In today's beta podcast episode, host Lillian Cauldwell discusses the prevalent Upfront Scam Payments targeting seniors who naively trust what they read and recklessly make payments upfront without verifying the company's legitimacy. An upfront fee is a significant red flag, signaling that the request for money may not be lawful, and one should not make any payments without first investigating the request and confirming the company's authenticity. To prevent falling victim to such schemes, one should decline payments requested via wire transfer or prepaid debit card, particularly to individuals in other countries. If you are uncertain about the entity you're dealing with, take the necessary time to learn more about them. It's advisable to contact the Office of the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, and your state's Department of Banking and Securities.