Hi, I’m Doug Carey! I remember the day I almost got scammed. It wasn’t some grand, elaborate scheme; it was a simple online ad, a good price on a high priced item I wanted. But something felt off. The distance from the item, the request for wire transfer… it just didn’t add up. Luckily, I was able to contact an expert at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre who confirmed my gut feeling – it was a scam. And it got me thinking. What happens when we don’t have that expert on speed dial? What happens when we’re alone facing that pressure with those emotions?

That question stuck with me. You see, my background isn’t in fraud prevention. It’s in nuclear power, a world where making a mistake is not an option. For many years of my career, I designed and delivered training that incorporated error reduction methods, teaching nuclear professionals how to make decisions when the stakes are incredibly high. It’s a field built on understanding how easily our minds can be inaccurate, how stress and emotions can cloud our judgment. My expertise lies in designing training specifically focused on minimizing human error.

And one day it clicked. A scam, at its core, is about deceit, manipulating our thinking to exploit our vulnerabilities. I realized the techniques I’d used to train nuclear professionals – techniques honed to prevent critical errors – could be applied to educate and protect us from scams.

‘Become Wise to the Scam’ isn’t just a course; it’s a way to give you the tools I wish I’d had that day. It’s about empowering you to recognize the red flags, to trust your instincts, and to make wiser decisions when it matters most. It’s about sharing what I’ve learned as someone who’s been there, who understands the uncertainty and confusion, and who wants to help you navigate this increasingly complex world.

While ‘Become Wise to the Scam’ addresses a critical and prevalent issue, the principles it imparts extend far beyond the realm of fraud. The ability to recognize cognitive biases, understand the impact of emotions on decision-making, and cultivate a deliberate approach to thoughtful consideration are foundational skills for navigating all of life’s complex choices. The mindful and analytical thinking that protects you from scams will help you make more informed and confident choices in all aspects of your life. This course is a starting point for managing a more discerning and effective way of thinking about the world around you.