Practical steps to reduce unnecessary data sharing, strengthen accounts and respond when something looks wrong.
Official sources reviewed October 14, 2026. National resources alongside Texas and North Texas organizations.
National / Account security
FTC: Strengthen Your Accounts
A plain-language checklist for stronger passwords, two-factor authentication, software updates and suspicious messages.
Before you reach out: Free guidance. No setting makes an account or device immune to attacks.
Visit FTC: Strengthen Your Accounts ↗National / broadly useful / Privacy planning
EFF: Make a Security Plan
Decide what information matters, who might access it and which precautions are realistic. Choose one manageable protection to improve first.
Before you reach out: Free education. Tools and risks vary by device, context and personal circumstances.
Visit EFF: Make a Security Plan ↗National / Data privacy
FTC: Reduce Online Tracking
Learn how websites and apps collect information and where privacy settings can limit some tracking and sharing.
Before you reach out: Free guidance. Privacy controls limit some collection; they do not make online activity anonymous.
Visit FTC: Reduce Online Tracking ↗National / Scam response
FTC: What to Do After a Scam
Find next steps by how you paid or what information you shared, plus reporting routes. Preserve messages and receipts.
Before you reach out: Free guidance and reporting. Refunds and recovery are not guaranteed; be wary of paid recovery promises.
Visit FTC: What to Do After a Scam ↗United States / Identity theft response
IdentityTheft.gov
The FTC starting point to report identity theft and build a recovery plan. Gather details of affected accounts before using the official process.
Before you reach out: Free government service. Recovery can require separate action with businesses and agencies.
Visit IdentityTheft.gov ↗