Three cybersecurity firms serving the North Penn area launched free workshops last month to teach residents how to avoid online scams. Ace Technology Group, Mercer Bucks Technology, and Computrex started the program after local police reported increased digital fraud targeting residents across Lansdale, Lower Salford, and surrounding communities.
The firms held their first sessions at Lansdale Public Library and North Penn Commons in early September. More than 120 people attended the initial workshops, which covered everything from password security to identifying fake websites. Pennsylvania ranked fifth nationwide for cyber crime complaints in 2024, with residents reporting over $400 million in losses to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
The timing matters for North Penn. In March, a Lower Salford woman lost $40,000 to someone posing as an FBI agent. Lansdale police handled multiple check fraud cases earlier this year. These aren't isolated incidents. The scams follow patterns instructors now address in workshops.
Each 90-minute session takes place at community venues across the region. Upcoming locations include Indian Valley Public Library in Telford and North Wales Area Library. The companies rotate instructors, bringing in certified security analysts who work with local businesses daily. Sessions accommodate up to 40 participants and fill up fast.
"We're not selling anything," said Brian Matthews, a cybersecurity consultant with Mercer Bucks Technology. "These are the same threats our corporate clients face. If we can teach 500 residents this year how to protect themselves, that's 500 fewer potential victims."
The program runs twice monthly through December, with plans to expand in 2026 if demand continues. Corporate sponsors cover venue costs and materials, keeping the workshops accessible to anyone interested.
Instructors focus on practical skills people can use immediately. The curriculum addresses phishing emails, which consistently rank as the top complaint type nationwide according to FBI data. Participants receive a checklist for verifying email authenticity and practice identifying red flags in sample messages.
Password management gets significant attention. Most people reuse passwords across multiple accounts, creating vulnerabilities hackers exploit routinely. Workshop leaders demonstrate password managers and explain two-factor authentication without overwhelming non-technical attendees.
Another topic covers international online regulation. Instructors use examples like platforms listing reputable casinos not on Gamstop to show how different countries handle licensing. These review sites display regulatory bodies, certification details, and ownership information that operators must provide. Learning to spot these markers helps participants evaluate any service.
One session covers how to tell legitimate services from fake clones. Scammers build convincing replica websites that steal login credentials and financial information. Participants learn to check domain registrations, verify security certificates, and research company backgrounds before entering sensitive data.
"People assume a professional-looking website means it's safe," said Jennifer Park, who attended the September session at Lansdale Public Library. "I didn't know you could check who actually owns a site or whether their business license is real. That's useful for anything I do online."
The workshops include case studies drawn from local incidents. One Lansdale resident lost thousands to a fake tech support scam. Another nearly transferred money to what appeared to be their bank's fraud department, which turned out to be criminals spoofing the caller ID.
David Chen, a small business owner from Harleysville, said the session changed how he handles company email. "I thought I was pretty careful, but I learned our employees were one click away from a ransomware attack. We implemented new protocols the next day."
Instructors emphasize that anyone can fall victim to sophisticated scams. Criminals study human psychology and exploit trust, urgency, and authority. The goal isn't to make people paranoid but to build healthy skepticism and verification habits.
The next workshops take place October 19 at Indian Valley Public Library and October 26 at North Penn Commons. November dates will be announced later this month. Registration is required due to limited seating. Interested residents can sign up through the Lansdale Public Library website or contact any of the three participating firms directly.
The companies also offer customized sessions for local businesses and nonprofits. Several North Penn organizations have scheduled private workshops for their staff. Manna on Main Street, housed at North Penn Commons, recently held a session for volunteers who handle donor information.
Ace Technology Group's Mike Sullivan said the turnout surprised them. "We anticipated maybe 30 people at the first event. When 60 showed up, we knew we hit a nerve. Cybersecurity feels complicated and technical, but these basics are learnable. You don't need a computer science degree to protect yourself online."
The companies are trying something different with this approach. Rather than waiting for problems to escalate, they're investing in prevention through education. If the North Penn pilot proves successful, organizers hope to expand it across southeastern Pennsylvania.
For registration information and upcoming workshop dates, visit lansdalelibrary.org or contact the cybersecurity firms directly through their websites.
