Last Updated: November 9, 2026
We respect your privacy and want you to feel comfortable using this website.
This website provides educational information and tools designed to help people recognize, avoid, and respond to scams. We try to collect only the information we need and to explain clearly how that information is used.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have regarding your information.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide to Us
You may voluntarily provide information when you use forms on our website, including when you:
– Contact us
– Sign up for email updates
– Request information
– Provide feedback
– Participate in other activities that require you to submit information
Depending on the form you use, we may collect your:
– Name
– Email address
– Information contained in your message or submission
You do not need to provide personal information simply to browse most of our educational content.
Please do not submit sensitive personal information through our forms. This includes passwords, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, financial account login information, or other highly sensitive information.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, some information may be collected automatically. This may include:
– IP address
– Browser type
– Device type
– Operating system
– Pages visited
– Date and time of your visit
– Referring website
– General information about how you interact with our website
We use this information primarily to operate, secure, maintain, and improve the website and to understand how visitors use our educational resources.
Google Analytics
We may use Google Analytics to help us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics may collect information such as your IP address, device and browser information, pages visited, approximate geographic information, and information about how you interact with the website.
We may use Google Analytics to understand things such as:
– Which pages are visited most often
– How visitors navigate the website
– Which educational resources are most useful
– How visitors generally find our website
– How we can improve the website
Google processes information collected through Google Analytics according to its own policies and terms.
For more information about how Google handles information, please review Google’s privacy information and Google Analytics documentation.
How We Use Information
We may use information we collect to:
– Respond to questions and requests
– Provide information you have requested
– Send newsletters or other communications you have requested
– Improve our website and educational materials
– Understand how visitors use our website
– Maintain website security
– Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or unauthorized activity
– Maintain website records
– Comply with applicable legal requirements
We do not sell or share your name or email address with anyone.
Email Communications
If you voluntarily provide your email address to receive communications from us, we may use your email address to send the information or communications you requested.
You can unsubscribe from promotional or educational emails at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions included in the email.
We will not require you to provide an email address simply to access ordinary educational content unless a particular feature specifically requires it.
Website Forms
Our website uses digital forms to allow visitors to contact us, request information, or otherwise communicate with us.
Information submitted through these forms may be stored by our website and may be accessible to authorized individuals who operate the website.
Because email and online forms are not guaranteed to be completely secure, please do not submit passwords, financial account credentials, Social Security numbers, or other highly sensitive information through our forms.
WordPress
Our website is operated using WordPress.
WordPress and the hosting, security, form, and other services connected to our website may process technical information as necessary to operate and protect the website.
We use reasonable measures to limit access to personal information to people and service providers who need it for legitimate website-related purposes.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies.
Cookies are small files that websites may store on your device. They can be used to make websites function properly, remember preferences, understand website usage, and provide security.
Google Analytics may also use cookies or similar technologies to collect information about website usage.
You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some website features.
How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share information with companies and service providers that help us operate our website and provide our services. These may include:
– Website hosting providers
– WordPress-related service providers
– Form and email service providers
– Google Analytics and related Google services
– Website security providers
– Other technology providers necessary to operate the website
These providers may process information on our behalf as necessary to provide their services.
We may also disclose information when required or permitted by law, or when reasonably necessary to:
– Comply with a legal obligation
– Respond to a lawful government request
– Protect our website, users, or property
– Investigate suspected fraud, abuse, or security problems
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to websites operated by third parties, including government agencies, consumer-protection organizations, financial institutions, and other educational resources.
Once you leave our website, the privacy practices of the third-party website you visit are governed by that organization’s policies.
We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party website before providing personal information.
Scam-Related Information
Our website provides educational information about scams and may include interactive scam simulations and other educational tools.
These materials are intended to help visitors recognize common scam tactics.
If you submit information through one of our forms, please remember that the information you provide may contain details about a scam you experienced or a message you received.
Please remove personal and financial information from scam messages before submitting them to us.
Do not submit:
– Passwords
– Social Security numbers
– Bank account numbers
– Credit or debit card numbers
– Financial account login information
– Government identification numbers
– Any other sensitive personal information
Data Security
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure.
However, no website, online form, email system, or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
For this reason, we strongly encourage you to avoid sending sensitive personal information through our website forms or email.
How Long We Keep Information
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to operate our website, maintain appropriate business records, resolve disputes, comply with legal obligations, and protect our website and users.
The length of time information is retained may vary depending on the type of information and the reason it was collected.
Your Privacy Choices and Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information.
These rights may include the ability to:
– Request access to personal information we hold about you
– Request correction of inaccurate information
– Request deletion of certain personal information
– Ask how your personal information is collected or used
– Opt out of certain types of data sharing or targeted advertising, where applicable
The rights available to you depend on applicable law and where you live.
To make a privacy request, please contact us using the information below.
Children’s Privacy
This website is intended for a general audience and is not directed toward children under 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us so that we can take appropriate steps.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
When we make changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle personal information, please contact us:
Email: max@smartandsilver.com
Our Approach to Privacy
Our goal is to help people become more confident and better prepared when dealing with scams.
We believe that learning about scams should not require you to give away unnecessary personal information.
When using this website, please protect your own privacy by avoiding the submission of passwords, financial account information, Social Security numbers, or any other sensitive personal information.