An email arrives in your inbox alerting you that a sexual predator has moved into your neighborhood. An attached link promises to provide you with the information you asked for in order to keep your family safe. Problem is you never signed up for any notifications about predators and the sender is not familiar to you or anyone else in your home.

Scammers try their best to prey on people’s fears but at times they actually give themselves away when you know what to look for. Here are a few tips.

Always be suspicious of bad grammar and phrases that don’t make sense.

Hover over URLs for a few moments to determine their origination. It is easy for scammers to set up a fake websites encrypted with malware or phishing programs designed to steal your personal info.

Don’t click on strange links especially when you haven’t requested any information on a particular area of interest.

There are several reputable sources for Sexual Predator information. One of the most reliable is www.FBI.gov. where information for  each state is posted in an easy to access format. Local law enforcement agencies can also refer you to reputable sites if needed.

Take care and be aware that some predators hide in cyberspace waiting for you to fall for their phony websites and fake emails. It takes just a few seconds to stay safe when you know how to beat cons at their own game.

We’re all familiar with the saying “the devil is in the details.” When it comes to downloading apps, it might be worthwhile to check out the developer’s details  before allowing access to your smart device especially if you’re using an Android. You may  inadvertently give permission to  complete strangers to mine your personal data and use as if it were their own.

Apps for Androids use open source software as the basis for each program meaning it is  available to the general public and open to any and everyone. There are no safety features built in to protect your personal data and some apps infiltrate your device when you agree to their terms.

The developers at Apple must meet certain guidelines and submit their programs for approval. If it isn’t approved it cannot be listed or sold. This is NOT an endorsement for Apple products –  it is a comparison to help consumers understand the choices they make when dealing with  Apple and Android apps.

Take a moment to read before you click on agree and make sure you are comfortable with your decision to purchase an app. They are not all the same and there is no generic warning or advice in place. Small print can make a big difference in how and what you buy. Common sense is the best approach to using your purchasing power and there is no app for that!