Technology Safety: Preventing Scams

Scammers try to trick people with fake emails, texts, or phone calls. They often pretend to be banks, delivery companies, or even family members, and they pressure you to act quickly. Some have even posed as Fr. Javier asking for gift cards. These tricks are becoming more common making it important to learn a few basic safety steps to help protect yourself and your family.

👉 By learning to recognize 🚩 red flags and following a few ✅ safe actions, you can avoid most scams.

Stories

Martha, got an email that looked like it was from her bank. It said her account was "suspended" and she had to click a link to restore access. The email had the bank's logo and even her first name, so she thought it was real. She clicked the link and entered her username, password, and security answers. The next morning, money was missing from her account.

The 🚩 red flag was the urgent tone and the link. Her bank would probably have locked her account if it was "suspended" and ask her to call the bank on the phone or come to a branch in person.

Tom, received a text message saying: "Your package cannot be delivered. Click here to update your address." He had ordered something online a few days earlier, so the timing felt right. Without thinking, he tapped the link and downloaded what looked like a shipping app. Instead, the app stole his personal information and flooded him with more scam texts.

The 🚩 red flag was being asked to download an app instead of checking directly on the official website.

Jenn received an email from Fr. Javier immediately after attending mass. The email asking for help by purchasing gift cards. Luckily Jenn knew Fr. Javier would never ask for gift cards and ignored the email.

The 🚩 red flag was being asked to donate via gift cards

Chris, got a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. The caller said he owed back taxes and would be arrested if he didn't pay immediately. They told Chris to buy gift cards at a local store and read the numbers over the phone. Chris was scared and almost did, but he paused and called his son first. He confirmed it was a scam! the IRS never calls demanding payment like that.

The 🚩 red flag was fear and urgency combined with an unusual payment method of gift cards.

Spotting Scams & Phishing

🚩 Red Flags

Messages that say "Your account will be locked unless you act now."
Requests for payment by gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Poor spelling, odd wording, or strange email addresses.
Caller says they are from "Microsoft/Apple tech support" and need remote access.
A family member or friend urgently asks for money but can't talk on the phone.

✅ Safe Actions

Always go directly to the official website or app instead of clicking links.
Hang up and call back using the number on your bank card or bill.
Delete suspicious texts and emails. Don't reply and never open attachments.
If unsure, check with a trusted family member before acting.
Create a "Safe Phrase" which is a secret phrase you agree on with family members, so if someone calls pretending to be them in an emergency, you can ask for the phrase to confirm it's really them.
Remember: Real people and companies never demand payment by gift card.

Social Media & Privacy

🚩 Red Flags

Friend requests from people you don't know, or duplicate accounts that look like someone you already follow.
Posts that ask you to "share to win" or enter personal information.
Messages with links from new or unexpected contacts.
Apps asking for more information or permissions than they should need.

✅ Safe Actions

iPhone & Android: In Facebook/Instagram → Settings → Privacy, set profile to "Friends Only."
Only post personal updates (travel, birthdays, addresses) privately; wait until after the trip.
Don't accept requests from people you don't know in real life.
Turn off location tagging:

iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → [Social App] → Never/While Using
Android: Settings → Location → App Permissions → Adjust each app

Fact-check before sharing. If a post seems shocking or too good to be true, it probably is.

Mobile Phone & Texting

🚩 Red Flags

Texts with links claiming to be from your bank, Amazon, UPS, RMV or the IRS.
Calls from unknown numbers demanding money or threatening arrest.
Apps asking for unusual permissions (like a flashlight app asking for access to contacts).
A caller that says, "Don't tell anyone, just do this quickly."

✅ Safe Actions

Never click links in texts. Log in through the bank or delivery app directly.
Block unknown callers:

iPhone: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers → ON
Android: Phone app → Settings → Block numbers → Block unknown/private numbers

Download apps only from the official App store (iPhone App Store or Google Play Store)
Review permissions regularly:

iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security
Android: Settings → Apps → Permissions

If pressured on a call, hang up. You can always call back on an official number.

Location & GPS

🚩 Red Flags

Social media posts with live location ("At the airport now!"). This shares publicly that "I'm not home"
Apps asking for "always on" location access when not needed.
Strangers or businesses asking to know where you are.

✅ Safe Actions

Turn off location when not needed. If you publicly share your location people can send convincing emails (ie. John, I just saw you at St. Louis and I need your help …) or even know you are far from home and use that information to break in to an empty home.

iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → OFF
Android: Settings → Location → Use Location → OFF

Give apps location access only when in use:

iPhone: Settings → Location Services → [App] → While Using
Android: Settings → Location → App permissions → While Using

Post vacation photos after returning home.
Keep emergency location services (911) enabled for safety.

Golden Rules

🚫 If you feel rushed, pressured, or scared then STOP. Scams thrive on urgency.
🚫 Never share passwords, PINs, or personal codes with anyone, even if they claim to be from your bank or phone company or even if they claim to be a family member - use the "Safe Phrase" to be sure.
✅ When in doubt, delete it, hang up, or ask for help.
✅ Always check with a trusted friend or family member if something feels off.