Scam alert: Learn to spot and stop common fraud tactics

These 10 common scams catch people off guard. Here’s how to stay ahead of them.

Fraudsters do more than steal money. They take advantage of people during moments of change or weakness, especially when routines shift. Scammers often appear when you're under pressure, grieving, adjusting to retirement or simply overwhelmed.

And you don’t have to be retired to be a target. Bad actors look for any opportunity.

Recognizing the tactics they use is the first step toward stopping them.

1. Lottery scam
You get an unsolicited phone call or email saying you’ve won a large prize. The fraudster asks you to send money to cover shipping, taxes or other ancillary fees. The prize never arrives because it was never real.

Ask yourself: Did you actually enter a contest? Did they explain when and how they’d contact you if you won?

2. Grandchild scam
Your grandchild calls to confess their troubles. Or so you think. A fraudster may pretend to be a grandchild in crisis and urgently ask you for money, often begging you not to tell their parents. This emotional pressure is part of the scam.

Ask yourself: Does this sound like something your grandchild would say? Can you pause and call them back – or call their parents – before making a decision?

To prepare for such scenarios, talk with your family or close loved ones now about how you’ll contact each other during emergencies. Agree on ways to verify it’s really them before you act.

3. Charity scam
You donate to one charity and end up on every charity’s list. Some charities sell or share your name, phone number and email with other organizations and third-party fundraisers or marketing lists. Fraudsters may use similar-sounding names or logos to trick you into giving again, but the money doesn’t go where you intend.

Ask yourself: Did you initiate the donation, or are they contacting you out of the blue? Does the name exactly match the group you intended to support?

4. Computer scam
Someone calls pretending to be from a major company, such as Microsoft, and says he can see that your computer has a virus. He offers to help you get rid of it by asking you to log into a website that lets him control your computer. The technical term for this is remote access, and it allows the fraudster to access your computer where they will then steal your personal and financial information.

Ask yourself: Did you reach out for tech support, or did they contact you first? If you already have a support service, does this match how they usually reach out? Real companies don’t call out of the blue to fix your computer.

5. Timeshare scam
If you own a timeshare, you may get a call from someone claiming they’re authorized to sell it for you, for a fee. After paying, however, you never hear from them again.

Ask yourself: Did you contact this company first? Have they provided a contract or any proof you can share with your lawyer to confirm it’s legitimate?

6. Homeowner scam
A man comes to your door and offers to clean your gutters or trim your trees, which sounds like a good idea. He asks for prepayment, then disappears without doing the work.

Ask yourself: Do you know this company, or have you seen proof it’s legitimate? A professional should be willing to provide references, ID or a business card – and let you pay after the job is completed.

7. Medical scam
You get an unsolicited call about a discounted price for a piece of medical equipment such as a heart monitor, wheelchair or bathtub bench. You’re asked for a deposit and your personal information or Medicare number to send the equipment, but the equipment never shows up, and now the information you may have given them could be used to commit identity theft.

Ask yourself: Did you request this product, or are they contacting you out of the blue? Before giving any medical or insurance information, check with your doctor or health plan provider directly.

8. Foreclosure scam
You’re approached by a “professional” who claims your home is under threat of foreclosure and offers to pay off your mortgage or taxes if you sign over the deed to the property. Once they have the deed, the fraudster can refinance your home, take out loans in your name or sell the property and keep the money. Keep in mind, even if you sign over a deed to someone, you are still liable for your mortgage obligations.

Ask yourself: Is this offer coming from your bank, lender or a verified legal source? Don’t sign anything until you’ve spoken with your mortgage company or a housing counselor you trust.

9. Caregiver and sweetheart scam
Some fraudsters build close personal relationships, such as caregivers, romantic partners or trusted friends. Over time, they gain access to your finances, online accounts or legal documents under the appearance of helping. In many cases, this manipulation is slow and emotional. You may not realize it’s a scam until money is missing or debt has been taken out in your name.

Ask yourself: Has this person asked for access to your bank account, online passwords or power of attorney? Or are they always asking for help, even though you’ve never seen them in person and they claim to live far away?

10. Title company scam
Before purchasing or closing on a new property, a scammer intercepts an email from your real estate agent or title company. They send fake payment instructions to steal your closing funds. Watch for last-minute changes, unfamiliar email addresses or payment requests that feel off.

Ask yourself: Does this match what your agent told you? When in doubt, call them directly using a number you already trust.

