Secure path handling and appropriate file permissions reduce the resulting risk. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Disappointment — Disappointment is the emotional response to an outcome that falls short of a person’s hopes or expectations. A survivor who associates disappointment with humiliation rejects opportunities to avoid experiencing it again. Recovery includes learning to tolerate the feeling without treating it as proof that hope or effort was foolish. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Disaster Assistance Scam — A disaster assistance scam falsely offers government relief following a storm, fire, or other emergency. The criminal collects application fees or identifying information. The scheme exploits urgent needs for housing, repairs, or financial support. – Government Benefit Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Disaster Donation Scam — A disaster donation scam uses an emergency to solicit fraudulent relief contributions. The criminal displays compelling images and urgent appeals. Donations do not support the represented victims or recovery work. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Disaster Recovery — Disaster recovery restores technology services and information after a major disruption. Plans establish recovery priorities, responsibilities, resources, and restoration procedures. Regular exercises help organizations determine whether their arrangements meet operational needs under realistic conditions. – Business Continuity

Added October 7, 2026

Disaster Repair Scam — A disaster repair scam targets damaged homes following severe weather or other emergencies. The operator collects deposits using false availability or credentials. Urgent repair needs help the offender obtain money without completing the promised work. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Disaster-related trauma — Disaster-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with catastrophic events and their aftermath. Threatened survival, witnessed suffering, displacement, and severe losses are relevant experiences. Continued insecurity and disrupted support influence the resulting distress. — Disaster context.

Added October 5, 2026

Discovery of the mechanism — Discovery of the mechanism is the process of learning how criminals organized and maintained the deception. Information about stolen photographs, scripted messages, and false identities clarifies what happened. The same knowledge also brings renewed grief because it exposes the construction behind experiences the victim understood as personal. — Scam Mechanisms

Added October 15, 2026

Discrimination-related trauma — Discrimination-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with severe or repeated discriminatory treatment. Such experiences threaten safety, belonging, dignity, or access to protection. The phrase does not equate every unfair interaction with a traumatic disorder. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Disenchantment — Disenchantment means the loss of an idealized belief when reality exposes the deception beneath it. The survivor discovers that the supposed relationship, opportunity, or promised future did not possess the qualities the criminal claimed. Disenchantment describes the collapse of that persuasive image and the painful change in meaning that follows. Disenchantment with the scam relationship involves recognizing that apparent affection, devotion, and shared purpose served the criminal’s exploitation. Messages that once offered reassurance now reveal manipulation, while promises that once inspired hope become evidence of deception. The survivor confronts the difference between the emotional significance of those experiences and the criminal’s intentions, without needing to deny that the feelings themselves were genuine. Broader disenchantment occurs when disappointment extends beyond the perpetrator to beliefs about love, trust, fairness, or other people. A survivor moves from recognizing one fraudulent relationship to concluding that every relationship conceals exploitation or that hope itself invites harm. Recovery involves rebuilding expectations that accommodate risk and human imperfection while preserving room for trustworthy relationships and meaningful possibilities, so that the collapse of one false promise does not determine the meaning of the survivor’s entire future. Another way of looking at Disenchantment: this is what happens when your bubble bursts.

Added October 5, 2026

Disenfranchisement — Disenfranchisement describes the denial of recognition, legitimacy, or a meaningful voice in discussions about their own suffering. The word ordinarily concerns deprivation of rights or participation, but its social application highlights how others dismiss victims’ experiences, exclude them from decisions, or treat them as responsible for the crime. Here, the emphasis concerns the loss of acknowledgment and support rather than a specific loss of legal rights. The more precise psychological concept is disenfranchised grief, which grief researcher Kenneth Doka developed to describe losses that society does not adequately acknowledge or recognize as legitimate grounds for mourning. For a relationship-scam victim, this occurs when others dismiss the loss because the supposed partner used a false identity. A statement such as “That person never existed, so there is nothing to grieve” denies the survivor’s genuine attachment, emotional investment, and loss of an anticipated future. The fraudulent identity does not make those experiences imaginary. This dismissal adds social rejection to the original victimization. Instead of receiving understanding, the survivor encounters blame, disbelief, or pressure to stop discussing the experience, leaving less room to process the loss openly. Whitty and Buchanan’s research documents both the emotional consequences of losing the believed relationship and the lack of understanding victims encountered from family and friends. Applied to scam victims, disenfranchised grief identifies the experience of suffering a meaningful loss while others deny that the loss deserves compassion.

Added October 5, 2026

Dislocation — Dislocation describes a disruption in the person’s sense of place, continuity, and direction in life. The survivor’s circumstances no longer fit the life they believed they were living or the future they expected. Here, the word expresses psychological and social upheaval rather than a physical injury, and it describes an experience rather than a clinical diagnosis. Emotional dislocation concerns the gap between the survivor’s established feelings and the reality revealed by discovery. The person still feels attached to the supposed partner, remembers meaningful conversations, or anticipates familiar messages while recognizing that a criminal manufactured the relationship. The routines and expectations remain emotionally significant after the facts have destroyed their foundation, leaving the survivor struggling to locate those experiences within an accurate account of what happened. Social and practical dislocation concerns the disruption of everyday life through financial losses, damaged relationships, changed living arrangements, or abandoned plans. A survivor who loses savings, moves from a longtime home, or withdraws from familiar activities confronts changes in both circumstances and belonging. Recovery involves establishing dependable routines, addressing practical consequences, and developing a future grounded in present reality, gradually restoring a sense of direction without requiring a return to the exact life that existed before the crime.

Added October 5, 2026

Displacement trauma — Displacement trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with forced removal from a home or familiar community. Threat, loss of security, separation, and disruption of belonging are central concerns. The term emphasizes involuntary displacement and its psychological consequences. — Displacement context.

Added October 5, 2026

Disposable duplicate — A disposable duplicate is a separate copy selected for the symbolic action. The survivor uses it for tearing, shredding, sealing, or putting away after preserving original material. Its purpose is to represent the attachment without sacrificing information needed for documentation or investigation. — Ritual Materials

Added October 18, 2026

Disrupted sleep — Disrupted sleep includes fragmented rest, difficult nights, and loss of a dependable sleeping pattern. These difficulties form part of the daily instability described after scam discovery and during later crises. Restoring rest belongs alongside nourishment, contact, and routine in practical recovery work. — Functional Difficulties

Added October 15, 2026

Distributed Denial-of-Service Attack — A distributed denial-of-service attack uses multiple sources to disrupt a target’s availability. The combined traffic or requests overwhelm resources or exploit service limitations. Coordinated filtering and resilient infrastructure help organizations absorb or redirect the attack. – Availability Attack

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Hijacking — DNS hijacking changes name-resolution arrangements so that users reach destinations an attacker chooses. The attacker compromises settings, accounts, or infrastructure involved in resolving domain names. This redirection supports credential theft, impersonation, and interception of communications. – Network Attack

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Poisoning — DNS poisoning introduces incorrect information into a domain name resolution process or cache. Systems then direct requests according to the false records. Attackers use this technique to divert users toward malicious destinations while preserving familiar domain names. – Network Attack

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Security Extensions — DNS Security Extensions, or DNSSEC, add cryptographic verification to designated DNS information. Validation helps establish that records originate from the expected source and retain their integrity. DNSSEC does not encrypt queries or guarantee that a destination provides a legitimate service. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Doctor Romance Scam — A doctor romance scam involves a fabricated medical professional seeking a romantic relationship. The criminal claims overseas employment, humanitarian work, or restricted access to money. Invented medical, travel, or contractual expenses become payment demands. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Renewal Scam — A domain renewal scam sends a misleading notice resembling a bill from the existing registrar. The operator seeks payment or an unwanted transfer. The notice misrepresents what service the payment actually purchases. – Business Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Spoofing — Domain spoofing misrepresents a domain’s identity to make communications or services appear trustworthy. Attackers abuse address presentation, similar names, or weaknesses in verification. The deception encourages recipients to trust messages and destinations that the legitimate domain owner does not control. – Impersonation

Added October 7, 2026

Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance — Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance, or DMARC, helps domain owners specify how receivers should handle certain authentication failures. It checks alignment with supporting email authentication mechanisms and provides reporting. DMARC reduces some domain impersonation but does not eliminate every deceptive email. – Email Security

Added October 7, 2026

Domestic recipient — A domestic recipient is a person or account receiving funds within the victim’s own country. This connection gives authorities information about where part of the financial activity occurred. The victim identifies the recipient accurately and separates known involvement from suspected participation. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Domestic violence trauma — Domestic violence trauma refers to psychological trauma arising from abuse within domestic or family relationships. Threats, coercion, humiliation, and violence create conditions of fear and dependence. The term includes psychological consequences without requiring physical injury. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Doom and gloom mindset — A doom and gloom mindset makes harm, disappointment, and failure the default expectations for life. The person gives difficulties immediate significance while treating improvements with suspicion. This outlook is not a formal diagnosis, but it becomes destructive when it governs decisions and restricts recovery. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Doom Cycle — The Doom Cycle is a descriptive name for declining care reinforced by shame, self-condemnation, and withdrawal. Each neglected need adds distress that makes restoration more difficult. The name identifies a pattern for examination and does not designate a separate psychological diagnosis. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Dopamine Pathways — Dopamine pathways are networks of nerve cells that use dopamine to communicate within the brain. Some of these networks participate in motivation, learning, and responses to rewarding experiences. Their involvement in social attention does not establish that every attachment operates identically or that dopamine alone explains a person’s behavior. — Neuroscience

Added October 3, 2026

Double Shot — Double shot is a historical name associated with the bank examiner confidence scheme. Offenders persuade the target that cooperation will assist a financial or police investigation. The target withdraws or hands over money that the supposed investigators then steal. – Financial Impersonation Scam ojp.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Double-Cross — A double-cross is a deliberate betrayal of someone who believes the offender is cooperating with them. In a confidence game, the criminal creates a supposed partnership and then acts against the partner’s interests. The betrayal sometimes targets the victim and sometimes targets another participant in the scheme. – Deceptive Betrayal Tactic

Added October 7, 2026

Drive-by Download — A drive-by download occurs when website interaction results in an unwanted software download, sometimes without meaningful user participation. Attackers exploit browser weaknesses or deceptive prompts to deliver malicious content. Updated software and controlled downloads reduce exposure to this technique. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Driveway Paving Scam — A driveway paving scam offers supposed discounted work using leftover materials. The contractor misrepresents price, scope, or quality. The homeowner faces unexpected demands or receives inadequate work after payment. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Dropped Money Scam — A dropped money scam begins with an apparent discovery of cash that creates an opportunity to involve a passerby. An offender or accomplice proposes sharing, safeguarding, or establishing entitlement to the money. The target contributes genuine funds while the offenders substitute worthless material or disappear. – Street Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Drug Enforcement Administration — The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, is a U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing controlled-substance laws and investigating drug trafficking. It participated in coordination surrounding the CJNG sanctions action. Its involvement reflects the connection between the cartel’s fraud revenue and its wider criminal activities. — Government Agencies

Added October 11, 2026

Duplicate Invoice Scam — A duplicate invoice scam seeks another payment for an obligation already paid. The offender alters references or claims the original payment failed. Confusion over records produces an additional transfer that the recipient does not owe. – Business Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Dynamic Application Security Testing — Dynamic application security testing examines an application while it runs. Testing tools interact with available interfaces and look for behavior that reveals vulnerabilities. This method identifies runtime weaknesses but does not provide complete visibility into underlying source code. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

E-Commerce Automation Scam — An e-commerce automation scam promises a managed online store producing largely passive income. The promoter misrepresents likely earnings, costs, or operational support. Investors pay substantial fees for stores that fail to perform as represented. – Business Opportunity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Early childhood trauma — Early childhood trauma refers to trauma experienced during infancy and the early childhood years. It occurs while attachment, language, emotional regulation, and basic expectations of safety are forming. A child does not need a clear verbal memory for an experience to affect later functioning. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Early trauma intervention — Early trauma intervention refers to assistance provided soon after traumatic exposure. It addresses immediate needs, supports safety, and identifies people requiring further care. Early assistance does not justify compulsory detailed retelling or assume everyone will develop a disorder. — Intervention practice.

Added October 5, 2026

Eavesdropping — Eavesdropping involves observing communications without authorization. Attackers capture network traffic, audio, or other exchanges to obtain sensitive information. Proper encryption and protection of communication endpoints reduce opportunities for interception and misuse. – Information Interception

Added October 7, 2026

Educational Accreditation Scam — An educational accreditation scam falsely represents an institution’s recognition or credentials. The operator sells programs using fabricated approval claims. Students pay for qualifications that lack the advertised standing. – Education Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Elder Targeting — Elder targeting means directing fraudulent approaches toward older adults. The timeshare operation described by authorities particularly targeted elderly Americans who owned timeshares in Mexico. Their age does not make them responsible for the criminals’ deception or justify assumptions about their judgment. — Victim Targeting

Added October 11, 2026

Electronic Parts Scam — An electronic parts scam offers a supposedly profitable transaction involving components that the target cannot readily assess. Accomplices create the appearance of buyers, valuable merchandise, or reliable resale demand. The target pays for items whose value or market does not match the representations. – Merchandise Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Electronic Signature Scam — An electronic signature scam claims that a document requires review or signature. The criminal impersonates a recognized signing service or business contact. The supposed document directs the recipient toward stolen credentials, malicious downloads, or fraudulent agreements. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Elliptic-Curve Cryptography — Elliptic-curve cryptography uses mathematical operations involving elliptic curves to support public key security. It provides functions such as key agreement and digital signatures. Appropriate implementations deliver strong protection with comparatively compact keys, although security still depends on parameter selection and correct operation. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Email Account Verification Scam — An email account verification scam falsely claims that an account requires immediate confirmation. The criminal supplies a counterfeit login page. Entered credentials give the offender access to messages, contacts, and password-reset opportunities. – Credential Theft Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Email header — An email header contains technical information associated with an email’s transmission. It differs from the visible message text and contributes to the available communication record. The victim preserves original emails and available headers rather than relying only on copied wording. — Communication Records

Added October 18, 2026

Email Spoofing — Email spoofing falsifies information that identifies an email’s apparent sender. Attackers use the deception to impersonate trusted people or organizations. Authentication controls and careful examination of context help recipients evaluate messages beyond their displayed sender names. – Impersonation

Added October 7, 2026

Embodied Cognitive Science — Embodied cognitive science studies how thinking depends on interactions among the brain, body, and environment. It examines the contributions of movement, sensation, physical activity, and surroundings to cognition. The approach challenges explanations that treat mental processing as entirely separate from bodily experience. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Emergency response plan — An emergency response plan establishes organizational arrangements for handling immediate danger before an emergency occurs. It defines response pathways, staff responsibilities, and relevant communication procedures. Online arrangements also address establishing the person’s current location and an appropriate method of reconnecting. — Safety and Crisis Response

Added October 16, 2026

Emotional abuse trauma — Emotional abuse trauma describes psychological trauma associated with sustained humiliation, intimidation, rejection, or degradation. Repeated attacks on safety and personal worth are central features. The phrase does not mean that every hurtful disagreement constitutes trauma. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Emotional attachment — Emotional attachment describes the connection that continues to give the presented face personal significance. The survivor experiences longing, grief, anger, or an urge to look again despite knowing about the deception. Recognizing the attachment separates an emotional experience from acceptance of the criminal’s story. — Emotional Responses

Added October 18, 2026

Emotional awareness — Emotional awareness is the recognition of a feeling and its influence on the present situation. A survivor notices fear, hope, guilt, or loneliness before examining the response it encourages. This awareness supports participation in a decision without requiring the emotion to disappear first. — Emotional Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Emotional balance — Emotional balance describes the changing relationship between distress and the resources that support daily life. A survivor experiences painful reminders while also drawing strength from connection, rest, and meaningful activity. Balance becomes more durable as those resources provide enough support to withstand disruption. — Recovery Outcomes

Added October 15, 2026

Emotional Burden — Emotional burden is the weight of distress, conflict, uncertainty, and unresolved concerns that a person carries. Decisions sometimes add new problems to an already demanding recovery process. Reducing avoidable complications leaves more attention available for essential needs and supportive relationships. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 12, 2026

Emotional counterweight — An emotional counterweight is a resource that offsets the pressure of distress within the scale metaphor. A supportive conversation, established routine, or recognized accomplishment adds something that shame and isolation leave absent. Its value becomes especially clear when a crisis places additional weight on the survivor’s difficulties. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Emotional demands — Emotional demands are the effort and distress involved in handling reminders or conducting the farewell. Gathering many photographs or replaying voice messages adds demands beyond those required for a simple symbolic action. The survivor limits materials and chooses the amount of contact with reminders. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Emotional dependence — Emotional dependence develops when the victim increasingly relies on the scammer’s attention, reassurance, and apparent affection. Grooming strengthens this reliance through repeated contact and promises of a shared future. The criminal exploits the attachment to influence decisions and make separation feel threatening or painful. — Psychological Dynamics

Added October 15, 2026

Emotional Depletion — Emotional depletion describes feeling drained after sustained distress or demanding interactions. Additional conflict and unfinished responsibilities place further demands on limited energy. Recognizing depletion helps establish a realistic balance between necessary action, assistance, and rest. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 12, 2026

Emotional Disclosure — Emotional disclosure is the communication of feelings, fears, or painful beliefs to another person. It helps supporters understand experiences that remain hidden in ordinary conversation. Disclosure requires attention to daily functioning because reassuring words do not establish that basic care is maintained. — Interpersonal Communication

Added October 13, 2026

Emotional Dissonance — Emotional dissonance commonly describes a mismatch between emotions a person feels and emotions the person expresses or feels expected to display. A survivor presents confidence or cheerfulness while privately experiencing grief, anger, or fear. The mismatch creates strain when maintaining the outward appearance requires continued suppression of the actual feelings. — Emotional Experience

Added October 7, 2026

Emotional exposure — Emotional exposure involves allowing hopes, needs, or vulnerable feelings to become personally significant or visible to others. A survivor avoids this exposure when caring about an outcome feels likely to invite rejection or embarrassment. Recovery involves approaching safe opportunities for openness while retaining appropriate boundaries. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional investment — Emotional investment is the significance a person places in a relationship, goal, or anticipated future. During a relationship scam, criminals exploit that investment to sustain attachment and cooperation. After discovery, the survivor needs help separating the misuse of their investment from a conclusion that caring always leads to harm. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional labeling — Emotional labeling involves naming an emotional experience with a direct word such as frightened, disappointed, or hopeful. It separates the feeling from predictions or interpretations presented as feelings. Accurate labeling gives the survivor a clearer description of the experience before selecting an action. — Emotional Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Emotional pressure — Emotional pressure involves using guilt, fear, insecurity, or threatened loss to influence a victim’s behavior. Scammers threaten separation, withdraw communication, or insist that payment proves love. These tactics help explain why a victim continues to feel pulled toward the criminal despite growing doubts. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Emotional protection — Emotional protection refers to efforts to limit exposure to distress, rejection, or disappointment. Pessimism serves this purpose when expecting the worst feels safer than allowing hope. Its value requires examination when the protection preserves suffering and prevents access to dependable care or worthwhile experiences. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional release — Emotional release refers to an expression or easing of feelings during or after the farewell. Tears or immediate relief do not establish the survivor’s sincerity or determine the exercise’s value. Practical effects on chosen boundaries and daily life provide a more useful basis for evaluation. — Emotional Responses

Added October 18, 2026

Emotional relief — Emotional relief is a reduction in uncomfortable feelings that a person experiences or expects from an action. A survivor sometimes wants to reply, agree, or pay primarily to reduce loneliness, guilt, or fear. Examining that expectation helps distinguish immediate relief from addressing the underlying problem. — Emotional Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Emotional Stability — Emotional stability involves recognizing feelings, retaining perspective, and recovering after distress. It does not require constant calm or the absence of strong emotions. Stability supports choices that address actual circumstances rather than automatically following the strongest immediate feeling. — Emotional Regulation

Added October 12, 2026

Emotional stability — Emotional stability involves responding to feelings and difficulties without allowing them to dominate every judgment or responsibility. A doom and gloom outlook strains this stability through repeated threat anticipation, withdrawal, and neglected needs. Recovery supports stability through accurate assessment, manageable action, and dependable assistance. — Recovery Outcomes

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional trauma — Emotional trauma refers to enduring emotional distress after an experience that overwhelms a person's ability to cope. Its effects include fear, grief, shame, or emotional disconnection. It overlaps with psychological trauma and is not a separate formal diagnosis. — Core concept.

Added October 5, 2026

Emotional vigilance — Emotional vigilance is sustained watchfulness for developments that threaten a person’s sense of safety. The survivor remains braced for disappointment and treats relaxation as a lapse in protection. Examining this pattern helps distinguish useful attention to danger from a habit that makes ordinary relief feel unsafe. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Employer Impersonation Scam — An employer impersonation scam uses the identity of a real or invented workplace representative. The criminal requests purchases, payroll changes, or confidential information. Apparent workplace authority encourages compliance with fraudulent instructions. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Employment Background Check Scam — An employment background check scam requires payment through a fraudulent screening service. The supposed recruiter claims screening must occur before hiring. The applicant pays for a fabricated requirement or exposes sensitive information. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Empty envelope — An empty envelope offers a symbolic object that requires no photograph or detailed written account. The survivor assigns it meaning through the loss or boundary being acknowledged. This option supports participation without requiring direct viewing of the face associated with the scam. — Ritual Materials

Added October 18, 2026

Encryption — Encryption transforms readable information into ciphertext through an algorithm and key. Authorized parties use the appropriate decryption process to recover the original content. Encryption protects confidentiality, while separate or integrated controls address authenticity and integrity. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Ending contact — Ending contact means stopping communication with the scammer and refusing further approaches from that criminal. It interrupts opportunities for renewed grooming, invented emergencies, and additional payment demands. Continued declarations of love do not change the criminal purpose of the established deception. — Survivor Protection

Added October 15, 2026

Endpoint — An endpoint is a device or system that connects to a network or service. Examples include laptops, phones, servers, and specialized equipment. Endpoint protection addresses local software, access, configurations, and behavior that attackers exploit. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Endpoint Detection and Response — Endpoint detection and response monitors endpoint activity to identify and investigate threats. Its capabilities commonly include event collection, behavioral analysis, and response actions. Security teams use the resulting evidence to understand attacks and contain affected devices. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Endpoint Protection Platform — An endpoint protection platform combines preventive security capabilities for devices and systems. Typical functions include antimalware, application controls, and attack prevention. Its coverage varies across products, so organizations evaluate actual features rather than relying on the product category alone. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Endpoint Security — Endpoint security protects individual devices and systems that users or services rely on. Controls address malicious software, insecure configurations, unauthorized access, and exposed applications. Effective protection also requires maintenance and oversight throughout the device’s operational life. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Ennui — Ennui is a feeling of weariness, boredom, and dissatisfaction that arises when life seems monotonous or lacks meaning and engagement. A person experiencing ennui finds little interest in familiar activities and feels that daily routines offer little fulfillment. The word comes from French and describes more than having nothing to do; it conveys feeling tired of the available experiences themselves. Ennui is an emotional state, not a clinical diagnosis. – Emotional Experience

Added October 18, 2026

Enumeration — Enumeration systematically identifies available accounts, services, resources, or other details about a target. Authorized testers use it to understand exposure, while attackers use it to prepare attacks. Unnecessary information disclosure makes enumeration easier and increases an attacker’s knowledge. – Reconnaissance

Added October 7, 2026

Epistemic Vigilance — Epistemic vigilance is the evaluation of information and its source to reduce the risk of accepting misleading communication. A person considers whether a claim fits established knowledge and whether the speaker has relevant competence or reasons to deceive. This process supports informed trust without requiring rejection of every statement. — Information Evaluation

Added October 3, 2026

Escalation — Escalation is the progressive increase in the severity of invented problems and the size of financial demands. A scammer moves from manageable requests to larger, more complicated emergencies. Each payment creates another opportunity to introduce a new problem and seek additional money. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Essential needs — Essential needs are immediate requirements such as food, shelter, and medical care. Unmet needs take priority over a broader discussion of recovery goals. Supporters identify the concern and connect the survivor with an appropriate service within established procedures. — Safety and Practical Needs

Added October 16, 2026

Established contact route — An established contact route is a previously known or trusted method of reaching a person or organization. Examples include a relative’s existing number or contact information available through usual banking services. Using this route avoids relying entirely on details supplied in a questionable message. — Verification Methods

Added October 17, 2026

Estimated date — An estimated date identifies approximately when an event occurred when the exact date remains uncertain. It helps organize the timeline without presenting incomplete recall as precision. The victim labels the estimate clearly and updates it when supporting records provide better information. — Documentation Accuracy

Added October 18, 2026

Estrangement — Estrangement means a loss of closeness, familiarity, or belonging in relationships and parts of life that previously felt secure. It describes the distance between the survivor and other people, but it also expresses a feeling of distance from the survivor’s former identity or everyday life. The central experience involves something once familiar now feeling difficult to connect with or inhabit. Estrangement from others develops when blame, disbelief, conflict, secrecy, or withdrawal creates distance between the survivor and family or friends. A survivor who expects criticism avoids conversations, while relatives who misunderstand the attachment respond with impatience rather than understanding. In this context, estrangement ranges from emotional distance despite continued contact to a substantial breakdown or ending of the relationship. Estrangement from oneself describes feeling unfamiliar with the person who participated in the scam or uncertain about identity after discovery. A survivor struggles to reconcile previously held values, confidence, and expectations with decisions made under manipulation, then feels disconnected from the earlier sense of self. This use of estrangement describes an experience rather than a diagnosis, and it does not establish that the person has permanently lost their identity. Recovery includes rebuilding connection with real relationships, personal values, and a life that feels recognizably their own.

