Computer Samurai

03/28/2026

We are honored to be featured in this week's edition of the Dassel Cokato Dispatch.

This matters to us because we’ve met too many good people only after they’ve already been taken advantage of. That’s why we started these workshops: to help people right here in our area recognize scams, secure their devices and accounts, and become more confident and protected.

We’re grateful for the chance to serve this community not just with education, but with the help and support people need to put a plan in place and become more secure. Becoming secure is not an event — it’s a process. We’re here to help make that process feel less intimidating and less stressful.

If you’d like to learn about upcoming workshop dates, call Evan at Computer Samurai at (320) 738-2998 to reserve a spot. The workshop is free, but the time you spend may be invaluable.

With scams growing more sophisticated and more personal, Computer Samurai owner Erik Haapala urged residents to stay skeptical, strengthen their passwords, and take simple steps to secure their devices during a public Cybersecurity Workshop Wednesday at his Dassel office.Haapala led the nearly two.....

03/17/2026

We’ve now had several of our members receive the exact same message this afternoon… and it’s a scam. The QR (which I have obscured) goes to a domain registered in China.

🚨 Warning to our Dassel / Cokato community (especially 55+)

Scammers are getting more organized. They reuse the same scripts, the same messages, and even the same stories — just targeting new people each time.

If you receive a message that:
❗ Feels urgent (“act now!”)
❗ Involves money, gift cards, or crypto
❗ Pretends to be someone you trust
❗ Or just seems a little “off”

Signs this message is off:
❗ Courts do not communicate this way
❗ Phone number is one digit off the real number
❗ Judge: "John Smith"
❗ Failure to pay is urgent and sever

👉 STOP. Don’t respond. Don’t click anything.

We’re seeing more and more good people get caught simply because the message looks real enough.

You are not alone — and you’re not “bad with technology.”
These scams are designed to fool smart, careful people.

If you’re unsure about something, reach out to us. We’re happy to take a look before anything goes wrong.

📞 (320) 334-2877
🏢 Right here in Dassel

Let’s protect each other. Please share this so others in our community stay safe.

03/17/2026

Computer Samurai: You Ask, We Answer

Got a tech question?
Drop it in the comments and our friendly expert technicians will help.

At Computer Samurai, our members never face tech problems alone.

02/16/2026

$4.8 BILLION.
That’s how much Americans age 60+ lost to scams last year.
Not because they’re careless.
Because scammers are sophisticated.
Most scams don’t start with obvious red flags.
They start with:
• A phone call that sounds official
• An email that looks legitimate
• A pop-up that feels urgent
That’s why we’re hosting a FREE, in-person Anti-Scams Workshop for adults 55+ right here in Dassel.
You’ll learn:
✔ How today’s scams really work
✔ How scammers quietly gain access to accounts
✔ The simple protections that actually work
✔ What to do before money or data is lost
You’ll get:
• Clear, plain-English explanations
• Real examples from our local community
• Access to friendly expert technicians who can help you implement what you learn
At the end, we’ll offer an optional personal computer safety check for anyone who wants extra guidance.
Free • In-Person • Limited Seating
Reserve your seat now. Go to https://na2.hubs.ly/H03JCmM0

02/16/2026

$4.8 BILLION.
That’s how much Americans age 60+ lost to scams last year.
Not because they’re careless.
Because scammers are sophisticated.
Most scams don’t start with obvious red flags.
They start with:
• A phone call that sounds official
• An email that looks legitimate
• A pop-up that feels urgent
That’s why we’re hosting a FREE, in-person Anti-Scams Workshop for adults 55+ right here in Dassel.
You’ll learn:
✔ How today’s scams really work
✔ How scammers quietly gain access to accounts
✔ The simple protections that actually work
✔ What to do before money or data is lost
You’ll get:
• Clear, plain-English explanations
• Real examples from our local community
• Access to friendly expert technicians who can help you implement what you learn
At the end, we’ll offer an optional personal computer safety check for anyone who wants extra guidance.
Free • In-Person • Limited Seating
Reserve your seat now. RSVP https://na2.hubs.ly/H03JBS70

02/13/2026

$4.8 BILLION.
That’s how much Americans age 60+ lost to scams last year.
Not because they’re careless.
Because scammers are sophisticated.
Most scams don’t start with obvious red flags.
They start with:
• A phone call that sounds official
• An email that looks legitimate
• A pop-up that feels urgent
That’s why we’re hosting a FREE, in-person Anti-Scams Workshop for adults 55+ right here in Dassel.
You’ll learn:
✔ How today’s scams really work
✔ How scammers quietly gain access to accounts
✔ The simple protections that actually work
✔ What to do before money or data is lost
You’ll get:
• Clear, plain-English explanations
• Real examples from our local community
• Access to friendly expert technicians who can help you implement what you learn
At the end, we’ll offer an optional personal computer safety check for anyone who wants extra guidance.
Free • In-Person • Limited Seating
Reserve your seat now.

