How to reduce the chance that you or your business will be a victim of online fraud and identity theft

CANCELLED

Especially in these tough economic times, offers that you can money are especially attractive.  Can I really make money from home?  Is that offer too good to be true? Whether young or old, rich or poor, you and your business are susceptible to online fraud and identity theft.  New scams are created everyday that try to part you from your money.  However, you can take common sense steps to protect yourself and know whether what you’re clicking on is legitimately good or good for nothin’.

In this short workshop, Mark Thompson from the IDRS Acorn Project, will discuss the experiences that he has had with online fraud and what he has learned on how to protect yourself.  He encourages attendees to bring their own stories so we can have a robust discussion and learn together.  In the workshop, Mark will be discussing:

• Why we are at risk of being taken advantage of?
• What are some of the most popular scams out there?
• How to protect your credit?
• What to look for when searching the web?
• How to make sure your business isn’t taken advantage of

The IDRS Acorn Project, in partnership with the Owens Valley Career Development Center (OVCDC), will present Protecting Yourself Online on Thursday, October 6th from 5:30 to 7 pm.  The workshop will be located at the OVCDC Computer Lab at 2574 Diaz Lane in Bishop.  Registration is open to all community members in Owens Valley and the workshop is free to attend.  To register please click on the “Going” button below and fill in your information.

For more information, please contact the community host, Gina Jones, Director of Career Education Program at 760-873-6547 ext. 242 or at gjones@ovcdc.com.   You can also reach out to Mark Thompson, Executive Director, at the IDRS Acorn Project at 916-482-5800 or at mark@indiandispute.com.

About your presenter:

Mark Thompson serves the Executive Director of Indian Dispute Resolution Services. He also guides the IDRS Acorn Project, IDRS’ microenterprise development program, where he provides entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to Native American entrepreneurs and works with businesses operated by Native American tribes to conduct feasibility studies, develop business plans, establish internal accounting procedures and secure grant funding to further economic development through the creation of small businesses in Indian Country.

Outside of his work for IDRS, Mark has formally been involved in several small businesses including a real estate company, a restaurant, and a mobile disc jockey service. Mr. Thompson received his BS in Business from University of California, Berkeley and completed the Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. He lives outside Sacramento, California where he and his wife Mandi operate a small horse boarding facility and are raising two children, Zane and Marina.

This workshop is sponsored, in part, by the Owens Valley Career Development Center, USDA Rural Development, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Small Business Administration, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, and the MUFG Union Bank Foundation.