Added October 5, 2026

Ethical Dissonance — Ethical dissonance describes discomfort when conduct, decisions, or institutional expectations conflict with ethical principles. A survivor experiences this tension when loyalty to a supposed partner clashes with concerns about requests to conceal financial transactions. Examining the conflict helps separate obligations manufactured through manipulation from responsibilities grounded in honesty and informed consent. — Ethical Conflict

Added October 7, 2026

Ethical Hacking — Ethical hacking uses authorized security testing to identify weaknesses before malicious actors exploit them. The work follows agreed boundaries, objectives, and reporting procedures. Authorization distinguishes legitimate testing from unauthorized intrusion, regardless of the tester’s claimed intentions. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Event Accommodation Scam — An event accommodation scam offers nonexistent rooms near a conference, festival, or major gathering. The criminal exploits limited availability and urgency. Attendees pay for bookings that the advertiser lacks authority to provide. – Travel and Housing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Evidence — Evidence consists of information that supports an assessment of what happened or whether a claim is accurate. Observable message content establishes a request, while separate confirmation addresses the identity or circumstances behind it. Careful judgment depends on recognizing both the information available and its limits. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Evidence archive — An evidence archive is a securely stored collection of records documenting the scam. It serves a different purpose from images or messages kept readily available for repeated viewing. The survivor preserves the archive while reducing unnecessary contact with reminders in everyday life. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Evidence Control — Evidence control describes a situation in which a deceiver determines what information another person sees and how it is presented. The criminal supplies photographs, documents, explanations, and supposed witnesses that reinforce the fabricated account. Independent sources reduce that control by introducing information outside the criminal’s chosen presentation. — Criminal Manipulation

Added October 3, 2026

Evidence Preservation — Evidence preservation means keeping relevant messages, records, or other information available for later use. A survivor retains material without continuing an unsafe conversation to obtain more. This separates the practical need to document an incident from emotional pressure to reengage with the sender. — Protective Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Evidence preservation — Evidence preservation means retaining relevant records before deleting, hiding, or destroying scam-related material. These records include messages, photographs, payment information, threats, identifying details, and relevant dates. Preserving this material protects information needed for an investigation or payment dispute without guaranteeing financial recovery. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Evil Twin — An evil twin is a malicious wireless access point that imitates a legitimate network. The attacker encourages people to connect by presenting a familiar or convincing network identity. Connections through the impostor expose users to interception and deceptive login requests. – Wireless Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Exclusive Authority — Exclusive authority describes a claim that one person or faction alone holds the right to determine particular community decisions. A faction asserts this claim when it demands control over rules, leadership, or membership while rejecting the established governance arrangement. Leaders assess such claims through the community’s assigned responsibilities and members’ observable actions. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Executive Order 14059 — Executive Order 14059 provides a U.S. sanctions authority concerning the global illicit drug trade. Treasury used this authority when designating individuals and companies linked to CJNG’s timeshare activities. Its relevance concerns the network’s connection to a criminal organization involved in drug trafficking. — Sanctions Authorities

Added October 11, 2026

Exhaustion — Exhaustion is substantial tiredness that limits the energy available for ordinary activities. It complicates preparation, attention, and the initiation of necessary tasks. A survivor’s difficulty under these conditions deserves practical assistance and discussion of the underlying problem. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 12, 2026

Exploit — An exploit is a method or piece of code that takes advantage of a vulnerability. It causes behavior that the system’s designers or operators did not authorize. Exploits differ in reliability, prerequisites, and impact, so their practical significance depends on context. – Vulnerability Exploitation

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Kit — An exploit kit packages tools that identify and exploit selected software vulnerabilities. Criminal operators commonly use these kits to deliver malware through compromised or deceptive web content. Updated applications and layered defenses reduce exposure to their automated attacks. – Attack Tool

Added October 7, 2026

Exploitation-related trauma — Exploitation-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with being used for another party's gain under harmful conditions. Manipulation, dependency, coercion, and loss of autonomy are relevant elements. The phrase applies across financial, relational, sexual, and labor contexts. — Exploitation context.

Added October 5, 2026

Exposure — Exposure describes a condition that leaves an asset accessible to potential harm. Examples include an unnecessarily public service or sensitive information with excessive permissions. Exposure does not establish that an attack occurred, but it identifies a circumstance that requires assessment. – Risk Management

Added October 7, 2026

Extended Detection and Response — Extended detection and response combines security observations across multiple environments to support investigation and response. Sources often include endpoints, email, identities, and cloud services. Its usefulness depends on integration quality, relevant visibility, and effective operational follow-through. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

External pressure — External pressure comes from another person’s efforts to influence the timing or direction of a decision. Demands for secrecy, immediate payment, or continued telephone contact restrict opportunities for examination. Naming the specific demand helps a survivor identify which freedom the interaction attempts to remove. — Pressure Tactics

Added October 17, 2026

External structure — External structure consists of schedules, commitments, work patterns, and organized activities that give the day a dependable shape. It supports functioning when distress disrupts the survivor’s ability to organize life internally. Losing that structure creates a practical need for replacement routines and continued contact. — Recovery Practices

Added October 15, 2026

Fabricated documents — Fabricated documents are false passports, certificates, bank statements, or similar materials used to support a criminal’s story. They give invented identities, financial claims, and emergencies an appearance of official confirmation. Their role is to strengthen the deception and encourage the victim to trust unsupported claims. — Identity Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Factual accuracy — Factual accuracy is the faithful description of what available information establishes. It requires separating observed events from assumptions, predictions, and unverified explanations. A survivor supports accuracy by stating what remains unknown rather than completing the story with fear or reassurance. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Fake Browser Extension Scam — A fake browser extension scam offers an apparently useful browser feature with hidden malicious behavior. The extension captures information or alters online activity. The criminal exploits the user’s trust in the advertised function. – Digital Application Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake CAPTCHA Scam — A fake CAPTCHA scam presents a deceptive human-verification prompt that instructs the visitor to perform harmful actions. The criminal disguises those actions as ordinary verification. Following the instructions installs malware or exposes information. – Digital Deception Scam Consumer Advice

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Charity Scam — A fake charity scam solicits donations for an organization or mission that does not exist as represented. The operator invents beneficiaries and activities. Contributions finance personal enrichment instead of the advertised charitable purpose. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Check Scam — A fake check scam supplies a fraudulent or invalid check and asks the recipient to spend or return part of the amount. Temporary account availability creates false confidence. The recipient loses real money when the check fails. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Cryptocurrency Exchange Scam — A fake cryptocurrency exchange scam uses a deceptive trading website or application. The operator accepts deposits and displays invented account activity. Withdrawals remain blocked or require additional payments that deepen the loss. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Escrow Scam — A fake escrow scam uses a deceptive intermediary supposedly holding funds until transaction conditions are met. The criminal controls the escrow service. Money disappears rather than receiving the promised independent protection. – Marketplace Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Initial Coin Offering Scam — A fake initial coin offering scam raises funds for a misrepresented or nonexistent digital-asset project. The organizers publish persuasive plans and team information. Contributions finance theft rather than the promised development. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake investment apps — Fake investment apps are applications criminals create to support fraudulent investment stories and collect victims’ money. Their presence gives the financial proposal an appearance of structure and legitimacy. The application functions as part of the scam rather than independent confirmation of a genuine investment. — Digital Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Fake Lawyer Scam — A fake lawyer scam involves someone falsely claiming legal qualifications or representation. The criminal invents cases, recoveries, or necessary services. Payments and sensitive documents reach an impostor rather than a legitimate legal professional. – Legal Service Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Online Store Scam — A fake online store scam uses a fabricated retail website to collect orders and payments. The operator copies product images and business details. Purchases produce no genuine delivery and sometimes expose payment information. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Payment Confirmation Scam — A fake payment confirmation scam presents a forged notice showing that money supposedly arrived. The criminal imitates a payment provider or bank. The recipient releases goods or refunds funds that never actually reached the account. – Marketplace Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Prescription Pharmacy Scam — A fake prescription pharmacy scam sells medicines through deceptive licensing, sourcing, or product claims. The operator supplies counterfeit products or nothing at all. Customers lose money and receive no reliable assurance about the advertised medicine. – Health Product Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Recruiter Scam — A fake recruiter scam involves someone falsely representing an employer or recruitment agency. The criminal requests application payments or sensitive documents. Professional-looking correspondence conceals a nonexistent recruitment process. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Security Alert Scam — A fake security alert scam claims that an account or device faces an immediate threat. The criminal supplies fraudulent instructions for resolving it. The target’s attempted protective action instead enables theft, malware installation, or unauthorized access. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Software Update Scam — A fake software update scam claims that software requires a new version to continue working. The criminal supplies a deceptive download or payment page. The supposed update installs malware or captures financial information. – Digital Application Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Trading Professor Scam — A fake trading professor scam uses an invented expert leading an investment group. Assistants and staged testimonials reinforce the expert’s authority. Members receive instructions to fund a fraudulent platform presented as an exclusive opportunity. – Investment Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Travel Insurance Scam — A fake travel insurance scam sells nonexistent or materially misrepresented coverage. The operator supplies deceptive policy documents and assurances. Travelers discover that the promised protection does not exist when they seek assistance. – Travel Insurance Scam

Added October 7, 2026

False declarations of genuine love — False declarations of genuine love occur when a scammer admits the original deception but claims that authentic feelings later developed. This explanation offers the victim a reason to preserve the attachment despite discovering the crime. The renewed relationship then leads to further requests for money. — Repeat Victimization

Added October 15, 2026

False Identity — A false identity is a fabricated or misrepresented identity used to conceal who someone actually is. It includes invented names, stolen photographs, false occupations, and altered personal histories. A convincing profile establishes only what has been presented until relevant details receive independent confirmation. — Digital Deception

Added October 3, 2026

False Tagging — False tagging is a proposed mental process through which information receives a designation as doubtful or incorrect. The concept helps explain the distinction between understanding a statement and rejecting its truth. It represents a theoretical account of belief evaluation rather than a simple switch located in one brain region. — Cognitive Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Familiar setting — A familiar setting is a private place where the survivor feels comfortable stopping or leaving. A quiet room, home environment, or accessible outdoor space provides sufficient surroundings. The ceremony does not require travel, dramatic scenery, or a location that adds emotional demands. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Family Emergency Scam — A family emergency scam falsely claims that a relative needs urgent financial help. The offender impersonates the relative or an intermediary. Invented injuries, arrests, or travel problems create pressure to send money. – Family Emergency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Family trauma — Family trauma refers to trauma experienced within or affecting a family system. Abuse, violence, catastrophic loss, or exploitation changes relationships and family functioning. Members occupy different roles and do not necessarily experience identical consequences. — Family context.

Added October 5, 2026

Family trauma history — Family trauma history refers to traumatic experiences affecting a person's family or earlier generations. It includes relational patterns, significant losses, violence, and relevant historical circumstances. A family history does not prove that every member experienced trauma or inherited a disorder. — Assessment concept.

Added October 5, 2026

Farewell statement — A farewell statement names the deception, acknowledges genuine feelings, and expresses the survivor’s chosen boundary. Its wording reflects the survivor’s actual position rather than demanding forgiveness or permanent forgetting. The survivor reads it aloud, reads silently, or shortens it according to personal needs. — Ritual Practice

Added October 18, 2026

Fast Shuffle — Fast shuffle describes deceptive maneuvering that prevents someone from following what has happened in a transaction. An offender uses speed, confusing changes, or distracting explanations to conceal the disadvantage. The expression describes a general deceptive maneuver rather than a single standardized confidence game. – Deception Tactic

Added October 7, 2026

FBI Impersonation Scam — An FBI impersonation scam uses a fabricated federal investigation to demand money or information. The criminal presents false badges, credentials, or official correspondence. Claims of secrecy discourage the victim from discussing the situation with others. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

FBI.gov — FBI.gov is the official website of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a federal law enforcement and intelligence agency. It publishes information about criminal threats, investigations, scam warnings, and public reporting channels. The website provides verified contact information for FBI offices and instructions for submitting tips. It directs reports of internet-enabled scams and related crimes to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. — Government Law Enforcement Resource FBI

Added October 2, 2026

Fearful Rehearsal — Fearful rehearsal involves repeatedly imagining threatening events, arguments, or rejection before they occur. The thinking continues without producing a useful decision or completed preparation. It consumes present attention and leaves the survivor approaching real situations already tired or defensive. — Coping Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Federal Bureau of Investigation — The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, is a U.S. federal investigative agency. It coordinated with other agencies on the timeshare fraud response and issued a warning about schemes targeting owners in Mexico. It also receives online crime complaints through its Internet Crime Complaint Center. — Government Agencies

Added October 11, 2026

Federal Trade Commission — The Federal Trade Commission is a U.S. agency that receives fraud reports through ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reports support enforcement work and the identification of fraud patterns. The victim retains the submission and recognizes its separate role from a local police complaint. — Reporting Agencies

Added October 18, 2026

Fiancé Visa Scam — A fiancé visa scam involves fabricated immigration arrangements connected to a promised marriage. The criminal requests fees for applications, interviews, or supposed government approvals. False documents create the impression that a real process is progressing. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

File Integrity Monitoring — File integrity monitoring detects changes to selected files or configurations. It compares observed states with approved baselines or recorded characteristics. Security teams investigate unexpected changes to distinguish authorized maintenance from tampering or compromise. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Fileless Malware — Fileless malware conducts significant malicious activity without relying primarily on conventional malware files stored on disk. It often uses memory, scripting, or legitimate system tools. The term does not mean that every trace disappears or that no related files exist. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Financial Barriers to Healthcare — Financial barriers to healthcare are money-related difficulties that prevent access to necessary services or treatment. A scam’s losses create circumstances in which care becomes unaffordable. Assistance examines available resources rather than assuming that missed care reflects indifference or self-punishment. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Financial betrayal trauma — Financial betrayal trauma describes psychological trauma associated with serious financial harm inflicted through violated trust. A trusted person's concealment, exploitation, or deception is central to the phrase. It combines financial consequences with relational or institutional betrayal. — Betrayal context.

Added October 5, 2026

Financial collapse — Financial collapse is a severe disruption in the resources needed to meet ongoing obligations. Unpaid bills, exhausted credit, or depleted savings turn the scam’s losses into immediate pressures. The resulting crisis affects recovery by threatening security, routine, and confidence at the same time. — Practical Consequences

Added October 15, 2026

Financial consequences — Financial consequences are the concrete effects of money lost through the crime. They appear through payment deadlines, reduced retirement resources, debt, and limited choices. Addressing these consequences requires attention to actual obligations without treating financial difficulty as a judgment on the survivor’s worth. — Practical Consequences

Added October 15, 2026

Financial Intelligence Unit — A Financial Intelligence Unit gathers and analyzes information concerning suspicious financial activity. Mexico’s unit participated in coordination with U.S. authorities regarding the CJNG network. Financial intelligence helps reveal connections among transactions, businesses, and people that individual victims do not necessarily see. — Government Agencies

Added October 11, 2026

Financial recovery — Financial recovery means obtaining the return of money lost through the scam. Preserved records support the documentation needed when investigators or payment providers examine the loss. Neither organizing evidence nor performing a symbolic farewell guarantees that money will return. — Crime Response

Added October 18, 2026

Financial regulator — A financial regulator is an authority responsible for oversight within an area of financial activity. Its reporting role depends on the institutions, products, or conduct involved. The victim identifies the relevant authority through official sources and retains a record of any submission. — Reporting Agencies

Added October 18, 2026

Financial Rescue Promises — Financial rescue promises offer an anticipated improvement that supposedly resolves the victim’s insecurity or losses. Criminals use these assurances alongside affection or other relationship claims. The promise attracts emotional investment without establishing that a genuine solution or financial benefit exists. — Relationship Manipulation

Added October 13, 2026

Financial safeguards — Financial safeguards are protective steps suited to decisions involving money or financial information. They include independent checks, withholding sensitive details, and promptly contacting the appropriate institution after a suspected loss. Their strength should reflect the possible financial consequences of the decision. — Financial Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Financial transaction — A financial transaction is the transfer of money or other financial value from the victim through a method the scammer directs. Criminals specify payment channels that support rapid movement and complicate recovery. Repeated transactions allow the scam to continue as new demands follow earlier payments. — Criminal Stages

Added October 15, 2026

Firewall — A firewall controls network communications according to configured rules. It permits, rejects, or examines traffic between devices or network areas. Effective protection depends on appropriate rules and placement because a firewall does not automatically identify every malicious exchange. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Firmware Security — Firmware security protects the low-level software that controls hardware operation. Compromised firmware threatens device behavior beneath ordinary application controls. Organizations address this risk through trusted updates, verification mechanisms, access restrictions, and attention to hardware supply chains. – Hardware Security

Added October 7, 2026

First public telling — The first public telling is the survivor’s initial disclosure to someone outside the deceptive relationship. The conversation exposes painful facts while placing the survivor’s experience in another person’s hands. Questions that sound curious to the listener feel judgmental to the survivor when they imply responsibility for the crime. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 15, 2026

First-year recovery — First-year recovery is the early period of rebuilding after discovery, emphasized as a time of fragile routines and unfamiliar challenges. Survivors encounter silence, disclosures, financial consequences, and meaningful dates while developing support. The work continues beyond that year as knowledge and dependable practices strengthen responses to later difficulties. — Recovery Processes

Added October 15, 2026

Fixer — A fixer arranges protection, influence, or cooperation that assists a criminal operation. In historical confidence-game settings, the fixer cultivates corrupt officials or other useful connections. The role supports the scheme’s operation rather than supplying its central deception. – Criminal Support Role

Added October 7, 2026

Fleece — Fleece means to strip someone of money through dishonest or exploitative conduct. An offender achieves this through false charges, fraudulent opportunities, or manipulation of trust. The expression emphasizes the financial extraction rather than naming a particular method. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Flight Cancellation Scam — A flight cancellation scam falsely claims that a booked flight requires immediate rebooking or payment. The criminal impersonates an airline or travel agent. The traveler pays fabricated charges to preserve a trip that faces no represented problem. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Flimflam — Flimflam describes a swindle or deceptive presentation intended to mislead someone. The offender uses false claims, confusing explanations, or theatrical persuasion to obtain cooperation. The word serves as both a name for deception and a verb meaning to cheat. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Follow-up — Follow-up is a later review of an agreed action and its outcome. The supporter asks what the survivor attempted, what happened, and which factors helped or interfered. The results guide the next step instead of producing automatic praise, blame, or repetition of unchanged advice. — Progress Monitoring

Added October 16, 2026

Foot-in-the-door technique — The foot-in-the-door technique begins with a small request that encourages agreement to a larger request later. A modest payment establishes a pattern of helping the supposed romantic partner. Scammers use that initial agreement to make subsequent demands feel like a continuation of an existing commitment. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Footprinting — Footprinting gathers information about a target’s technology, organization, and external presence. Sources include public records, websites, network observations, and published materials. The resulting picture helps attackers or authorized testers identify likely access points and dependencies. – Reconnaissance

Added October 7, 2026

Foreclosure Rescue Scam — A foreclosure rescue scam exploits homeowners facing loss of their property. The operator promises protection while obtaining money, title, or other rights. The supposed rescue worsens the homeowner’s financial or ownership position. – Housing and Debt Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act — The Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act is a U.S. law authorizing economic sanctions against significant foreign narcotics traffickers and qualifying associated parties. Treasury used it to designate CJNG in 2015. The law supplies an enforcement framework rather than a direct reimbursement process for fraud victims. — Sanctions Authorities

Added October 11, 2026

Forensic search — A forensic search describes repeated examination of messages, photographs, and past events to identify where the deception should have become apparent. The survivor looks backward for a decisive clue or missed moment. The search becomes burdensome when it repeatedly produces self-accusation without improving present understanding or functioning. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 15, 2026

Forex Investment Scam — A forex investment scam uses deceptive claims about trading foreign currencies. The promoter presents false profits, expertise, or managed accounts. Deposits fund theft or fraudulent operations rather than the represented trading strategy. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Forwarded funds — Forwarded funds are money a victim received and then transferred onward at another person’s direction. These movements belong in the crime record alongside outgoing payments from the victim’s own resources. The victim documents their circumstances accurately and considers independent legal advice about involvement. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Fragile progress — Fragile progress is improvement that has begun but still depends on limited or newly restored resources. A routine, renewed confidence, or returning trust becomes vulnerable when another crisis arrives. Protecting this progress involves maintaining support and responding to disruption before unattended difficulties accumulate. — Recovery Processes

Added October 15, 2026

Franchise Opportunity Scam — A franchise opportunity scam misrepresents the business system, earnings, support, or rights offered to investors. The promoter collects substantial initial fees. Purchasers receive an operation materially different from the advertised opportunity. – Business Opportunity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fraud claim number — A fraud claim number is a reference assigned by a financial institution or payment service to a reported incident. It helps identify the claim during later conversations or document submissions. The victim records it with the reporting date, representative’s name, and next steps. — Reporting Records

Added October 18, 2026

Fraud unit — A fraud unit is a police department section that handles matters involving suspected financial deception. Its role and availability depend on the agency’s structure. The victim asks whether the unit provides reporting guidance, receives referrals, or clarifies questions about the complaint. — Law Enforcement Services

Added October 18, 2026

Fraud-related trauma — Fraud-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with serious deception and exploitation. Betrayal, financial insecurity, humiliation, and disrupted trust are relevant consequences. It is a descriptive term and does not make every fraud exposure a PTSD-qualifying event. — Fraud context.

Added October 5, 2026

Fraudulent investment balance — A fraudulent investment balance is an amount displayed on a deceptive investment website or platform. The display does not establish that the victim owns or controls those funds. The victim separates such figures from actual payments when calculating and explaining financial losses. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Free Vacation Scam — A free vacation scam advertises a trip while concealing substantial charges or inventing the award. The operator demands payments to activate the offer. The promised free benefit disappears behind fees, restrictions, or nonexistent reservations. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Freight Forwarding Scam — A freight forwarding scam falsely offers legitimate transportation or shipment coordination. The operator collects fees, goods, or documents under deceptive arrangements. Shipments disappear or the promised service never occurs. – Shipping Scam

Added October 7, 2026

FTC.gov — FTC.gov is the official website of the United States Federal Trade Commission, a federal agency that enforces consumer protection and competition laws. It provides information about scams, deceptive business practices, identity theft, and consumer rights. The website directs visitors to official resources for reporting fraud and obtaining guidance after identity theft. Submitting a report supports enforcement efforts but does not guarantee an individual investigation or recovery of lost money. — Government Consumer Protection Resource

Added October 2, 2026

Full-Disk Encryption — Full-disk encryption protects the contents of a storage device through encryption. It reduces exposure when someone obtains a device or drive without the required access material. Protection depends on operating state, key handling, and the strength of the unlocking mechanism. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Functional Impairment — Functional impairment is a reduction in the ability to carry out meaningful daily activities. It appears when distress or other difficulties interfere with responsibilities despite an intention to act. Assessment focuses on the interference and its causes rather than treating it as moral failure. — Daily Living

Added October 12, 2026

Functional improvement — Functional improvement is a positive change in the survivor’s ability to manage daily life. It appears through actions such as completing necessary tasks, handling responsibilities, or making decisions with greater independence. Supporters distinguish these changes from temporary emotional relief while recognizing the value of both. — Progress Monitoring

Added October 16, 2026

Funeral Fundraising Scam — A funeral fundraising scam requests contributions for a fabricated or misrepresented death-related expense. The organizer uses sympathy and urgent financial claims. Donors send money that does not reach the advertised funeral purpose. – Crowdfunding Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Funeral imagery — Funeral imagery uses the language or symbolism of a funeral to represent an ending. The farewell marks the end of the presented identity’s place in the survivor’s life rather than an actual death. The survivor chooses different language when funeral associations do not fit personal beliefs or needs. — Personal Meaning

Added October 18, 2026

Fuzzing — Fuzzing tests software with varied, malformed, or unexpected inputs to identify failures. Automated tools observe crashes, errors, and other abnormal responses. Developers and security researchers use the findings to locate weaknesses in input handling and program behavior. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Gaming-Platform Romance Scam — A gaming-platform romance scam develops through online games or associated chat services. The criminal turns shared play into a supposedly intimate relationship. Requests for purchases, emergency funds, or investments exploit the attachment that follows. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Geek Squad Impersonation Scam — A Geek Squad impersonation scam uses a false subscription notice or service charge. The criminal provides a callback number for cancellation or refunds. The conversation leads to remote access, fabricated accounting errors, or payment demands. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

General License — An OFAC general license authorizes a defined category of transactions that sanctions would otherwise prohibit. Parties whose transactions satisfy its conditions do not need separate individualized permission for those authorized activities. A general license applies only within its stated terms and does not remove all sanctions restrictions. — Financial Sanctions ofac.treasury.gov

Added October 11, 2026

Generalized Anxiety Disorder — Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental health condition involving persistent, difficult-to-control worry across areas of life. Associated symptoms include fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep difficulties. A professional assessment distinguishes the disorder from ordinary concern or practical preparation. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 12, 2026

Generalized anxiety disorder — Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental health condition involving persistent, difficult-to-control worry across areas of life. Research on this condition informs the Contrast Avoidance Model and its explanation of emotional bracing. Pessimistic statements alone do not establish the diagnosis, which requires qualified clinical assessment. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 14, 2026

Genetic Testing Scam — A genetic testing scam misrepresents the need, authorization, coverage, or purpose of a test. The operator seeks insurance information or payment through false claims. The resulting transaction supports fraudulent billing or services different from those advertised. – Healthcare Billing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Genuine emotional loss — Genuine emotional loss describes the meaningful absence the survivor experiences after discovering the deception. False promises do not make the survivor’s feelings, expectations, or sense of companionship imaginary. Acknowledging this distinction supports mourning without requiring the relationship’s deceptive foundation to become legitimate. — Grief and Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Genuine Sources of Meaning — Genuine sources of meaning are real relationships, activities, and responsibilities that provide reasons to remain engaged with life. They exist independently of a criminal’s promises. Developing several sources reduces reliance on one imagined rescue as the foundation of continued care. — Recovery Practices

Added October 13, 2026

Ghosting — Ghosting describes the scammer’s sudden disappearance without an explanation or further communication. It is one way the fraudulent relationship ends after exploitation. The disappearance leaves the victim without the explanation or closure that the apparent relationship seemed to promise. — Criminal Disengagement

Added October 15, 2026

Gift Card Giveaway Scam — A gift card giveaway scam promises free credit from a familiar retailer or brand. The criminal requires surveys, payments, or personal information. The supposed reward serves as bait for theft or deceptive enrollment. – Prize Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gift Card Payment Scam — A gift card payment scam demands that someone purchase cards and disclose their redemption details. The criminal claims the payment resolves an obligation or emergency. The codes allow offenders to take the stored value. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gift card payments — Gift card payments involve sending purchased card value to a scammer as a form of financial transfer. Criminals request cards from recognizable companies because the value moves quickly and is difficult to recover. A familiar retail brand does not establish the legitimacy of the person requesting payment. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Gift card receipt — A gift card receipt documents the purchase of a card used in connection with the scam. It supports the payment record alongside related communications and other available transaction information. The victim preserves it when reporting the loss to the issuer and authorities. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Glossary

