On Guard Online

Your personal information is a valuable commodity. It’s not only the key to your financial identity, but also to your online identity. Knowing how to protect your information – and your identity – is a must in the 21st century. The Federal Trade Commission makes available an array of educational materials:

Unwanted Calls, Emails & Texts – Some phone calls and emails are important, some can be annoying and others are just plain illegal. Learn how to reduce the number of unwanted messages you get by phone and online.

Protecting Kids Online – The opportunities kids have to socialize online come with benefits and risks. Adults can help reduce the risks by talking to kids about making safe and responsible decisions.

Online Privacy & Security – The internet offers access to a world of products and services, entertainment and information. At the same time, it creates opportunities for scammers, hackers, and identity thieves. Learn how to protect your computer, your information and your online files.

Identity Theft – While identity theft can happen to anyone, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. If you think someone is using your personal information to open accounts, file taxes or make purchases, visit www.IdentityTheft.gov to report and recover from identity theft.