To aob and other young CR members:
You’ve heard this before, but please take a minute for a refresher course.
Some general advice for when you correspond via internet and email: you can never be too careful with strangers
Regarding an email address you are not familiar with (that contacts you first):
– do not respond at all
– do not even respond “who is this” or the like
– do not use any links in the email message
– do not contact any other contacts provided by that unfamiliar address, EVEN IF IT/THEY SOUND SECURE OR FAMILIAR
– do not dial any phone #’s provided in the message
– if the message seems threatening in any way or if applicable to the situation, forward the email to an authority figure
Regarding anonymous contacts online:
– you should not be contacting each other directly (via phone, email etc.)- YOU NEVER KNOW WHO THE OTHER PARTY IS, no matter how comfortable you become with the person and especially no matter how much the person reassures you it’s ok. This is just an upgraded, spruced up tactic of the age old kidnapper offering candy…
Keep in mind that above rules are not over-reacting. They’re there to keep you safe and a reminder to only use the internet for good and safe purposes.
Sorry for the dreaded speech.
~ areivim, a concerned CR member