Added October 15, 2026

Glossary

Added October 16, 2026

Gold Courier Scam — A gold courier scam instructs someone to buy precious metals as a supposed protective measure. The criminal arranges collection by a courier. The collection transfers the victim’s wealth to offenders rather than safeguarding it. – Financial Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gold Investment Scam — A gold investment scam falsely offers gold ownership, trading profits, or unusually favorable purchases. The operator supplies fabricated certificates or delivery promises. Investors pay for nonexistent gold, counterfeit material, or deceptive financial arrangements. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gold-Brick Game — A gold-brick game sells an object as valuable gold when its actual composition or value does not support that claim. The offender supplies misleading demonstrations, assurances, or circumstances suggesting a bargain. The buyer pays for supposed precious metal and receives a substantially worthless substitute. – Merchandise Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Google Impersonation Scam — A Google impersonation scam falsely claims problems involving accounts, business listings, or online visibility. The criminal demands fees or login information. The target pays for nonexistent services or loses control of an account. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Governance Expectations — Governance expectations describe members’ and leaders’ understandings of how a community makes decisions and assigns responsibilities. These expectations include who establishes rules, considers objections, and resolves disagreements. Clear explanations reduce conflict that develops when members assume decision-making rights that differ from the community’s actual arrangements. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Governing Authority — Governing authority describes the responsibility and decision-making power that a community’s organizational structure assigns to designated leaders or governing bodies. This authority covers matters such as membership requirements, service priorities, and rule enforcement. A member’s emotional attachment or informal influence does not automatically establish governing authority. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Government Agency Name Misuse — Government agency name misuse occurs when criminals invoke an official institution to make their demands appear legitimate. The timeshare operators used the names of Treasury and OFAC to support false payment requests. The name itself provides no proof that the caller works for the institution. — Fraud Tactics

Added October 11, 2026

Government Contract Opportunity Scam — A government contract opportunity scam falsely promises access to public procurement work. The operator demands registration, bidding, or consulting payments. Fabricated affiliations and guarantees conceal the absence of the promised contract access. – Business Opportunity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Government Grant Scam — A government grant scam promises funding that the target never legitimately received. The criminal requires advance payments for processing, taxes, or release. The supposed grant remains unavailable as additional demands accumulate. – Government Benefit Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Government Impersonation Scam — A government impersonation scam involves someone falsely claiming authority from a public agency. The criminal demands payment, information, or access using threats or promised benefits. Official-looking documents and spoofed contact details reinforce the deception. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Grandparent Scam — A grandparent scam impersonates a grandchild or someone assisting the grandchild during an emergency. The criminal requests immediate money and discourages family verification. Concern for the relative drives payment of the fabricated expense. – Family Emergency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gray Box Testing — Gray box testing gives testers limited knowledge of a system’s internal structure or access arrangements. This approach combines external observation with selected internal information. It supports focused investigation while preserving some conditions that realistic attackers would encounter. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Green-Goods Game — A green-goods game is a historical swindle involving supposed counterfeit currency offered at a bargain. The offender displays convincing samples or promises a valuable supply. The purchaser receives worthless paper or substituted contents instead of the represented money. – Historical Currency Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Grief — Grief is the response to a meaningful loss, including lost relationships, money, confidence, or an expected future. Naming the particular loss helps distinguish personal sorrow from a global declaration that everything is hopeless. Recovery gives grief attention without requiring the survivor to deny other experiences that still have value. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Grift — Grift describes money-making activity based on swindling or dishonest manipulation. An offender obtains benefits by exploiting false claims, misplaced trust, or deceptive arrangements. The term identifies fraudulent activity broadly rather than one specific scheme. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Grifter — A grifter is a person who obtains money or other benefits through swindling. The offender relies on deception, manipulation, or dishonest representations to influence others. The term describes an offender rather than a particular scam type. – Offender Role

Added October 7, 2026

Grifting — Grifting describes engaging in swindles or deceptive schemes for personal gain. The offender presents a misleading identity, opportunity, service, or explanation to obtain cooperation. The activity ranges from brief encounters to organized operations involving multiple participants. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Grooming — Grooming is the deliberate process of building trust and emotional dependence to prepare a victim for exploitation. Scammers combine personal attention, shared interests, supporting stories, romantic promises, and isolation. They return to grooming whenever doubt or resistance threatens continued access to the victim. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Grounded outlook — A grounded outlook evaluates risks and possibilities through evidence rather than automatic pessimism or disregard. It supports verification, consistent relationships, and willingness to revise conclusions. The person acknowledges genuine difficulties while allowing useful actions and respectful experiences to count. — Recovery Outcomes

Added October 14, 2026

Group facilitation — Group facilitation is the structured guidance that keeps a support meeting purposeful, respectful, and relevant. The facilitator explains expectations, manages contributions, and checks whether a member wants listening, shared experience, or suggestions. This structure limits intrusive advice and protects voluntary participation. — Community Operations

Added October 16, 2026

Guaranteed Return Scam — A guaranteed return scam falsely promises investment profits without meaningful risk. The promoter conceals losses or invents protective arrangements. The guarantee persuades investors to overlook uncertainty and provide money under misleading conditions. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Guidance Clarification — Guidance clarification means asking questions to understand a recommendation before interpreting or acting on it. A survivor checks the meaning of a difficult comment rather than assuming criticism. Clarification supports honest discussion while reducing avoidable conflict and confusion. — Interpersonal Communication

Added October 12, 2026

Gun violence trauma — Gun violence trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with firearm-related violence or credible threats. Witnessing shootings, surviving attacks, and losing loved ones are relevant contexts. The definition concerns psychological consequences rather than the physical wound itself. — Violence context.

Added October 5, 2026

Halo Effect — The halo effect occurs when a favorable impression in one area influences judgments about unrelated qualities. Attractiveness, warmth, or apparent professional success leads an observer to assume honesty or competence without adequate evidence. Separating those qualities helps prevent admiration from becoming automatic acceptance of a claim. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Harassment-related trauma — Harassment-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with severe or persistent unwanted intimidation or mistreatment. Threats, degrading conduct, and sustained targeting are relevant circumstances. The severity and context of exposure distinguish trauma from less enduring distress. — Victimization context.

Added October 5, 2026

Hash Collision — A hash collision occurs when two different inputs produce the same hash value. Collisions exist because finite output sizes represent larger sets of possible inputs. Cryptographic security requires algorithms that make finding useful collisions computationally impractical. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Hashing — Hashing calculates a representative value from input data through a defined algorithm. Cryptographic hashing supports security functions, while other hashing methods serve ordinary computing purposes. Hashing does not provide reversible encryption, although weakly protected inputs remain vulnerable to guessing. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Health Indifference — Health indifference is reduced concern about the consequences of neglected medical or personal needs. A person recognizes possible harm while showing little commitment to protecting health. This attitude requires assessment and does not alone establish a direct intention to die. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Health Insurance Scam — A health insurance scam misrepresents coverage, enrollment, or the identity of the seller. The operator collects premiums or sensitive information using false promises. Consumers discover that the advertised insurance does not exist or provides different benefits. – Health Coverage Scam Consumer Advice

Added October 7, 2026

Healthcare-related trauma — Healthcare-related trauma describes psychological trauma connected to receiving or encountering healthcare. Threatening treatment experiences, mistreatment, loss of autonomy, or frightening uncertainty are relevant contexts. The phrase identifies psychological harm associated with care and its circumstances. — Healthcare context.

Added October 5, 2026

Healthy Anticipation — Healthy anticipation involves preparing for a realistic future need or difficulty. It produces practical steps, such as collecting records, establishing boundaries, or arranging support. The preparation has a reasonable endpoint and leaves room for daily life afterward. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Held-Out Data — Held-out data are examples reserved from a model’s training process for evaluating its performance. Testing on these examples examines how the model handles information it did not directly learn during training. Strong results still require consideration of whether the test examples represent changing real-world conditions. — Research Method

Added October 3, 2026

HHS.gov — HHS.gov is the official website of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It provides information about federal programs and agencies that protect health and support human services. Its resources cover public health, healthcare, research, and assistance for individuals and communities. The website helps visitors locate the appropriate department program or agency for a health-related concern. — Government Health and Human Services Resource HHS.gov

Added October 2, 2026

High-Yield Investment Program Scam — A high-yield investment program scam promises extraordinary returns with little or no risk. The promoter uses impressive terminology and supposed payout records. The underlying operation involves theft, fabricated trading, or payments funded by new participants. – Investment Scam Investor.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Historical trauma — Historical trauma describes enduring collective harm associated with catastrophic oppression or violence experienced by a population. Its consequences are understood through historical loss, continuing injustice, and effects across generations. The concept does not assume that every descendant has the same psychological symptoms. — Historical context.

Added October 5, 2026

Historical trauma theory — Historical trauma theory examines enduring consequences of collective oppression and catastrophic historical harm. It connects historical losses with family, community, and contemporary social processes. Particular frameworks differ in how they explain transmission and present-day effects. — Theoretical framework.

Added October 5, 2026

Historical trauma transmission — Historical trauma transmission refers to pathways linking collective historical harm with later generations' experiences. Cultural memory, family processes, institutions, and persistent disadvantage are relevant mechanisms. The phrase does not require every descendant to show identical symptoms. — Transmission process.

Added October 5, 2026

Hitman Scam — A hitman scam threatens violence while claiming that payment will cancel an attack. The criminal supplies invented details to make the threat appear personal. Fear becomes the means of extracting money. – Extortion Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Home Repair Scam — A home repair scam obtains payment through false claims about necessary work or promised services. The contractor invents defects or abandons the project. The homeowner pays for unnecessary, incomplete, or nonexistent repairs. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Home Security System Scam — A home security system scam uses false claims about existing equipment, providers, or required upgrades. The operator impersonates a company or misrepresents a contract. The homeowner pays for unwanted, nonexistent, or deceptively sold services. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Home Title Protection Scam — A home title protection scam sells misrepresented protection against property fraud. The operator exaggerates guarantees or implies services prevent unauthorized transfers outright. Homeowners pay for nonexistent or materially overstated protection. – Property Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Homicide loss trauma — Homicide loss trauma describes psychological trauma associated with the killing of a significant person. Violence, frightening details, disrupted safety, and criminal proceedings shape the experience. Grief and trauma responses overlap without being interchangeable. — Loss context.

Added October 5, 2026

Honeynet — A honeynet is a network of monitored decoy systems that attracts or observes suspicious activity. Researchers and defenders use it to study techniques and collect evidence. Careful isolation prevents the decoys from becoming useful infrastructure for attackers. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Honeypot — A honeypot is a decoy resource that encourages attackers to reveal their activity. It appears valuable or accessible while defenders monitor interactions. Its purpose differs from ordinary production systems because meaningful interaction often provides a security signal. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Honeypot Token Scam — A honeypot token scam promotes a token that buyers cannot sell under the represented conditions. Hidden restrictions or malicious contract features trap purchasers. The organizers retain the ability to extract value while ordinary holders remain unable to exit. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Hopelessness — Hopelessness is the experience that improvement or a bearable future seems unavailable. It weakens the perceived purpose of seeking care or completing necessary tasks. The survivor’s inability to see useful possibilities requires support rather than agreement that those possibilities do not exist. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Hopelessness — Hopelessness is the expectation that meaningful improvement is unavailable. It discourages participation when the person assumes that assistance, effort, or connection will accomplish nothing. Persistent hopelessness accompanied by reduced interest, fatigue, or impaired functioning deserves clinical assessment and appropriate support. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Hornswoggle — Hornswoggle is an informal verb meaning to cheat, deceive, or swindle someone. It describes a person obtaining an advantage through misleading claims or manipulation. The expression does not identify a distinct fraud mechanism or legal category. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Host-Based Firewall — A host-based firewall controls network traffic entering or leaving an individual device. Its rules address the device’s services, applications, and communication needs. This protection remains useful when the device operates beyond the organization’s central network defenses. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Host-Based Intrusion Detection System — A host-based intrusion detection system monitors a particular device for signs of unauthorized activity. It examines sources such as logs, files, and operating system events. The system generates alerts that require investigation and appropriate response. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Hostage trauma — Hostage trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with being held against one's will as leverage over others. Threatened death, uncertainty, confinement, and dependence on captors are common features. Its consequences vary and do not require an emotional bond with the captor. — Coercion context.

Added October 5, 2026

Hotel Booking Scam — A hotel booking scam takes payment for a reservation that the seller does not legitimately arrange. The operator impersonates a hotel or booking service. Travelers encounter nonexistent reservations or accommodations different from those promised. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Hotel Customer Service Scam — A hotel customer service scam falsely requests payment confirmation or replacement card details. The criminal impersonates hotel staff before or during a stay. The supposed booking problem becomes a reason to collect financial information. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

HTTP Strict Transport Security — HTTP Strict Transport Security instructs a browser to use HTTPS for a website under specified conditions. The policy reduces exposure to insecure HTTP connections and certain downgrade attempts. Its effectiveness depends on correct deployment and the browser’s knowledge of the policy. – Web Security

Added October 7, 2026

Human trafficking trauma — Human trafficking trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with trafficking for exploitation. Coercion, threats, captivity, violence, and dependence on traffickers are relevant experiences. Its psychological consequences extend beyond any physical injuries sustained. — Exploitation context.

Added October 5, 2026

Hurried Commitments — Hurried commitments are obligations accepted before sufficient consideration of their demands or consequences. Emotional pressure encourages agreement that later requires difficult adjustments. Taking time to assess capacity helps prevent an immediate decision from creating additional burdens. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Hustle — Hustle describes a deceptive money-making scheme when the context involves fraud. An offender uses persuasion, pressure, or concealed manipulation to obtain a benefit. The word also describes legitimate energetic work, so context determines whether it refers to wrongdoing. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Hybrid Encryption — Hybrid encryption combines asymmetric and symmetric cryptographic techniques. The asymmetric component establishes or protects key material, while symmetric encryption handles the larger data exchange. This arrangement joins convenient key distribution with efficient protection of substantial information. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

I-GRIP — I-GRIP is INTERPOL’s Global Rapid Intervention of Payments mechanism for stop-payment cooperation through law enforcement. Police access it through appropriate official channels rather than a direct consumer application. Its existence does not establish that a particular transfer qualifies or that recovery will occur. — Law Enforcement Cooperation

Added October 18, 2026

IC3.gov — IC3.gov is the official website of the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. It receives reports about suspected internet-enabled crimes, including online fraud, extortion, and computer intrusions. Submitted information supports analysis and sharing with relevant law enforcement partners. The website also publishes alerts and crime statistics, while submitting a complaint does not guarantee an individual investigation or repayment. — Government Cybercrime Reporting Resource Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Added October 2, 2026

ICE.gov/hsi — ICE.gov/hsi is the official online resource for Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative component of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. HSI investigates transnational crimes involving people, goods, money, and technology. Its responsibilities include investigations of cybercrime and other criminal activity crossing national borders. The website explains its work and provides official contact and crime-reporting information. — Government Transnational Crime Investigation Resource ICE

Added October 2, 2026

Idealized Expectations — Idealized expectations place unusually complete or transformative hopes in a future relationship or life arrangement. The expected outcome appears to answer many painful needs at once. Examining these expectations separates legitimate wishes from promises that lack a reliable basis. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Identifying information — Identifying information consists of details or documents that reveal personal identity or sensitive personal circumstances. Support communities discourage unnecessary sharing of identifying documents, financial account details, and information about other people. Limiting disclosure reduces exposure within a setting where member agreements do not guarantee privacy. — Privacy and Information Handling

Added October 16, 2026

Identity and Access Management — Identity and access management organizes digital identities and the permissions associated with them. Its processes cover account creation, authentication, access decisions, and account removal. Effective management ensures that access reflects current responsibilities and ends when authorization ends. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Identity Dissonance — Identity dissonance describes tension between a person’s established sense of identity and experiences that challenge that understanding. A survivor who identifies as careful and independent struggles to reconcile that identity with having experienced manipulation. Rebuilding a coherent identity involves acknowledging the victimization without allowing the crime to define the entire person. — Identity Process

Added October 7, 2026

Identity Federation — Identity federation allows separate systems or organizations to rely on agreed identity information. A trusted identity provider supplies assertions that participating services evaluate. The arrangement simplifies access but requires clear trust relationships, secure exchanges, and controlled permissions. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Identity Proofing — Identity proofing establishes confidence that a person corresponds to a claimed real-world identity. The process evaluates evidence and verification results before issuing or linking credentials. It differs from authentication, which checks identity claims during later access attempts. – Identity Verification

Added October 7, 2026

Identity Theft — Identity theft involves unauthorized use of another person’s identifying information. Criminals use the information to open accounts, obtain benefits, or impersonate the person. Cybersecurity controls reduce opportunities for theft, while recovery often requires correcting records across multiple organizations. – Identity Crime

Added October 7, 2026

Identity theft — Identity theft involves taking a real person’s identifying information or personal documents for deceptive use. Romance scammers use stolen identities to support fictional relationships and invented circumstances. Earlier victims sometimes become sources of the documents or identities criminals use against other people. — Identity Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Identity-based trauma — Identity-based trauma describes psychological harm connected to attacks on a person's social identity. Race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, or disability are relevant targets. The phrase identifies a context of harm rather than a single standardized diagnosis. — Identity context.

Added October 5, 2026

IdentityTheft.gov — IdentityTheft.gov is an official U.S. resource for addressing identity theft and related protective needs. The victim uses it when sensitive identity information has been shared or misused. Its guidance addresses identity protection alongside the separate tasks of fraud reporting and evidence organization. — Identity Protection

Added October 18, 2026

Illicit Fentanyl — Illicit fentanyl refers to fentanyl produced, distributed, or supplied outside lawful medical channels. Authorities identify its trafficking as a major component of CJNG’s criminal activity. This distinguishes the cartel’s drug business from legitimate medical use of regulated fentanyl products. — Illicit Drugs

Added October 11, 2026

Illicit Revenue — Illicit revenue is income generated through unlawful activities. Fraud payments become part of a criminal enterprise’s revenue when operators obtain them through deception. Identifying these income streams helps explain why authorities target the financial network alongside the underlying offenses. — Criminal Finance

Added October 11, 2026

Illusory Truth Effect — The illusory truth effect is the tendency for repeated statements to feel more truthful because they become familiar. Repetition increases the ease of processing a claim without necessarily improving its accuracy. A scammer’s repeated account therefore deserves verification rather than acceptance based on how familiar it sounds. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Imagined relationship — An imagined relationship is the relationship the survivor believed existed on the basis of the criminal’s presentation. Its apparent identity, commitments, or future differed from the underlying deception. The survivor’s emotional investment remains real even when the relationship rested on false information. — Scam-Related Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Immediate relief — Immediate relief is the reduction in discomfort that follows an action such as cancelling an appointment or avoiding a conversation. The relief encourages repetition even when responsibilities and relationships suffer afterward. Examining both the immediate benefit and the later cost helps reveal why avoidance persists. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Immediate Relief Seeking — Immediate relief seeking prioritizes reducing current distress through an action that feels helpful in the moment. Recontacting a criminal or spending recklessly sometimes serves this purpose. Understanding the sought relief helps identify alternatives without ignoring the action’s later consequences. — Coping Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Immigration Officer Scam — An immigration officer scam involves someone falsely claiming authority over immigration status or applications. The criminal threatens deportation or promises approval. Payments and sensitive documents become the objects of the deception. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Impaired concentration — Impaired concentration is difficulty sustaining attention or organizing information. It interferes with tasks such as completing paperwork, recording predictions, or evaluating decisions. Recovery practices address this difficulty through manageable scope and practical assistance rather than treating it as permanent incompetence. — Functional Difficulties

Added October 14, 2026

Impersonation — Impersonation is the deliberate presentation of oneself as another person or as a representative of an organization without authorization. Criminals imitate banks, government agencies, employers, and private individuals to borrow their credibility. Contact through independently obtained official channels helps evaluate whether the claimed affiliation is genuine. — Criminal Deception

Added October 3, 2026

Impulsive Reactions — Impulsive reactions are rapid responses made with limited consideration of facts or consequences. Fear, anger, or urgency drives action before the situation receives adequate examination. The resulting conflict, obligations, or renewed contact creates additional work during recovery. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Incident — A cybersecurity incident involves activity that jeopardizes or violates security requirements. Examples include unauthorized access, harmful disruption, and compromise of protected information. Organizations investigate incidents to determine scope, contain harm, and restore trustworthy operation. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incident Containment — Incident containment limits an active incident’s spread and consequences. Responders restrict affected accounts, systems, or communications according to the situation. Effective containment balances immediate protection with evidence preservation and the need to maintain essential services. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incident Eradication — Incident eradication removes the causes and remaining elements of a compromise. Responders address malicious software, unauthorized access, and exploited weaknesses. Thorough eradication reduces the likelihood that an attacker will regain access during or after recovery. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incident Recovery — Incident recovery returns affected systems and services to reliable operation. Responders restore information, verify security, and monitor for recurring problems. Recovery succeeds when operational restoration also addresses the conditions that allowed the incident. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incident Response — Incident response coordinates the actions an organization takes when a cybersecurity incident occurs. It includes preparation, investigation, containment, and recovery activities. Clear responsibilities and practiced procedures help responders act effectively under pressure. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incoming funds — Incoming funds are money received by the victim during activity connected with the scam. Receipt alone does not establish that the money came from a legitimate source. The victim records the sender, amount, method, and any subsequent movement of the funds. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Incongruence — Incongruence means a mismatch between experiences, beliefs, feelings, or actions that do not fit together. It describes the conflict between what the survivor believed during the scam and what the evidence reveals afterward, as well as the distance between intellectual understanding and emotional attachment. The term identifies a lack of alignment rather than a diagnosis or a defect in the survivor’s character. Incongruence between knowledge and feeling appears when a survivor recognizes the criminal deception but still misses the supposed partner, longs for familiar messages, or feels protective toward the stolen identity. The person knows that the promised relationship lacked an honest foundation, yet the emotional bond retains its force. Those feelings do not disprove the evidence; they reveal that factual recognition and emotional adjustment follow different courses. Incongruence between self-image and experience appears when the survivor struggles to reconcile being careful, capable, or independent with decisions made under manipulation. A thought such as “I have always considered myself cautious, yet I trusted this person” captures that mismatch without establishing that the survivor lacks intelligence or judgment. Recovery involves developing an account that accommodates both personal strengths and the reality of exploitation, allowing decisions to follow established facts while feelings gradually adjust.

Added October 5, 2026

Independent legal advice — Independent legal advice is guidance from a qualified legal professional who assesses the victim’s circumstances. It holds particular importance when the victim received or moved money for someone else. The advice addresses the victim’s position separately from the criminal’s explanations or instructions. — Legal Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Independent source — An independent source provides relevant information through a connection separate from the person making the questionable claim. Another account or document introduced by the same sender does not automatically meet this requirement. The source needs a credible, separate relationship to the issue under examination. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Independent Verification — Independent verification checks a claim through sources or contact channels outside the claimant’s control. It includes contacting an organization through its official website or a telephone number obtained separately. The process evaluates evidence rather than relying on the claimant’s reassurance or supplied documents. — Verification Practice

Added October 3, 2026

Independent Verification — Independent verification involves checking a claim through a trustworthy source separate from the person making it. A survivor uses established channels rather than relying on an unfamiliar sender’s assurances. This provides a practical basis for a decision without demanding certainty about every possible explanation. — Protective Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Independent verification — Independent verification involves checking a claim through reliable information beyond the person making it. It protects decisions from emotional pressure and unsupported promises. A survivor preserves hope more securely when important claims receive examination before financial commitments or other consequential actions. — Safety Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Independent verification — Independent verification checks a claim through a separate, established source or contact route. A survivor contacts the relevant relative, provider, or institution without relying solely on the questionable sender’s instructions. This process examines the identity or circumstances that matter to the immediate decision. — Verification Methods

Added October 17, 2026

Indicator of Attack — An indicator of attack describes behavior or circumstances associated with an attack in progress or preparation. Examples include suspicious sequences of access attempts or unusual execution patterns. Defenders interpret these signals in context to identify and interrupt malicious activity. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Indicator of Compromise — An indicator of compromise is an observable artifact associated with a potential or confirmed intrusion. Examples include suspicious file hashes, addresses, and account changes. Matching an indicator supports investigation but does not always establish the full incident or its cause. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Indirect Ownership — Indirect ownership exists when an ownership interest passes through one or more intervening entities. A person’s connection to a company therefore extends through other businesses rather than a single direct holding. Examining these chains helps identify relationships hidden behind multiple corporate layers. — Corporate Ownership

Added October 11, 2026

Indirect Threats to Survival — Indirect threats to survival are dangers arising through deterioration, untreated needs, or unsafe conditions rather than a direct fatal act. Progressive neglect introduces these risks even without a stated suicide plan. Assessment addresses the actual danger and the person’s understanding of it. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Indirect trauma exposure — Indirect trauma exposure refers to encountering trauma through another person's experience or traumatic material. Learning of certain events affecting close others and repeated occupational exposure are relevant clinical contexts. Not every upsetting story or media exposure meets diagnostic exposure criteria. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Informal Culture — Informal culture describes the unwritten habits, expectations, and social practices that develop within a community. Members learn these practices through repeated interactions and the behavior of influential participants. Conflict develops when informal customs contradict established rules or lead members to assume authority that the organization never assigned. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Informal Discretion — Informal discretion describes the freedom members exercise in areas that leaders have not closely regulated or clearly defined. Members sometimes grow accustomed to choosing discussion topics, shaping interactions, or influencing routines without explicit authorization. New limits create tension when members interpret their previous freedom as a permanent entitlement. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Information disclosure — Information disclosure is the sharing of personal, financial, or account-related details with another person. A request for disclosure requires examination of the recipient’s identity and the consequences of sharing. A survivor retains the right to withhold information without proving that the requester intends harm. — Privacy Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Information Security — Information security protects information and the systems that handle it against unauthorized or harmful activity. It applies to digital records as well as other information formats. Its central objectives include confidentiality, integrity, and availability. – Security Discipline

Added October 7, 2026

Infrastructure as Code Security — Infrastructure as code security addresses risks in files and processes that automatically create or configure technology resources. Weak templates spread insecure settings across many deployments. Organizations review code, protect credentials, and check resulting infrastructure against approved requirements. – Infrastructure Security

Added October 7, 2026

Inheritance Scam — An inheritance scam falsely claims that the target has a right to a deceased person’s assets. The criminal requests fees and documents to obtain the supposed estate. The promised inheritance never materializes. – Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Initial contact — Initial contact is the first exchange between the scammer’s profile and the targeted person. It occurs through dating services, social media, email, forums, websites, or online games. Either person starts the exchange, but the criminal has prepared the deceptive identity to attract engagement. — Criminal Stages

Added October 15, 2026

Innocent photograph owner — An innocent photograph owner is an uninvolved person whose image the criminal used without responsibility for the deception. The survivor separates that person from the conduct associated with the presented identity. The farewell requires neither contacting the person nor investigating or following their life. — Identity Distinctions

Added October 18, 2026

Input Validation — Input validation checks whether incoming data meets expected requirements before an application uses it. Checks address properties such as format, length, range, and permitted values. Validation supports security but does not replace context-specific protections such as output encoding or parameterized queries. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Inside Man — An inside man is the confidence operator who performs the central authoritative role after another offender introduces the target. He appears to control the opportunity, possess special knowledge, or manage the business. His performance turns the introduction into a convincing fraudulent arrangement. – Confidence-Game Role

Added October 7, 2026

Insider Threat — An insider threat arises from someone with authorized access or a trusted relationship who causes or enables harm. The activity includes deliberate misconduct and damaging mistakes. Organizations address it through proportionate access controls, oversight, training, and fair investigative procedures. – Threat Classification

Added October 7, 2026

Insidious trauma — Insidious trauma describes cumulative psychological harm associated with persistent oppression, devaluation, or marginalization. The harm develops through recurring experiences rather than one clearly bounded catastrophe. It is a theoretical and descriptive concept rather than a formal diagnosis. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Institutional betrayal trauma — Institutional betrayal trauma describes trauma associated with harmful action or failure by a trusted institution. Examples include concealment of abuse, retaliation against reporting, or refusal to provide expected protection. It emphasizes the psychological consequences of violated institutional trust. — Institutional context.

