Protecting Your Digital Life 

Things to know:

Internet scammers often urge immediate action.  Scam messages usually contain emotional triggers as part of the exploit.  Triggers such as:

• Fear – your account is locked.

• Greed – you’ve won a prize

• Curiosity – I came across a picture of you on the web.

• Urgency – Act now or face arrest!

First, take some advice from the author Douglas Adams and DON’T PANIC!

When looking at messages or responding to phone calls, use the Think Model (Stop, Look, Think):

• Stop: Don't react immediately to the urgency. Take a breath and pause.

• Look: Scrutinize the message for the red flags on your checklist.

• Think: Is this message what I expected? Does it make sense? Is there a reason why this person or company would contact me this way?

Legitimate Messages:

It’s essential to know how to identify a legitimate email.  This knowledge will help you spot an email, text, or phone call that originates from a cybercriminal.

Government agencies will accept the following for payment:

• Checks

• Cash

• Credit Cards

• Debit Cards

• Some Governments will accept cryptocurrencies as payment.  Before attempting to pay with cryptocurrencies, please check with the relevant government agency.

• Legitimate government agencies offer a variety of safe payment methods. For paying in person, cash is an acceptable option. For all other payments (online or by mail), using a check or credit/debit card is standard.  Government agencies will never require payment to be only cash.

 Government agencies do not accept the following as payments:

·       Gold, Silver, or other precious metals

·       Gift Cards

·       Foreign currency 

Legitimate government agencies will rarely contact you out of the blue via email, text, or a phone call to demand immediate payment. They will usually send an official notice via mail. 

Scammers will often threaten you with immediate arrest, legal action, or seizure of your property if you don't pay immediately. Legitimate government agencies, such as the IRS, do not make these kinds of threats. You will receive an official notice in the mail first, and you will have the opportunity to resolve the issue through official channels.

If you are unsure whether a message is real, do not click any links. Instead, go directly to the government agency's official website by typing the address into your browser, or call a verified phone number from a bill or official statement you've already received.

Our mission is to help you stay one step ahead of internet scammers and protect your digital life. We provide real-world examples of scam emails, text messages, social media posts, and phone calls, showing you how to spot the red flags and identify the telltale signs of a threat. By educating you on these common tactics and explaining how legitimate government agencies and organizations communicate, we empower you to confidently recognize and avoid scams.