Part 3: SCARS Institute Support Policies

Victim Harm Policy

It is the policy of the SCARS Institute that when we detect any mention of a victim harming themselves or being harmed we have to take action immediately. We will do all that we can to find local help for that victim if possible. This may or may not be welcome, but as a professional victims’ service provider, it is our responsibility to intervene. We hope you understand our policy and understand why we have to act, even if we are disliked afterward.
Never be afraid to express your feelings and understand that we are here to help in every way possible.

Updated September 24, 2024

SCARS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

Read the SCARS Policy here: https://againstscams.org/scars-ai-use-policy-2024/

Scars Institue Group Confidentiality Policy

SCARS is not a mental healthcare provider, BUT we maintain a confidentiality policy in our support groups and related operations as required by the laws of the State of Florida, USA.

Except in cases where we believe someone is a risk to themselves or someone else.

Privacy and confidentiality are expected for and from all members of our groups as a condition of membership, access, an participation in our groups, including, but not limited to this group. Not only between yourself and SCARS, but also between members. No one is authorized to discuss anything that happens in our groups with anyone outside, except:

• The SCARS Management & Teams internal discussions and reviews, management and planning.
• Members are free to discuss their own involvement & participation with their licensed mental healthcare providers (psychologists and psychiatrists).
• Or when we believe a member is a threat to someone else or themselves we will act and contact local authorities (if possible) to help that group member.
• Collecting anonymized information for research and study, and related activities at SCARS Institute discretion.
• No other exceptions are permitted.

If you choose to tell your friends or family that you’re in a SCARS Institute Group, you are free to do so. However, you may NOT tell them anything about the activities within the group – that is confidential UNLESS they are also part of this group.
Much of the information about your scam and your personal progress that you decide to share is up to you. That is your information about yourself that is shared voluntarily and becomes a part of the group.

Obviously, other current and future members of our support groups will have access to your activities and participation in the group. We do not purge a person’s information when someone leaves one of our groups unless we decide it is objectionable.

Psychologists and other medical professionals, are ethically bound to protect your privacy and confidentiality regardless of what information you choose to share with others. For that reason, they are excepted but only as it relates to you personally, and not information about other members in any way.
However, if we believe that there is a tangible threat to yourself or others, we are not bound to preserve the confidentiality of the group and may disclose information to law enforcement or other suitable authority for the purpose of intervening in any threat to the life or safety of a member.

When a member leaves a SCARS group, SCARS will retain all written communications, including group activity, but will continue to abide by this policy.

A violation of this policy by group members, either past, present, or future, shall be justification for immediate termination of services and access to SCARS Institution services without recourse, and such other actions as may be appropriate.
SCARS Institute does not maintain dossiers on group members except the information that was supplied to received SCARS Institute Services, and the only other information that might relate to group members is that which may have been entered in forms or other documents by the member on our SCARS Institute websites for the propose of initiating services or other self-help purposes, or in the group, or in other communications, or in SCARS management communications.

As a member of this SCARS Institute group, you agree that any claim or dispute between us shall be resolved by suitable arbitration and that any award by the arbitrator(s) may be entered as a judgment in any court having jurisdiction subject to the terms and conditions you agreed to when applying for our services. All members agree that SCARS will not be liable for any financial award arising from such arbitration. Any arbitration shall take place in Miami, Florida, USA. Each party, in the event of a dispute, shall be solely responsible for its own costs and fees.

This and other SCARS policies comprise the Policies of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. and may be revised at will at any time without prior notice. In the event of conflicts, the newer publication shall rule over prior publications or policies.

This policy was originally published on May 23, 2015 and updated on September 14, 2024.

Part 4: All SCARS Institute Groups on Social Media Platforms

The following applies to all SCARS Institute Groups – Informational, Public or Private, Support & Recovery or Just Chat Groups

Current Groups/Communities (as of December 2024) are provided on the following platforms:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• WhatsApp
• X
• YouTube

Rules

Do You Need Help?

