[tetha]

It's one of the better ways to avoid getting scammed: Try to validate the communication in ways without relying on any information they gave you.

If someone claims to be a police officer and hands you a number to call to see if they are real... don't use that number. Figure out the non-emergency number of the station they claim to be coming from independently and ask them. If a "new agent" from your bank calls you and gives you a "new number" to call them, figure out an official number of your bank and call that.

[mvc]

Yep. Previous scam victim here. This step would have halted the scam I fell for.

Also, whenever paying new accounts, once you've independently reached the person you think you're talking to, always do a test transaction and make sure they get it before sending the rest.