A WealthyKids.org Resource | In Partnership with Connected Nation | Powered by AT&T
The internet is an amazing tool — for learning, earning, connecting, and creating. But it also comes with real risks. This quick guide gives you the most important things to know to protect yourself and your family online. Print it out. Share it. Put it on your refrigerator.
🔐 1. Protect Your Passwords
- Use a different password for every account
- Make passwords long — at least 12 characters
- Never share your password with anyone — not even friends
- Use a free password manager like Bitwarden to keep track
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) on every account that offers it
📧 2. Think Before You Click
- If an email or text feels urgent or too good to be true — it probably is
- Never click links in emails from people you don’t know
- Check the sender’s email address carefully — scammers use addresses that look almost right
- When in doubt, go directly to the website by typing the address yourself
- No bank, government agency, or tech company will ever ask for your password by email
💳 3. Keep Your Money Safe
- Never send money via gift cards, wire transfer, Zelle, or Cash App to someone you don’t know in person
- Check your bank and credit card statements every week
- Set up alerts on your accounts so you know every time money moves
- If someone asks you to keep a payment secret — that is always a scam
📱 4. Lock Down Your Social Media
- Set your accounts to private
- Never post your home address, phone number, or daily schedule publicly
- Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know
- Think before you post — once something is online it can be very hard to remove
- Be careful what you share about your location in real time
🎁 5. Spot a Scam Before It Spots You
- You won a prize you never entered. Scam.
- Someone needs your help urgently and needs money now. Scam.
- A charity you never heard of is asking for an urgent donation. Verify first at charitynavigator.org.
- A stranger online wants to send you money. Scam.
- Someone says your computer has a virus and wants remote access. Hang up immediately.
🚨 6. What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
- Change your passwords immediately
- Call your bank right away if financial information was shared
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report cybercrime to the FBI at ic3.gov
- Tell someone you trust — you are not alone and you are not at fault
🪪 7. Identity Theft — What It Is and How to Stop It
Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information online and uses it to open accounts, take out loans, file taxes, or make purchases in your name. It can take years to fix. Here is what you need to know:
How Identity Theft Happens Online
- Data breaches — companies get hacked and your information is stolen and sold on the dark web
- Phishing emails and texts — you click a fake link and enter your personal details without realizing it
- Fake websites — scammers build sites that look exactly like your bank or a government agency
- Social media oversharing — you post your birthday, address, or pet’s name and scammers use it to guess your passwords or answer your security questions
- Public Wi-Fi — using unsecured networks lets hackers intercept your information in real time
- Fake charity or shopping sites — you enter your credit card details and they go straight to a scammer
Warning Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen
- Bills or collection notices for accounts you never opened
- Charges on your bank or credit card statements you don’t recognize
- Being denied credit for no reason
- The IRS says someone already filed a tax return using your Social Security number
- You stop receiving mail you normally get
- Someone used your health insurance for medical care you never received
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
- Freeze your credit — it is free and prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. Do it at all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
- Check your credit report — go to annualcreditreport.com for your free report every year
- Never give out your Social Security number unless absolutely required — and verify who is asking
- Shred documents with personal information before throwing them away
- Use secure websites only — look for https:// and a padlock icon before entering any personal or payment information
- Never use public Wi-Fi for banking, shopping, or anything sensitive — use your phone’s data or a VPN instead
- Set up credit monitoring alerts — many banks and credit cards offer this free
What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov — the FTC’s official recovery tool. It creates a personalized recovery plan for you step by step
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze at all three credit bureaus immediately
- Report to your bank and dispute any fraudulent charges
- File a police report — you may need it to dispute accounts
- Report to the FBI at ic3.gov if the theft happened online
- Get free nonprofit support and guidance at credit.org/financial-education/identity-theft
Identity theft is a crime. You are the victim. You have rights — and free help is available.
Remember: Staying safe online is not about being afraid of the internet. It is about being smart on it.
Want to go deeper? Read our full guide: Cyber Safety and Charity Scams — How to Protect Your Family, Your Kids, and Your Nonprofit
Want to help teach others? Join Teens Teach Tech: Learn how to sign up and earn while you teach
Questions? Contact us at info@wealthykids.org
👉 Identity Theft Financial Education — Credit.org
Credit.org is a nonprofit financial counseling organization providing free and low-cost services to families across America. Their identity theft education resources are free to access.
— WealthyKids.org | Sarah Associates | Anaheim, CA | In Partnership with Connected Nation | Powered by AT&T
Leave a Reply