Trying to stay safe on the web

Scams

• If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is, especially if it involves free money.
• Don't provide personal or financial information over the Internet unless you are really sure who you are really dealing with. Just because an Email seems to be from your bank or the government doesn't make it so. When in doubt, contact your bank or the government department directly.
• If someone tries to scam you, report it.

Scam links for more information

• OnGuard Online - U.S. government site
• Phonebusters - RCMP site
• ScamBusters
• Scamwatch - Australian government site
• Hoaxbusters - U.S. CIAC site
• Fight Identity Theft
• Scam O Rama - Scamming the scammers
• Snopes Urban legends and hoaxes
• Charity fraud

Spam

• Don't reply to spam. Don't trust an "unsubscribe" link if you didn't subscribe to receive the Email in the first place.
• Don't give your Email address away unnecessarily. Use an alias or a separate "spam bucket" Email account for internet discussion groups or chat rooms.
• Use a filter for your Email. Check with your Internet Service Provider.
• Don't open Email attachments from people that you don't know. If you do know the person but you didn't expect an attachment, make sure that they intended to send that attachment. Use a virus scanning product and keep it up to date.

Spam links for more information

• SPAM - U.S. government site
• RCMP Spam site
• Spam links - directory of sites on this subject
• Spam: the luncheon meat - where the name came from

For Kids

Information for Parents

See My Rules for Online Safety and Child Safety on the Information Highway from SafeKids for some pointers on staying safe on the web.