A few years ago, my family and I were on vacation when our flight home was suddenly canceled. Like thousands of other travelers, we were frustrated, exhausted, and desperate to find a way home. I posted a message on the airline's Facebook page hoping someone could help, because it was impossible to get a hold of them any other way.

A few minutes later, someone claiming to be an airline representative contacted me through Facebook Messenger. Their profile looked legitimate. They knew exactly what I was going through and offered to help. At first, everything seemed believable.

Then, they asked me to verify my identity using a crypto wallet and suggested installing a remote access app on my phone.

I have spent almost 20 years working in cybersecurity and fraud prevention. I knew the warning signs. Yet, because I was emotionally invested in getting my family home, part of me wanted to believe the conversation was real.

That experience stayed with me.

I realized that scams don't succeed because people are careless. They succeed because scammers know exactly how to exploit our emotions. They catch us when we're stressed, excited, distracted, or afraid.

That's why I created ScamRanger.

ScamRanger gives people a trusted second opinion before they act. Whether it's a text message, email, social media message, or another digital interaction, our goal is simple: help people recognize the warning signs, make safer decisions, and feel more confident online.

Because anyone can become the target of a scam. Sometimes all we need is a moment to pause before making the wrong decision.