I've partially answered my own question. Figured out how to reveal the SCAM reply after I had flagged it.
Upon examination of the link in the SCAM reply I found that hovering reveals a warning that the link takes you outside of Steemit, which I choose to interpret as an unacceptably risky action.
I'm detailing my discovery is an intended community service for any noobs like me that barely know how to get around here.
And I just discovered you are or were involved in the steemitboard bot, which is the only reply ever on my first blog entry. I would like to understand a bit more about that bot as my initial and ignorant impressions are not very positive. I could be mistaken and am willing to learn more. The steemitboard has a (60). While I don't know quite what that means it is higher than the parentheses value I see on some other folks I enjoy, so I'll consider the steemitboard bot may be better than my initial impression. I always try to be open to learn.