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TERMS OF USE

1) Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using this website (including submitting content), you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the site.

2) Purpose; Speech and Public-Interest Activity

S.C.C.A.A.M. is an independent public-interest project focused on consumer credit, credit reporting, and financial-institution conduct. We publish commentary, documentation, and consumer experiences to inform the public and support lawful advocacy and petition activity.
Our work is grounded in the public importance of accuracy and fairness in credit reporting systems.

3) No Legal Advice

Nothing on this site is legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading, contacting, or submitting content.

4) User Submissions; You Keep Your Rights, You Grant a Publishing License

You retain ownership of your submitted content. By submitting content, you grant S.C.C.A.A.M. a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, reproduce, display, distribute, and publish your submission (in whole or in part) for site operations and public-interest reporting (including archiving and formatting).
You represent that you have the rights needed to submit the content and that publication will not violate law or a court order.

5) Reviews and “Gag Clause” Terms

S.C.C.A.A.M. supports the right of consumers to share truthful experiences and opinions. Federal law voids certain form-contract terms that prohibit or penalize consumers for honest reviews of a company’s goods, services, or conduct (with specific exceptions in the statute).

6) Moderation; Right to Remove or Decline Content

We may (but are not required to) review, edit for clarity, add context notes, request substantiation, or remove content for any reason, including risk management, safety, privacy, legal compliance, or failure to meet our Content Standards. We are not obligated to publish any submission.

7) Third-Party Content Hosting

To the extent we host user-generated content, federal law generally limits treating a website as the publisher or speaker of information provided by another content provider (subject to important exceptions).

8) Copyright; DMCA Notices; Limited Excerpts

We respect intellectual property rights. Where we use limited excerpts for purposes such as criticism, comment, or news reporting, we aim to do so consistent with fair use.
If you believe content infringes your copyright, you may submit a DMCA notice; we respond consistent with the DMCA framework for online service providers.

9) Prohibited Conduct

You may not use the site to:

  • Publish knowingly false statements presented as fact, or falsified “documentation.”

  • Threaten, harass, or encourage wrongdoing against any person or institution.

  • Post private/confidential information you don’t have the right to share (see Content Standards).

  • Impersonate others or misrepresent your identity or affiliation.

  • Upload malware or attempt to disrupt site operations.

10) Corrections and Right of Reply

We welcome corrections supported by documentation. We may publish clarifications, updates, or rebuttals in our editorial discretion.

11) Georgia Anti-SLAPP Notice (Procedural Protection)

S.C.C.A.A.M. is based in Georgia and publishes on issues that may qualify as matters of public interest. Georgia law provides a procedural mechanism aimed at claims brought to chill protected speech/petition activity, as defined in the statute.
(This is a notice of policy posture, not legal advice or a promise of outcome.)

12) Governing Law (Contract Claims Only)

These Terms are governed by Georgia law for contract-based disputes about the Terms themselves, without limiting any nonwaivable rights. (Separate tort claims, if any, can be governed by applicable law as determined by a court.)

Content Standards (S.C.C.A.A.M.)

Our North Star

We take citizen rights seriously, and we take conduct seriously. We publish to inform and advocate without manufacturing drama. Accuracy, documentation, and fairness protect the public—and protect contributors.

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1) What We Publish (and what we don’t)

Allowed (encouraged):

  • Firsthand experiences with financial institutions, credit reporting agencies, dispute handling, account servicing, collections conduct, governance, member treatment, and similar.

  • Opinions clearly labeled as opinion.

  • Documentation you have the right to share (see privacy rules below).

Not allowed:

  • Statements you know are false or cannot reasonably support.

  • “Everyone knows they commit crimes” style accusations without evidence.

  • Calls for harassment, doxxing, or retaliation.

2) Facts vs. Opinions — Don’t Mix Them

If you’re stating a fact, write it so it can be checked (who/what/when/where).
If it’s your opinion, label it and base it on disclosed facts. Courts do not treat “it’s my opinion” as a magic shield if you’re implying false, provably factual claims.

