[jemmyw]

I don't see it. There have always been scams. It seems to me it's a lot better now than 100ish years ago when every other product was some shit someone made up. At least now there are agencies looking after food and drug safety and heaps of information allowing self research.

Trust has always been an issue too. I don't think you could ever blindly trust everyone. I generally trust a random person I meet will be telling truths as they understand the world, but I wouldn't rely on them. However, crime is historically low, the chance of being assaulted, mugged etc is lower than it has been, so it seems you can trust your fellow person more now.

There are community and social issues. But I know my neighbours pretty well, if they needed help I'd be there, they would be there for us and have been.

edit: I don't live in the US but I have done in the past and I generally found Americans as or more helpful and friendly neighbours, friends and colleagues.