Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with thousands of new schemes emerging every year. Keeping up with every new tactic can feel overwhelming, but staying informed is your first line of defense. To help you safeguard yourself and your family, the Better Business Bureau has compiled 10 essential tips to avoid falling victim to fraud. 1. Be cautious with email. Avoid unsolicited emails from unknown senders, and never click on links or open attachments. Be wary of unsolicited emails from a person or a company. Remember, scammers can make emails look like they are from a legitimate business, government agency, or reputable organization. 2. Never send money to strangers. If you haven’t met a person face-to-face, don’t send them money. This is especially true if the person asks you to transfer funds using a pre-paid debit card or CashApp. Money sent to strangers in this way is untraceable, and once it is sent, there’s no getting it back. Scammers will try to trick you into panicking – so before making a move,  think the situation through. Don’t fall for it! 3. Research online retailers before making purchases. Research the retailer before entering payment information when shopping online, or if asked to pay online, research the retailer before entering payment information. Ask: Is this a person or business I know and trust? Do they have a working customer service number? Where is the company physically located? Would I be making payments through a secure server (https://….com)? Have I checked to see if others have complained? 4. Safeguard personal information. Sharing sensitive personal information with scammers opens the door to identity theft. Never share financial information, birthdate, address, Social Security/Social Insurance number, or Medicare number with an unsolicited caller. 5. Create strong, unique passwords. Using strong, varied passwords across accounts makes it harder for fraudsters to access multiple accounts if one is compromised. 6. Enable two-factor authentication. Adding this layer of security to accounts, especially those involving finances or personal data, greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. 7. Be smart on social media. Use privacy settings on social media and only connect with people you know. Be careful about including personal information in your profile, and never reveal your address and other sensitive information – even in a “fun” quiz. Scammers may use this information to make themselves pass as friends or relatives and earn your trust. Also, be careful when buying products you see on social media. BBB Scam Tracker has received thousands of complaints about misleading Facebook and Instagram ads. 8. Monitor financial statements regularly. Committing to review bank and credit card statements can help catch unauthorized transactions early. 9. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails or texts. Links, if clicked, will download malware onto your computer, smartphone, tablet, or whatever electronic device you’re using at the time, allowing cyber thieves to steal your identity. Be cautious even with an email that looks familiar; it could be fake. Instead, delete it if it looks unfamiliar and block the sender. 10. Stay informed. Educate yourself about emerging scams to recognize and avoid new threats.   2024 Scam Reports by State South Dakota (207 reports): 1. Online Purchase (37.2%) 2. Phishing (22.7%) 3. Debt Collections (7.2%) 4. Employment (4.8%) 5. Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes (3.9%) 6. Fake Invoice/Supplier Bill (1.9%) 7. Government Agency Imposter (1.9%) 8. Counterfeit Product (1.9%) 9. Tech Support (1.9%) 10. Travel/Vacation/Timeshare (1.4%)   Nebraska (474 Reports): 1. Online Purchase (28.7%) 2. Phishing (21.5%) 3. Employment (10.8%) 4. Debt Collections (8%) 5. Fake Invoice/Supplier Bill (3.1%) 6. Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes (3.1%) 7. Government Agency Imposter (2.9%) 8. Investment (1.9%) 9. Travel/Vacation/Timeshare (1.9%) 10. Home Improvement (1.7%)   Kansas (510 reports): 1. Online Purchase (28.4%) 2. Employment (17%) 3. Phishing (16.7%) 4. Debt Collections (5.7%) 5. Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes (5.1%) 6. Fake Invoice/Supplier Bill (3.5%) 7. Travel/Vacation/Timeshare (2.1%) 8. Tech Support (2%) 9. Retail Business (2%) 10. Advance Fee Loan (2%)   Missouri (1,820 reports): 1. Online Purchase (30.7%) 2. Phishing (25.9%) 3. Employment (9.5%) 4. Debt Collections (5.9%) 5. Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes (5.2%) 6. Advance Fee Loan (2.8%) 7. Home Improvement (1.8%) 8. Retail Business (1.6%) 9. Travel/Vacation/Timeshare (1.4%) 10. Tech Support (1.2%)   Iowa (652 reports): 1. Online Purchase (35.9%) 2. Phishing (12.9%) 3. Employment (9.8%) 4. Debt Collections (6.1%) 5. Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes (3.2%) 6. Tech Support (2.6%) 7. Retail Business (2.4%) 8. Travel/Vacation/Timeshare (2.3%) 9.  Advance Fee Loan (2.3%) 10. Credit Cards (2.1%)