Protecting Yourself And Your Family

Don't let your kids do this!

You see it on the nightly news: "Child snatched by sexual predator"
The TV show "Dateline" has aired many episodes of them catching sexual predators who found their target in chat rooms.

How does this happen? Children are not wise to the ways of the world, and will often give out information about themselves that allows some pervert to find them, gain their trust, and then kidnap them. Here is a partial list of the things you and your kids should avoid doing:

1. Never give out a phone number or address to anyone you do not know - this includes zip codes.
2. Never give out your last name
3. Never give out the name of the school you go to, what class you are in, how old you are or the names of your friends.
4. Be very suspicious of people in chat rooms whom you don't know, and who are trying to gain your trust or friendship. They will often start this by agreeing with you if you are having problems with your parents or in school.
5. Someone who is repeatedly trying to get your name or the school / town / phone number, etc. is someone who is trying to get you.
6. Never agree to meet with someone you don't already know.
7. Accepting a gift = giving out your name and address, and they've got you.
8. If in a chat room, don't give out your email name.
9. That 14 year old female friend could easily be a 55 year old male predator, you can't see them and they are figuring out ways to get to you.

Every teenager has some amount of "angst" while growing up, and during this time they can be vulnerable. Educating them on what can happen and how it can happen will equip them to make some right decisions should any of the above occur.

Stop Thief!

We all get an amount of junk mail, see advertising and look at signs along the road about "incredible opportunities" If these are so incredible, why do they have to mass market it in such a cheap and shabby way to attract you? And if everyone was doing what they are promoting, would it still be incredible?

1. Sending off for your "starter kit" is as good as opening the car window and flinging your money out.
2. Buying it from Canada, Mexico, etc = as good as a pill full of talcum powder. Buy from your pharmacist or reputable source.
3. "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is" SOOOO True!
4. "Get Rich Quick" = "Get Poor Quicker" Large sums of money don't plop into your lap. Unless you win the lottery, you have to work for what you get.
5. Click HERE to learn about Ponzi Schemes
6. If someone comes to the door "attempting to deliver a large item that can be picked up at Wal-Mart" but wants a delivery fee, call the cops!
7. Be very careful with whom you give out your credit card information to.
8. Same goes for your social security number, which is not supposed to be used for identification except for banks, Tag Office and law enforcement.

There are a lot of silver tongued crooks out there who know lots of ways to get your money. Be careful!