No one wants to be a victim. It is painful and physiologically damaging to be victimized. In this segment, with the help of Government publications, I will share with you some areas of concern. This is not to say every deal is shady but is to point out when you should be extra alert. You should take steps to be aware of possible shady deals and scams that rob you of your money and dignity. To help protect you and avoid being victimized here are a few points to keep in mind.

1. deals that sound too good to be true usually are! I know, you have heard it a thousand times but even well meaning people still fall for the easy money or super savings deals. Here are some offers that are often directed toward the unsuspecting consumer and fall into such categories as: promises to fix your credit problems, low cost home mortgage, magazine subscriptions, low cost home repair, low-interest credit cards, super special car buys, deals that let you skip credit card payments, business/job opportunities, risk-free investments and free travel.

2.Extended warranties or service contracts are rarely worth what you pay for them. It has become popular to sell extended warranties on automobiles. The tactics used are untrue promises delivered through phone solicitation, emails and post mail. Do not allow a phone solicitation to make you a victim.

3. Say no to credit insurance offers. These are the types of offers that are often attached to credit cards, car loans and home mortgages, it is almost always better to purchase regular property, life or disability insurance from a repeatable company.

4. There is no universal three-day cooling-off period. Don't be fooled into believing that you automatically have three days to cancel a purchase. Only a few types of contracts give you a right to cancel. Federal, state and local governments go by the ?buyer beware? rule. There is simply not enough people to police all transactions so the buyer must take some responsibility for the purchase.

5. Think twice before sharing personal information. The Internet has opened up a whole new groundwork for unscrupulous people. There are many offers that require personal information which you should be Leary of. Don't give out personal information unless you know the person or company asking is repeatable.

6.Beware of payday and tax refund loans. This type of transaction used to be called usury. They pray on the poor and stressed people who are most vulnerable. Interest rates on these loans are usually extreme. If you are in direr need, a high-interest cash advance on a credit card might be a better option.

7. Not all plastic cards offer the same protections. The liability you face for the unauthorized use of a gift card or debit/ATM card may be much higher than a $50 maximum on your credit card. Guard all plastic money cards with utmost security. A lost or stolen card should be reported immediately. Keep cards at a minimum, don't carry more than one or two cards at any given time and most of all don't leave a container with your cards inside unattended.

8. Real estate agents represent the seller ? not the buyer. There are seller and buyer reality people. If you are using an agent, be sure he/she is representing you. When buying perhaps you should consider hiring an exclusive agent or lawyer who represents you.

9. Home improvement and auto repairs are the subject of frequent complaints. There's always time for a second opinion, especially when important or expensive repairs are needed. When you are dealing with a repair service you do not know ask around for recommendations.

10. Think twice before you rent-to-own. Interest rates on rent-to-own purchases are usually through the roof. If you miss a payment, you could end up loosing the item and have nothing in return. Consider other options such as auctions, buying second-hand at a thrift shop or through ads in your local newspaper.

11. Don't buy under stress. Research suggests that senior citizens, people in crisis (e.g., coping with a death or debt), college students, small business owners, minorities, and immigrants are especially at risk of being victimized. Don't be talked into quick fix purchases. Try to avoid making big-ticket purchases during times of duress.

12. Be cautious of Buy Here, Pay Here used car lots. If you must buy a car from a used car lot, do not let the salesperson pressure you into signing the papers before you have had ample time to read them. Do not and I say again do not sign contracts that allow the dealership to change or alter the finance rate AFTER you leave the lot. Be sure you are properly covered in case the care fails in a reasonable amount of time by a guarantee of as much as you can get.

13. Work-at-Home ads usually don't pay off. Be especially wary of ads that promise huge annual salaries; they often require expensive upfront fees with no guarantee. You risk losing your money and wasting a lot of time and energy for nothing. The Internet has become a haven for thieves willing to rip-off people who are in need. There is no quick way to riches, if there were, everyone would be rich.

Be prudent, cautious, and don't be a victim of snake oil remedies or smooth talking salespersons. Check it before you do it and if it doesn't feel right walk away.