It's been a banner year for white collar crime. Bernie Madoff, Allen Stanford, Marc Dreier, Raj Rajaratnam -- the names go on.

With each case, investors or clients slapped their foreheads after the bust, wondering how warning signs were missed for so long.

So, how to avoid the next Ponzi scheme or sketchy money making operation?

Spare yourself the embarrassment -- and big financial losses -- by reading our compilation of the SEC's steps to avoid scams.

Sure, it's dry and the tips can be time-consuming in practice. But with even the SEC admitting it can blow it, you'd better do your homework. It might just save your bank account.

See the SEC's Top 10 Tips for Avoiding Fraud

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See Also:

• WaMu Blamed in $200M Millenium Bank Ponzi Scheme (JPM)
• Madoff's Accountant: I Knew Nothing About Ponzi Scheme
• Stanford Receiver Only Finds $250 Million

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