Scott Nelson, JD
Police Sergeant, Mountain View Police Department
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Co-authored Articles (21)
How to
Report a Website
If you find a phishing website, scam website, or a website distributing viruses, then you might want to report it. Reporting websites helps take them down and it protects other users on the internet from getting scammed ...
Know the Best Sites for Unclaimed Amazon Packages and Items
Where to find these mysterious packages—and what they’re worth Interested in buying unclaimed Amazon packages? With all of the “mystery box” TikToks going around, the world of at-home treasure hunting seems mor...
What to Do If Someone Is Blackmailing You: How to Stop a Blackmailer
Helping put your mind at ease and getting the blackmailer to leave you alone Blackmail can trigger a lot of emotions, and you’re likely feeling really stressed right now. Even though blackmail is a crime, you might not...
How to
Recover Money from a Scammer
If you discover you're the victim of a scam, remain calm and collect all the documents and information you have related to the transaction. If you used a credit card or bank transfer, you may be able to recover some of y...
How to Spot an ATM Skimming Device: Detailed Steps to Avoid a Scam
Learn what ATM skimmers look like and how to find themATM skimmers are fake card readers and cameras attached to a real ATM. When you put your card into the fake card reader, it can steal your information. Because skimme...
How to Report Scam Phone Numbers
Identify scam calls and report scammers to authorities When you get a phone call and the person on the other end makes you promises that seem too good to be true or threatens you with legal action if you don't pay them m...
How to
Be Safe on the Internet
The Internet is a huge part of many people’s everyday lives. It’s fun, useful, and informative, but can also be dangerous, no matter how safe you feel while browsing. By getting into the habit of using good Internet ...
How to
Chat Online
Chatting online is a great way to connect with others and find an outlet when you need to talk. Thanks to the Internet, you can build a community of people who share your interests. Although chatting online is generally ...
How to
Be a Responsible Digital Citizen
'''Being a responsible digital citizen means using technology appropriately and operating online safely and knowledgeably.''' The concept of digital citizenship is becoming more and more recognized as people communicate,...
How to
Stop Cyber Bullying
Cyberbullying occurs when electronic communications such as text messages, emails, instant messages, and social media updates are used to threaten or humiliate someone. People of any age can be cyberbullied, but it happe...
How to
Keep Safe on Facebook
Facebook is the fastest growing social networking site in the world today with up to 250,000 new users being added every day. But sharing information has lots of risks including your name which can be accessed by others...
How to
Avoid Scams
Scams occur regularly when someone tries to gain access to your personal information or get money from you. Scammers will use certain tools to try and trick you, and they often do so through the mail, online, in person, ...
How to
Determine if Someone Is a Child Molester
Fears about predators are normal, and fortunately you can find ways to keep your child safe. For example, you want to look out for adults (or even other children) who want to spend alone time with your child, or people t...
How to
Recognize an Online Predator
Technology can be a positive, fun part of life. Many people, especially young adults, enjoy spending a lot of time online. Unfortunately, the digital world can have just as many dangers as the "real" world. Online predat...
How to
Be Safe in the Chat Rooms
Chatrooms are a fun place to engage in discussion about a variety of topics. While most people who frequent online chatrooms are good people, there are some who are there to prey on or bully other people. Fortunately, by...
How to
Report Cyberbullying
It can be really scary if someone is bullying you or your child online. You might also be concerned that a friend is being harassed. Remember, no one has a right to make you feel uncomfortable. Put a stop to the bullying...
Is That Facebook Buyer or Seller Legit? Top Scams to Avoid + Safety Tips
A list of common scams and an easy-to-follow guide for seeing if a Facebook Marketplace buyer or seller is legitDid you know that you can often find lots of goods locally using Facebook Marketplace? Facebook Marketplace ...
How to
Chat
Chatting is an experience unique to the internet. There is a certain rush to interacting with complete strangers across the globe in real time. While chatting can be unsafe if you don’t take a few precautions, you can ...
How to
Recognize Spam
Spam emails are messages randomly sent to multiple addresses by all sorts of groups, but mostly lazy advertisers and criminals who wish to lead you to phishing sites. The sites attempt to steal your personal, electronic,...
How to
Spot Car Scams on Craigslist
Verified tips for avoiding car scammers on CraigslistCraigslist scams are unfortunately pretty common, so it’s important to be extra vigilant if you want to buy a car from a seller on Craigslist. You can protect yourse...
