The best way to get on top of the game is to do a background check on your investments The greed for extra returns on investments has hurt many an investor especially when interest rates are on the way down. With deposit rates already down and headed lower in 2016 savers have to be alert about new Ponzi schemes that could be launched next year. If Interest rates on offer are substantially higher than the highest rate offered by a formal financial institution, it is most likely to be a Ponzi scheme. Beware. The best way to avoid getting into trouble is to do a thorough check on the background of the promoters and their business. Also, go through the deposit contract with a fine comb to make sure you are not taken for a ride.After almost four years the interest rate cycle started to reverse in 2015. The Reserve Bank of India lowered the key policy rates by 125 basis points or bps (1 bps is 0.01%), thanks to a fall in consumer inflation, signalling a change in interest rate cycle. Banks have so for passed on about 50- 60 bps to the borrowers. The downward trend in inflation is expected to continue in 2016 as well. With credit bureaus offering the individual consumer a credit rating which commercial banks are increasingly accepting these scores to evaluate borrowers, one can bargain for finer rates. Borrowers should also watch out for a trend in inflation in order to anticipate any further rate revisions.E-commerce transactions posted the fastest growth in 2015 and are expected to pick up further in 2016. This has triggered a sharp rise in online settlement of the payment transactions not only through credit cards but also other new channels such as mobile banking and e-wallets. Settlements through these online channels are expected to surge in 2016 as well. But these come with a caveat. One needs to be watchful of online frauds. Credit card frauds are common knowledge. But the consumer will be more vulnerable to frauds in the new channels of settlements as well though payment companies are investing huge amounts in ensuring safe and secure settlement of transactions.