How to spot a scam, protect your accounts and data, and what to do when something has already happened.
A step-by-step guide on what data to collect, when to search in FINRA BrokerCheck, when to use SEC IAPD, how to read the Disclosures section, and what Form CRS, SALI, state regulators, CFP Board search, and state insurance agent registries provide, along with a registry selection flowchart.
Investment clubs on WhatsApp or Telegram, often promoted through ads or unsolicited messages, are rapidly growing scams in the U.S., involving ramp-and-dump schemes and fake platforms.
Fake exchanges and apps, 'taxes' for withdrawals, scammers 'recovering' crypto, and irreversible transfers. We show how to check an exchange in FinCEN, NMLS, and the ESMA register, what the Polish virtual currency register means, and what to do after a loss.
A brief, practical plan for families regarding a faked voice: how to establish a family password in minutes (FBI recommendation), why to always call back to a saved number (FTC), which payments reveal a scammer, and what technology can and cannot do. A printable note to keep by the phone.
An overview of how the grandparent scam operates in the USA today, involving arrests after accidents, fake lawyers and bail agents at the door, couriers collecting cash and gold bars, and what to do if money has already been sent.
Understand how Zelle scams work and why banks rarely refund victims' money. Learn how scammers manipulate victims into voluntarily sending money.
Learn how to avoid scams on Facebook Marketplace by understanding common scams such as fake deposits, shipping scams, and more to protect your money.
Learn how to identify scammers impersonating Social Security Administration employees, recognize warning signs, and protect yourself from phone scams.
Learn about the scams that most often affect the Polish community in the USA. Read our guide to avoid traps related to fake immigration services, investment market fraud, and other threats.
Learn how to protect your finances from investment fraud with a practical checklist to help you verify investments and avoid losses.
Why the promise of high returns 'without risk' is a typical sign of fraud, how true guarantees (FDIC, EE bonds) differ from a seller's word, how to check an advisor on Investor.gov and BrokerCheck (and in Poland on KNF), and what to do if your money is already gone.
The IRS usually starts with a letter, does not demand gift cards or wire transfers, and does not threaten deportation; learn how to verify a letter and a collection agency, recognize a legitimate visit, understand the purpose of the IP PIN, and where to report fraud: TIGTA 800-366-4484, phishing@irs.gov.
Learn how to identify phone scams impersonating Social Security, understand the scammers' techniques, and how to protect yourself from their threats.
Medicare scams are becoming increasingly common. Learn how to recognize and avoid the most frequent traps, such as Medicare card phishing, fake medical equipment offers, and dishonest agent practices.
Learn how to effectively use FINRA BrokerCheck to verify the credibility of brokers and investment firms, with a step-by-step guide to help you avoid scams and make informed financial decisions.
Learn how to step-by-step verify the legitimacy of a financial advisor in the USA by checking their licenses, complaint history, and qualifications to make an informed decision.
Guaranteed profit, urgency, request for discretion, 'SEC certificate,' and initials after the name. Learn how to identify a fake or dishonest financial advisor in the USA, what 'fiduciary' really means, and what questions to ask before signing a contract.
Learn how Ponzi schemes operate, their characteristic features, and how to protect yourself from them, along with historical examples and warning signs that can help avoid fraud.
Romance scams pose a serious threat to older adults who may lose their savings; learn how to recognize scammers and what steps to take to protect yourself.
A 'mistaken' message on WhatsApp, weeks of pleasant acquaintance, and then 'joint investment' in crypto on a fake platform; we describe a scheme known as pig butchering, data from the FBI and FinCEN, and where to report incidents in the USA and Poland.
An advertisement featuring a celebrity 'recommending' an investment is usually a scam involving deepfake technology; we explain what happens after clicking, how to verify offers in official U.S. and Polish registries, and where to report the ad and loss.
Fake cryptocurrency platforms, 'safe accounts', gold for couriers, promissory notes, and pyramid schemes in communities. How scams operate that cause seniors in the U.S. to lose the most, what the FBI and FTC data for 2025 indicates, and what to do when money has already been lost.
Learn what to look out for to avoid bad financial advisors and discover the red flags that may indicate dangerous practices in financial management.