07/08/2026
We rarely ask you to share anything, but this is important. Please read and share, especially with friends or family who may be tech savvy.
Scammers are extremely active this time of year. In 2025, an estimated $15.9 billion was stolen from U.S. citizens through fraud—an increase of more than 50% over 2024.
Stay alert and read carefully.
Government agencies, such as the IRS or FBI, will not call or email you out of the blue. They should communicate by mail first. If you have not received prior written correspondence, any urgent call or email is likely fraudulent.
Tech companies will not contact you about your computer. Services like remote PC support are not free or routine. Microsoft, McAfee, Norton, and similar companies will not call you, and they will never offer unsolicited refunds.
Banks rarely have a person call you directly. Most initial contact is automated.
Even if a call seems legitimate, you are NOT required to speak with the caller. You will NOT be arrested for hanging up. Ask for a case number, end the call, and then contact the organization using the OFFICIAL phone number listed on its website.
Go directly to IRS.gov, FBI.gov, McAfee.com, Norton.com, BankOfAmerica.com, etc. Do not rely on search engine ads, which may lead to scam sites.
If you receive a threatening pop up on your computer, it is designed to scare you. Restart the computer; in most cases, the message disappears. If it returns, bring it in for evaluation.
No online service will NEVER need to log in to your computer to access your accounts. They will NEVER ask you to buy bitcoin or gift cards. They will NEVER threaten you. These are all clear signs of a scam—even highly convincing ones.
These criminals thrive on fear, confusion, and urgency.
If you have questions or have recently received suspicious calls, please contact us before calling them back. We can help you determine whether the situation is legitimate and suggest the best course of action.