Added October 5, 2026

Insurance Company Impersonation Scam — An insurance company impersonation scam uses false contact about policies, claims, or coverage. The criminal requests payments or sensitive documents. Fabricated urgency makes the target fear losing protection or an expected settlement. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Integrity — Integrity means preserving information or systems against improper alteration or destruction. It supports confidence that content and behavior remain consistent with authorized expectations. Security controls detect or prevent changes that undermine that confidence. – Information Security

Added October 7, 2026

Intellectualization — Intellectualization involves using analysis or explanation to create distance from vulnerable feelings. A survivor discusses why people disappoint while leaving their own grief or shame unexplored. Detailed reasoning becomes relevant to this defense when it repeatedly replaces emotional acknowledgment or useful action. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Intention to Die — Intention to die means death is a desired outcome of a person’s contemplated or chosen behavior. It differs from feeling indifferent to risk or failing to understand danger. Qualified assessment explores intention directly instead of assuming it from neglect or its consequences. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Interests in Property — Interests in property include rights or stakes connected to an asset, rather than only outright possession of it. The sanctions announcement applies restrictions to both property and covered interests in property. This wording addresses financial relationships that extend beyond a named person physically holding money. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Intergenerational trauma — Intergenerational trauma refers to trauma-related effects extending from one generation to another. Family relationships, parenting, social conditions, and continuing adversity are important transmission pathways. Biological pathways remain an area of research rather than a complete explanation. — Generational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Intergenerational trauma transmission — Intergenerational trauma transmission refers to pathways connecting one generation's trauma with outcomes in the next. Parenting, family relationships, material conditions, and continuing adversity are important mechanisms. Proposed biological mechanisms require distinction from established inheritance of specific memories. — Transmission process.

Added October 5, 2026

Internal pressure — Internal pressure is the demand for immediate resolution that arises within a person rather than from another person’s instructions. A survivor feels driven to answer because uncertainty or discomfort feels difficult to tolerate. Recognizing this pressure supports a deliberate response without treating the feeling as an external deadline. — Emotional Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Internal structure — Internal structure is the personal organization that supports decisions, responsibilities, and continuity across the day. Trauma-related distress disrupts this organization when concentration fragments and ordinary activities lose their sequence. External routines and supportive contact provide assistance while the survivor rebuilds dependable functioning. — Psychological Processes

Added October 15, 2026

International Narcotics Trafficking — International narcotics trafficking involves the unlawful movement or distribution of controlled drugs across national borders. Authorities describe CJNG as a significant participant in this activity. Its cross-border operations help explain the involvement of agencies from more than one country. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Internet Crime Complaint Center — The Internet Crime Complaint Center, commonly called IC3, is the FBI’s online reporting center for internet-related crime. Authorities direct victims of the Mexican timeshare scheme to submit complaints through it. A complaint supplies information for assessment and does not itself guarantee an investigation or reimbursement. — Crime Reporting

Added October 11, 2026

Internet Crime Complaint Center — The Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3, receives reports of internet-enabled crime for the FBI. It accepts complaints from U.S. residents and people outside the United States. It reviews and refers information as appropriate without providing individual investigative status updates. — Reporting Agencies

Added October 18, 2026

Internet Love Scam — An internet love scam uses online communication to develop a deceptive romantic relationship. The criminal creates attachment through attention, personal stories, and promises of a shared future. Requests for money or other assistance convert that attachment into exploitation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Internet of Things Security — Internet of Things security protects connected devices such as sensors, appliances, and industrial equipment. These devices often combine constrained resources with long operating lives. Effective protection addresses credentials, updates, communications, physical exposure, and the services that support them. – Device Security

Added October 7, 2026

Interpersonal Dissonance — Interpersonal dissonance describes a perceived mismatch between people’s beliefs, expectations, emotions, or interpretations within a relationship. A survivor seeks compassionate listening while a family member responds with criticism or demands for immediate progress. Clarifying the differing expectations helps identify the source of tension and establish more constructive communication. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 7, 2026

Interpersonal trauma — Interpersonal trauma refers to trauma arising from harm inflicted by another person or people. It includes abuse, assault, exploitation, and other violations of personal safety. The involvement of human intention introduces questions about trust, accountability, and relationships. — Relational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Interpretation — An interpretation is the meaning or explanation a person assigns to an event. It includes conclusions about another person’s motives, the future, or personal obligations. Examining the evidence behind that meaning helps a survivor distinguish a reasonable explanation from an unsupported conclusion. — Thinking Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Intimate partner violence trauma — Intimate partner violence trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with abuse by a current or former intimate partner. Physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and coercive psychological abuse are relevant behaviors. Betrayal and constrained freedom frequently shape the survivor's experience. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Intrapersonal Dissonance — Intrapersonal dissonance describes conflict within an individual’s beliefs, feelings, motives, or expectations. A survivor wants to accept the evidence of deception while also wanting to preserve the relationship’s emotional meaning. The term describes an internal inconsistency and does not establish a diagnosis or explain its cause by itself. — Internal Conflict

Added October 7, 2026

Intrusion Detection System — An intrusion detection system monitors activity for signs of attacks or policy violations. It examines network traffic, host events, or other relevant information. Detection produces alerts for investigation rather than necessarily stopping the activity itself. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Intrusion Prevention System — An intrusion prevention system detects selected threats and takes action to block or interrupt them. It often operates directly in the path of network traffic. Careful configuration reduces both missed attacks and unnecessary disruption of legitimate activity. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Intrusive memories — Intrusive memories are unwanted recollections that enter awareness without deliberate recall. Persistent experiences of this kind warrant professional attention when they contribute to substantial distress or impairment. Community supporters recognize the concern and arrange appropriate referral without diagnosing its cause. — Trauma-Related Experiences

Added October 16, 2026

Invalid Cues — Invalid cues are signs that people treat as meaningful indicators even though they do not adequately support the conclusion drawn. Nervousness and avoided eye contact illustrate cues that do not reliably establish lying. Recognizing their limitations prevents an emotional impression from receiving the status of evidence. — Deception Assessment

Added October 3, 2026

Investigative referral — An investigative referral directs information to another agency or unit for consideration. It reflects a transfer of information rather than a promise that an investigation will begin. The victim asks where the referral went and records any instructions for further contact. — Law Enforcement Procedures

Added October 18, 2026

Investigator instructions — Investigator instructions direct how reported crime records or devices should remain available. The survivor follows those instructions before altering material connected with the investigation. Questions about unclear evidentiary importance require appropriate assistance rather than impulsive deletion or destruction. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Investment Scam — An investment scam uses false or materially misleading claims to obtain investment funds. The promoter misrepresents profits, risks, assets, or management. Investors lose money through theft, fabricated operations, or concealed misuse of funds. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Invoice Scam — An invoice scam requests payment for goods or services that the recipient did not legitimately purchase. The criminal supplies plausible billing details. Routine payment procedures allow the false charge to pass without meaningful scrutiny. – Business Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

IP Spoofing — IP spoofing falsifies the source address in internet protocol traffic. Attackers use it to disguise origins or support attacks that exploit trust in addresses. Network filtering reduces some misuse, while authentication provides stronger identity assurance than an address alone. – Network Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Irritability — Irritability is an increased tendency to feel annoyed or respond sharply to ordinary difficulties. It adds strain to conversations when frustration rises quickly. Recognizing the pattern supports discussion of symptoms and more thoughtful responses to interpersonal stress. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 12, 2026

IRS Impersonation Scam — An IRS impersonation scam uses a false claim of contact from the Internal Revenue Service. The criminal alleges unpaid taxes or offers a fabricated refund. Threats, payment instructions, and information requests serve the theft. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

IRS.gov — IRS.gov is the official website of the Internal Revenue Service, the federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing federal tax laws. It provides tax forms, filing guidance, payment information, and taxpayer resources. The website also explains tax scams, impersonation tactics, and procedures for reporting suspicious tax-related messages. Its official guidance helps taxpayers check claims about taxes, refunds, and supposed IRS demands. — Government Tax Information and Fraud Resource Internal Revenue Service

Added October 2, 2026

Isolation — Isolation separates systems, processes, or resources to restrict interaction and contain harm. Organizations use network boundaries, execution controls, and dedicated environments for this purpose. Effective isolation defines permitted exchanges and verifies that unintended paths do not bypass the separation. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Isolation — Isolation is the deliberate weakening of a victim’s connections with people who question the relationship or offer warnings. Scammers encourage secrecy and portray relatives or friends as threats to the supposed romance. This separation increases the criminal’s influence and limits opportunities for an outside perspective. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Jalisco — Jalisco is a Mexican state that includes Puerto Vallarta. It forms part of the geographic setting for the CJNG-linked timeshare network described by authorities. A business address in Jalisco alone does not establish criminal involvement or identify every local business as fraudulent. — Geographic Context

Added October 11, 2026

Job loss — Job loss removes employment and the income, schedule, and regular activity associated with it. During recovery, that disruption places additional pressure on routines that already require effort to maintain. Replacing lost structure and addressing practical needs helps prevent the crisis from dominating every part of daily life. — Practical Consequences

Added October 15, 2026

Job Offer Scam — A job offer scam advertises employment that does not exist as represented. The criminal requests money, identity documents, or financial transactions during recruitment. The supposed hiring process becomes the mechanism for theft or exploitation. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Job Training Fee Scam — A job training fee scam promises employment after the applicant purchases required instruction. The operator misrepresents the job or the training’s necessity. Payment does not produce the promised hiring opportunity. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

JSON Web Token — A JSON Web Token, or JWT, represents claims in a compact format for exchange between systems. Depending on its construction, it uses signing, message authentication, or encryption. Encoded content alone provides no confidentiality, and recipients must validate applicable security properties. – Authentication Technology rfc-editor.org

Added October 7, 2026

Jurisdiction — Jurisdiction concerns an authority’s legal responsibility or power to address particular conduct. Location and applicable law affect which agency receives or handles a report. The victim asks for the correct reporting destination when an agency explains that another authority should receive the complaint. — Legal Framework

Added October 18, 2026

Jury Duty Scam — A jury duty scam falsely claims that someone missed jury service and faces penalties. The criminal demands immediate payment or identifying information. Fabricated warrants and court references make an invented obligation appear urgent. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Justice.gov — Justice.gov is the official website of the United States Department of Justice. It provides information about federal law enforcement, legal proceedings, departmental responsibilities, and enforcement initiatives. The department includes federal prosecutors and agencies that investigate and prosecute crimes. Its website helps readers locate official information about federal cases and identify relevant departmental offices and resources. — Government Justice and Law Enforcement Resource United States Department of Justice

Added October 2, 2026

Key Derivation Function — A key derivation function produces cryptographic key material from an input secret and other parameters. Different functions address different needs, including password-based protection and protocol key generation. Correct selection and configuration help resist guessing and inappropriate key reuse. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Key Exchange — Key exchange establishes cryptographic key material between communicating parties. Secure protocols address interception and the identity of participating endpoints. The resulting keys then support protected communication, although the exchange’s security depends on its design and implementation. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Key Management — Key management governs the creation, storage, distribution, use, and retirement of cryptographic keys. Its procedures protect keys throughout their lifecycle. Poor management undermines otherwise strong encryption by exposing secrets or leaving obsolete access available. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Key Rotation — Key rotation replaces cryptographic keys according to policy or security needs. The process limits reliance on the same key over extended periods and addresses suspected exposure. Organizations coordinate replacement carefully so that legitimate access and protected information remain available. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Keylogger — A keylogger records keystrokes from a keyboard or related input process. Malicious operators use it to capture passwords, messages, and other sensitive information. Some legitimate monitoring tools provide similar functions, making authorization and context important to assessment. – Surveillance Software

Added October 7, 2026

Knowledge as a counterweight — Knowledge as a counterweight describes the protective value of understanding recurring recovery difficulties. A survivor recognizes familiar thought patterns, prepares for anniversaries, and develops a response to difficult nights. This familiarity supports more informed action without guaranteeing that later crises will be painless or easy. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Land Banking Scam — A land banking scam sells plots using misleading claims about development approval or future value. The promoter suggests that planning changes will produce substantial profits. Buyers acquire unsuitable or overpriced land without the represented prospects. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Landlord Impersonation Scam — A landlord impersonation scam involves someone falsely claiming authority over an existing rental property. The criminal requests rent, deposits, or banking changes. Tenants send money to someone unrelated to the legitimate rental arrangement. – Housing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Language assistance — Language assistance helps a victim communicate with an agency when language differences interfere with reporting. It supports understanding of questions, instructions, and the information being recorded. The victim asks about available assistance before the conversation or when communication difficulties emerge. — Reporting Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Large catastrophe — A large catastrophe is a major event that substantially disrupts the survivor’s existing stability. Examples include financial collapse, job loss, another betrayal, or public humiliation. Its effects depend partly on the routines, relationships, and assistance available around the crisis. — Recovery Challenges

Added October 15, 2026

Large request strategy — The large request strategy seeks substantial payments for major expenses or complicated financial problems. Scammers describe medical bills, legal costs, business difficulties, or investments in nonexistent companies. The request draws on trust established during grooming to make a significant financial commitment seem justified. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Late-life trauma — Late-life trauma refers to trauma experienced during older adulthood. Threatening victimization, abuse, or overwhelming medical experiences are possible contexts. Its effects interact with existing health conditions, prior experiences, social support, and changes in independence. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Least Privilege — Least privilege gives an identity only the access necessary for its authorized responsibilities. The principle applies to people, applications, and system processes. Limiting privileges reduces both accidental damage and the opportunities available after an account compromise. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Legal Settlement Scam — A legal settlement scam falsely announces compensation from litigation or a negotiated claim. The criminal demands fees, taxes, or bank details. The supposed settlement does not produce the advertised payment. – Legal Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Legitimate Objections — Legitimate objections raise relevant concerns about a community decision, its effects, or the process leaders used to reach it. Members express these concerns through requests for explanations, evidence, or reconsideration. Leaders distinguish substantive objections from demands for personal control by examining the concern and the behavior surrounding it. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Lethargic — Lethargic describes a state of unusual tiredness, drowsiness, or sluggishness that reduces a person’s energy and readiness to act. The word applies to physical movement, mental activity, or both. It describes a condition rather than establishing laziness, unwillingness, or a particular diagnosis. Lethargic entered English in the late fourteenth century through Latin lethargicus, from Greek lēthargikos, meaning drowsy or affected by lethargy. Its underlying Greek word, lēthargos, is traditionally explained as combining lēthē, meaning forgetfulness or oblivion, with argos, meaning idle or inactive. This gives the historical sense of inactivity associated with forgetfulness or dulled awareness. The connection to the River Lethe comes through that shared Greek word, lēthē. In classical mythology, Lethe was the river of forgetfulness in the underworld, whose waters caused those who drank them to forget. The river’s name and lethargic therefore share a linguistic foundation. The myth gives the word a powerful image: a person moving through life as though wakefulness, memory, and initiative have grown distant. That is a literary interpretation of its origins, while its modern meaning centers on diminished energy, alertness, and activity.

Added October 18, 2026

Lie-Detection Accuracy — Lie-detection accuracy measures the proportion of judgments that correctly identify statements as truthful or deceptive. Overall accuracy combines the successful identification of truths and lies, which sometimes differ substantially. A complete interpretation examines both types of judgment and the conditions under which the results were obtained. — Research Measurement

Added October 3, 2026

Lifetime trauma exposure — Lifetime trauma exposure refers to traumatic experiences encountered across a person's life. Assessment examines both early experiences and later events. Its meaning depends on the exposure definition and measurement approach used. — Exposure assessment.

Added October 5, 2026

Light — Light is a metaphor for returning enjoyment, clarity, connection, and participation after betrayal. It appears through ordinary experiences such as a satisfying meal, genuine laughter, or a conversation without judgment. These experiences add substance to recovery even while grief and practical difficulties remain. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Liminality — Liminality describes an in-between state in which the former life or identity no longer fits, while a new sense of stability has not yet taken shape. The word comes from the idea of a threshold, a passage between one state and another. Applied to recovery, it offers an anthropological lens for understanding transition rather than a clinical diagnosis. Liminality after discovery involves living between the relationship the survivor believed existed and the reality the evidence now reveals. The person recognizes the deception while still carrying attachments, routines, expectations, and plans that developed during the scam. The former story no longer provides a credible direction, but the survivor has not yet established what will replace it, creating a sense of uncertainty about belonging, identity, and the future. Liminality during recovery concerns the gradual movement toward a life that acknowledges the crime without organizing every decision around it. Familiar roles and priorities require reconsideration, while new boundaries, relationships, and sources of meaning develop through experience. This transition does not follow a fixed timetable or require the survivor to remain suspended until every difficult feeling disappears; practical participation in life helps give the emerging future shape. Another word for Liminality is Purgatory.

Added October 5, 2026

Limited reminder contact — Limited reminder contact means choosing how much exposure to scam-related material occurs during the farewell. The survivor uses a small amount of material, keeps a photograph face down, or asks a trusted person to handle it. The exercise does not require reviewing the entire relationship. — Reminder Management

Added October 18, 2026

Liquidity Mining Scam — A liquidity mining scam falsely promises rewards for supplying cryptocurrency to a platform or pool. The criminal disguises asset access as participation in decentralized finance. Deposited assets or granted permissions allow the offender to steal funds. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Lived experience — Lived experience is understanding gained through personally experiencing victimization and recovery. Peers draw on that understanding to offer recognition, mutual respect, and relevant examples. Its value remains distinct from the qualifications required for clinical assessment or psychotherapy. — Peer Support Foundations

Added October 16, 2026

Living off the Land — Living off the land describes attackers’ use of legitimate tools and existing system capabilities for malicious purposes. Familiar utilities help the activity blend into ordinary operations. Defenders examine context and behavior because the presence of an approved tool does not establish legitimate use. – Attack Technique

Added October 7, 2026

Loan Modification Scam — A loan modification scam promises changed repayment terms through misrepresented assistance. The operator charges fees or instructs the borrower to redirect payments. The promised modification never occurs as represented. – Debt Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Log Management — Log management collects, stores, protects, and organizes records of system activity. It supports troubleshooting, security monitoring, and investigation. Effective arrangements address retention, reliable timestamps, access restrictions, and the ability to retrieve relevant events promptly. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Logic Bomb — A logic bomb is malicious functionality that activates when a specified condition occurs. Triggers include dates, events, or changes in system state. The delayed activation allows harmful code to remain unnoticed until the condition causes its intended action. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Long Con — A long con develops over an extended period rather than relying on a single brief encounter. The offenders build trust, supply convincing details, and gradually prepare the target for a substantial commitment. The duration supports the deception but does not determine a fixed minimum number of days. – Elaborate Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Long Firm Fraud — Long firm fraud uses an apparently legitimate business that builds a record of paying suppliers before ordering substantially more goods. The offenders exploit the creditworthiness created by those earlier transactions. They obtain the larger deliveries, disappear without paying, and sell the goods elsewhere. – Business Credit Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Long game — The long game describes recovery as sustained work that extends beyond the earliest crisis. The survivor develops familiarity with recurring difficulties and continues strengthening routines, relationships, and practical responses. Its emphasis rests on maintaining participation rather than expecting one decision or intervention to complete recovery. — Recovery Processes

Added October 15, 2026

Loss of expected future — Loss of expected future is the grief associated with plans that depended on the deceptive relationship. Anticipated companionship, reunion, or a shared home disappears when the criminal’s promises become clear. Recovery includes recognizing this loss as meaningful even though the promised relationship was fabricated. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 15, 2026

Loss of Interest — Loss of interest is a reduction in engagement with activities that previously mattered or provided satisfaction. It appears among the depressive symptoms affecting daily life. Its impact requires attention when ordinary care and responsibilities also lose their perceived importance. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 13, 2026

Loss of the Imagined Relationship — Loss of the imagined relationship occurs when discovery reveals that the believed partnership rested on deception. The survivor loses companionship as they understood it, although the criminal manufactured the relationship. The resulting distress does not make the original deception a genuine mutual attachment. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Loss of the Promised Future — Loss of the promised future is the collapse of expected marriage, security, reunion, or rescue after discovery of deception. The loss removes a direction around which the survivor organized hope. Support helps establish real possibilities without reconnecting the person to the criminal. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Lost Luggage Scam — A lost luggage scam falsely offers recovery or compensation for missing baggage. The criminal requests processing fees or sensitive information. The traveler pays without receiving the promised luggage assistance or reimbursement. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Lottery Scam — A lottery scam falsely announces that the target has won a prize. The criminal requests fees, taxes, or financial information before release. The supposed winnings never arrive despite repeated payments. – Prize Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Love bombing — Love bombing is an intense flood of affection, attention, and romantic language delivered over a short period. The emotional intensity accelerates attachment and leaves less space for careful consideration. Scammers use this tactic to strengthen influence before introducing financial demands or other forms of control. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Love Scam — A love scam exploits a deceptive romantic connection to obtain money, information, or other benefits. The criminal manufactures intimacy and presents financial requests as obligations within the relationship. The survivor’s feelings are real even though the offender’s represented identity or intentions are false. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Low-stakes decision — A low-stakes decision involves limited consequences compared with choices affecting substantial money, account access, or safety. Ordinary preferences and routine social responses provide examples. These decisions offer manageable opportunities to practice judgment without applying an intensive investigation to every interaction. — Risk Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Luxury Goods Authentication Scam — A luxury goods authentication scam supplies false assurances that an item is genuine. The operator uses fabricated certificates or expert claims. Buyers purchase counterfeit or misrepresented goods at prices based on false authenticity. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious App Scam — A malicious app scam promotes an application that conceals harmful functions or deceptive charges. The criminal advertises a useful service or opportunity. Installation exposes the user to stolen information, unauthorized transactions, or fraudulent demands. – Digital Application Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious Attachment — A malicious attachment is a message attachment that delivers harmful content or facilitates compromise. It includes infected files, deceptive documents, and content that directs recipients toward unsafe actions. Attackers rely on trust, urgency, or curiosity to encourage opening it. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Malvertising — Malvertising uses online advertising to distribute malicious content or direct visitors toward harmful destinations. Attackers exploit advertising systems or submit deceptive campaigns. The presence of an advertisement on a legitimate website does not establish that its destination is trustworthy. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Malware — Malware is software that performs harmful or unauthorized actions. Categories include ransomware, spyware, viruses, and other malicious programs. Its effects range from information theft and unwanted monitoring to service disruption and destruction of data. – Malicious Software

Added October 7, 2026

Malware Analysis — Malware analysis examines malicious software to understand its behavior, capabilities, and identifying characteristics. Analysts study code and observe execution in controlled environments. The findings support detection, incident investigation, and decisions about containment or removal. – Threat Analysis

Added October 7, 2026

Man-in-the-Middle Attack — A man-in-the-middle attack intercepts communication between parties that believe they communicate directly. The attacker observes or alters the exchange through an intermediary position. The term describes the same general threat that many sources call an adversary-in-the-middle attack. – Attack Method

Added October 7, 2026

Manageable Action — A manageable action is a practical step that fits the person’s present ability and available support. It addresses part of a real need without requiring completion of every related task. Its purpose is to support engagement while acknowledging genuine limits. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Manageable actions — Manageable actions are clearly limited activities suited to the person’s current energy, attention, and resources. Examples include preparing one document, attending an appointment, or participating in a planned recovery session. Their value rests in restoring participation without requiring immediate confidence or a complete emotional transformation. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Manageable actions — Manageable actions are practical steps suited to the survivor’s current abilities and circumstances. They turn a broad concern into a task with an identifiable purpose and realistic requirements. Supporters divide an action into smaller parts when its demands exceed the person’s present capacity. — Support Methods

Added October 16, 2026

Managed Detection and Response — Managed detection and response provides externally operated threat monitoring, investigation, and response support. The provider combines technology with security analysts and defined service procedures. Organizations evaluate responsibilities and coverage to understand which response actions the provider actually performs. – Security Service

Added October 7, 2026

Manipulated video — A manipulated video is an altered visual presentation used as part of the identity shown to the survivor. Its appearance does not establish that the visible person committed the crime. The farewell concerns the relationship presented through the image rather than an assumption about who appears on screen. — Identity Distinctions

Added October 18, 2026

Manufactured Evidence — Manufactured evidence is material created, altered, or staged to support a false claim. Examples include fabricated bank statements, forged credentials, stolen photographs presented as personal images, and coordinated endorsements. Its apparent detail or professional appearance does not establish authenticity. — Criminal Deception

Added October 3, 2026

Mark — Mark is criminal slang for the person a confidence operator targets. Offenders use the term when discussing recruitment, manipulation, or the intended financial loss. The label reflects the offender’s perspective and does not establish anything about the victim’s intelligence or character. – Target-Related Criminal Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Marketplace Buyer Scam — A marketplace buyer scam targets sellers with false payment claims or deceptive transaction instructions. The criminal sends fabricated confirmations or requests refunds. The seller loses merchandise or sends money without receiving valid payment. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Marketplace Seller Scam — A marketplace seller scam uses a deceptive listing to obtain payment from a buyer. The seller misrepresents possession, condition, or delivery. Pressure to pay outside the platform removes protections and assists the theft. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Marriage Scam — A marriage scam uses deceptive marriage intentions or arrangements to obtain money, property, status, or another advantage. The offender misrepresents commitment, identity, or the circumstances surrounding the proposed marriage. The promise or appearance of marriage supplies leverage for the exploitation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Marriage-Promise Scam — A marriage-promise scam uses a deceptive commitment to marriage to obtain money or other benefits. The criminal requests wedding expenses, documentation payments, or relocation support. The promised marriage serves as leverage for continued exploitation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Mass violence trauma — Mass violence trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with violence affecting numerous people. Mass shootings, massacres, and coordinated attacks are examples. Effects extend to directly exposed survivors, witnesses, and affected families or communities. — Violence context.

