Red flags that can help you avoid being scammed in the future

Keep Moving, Keep Learning

Einstein once said that life is like riding a bicycle: in order to stay upright, one must keep moving forward. I have come to realize that this is true in more ways than one. If I stop learning, stop challenging myself, or stop observing the world around me, then I become vulnerable—not just to stagnation but also to people who seek to take advantage of me.

Scammers usually prey on people who are not paying attention or who are stuck in life. In 2022 alone, Americans lost over $8.8 billion to fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) source.

Scams usually work because they tap into human instincts that are common to all people. These include our innate desire for instant gratification, our tendency to trust others, or our fear of missing out. I have come to realize that one of the best ways to protect myself is to stay curious, stay alert, and stay in the mode of learning.