Data Privacy Week: Ohioans Urged to Lock Down Their Data to Protect Money, Identity
Data Privacy Week: Ohioans Urged to Lock Down Their Data to Protect Money, Identity
Publish Date: 2026-01-26 13:34:00
Source Domain: littermedia.com
Data Privacy Week: Ohioans Urged to Lock Down Their Data to Protect Money, Identity
January 26, 2026 Aaron Glandon
Article presented by Kingston National Bank …
COLUMBUS, Ohio — In recognition of Data Privacy Week this week, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) reminds Ohioans of steps they can take to protect their personal information, which is vital to keeping their identity and finances secure. Data Privacy Week also coincides with Identity Theft Awareness Week, which highlights various ways to stay safe online.
According to the FBI’s most recent Internet Crime Report, Americans filed 859,532 complaints of suspected internet crime in 2024 with reported losses exceeding $16 billion, a 33% increase in losses from the previous year. In Ohio, the Federal Trade Commission found that identity theft was the most common online complaint in 2024, with residents filing 27,766 reports.
“Technology has transformed how we live, work, and manage our finances, but it also means criminals have more ways to target and engage us,” said Division Superintendent Kevin Allard. “Some of the most effective steps you can take are also the simplest, such as using strong, unique passwords. By taking just a few minutes to strengthen your digital defense, you can help avoid significant – and potentially costly – issues down the road.”
To stay safe, the Division encourages Ohioans to consider following the following best practices recommended by cybersecurity experts:
- Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts beyond just a password. Multifactor authentication is a security method that requires more than one form of identification, such as a password plus a code sent to your phone, to verify your identity and protect your accounts.
- Update Software Regularly: Ensure your devices and apps have the latest security patches….