3) Documentation Rules (to keep credibility high)

When you claim something happened, include:

  • Dates (or approximate timeframe)

  • The product/service/account type (general is fine)

  • What you did to resolve it (dispute filed, calls made, letters sent)

  • What the institution did in response

  • Any supporting records you can lawfully provide

If you can’t share a document publicly, you can describe it—just don’t quote or post it if you’re not allowed to.

4) Privacy, Confidentiality, and Redaction

Do not submit:

  • Full account numbers, SSNs, DOBs, driver’s license numbers, full card numbers, passwords, or authentication details.

  • Personal contact details of employees/private individuals (home address, personal phone, private email).

  • Non-public documents you obtained unlawfully or in violation of a court order.

We may redact or refuse content to protect privacy and reduce risk.

5) Tone and Professionalism

Strong is fine. Reckless is not. No slurs, no threats, no “mob justice.” We want attorneys, legislators, regulators, and the public to take the record seriously.

6) Our Editing and Labeling Practices

We may add:

  • “Allegation” labels where appropriate

  • Context notes

  • Correction banners or updates

  • Requests for substantiation before publication

7) Copyright and Excerpts

If you include screenshots/excerpts, keep them limited and purpose-driven (commentary/criticism/news reporting). We aim to operate within fair use and DMCA processes.

Submission Intake

How To Submit

Send your story and (optional) supporting documents through our submission form or email channel listed on this site. Submissions are reviewed for clarity, credibility, privacy protection, and compliance with our Content Standards

What to Include (Minimum)

To be publishable, your submission should include:

  • Who: the institution (credit union/bank/CRA/collector) and the product type (card/loan/checking/dispute/credit report).

  • When: key dates (or a clear timeframe).

  • What happened: the specific actions taken by the institution and the impact on you.

  • What you did: disputes filed, calls, letters, branch visits, complaints.

  • What you want: correction, reversal, explanation, policy change, oversight, etc.

Supporting Proof (Optional but Strongly Preferred)

If you have it, attach or describe:

  • Statements, notices, denial letters, dispute correspondence

  • Chat logs/email threads (with redactions)

  • Call notes (date/time, who you spoke with, summary)

  • Screenshots of credit report entries (with redactions)

  • Complaint confirmations (CFPB/AG/NCUA, etc.) if applicable

If you can’t share documents publicly, say so. A well-written timeline still helps.

Redaction Rules (Non-Negotiable)

Before submitting anything, remove or black out:

  • Full account numbers, full card numbers, SSNs, DOB, driver’s license numbers

  • Login details, passwords, security questions, one-time codes

  • Routing numbers + full bank account numbers

  • Home address of individuals, personal phone numbers, private emails

  • Any minor’s personal info

Keep visible (helpful for verification):

  • Dates, the institution name, general product type

  • Partial identifiers only (e.g., last 4 digits) if you choose

  • Reference/case numbers if they don’t expose sensitive data

We reserve the right to reject or further redact content that risks privacy, security, or legal exposure.

Accuracy & Good-Faith Certification

By submitting, you confirm:

  • Your account is truthful to the best of your knowledge

  • Documents are authentic and not altered to mislead

  • You have the right to share what you’re submitting (or you’re describing it without posting restricted material)

Anonymity Options

You may submit under:

  • Full name

  • First name + state

  • Anonymous (verified privately)

If you request anonymity, we may still ask for private verification before publication. We do not promise publication.

What Happens After You Submit

  • We may reply with questions to tighten the timeline and remove ambiguity.

  • We may request a redacted version if you sent sensitive details.

  • If published, we may label content as Firsthand Account, Documentation, Opinion, or Analysis to keep facts and commentary clean.

  • We welcome corrections and can update posts when supported by documentation.

What Not to Send

Do not submit:

  • Threats, harassment, “call-to-arms” retaliation content

  • Unverifiable criminal accusations stated as fact

  • Anything you obtained unlawfully or in violation of a court order

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