Ask me Anything with Charles Moore: Keeping Military Families Safe Online

I understand your concern, and you're right to be cautious about your family's safety online. With the experience I gained in the military, I know how crucial it is to spot risks before they escalate. When it comes to your kids, specific threats like phishing scams—where they might be tricked into giving away personal information—are a real issue. Online predators also use social media and gaming chats to build trust and manipulate young people. And let’s not forget the hidden malware that can come from seemingly innocent downloads, compromising your family’s data and devices.

Think of this like preparing for any mission: we need to teach our kids to recognize warning signs, like unexpected messages that ask for private details or strange links. Remind them that sharing information like their location, school, or routines can be risky. These small steps can go a long way in protecting them from those who might misuse that information.

Don’t forget to keep the lines of communication open! Let your kids know it’s okay to come to you if something feels off or if they have questions. Pairing this with tools like parental controls and strong privacy settings can make a real difference. You’re not alone in this—staying vigilant and informed will help keep your family safe.

Here are a few specific scams that are common that you can research further:

• Phone calls: Hang up on unsolicited phone calls, or ask for caller credentials if it’s an organization you recognize and then call them back on an official number.
• Property discounts: Do not make any payments on veteran-discounted properties until you have a signed, written contract with the seller.
• “Secret” government funding: Check the VA website for a list of legitimate veteran loan programs.
• Job applications: Do not give your Social Security number on a job application. Call the company HR department to ask whether the job opening is legitimate.
• Suspicious websites for veteran benefits: Check that the site is "secure" before entering any personal information (even your email address). For added security, consider a VPN with malware protection to keep your devices and Wi-Fi networks safe.
• Phishing emails and texts: Make sure to hover or click on the “from name” to see the actual email that sent you the message. If it’s not from an official website, it could be a scam. Don’t click on any links or download attachments. Delete suspicious emails and report them as spam. Do not wire money to a stranger, no matter what they promise or tell you it's for.
  
  

Stay safe out there!