Page 6 - FEB2025

Page 6 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM February 2025
Community Plymouth Regional High School to Sponsor
4th Annual Do-It-Yourself Special Olympics Polar Plunge
On February 21, 2025, Plymouth Regional High School is sponsoring our fourth annual do-it-yourself Special Olympics Penguin Plunge! Staff, coaches, administrators, families, and students are coming together to raise funds to support Spe- cial Olympics and unified pro- grams in New Hampshire and
at PRHS. Past funds have gone to purchasing specialized sports equipment for students, starting unified sports and courses such as Unified Art, PE, and Well- ness, and purchasing supplies for our school to support inclusive opportunities for all students. Local fire departments and law enforcement will once again be
supporting the plunge and help- ing us get soaked. PRHS is just starting to gather its “flock” of students, family members, and PRHS staff, all of whom are welcome to join. Once again, we are looking forward to a wonderful opportunity to sup- port such a great cause! For any questions or information, please
contact Danee Dalphonse at ddalphonse@pemibaker.org.
To register, please check out this link: https://fundraising. sonh.org/fundraisers/plymou- thregional-hs
When registering, make sure you choose PRHS as your flock and that you choose DIY (Do it yourself!) for plunge options.
How to Avoid Scams in the Digital Age: Insights from Hub66
Scammers use a variety of psychological and technical tac- tics to manipulate victims, often exploiting trust, fear, and urgency. Hub66, your trusted local Inter- net service provider, wants to em- power you with the knowledge to recognize these tactics and protect yourself online. Here are some of the ways scammers trick and manipulate their victims and how you can stay safe.
1. Creating a False Sense of Urgency
Scammers often pressure vic- tims to act quickly, claiming that failure to respond immediately will result in dire consequences. Examples include:
Phishing Emails: “Your account will be deactivated if you don’t verify your information now.”
Tech Support Scams: Pop- ups warning, “Your computer is infected. Call this number imme- diately.”
Fake Payment Demands:
Threats of account suspension or fines unless payment is made immediately.
How to Stay Safe: Take a step back and assess the situation. Legitimate companies give you time to act and provide official ways to verify claims. Avoid act- ing impulsively.
2. Impersonating Trusted Entities
Scammers frequently pose as representatives of reputable com- panies, government agencies, or even people you know. This tactic is designed to lower your guard. Examples include:
Caller ID Spoofing: Pre- tending to call from a bank or utility company.
Emails Mimicking Brands: Using logos and lan- guage that appear authentic.
Social Engineering: Pre- tending to be a friend or family member in need.
How to Stay Safe: Verify the
identity of the person or organi- zation by reaching out through official channels. Be wary of unsolicited requests for personal information.
3. Exploiting Emotions
Many scams target your emo- tions, such as fear, greed, or love, to manipulate your decisions. Ex- amples include:
Romance Scams: Building trust and affection before asking for financial help.
Fear-Based Scams:
Threats of legal action or harm if you don’t comply.
Too-Good-to-Be-True Of- fers: Promises of large rewards, winnings or investment schemes.
How to Stay Safe: Stay ra- tional and skeptical. If an offer or request elicits a strong emotional response, it’s worth taking time to verify its legitimacy.
4. Presenting Fake Evidence
Scammers use fabricated doc-
uments, websites, or screenshots to make their claims appear cred- ible. Common examples include:
Counterfeit Invoices: Fake bills demanding immediate pay- ment.
Spoofed Websites: Sites designed to look like legitimate brands.
Photoshopped Screen- shots: Fake transaction confir- mations or ID documents.
How to Stay Safe: Inspect evidence critically. Check URLs carefully, look for signs of poor design or grammar, and cross- check with official sources.
5. Gaining Access to Your Devices
Some scams involve tricking victims into granting remote ac- cess to their devices, allowing scammers to steal data or install malware. Tactics include:
Tech Support Scams: Con- vincing you to install software for “remote troubleshooting.”
Fake Updates: Pop-ups urg- ing you to download a critical update.
Malicious Links: Emails or texts containing links to infected sites.
How to Stay Safe: Never allow remote access unless you initiated the contact with a trusted professional. Keep your devices updated with security patches and antivirus software.
Final Thoughts
At Hub66, we’re committed to helping you stay safe online by understanding how scammers operate. Awareness is your best defense against manipulation. If you ever encounter a suspicious situation, pause and evaluate be- fore taking action.
Remember, staying informed and vigilant is the key to protect- ing yourself and your loved ones in the digital age. Together, we can outsmart the scammers and keep your online experience safe and secure.