You can tell your agent and the title company that you will not accept changes to payment instructions by email. Agree on how you’ll verify any changes, just in case.

These scams are common and widespread. But speaking with trusted loved ones or your financial professional before making decisions can help you avoid these traps. Additionally, keep in mind these tips for staying safe:

• Consider placing a freeze on your credit with all three major credit bureaus. This makes it harder for bad actors to open new accounts in your name.
• Don’t pay for things you don’t remember ordering. 
• Don’t give your personal information to unknown third parties.
• Work with financial institutions that use fraud protection to safeguard your credit card and banking information.
• Don’t click links in the body of suspicious emails, especially if they claim to come from your bank, credit card company, real estate agent or title company. Instead, log in to the company’s official website or call them directly to verify.
• Don’t let strangers into your house. Instead, ask for a business card and say your spouse, kids or lawyer will be in touch.
• Be wary of caregivers and suitors, especially if you notice signs of substance abuse or other red flags.
• Limit the purchases and donations you make by check, which may list your home address or other key data.

If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam or that your identity has been compromised, it’s time to act. Report the incident to your advisor or financial institution right away to help protect your accounts, and consult identitytheft.gov to see the Federal Trade Commission’s recommendations for critical next steps. Additionally, reporting cybercrime to the FBI can help federal agencies respond quicker and more effectively to threats.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

From the Desk of Dale Crossley and Evan Shear | Q4 2025

We hope this final issue of The Journey for 2025 finds you and your loved ones well. As the holiday season unfolds, it’s a natural time to reflect on the past year and express our gratitude, especially in a year that has been challenging for so many. As a firm dedicated to trusted, long-term financial planning, we are profoundly grateful for the milestones we’ve reached with you.

Below are some highlights from 2025, the accomplishments we’re celebrating, and the ways we’re giving back.

First and Foremost: Thank You to Our Clients

We cannot adequately express how grateful we are for every single one of our clients. The trust you place in us is never taken for granted. Our life’s passion is helping you create and maintain a solid plan that protects your financial future and supports the people who matter most to you.

We are inspired by your success stories. Whether it’s sending children to college debt-free, purchasing the vacation home you’ve dreamed of, or reaching long-awaited retirement goals, your achievements give our work purpose every single day.

Expanding Our Advisory Team: Merging with Halifax Wealth Management

This summer, we merged with Halifax Wealth Management, welcoming Andrew Hall and Rae Ann Bennett to our team. Andy brings more than 30 years of financial planning experience, making him an exceptional addition who will help our clients continue to thrive.

This strategic merger brings together two practices deeply committed to client-centric care, transparency, and continuous learning. We’re confident this partnership will elevate the service we deliver, strengthening support for both our existing clients and the Halifax community.

Milestones in Asset Management

This year, we added over $170 million in client assets, helping us reach a significant milestone:

We now manage more than $1 billion in assets.

This accomplishment reflects the trust our clients place in us and reinforces our commitment to disciplined, long-term portfolio management.

Award-Winning Financial Advisory Services

Congratulations to Evan Shear on once again being named to the Raymond James Chairman's Council and recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor for Florida. These honors reflect Evan’s exceptional leadership and our entire team’s dedication to delivering client-first, fiduciary financial planning and wealth management services.

We’re also pleased to share that Dale Crossley earned the Certified Wealth Strategist® designation from the Cannon Financial Institute, a reflection of our commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence.

Welcoming a New Team Member

Beyond our merger, we are thrilled to welcome Halle Harkins as our new Client Concierge. Halle brings warmth, kindness, and a love for nature and the arts. We know you’ll enjoy seeing her smiling face when you visit or speak with her on the phone.

Our 2025 Charitable Giving

One of our favorite yearly initiatives is donating to charities selected by each member of our team on your behalf. Our goal is to support meaningful causes across a wide range of needs within our community and beyond.
This year’s organizations include:

•  321 Empowerment Youth Organization: helping youth build life skills and pursue passions.
• The Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center (ADRC).
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• The Scott Hamilton SCARES Foundation—Sk8 to Eliminate Cancer.
• Helping Animals Live and Overcome No-Kill Rescue Shelter.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
• Green Horizon Land Trust.
• Cudas UnHooked—New Smyrna Beach: supporting at-risk and homeless students in New Smyrna Beach.
• Matthew's Hope Ministries: providing essential resources and services to unhoused people.
• The American Library Association.

We are grateful to be in a position to give generously and make an impact.

