Every year thousands of people lose money to scammers on the phone and from people knocking on the door.  People will lose from a few dollars to their life savings.  Scammers will say anything to cheat people out of money.  Scammers will try to gain your trust - calling you by your first name, making small talk and asking about your family. 
Some things to always remember:

• Never give out personal information - social security number or bank information
• If you are in doubt or uncomfortable, get a phone number and call the person back.  If they persist, hang up.
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails
• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before discarding them
• Request a free copy of your credit report once a year from www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.
• Join the National Do Not Call List at donotcall.gov  You can register your home and mobile phone numbers.  This won't stop all unsolicited calls, but it will stop most.
• Report phone scams to the U.S. Marshals Service.
• How to avoid fraud.