IveGot1 vs ScamSkeptic

IveGot1 - Identify and Report Invasive Animals and Plants in Florida IveGot1 brings the power of EDDMapS to your iPhone. Now you can submit invasive species observations directly with your iPhone from the field. These reports are uploaded to EDDMapS and e-mailed directly to local and state verifiers for review. IveGot1 was developed by the University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. IveGot1 is more than just an iPhone app, it is an integrated invasive species reporting and outreach campaign for Florida that includes the app, a website with direct access to invasive species reporting and a hotline 1-888-IVEGOT1 for instant reports of live animals. Every year more than 85 million people visit Florida. However, people are not Florida's only visitors; Florida is also an inviting destination for invasive species that threaten to undermine the health of our environment. More than an inconvenience, invasive plants and animals can greatly alter our native landscape, adversely impact native wildlife, destroy agricultural crops and threaten our health. Invasions of exotic species cost Floridians over $500 million each year. The economic costs are small compared to the ecological ones. Florida has millions of acres of public lands; these lands furnish us the water we drink, the air we breathe and countless recreational opportunities. These public lands are highly vulnerable to invasion by exotic plant and animal species; it is estimated that more than 1.7 million acres of Florida’s natural areas have been infested by invasive species. By reporting sightings of invasive animals and plants, we can better assess the extent of the infestations and hopefully eradicate new infestations before they become huge problems such as melaleuca or Burmese pythons. The goal of IveGot1 is to make identification and reporting easy and efficient as possible. Features: Easy species reporting that captures your current location and allows you to submit an image of your sightings. IveGot1 allows for both online and offline reporting with reports saved on your phone for uploading when you have network connectivity. Images and information on Florida's worst non-native invasive animals and plants. Real-time point distribution maps centered on your current location. Get Involved - Join the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council or your local Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) through the Florida Invasive Species Partnership. Powered by EDDMapS - The University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health's Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System. EDDMapS allows for real time tracking of invasive species occurrences using local and national distribution maps and electronic early detection reporting tools.

Learn to recognize common scams and what to do to protect yourself. ScamSkeptic teaches a simple rule that can stop most scams: pause and verify before you respond. Scammers use urgency, fear, and tempting offers to push people into acting quickly. This app helps you recognize those warning signs so you can step back and verify requests safely. Understand How Scams Work Learn the tactics used in: • Phone scams pretending to be banks, government agencies, or tech support • Text message scams asking you to click suspicious links • Email phishing designed to steal passwords or financial information • Impersonation scams pretending to be companies or people you trust The PAUSE Principle ScamSkeptic centers on a simple habit: Pause before responding. Verify using trusted contact information. If someone asks you to click a link, call a number, or provide sensitive information, stop and verify using a number you already trust—like the one on your bank card or official website. Short Lessons You Can Complete Quickly The app uses concise lessons to help you remember the red flags scammers rely on: • Urgent messages demanding immediate action • Requests for personal or financial information • Threats of penalties or account problems • Unexpected prizes, refunds, or benefits • Links or phone numbers you didn’t verify yourself Why People Use ScamSkeptic • Clear guidance for recognizing scams • Simple lessons designed for everyday situations • Helps build habits that protect you from fraud • No complicated tools or technical knowledge required Scammers depend on people reacting quickly. ScamSkeptic helps you slow down, recognize the warning signs, and stay in control. Note from the author: I've had the benefit of working for companies that provide training to their employees on how to spot fraud and protect against it. My parents have not had that. Nor most of my friends. My mother-in-law almost lost $5000 to someone claiming to be her grandson in trouble. Thankfully a banker stopped her at the branch. I'm hoping that a simple way for people to be exposed to the tricks out there will be beneficial and hopefully keep someone else's grandmother from being robbed!