Added October 5, 2026

Meaningful activity — Meaningful activity is an ordinary task or interest that gives the survivor connection, purpose, or enjoyment. Walking, gardening, reading, caring for an animal, and making something provide examples. Participation creates room for experiences beyond the crime without requiring a dramatic change in mood beforehand. — Recovery Practices

Added October 15, 2026

Medicaid Impersonation Scam — A Medicaid impersonation scam uses false contact about enrollment, benefits, or renewal. The criminal requests personal information or a supposed processing fee. The deceptive approach exploits concern about retaining healthcare coverage. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medical Crowdfunding Scam — A medical crowdfunding scam raises money using fabricated or materially misleading illness claims. The organizer invents diagnoses, treatment needs, or beneficiaries. Donations support purposes different from those presented to contributors. – Crowdfunding Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medical Discount Plan Scam — A medical discount plan scam presents discount arrangements as insurance or exaggerates their benefits. The seller misrepresents provider participation and savings. Customers pay for protection or access the plan does not actually provide. – Health Coverage Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medical Equipment Scam — A medical equipment scam uses deceptive offers involving braces, testing devices, or other supplies. The operator collects insurance details or requests payments under false pretenses. The information supports fraudulent billing or sales of unnecessary products. – Healthcare Billing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medical Review — Medical review is a clinician’s evaluation of health needs, symptoms, and existing treatment. It becomes important when care has stopped or a treatment plan no longer addresses the person’s needs. Concerns about medication belong with the prescribing professional rather than unqualified supporters. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Medical trauma — Medical trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with illness, medical emergencies, or healthcare experiences. Fear, perceived helplessness, painful procedures, or loss of control shape the psychological response. Here the term concerns emotional consequences rather than bodily injury. — Healthcare context.

Added October 5, 2026

Medical-Emergency Romance Scam — A medical-emergency romance scam invents illness, injury, or hospitalization within a deceptive relationship. The criminal supplies supposed medical bills or messages from fabricated doctors. Urgency and concern pressure the victim into sending money. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medicare Impersonation Scam — A Medicare impersonation scam involves a false representative requesting identifying information or payment. The criminal claims a replacement card, benefit update, or coverage problem requires immediate action. Collected information supports identity theft or fraudulent billing. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medication Abandonment — Medication abandonment is the discontinuation or repeated omission of prescribed treatment without an appropriate plan with the clinician. Reasons include access barriers, symptoms, concerns about treatment, or deliberate rejection. Restoring care begins with professional review rather than unsupervised changes. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Member-Run Mutual-Aid Group — A member-run mutual-aid group organizes support through arrangements in which members themselves hold leadership and governance responsibilities. Participants share experiences and help one another according to the group’s agreed structure. Its governance differs from a provider-managed community, where an organization assigns responsibility for operating the service. — Community Structure

Added October 6, 2026

Membership Standards — Membership standards describe the requirements a community establishes for joining, participating, and continuing membership. These standards clarify expectations about conduct, engagement, and respect for the community’s purpose. Leaders communicate them clearly and apply them consistently so that members understand their responsibilities and the consequences of disregarding them. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Memory Corruption — Memory corruption occurs when software improperly changes or accesses memory contents. Causes include programming errors involving boundaries, object lifetimes, or memory references. Attackers exploit some forms to crash applications, disclose information, or alter execution. – Software Vulnerability

Added October 7, 2026

Memory loops — Memory loops are repeated returns to the same messages, scenes, or moments associated with the scam. The survivor experiences the past as a recurring focus that occupies present time and attention. Recognizing the repetition supports discussion of what interrupts daily functioning and where assistance is needed. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 15, 2026

Memory recurrence — Memory recurrence means an image or recollection returns after the farewell. Its return does not cancel the survivor’s boundary or require another ceremony. The survivor responds to the reminder and returns attention to the present rather than treating remembering as proof of failure. — Memory and Recovery

Added October 18, 2026

Meta-Analysis — Meta-analysis is a research method that statistically combines results from multiple studies addressing a related question. It helps identify broader patterns and estimate effects beyond a single investigation. Its conclusions depend on the quality, comparability, and selection of the studies included. — Research Method

Added October 3, 2026

Mexican Timeshare Fraud — Mexican timeshare fraud involves deceptive transactions concerning timeshares in Mexico. The described scheme begins with a fictitious purchase offer and continues through demands for fees or supposed taxes. Victims discover that the promised buyer and sale proceeds do not exist. — Fraud Types

Added October 11, 2026

Microsegmentation — Microsegmentation establishes fine-grained access boundaries among workloads or smaller groups of resources. Policies restrict communication according to defined operational needs. This approach reduces unnecessary connectivity and limits an attacker’s movement after an initial compromise. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Microsoft Impersonation Scam — A Microsoft impersonation scam claims that a computer, account, or software license requires urgent attention. The criminal poses as technical or security staff. Requests for remote access and payment exploit the false claim of a problem. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Migration-related trauma — Migration-related trauma describes trauma associated with circumstances surrounding migration. Relevant experiences include violence, dangerous journeys, detention, exploitation, or forced separation. Migration itself is not inherently traumatic. — Displacement context.

Added October 5, 2026

Military Romance Scam — A military romance scam involves someone falsely claiming military service while pursuing a romantic relationship. The criminal invents expenses involving leave, deployment, equipment, or transportation. Stolen photographs and military language support the false identity. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Miracle Cure Scam — A miracle cure scam sells a treatment using fabricated or unsupported claims of exceptional effectiveness. The promoter exploits illness, fear, and hope. Customers pay for products that do not deliver the represented medical benefit. – Health Product Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Mirroring — Mirroring involves presenting the scammer’s fictional personality as closely aligned with the victim’s values, beliefs, interests, and experiences. Criminals build these similarities from information the victim shares or posts publicly. The apparent compatibility creates a sense of personal understanding that supports trust and attachment. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Mobile Device Management — Mobile device management centrally administers supported phones, tablets, and other enrolled devices. Organizations use it to apply settings, manage applications, and respond to lost equipment. Clear policies address security requirements alongside user privacy and ownership arrangements. – Device Management

Added October 7, 2026

Mobile Security — Mobile security protects portable devices, applications, and the information they handle. Risks include malicious applications, insecure connections, theft, and account compromise. Protection combines current software, secure access, controlled permissions, and careful handling of sensitive data. – Device Security

Added October 7, 2026

Modeling Audition Scam — A modeling audition scam promises opportunities with agencies or brands under false pretenses. The operator demands registration, portfolio, or placement fees. The promised professional work serves as leverage for payments or exploitation. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Money Laundering — Money laundering involves transactions or arrangements intended to conceal the criminal origin of funds. It allows proceeds from activities such as fraud or drug trafficking to appear connected to ordinary financial activity. The visible payment request represents only one part of the wider movement of criminal money. — Criminal Finance

Added October 11, 2026

Money laundering — Money laundering involves moving criminal funds through accounts or transactions to conceal their origins. Romance scammers use other people’s accounts to distance themselves from stolen money. A deceived victim becomes involved when the criminal directs the victim to receive funds and forward them elsewhere. — Financial Crime

Added October 15, 2026

Money mule — A money mule is a person who receives or transfers funds on behalf of criminals. Romance scammers sometimes deceive victims into performing this role without understanding the source or purpose of the money. This involvement adds financial and legal consequences to the harm caused by the original deception. — Financial Crime

Added October 15, 2026

Money Mule Scam — A money mule scam recruits someone to receive and move criminal proceeds. The offender disguises transfers as employment, romance, or personal assistance. The participant’s accounts conceal the source and destination of stolen funds. – Criminal Facilitation Scam FBI

Added October 7, 2026

Money Order Scam — A money order scam uses a counterfeit or invalid money order as payment. The criminal asks for goods, refunds, or forwarded funds. The recipient bears losses when the supposed payment does not settle legitimately. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Money Transfer Agent Scam — A money transfer agent scam advertises work processing payments through personal accounts. The criminal describes transfers as ordinary business transactions. The worker instead moves stolen funds and exposes personal finances to serious consequences. – Employment and Criminal Facilitation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Moral Dissonance — Moral dissonance describes discomfort when a person’s actions, judgments, or experiences conflict with deeply held beliefs about right and wrong. A survivor struggles with having followed deceptive instructions that unknowingly helped a criminal. Understanding the circumstances allows the survivor to examine responsibility without treating deception or lack of knowledge as deliberate wrongdoing. — Moral Conflict

Added October 7, 2026

Moral Injury — Moral injury is distress associated with experiences that violate deeply held moral expectations, including betrayal. It includes possible beliefs about undeservingness or the need for self-punishment. It is not a separate formal diagnosis, and scam victimization does not automatically establish its presence. — Trauma Responses

Added October 13, 2026

Mortality Risk — Mortality risk concerns the likelihood of death within a population or particular set of circumstances. Research described in the recovery context associates reported self-neglect among older adults with increased mortality. That association establishes seriousness without proving that neglected individuals intended death. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Mortgage Relief Scam — A mortgage relief scam promises to prevent foreclosure or reduce payments through deceptive services. The operator requests fees or redirects mortgage payments. Homeowners lose money while the underlying mortgage problem remains unresolved. – Housing and Debt Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Mourning ritual — A mourning ritual uses meaningful actions to acknowledge a loss. Experimental research has reported reduced grief and an increased sense of control after certain losses. Those findings do not establish that this farewell treats scam-related trauma or removes unwanted images. — Ritual Foundations

Added October 18, 2026

Moving Company Hostage Scam — A moving company hostage scam obtains possession of belongings before demanding undisclosed or fabricated charges. The operator refuses delivery unless the customer pays more. The customer’s need to recover personal property supplies the leverage. – Transportation and Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Multifactor Authentication — Multifactor authentication requires evidence from more than one distinct authentication factor category. Common categories include knowledge, possession, and inherent characteristics. Two passwords do not constitute separate factors because both rely on knowledge. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Multifactor authentication — Multifactor authentication requires more than one form of verification to access an account. It adds an account-security measure beyond a password alone. The victim enables it while securing accounts after disclosing credentials or discovering unauthorized access. — Account Security

Added October 18, 2026

Multifactor Authentication Approval Scam — A multifactor authentication approval scam persuades someone to approve an unexpected sign-in request. The criminal claims the approval will cancel fraud or confirm identity. The approval instead authorizes the attacker’s access. – Authentication Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Muscle Tension — Muscle tension is sustained tightness or contraction that produces bodily discomfort. It appears among the symptoms associated with anxiety discussed in the recovery context. Persistent tension deserves attention alongside emotional concerns rather than an assumption that worrying affects thoughts alone. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 12, 2026

Mystery Shopper Scam — A mystery shopper scam offers fabricated paid assignments evaluating stores or services. The criminal sends a fraudulent check and requires purchases or transfers. The participant forwards real money before discovering the check lacks valid funds. – Employment Scam Consumer Advice

Added October 7, 2026

Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions — Narcotics trafficking sanctions impose economic restrictions on qualifying drug traffickers and associated parties. Authorities also target businesses or individuals supporting those sanctioned networks. This explains why a timeshare fraud operation appears within enforcement aimed at a drug trafficking cartel. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Natural disaster trauma — Natural disaster trauma describes psychological trauma associated with events such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires. The psychological injury arises from threatening exposure and consequences rather than the hazard's classification alone. Survivors have different responses to the same disaster. — Disaster context.

Added October 5, 2026

Negative Coping — Negative coping involves responses to distress that create additional harm or interfere with recovery. Substance misuse, reckless spending, and renewed contact with criminals provide examples in the scam context. Assessment examines their immediate purpose alongside the longer-term burdens they produce. — Coping Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Negative expectations — Negative expectations are predictions that an experience will produce harm, rejection, failure, or disappointment. They become restrictive when the person treats them as established facts before gathering current information. Specific expectations provide useful targets for examination because their accuracy is easier to assess than sweeping claims about life. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Neglect-related trauma — Neglect-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with serious failures to provide necessary care, protection, or emotional responsiveness. Prolonged neglect is particularly consequential during development and dependence. The term concerns harmful deprivation rather than a single imperfect interaction. — Attachment context.

Added October 5, 2026

Network Access Control — Network access control evaluates whether a device or identity meets requirements before granting network access. Policies consider authentication, device condition, and assigned permissions. Organizations use it to restrict unapproved equipment and limit access for devices that fail security checks. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Network Security — Network security protects communications, connected resources, and network infrastructure. Controls address unauthorized access, interception, malicious traffic, and disruption. Effective protection combines architecture, access restrictions, monitoring, and maintenance rather than relying on a single network appliance. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Network Segmentation — Network segmentation divides a network into areas with controlled communication between them. Boundaries reflect differences in function, sensitivity, or trust. Proper segmentation limits unnecessary access and reduces the spread of attacks across connected systems. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

NFT Investment Scam — An NFT investment scam misrepresents a digital collection’s creators, benefits, scarcity, or future value. The promoter uses false endorsements and manufactured demand. Buyers acquire misleadingly marketed assets or receive nothing after payment. – Digital Asset Scam

Added October 7, 2026

NFT Minting Scam — An NFT minting scam offers a deceptive opportunity to create or purchase a digital collectible. The criminal directs users to a fraudulent minting page. Wallet approvals or payments transfer assets without delivering the promised item. – Digital Asset Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Nigerian Prince Scam — A Nigerian prince scam is a familiar name for an advance-fee scheme involving supposed overseas wealth. The criminal claims that assistance will unlock an inheritance, fortune, or restricted account. Repeated preliminary charges replace the promised payment, and the name does not establish the offender’s nationality. – Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Nondestructive symbolic action — A nondestructive symbolic action marks the ending without damaging the selected object. Folding a photograph away or placing a symbol in a closed container provides examples. The survivor gives the action meaning through a chosen boundary rather than through destruction itself. — Ritual Practice

Added October 18, 2026

Nonemergency reporting — Nonemergency reporting uses an agency’s designated channels when the situation does not involve immediate danger requiring emergency services. Available methods include telephone, online, or in-person procedures according to agency instructions. The victim confirms the correct method through the department’s official contact information. — Reporting Procedures

Added October 18, 2026

Nonrepudiation — Nonrepudiation provides evidence that supports attributing an action or communication to a particular party. Cryptographic signatures and trustworthy records contribute to that evidence. The strength of the conclusion depends on identity verification, key protection, and the surrounding circumstances. – Accountability

Added October 7, 2026

Nonresponse — Nonresponse describes a pattern in which the current support approach does not produce the intended benefit. It prompts examination of barriers, methods, accessibility, cultural fit, and unmet needs. Lack of improvement does not establish that the survivor refuses recovery or lacks motivation. — Progress Monitoring

Added October 16, 2026

Notary Impersonation Scam — A notary impersonation scam uses false credentials to sell document or legal services. The operator exaggerates authority or fabricates certification. Clients pay for assistance or authentication the person lacks authority to provide. – Legal Service Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Number Port-Out Scam — A number port-out scam fraudulently moves someone’s telephone number to another carrier account. The criminal uses stolen information or deceptive authorization. The transferred number becomes a tool for accessing financial and other accounts. – Account Access Scam

Added October 7, 2026

OAuth — OAuth is an authorization framework that allows applications to obtain limited access to protected resources. It uses defined exchanges and tokens instead of requiring an application to collect the resource owner’s password. OAuth alone does not provide a complete user authentication protocol. – Access and Identity Management rfc-editor.org

Added October 7, 2026

OAuth Consent Scam — An OAuth consent scam tricks someone into granting an application access to an account. The criminal presents the application as legitimate or necessary. The permission allows collection or manipulation of information without requiring the account password. – Account Access Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Obfuscation — Obfuscation deliberately makes code, information, or behavior more difficult to understand. Developers use it to complicate analysis, and attackers use it to conceal malicious activity. Obfuscation does not provide the same guarantees as encryption or other formal security controls. – Concealment Technique

Added October 7, 2026

Observable detail — An observable detail describes something directly noticed in an event or communication. Examples include the amount requested, the words used, or the absence of a reply. Recording these details helps separate the event from explanations about identity, intention, or rejection. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Obstructed Living Spaces — Obstructed living spaces are areas made difficult to use by accumulated objects, waste, or unattended household conditions. Depending on the circumstances, obstruction introduces safety concerns and limits ordinary activities. Assistance prioritizes usable space and essential protection rather than demands for perfect appearance. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Occupational trauma — Occupational trauma refers to psychological trauma arising through work-related exposure. Relevant occupations involve violence, disasters, human suffering, or repeated contact with traumatic material. The term includes both direct exposure and some forms of indirect professional exposure. — Occupational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Occupational trauma exposure — Occupational trauma exposure refers to trauma encountered through professional responsibilities. Examples include responding to violence or repeatedly handling disturbing details of serious events. Occupational exposure is distinct from burnout caused primarily by workload or organizational strain. — Occupational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Office for Victims of Crime — The Office for Victims of Crime is a U.S. Department of Justice office that provides victim assistance resources. Its website links to state services and compensation information. The victim uses those resources to identify programs and check their individual eligibility requirements. — Victim Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Office of Foreign Assets Control — The Office of Foreign Assets Control, abbreviated OFAC, is an office within the U.S. Treasury Department that administers and enforces economic sanctions. It designated individuals and companies associated with the CJNG timeshare network. Criminals separately misused its name to support false demands for payment. — Government Agencies

Added October 11, 2026

Office Supplies Scam — An office supplies scam delivers unsolicited goods or sends deceptive bills for supposed orders. The seller misrepresents authorization, pricing, or the existing supplier relationship. Businesses pay inflated or unjustified charges under pressure. – Business Procurement Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Offline Attack — An offline attack tests or analyzes captured information without interacting with the original authentication service. Password attackers commonly work against stolen password hashes in this way. Online login limits do not constrain these local attempts, making stored-credential protection essential. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Oil and Gas Investment Scam — An oil and gas investment scam misrepresents drilling projects, reserves, equipment, or production income. The promoter uses technical language and promised energy profits. Investor funds support nonexistent projects or undisclosed personal spending. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Oil Rig Romance Scam — An oil rig romance scam features a supposed offshore worker who develops an online relationship. The criminal claims isolation prevents ordinary banking or communication. Fabricated equipment failures, contracts, and emergencies create reasons to request money. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

On the Grift — On the grift means actively participating in swindling or fraudulent money-making activity. The expression describes a person operating through deception rather than legitimate transactions. It identifies an activity or occupational posture within criminal slang, not a distinct scam. – Criminal Activity Slang

Added October 7, 2026

On the Square — On the square describes honest conduct or legitimate work in contrast with swindling. Historical criminal slang uses the expression to distinguish lawful dealings from deceptive operations. The term does not name a scam and does not prove that someone claiming it behaves honestly. – Legitimacy-Related Slang

Added October 7, 2026

One-Time Password — A one-time password is an authentication value intended for a single use or limited validity period. A system generates or validates it according to an established process. Attackers still exploit codes through phishing when the authentication method lacks stronger protections. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

One-Time Password Scam — A one-time password scam persuades someone to disclose a temporary authentication code. The criminal claims the code serves verification, refunds, or security. The offender uses it to complete an unauthorized login or transaction. – Authentication Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Online Auction Scam — An online auction scam misrepresents items, bids, sellers, or transaction arrangements. The offender collects payment without delivering the agreed goods. Fabricated auction activity creates an appearance of competition and legitimacy. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Online Retailer Impersonation Scam — An online retailer impersonation scam falsely claims contact from a familiar shopping company. The criminal alleges an order problem, suspicious purchase, or refund. Links and callback numbers direct the target toward theft or account compromise. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Online Shopping Scam — An online shopping scam sells goods through false or materially misleading offers. The seller takes payment without delivering the represented product. Buyers receive nothing, counterfeit goods, or items substantially different from the advertisement. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Open Redirect — An open redirect occurs when an application directs users to an attacker-selected destination without sufficient restrictions. Attackers exploit the legitimate site’s appearance to make harmful links seem credible. Appropriate destination validation reduces this abuse. – Application Vulnerability

Added October 7, 2026

Open Source Intelligence — Open source intelligence derives useful conclusions from publicly available information. Sources include websites, publications, public records, and exposed technical details. Security teams use it to assess threats, while attackers use similar research to prepare targeted activity. – Threat Intelligence

Added October 7, 2026

Operating System Activation Scam — An operating system activation scam claims that a computer requires urgent paid activation. The criminal uses fake system messages or support pages. The target pays for a fabricated service or exposes the device to unauthorized control. – Technical Support Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Operating System Hardening — Operating system hardening reduces unnecessary capabilities and strengthens protective settings. Administrators remove unneeded services, restrict permissions, and apply secure configurations. The process lowers exposure while preserving the functions that legitimate users and applications require. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Opposing Faction — An opposing faction consists of members who coordinate their resistance to particular leaders, decisions, or governance arrangements. Shared dissatisfaction alone does not establish that the faction seeks to take control. Its demands and actions reveal whether it pursues a specific change, challenges assigned authority, or attempts to direct the community independently. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Oppression-related trauma — Oppression-related trauma describes psychological harm associated with sustained domination, exclusion, or deprivation imposed on a group. It links personal distress with broader systems of power. It is a contextual description rather than a separate diagnostic category. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Ordinary activity — An ordinary activity is a manageable part of daily life chosen after the farewell. Examples include eating, taking a gentle walk, watching something familiar, or spending quiet time with a trusted person. The activity supports a return to the present without testing whether the survivor feels happy. — Post-Ritual Care

Added October 18, 2026

Organizational trauma — Organizational trauma describes a major disruption in an organization's trust, functioning, or shared sense of security. Catastrophic events, serious abuse, or profound institutional betrayal are relevant contexts. It is an organizational concept rather than a diagnosis assigned to an institution. — Institutional context.

Added October 5, 2026

Original files — Original files are the photographs and other digital materials retained as part of the crime record. The survivor preserves them separately from disposable copies used during the farewell. Keeping originals supports documentation while allowing changes to how reminders appear in everyday life. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Out-of-Band Authentication — Out-of-band authentication uses a separate communication channel or device to support an authentication process. The separation adds protection against selected threats affecting the primary channel. Its strength depends on the secondary channel and the way attackers influence user approval. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Outcome Uncertainty — Outcome uncertainty means that the result of a situation remains unknown. Preparation addresses foreseeable needs without removing every unanswered question. Accepting this limit helps a survivor stop rehearsing possibilities once reasonable protective steps are in place. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Outside Perspective — Outside perspective is an assessment from someone who is not directly involved in the relationship or situation being evaluated. That distance helps the observer examine claims without the same emotional commitments or daily reinforcement. The perspective becomes useful through careful reasoning and evidence rather than distance alone. — Social Protection

Added October 3, 2026

Outside perspective — Outside perspective is relevant input from someone beyond the interaction creating uncertainty or pressure. It helps a survivor organize information and examine assumptions while remaining involved in the decision. Demands for secrecy restrict access to this additional perspective. — Decision Support

Added October 17, 2026

Overseas Contractor Romance Scam — An overseas contractor romance scam uses a supposed international construction or engineering project as the relationship’s background. The criminal invents contract problems and unexpected expenses. The victim receives requests to finance equipment, customs charges, or project completion. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Overseas Employment Scam — An overseas employment scam advertises a misrepresented job in another country. The operator requests placement, travel, visa, or documentation payments. Applicants lose money or enter circumstances substantially different from the advertised employment. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Ownership Claims — Ownership claims express a belief that personal or collective investment gives someone particular rights over a community or resource. Members invoke their contributions, relationships, or earlier involvement to justify these claims. Leaders distinguish feelings of ownership from the decision-making responsibilities that the community’s governance structure actually assigns. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Oxytocin — Oxytocin is a hormone and signaling molecule involved in several bodily functions and aspects of social behavior. Research has examined its relationship with trust, but findings depend on context and have not produced a simple universal explanation. Its presence does not establish that a person will trust someone or become vulnerable to deception. — Neuroscience

Added October 3, 2026

Package Inspector Scam — A package inspector scam offers payment for checking and forwarding delivered merchandise. The supposed employer conceals the goods’ fraudulent origins. The worker supplies personal information and performs reshipping duties without the represented legitimate employment. – Employment and Criminal Facilitation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Packet Capture — Packet capture records network packets for examination. Analysts use captured traffic to troubleshoot communications, investigate incidents, and understand network behavior. Captures sometimes contain sensitive information, so organizations control collection, access, retention, and disposal. – Network Analysis

Added October 7, 2026

Packet Filtering — Packet filtering permits or rejects network packets according to selected characteristics. Rules commonly consider addresses, ports, protocols, and connection state. Filtering controls traffic flow but requires additional inspection to assess many application-level threats. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Paid Certification Job Scam — A paid certification job scam claims that an applicant needs a specific credential to obtain a promised position. The operator sells a bogus or misrepresented certification. The employment offer serves primarily to generate those payments. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Paid Review Scam — A paid review scam promises earnings for posting or processing product reviews. The operator requires deposits, fees, or account access before releasing payment. The advertised work disguises financial theft or misuse of the participant’s accounts. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

PANIC — The word PANIC comes from the ancient Greek panikós (πανικός), meaning “of Pan” or “belonging to Pan.” Pan was the Greek god associated with woods, fields, and shepherds. Its origin lies in mythology rather than medicine. Ancient Greeks attributed sudden, unexplained terror to Pan. Mysterious noises in lonely mountains or valleys supposedly signaled his presence and frightened travelers, herds, or crowds. The Greek expression "panikón deîma" meant fright associated with Pan: fear that struck suddenly, without an obvious source. The word reached English through French "panique". English initially used it as an adjective around 1600, in expressions describing panic fear or terror. The Online Etymology Dictionary dates the noun to 1708, with the meaning of sudden terror spreading through a group. It records financial use by 1757 and the verb panic from 1827. The history gives the word a striking image: an unseen presence suddenly fills people with dread. That is its mythological background, rather than an explanation of what causes panic today.

