Fraudsters are lurking everywhere, and honestly, it can start to undermine your faith in your fellow human beings. Before I dive into the “dark side,” I want to remind you: Most people are good, decent people. They aren’t up to no good. But your life can be absolutely disrupted by those who are not “A-OK.”
Today, violent crime is down across the United States, but that’s because the criminals have moved behind a screen. Now, crime involves a laptop, a phone, and cheap software that helps a thief run a con on you from anywhere in the world.
Criminals are constantly finding new ways to get into your life, your wallet, and your accounts. Here is what you need to do to stay safe.
1. The Credit Freeze Is Non-Negotiable
I have talked about the credit freeze for years and years. But let’s face facts: Most people reading this right now still don’t have one in place. I get it — life is busy. But this is the one thing you must make time for. It is the best way to ensure no one can open new lines of credit in your name.
2. Beware of “Pretexting”
Sometimes scammers don’t hack you; they trick you.
“Pretexting” is when someone pretends to be a trusted source — a bank, police department or company — to get you to act. And it’s exploding right now.
Just recently, a police department in New Jersey had to warn citizens about calls that appeared to be from the police or sheriff. The scammers claimed there was a warrant out for the person’s arrest that could only be settled by paying immediately.
With AI, it’s getting even harder to spot. Cloned voices make these scams look and sound real. A few months ago, I shared an AI-generated video of “me” endorsing a company I’d never heard of. People were angry because they got ripped off, thinking I had recommended it. Remember: I don’t do endorsements.
3. Check Your Accounts Weekly
For most of us, our hard-earned assets are sitting in brokerage, investment, or retirement accounts. You need to be in those accounts at least once a week to make sure everything is okay.
4. Don’t Trust Your Caller ID or Your Inbox
Never click links in unexpected emails or texts.
Let unknown calls go to voicemail — even if the caller ID looks legitimate.
Call back using a trusted number (like the one on your card or official website).
5. Recognize the “Sense of Urgency”
If there is one hallmark of a modern scam, it’s a sense of urgency. The criminal wants to bamboozle you before you have a chance to think. They want you to feel a sense of danger — “Pay now or go to jail!” — so that you react emotionally.
Final Thoughts
Don’t think you are too sophisticated to get taken. Any of us can be victims because criminals are continually morphing their methods. Stay on your guard, keep your heart open to the good people, but keep your wallet locked tight against the bad ones.
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