Stay CALM, Stay Safe, Think Before You Act

(This is not complete yet.   I will be updating this more over the next few days but I am slammed with other work right now).

A number of new ruses are being created by the "Bad Guys" to get your money or your information.
An alert recently came out from the FBI warning of the latest scams whereby the scammer will try to get you to send them money...   Usually it is in the form of a Gift Card you purchase at the store, or perhaps giving them your bank account info..  These are scams..

As we are all aware, any time there is a disaster or a crisis, the scammers try to use that as a method by which they can get you to give them money...
As always, the following are a list of DOs and DON'Ts whenever you get an email, or an unsolicited phone call...

• DO ensure you have at least three trusted people ("Trusted Three") whom you can call to ask about a call, text, or email you received.  I am blessed to be one of several folks' "Trusted Three". When I do not know the answer, I will absolutely look for it!
• DO remember -- anyone asking you to pay them via Gift Cards (other than your known, close family) is probably a scammer.
• DO remember -- if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
• DO remember -- the Government does not send emails, nor call you demanding money
• DO ensure your Antivirus software IS installed and Up To Date!! 
• Not sure if you have Antivirus Software installed? CONTACT ME, or look at some of my previous Blog Entries
• DO remember -- if the caller gets really aggressive in an attempt to get you to give them money, it's very likely a scam... The best thing to do is ask them to hold on, go to another phone, call the police and tell them you think there is a scammer on your phone line and you want to know what they would like you to do.  In some cases they will ask you to keep that person on the line as long as possible so they can attempt a trace.. 
• DO remember -- if you get a Pop-Up on your computer to call a number for "Windows Support", it is likely a scam.  Most of the time, this can be prevented by using (and regularly updating!) your Antivirus software.

• DO NOT give our your Date of Birth, Bank or Credit Card info (ever!!), Home Address, Social Security Number , etc., unless you are CERTAIN this should be given out... AND NEVER, EVER give it out unless you have verified with one of your "Trusted Three"
• DO NOT allow anyone to connect to your computer remotely unless you really do know them and why.. 
• DO NOT Click on any link in an email unless you are CERTAIN what it is.. 
• DO NOT ASSUME it is just a harmless text file, photo, or video attached to that email
• DO NOT Click on links in FaceBook unless you are sure it's safe.
• DO NOT allow someone to be one of your FaceBook "Friends" unless you actually know them.  Unsure if you do? ASK THEM!