Hey there, digital citizens! Grab your notebooks (or just bookmark this page) because class is in session, and today’s lesson is all about staying one step ahead of scammers in the aftermath of the Canvas data breach. Yep, Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, has been hacked, and while we don’t have all the details yet, we do know this: scammers are probably already warming up their typing fingers, ready to trick you and your kids. But don’t worry! I’ve got your back with some tips to help you stay safe.

First things first—scammers love to jump on news like this. They’ll send emails or texts pretending to be from Canvas, your school, or even a friendly llama, all with one goal: to trick you into giving them your personal info. So, if you get any unexpected messages claiming to be from Canvas, remember this golden rule: Don’t click!

Instead, play it cool. If you think the message might be legit, don’t engage with it directly. Visit your school’s website or Canvas’ official site using a link you know is safe, or give them a call using a number you’ve used before. Trust me, it’s way better than accidentally giving your data to some digital villain.

While we’re on this techy topic, now’s a great time to talk about identity theft. Even if you haven’t noticed anything fishy with your accounts, it’s a smart idea to keep an eye on things. Head over to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach for a crash course on what you can do to protect yourself or your mini-you from identity theft. Think of it as your personal shield against the dark forces of the internet.

And remember, you don’t need to file an identity theft report unless you’ve got solid evidence that your information has been misused. Until then, just keep your passwords strong, your software updated, and your wits about you.

Alright, class dismissed! But before you go, keep this URL handy for more tips on spotting imposters: ftc.gov/imposters. Stay safe and savvy out there!

For the original article, head over to FTC’s blog.

Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/what-know-after-canvas-cyberattack