Added October 11, 2026

Parasocial — Parasocial describes a one-sided psychological connection in which a person feels familiarity, affection, loyalty, or intimacy toward someone who does not know them personally or share a reciprocal relationship with them. Such as when a romance scam victim retains their one sided relationship with an impersonated person. These connections develop around celebrities, performers, influencers, media personalities, and fictional characters through repeated exposure to their appearance, voice, stories, or content. The feelings are real for the person experiencing them, even though the perceived closeness does not reflect mutual personal knowledge or commitment. In celebrity impersonation scams, criminals exploit an existing parasocial attachment to make fraudulent claims of personal attention, friendship, or romance more emotionally convincing. Social Psychology

Added September 30, 2026

Parking Fine Scam — A parking fine scam invents a parking violation or replaces legitimate payment instructions with fraudulent ones. The criminal uses messages, notices, or deceptive QR codes. Payment reaches the offender rather than the responsible authority. – Government and Service Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Pass-the-Hash Attack — A pass-the-hash attack uses stolen password hash material to authenticate in systems that accept it through particular mechanisms. The attacker avoids recovering the original plaintext password. Limiting credential exposure and privileged access reduces opportunities for this attack. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Passkey — A passkey is a FIDO credential that uses public key cryptography for authentication. Its design binds authentication to the legitimate service rather than sharing a reusable password. Passkeys offer phishing resistance, although their storage and recovery arrangements vary across implementations. – Authentication FIDO Alliance

Added October 7, 2026

Passport Renewal Scam — A passport renewal scam offers deceptive assistance or impersonates an official passport service. The operator collects fees or identity documents without delivering the promised service. False claims of exclusive access distinguish the scam from legitimate assistance. – Government Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Password Cracking — Password cracking attempts to discover passwords from available clues, captured hashes, or other evidence. Attackers use guessing strategies and computing resources to test candidates. Strong passwords and appropriate password-storage methods increase the effort required. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Password Expiration Scam — A password expiration scam claims that a person must update credentials to retain access. The criminal imitates an employer or service provider. The fraudulent update page captures the existing password and other account information. – Credential Theft Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Password Manager — A password manager stores and helps generate account passwords within a protected system. It reduces reliance on memorable passwords and supports unique credentials for different accounts. Its security depends on account protection, implementation quality, and recovery arrangements. – Credential Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Password Policy — A password policy defines requirements for creating, protecting, and administering passwords. It addresses matters such as length, prohibited choices, and handling procedures. Effective policies support resistance to attacks without imposing practices that encourage predictable or repeated passwords. – Authentication Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Password Spraying — Password spraying tries a small set of common passwords across many accounts. The attacker spreads attempts to avoid some account-specific guessing limits. Detection examines patterns across identities rather than considering each account’s attempts in isolation. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Patch — A patch changes software to correct a defect, improve behavior, or address a vulnerability. Security patches remove or reduce weaknesses that attackers exploit. Organizations assess compatibility and deploy relevant patches within timeframes that reflect their exposure. – Vulnerability Management

Added October 7, 2026

Patch Management — Patch management identifies, evaluates, deploys, and verifies software updates. The process coordinates security priorities with operational requirements. Effective programs track coverage and exceptions so that unpatched systems do not disappear from organizational awareness. – Vulnerability Management

Added October 7, 2026

Payment demand — A payment demand is a request or instruction to transfer money. Its wording sometimes includes urgency, threats, or conditions linked to affection. Separating the demand from the explanation behind it helps a survivor examine the requested action before accepting the stated reason. — Financial Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Payment dispute — A payment dispute involves questioning a payment through the relevant process for examining the transaction. Scam records supply information that the dispute needs. Destroying relevant material removes information without establishing whether the survivor will recover the money. — Crime Response

Added October 18, 2026

Payment provider — A payment provider is the service or institution involved in processing a financial transfer. A survivor promptly contacts the appropriate provider after sending money in response to a suspicious demand. This action addresses the transaction rather than continuing the interaction or paying an additional fee. — Financial Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Payment recall — A payment recall is a request to retrieve a transfer that has already been initiated. The victim asks the payment provider promptly whether this option remains available. A recall request does not guarantee that the institution will retrieve or return the funds. — Financial Response

Added October 18, 2026

Payment-App Support Scam — A payment-app support scam involves a false representative offering help with a transaction or account problem. The criminal requests login information, remote access, or transfers. The assistance claim conceals an attempt to take money or account control. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

PayPal Impersonation Scam — A PayPal impersonation scam falsely claims a payment, account limitation, or unauthorized transaction. The criminal supplies a fraudulent link or support number. The target encounters credential theft, transfer demands, or remote-access manipulation. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Payroll Diversion Scam — A payroll diversion scam changes an employee’s direct-deposit details through deception. The criminal impersonates the employee or compromises workplace accounts. Wages reach an offender-controlled account instead of the employee. – Business Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Peanut Grifter — A peanut grifter is a small-time swindler associated with relatively limited schemes or returns. The expression distinguishes that operator from someone conducting elaborate, high-value confidence games. The label concerns the scale of the offender’s operation rather than the seriousness of its effects on victims. – Offender Role

Added October 7, 2026

Peer disclosure — Peer disclosure involves a supporter briefly sharing relevant personal experience during a support interaction. Its purpose is to assist the survivor rather than shift attention toward the supporter. Appropriate disclosure avoids comparisons between victims and does not present one person’s experience as a universal solution. — Peer Support Foundations

Added October 16, 2026

Peer support — Peer support is assistance grounded in shared experience, mutual respect, and an understanding of recovery work. Peers contribute listening, relevant examples, and connection within defined responsibilities. Their role supports the survivor’s choices without replacing professional assessment or treatment. — Peer Support Foundations

Added October 16, 2026

Penetration Testing — Penetration testing uses authorized attempts to exploit weaknesses and demonstrate their practical consequences. Testers operate within an agreed scope and document findings. The results reveal specific risks but do not establish that every vulnerability has been identified. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Perceived Failure — Perceived failure is the person’s interpretation that an outcome proves personal inadequacy. A survivor views financial loss as evidence of being undeserving of comfort or assistance. Examining the interpretation separates the criminal’s deception from unsupported judgments about the survivor’s worth. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Perceived Infringement — Perceived infringement describes a person’s interpretation that someone else has intruded upon something the person regards as belonging to them. Within a community, a member interprets a rule or leadership decision as interference with an established personal domain. The perception reflects that member’s understanding and does not itself demonstrate that the leader acted improperly. — Psychological Mechanism

Added October 6, 2026

Perfidious — Describes a person, action, or pattern of behavior characterized by calculated betrayal, deliberate deception, and the intentional violation of trust. Perfidious conduct occurs when someone presents an outward appearance of honesty, loyalty, affection, or good faith while secretly intending to deceive, exploit, or harm another person. The betrayal is especially damaging because the person first creates a sense of safety and dependability, then uses that trust as a weapon against the individual who granted it. In relationship scams, a criminal’s conduct is perfidious because the criminal fabricates intimacy, makes false promises, and encourages emotional dependence while knowingly pursuing exploitation. The term carries a stronger meaning than simple dishonesty because it emphasizes treachery committed within a relationship or agreement in which trust has been deliberately established and then violated. — Manipulation and Deception

Added September 26, 2026

Permission to pass — Permission to pass gives a group member the choice to decline speaking or joining a particular activity. The facilitator explains this option as part of voluntary participation. It protects the member from forced disclosure, public promises, and pressure to demonstrate progress before others. — Participation and Choice

Added October 16, 2026

Persistence — Persistence describes the methods an attacker uses to retain access over time. Techniques survive selected interruptions, such as restarts or credential changes. Incident responders investigate persistence to prevent an apparent recovery from leaving the attacker’s access intact. – Attack Technique

Added October 7, 2026

Persistent Threat Responses — Persistent threat responses are recurring reactions that treat ordinary stress as though it signals serious danger. The discussion connects this pattern with PTSD without assigning that diagnosis to every survivor. Repeated disruption of relationships or daily life warrants professional attention. — Trauma Responses

Added October 12, 2026

Person-centered support — Person-centered support organizes assistance around the survivor’s identified needs, goals, and circumstances. The supporter checks what type of help would be useful and adjusts the process accordingly. Respect remains consistent even when the survivor questions guidance or chooses a different next step. — Support Principles

Added October 16, 2026

Persona — A persona is the fictional character a scammer presents as a potential romantic partner. It includes a name, occupation, personal history, relationship status, and explanation for seeking companionship. The criminal adjusts these details to fit the victim’s interests and support later requests. — Identity Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Personal Assistant Job Scam — A personal assistant job scam uses a fabricated employer who needs errands or payment processing. The criminal sends false payment instruments or requests advance purchases. The worker spends personal money without receiving valid reimbursement. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Personal beliefs — Personal beliefs guide the language, symbolism, and spiritual practices selected for the farewell. The survivor chooses practices that carry personal meaning rather than following unfamiliar expectations. Respecting those beliefs keeps the ceremony connected to the survivor’s own intention and decisions. — Personal Meaning

Added October 18, 2026

Personal Investment — Personal investment describes the time, effort, knowledge, and emotional involvement that an individual contributes to a community. A support-group member invests through participation, personal disclosure, relationships, and assistance to others. These contributions deepen attachment, but they do not independently grant authority over the service or its members. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Personal judgment — Personal judgment is the ability to examine information and choose a response suited to a situation. A survivor strengthens it through specific actions such as identifying assumptions, checking claims, and reviewing decisions. Continuing anxiety does not erase evidence of thoughtful participation in that process. — Decision-Making Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Personal trauma history — Personal trauma history refers to traumatic experiences belonging to an individual's own life. It distinguishes personal exposure from broader family or community history. Its assessment respects the person's control over disclosure and the purpose of gathering information. — Assessment concept.

Added October 5, 2026

Personally Identifiable Information — Personally identifiable information identifies a person directly or through combination with other information. Examples include certain identification numbers, contact details, and linked personal records. Its sensitivity and legal treatment depend on context and applicable requirements. – Data Classification

Added October 7, 2026

Pessimistic identity — Pessimistic identity develops when expecting harm becomes part of how a person defines themselves. The person takes pride in detecting danger and experiences alternative interpretations as threats to hard-earned knowledge. Change requires separating personal dignity and experience from the need to defend every negative conclusion. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Pet Shipping Scam — A pet shipping scam invents transportation requirements for an animal purchase or transfer. The criminal demands payments for crates, insurance, permits, or delays. The supposed shipment creates repeated charges without delivering the animal. – Pet Purchase Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Phantom Hacker Scam — A phantom hacker scam combines supposed technical support, financial institution staff, and government authorities. The criminals claim that hackers threaten the target’s savings. Instructions to protect the money instead transfer it to the offenders. – Coordinated Impersonation Scam Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Added October 7, 2026

Pharming — Pharming redirects people toward deceptive websites even when they attempt to reach a legitimate destination. Attackers manipulate name resolution, device settings, or related infrastructure. The counterfeit destination then supports credential theft or other forms of fraud. – Online Deception

Added October 7, 2026

Phishing — Phishing is deceptive communication designed to obtain sensitive information, money, or access by presenting a false identity or purpose. Messages commonly imitate familiar organizations and direct recipients toward fraudulent links, forms, or instructions. Verification through an independently located contact channel helps separate the message from the genuine organization. — Digital Deception

Added October 3, 2026

Phishing — Phishing uses deceptive communications to induce disclosure of information or another unsafe action. Attackers impersonate trusted parties and exploit urgency, authority, or emotional pressure. The attack succeeds through manipulated trust rather than requiring a software vulnerability. – Social Engineering

Added October 7, 2026

Phishing Scam — A phishing scam uses deceptive messages or websites to obtain information or induce harmful actions. The criminal impersonates a trusted source or invents a persuasive situation. Password theft, fraudulent payments, and malicious downloads follow the deception. – Digital Deception Scam Federal Trade Commission

Added October 7, 2026

Phishing-Resistant Authentication — Phishing-resistant authentication prevents an impostor service from obtaining authentication material that works at the legitimate service. Cryptographic binding to the intended destination provides this protection in supported methods. Not every form of multifactor authentication meets this standard. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Physical Security — Physical security protects people, facilities, equipment, and information against physical threats or unauthorized entry. Controls include barriers, access procedures, and environmental protection. Cybersecurity depends on these safeguards because physical access often creates additional routes to compromise. – Security Discipline

Added October 7, 2026

Pig Butchering Scam — A pig butchering scam builds sustained trust before directing the target into fraudulent investments. The criminal poses as a friend, partner, or helpful investor. Fabricated success encourages escalating deposits before the victim discovers the theft. – Relationship and Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Pigeon Drop — A pigeon drop offers a share of supposedly found money in exchange for the target’s participation or financial contribution. Accomplices create a persuasive explanation for combining or temporarily safeguarding funds. The offenders substitute worthless material or leave with the target’s genuine money. – Street Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Plaintext — Plaintext is information in its original readable form before encryption or after decryption. It includes structured data as well as ordinary written content. Systems require appropriate protection whenever sensitive plaintext appears in memory, storage, or communications. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Plan to Return — A plan to return specifies how or when a person will resume a necessary task after a pause. It turns temporary withdrawal into an organized part of engagement. An agreed discussion time or scheduled assistance gives the pause a practical endpoint. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Platform removal — Platform removal involves an online service taking down an account or related material after receiving a report. The victim preserves available profile details and communications before requesting removal. Immediate protective needs still take priority when continued contact creates risk. — Platform Reporting

Added October 18, 2026

Playbooks — Playbooks are written collections of scripts and instructions that guide scammers through stages of exploitation. They supply greetings, relationship-building language, and approaches to requesting money. Their use explains why messages that feel spontaneous and deeply personal sometimes originate from prepared criminal material. — Criminal Preparation

Added October 15, 2026

Poke — Poke is historical criminal slang for a wallet, purse, or pocketbook. Confidence operators and thieves use the word when discussing money or the container holding it. The word itself names an object, so it does not establish the mechanics of a particular game listed under the same name. – Criminal Property Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Police Impersonation Scam — A police impersonation scam involves someone falsely claiming law-enforcement authority. The criminal alleges criminal involvement, an outstanding warrant, or a required payment. Threats of arrest pressure the target to comply without independent verification. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Police report number — A police report number identifies the record an agency created after receiving a report. It supports requests for copies, follow-up conversations, and references in related documentation. The number does not guarantee investigation, arrest, reimbursement, or eligibility for assistance. — Reporting Records

Added October 18, 2026

Political Donation Scam — A political donation scam impersonates a campaign, committee, or cause to collect contributions. The criminal supplies deceptive messages and payment pages. Money reaches an unauthorized recipient rather than the intended political organization. – Donation Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Ponzi Scheme — A Ponzi scheme uses money from new investors to pay supposed returns to earlier investors. The operator falsely attributes those payments to successful investment activity. The scheme depends on continued funding rather than genuine sustainable profits. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Port Scanning — Port scanning checks network ports to identify accessible services and their responses. Administrators and testers use it to understand exposure, while attackers use it for reconnaissance. An open port indicates an available communication point rather than proving a vulnerability. – Reconnaissance

Added October 7, 2026

Post-Quantum Cryptography — Post-quantum cryptography develops cryptographic methods intended to resist attacks from powerful quantum computers. Its focus includes replacing public key methods that face specific quantum threats. Migration requires attention to compatibility, implementations, and the long-term sensitivity of protected information. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Postal Service Impersonation Scam — A postal service impersonation scam claims that an address problem prevents delivery. The criminal directs the recipient to a deceptive website. Small payment requests conceal the collection of financial and identifying information. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Postdecision Dissonance — Postdecision dissonance describes discomfort that follows a choice when the rejected alternative retains appealing features or the chosen option presents disadvantages. A survivor ends contact and then dwells on affectionate messages while confronting loneliness. Reviewing the reasons for the decision helps the survivor evaluate the choice through evidence rather than its immediate emotional cost. — Decision-Making Process

Added October 7, 2026

Posttraumatic stress disorder — Posttraumatic stress disorder is a clinical condition involving persistent trauma-related symptoms that affect daily life. The discussion connects it with perceived current threat, avoidance, and negative interpretations of traumatic experiences. A qualified clinician determines whether the condition applies because scam victimization alone does not establish the diagnosis. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 14, 2026

Posttraumatic stress disorder — Posttraumatic stress disorder is a clinical condition that requires professional assessment rather than identification through community observations alone. Trauma-related distress does not automatically establish this diagnosis. A qualified clinician determines whether the condition is present and discusses appropriate treatment options. — Clinical Care

Added October 16, 2026

Practical Assistance — Practical assistance is help with the concrete steps required to complete a responsibility. A trusted person organizes documents, accompanies an appointment, or remains present during a difficult call. This support reduces immediate demands while preserving the survivor’s participation. — Support and Treatment

Added October 12, 2026

Practical assistance — Practical assistance helps a survivor address an immediate task or real-world difficulty. Examples include organizing questions for a bank, preparing for an appointment, or identifying appropriate services. The supporter assists the process while leaving control of personal decisions, accounts, and money with the survivor. — Support Methods

Added October 16, 2026

Practical rebalancing — Practical rebalancing is the restoration of routines, contact, and basic care after a setback. It begins by identifying which supports have become unstable or unavailable. Meals, rest, movement, supportive conversation, and manageable accomplishments help rebuild the resources surrounding the crisis. — Recovery Practices

Added October 15, 2026

Pre-IPO Investment Scam — A pre-IPO investment scam falsely offers access to shares before a company’s public listing. The promoter misrepresents ownership, allocation, or the planned offering. Investors pay for nonexistent shares or rights the seller does not possess. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Precious Metals Investment Scam — A precious metals investment scam misrepresents purchases, storage, ownership, or expected returns involving metals. The promoter collects money for nonexistent or misrepresented holdings. False records conceal missing assets or excessive undisclosed costs. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Prediction record — A prediction record documents an expected outcome before the relevant event occurs. It includes the situation, anticipated result, feeling, intended action, and confidence in the expectation. Comparing the record with what actually happens prevents later reinterpretation from obscuring the original prediction. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Pregnancy loss trauma — Pregnancy loss trauma refers to trauma-related psychological distress associated with losing a pregnancy. Threatening circumstances, medical emergencies, or overwhelming helplessness contribute to the experience. Grief after pregnancy loss does not automatically constitute a trauma disorder. — Loss context.

Added October 5, 2026

Preparation — Preparation is the work criminals complete before approaching a prospective victim. It includes training, developing a persona, assembling false documents, and creating a convincing profile. These advance decisions establish both the apparent relationship and the explanations that later support financial demands. — Criminal Stages

Added October 15, 2026

Preparation Stopping Point — A preparation stopping point is the stage at which reasonable planning is complete. The person has identified the issue, organized relevant information, and established the next action. Recognizing this point prevents continued rehearsal from consuming time without improving readiness. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Prepared boundary statement — A prepared boundary statement is a brief sentence selected before a pressured interaction occurs. It communicates an intended action, such as checking independently or ending a conversation. Preparation reduces the need to invent an explanation while distressed and limits unnecessary disclosure or debate. — Communication Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Present orientation — Present orientation means directing attention toward current surroundings after distress or engagement with a reminder. The survivor notices the room, daylight, or an ordinary nearby object. This action supports the transition from the symbolic exercise to the immediate environment and a manageable activity. — Post-Ritual Care

Added October 18, 2026

Present-Centered Therapy — Present-Centered Therapy is a structured clinical treatment that addresses current difficulties and coping. It is distinct from an informal support conversation or a peer-led community process. Its clinical role does not authorize unqualified supporters to present their assistance as psychotherapy. — Clinical Treatments

Added October 16, 2026

Prime Bank Scam — A prime bank scam promotes supposed exclusive trading programs involving major banks or secret financial instruments. The promoter claims unusually high returns and restricted access. The advertised opportunity misrepresents or invents the financial activity. – Investment Scam Office of Inspector General

Added October 7, 2026

Printer Support Scam — A printer support scam falsely offers help with installation or connection problems. The criminal appears through deceptive websites or support advertisements. The supposed repair requires unnecessary payments, remote access, or harmful downloads. – Technical Support Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Prior Occupancy — Prior occupancy describes earlier presence or involvement in a place or community that people use to justify ownership claims. Established members invoke their earlier arrival as a reason their preferences should carry greater authority. Length of membership provides experience and historical knowledge, while the community’s governing structure determines decision-making responsibilities. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Privacy limits — Privacy limits define the boundaries of information protection within a support service. Members need clear explanations of how information is handled and why group agreements do not guarantee every participant’s conduct. Staff also explain that they do not promise secrecy about an immediate threat to life. — Privacy and Information Handling

Added October 16, 2026

Private channel transition — Private channel transition is the movement of a conversation from its original platform to a messaging service or personal email. Scammers present the change as convenient, practical, or more intimate. The move separates the exchange from the original platform’s account monitoring and reporting context. — Criminal Stages

Added October 15, 2026

Private key — A private key is secret information that controls access to cryptocurrency associated with an address. It differs from public transaction details used to document a payment. The victim protects it and never supplies it to someone offering recovery assistance. — Cryptocurrency Security

Added October 18, 2026

Privilege Escalation — Privilege escalation gives an identity capabilities beyond its existing authorization. Attackers exploit weaknesses, misconfigurations, or exposed credentials to obtain greater control. The additional privileges expand opportunities to access information, alter systems, or compromise other resources. – Attack Technique

Added October 7, 2026

Privileged Access Management — Privileged access management governs accounts and permissions that provide elevated control. It includes measures such as restricted sessions, controlled credential handling, and activity oversight. Organizations use it to reduce misuse and limit damage from powerful account compromise. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Prize Claim Fee Scam — A prize claim fee scam makes receipt of a supposed award conditional on advance payment. The criminal invents administrative requirements and deadlines. The fee funds the offender rather than delivery of a legitimate prize. – Prize Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Product Boosting Scam — A product boosting scam offers commissions for supposedly increasing product visibility or sales rankings. The operator displays fabricated orders and earnings. Participants must deposit money to complete tasks, then discover they cannot recover it. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Productive reflection — Productive reflection examines an experience in a way that advances understanding or supports a response. It identifies a specific loss, feeling, decision, or practical need rather than repeating the same hopeless conclusion. Its usefulness becomes visible through greater clarity, appropriate assistance, or a realistic next action. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Professional scope — Professional scope defines the services and activities appropriate to a person’s qualifications and professional role. It helps distinguish advocacy, peer assistance, and clinical treatment. Supporters recognize this boundary when a need requires assessment, treatment, or another service outside their responsibilities. — Professional Responsibilities

Added October 16, 2026

Professionally Managed Support Community — A professionally managed support community operates under a service provider that assigns responsibility for its purpose, standards, boundaries, and delivery of support. Members contribute experiences and assistance within that organizational arrangement. Clear governance helps participants understand how their involvement relates to the provider’s responsibilities for managing the community. — Community Structure

Added October 6, 2026

Profile identifier — A profile identifier distinguishes a particular account on an online platform. It helps document which account participated in the interaction, especially when displayed names are uncertain. The victim preserves available identifiers and profile links alongside the relevant communications. — Identity Information

Added October 18, 2026

Progressive Self-Neglect — Progressive self-neglect is an increasing failure to maintain essential health, hygiene, household, or relational needs. It develops through repeated omissions rather than necessarily through a single dramatic event. Assessment considers symptoms, intention, resources, and risks before determining an appropriate response. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Prohibited Transactions — Prohibited transactions are dealings that applicable sanctions rules forbid unless an authorization or exemption applies. The restrictions described concern transactions involving covered property or interests of blocked parties. A transaction’s ordinary commercial appearance does not establish that sanctions permit it. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Prolific Liars — Prolific liars are individuals who tell substantially more lies than most people within the population being studied. The term concerns the frequency of reported or observed lying rather than a specific psychiatric diagnosis. Research on their concentration helps explain how generally truthful social environments still contain substantial deliberate deception. — Deception Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Prolonged trauma — Prolonged trauma refers to trauma associated with exposure that continues over an extended period. Captivity, coercive control, and sustained abuse are illustrative contexts. Its distinguishing feature is the duration of the threatening or harmful situation. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Promises of repayment — Promises of repayment are assurances that the victim will receive the transferred money back. Scammers connect repayment to an inheritance, released funds, business proceeds, or supposed investment profits. These assurances encourage further payments by presenting financial losses as temporary assistance rather than ongoing exploitation. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Property Tax Payment Scam — A property tax payment scam falsely claims overdue taxes or impending property seizure. The criminal supplies deceptive payment instructions. Fear of losing the property pressures the owner into paying the wrong recipient. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Property Under U.S. Control — Property under U.S. control refers here to covered assets held or controlled by U.S. persons. The sanctions announcement also addresses covered property located within the United States. This connection determines the reach of the stated blocking requirements rather than the location of every victim. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Proportionate Action — Proportionate action matches the response to the actual circumstances and needs of a situation. An urgent risk receives prompt attention, while a nonurgent decision receives time for consideration. The aim is appropriate protection rather than constant activity or complete withdrawal. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Proportionate checking — Proportionate checking matches verification efforts to the potential consequences of a decision. A financial transfer requires stronger safeguards than an ordinary preference or harmless unanswered message. This approach supports protection without turning every interaction into an extended investigation. — Verification Methods

Added October 17, 2026

Protected backup — A protected backup is an additional securely maintained copy of the preserved scam records. It supports continued access to the documentation outside everyday photo displays. The survivor verifies that saved files open and contain the information intended for preservation. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Protective action — Protective action is a practical response that addresses an identified or suspected threat. It includes obtaining emergency help or promptly contacting a financial institution through a trusted route. It remains distinct from complying with unverified instructions that claim to offer protection. — Safety and Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Protective boundaries — Protective boundaries establish limits that reduce exposure to manipulation, unsafe contact, and inappropriate demands. They remain essential while a survivor tests pessimistic expectations in ordinary life. Examining distrust does not require contacting criminals, sharing sensitive information, or abandoning safeguards. — Safety Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Protective pause — A protective pause interrupts a questionable interaction long enough to examine the decision and choose an appropriate response. It includes ending a call, closing a message, or stopping a payment process. The pause does not require complete calm or a delay in obtaining necessary assistance. — Decision-Making Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Protective rule — A protective rule is a learned assumption about what prevents emotional injury. A person decides that expressing hope invites humiliation or that trusting others always ends in betrayal. Recovery examines where the rule originated and whether it accurately fits the present situation. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Psychiatric hospitalization trauma — Psychiatric hospitalization trauma describes psychological trauma associated with experiences during psychiatric inpatient care. Coercion, restraint, humiliation, or frightening loss of autonomy are relevant circumstances. Hospitalization is not inherently traumatic for every patient. — Healthcare context.

