• Welcome to Don't Get Bunked!™

    Spot red flags in seconds. Phishing emails, deepfakes, and fake headlines are everywhere. Learn clear, simple steps to stay safe online.

    Professional educator and DEBUNK author Sam McCollough shows you how.

  • Why I Created Don't Get Bunked!™

    I almost fell for a scam once that could have cost me thousands. It was only because of my background in software development that I was able to spot it before it was too late.


    Inside the course, I’ll tell you how I spotted it — and how you can, too.

  • Why I Created Don't Get Bunked!

    I almost fell for a scam once that could have cost me thousands. It was only because of my background in software development that I was able to spot it before it was too late.


    Inside the course, I’ll tellyou how I spotted it — and how you can, too.

  • 📄 Three Ways to Get Started

    📚 Explore Free Resources

    Access the DEBUNK eBook, the Bunkproof Toolkit™, printable guides, and trusted reference materials—all free.

    → Explore the Resource Center

    🎤 Looking for a presentation for your library, senior center, HOA, civic group, school, or organization?

    👤 Learn about why I created Don't Get Bunked!™, my background in adult education, and my mission to help people make safer choices online.

  • What You'll Find Here

    You’re not getting opinions — you’re gaining skills. Everything here is designed to help you check safely, evaluate claims, and spot scams or misinformation before they spread.

    📘 DEBUNK (eBook) — Your clear, friendly guide to critical thinking — the foundation for seeing through misleading claims and viral “facts.”

    (Updated Second Edition will be included automatically when ready.)

    🎓 Bunkproof in 30 Minutes™ (Course) — A quick, practical video walk-through that shows exactly how to recognize phishing, fake news, and deepfakes — using real examples.

    🧰 The Bunkproof Toolkit™ — Your curated library of tools, checklists, and printable guides for everyday protection — from phishing emails to fake headlines.

    You’ll build confidence in verifying claims — even when something feels urgent — using practical skills you can reuse anytime.

    Start in minutes — pause anytime.

  • Questions? Read the FAQ (opens in a new tab or window)

  • 📄 Trusted Fact-Check Sources Guide

    Real, verified sources to help you check claims, scams, and headlines.

    Download your one-page resource list — real fact-checking and misinformation-spotting sites that are ✔ IFCN-verified and trusted worldwide.

    Tip: Choose “Actual size” (100%) when printing.

    This document will open in a new tab or window (depends on browser setting). When you're done, just close the new tab or window to return here.

    🔒 No email required.

    Feel free to share it with friends who could use help spotting bunk before it spreads.

  • Before & After: Spotting Phishing in Seconds

    Here’s how the skills pay off — real example from the course.

    Example bank email without annotations, used to teach phishing checks.

    Before — Looks Legit?

    I’ll walk you through a quick routine: confirm the sender, spot pressure words scammers use, and preview links safely.
    We'll look at a real example from everyday email and review when to delete, when to report spam, and when to go directly to the site/app.

    Same email annotated with three red flags: sender domain mismatch, urgent or threatening language, and a mismatched link shown on hover.

    After — What Changed:

    ① Sender name vs. domain ② Spelling/grammar

    ③ Urgency words ④ Hover to preview link

    ⑤ Wrong entity name ⑥ Fear/pressure tactic

    These are the same checks you’ll learn to run consistently in the course.

  • Before & After: Spotting Phishing in Seconds

    Here’s how the skills pay off — real example from the course.

    Example bank email without annotations, used to teach phishing checks.

    Before — Looks Legit?

    I’ll walk you through a quick routine: confirm the sender, spot pressure words scammers use, and preview links safely.
    We'll look at a real example from everyday email and review when to delete, when to report spam, and when to go directly to the site/app.

    Same email annotated with six red flags: sender domain mismatch, urgent or threatening language, and a mismatched link shown on hover.

    After — You'll spot:

    Who it’s from

    How it’s written

    Urgency and pressure language

    Link or entity mismatches

    These are the same checks you’ll learn to run consistently in the course.

  • Your Complete Bunkproofing System

    The Don’t Get Bunked!™ System is a complete, three-part approach to safer checking.

    The Don’t Get Bunked!™ System includes the eBook DEBUNK: Arm Yourself With the Tenets of Critical Thinking (future updated Second Edition included automatically), the Bunkproof in 30 Minutes™ video course, and The Bunkproof Toolkit™.

    After completing the course, you’ll be able to:

    • Spot phishing emails fast (sender → language → link preview).
    • Avoid fake “support,” payment-app, and impersonation scams.
    • Check claims with SIFT (Stop · Investigate · Find better coverage · Trace).
    • Verify images and videos before sharing.

  • Created by Sam McCollough

    Author of DEBUNK, creator of the Bunkproof Toolkit™, and educator with more than 25 years of experience helping adults learn complex topics.

  • Created by Sam McCollough


    Author of DEBUNK, creator of the Bunkproof Toolkit™, and educator with more than 25 years of experience helping adults learn complex topics.

    Testimonials

    “I really like the site... it's clean and engaging. I think all the information is really helpful and clearly communicated. I wish you tremendous success with this project and genuinely hope that your work can help people get smarter at protecting themselves.”

    — Dennis O., Technology Solutions Architect

    “This system should be taught in schools. The checklists make it simple to spot scams before they get you. I even helped my mom avoid one last week.”

    — Albert B.

    “I used to second-guess every post and email. Now I just run Sam’s steps — quick, clear, and repeatable. It’s like having a truth filter I can actually trust.”

    — Alan S.

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