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Originally posted at: Madison LeCroys Black Keyhole Long Sleeve Mini Dress

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Originally posted at: Amanda Batula’s Red Striped Sweater and Cat Eye Sunglasses

In recent years, reports of financial scams have increased dramatically. What once may have looked like an obvious attempt at fraud has evolved into something far more convincing – and far more difficult to detect. We hear about these schemes not only in the news, but directly from our own clients, some of whom have encountered suspicious emails, phone calls, or text messages that appear legitimate at first glance.

As technology continues to advance, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and more sophisticated communication tools, scammers are becoming better at impersonation, urgency, and psychological pressure. One of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your financial information is by staying informed. That’s the goal of this article.

As part of our ongoing commitment to education and consumer protection, we want to walk through some of the most common scams we are seeing today, how to recognize warning signs, and detail some practical steps you can take to safeguard your personal and financial data.

Why Scams Are Becoming More Convincing

Scammers no longer rely solely on poorly written emails or clearly fake phone calls. Today’s fraud attempts often include:

• Real company names and branding.
• Email addresses that closely resemble legitimate domains.
• Caller ID spoofing that displays familiar phone numbers.
• Messages crafted to create a sense of urgency, fear, or confusion.

The common financial scams of today often even reference real institutions, real employees, or real current events which add credibility to their outreach attempts. The goal is almost always the same: to trick someone into revealing sensitive information or sending money before they have time to think or verify the request.

Understanding how common financial scams typically operate is the first step toward protecting yourself.

Common Types of Scams to Watch for

1. Phishing Emails

What they often look like:

Phishing emails are designed to appear as though they come from trusted organizations – such as banks, government agencies, or well-known financial institutions like Vanguard, Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Bank of America, etc. These messages often claim there is a problem with your account or that immediate action is required.

Common examples include:

• Notices of “unusual activity”
• Alerts about late payments or account restrictions
• Requests to confirm or “verify” your information

While the email may look legitimate, the sender’s address or embedded links often contain subtle irregularities.

Red flags to watch for:

• Requests for personal or financial information
• Urgent or threatening language (e.g., “Your account will be closed today”)
• Unexpected attachments
• Slight misspellings or extra characters in email addresses or links

Legitimate financial institutions do not make unsolicited requests for sensitive information via email.

2. Phone Scams (“Vishing”)

What they often look like:

Phone scams involve callers claiming to represent entities such as the IRS, the Social Security Administration, tech support providers, or financial institutions. These calls may sound professional and confident, and in some cases, the caller ID may even display a familiar name or number.

Common tactics include:

• Requests for Social Security numbers or account details
• Instructions to make payments via wire transfer or gift cards
• Claims that immediate action is required to avoid penalties or account suspension

Red flags to watch for:

• High-pressure tactics or aggressive tone
• Threats of arrest, legal action, or frozen accounts
• Requests for payment methods that legitimate institutions do not use
• Caller ID spoofing that masks the true source of the call

Recently, we have also seen an increase in scams originating on social media platforms, including messages that appear to come from real U.S.-based law firms threatening legal action over alleged intellectual property violations. These messages are designed to intimidate recipients into responding quickly without verifying their legitimacy.

3. Text Message Scams (“Smishing”)

What they often look like:

Text message scams frequently involve short messages that include suspicious links and claims of urgency. These texts may reference package deliveries, account verification codes, or maintenance requests you did not initiate.

Common examples include:

• “Your package is delayed—click here to update delivery details”
• “Unusual activity detected—verify your account now”
• Messages claiming you’ve won a prize or giveaway

Red flags to watch for:

• Shortened or unfamiliar URLs
• Requests to click a link to “fix” or “update” an account
• Messages referencing transactions or contests you never entered

If you were not expecting the message, it is best to avoid clicking any links and verify the situation independently.

Practical Steps to Protect from Common Financial Scams

While scams may be becoming more sophisticated, there are still effective ways to reduce your risk. Here are a few tips.

Be Cautious with Unsolicited Contact

If someone reaches out unexpectedly, pause and verify the request through a trusted source. Use official websites or phone numbers you already have on file or that you can easily find on Google – rather than the contact information provided in the message itself.