Added October 5, 2026

Psychological abuse trauma — Psychological abuse trauma refers to trauma arising from abusive efforts to control, destabilize, or intimidate another person. Threats, manipulation, isolation, and attacks on reality or identity are relevant tactics. The term substantially overlaps with emotional abuse trauma. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Psychological first aid — Psychological first aid provides a framework for supportive and practical assistance following serious crisis events. Its components include attention to immediate needs, coping, social connections, and links to services. These principles inform community support without establishing the adaptation as a validated treatment for scam victims. — Support Frameworks

Added October 16, 2026

Psychological Ownership — Psychological ownership describes an individual’s feeling that a community, role, relationship, or other valued target belongs to them. Personal investment, familiarity, and opportunities for control contribute to this feeling. It supports care and commitment, while disputes emerge when an individual treats the feeling as proof of governing rights. — Psychological Mechanism

Added October 6, 2026

Psychological Reactance — Psychological reactance describes the motivation to restore a freedom that an individual perceives someone else threatening or removing. A community member experiences this response when a new restriction limits previously accepted behavior. The resulting resistance reflects an effort to recover perceived freedom, although it does not establish whether the restriction itself serves the community appropriately. — Psychological Mechanism

Added October 6, 2026

Psychological trauma — Psychological trauma is a lasting disruption in emotional or mental functioning following an overwhelming or deeply harmful experience. It affects a person's sense of safety, trust, or control. The term describes psychological consequences rather than physical injury. — Core concept.

Added October 5, 2026

Public humiliation — Public humiliation is the distress of feeling exposed, diminished, or judged in front of others. After a scam, an insensitive response or disclosure experience adds pressure to existing shame. Supportive relationships protect dignity by allowing honest discussion without reducing the survivor to the crime. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 15, 2026

Public Key — A public key is the shareable component of an asymmetric cryptographic key pair. Depending on the algorithm, it supports encryption, signature verification, or key agreement. Its security role depends on verifying that it belongs to the intended entity. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Public Key Infrastructure — Public key infrastructure organizes certificates, trusted authorities, and supporting processes for public key use. It helps systems evaluate relationships between keys and identities. Reliable operation requires secure issuance, lifecycle management, and appropriate trust decisions. – Public Key Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Puerto Vallarta — Puerto Vallarta is a city in Jalisco, Mexico, identified by authorities as an important location for the CJNG-linked timeshare network. Several designated individuals and companies operated in its area. The location provides investigative context rather than proof that every timeshare transaction there is fraudulent. — Geographic Context

Added October 11, 2026

Pump-and-Dump Scam — A pump-and-dump scam artificially promotes an investment to increase its price. The offenders sell their holdings after attracting buyers. The price falls when promotion ends or selling overwhelms demand, leaving other investors with losses. – Market Manipulation Scam Investor.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Puppy Scam — A puppy scam advertises an animal that the seller does not possess or does not intend to deliver. The criminal requests deposits and additional expenses. Stolen photographs and fabricated updates sustain the illusion of a real purchase. – Pet Purchase Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Purchase Order Scam — A purchase order scam impersonates an organization placing a substantial order. The criminal uses forged credentials and requests shipment on credit. The supplier delivers goods without receiving legitimate payment. – Business Procurement Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Purple Team — A purple team coordinates offensive and defensive security work to improve protection. Participants share observations about simulated attacks and defensive responses. The approach emphasizes learning and control improvement rather than treating exercises solely as competition. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Put on the Send — Put on the send describes inducing a target to leave and obtain additional money for a confidence scheme. The offenders first establish enough trust to make the larger commitment seem worthwhile or necessary. The target returns with funds that exceed the amount available during the initial encounter. – Confidence-Game Stage

Added October 7, 2026

Pyramid Scheme — A pyramid scheme rewards participants primarily for recruiting new paying participants. Recruitment payments sustain the structure rather than genuine customer demand. Participants lose money as the required expansion becomes impossible to maintain. – Recruitment-Based Financial Scam Investor.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Qualified assessment — Qualified assessment is a professional evaluation of symptoms, functioning, and care needs. It helps distinguish a pessimistic outlook from depression, trauma-related difficulties, or other concerns requiring treatment. The evaluation guides appropriate support without reducing the person’s difficulties to a failure of attitude or effort. — Therapeutic Approaches

Added October 14, 2026

Quarantine — Quarantine restricts a suspicious file, device, or resource while an organization evaluates it. The restriction reduces opportunities for execution, communication, or spread. Quarantine supports containment but does not establish that the item is malicious or permanently resolve its cause. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Quishing Scam — A quishing scam uses a QR code to direct someone toward a deceptive destination. The criminal places the code in messages, documents, or physical locations. The linked page collects payments, credentials, or sensitive information. – Digital Deception Scam ic3.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Race Condition — A race condition occurs when software behavior depends improperly on the timing of concurrent operations. Unexpected ordering causes inconsistent states or bypasses intended checks. Attackers exploit security-relevant race conditions to obtain access or actions that normal sequencing would prevent. – Software Vulnerability

Added October 7, 2026

Race-based trauma — Race-based trauma describes trauma-related psychological harm connected to race-targeted mistreatment or threat. It substantially overlaps with racial trauma. Its focus is the relationship between racialized experiences and psychological consequences. — Identity context.

Added October 5, 2026

Racial trauma — Racial trauma refers to psychological injury associated with racism, racial violence, or repeated racial discrimination. It includes threats experienced personally and distress related to violence against one's racial group. The term identifies the racial context of harm without automatically establishing PTSD. — Identity context.

Added October 5, 2026

Rainbow Table — A rainbow table is a precomputed structure that helps recover candidate inputs associated with password hashes. It reduces some repeated computation during password attacks. Unique salts undermine reuse of these tables across different stored passwords. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Ransomware — Ransomware uses malicious software to deny access to systems or information and demand payment. Criminal operations often combine encryption with theft and threats of disclosure. Payment does not guarantee restoration, deletion of stolen information, or an end to the attacker’s pressure. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Ransomware Support Scam — A ransomware support scam falsely offers expert help after a ransomware incident. The operator misrepresents capabilities, charges deceptive fees, or demands unnecessary access. The existing emergency creates an opportunity for additional financial exploitation. – Technical Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rapid Intimacy — Rapid intimacy is the accelerated presentation of closeness, affection, or personal commitment early in an interaction. Scammers use intense attention and premature promises to establish emotional involvement before their identity or circumstances receive verification. Fast-developing closeness requires evaluation alongside the broader pattern of behavior. — Criminal Manipulation

Added October 3, 2026

Rare Coin Investment Scam — A rare coin investment scam misrepresents coins’ authenticity, scarcity, grading, or investment value. The seller promotes inflated prices as exceptional opportunities. Buyers receive items worth substantially less than the fraudulent representations suggest. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rationalization — Rationalization involves using persuasive explanations to justify behavior while leaving its emotional purpose unexamined. A survivor argues that an appointment is pointless when fear of embarrassment drives the cancellation. Recognizing this pattern requires attention to the individual situation rather than assuming that every objection conceals avoidance. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Reactive Living — Reactive living is a pattern in which immediate events repeatedly determine behavior without sufficient preparation or reflection. Messages, requests, and discomfort set the direction of the day. The pattern leaves a survivor managing consequences while finding little space for planned recovery work. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Readiness for farewell — Readiness for farewell concerns the survivor’s current response to reminders and the exercise’s expected demands. Reliving the crime, losing connection with surroundings, or struggling through the rest of the day warrants discussion with a qualified trauma therapist first. Readiness does not require proving strength by viewing the face. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Real Estate Closing Wire Scam — A real estate closing wire scam substitutes fraudulent transfer instructions during a property transaction. The criminal impersonates a trusted closing participant. Purchase funds reach the offender instead of the legitimate recipient. – Property Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Real Estate Fraud — Real estate fraud uses deception in transactions or services involving property interests. Timeshare purchase schemes fit this context when criminals invent buyers, fees, or sale arrangements. A property-related business name does not establish that an offer represents a genuine transaction. — Fraud Types

Added October 11, 2026

Real Estate Investment Scam — A real estate investment scam misrepresents properties, development projects, ownership interests, or expected income. The promoter collects deposits or investment contributions under false pretenses. Fabricated documents and progress reports conceal the misuse of funds. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Realistic planning — Realistic planning organizes a response around actual needs, available resources, and identifiable risks. It turns concern into steps such as gathering documents, preparing questions, or arranging assistance. Unlike predictions of inevitable failure, it gives uncertainty a practical response and supports participation. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Reassurance seeking — Reassurance seeking involves asking for information or confirmation mainly to obtain relief from uncertainty or distress. Repeated requests sometimes provide brief comfort without answering a new question. A survivor examines whether further consultation supplies useful evidence or repeats an already completed check. — Checking Patterns

Added October 17, 2026

Reckless Spending — Reckless spending involves using money without adequate attention to affordability or consequences. A survivor seeks a brief emotional lift while creating additional financial strain. The pattern requires attention to the sought relief and practical protection of remaining resources. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Reclaiming daily life — Reclaiming daily life involves restoring participation in responsibilities, relationships, and interests interrupted by betrayal. The survivor gradually returns attention to sleep, nourishment, work, friendship, and personal needs. The crime remains part of their history while occupying less authority over ordinary decisions and experiences. — Recovery Processes

Added October 15, 2026

Reclamation — Reclamation means taking back aspects of life that the criminal’s manipulation displaced, restricted, or exploited. It includes reclaiming attention, personal agency, relationships, routines, and the ability to make decisions according to genuine needs and values. The term describes a recovery process rather than a clinical diagnosis, and its meaning extends beyond recovering stolen money, which is rarely possible. Personal reclamation involves restoring authority over decisions that previously revolved around the criminal’s demands. A survivor establishes boundaries around contact, protects financial resources, reconnects with supportive people, and resumes activities that the scam pushed aside. These actions give practical expression to renewed agency, even while grief, longing, or uncertainty continues. Emotional and identity reclamation involves recognizing that the criminal does not own the survivor’s capacity for love, generosity, hope, or meaningful connection. A person who avoids a favorite song because the scammer used it, for example, reclaims part of life when that song acquires a new meaning independent of the deception. Reclamation does not require recreating the exact life that existed before the crime; it involves building a life in which the survivor’s values and informed choices increasingly guide the future.

Added October 5, 2026

Reconnaissance — Reconnaissance is the collection of personal information before or during a criminal approach. Scammers examine profiles, social media accounts, and other online details about family, interests, losses, and aspirations. They use that information to tailor their identity and messages to the person they target. — Criminal Preparation

Added October 15, 2026

Reconnection — Reconnection involves rebuilding relationships with trusted people whom the scammer encouraged the victim to avoid. Family members, supportive contacts, counselors, and fellow survivors help restore opportunities for open conversation. These renewed connections support perspective and recovery after the isolation imposed during the scam. — Recovery Support

Added October 15, 2026

Recoveriness — Recoveriness is the comforting belief that being involved in recovery means meaningful healing is occurring, regardless of the quality of participation or application. It develops when a survivor treats attendance, reading, recovery language, or community membership as sufficient evidence of progress while avoiding careful reflection and changes in daily behavior. The term describes a gap between identifying as someone in recovery and engaging thoughtfully in the work, with progress assessed through understanding, practical application, and follow-through rather than activity alone. – Recovery Barrier

Added October 8, 2026

Recovery Accountability — Recovery accountability involves recognizing harmful conduct and following agreed steps toward safer behavior. It includes disclosing setbacks and repairing damaged interactions where possible. Accountability works alongside assessment of symptoms and limitations rather than replacing care with humiliation. — Recovery Practices

Added October 13, 2026

Recovery commitments — Recovery commitments are agreed or planned activities that support psychological care and daily functioning. They include appointments, recovery sessions, and manageable responsibilities. Following through preserves access to assistance, while treating every commitment as optional allows short-term discomfort to control the recovery schedule. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Recovery community — A recovery community is a group that offers understanding and continued participation alongside others facing related difficulties. Members receive contact, perspective, and opportunities to contribute rather than carrying every struggle privately. Continued connection provides support during setbacks and helps maintain a place in daily life beyond the crime. — Support Systems

Added October 15, 2026

Recovery Engagement — Recovery engagement means continued participation in activities that support healing and daily stability. It includes attending appointments, considering guidance, learning, and completing manageable steps. Engagement allows adjustment and rest while maintaining a connection to necessary work. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Recovery expectations — Recovery expectations are the standards the survivor uses to judge what should happen after the farewell. Demands for immediate relief, permanent forgetting, or a particular emotional response exceed the exercise’s purpose. Practical changes in boundaries, support, and daily activity provide more grounded expectations. — Recovery Monitoring

Added October 18, 2026

Recovery Point Objective — A recovery point objective defines the amount of data loss an organization considers acceptable after disruption. It expresses that tolerance as a period before the incident. Backup and replication arrangements should support restoration within this defined limit. – Business Continuity

Added October 7, 2026

Recovery Room Scam — A recovery room scam targets people who previously lost money to fraud or unsuitable investments. The operator claims special authority or expertise to recover it. Advance fees generate another loss instead of the promised recovery. – Recovery Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Recovery scale — The recovery scale is a metaphor for the balance between distress and the resources supporting the survivor. Shame, repetitive thoughts, and disconnection weigh against routine, rest, clarity, and dependable relationships. Its movement represents changing needs rather than a numerical measurement or clinical assessment. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Recovery scam — A recovery scam is a further fraud that promises to retrieve previously stolen money in exchange for a fee. Criminals impersonate investigators, lawyers, or recovery agents to make the offer appear credible. The approach exploits the survivor’s existing loss and desire for financial relief. — Repeat Victimization

Added October 15, 2026

Recovery setback — A recovery setback is a period of increased distress or reduced functioning after earlier improvement. Financial problems, painful reminders, disrupted routines, and relationship difficulties provide examples of circumstances surrounding a setback. Responding involves examining what needs restoration without treating the difficulty as a permanent verdict on recovery. — Recovery Challenges

Added October 15, 2026

Recovery Time Objective — A recovery time objective defines the target time for restoring a disrupted service or function. Organizations establish it according to operational priorities and dependencies. Recovery plans require sufficient resources and testing to make the target achievable. – Business Continuity

Added October 7, 2026

Recycled profiles — Recycled profiles are deceptive online accounts that criminals reuse with limited changes to names or personal details. The same underlying identity presentation supports repeated approaches to different victims. Reuse allows scammers to continue exploiting a prepared character without constructing an entirely new profile each time. — Digital Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Red Team — A red team conducts authorized adversarial exercises to evaluate an organization’s defenses. It simulates relevant attacker behavior within agreed boundaries. Findings reveal weaknesses in prevention, detection, and response that ordinary technical checks sometimes overlook. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Reflective listening — Reflective listening involves summarizing the survivor’s central feeling and concern, then checking whether the summary is accurate. It separates the event, the emotional response, and the meaning the survivor assigns to it. This practice strengthens understanding without requiring intrusive questions or repeated detailed retelling. — Communication Skills

Added October 16, 2026

Refugee trauma — Refugee trauma refers to trauma experienced by people fleeing persecution, conflict, or other serious threats. Exposure occurs before departure, during flight, or after arrival. Refugee status itself does not establish that a person has a trauma-related disorder. — Displacement context.

Added October 5, 2026

Refund Scam — A refund scam falsely promises repayment or invents an accidental over-refund. The criminal manipulates records or screen displays to support the claim. The victim sends money or grants access while receiving no legitimate reimbursement. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rehearsed Stories — Rehearsed stories are accounts practiced in advance to improve consistency, delivery, and persuasiveness. Criminals prepare explanations for identities, emergencies, delayed meetings, and requests for money. Smooth delivery reflects preparation and does not establish that the underlying account is true. — Criminal Manipulation

Added October 3, 2026

Rejection — Rejection is the experience or expectation of being refused, excluded, or denied acceptance. Earlier rejection influences how a survivor interprets requests for help and opportunities for connection. A specific refusal provides information about that situation without establishing that every future interaction will end the same way. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Rejection of Dependable Care — Rejection of dependable care is the repeated refusal of appropriate assistance that supports safety or recovery. Discomfort, shame, or perceived rejection sometimes contributes to the refusal. The pattern differs from leaving an unsuitable provider or questioning a recommendation respectfully. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Relational trauma — Relational trauma describes psychological harm arising within significant relationships. Repeated rejection, abuse, coercion, or betrayal are relevant contexts. The term emphasizes how harmful relationships shape expectations about connection, safety, and personal worth. — Relational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Relationship Scam — A relationship scam uses a deceptive personal connection to obtain money, information, assistance, or access. The criminal presents friendship, romance, mentorship, or another bond as genuine. The relationship becomes the means of influencing decisions that serve the offender’s concealed interests. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Relationship scam trauma — Relationship scam trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with exploitation through a fabricated or manipulated relationship. The crime damages expectations of attachment, trust, and personal safety. It describes the psychological consequences of relational deception rather than a separate diagnosis. — Fraud context.

Added October 5, 2026

Religious Dissonance — Religious dissonance describes tension between religious beliefs, teachings, practices, or interpretations and a person’s experiences. A survivor struggles when a criminal uses religious language to justify demands that contradict the survivor’s understanding of faith. Examining that contradiction helps distinguish religious commitments from the criminal’s exploitation of those commitments. — Religious and Meaning Conflict

Added October 7, 2026

Religious Donation Scam — A religious donation scam uses false ministries, projects, or spiritual appeals to collect money. The operator misrepresents the intended beneficiary or use of funds. Shared faith and trust discourage scrutiny of the solicitation. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Reliving the crime — Reliving the crime describes feeling as though the scam experience is happening again when encountering a reminder. This response signals a need to discuss the proposed exercise with a qualified trauma therapist before proceeding. The survivor holds no obligation to continue viewing material to demonstrate readiness. — Emotional Responses

Added October 18, 2026

Remote Access Scam — A remote access scam persuades someone to permit outside control of a device. The criminal presents access as necessary assistance or verification. The access enables account manipulation, information theft, or unauthorized financial transactions. – Technical Access Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Remote Access Trojan — A remote access Trojan is malware that gives an attacker remote control of an affected device. Its functions often include surveillance, file access, and command execution. The malicious authorization and purpose distinguish it from legitimate remote administration software. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Remote Code Execution — Remote code execution allows a party to run code on another system through a remote interaction. A vulnerability creates risk when unauthorized parties gain that capability. The impact depends on execution privileges and access to other resources. – Vulnerability Impact

Added October 7, 2026

Remote Work Scam — A remote work scam promotes a fabricated position performed from home. The criminal uses attractive pay and flexible hours to recruit applicants. Fees, fraudulent checks, or money-transfer duties replace the promised legitimate employment. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rental Application Fee Scam — A rental application fee scam collects screening charges for a property that is unavailable or fraudulently represented. The operator gathers payments from multiple applicants. Personal information collected during the process adds an identity-theft risk. – Housing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rental Car Damage Scam — A rental car damage scam demands payment for fabricated or improperly attributed vehicle damage. The operator presents misleading records or photographs. The renter faces charges for damage the rental did not cause. – Transportation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rental Deposit Scam — A rental deposit scam collects money to reserve a property under false pretenses. The supposed landlord pressures the applicant to pay before verification. The payment does not secure the promised accommodation. – Housing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rental Listing Scam — A rental listing scam advertises accommodation that the advertiser lacks authority to rent. The criminal copies real listings or invents properties. Applicants pay deposits or fees without obtaining legitimate access to the premises. – Housing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Repeat targeting — Repeat targeting occurs when criminals approach someone who has already experienced a scam. The original scammer returns, or other criminals obtain the survivor’s contact information and begin another approach. Prior victimization becomes information criminals exploit rather than protection against future attempts. — Repeat Victimization

Added October 15, 2026

Repeated Checking — Repeated checking involves returning to the same information or account without a new practical reason. The activity repeatedly directs attention toward uncertainty while adding little useful knowledge. Its function differs from scheduled monitoring that addresses a defined responsibility. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Repeated checking — Repeated checking involves reviewing the same material or seeking the same confirmation again without a new reason. Examples include reopening messages or repeatedly asking identical questions. The pattern warrants examination when it increases distress without producing information needed for the next action. — Checking Patterns

Added October 17, 2026

Repeated participation — Repeated participation means continuing to engage in supportive activities and ordinary responsibilities over time. A single conversation or completed task contributes something useful, while repetition gives it a more dependable place in life. This consistency supports recovery through accumulated experience rather than reliance on one decisive breakthrough. — Recovery Practices

Added October 15, 2026

Repeated trauma — Repeated trauma refers to multiple traumatic experiences occurring on separate occasions. The experiences involve either the same kind of harm or different forms of victimization. Repetition increases the opportunities for distress and disruption without determining a uniform outcome. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Repeated trauma exposure — Repeated trauma exposure refers to encountering traumatic events or material on multiple occasions. Exposure occurs through recurring victimization, repeated witnessing, or qualifying professional duties. Its definition concerns frequency rather than assuming a particular psychological outcome. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Replay Attack — A replay attack reuses a captured communication or authentication exchange to obtain an unauthorized result. The attacker relies on a system accepting old material as current. Fresh challenges, controlled validity periods, and appropriate protocol checks help prevent reuse. – Authentication Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Replication — Replication is the repetition of a study or research procedure to examine whether its findings recur. Repeated findings strengthen confidence when appropriate methods produce comparable results. Differences between replications also help identify limitations, contextual influences, and questions requiring further investigation. — Research Method

Added October 3, 2026

ReportFraud.FTC.gov — ReportFraud.FTC.gov is the Federal Trade Commission’s official reporting website for scams, fraud, and deceptive business practices. It collects descriptions of incidents, payment details, and information about the people or businesses involved. Reports help the FTC identify patterns, develop enforcement cases, and warn the public about emerging schemes. After submission, the website provides a report number and guidance about possible next steps. — Government Consumer Fraud Reporting Resource Federal Trade Commission

Added October 2, 2026

Reporting log — A reporting log tracks contacts, submissions, reference numbers, and next steps throughout the reporting process. It records dates, representatives, documents supplied, and instructions received. The log reduces reliance on memory and helps connect later information with earlier reports. — Reporting Records

Added October 18, 2026

Reproductive trauma — Reproductive trauma describes psychological trauma associated with severe reproductive experiences or violations. Forced reproductive decisions, threatening complications, or overwhelming loss are relevant contexts. It is a broad descriptive phrase rather than a single diagnosis. — Reproductive context.

Added October 5, 2026

Reshipping Job Scam — A reshipping job scam recruits someone to receive and forward packages. The criminal presents the work as legitimate logistics employment. The packages contain fraudulently obtained goods, and the promised wages frequently never arrive. – Employment and Criminal Facilitation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Residual Risk — Residual risk is the risk that remains after an organization applies protective measures. Controls rarely eliminate every possibility of harm. Organizations assess the remaining exposure and decide whether to accept it, reduce it further, or change the activity. – Risk Management

Added October 7, 2026

Response Flexibility — Response flexibility is the ability to choose different actions according to circumstances. A survivor responds promptly, prepares, pauses, or declines engagement when each option fits the situation. Flexibility prevents one habitual response from governing every difficulty. — Emotional Regulation

Added October 12, 2026

Responsible Disclosure — Responsible disclosure coordinates the reporting of a vulnerability with parties positioned to address it. The process aims to reduce harm while enabling appropriate correction and public understanding. Expectations vary, making clear communication and agreed handling arrangements important. – Vulnerability Management

Added October 7, 2026

Retraumatization — Retraumatization refers to renewed traumatic distress associated with later experiences that repeat or evoke aspects of earlier harm. The discussion includes painful encounters with institutions that the survivor expected to provide assistance. The renewed distress deserves recognition alongside attention to the support and practical care the person needs. — Trauma Responses

Added October 15, 2026

Reverse-Image Search — Reverse-image search uses an image to locate matching or similar images available through a search service. The results help identify photographs previously published under another name or in another context. An absence of matches does not establish authenticity because some images are new, altered, private, or unindexed. — Verification Practice

Added October 3, 2026

Reward Circuits — Reward circuits are interacting brain systems involved in learning about rewarding experiences and motivating behavior toward them. Attention, affection, and anticipated social contact engage processes within these systems. Their involvement helps explain repeated seeking of contact without assigning moral failure to the person seeking connection. — Neuroscience

Added October 3, 2026

Rip Deal — A rip deal is a fraudulent high-value transaction in which offenders misrepresent a purchase, exchange, or payment. They create the appearance of substantial financial capacity and a profitable business arrangement. Counterfeit money, substituted packages, or theft deprive the target of genuine funds or valuables. – Transaction Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Rip-and-Tear Operation — A rip-and-tear operation collects money rapidly and closes or relocates before victims obtain effective redress. The operators prioritize immediate extraction over maintaining a believable long-term business. Short-lived premises, changing identities, and disappearing contact channels support the scheme. – Rapid-Exit Fraud Operation

Added October 7, 2026

Rip-Off — A rip-off is an informal expression for a swindle, dishonest charge, or exploitative transaction. The offender provides less value than represented or takes money without supplying the agreed benefit. Everyday use also includes complaints about poor value that do not necessarily establish deliberate fraud. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Risk Assessment — Risk assessment evaluates potential harm, relevant threats, vulnerabilities, and existing protections. It helps an organization understand the significance of different exposures. The findings guide decisions about priorities, controls, and acceptable levels of remaining risk. – Risk Management

Added October 7, 2026

Risk Management — Risk management identifies, assesses, and addresses risks through continuing organizational decisions. Responses include reducing exposure, accepting it, transferring consequences, or avoiding an activity. Effective management revisits decisions as assets, threats, and operating conditions change. – Risk Management

Added October 7, 2026

Role descriptions — Role descriptions specify the responsibilities and limits attached to positions within a support community. They clarify the work of advocates, peers, leaders, and other staff. Written descriptions help prevent personal confidence or informal expectations from expanding a supporter’s duties beyond appropriate boundaries. — Community Governance

Added October 16, 2026

Role Dissonance — Role dissonance describes tension between a person’s understanding of a social role and the expectations or behavior associated with that role. A survivor who sees a caregiver role as requiring constant generosity struggles to refuse further demands. Examining the role helps distinguish responsible care from expectations that require continued exposure to exploitation. — Social Role Conflict

Added October 7, 2026

Role-Based Access Control — Role-based access control assigns permissions to defined roles and associates users with those roles. The structure links access to organizational responsibilities. Careful role design and regular review prevent unnecessary privileges from accumulating through outdated or overly broad assignments. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Romance Scam — A romance scam uses a fabricated or deceptive relationship to obtain money, information, or assistance. The criminal develops emotional attachment through sustained communication and promises. Requests for financial help turn the relationship into a vehicle for exploitation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Romance scam — A romance scam is a planned crime that uses a false romantic relationship to obtain money or other value. Criminals construct identities, develop attachment, and turn apparent intimacy into financial influence. The victim’s sincere feelings do not make the criminal’s claims or intentions genuine. — Crime Types

Added October 15, 2026

Romance scam trauma — Romance scam trauma describes psychological trauma associated with fraudulent romantic attachment and exploitation. Discovery involves both criminal victimization and the collapse of the believed relationship. The survivor's genuine feelings do not establish that the criminal reciprocated them. — Fraud context.