• If you are a victim make sure you read our Information for New Victims-Survivors here: www.ScamVictimsSupport.org
• In addition, SCARS publishes a complete line of low-cost Scam Victim Self-Help Books at shop.AgainstScams.org

Find Trauma Counseling Or Therapy:

• The SCARS Institute provides a free month of therapy to its support and recovery group members (while available.)
• For additional sources of counseling or therapy please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org

Standard Notices:

• NOTE: All SCARS Services for scam victims are always free!
• If you are a NEW scam victim please look here – it is vitally important that you understand the STEPS you must take right now: www.ScamVictimsSupport.org
• By your participation and membership in this group, you automatically agree to our group rules, terms and conditions.
• Also, note that we are not a mental healthcare provider.

Entry Requirements:

• To join a public information group, you must have your identity on your appropriate social media profile along with a real photo of yourself – this a trust requirement.
• To join a support or recovery group you must sign up for our services at support.AgainstScams.org those who bypass this process will not be accepted.
• We reserve the right to accept or reject any person without notice.

Basic Support & Recovery Group Requirements

Our SCARS Institute Support & Recovery groups are to help financial fraud victims recover from their experiences. To learn and better understand how they were lured into the fraud, manipulated by the criminals, and the sometimes severe after-effects and the trauma that these crimes produce.

Participation:

• • To participate in our recovery program we have two main requirements:
  • New members of the group must start participating within the first 7 days to remain in the group.
  • You must participate in the group at least every 60 days. Either by posting something or in a comment. Likes alone are not sufficient.

Scars Institute Group Rules

FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY ONLINE

1. SCARS Institute Groups are not a place to report or expose scammers. Do not post them here, unless it is YOUR scammer and you want to talk about your experience. If you want to share your story, you can also include ONE photo of the scammer – NO MORE. This is because scammer photos may trigger other members. However, we may direct scammer profiles for educational purposes.
   Report all scammers as indicated above and on www.Anyscam.com and find other reporting options at reporting.AgainstScams.org
2. We expect civil behavior always. These are not hate groups. We do not allow drama, conflict, or backstabbing in the group. Any hostile behavior can result in the removal of the person – no exceptions. However, we understand that members can be angry and we accept that, but if the anger is directed at someone in the group or at the SCARS Institute volunteers then this is unacceptable.
3. There is going to be commentary and posts about governments and politicians. We do not allow political discussion except as it applies directly to scams and how we are working with the government to combat them. If you hate a certain politician please keep it to yourself. We may also recommend or endorse policies and candidates that we believe have or have proven to help in our battle against transnational cybercrime, we may also point out those politicians and policies that have demonstrated ineffectiveness against cybercrime. If you disagree with our views you are not required to listen. However, we will not tolerate political hate under any circumstances.
4. Do not take communications out of the group and into private messages. All SCARS Groups are Private & Confidential and you are a stranger until you prove otherwise. If you want to talk to other members do it in the open within the group. Any new member who attempts this will be removed from the group unconditionally (a new member is someone who has been in the group for less than 6 months or any member who is, in the sole opinion of the SCARS Institute,  communicating while remaining silent in the group). You may contact SCARS Management in the group – or in cases of urgent need by messenger or email, but this must be limited since we DO NOT provide one-on-one support for members of the group. If you need to talk to one of the SCARS Team you can do it by email at contact@AgainstScams.org. Abuse of messaging can result in being blocked by the SCARS Institute Team.
5. We discourage friending other members of the group, not because they may not be supportive but because new members are strangers. It also creates awkward situations if someone refuses. Plus you truly cannot trust anyone until you have observed them for a long time! Remember, everyone in any group is a stranger until they prove otherwise. In the group communications are safe, outside the group they are not safe! Sending friend requests can also be considered aggressive and may trigger members. For this reason, in the case of new members, this may be a cause for removal from the group.
6. SCARS Staff will not accept your friend requests. We are here to manage the group and help everyone. Our relationship with members is professional, please respect that.
7. Every member is expected to participate in the group on a level that feels comfortable but must at least include period interactions. Trauma may limit your ability to participate, but please make an effort so everyone knows you are there. New members who do not communicate within 72 hours (3 days) from entry into the group will be automatically removed. This is to protect the group and its members.
8. If you block SCARS Staff from your profile we will remove you from the group for everyone’s safety as this might be an indication that your profile was hacked or taken over. We will also remove members where we know or suspect that they have lost control of their profile, or their profile has been frozen by the platform.
9. What happens in the group stays in the group. The activities of the group are confidential and you agree as a member of the group to abide by that. You may not share any posts or comments outside of the group. Any violation of the group confidentiality by group members will result in permanent expulsion from SCARS Services. An exception may be made by the SCARS Team only. However, what we publish from the outside you are welcome to share – simply go to the source and share from there.
10. We do not allow racism or hate in any form. Our support groups cover many different countries and races from around the world. Regardless of your feelings, you are expected to moderate your comments so as to not offend other members. Offensive comments can result in the removal of the member.
11. Promotion of any business is not allowed without prior approval of SCARS – you can contact the SCARS Team or one of our directors for prior approval.
12. The promotion of any anti-scam group, or other business on social media or elsewhere that is not a SCARS Member or Partner is prohibited for everyone’s safety, without the approval of the SCARS Team. There are too many amateur groups and saviors, as well as groups actually run by scammers or criminals. SCARS is a professional crime victims’ assistance organization and we do not allow promotion in any way of groups, that in our opinion, cause harm or interfere in the recovery of scam victims. You can confirm the SCARS Institute’s legal status by visiting our website at www.AgainstScams.org – we are an incorporated nonprofit in the State fo Florida under the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
13. We respect the religions of all of our members. For that reason, we do not allow overt religious content in our groups. However, we will announce and celebrate many religious holidays.
14. If you belong to other anti-scam groups you must disclose this to the SCARS Team when requesting our services or joining a group. Failure to do so may result in removal. If you are a moderator of this group and participate as an admin or moderator of other groups you must allow a SCARS Manager access for periodic compliance audits.
15. Do not upload or attach any documents (PDF or another format) without prior approval. Email us at contact@AgainstScams.org to request approval.

