Working Hard: From Scammer to Leader

Today’s Topics

• Scammers will Scam: A Real Life Encounter 💻

• Vote on Yourself 🫵

  4 Mins Read Time

Scammers will Scam: A Real Life Encounter 💻

By Jo

This week, I want to dive into something all of us need to be vigilant about: the importance of protecting yourself from phishing scams. Just yesterday, I received a slightly advanced sextortion phishing email. The message claimed a hacker had accessed my phone remotely and could see all of my “mischievous activities.” They demanded money via Bitcoin, threatening to expose me if I didn’t comply.

Let’s break down why it didn’t work: first off, if they truly had control of my phone, why didn’t they just take my money directly instead of asking? And then there’s the kicker—they claimed to know my address but referenced an old one that I intentionally keep on some less important records. The email mentioned supposed "acts" they’d witnessed in my room, but they missed one key detail: I’d never be doing anything of that nature with my phone right there! They almost got me (sike), but a little critical thinking showed the holes in their story.

The reason I’m sharing this is that some people might not immediately recognize the signs of a phishing attempt. For many, a message like this can ruin their entire day, especially when faced with threats to share personal information with their entire contact list. Yet, out of all the people I know, not one has ever been exposed or shared they’ve had their privacy compromised in this way. So if you’re reading this and wondering what to do in these situations, below are some tips to help you stay secure and keep phishing scams at bay.

Here is a link to an article that explains the exact Email Scam that I received: https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/online-security/new-sextortion-scam-combines-stolen-data-to-target-victims-directly

Top Tips to Protect Yourself from Email Phishing

Trust Your Gut and Check the Details

If an email or message doesn’t feel right, don’t rush to respond. Instead, take a closer look. Phishing emails often include subtle errors—odd phrasing, typos, or outdated details like an old address.

Inspect the Email Address

Phishers often mimic legitimate companies by using similar-looking email addresses. Check the domain carefully. A genuine company email is unlikely to have extra numbers, misspellings, or odd characters.

Be Cautious with Links and Attachments

Hover over any links to see where they lead before clicking. Even better, avoid clicking links in unexpected emails altogether. Attachments, especially if they seem strange or unsolicited, can contain malware.

Keep Your Software Up-to-Date

Ensure that your devices, antivirus software, and apps are current. Updates often include security patches to help keep hackers out.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA provides an extra layer of security, so even if someone has your password, they would need a second form of verification to access your account.

Don’t Share Sensitive Information in Email

Legitimate companies will never ask you to send your social security number, bank details, or passwords through email. Any message asking for such information is likely a scam.

Enable Alerts on Your Financial Accounts

Most banks offer notifications for transactions. Set these up to monitor activity and catch anything suspicious early.

Educate Yourself and Others

Phishing attempts evolve with technology. Stay informed about the latest phishing tactics and share what you know with friends and family who may be less aware.

People have perished over such things and I feel like its my responsibility to provide as much awareness as possible. The internet is just as gangster as the streets!!! Happy Halloween 🎃

Vote on Yourself 🫵

By Marcus

I typically avoid politics for the obvious reasons, but I’m making an exception this year.

This time is different, and for once, I think you should know who the best candidate is. There is only one candidate that truly has the power to help you create the future you want.

The candidate I think you should vote for is…

YOU!

Let me explain.

Tired of Waiting

I’ve personally spent too many years of my life outsourcing my future to others. My hopes and dreams tied to someone else’s promises only to be let down and left holding an empty bag.

The realization that no one is going to care as much about your agenda as you will is an empowering concept. Getting off of their time and being on your time is the first step in returning power to you.

Voting for yourself is the ultimate accountability.

When you adopt the “it’s on you” attitude, it gives you the power to create solutions. It’s a more challenging road for sure; however, waiting for a solution can come at a great cost. One of the greatest costs is time.

How much time can you afford to wait for someone to prioritize your wants and needs?

You’re the Best Candidate for the Job

In our lives, we navigate so many setbacks, conflicts, and challenges that we can sometimes forget how resilient we actually are. Life has been attacking you this whole time, and you keep living to fight another day. This is an opportunity to evolve to the next level—to go on the offensive, remain adaptable, prepare for the worst, but plan for the best.

Bet on yourself to deliver and don’t look back. No matter the outcome of today, you can become the leader you need to be tomorrow.

"Your track record of surviving bad days is 100%. You have survived every hater, every eviction, and firing. You’ve survived all the trouble you’ve been in. Now you need to protect yourself from negativity…"

—Steve Harvey