FREE Protect yourself from Scams

Protect yourself from Scams

FREE session on how to spot a Scam, and protect yourself, and your family. You will learn the things to look for as you get an email, if the email is from a Scam artist, or is a genuine email. This session is only 1 hour session. It will be repeated on multiple times as per the demand of the professor programming community.

Welcome, everyone! In today's digital age, scams are more prevalent than ever, posing a significant threat to our personal information and finances. Scammers use various tactics to deceive individuals and businesses, making it crucial to stay vigilant and informed. You will learn some essential tips to protect yourself from scams:

Objective: Equip professor programming members with the knowledge and skills to identify scams and safeguard their personal and professional information.

Understanding the Threat Landscape:

  • Common Scams: Brief overview of common types of scams such as Phishing, Lottery Scam, Tech Support fraud, Romance Scams, Investment Scams etc.

Key Indicators of Scams:

  1. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Communications
    Always be cautious when receiving unexpected emails, phone calls, or messages from unknown sources. Scammers often impersonate reputable organizations or individuals to gain your trust. Verify the sender's authenticity before responding or clicking on any links.
  2. Secure Your Personal Information:
    Never share sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords, through email or over the phone unless you are certain of the recipient's legitimacy. Use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
  3. Recognize Common Scams:
    • Familiarize yourself with common scam tactics.
  4. Verify Before You Trust:
    • If you receive a suspicious message, contact the organization or person directly using a verified phone number or email address. Do not use contact information provided in the suspicious message. Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive information through insecure channels.
  5. Monitor Your Accounts:
    • Regularly review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. Set up alerts for any unusual activity on your accounts. Early detection of fraudulent activity can help mitigate the damage.

AND MANY MORE...

Practical Tips for Scam avoidance:

  • Skeptical: On guard when dealing with people you do not know.
  • Ignore: Scammers once they know you will respond, they will pester you - IGNORE.
  • Never ever share your personal information: If the interaction is not initiated by you, never share any personal information.
  • Educate Yourself and Others: Continuous education about new scam tactics and security measures.

Interactive Exercise:

  • Spot the Scam: Present a series of email examples and have participants identify red flags and discuss their reasoning.
  • Q&A Session: Allow professor programming community members to ask questions and share their experiences with scam emails.

Conclusion:

  • Summarize key takeaways and reinforce the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in maintaining personal security.
  • Encourage participants to share this knowledge with colleagues, friends, and family.

 

Remember: staying informed and cautious can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to most/all scams.

FREE Protect yourself from Scams