t seems as though for every legitimate outfit there is who tries to provide you with truthful information about the topic you’re researching, there are a handful of others who look real but are only there to mislead you. Some of them are even trying to rip you off. Sorting through the lies and half-truths to get to the actual credible data is one of the things that most people find frustrating and exhausting about being an adult. No wonder so many people fall for scams if finding the truth is so taxing. There are several ways you can insulate yourself against falling for disinformation.

The Horse’s Mouth

Picture it now. You’re planning a Caribbean cruise. The vacation of which you’ve dreamed – and saved – for years. Are you booking it through a click-bait ad? While not all of those are scams, you’d be smarter to perform your due diligence before you book. First, you want to research your destination. You’re probably dreaming of white sand beaches. Not all Caribbean islands that have ports big enough to accommodate those huge cruise ships also have nearby beaches that are accessible to cruise passengers. Look for official tourism websites for each of the islands you want to visit. Find the official websites complete with itineraries for each of the cruise lines that visit these islands. If you’re still in doubt, don’t forget you can get help from a travel agent.

Think about the cruise itself, too. You’ll want the best information on the cabin in which you’ll stay as well as the ship’s amenities. Your ship may have theme nights where you dress up in costumes. Depending on your dining options, you may also be expected to dress in a certain way. Speaking of dining options, you’ll need the information on food and beverage packages. Don’t forget shore excursions, too. Get this information straight from the cruise line or reputable travel agent to avoid problems on your dream vacation.

Consider the Source

Your golf buddy tells you about this great new investment into which he’s sunk his entire retirement account. He’s ecstatic about this opportunity and encourages you to get “in on the ground floor” to maximize your potential return. You’re tempted. He’s a smart guy, right? You can trust him, right? That all depends on who your golf buddy is. If he appears on Forbes list of top investors, then, yes, absolutely jump on this opportunity. He’s probably not on that list, though. So, what do you do?

You research. You learn everything you can about the particular investment opportunity he’s touting. Who’s behind it? What kind of experience do they have? What will your responsibilities be? How will they report to you? Are other people recommending their previous work? Ask these and a whole list of other questions. Jot your questions down as they arise and don’t stop asking until all are answered to your satisfaction. Consider also where the information originates. If you’re directed to an article in the Wall Street Journal, that’s a much more reliable source than a website titled “Frank’s Finance Facts.”

Expert Opinion

If your back hurts right around where your kidneys are, you don’t ask your plumber what she thinks it could be. You go to your doctor. You describe your symptoms and ask for some tests to be run so a correct diagnosis and treatment plan can be made. The same is true in any situation.

Don’t be afraid to pay for a consultation from an expert source. It’s money well spent as long as you’ve chosen the right source. Again, you’ll have to research. Pull up independent sources on your internet search. Look for recommendations from multiple sources. Consider not only the critical comments on review websites, but how your potential source of information responds to those criticisms. A person or company who responds to complaints by trying to rectify the situation is usually one who values doing the right thing.

You can successfully avoid falling for scams if you’re careful about the sources of your information.