02/12/2026

$4.8 BILLION.
That’s how much Americans age 60+ lost to scams last year.
Not because they’re careless.
Because scammers are sophisticated.
Most scams don’t start with obvious red flags.
They start with:
• A phone call that sounds official
• An email that looks legitimate
• A pop-up that feels urgent
That’s why we’re hosting a FREE, in-person Anti-Scams Workshop for adults 55+ right here in Dassel.
You’ll learn:
✔ How today’s scams really work
✔ How scammers quietly gain access to accounts
✔ The simple protections that actually work
✔ What to do before money or data is lost
You’ll get:
• Clear, plain-English explanations
• Real examples from our local community
• Access to friendly expert technicians who can help you implement what you learn
At the end, we’ll offer an optional personal computer safety check for anyone who wants extra guidance.
Free • In-Person • Limited Seating
Reserve your seat now.

02/04/2026

In 2024 alone, more than 147,000 Americans age 60+ reported losing money to scams.
Older adults lost nearly $4.8 billion — more than any other age group.
Most scams don’t start with obvious red flags.
They start with a phone call, an email, or a pop-up that just feels “off.”
That’s why we’re hosting a **free, in-person Anti-Scams Workshop** at our store for adults 55+. We’ll walk you through:
- How today’s scams really work
- How scammers quietly gain access
- How to protect your computer and email
- What to do *before* money or data is lost
You’ll get:
- Clear, plain-English explanations
- Real examples from right here in our community
- Local help you can trust
**Free Anti-Scams Workshop (Adults 55+)**
$4.8 BILLION LOST — learn how to avoid becoming part of that statistic.
P.S. At the end, we’ll also offer an **optional personal computer safety check** for anyone who wants extra help.
**Free • In-Person • Limited Seating — reserve your spot now. **

01/30/2026

In 2024 alone, more than 147,000 Americans age 60+ reported losing money to scams.
Older adults lost nearly $4.8 billion — more than any other age group.

Most scams don’t start with obvious red flags.
They start with a phone call, an email, or a pop-up that just feels “off.”

That’s why we’re hosting a **free, in-person Anti-Scams Workshop** at our store for adults 55+. We’ll walk you through:

- How today’s scams really work
- How scammers quietly gain access
- How to protect your computer and email
- What to do *before* money or data is lost

You’ll get:
- Clear, plain-English explanations
- Real examples from right here in our community
- Local help you can trust

**Free Anti-Scams Workshop (Adults 55+)**
$4.8 BILLION LOST — learn how to avoid becoming part of that statistic.

P.S. At the end, we’ll also offer an **optional personal computer safety check** for anyone who wants extra help.

**Free • In-Person • Limited Seating — reserve your spot now.**

01/30/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT – PLEASE READ & SHARE! 🚨
The County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about a new wave of telephone scams targeting local residents. Scammers are calling people pretending to be law enforcement, utility companies, or government agencies—and trying to pressure them into giving out personal information or paying fake fees.
👉 If you get a suspicious call:
• Hang up immediately
• Do not share personal or financial information
• Call the official number of the agency to verify
• Report the scam attempt

At Computer Samurai, we’re committed to helping our community stay informed, protected, and empowered when it comes to technology and cybersecurity. 🛡️💻 Join our Anti-Scam Workshops to learn to spot and stop scammers before they get what they want!
If you’re unsure about a call, email, or popup—or just want to learn how to protect yourself—we’re here to help educate you and keep you safe from scams.
Stay alert, stay safe, and please share this to help protect others!

McLeod County Sheriff’s Office issued a news release urging residents to be alert to a telephone scam.
https://www.hutchinsonstation.com/2026/01/30/news/mcleod-sheriff-issues-scam-alert/

12/31/2025

Happy New Year from the team at Computer Samurai! Start 2026 connected, protected, and confident.
You deserve technology that works for you — not against you.
With Computer Samurai, you never have to face tech frustrations alone.
We're here to make sure you have the best possible experience, every day of the year.
Call or visit our friendly team to start your path to a New Year for a New You to Experience the Most this Year!