Q: What can I do to protect myself from all these crazy scams? It feels like there is a new one every day.

A: You are absolutely right that scams are seemingly everywhere, and they’re getting more sophisticated and harder to spot. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023. Even financially savvy people fall victim because today’s scams aren’t just about suspicious emails; they use psychological manipulation, exploiting trust, fear, and urgency.

Imagine you get a call from someone claiming to be an FBI agent investigating “fraud” at your local bank. They sound convincing and may reference a “case file” or “badge number.” The caller warns that your account has been targeted for a large fraudulent wire transfer and says your money isn’t safe

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