When I started to write my book, The Madoffs Among Us, friends in the financial services business agreed that there are some dishonest advisors who give the industry a bad name. One advisor told me, “It’s about time someone shed light on the relatively few who give the honest such a bad reputation.”

Relatively few? The fact is that over $100 billion is stolen each year from unsuspecting Americans. A recent study by the Certified Planner Board of Standards, unveiled that as many as 19% of advisors may have committed “fraud with intent.” You know…“ little white lies.”

But how do you tell the difference between honest and dishonest financial advisors?

My first exposure to dishonest activity came early in my 30-year career when I witnessed a financial advisor putting his commissions before his client’s best interests. I knew it was an exception, but I also recognized that he wasn’t the only one doing it.

I decided to create some very simple steps, which people can use to spot a fraud, make better financial decisions and protect their futures. My mission is to expose their tactics that rob people of their wealth and their dignity.

My writings and research are the result of 30 years of experience and include many examples of real people losing substantial amounts of real money to con artists, scams and crooked financial advisors.

That’s why I decided to write my book and speak to consumers and investors. I’m passionate about educating people and helping them avoid getting ripped off and losing their investments or retirement savings to unscrupulous predators.