We’re Here for You

As always, we are here to help. Whether you need support with wealth or asset management, retirement planning, or comprehensive financial advisory services. Thank you for your trust and partnership throughout 2025. We look forward to continuing the journey together in the year ahead.

The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2025 ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 6/30/2023 to 6/30/2024 and was released on 4/8/2025. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 48,944 nominations, roughly 9,722 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please visit https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors/ for more info.

Any opinions are those of CrossleyShear Wealth Management and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

The 21st century social connection paradox

Good or bad? With social media, it’s all about how you use it.

Robert Frost was being wry, which as all wry people inevitably learn, can lead to misunderstandings.

In Frost’s poem “Mending Wall,” the narrator encourages his neighbor to reconsider the wisdom of the saying “good fences make good neighbors,” wondering to himself how barriers are supposed to bring us closer. As the two men work side by side, separated by the growing order of stone, the narrator assumes his neighbor would eventually see the absurdity of their effort.

Alas, sincerity is immune to irony, and one legacy of “Mending Wall” may be its elevation of a proverb Frost rejected on principled grounds. Count this as a point for Benjamin Franklin, who published more than 150 years earlier, “Love thy neighbor as yourself, yet don’t pull down your hedges.”

These days, spend some time on social media and it’s probably easy to understand why Franklin’s take endures – maybe it is best if we hang our laundry in the back, eat with our mouths closed and share less online. Then again, Frost might have been onto something, too. In 1914, the year “Mending Wall” was published, the western world – despite an abundance of fences – set itself on fire.

A yearning for connectedness
Over a century after “Mending Wall,” we find ourselves experiencing something which might seem like a paradox to both the introverted Frost and the gregarious Franklin: People are more connected than ever but feel less so. In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, M.D., released an extensive advisory statement, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.”

In the introduction, he wrote that since first reporting to his post in 2014:

“People began to tell me they felt isolated, invisible, and insignificant. Even when they couldn’t put their finger on the word ‘lonely,’ time and time again, people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, from every corner of the country, would tell me, ‘I have to shoulder all of life’s burdens by myself,’ or ‘if I disappear tomorrow, no one will even notice.’

“It was a lightbulb moment for me: social disconnection was far more common than I had realized.

“In the scientific literature, I found confirmation of what I was hearing. In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems, exacerbating loneliness and isolation.”

The health effects of loneliness on individuals are profound, he continued, being associated with “a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death.” The effect on mortality is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than the effect of obesity and physical inactivity.

Connection and community are the promises of social media, but does it deliver? Or is social media just a new kind of wall between neighbors?

The answer is complex, and yet unfolding.

A window to the broader world
In the social media age relationships are, in some ways, much more durable than in the past. Where once careers, family and life events would cause friendships to fail due to entropy or geography, social media has helped us stay connected, even if only loosely at times.

This is good for us.

“We know that having a strong social network is associated with positive mental health and well-being,” said Mesfin Awoke Bekalu, a research scientist at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in an interview with a Harvard publication. “Routine social media use may compensate for diminishing face-to-face social interactions in people’s busy lives. Social media may provide individuals with a platform that overcomes barriers of distance and time, allowing them to connect and reconnect with others and thereby expand and strengthen their in-person networks and interactions. Indeed, there is some empirical evidence supporting this.”

Other researchers have also found evidence that social media can be beneficial, particularly for individuals facing isolating experiences.

Across the social media landscape, there are pockets of communities helping one another manage the complexities of life. Individuals can make connections with others experiencing medical conditions, PTSD, addiction or grief, or they can find support for new challenges, such as former foster kids struggling with the adult world soon after reaching the age of majority.

Even when the stakes are lower, social media can also support health and fulfilment. Hobbyists now have access to information and inspiration at a scale previously unimaginable. Eighteenth century woodworking? Knitting dog clothes? Costuming? If you can imagine it, you can find it, often supported by an abundance of YouTube auteurs and niche businesses ready to ship superior-quality materials.

Even among youth there is evidence that social media can be beneficial, though public health leaders urge varying degrees of caution, and generally suggest children under 14 be kept away from social media.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory imploring policymakers to take notice of evidence suggesting “a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents,” while encouraging additional research. Around the same time, the American Psychological Association Board of Representatives released a related advisory – its first ever – encouraging a balanced approach to youth social media policy and also encouraging additional research.

