Its no secret that April is Financial Literacy Month. Becoming financially literate begins with basic skills and sets the course for the financial decisions you will make at every stage throughout your life.Smart financial decisions open the door to new financial opportunities.

We are now beginning a new year and, for many Floridians, that signifies a fresh start. We have recovered and recharged from the busy holiday season and, hopefully, we are more optimistic and finding ourselves open to new possibilities, strategies and aspirations.

Since I became commissioner of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) in 2012, protecting consumers and increasing the safety of Floridas securities industry has been one of my teams highest priorities.

Just this past Labor Day weekend, I was sitting in my home and enjoying the holiday when I received a voicemail from a toll-free phone number. Upon listening to the recording, the caller introduced himself as a collector from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Elder financial exploitation is a growing problem. Many senior citizens have worked for decades, paid off their homes and saved money for retirement. However, these assets can make seniors a prime target for individuals who seek to financially exploit them.

Good scammers are also remarkable manipulators. They understand enough about how the human mind works to exploit its weaknesses.

We have all received phishing scams, even though you may not realize it. How many times has a legitimate-looking email come to your in-box asking you to confirm or provide financial information?