Added October 5, 2026

Romance-Investment Scam — A romance-investment scam combines emotional attachment with a fraudulent investment opportunity. The supposed partner directs the victim toward a controlled platform or account. Fabricated profits and relationship pressure encourage increasingly large deposits. – Relationship and Investment Scam Consumer Advice

Added October 7, 2026

Romantic Idealization — Romantic idealization involves viewing a relationship or prospective partner through strongly preferred romantic expectations. Research discussed in the scam context associates idealization with romance scam victimization. The association does not establish that all victims neglect themselves or that they bear responsibility for exploitation. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Roofing Scam — A roofing scam misrepresents roof damage, repair needs, or contractor qualifications. The operator uses urgency and promises about insurance coverage. Homeowners pay for nonexistent work, deliberate damage, or services materially different from the agreement. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rook — Rook is an older informal verb meaning to cheat someone, particularly out of money. It describes an offender obtaining value through dishonest dealing or manipulation. The word does not identify a separate scam structure. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Roommate Scam — A roommate scam uses a fabricated room-sharing arrangement to obtain money. The criminal requests deposits or sends fraudulent overpayments. The supposed housing partnership never develops as represented. – Housing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Rootkit — A rootkit conceals unauthorized activity or maintains privileged control within a system. It alters components or observations to make compromise harder to detect. Its presence often requires investigation beyond ordinary application checks and careful restoration of trust. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Roper — A roper is the confidence operator who approaches a target and develops the initial connection. The roper gains trust and introduces the person to the supposed opportunity or another offender. That introduction creates an apparently independent relationship supporting the larger scheme. – Confidence-Game Role

Added October 7, 2026

Router Support Scam — A router support scam impersonates assistance for internet equipment or network problems. The criminal invents faults and requests access to settings or devices. The interaction enables data theft, account compromise, or payment fraud. – Technical Support Scam

Added October 7, 2026

RSA — RSA is a public key cryptographic family named after Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman. Supported constructions provide encryption or digital signatures using related public and private keys. Security depends on appropriate key sizes, correct padding, and sound implementation. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Rule Enforcement — Rule enforcement describes the actions designated leaders take to uphold a community’s established requirements and boundaries. These actions include explaining expectations, addressing violations, and applying stated consequences. Consistent enforcement clarifies the community’s operating standards, while respectful explanations help members understand the reasons behind particular decisions. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Rumination — Rumination is repetitive thinking that circles painful concerns without producing useful understanding or action. A survivor repeatedly explains why recovery fails while leaving particular feelings or responsibilities untouched. Recognizing the repetition helps redirect attention toward the loss, assistance, or practical response that remains needed. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Ruminative self-focus — Ruminative self-focus involves repeated attention to personal distress and its meanings. The person revisits negative feelings and conclusions without arriving at a workable response. Its significance lies in whether this attention prolongs distress rather than helping the person understand and address the difficulty. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Safe Account Scam — A safe account scam claims that money must move to a protected account to avoid theft. The criminal impersonates bank staff or investigators. The supposedly secure destination actually places the funds under the offender’s control. – Financial Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Safe symbolic action — A safe symbolic action expresses the survivor’s chosen ending through a manageable physical act. Sealing an envelope, tearing a duplicate, or putting away a separate symbol provides a clear finish. Fire adds hazards without an established additional psychological benefit for this exercise. — Ritual Practice

Added October 18, 2026

Salting — Salting adds a distinct value to an input before a password-hashing process. Unique salts prevent identical passwords from automatically producing identical stored results. Salts need not remain secret, and they supplement rather than replace appropriate password-hashing algorithms. – Credential Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Salting the Mine — Salting the mine involves introducing valuable material into a location or sample to exaggerate its actual mineral value. The offender presents the misleading result as evidence of a profitable deposit. Investors or buyers pay based on a false understanding of the property’s resources. – Investment Evidence Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Sanctions Designation — Sanctions designation is the formal action identifying a person or entity under a particular sanctions authority. The designation connects the target to the restrictions established by that authority. It is an economic enforcement action and does not itself constitute a criminal conviction. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Sanctions Removal — Sanctions removal is the formal removal of a person or entity from a sanctions listing under applicable procedures. Treasury describes removal as part of maintaining the integrity of its sanctions system. Its stated purpose includes encouraging changes in behavior rather than treating every listing as permanent. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Sandbox — A sandbox is a restricted environment for running software or examining content. It limits interaction with other resources and helps contain unexpected behavior. Its protection depends on the boundaries it enforces and the absence of exploitable escape weaknesses. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Scam compounds — Scam compounds are locations where criminal operations hold some workers against their will and force them to conduct scams. False employment offers draw these individuals into confinement and exploitation. This forced participation differs from the willing involvement of other members of criminal scam groups. — Organized Crime

Added October 15, 2026

Scam Scripts — Scam scripts are prepared sequences of messages, explanations, and responses used to guide criminal interactions. They include approaches for building trust, introducing financial demands, and answering doubts. A personalized conversation still follows a script when the criminal adapts prepared material to the target’s circumstances. — Criminal Manipulation

Added October 3, 2026

Scam Simulator — A scam simulator is an interactive story that lets a person experience a real scam safely from the inside, choosing at each step whether to resist the criminal's pressure or give in to it. It follows the true path of a specific scam, using the messages, emergencies, and tactics that real criminals use, without announcing warning signs along the way. Every path ends at the discovery of the truth, followed by a Postmortem that names each tactic and shows the moments where the story turned. SCARS Institute scam simulators serve both prevention, by building recognition before a scam begins, and recovery, by helping survivors understand how they were deceived without blame. – Scam Prevention and Education

Added October 10, 2026

Scam Simulator — A scam simulator is an interactive story that lets a person experience a real scam safely from the inside, choosing at each step whether to resist the criminal's pressure or give in to it. It follows the true path of a specific scam, using the messages, emergencies, and tactics that real criminals use, without announcing warning signs along the way. Every path ends at the discovery of the truth, followed by a Postmortem that names each tactic and shows the moments where the story turned. SCARS Institute scam simulators serve both prevention, by building recognition before a scam begins, and recovery, by helping survivors understand how they were deceived without blame. – Scam Prevention and Education

Added October 10, 2026

Scam Structure — Scam structure is the connected pattern through which a fraudulent interaction develops and advances. Elements include credibility building, restricted verification, secrecy, financial demands, and pressure when questions arise. Examining the pattern provides more useful information than attempting to judge a single statement in isolation. — Deception Assessment

Added October 3, 2026

Scam-related trauma — Scam-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with being targeted or victimized through a scam. Manipulation, threatened security, exploitation, and violated trust shape the experience. The phrase encompasses emotional harm beyond the amount of money lost. — Fraud context.

Added October 5, 2026

Scareware — Scareware uses alarming claims to pressure people into installing software, paying money, or granting access. The claims often describe invented infections or urgent security failures. Attackers exploit fear to make their proposed remedy appear necessary. – Social Engineering

Added October 7, 2026

SCARS Institute Online Red Book — The SCARS Institute Online Red Book is a free crime information organizer for scam victims. It supports the collection of information before reporting the crime. The organizer helps prepare the record while urgent safety and financial tasks retain priority. — Reporting Resources

Added October 18, 2026

Scattergun approach — The scattergun approach involves contacting large numbers of people rather than selecting only a small group of specific targets. Scammers send mass messages or rapidly like numerous dating profiles. Responses identify people with whom the criminals then attempt to develop a deceptive relationship. — Targeting Methods

Added October 15, 2026

Scheduled Monitoring — Scheduled monitoring involves reviewing an account or concern at planned, appropriate intervals. It addresses a responsibility while providing limits on how often attention returns to it. The schedule distinguishes purposeful oversight from repeated checking driven by unresolved anxiety. — Protective Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Scholarship Scam — A scholarship scam promises educational funding through deceptive application or award procedures. The operator requests processing fees or financial information. The supposed scholarship fails to provide the represented assistance. – Education Scam

Added October 7, 2026

School Fundraising Scam — A school fundraising scam falsely claims that contributions support students, activities, or educational facilities. The operator impersonates a school or invents a project. Donors pay without supporting the represented educational purpose. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Scripted messages — Scripted messages are prepared communications that criminals use to create affection, reassurance, or anticipation. Their apparent intimacy encourages the victim to experience the exchange as a personal relationship. Discovering their prepared nature changes the meaning of earlier conversations and adds grief to the recognition of deception. — Scam Mechanisms

Added October 15, 2026

Search-Engine Advertisement Scam — A search-engine advertisement scam places deceptive advertisements above or beside legitimate search results. The criminal imitates a trusted business or service. Visitors encounter fraudulent stores, counterfeit login pages, or false support representatives. – Digital Deception Scam Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Added October 7, 2026

Search-Engine Poisoning Scam — A search-engine poisoning scam manipulates search visibility to promote deceptive websites. The criminal targets searches for services, software, or popular information. Visitors reach pages that steal data, demand payments, or distribute malicious files. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Second betrayal — A second betrayal is another experience of broken trust occurring after the original scam. It places additional pressure on a survivor who has begun rebuilding confidence in relationships. The event requires attention to its actual circumstances without turning it into proof that trust always ends in harm. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 15, 2026

Secondary trauma — Secondary trauma describes trauma-related distress arising through exposure to another person's traumatic experiences. It is especially relevant to repeated contact with detailed accounts of suffering. The term overlaps with secondary traumatic stress and requires distinction from general occupational stress. — Indirect exposure.

Added October 5, 2026

Secrecy — Secrecy involves withholding information from people who would otherwise contribute knowledge or support. Within a scam, criminals encourage secrecy to limit outside scrutiny and maintain control over the account. Privacy protects personal boundaries, while imposed secrecy serves the deceiver’s interest in avoiding examination. — Criminal Manipulation

Added October 3, 2026

Secrecy — Secrecy involves concealing the supposed relationship or its financial demands from other people. Scammers encourage concealment by claiming that relatives or friends will misunderstand or interfere. This restriction protects the criminal’s story from questions and helps sustain the victim’s isolation. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

SecretService.gov — SecretService.gov is the official website of the United States Secret Service. The agency performs protective duties and investigates specified financial crimes, including cyber-enabled financial fraud. Its website explains these responsibilities and provides information about financial threats and investigative field offices. Scam victims use its official resources to identify relevant contacts and understand the agency’s financial crime responsibilities. — Government Financial Crime Investigation Resource secretservice.gov

Added October 2, 2026

Secure Boot — Secure Boot checks designated startup components against trusted signatures or authorization information. The process helps prevent unauthorized software from loading during supported stages of startup. Its effectiveness depends on trusted key management and correct platform configuration. – Hardware Security

Added October 7, 2026

Secure Coding — Secure coding applies development practices that reduce exploitable software weaknesses. Developers address issues such as input handling, permissions, error behavior, and secret management. Reviews and testing reinforce these practices throughout the application’s lifecycle. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Secure evidence submission — Secure evidence submission means providing records through a method the receiving agency identifies as appropriate. It protects sensitive material while allowing authorities to receive relevant information. The victim asks for submission instructions and keeps copies of everything provided. — Evidence Submission

Added October 18, 2026

Secure Shell — Secure Shell, or SSH, provides protected communication for functions such as remote administration. It supports encrypted connections and authentication between participating systems. Secure use requires appropriate identity verification, access restrictions, and protection of authentication material. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Secure Sockets Layer — Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, is an obsolete family of protocols for protecting network communications. Modern secure connections use Transport Layer Security instead. Informal references to SSL certificates persist, although they do not justify enabling obsolete SSL protocols. – Legacy Security Protocol rfc-editor.org

Added October 7, 2026

Security Assertion Markup Language — Security Assertion Markup Language, or SAML, supports exchanges of identity and access assertions between systems. Organizations commonly use it for federated single sign-on. Secure deployment requires trustworthy issuers, correct validation, and protection against misuse of assertions. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Security Awareness Training — Security awareness training helps people recognize security risks and follow relevant protective practices. Effective programs connect instruction with realistic responsibilities and situations. Training supports organizational controls but does not transfer all responsibility for security failures to individual users. – Security Education

Added October 7, 2026

Security Baseline — A security baseline defines an approved minimum configuration or set of protective requirements. Organizations use it to establish consistent expectations across comparable systems. Baselines require review as technology, threats, and operational needs change. – Security Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Security Control — A security control is a measure that reduces risk or supports a security objective. Controls include technical mechanisms, procedures, and physical safeguards. Organizations evaluate their suitability and effectiveness rather than assuming that their mere presence provides adequate protection. – Security Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Security Information and Event Management — Security information and event management, or SIEM, collects and analyzes security-related records from multiple sources. It supports correlation, alerting, and investigation. Its value depends on meaningful data, appropriate detection rules, and personnel who act on relevant findings. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Security Operations Center — A security operations center coordinates ongoing monitoring, investigation, and response activities. It combines people, processes, and technology to manage security events. Responsibilities and operating hours vary according to organizational needs and service arrangements. – Security Operations

Added October 7, 2026

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response — Security orchestration, automation, and response, or SOAR, connects security tools and automates defined workflows. It helps coordinate tasks such as gathering evidence and executing approved response actions. Careful design preserves human oversight where automated mistakes would create significant consequences. – Security Operations

Added October 7, 2026

Security Policy — A security policy establishes an organization’s expectations and responsibilities for protecting resources and information. It guides decisions, procedures, and acceptable behavior. Effective policies remain understandable, enforceable, and consistent with the organization’s actual operations. – Security Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Security Posture — Security posture describes an organization’s overall protective condition and readiness to address threats. It reflects controls, exposure, operational practices, and response capabilities. Assessment identifies strengths and gaps rather than reducing security to the presence of particular products. – Security Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Security Testing — Security testing evaluates whether systems and controls resist relevant threats and meet requirements. Methods include reviews, automated analysis, and controlled attack simulations. Results support improvement but remain limited by scope, technique, and the conditions of the assessment. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Seed phrase — A seed phrase is a sequence of words used to restore access to a cryptocurrency wallet. It belongs to the wallet’s confidential security information rather than its public transaction record. The victim never provides it to someone who offers to recover lost funds. — Cryptocurrency Security

Added October 18, 2026

Seed Phrase Scam — A seed phrase scam persuades a wallet owner to disclose recovery words. The criminal claims support, verification, or account restoration requires them. Possession of the recovery phrase gives the offender control over the wallet’s assets. – Cryptocurrency Theft Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Self-Blame — Self-blame involves assigning personal fault or moral weakness to difficulties experienced during recovery. A survivor interprets delayed action as proof of being defective rather than examining the obstacle. This judgment adds distress without identifying the support needed to move forward. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Self-Concept Dissonance — Self-concept dissonance describes a mismatch between a person’s beliefs about themselves and information that challenges those beliefs. A survivor who considers personal judgment reliable experiences discomfort after discovering sustained deception. Resolving the mismatch requires a realistic understanding of both personal limitations and the criminal’s methods rather than a global judgment of incompetence. — Identity Process

Added October 7, 2026

Self-Condemnation — Self-condemnation is a harsh judgment that the person deserves blame or continued suffering. It extends beyond recognizing a decision that needs examination. The judgment reinforces withdrawal when receiving care appears inconsistent with the person’s view of their own worth. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Self-condemnation — Self-condemnation is a sweeping negative judgment about personal worth based on a decision or outcome. It turns a specific difficulty into a claim about being unintelligent, incapable, or fundamentally flawed. Reviewing behavior and selecting one adjustment keeps learning focused on the actual situation. — Self-Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Self-Defeating Behavior — Self-defeating behavior repeatedly works against the person’s goals or important needs. An action provides short-term relief while undermining recovery, relationships, or daily care. Understanding its purpose supports change without assuming that the person wants every harmful consequence. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Self-Destructive Behavior — Self-destructive behavior damages health, safety, finances, relationships, or the conditions that sustain life. It includes active harmful actions and serious patterns of neglect. The description identifies consequences and does not by itself establish a diagnosis or intention to die. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Self-esteem — Self-esteem concerns a person’s sense of personal worth. Supportive care addresses conclusions that treat criminal victimization as proof of worthlessness or personal failure. Supporters help separate the survivor’s value from the offender’s conduct while encouraging practical engagement in recovery. — Psychological Functioning

Added October 16, 2026

Self-Hatred — Self-hatred is intense hostility directed toward the self. A survivor turns the experience of being deceived into an accusation about personal value. Its influence becomes especially concerning when care, comfort, or protection is rejected as undeserved. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Self-Loathing — Self-loathing is disgust or revulsion directed toward personal identity, body, history, or perceived failures. It gives ordinary self-care an emotionally painful meaning. Addressing it requires examining the destructive judgment while restoring the person’s access to appropriate care. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Self-Punishment — Self-punishment involves imposing suffering on oneself as a perceived penalty. A survivor refuses comfort or neglects needs because improvement feels undeserved. Continued deprivation does not repair the crime or establish an obligation created by being victimized. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Self-Sabotage — Self-sabotage is behavior that undermines the person’s safety, stability, or recovery efforts. It includes rejecting helpful connections or returning to dangerous contact despite awareness of risk. The action’s purpose requires examination because intended relief and destructive consequences are not necessarily identical. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Self-trust — Self-trust is confidence in personal judgment and the ability to respond to decisions and difficulties. A disappointing outcome threatens this confidence when the survivor interprets it as evidence of permanent incompetence. Rebuilding self-trust involves recognizing particular mistakes or uncertainties without dismissing every capacity the person retains. — Recovery Outcomes

Added October 15, 2026

Selling Medicine Scam — A selling medicine scam uses deceptive claims about a product’s identity, value, or effects to obtain payment. Offenders stage apparent expertise, customer demand, or demonstrations to support the pitch. Buyers receive products that do not provide the represented qualities or benefits. – Street Merchandise Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Sender identity — Sender identity concerns who actually controls or originates a communication. A familiar name, photograph, or account does not independently establish the person behind a request. A separate contact route helps a survivor examine identity before sharing information or acting on the message. — Identity Verification

Added October 17, 2026

Sender Policy Framework — Sender Policy Framework, or SPF, lets a domain publish which servers may send email using specified domain identities. Receiving systems compare sending infrastructure with that policy. SPF alone does not verify the visible author or prevent every form of email impersonation. – Email Security

Added October 7, 2026

Sense of Safety — A sense of safety is the experience that immediate circumstances permit reasonable security and ordinary participation. Criminal deception disrupts confidence in that experience. Recovery includes evaluating present conditions and taking protective actions without treating every reminder as evidence of current danger. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 12, 2026

Sensitive Data — Sensitive data requires protection because exposure, alteration, or loss would cause harm or violate obligations. Examples include financial records, private communications, and confidential business information. Organizations determine handling requirements according to the information’s context and significance. – Data Classification

Added October 7, 2026

SEO Service Scam — An SEO service scam promises search visibility improvements using materially false claims. The operator invents results, affiliations, or guaranteed placement. Businesses pay for nonexistent work or services that do not match the representations. – Business Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Server-Side Request Forgery — Server-side request forgery causes a server to send requests to destinations an attacker influences. The server’s access allows those requests to reach resources unavailable to the attacker directly. Destination restrictions and controlled network access reduce this risk. – Application Attack OWASP Foundation

Added October 7, 2026

Session Fixation — Session fixation causes a victim to use a session identifier that an attacker already knows or controls. The attacker then attempts to access the authenticated session. Replacing session identifiers at authentication and privilege changes helps prevent this abuse. – Session Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Session Hijacking — Session hijacking takes control of an existing session without completing the legitimate user’s normal authentication process. Attackers commonly obtain or misuse session tokens. Strong token protection and effective session handling reduce opportunities for unauthorized access. – Session Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Session Token — A session token represents or references an ongoing interaction between a client and a service. The service uses it to recognize subsequent requests under an established session. Theft or inappropriate exposure of the token threatens the session’s security. – Session Management

Added October 7, 2026

Sextortion — Sextortion involves threatening to distribute intimate images unless the victim provides money or meets another demand. Scammers collect private material during the apparent relationship and later use it as leverage. The threat turns previously shared intimacy into a means of extracting further payments. — Criminal Coercion

Added October 15, 2026

Sextortion Scam — A sextortion scam uses sexual images, conversations, or fabricated allegations to demand money or compliance. The offender threatens disclosure to family, employers, or other contacts. Payment does not establish control over the material or end the offender’s leverage. – Extortion Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Sexual abuse trauma — Sexual abuse trauma describes psychological trauma associated with sexually abusive conduct. Such conduct involves exploitation, coercion, or violations of consent and power. The term applies to the psychological consequences of isolated or repeated abuse. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Sexual assault trauma — Sexual assault trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with sexual assault. Fear, violated autonomy, shame, mistrust, or intrusive memories are possible consequences. Responsibility belongs to the perpetrator regardless of the survivor's immediate response. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Sexual violence trauma — Sexual violence trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with sexual acts or threats imposed without freely given consent. Coercion, exploitation, and violation of bodily autonomy are central concerns. The term addresses psychological consequences rather than physical injury alone. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Shame spiral — A shame spiral is an escalating pattern in which a difficulty produces self-condemnation that deepens distress. A survivor moves from recognizing an unsuccessful decision to believing that their entire judgment or identity is defective. Interrupting the pattern requires separating the event from the sweeping accusation attached to it. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 15, 2026

Shame-Driven Withdrawal — Shame-driven withdrawal is retreat from contact or assistance because the person feels exposed, embarrassed, or unworthy. Neglected hygiene or a deteriorating home increases reluctance to receive visitors. Reduced contact then makes ongoing difficulties less visible to people positioned to help. — Coping Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Shared burden — A shared burden is a difficulty supported by other people rather than carried entirely by the survivor. Friends, therapists, and recovery communities contribute perspective, contact, and practical assistance. Sharing the burden preserves personal participation while reducing the isolation surrounding painful decisions and experiences. — Support Systems

Added October 15, 2026

Shared Document Scam — A shared document scam sends a deceptive invitation to view a file. The criminal imitates familiar collaboration tools or colleagues. The link leads to credential theft, malicious content, or requests for unauthorized permissions. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Shared trauma — Shared trauma describes circumstances in which people share exposure to the same traumatic event or environment. It also describes clinicians and clients affected by the same disaster or crisis. Shared exposure does not imply identical symptoms, resources, or recovery needs. — Shared exposure.

Added October 5, 2026

Sharpie — Sharpie is slang for a cheat or swindler, particularly someone associated with dishonest gambling or clever deception. The offender obtains an advantage that other participants do not knowingly accept. The word identifies a person rather than a specific confidence game. – Offender Role

Added October 7, 2026

Shell Game — A shell game is a deceptive betting game involving the supposed location of a small object beneath movable covers. The operator uses manipulation and accomplices to create the appearance of a fair challenge. Participants lose money because the operator controls more than the visible guessing task. – Gambling Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Shill — A shill secretly assists a seller, promoter, or confidence operator while appearing independent. The accomplice supplies apparent purchases, winnings, praise, or confirmation that influences other people. The concealed relationship makes manufactured support look like genuine outside evidence. – Accomplice Role

Added October 7, 2026

Shill Bidding Scam — A shill bidding scam uses undisclosed bids to artificially increase an auction price. The seller or collaborators create false competition. Genuine buyers pay more because the bidding process misrepresents real demand. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Shipping Fee Scam — A shipping fee scam invents transportation charges for a supposed purchase, gift, or shipment. The criminal claims delivery requires immediate payment. Additional fees appear while the promised item remains unavailable. – Shipping Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Short Con — A short con is a confidence trick designed to produce a loss within a brief encounter. The offender uses an immediate opportunity, distraction, or apparently straightforward transaction to obtain money. The defining feature is limited preparation and duration rather than a fixed financial amount. – Brief Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Short Firm Fraud — Short firm fraud uses a new or hijacked business to obtain goods on credit without genuine intent to pay. The offenders supply false accounts, references, or other indications of creditworthiness. They sell the goods and disappear before suppliers recover payment. – Business Credit Fraud www.met.police.uk

Added October 7, 2026

Shoulder Surfing — Shoulder surfing obtains information by watching a person’s screen, keyboard, or other visible activity. Attackers observe passwords, account details, and private content. The technique relies on physical visibility rather than a technical intrusion into the device. – Information Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Side-Channel Attack — A side-channel attack extracts information from indirect effects of a system’s operation. Sources include timing, power consumption, and observable resource behavior. Secure designs address these leaks because mathematically strong cryptography does not eliminate implementation-based exposure. – Attack Method

Added October 7, 2026

Signature-Based Detection — Signature-based detection identifies threats through known patterns associated with malicious activity. Patterns include file characteristics and recognizable traffic structures. The method works well for established threats but requires additional approaches for unfamiliar or substantially modified attacks. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

SIM-Swap Scam — A SIM-swap scam uses deception to transfer a person’s telephone number to an attacker-controlled SIM. The criminal exploits account procedures or impersonates the subscriber. Control of the number supports intercepted verification messages and account theft. – Account Access Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Single Sign-On — Single sign-on allows a person to access multiple services through a shared authentication arrangement. It reduces repeated login requirements and supports centralized access administration. Protecting the primary identity becomes especially important because its compromise affects multiple connected services. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Single-incident trauma — Single-incident trauma refers to trauma associated with one identifiable event. The event has a relatively clear beginning and end, even when its consequences continue. A single exposure is sufficient to produce substantial psychological distress. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Single-Parent Romance Scam — A single-parent romance scam features a fabricated parent and child to strengthen emotional attachment. The criminal introduces supposed school, medical, or childcare expenses. The invented family becomes another source of urgency and financial obligation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Sleep Problems — Sleep problems are difficulties obtaining adequate or restorative rest. The discussion identifies them among symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder. Their impact belongs in an assessment of daily functioning rather than a demand that the survivor simply plan more carefully. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 12, 2026

Small request strategy — The small request strategy begins financial exploitation with a relatively modest payment demand. Scammers request money for items or expenses such as a phone, travel documents, or a ticket. The manageable amount encourages initial agreement and prepares the way for further requests. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026