On this episode of the Get Ready Before Life Happens Podcast, I spoke with Cameron Huddleston, Cathy Sikorski and Neil Granger about The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Scammers. 

⚠️ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Scammers

1️⃣ They Trigger Emotion, Not Logic
Scammers know panic overrides reason. They create fear, urgency, or even excitement so you react before you think.
👉 Pause before you act. 

2️⃣ They Manufacture Urgency
“Act now or lose everything.” Time pressure kills good decision-making.
👉 Slow down. Nothing legitimate requires instant action. 

3️⃣ They Exploit Trust and Loneliness
Romance scams, fake friendships, and long-game relationships all build emotional leverage.
👉 Connection is good, however always verify before you trust. 

4️⃣ They Isolate You
Scammers tell victims, “Don’t tell anyone.” Isolation keeps control.
👉 Always talk to someone a friend, advisor, or your bank, before taking action. 

5️⃣ They Prey on Greed
“If you act fast, you’ll make money” or “You owe this fee.” They use emotional hooks to justify financial loss.
👉 If it sounds too good or too urgent, it’s probably a trap. 

6️⃣ They Ask for Odd Payment or Access
Non-traceable/vanishing communication channel, gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, or requests to click suspicious links are all red flags.
👉 Legitimate organizations don’t demand untraceable payments. 

7️⃣ They Use Just Enough Personal Information
They’ll share partial info (a birthday, last digits, hometown) to appear credible.
👉 Be skeptical, scammers buy leaked data to sound legitimate.

 🎥 Watch this episode below: 

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🎧 Listen to the podcast below or on your favorite podcast app.

Connect with Cameron Huddleston:  

• Website: http://cameronhuddleston.com/  (here)
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-huddleston-187b633/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronkhuddleston/ (here)

Connect with Cathy Sikorski:

• Website: https://cathysikorski.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathysikorski24/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cathy_sikorski 

Connect with Neil Granger:

• Website - http://www.neilgranger.com/
• LinkedIn -  Neil Granger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-granger

Books:

Cameron Huddleston:

• Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations with Your Parents About Their Finances https://amzn.to/3qsEFk7

Cathy Sikorski:  

• Who Moved My Teeth?: Preparing For Self, Loved Ones And Caregiving https://amzn.to/49ZaC9E
• 12 Conversations: How To Talk to Almost Anyone About Long-Term Care Planning  https://amzn.to/3T5w3iq
• Showering With Nana: Confessions Of A Serial Caregiver https://amzn.to/4bZFets

Referenced:

• Cathy’s four tips:
• Don’t panic, breathe
• Call your person - 1-888-555-1212
• Make a plan
• Have a “password” (code phrase)
• China’s Exploitation of Scam Centers in Southeast Asia (here)

Bios: 

Cameron Huddleston is the author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Their Finances. She also is an award-winning personal finance journalist whose work has appeared in AARP, Kiplinger Personal Finance, Forbes, Yahoo Finance and many more online and print publications. 

Cathy Sikorski, Esq. a Speaker, Elder Lawyer, Author and Media Guest unravels the complex financial and legal problems in the caregiving crisis. Cathy uses her own caregiver experience and expertise to educate, entertain and elevate the conversation around work, money, aging and caregiving. Her latest book was released in October 2021:  12 Conversations: How to Talk to Almost Anyone about Long-Term Care Planning. She has appeared on Huffington Post, AARP and is a SheSource expert for Women’s Media Center. Her One-Act Play, All Caregiving Aside was performed by Writers Theatre of New Jersey at Kean University, Healing VoicesOnStage. Sikorski serves on the Board of Directors of Nancy’s House, a nonprofit dedicated to respite for caregivers.  She can be found on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Linkedin.  Her website is www.cathysikorski.com

Neil Granger has been in the financial services industry for more than 41 years. In addition to being a California Life Agent, he has also been also licensed as a Life and Disability Analyst. Neil has spent most of his Insurance career as an independent agent in the area life, health, disability and Long Term Care insurance sales, working with individuals and small businesses.

Since 2009, Neil has focused his practice on Consulting and Expert work in the area of Elder Financial Abuse prevention.  Neil has worked with several District Attorney Offices as a member of their Financial Abuse Specialist Teams, has testified in both Criminal and Civil cases, and works with the Investigative Unit of the California Department of Insurance.  Neil has also helped draft, and has testified in favor of, insurance legislation, which has helped strengthen financial protection for California Seniors. He recently stepped down from the California Department of Insurance Curriculum Board after 12 years of membership- 6 years as its Chairman.