Never Share Sensitive Information

Be extra wary when sharing personal or financial details via email, text, or phone – especially if you didn’t initiate the interaction. Financial institutions like Bank of America, Charles Schwab, or Fidelity will not spontaneously contact you to request sensitive information.

As it relates to financial institutions, we ask our clients to view us as a firewall – an extra protection as it relates to the flow of your information, as we daily work such institutions and thus can quickly spot an illegitimate contact attempt.

Inspect Links Before Clicking

Many major email service providers allow you to hover over links in emails to see the location the link actually will send you to. This allows you, before clicking the link, to confirm that the destination URL is legitimate and matches what the visible link text is representing.

Here’s a quick example for clarification. If I embedded a link in the following phrase “click here to access our budget worksheet!”, you would rightly expect that link to take you to our website, not another unrelated destination. If you hover over that link (usually blue text), you will see that it is accurately represented. That link takes you right to where you would expect it to.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Consider using multi-factor authentication on financial accounts. This adds an additional layer of security beyond just a password.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Strong, unique passwords – updated regularly – can significantly reduce your exposure.

Ignore Pressure Tactics

Legitimate companies and government agencies do not demand immediate action or payment over the phone or via text. Urgency is a common tactic used to prevent you from verifying the request.

When our clients encounter any communication that raises concerns, we encourage them to contact our office. We are always here to help you evaluate the situation and protect your financial well-being. If you have a financial advisor yourself, you can do the same – they’d likely be happy to assist you in ensuring the legitimacy (or otherwise) of such outreaches.

How to Identify Legitimate vs. Scam Email Addresses

One of the most effective ways to spot a scam is by closely examining the sender’s email address. Here are some tips using a breakdown and comparison of how to differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate emails, using Charles Schwab simply as the example, but the same principles apply to any financial institution.

Legitimate Email Address Examples

Legitimate emails typically come from verified company domains and follow consistent formatting:

• clientservices@schwab.com
• notifications@schwab.com
• support@schwab.com
• no-reply@schwab.com

Key characteristics of legitimate emails:

• The domain ends in @schwab.com
• No extra words, numbers, or misspellings
• Clean, professional naming structure

Scam or Suspicious Email Address Examples

Scammers often create email addresses that closely resemble real domains but include subtle errors:

• clientservices@schwab-support.com
• security@schwabverify.com
• account.alerts@schwabb.com (extra “b”)
• no-reply@schwab.com.secure-login.net
• support@schwab-accountverify.co
• schwab.alerts@secure-mail247.com

Common red flags include:

• Extra words added to the domain (e.g., support, verify, secure)
• Misspellings (e.g., schwabb, schawb)
• Suspicious domain endings such as .co, .info, or .net
• Long, complex addresses with multiple dots

In this example, if the email does not end exactly in @schwab.com, it should be treated with caution.

A Final Word on Keeping Your Information Secure

We encourage you to save or print this article so you can reference it in the future. Even a quick refresher can make a meaningful difference when something doesn’t feel quite right.

We encourage our clients, if ever they receive an email, call, or message – whether from us, one of our affiliates, or another financial institution – and are unsure about its legitimacy, to feel free to forward it to our office. We are always happy to take a second look.

At The Ivy League Advisory Group we know that protecting our clients’ financial information is an ongoing effort, and we remain committed to working alongside you to help ensure your personal and financial security.

If you or a loved one is interested in working with a specialized retirement plan designer BOOK A TIME HERE.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What scams have you encountered in recent years? How did you recognize them? Do you keep updated on the latest scam tactics?

What do you think is the #1 obstacle to visualizing and living your dream lifestyle after 60? If you said a Fixed Mindset, you would be correct.

Dr. Carol Dweck, who is a world-renowned Stanford psychologist and Growth Mindset Pioneer had this to say about the kind of mindset required for positive transformation as we age:

“The belief that abilities are fixed is most damaging in older adults. Our research shows that when people over fifty adopt a Growth Mindset, their cognitive abilities not only maintain but often improve.”