The board wrote: “Using social media is not inherently beneficial or harmful to young people. Adolescents’ lives online both reflect and impact their offline lives. In most cases, the effects of social media are dependent on adolescents’ own personal and psychological characteristics and social circumstances.”

In a follow-up, Jacqueline Nesi, a member of the APA panel that published the advisory, told the APA’s magazine, Monitor on Psychology, “It’s important to realize there can be benefits for many teens. Teens (and adults) obviously get something out of social media. We have to take a balanced view if we want to reach teens and help them use these platforms in healthier ways.”

The social potential
Social media content feeds are created by opaque algorithms with deep insight into your life, habits, purchases and beliefs, serving an infinite trough of content and advertising designed to capture your attention, whether through joy, curiosity or rage. Soon enough, one can find oneself in a “filter bubble” of people, ideas and products that align very closely with one’s preconceptions. The only glimpse of other opinions may be from provocateurs effective at gaining attention by antagonizing an already-hostile audience.

For people who are already experiencing stresses in life, social media can amplify them. For people going through tough moments, perusing others’ highlight reels of vacations, grandkids and lavish meals may make them feel even worse.

Getting a benefit to your well-being from social media is partially dependent on the platform, types of use and what users are bringing into the experience (like a history of depression, the U.S. Surgeon General wrote). Other risk factors include income, gender, race and age – women and minorities experience higher levels of directed and undirected sexism and racism on social media. It’s hard to opt out of content you don’t want to see in social media’s strange mix: Here’s a post about a cat followed by a news story about a tragedy, then a photo of your college roommate’s dinner, then a diatribe against your beliefs and then another picture of a cat …

Compared to more moderate use, heavy social media use of two or more hours a day is associated with “double the odds of reporting increased perceptions of social isolation compared to those who used social media for less than 30 minutes per day.”

If two hours seems like a lot, several studies suggest it is actually below the daily average for a typical social media user, particularly among youth.

It’s easy to say one should just avoid social media, but that’s becoming increasingly unrealistic. It’s often the only place to find information about local events, restaurants and community bulletins. It’s also prolific; between 80% and 90% of adults of all ages use at least one social media platform, with a smaller number – but still a majority – of adults age 65+ participating. Social media is with us, whether we’re particularly keen on it or not.

More social, less media
Moderation and intent are keys to helping you get more out of social media. Checking social media can be part of a healthy daily routine but using it as a time filler or to stave off a moment of boredom can end up distracting you from life’s real experiences.

For a better social media experience, it may be best to embrace the social, and be cautious with the media. Bring conversations with a group of friends out of the public space of posts and comments and use a group chat, instead – plus there’s no risk of your granddaughter coming across something meant for your peers. Respond and connect with friends – seek to participate, not just consume content – but avoid arguing with strangers. Also be aware that images, news articles and even comments may be produced by AI systems designed to sell you things or elicit an emotional response. If you see something on your feed that seems too good or too bad, it may be true, or it may be the work of an unknown actor trying to manipulate your feelings.

A common complaint on social media is that friends’ updates are not appearing while viral content is pushed to the top. When the platform allows you to change this presentation (in Facebook, the setting to change can be found on the “Feeds” tab), you can limit your feed to just your friends and groups you follow.

A yearning for community
Maintaining social wellness gets harder as we get older. Social media can be a good tool to combat that, but we know it doesn’t replace old-fashioned, one-on-one visits and phone calls. In his advisory on loneliness, the U.S. Surgeon General recommends people take more notice of their social needs and invest time into nurturing relationships. When you do get together with someone, it’s a good habit to keep the phone in one’s pocket or purse and prioritize the here and now.

Other healthy aging habits support social wellness like fitness classes, volunteering and creativity. Social media can be a good tool for finding those opportunities. And if you’re feeling lonely, bring it up with your healthcare provider or faith leader – subtle physiological issues can cause people to withdraw.

And paraphrasing the Surgeon General, nobody wants to become crotchety, but life’s tough, and becoming a grump is a slippery slope. We have to guard against it and work to be the kind of person we would want to share a moment with. It may not surprise you that Robert Frost, wandering around his cold New England landscapes pondering the big questions, could be notoriously crotchety.

Incidentally, Frost wrote “Mending Wall” during a stint living in Old England while feeling homesick for his pointless stone wall, his unwise neighbor and the missed opportunity to mend that wall alongside him in the spring.

Sources: Harvard University; U.S. Surgeon General; National Institutes of Health; Boston College; American Psychological Association; Mayo Clinic; Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency; University of Maryland; New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.