Internet Safety and Media Literacy

Today, navigating the digital landscape can be a challenge.  Financial fraud, identity theft, scam calls, and spam texts have become more and more common issues.  It’s easy to fall victim to these issues, not only because they can be difficult to identify but also because they have become incredibly common. In the United States alone, one in six people will fall victim to a scam call, and over twenty-five billion dollars will be lost annually.  Your financial and personal information is now at risk more than ever. 

To help protect yourself, it’s essential to understand the root cause of this global issue. There are an estimated five thousand online data brokers that build their entire businesses around selling the personal information of the public.  These brokers collect and sell your data to people who will, in turn, use it against you.  It can potentially give unknown companies access to your banking information, address, phone number, legal name, email, relatives, and past residences.  

It’s risky to have any of your personal information online; that’s why taking the necessary steps to protect it is so important.  While being cautious when using your personal information online is a good preventive measure, likely, your information is already available.  Luckily, with the help of some new laws that have been passed in recent years, you now have some control over your at-risk personal information.  Companies such as Higbee & Associates offer a service that can remove all of your personal information from the internet.  We also ensure that your information will be monitored to ensure that it stays off the internet.  This is one of the best steps you can take in ensuring the protection of all your personal information.