Because of courseyou’retoo smart to get scammed.

You know howelaborateandsophisticatedscams are these days.

Fairbut not even scam includes such obvious tells.

None of us are above getting scammed, and the moment you think you’re too smart?

That’s when you’re most vulnerable.

Unfortunately, the irony here is that dismissing another’s victimhood as hubris isyour own hubris at work.

“None of us are above getting scammed, and the moment you think you’re too smart?

Here’s the thing: The scammers grew up just asand most likelymoretechnologically literate.

Bryan-Podvin speaks specifically to the sheer pace and ingenuity of scams these days.

“They’re constantly evolving,” she says.

“As soon as you learn the red flags of one scam, they’re onto the next.”

We all have our particular weaknesses that a scammer can exploit if they catch us at the right moment.

(A lightly used West Elm!)

What’s your individual tipping point?

Here are some tips to protect your own particular weak spots.

Slow down and do your research before sending money anywhere.

Check for red flags like typos, odd emails addresses, or high-pressure sales tactics.

Scammers count on creating a false sense of urgency.

The simplest, most crucial tip is to call someone you trust.

Before you do anythingespecially before you send money or personal dataspeak the situation aloud them.

That means you must always be skeptical ofallegedauthority figures.

Independently verify any investment opportunities and charity claims before handing over cash.

Monitor your financial statements routinely for any unusual activity that could indicate identity theft.

Call your bank or credit card directly.

Call non-emergency lines at your police department to verify you’re actually “in trouble.”

Never trust that the person who initiated the conversation is who they claim to be.

(And for more case-by-case advice, here are some recommendations foravoiding the most persistent online scams.)

One, the need for constant vigilance.

There’s a perfect storm of circumstances out there able to trick even you.

We all want to believe we couldn’t possibly fall for a scam.

But con artists are always coming up with new schemes to catch us at our most vulnerable.

Stay skeptical, trust your gut, and don’t get overconfident.

Scammers are savvy, but you’ve got the option to outsmart them by doing your due diligence.