In my previous article and video for Sixty and Me readers, I revealed how my “See It, Believe It & Achieve It” framework works better for people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond than it does for younger adults.

A key part of making this framework beneficial to your dreams and desires coming to fruition is a Growth Mindset and the power of your childhood imagination.

In this second article and video of my new, 12-part exclusive series for Sixty and Me readers titled “Visualize a Vibrant New Lifestyle After 60”, we are going to explore what a Fixed Mindset is and how to transform it through your childhood imagination.

Where Does a Fixed Mindset Come From?

A Fixed Mindset is established early on in life through rigid beliefs and strict rules. They are handed down by authority figures, such as parents and teachers, and later reinforced throughout society.

Millions of people over 60 were conditioned early on in life to adopt a Fixed Mindset through fixed beliefs. The basis of fixed beliefs is that your abilities, circumstances, and potential for growth are limited as you age.

Fixed beliefs are often harsh and aimed at controlling behaviors that come naturally to children, such as curiosity, playfulness, and imagination. These same traits are vital for creating a fulfilling lifestyle as we age. However, due to a Fixed Mindset, the very things we need to visualize and actualize our dreams into reality are often underdeveloped.

Creating a Better Lifestyle After 60

Your childhood imagination was never fixed, nor was it rooted in limitations. As a child, you effortlessly explored possibilities, experimented with new ideas, and genuinely believed anything was possible.

To create a better lifestyle for yourself after 60 requires specific beliefs and behaviors to be changed. For you cannot keep relying on the same beliefs and behaviors all the while expecting new and improved results.

You may agree, but if you are over 60, you have a lot of experience tied to specific thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not so easy to change overnight.

To help you embrace your childhood imagination and overcome fixed beliefs, here is an effective and practical five-step process that is part of my “See It, Believe It & Achieve It” framework.

5-Step Action Plan to Undo a Fixed Mindset

Step 1: Identify & Challenge Fixed Mindset Beliefs

A Fixed Mindset often influences your thoughts and decisions unconsciously. The first step is to consciously challenge negative thoughts and fixed beliefs.

Make a list of five beliefs that keep you feeling stuck. Examples such as:

• “I’m too old to start over.”
• “I’m not creative.”
• “I don’t like change.”

Next to each belief, write a counterstatement such as the following:

• “I am constantly evolving.”
• “I can create my dream life at any age.”
• “It’s never too late to create something new.”

Step 2: Reframe Change as a Playground, Not a Threat

Many of us were raised to see change as risky, unpredictable, or dangerous. Before limiting beliefs took over, however, your natural curiosity as a child led you to seek new experiences.

Instead of asking, “What if this doesn’t work out?” ask a playful question like: “What exciting opportunities could this bring?” and “How can I make this feel like an adventure?”

Step 3: Start Small – Play with Micro-Imagination Exercises

Jumping straight into big visualizations can feel overwhelming. Instead, start small, be playful, and allow yourself time to build your creative muscles.

Before you take a walk or go to the store, allow a few minutes to visualize the experience. What do you see? Who is with you? What’s your desired outcome?

Step 4: Surround Yourself with Growth & Possibility

A Fixed Mindset is often reinforced by your environment. This includes people and routines that keep you stuck in a revolving door of unfulfilling repetitive patterns. To fully embrace change, expose yourself to expansion.

To begin, create a “Growth Mindset Circle” by surrounding yourself with people who embrace learning, creativity, and change. Change one daily habit or routine, such as taking a different route on a walk, speak to yourself in a more loving way, or explore a new topic to educate yourself on.

Step 5: Step into Your Future Self Today

Your childhood imagination allowed you to pretend and play without hesitation.

Instead of waiting to become the person who embraces change, act like that person today. Ask yourself, “How would my future self approach today?” and take one action that’s in alignment with that version of you.

Next Steps:

Next in this series, you will learn how to create a Visualization Sanctuary that will enhance your visualization practices.

I invite you to join me in the video, where I will share with you six Future Self Affirmations that will mentally, emotionally, and energetically align you with the version of yourself who is already living your dream lifestyle.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What is one fixed belief you have identified recently? Have you found a way to overcome it? How?