What are scams and misinformation?
A scam is when someone tries to trick you into giving away money or personal information. Misinformation is false or misleading information—often shared on social media or by email.
Learning to spot both helps you stay safe and informed.
Common Online Scams
Scammers often pretend to be people you trust—like a grandchild in trouble, tech support, or the IRS. They may ask you to send gift cards, wire money, or share your Social Security number.
When in doubt, stop and talk to someone you trust. We’ve compiled some common ways to spot online scams to help you stay vigilant!
Spotting a Phishing Email
Misinformation and Fake News
Fake news spreads quickly—especially online. It might be a made-up story, something shared out of context, or an opinion disguised as fact. These stories can cause confusion or fear.
The good news? You can learn to spot them with our tips.
How to Fact-Check Before Sharing
Before sharing an article or resource, make sure to assess the credibility of the site and fact-check it.
- FactCheck.org: a website that investigates the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. politicians.
- PolitiFact by Poynter Institute: a website that fact-checks journalism.
Keep learning
Online Security
Digital Literacy
Information Literacy for Seniors 101 