These rules are designed for efficient and safe management and participation in our groups. This is not about controlling members, but it is about helping to provide proper guidance and direction of scam victims-survivors in our care. We take our duty of care seriously.

Ethical behavior and everyone’s safety is our primary concern. We manage our support groups with these principles in mind. However, we reserve the right to remove any member that, in our sole opinion, is disruptive or a danger to other members.

Additional Terms and Conditions

When you partate of the SCARS Insitute services you are agreeing to conform to our service requirements and rules as published herein and the following:.

• This SCARS service is not a mental healthcare program and is not suitable for all individuals that apply or are initially accepted.
• By submitting a request for our services, you agree to the following:
  1. We have the right to accept or reject your request for services or removal from our services at our sole discretion.
  2. We will not be liable for any damages of any kind or losses incurred as a result of our rejection of your request for services or removal from those services.
  3. If we accept your request for services, we will provide you with written rules that outline the terms and conditions of our services (in digital form within our support group, provided above) however certain behaviors may fall outside of those rules that may still result in the removal from our services.
  4. You agree to abide by the terms and conditions, rules, and policies of our services and hold SCARS harmless for any actions during the use of our services. We reserve the right to modify or terminate our services at any time.
  5. You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or in connection with your use of our services.
• If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact us by email at contact@AgainstScams.org.
• You confirm that you are a real person, using your real name, location, and contact information in your request to join and use our SCARS Scam Victims’ Support & Recovery Groups.
• You are authorizing us to contact you by email, Messenger, or in an emergency or for other concerns by phone.
• SCARS will not sell or release to marketers any of this information but may send emails relating to scams and victim support information to you from time to time.
• By consenting to the above you are agreeing to these terms and also agree to abide by the rules of SCARS’ Groups as well as the SCARS Code of Conduct (see menu), and such other SCARS policies and standards as may apply.
• Fraudulent requests will be referred to law enforcement for prosecution.

Updated December 28, 2024