Sparklight Hosts Free Lunch and Digital Safety Workshop in Cottonwood

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. (Oct. 8, 2026) – Local residents can learn practical ways to recognize scams, protect personal information and use the internet and mobile devices more safely during a digital safety workshop hosted by Sparklight®, a leading provider of internet and mobile service.

The workshop will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Station on 6th, formerly the Verde Valley Senior Center, 500 E. Cherry St. in Cottonwood. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m., followed by the presentation, question-and-answer session and drawing for a $200 Visa gift card.

The free workshop is open to residents throughout Cottonwood, Verde Village and the surrounding Verde Valley.
 

KEY FACTS

•    A free digital safety workshop will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Station on 6th in Cottonwood.
•    Sparklight experts will cover internet and mobile phone basics, scam recognition, safer online shopping and ways to protect personal information.
•    People age 60 and older filed 201,266 complaints with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2025 and reported approximately $7.75 billion in losses.
•    Sparklight will also provide information about Lift Internet, its low-cost internet service for eligible households.
•    The free digital safety workshop is limited to 75 participants.

Online Scams Increase the Need for Digital Safety Education

Online fraud continues to affect consumers across all age groups, with older adults reporting particularly significant losses. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Complaint Center Annual Report, people age 60 and older submitted 201,266 complaints and reported approximately $7.75 billion in losses during the year, the highest totals of any age group.

“Scams increasingly come through the same tools people use every day — text messages, email, websites and phone calls — and AI can make fraudulent messages appear very convincing,” said Jay Macleod, Sparklight Senior Regional Director. “We’re proud to share practical tips with our neighbors so they can be more secure using their computers and phones.”

What Residents Will Learn at the Cottonwood Workshop

The workshop will cover internet and mobile phone basics, common types of online and phone scams, safer online shopping and steps to strengthen online privacy and security.

Attendees will also learn how to evaluate suspicious texts, emails and websites before clicking links, sharing information or making a payment.

Sparklight representatives will also discuss Lift Internet, the company’s low-cost internet service for eligible households, and answer questions about available internet and mobile services.

Tools and Services That Support Safer Internet Use

In addition to community education sessions such as the Cottonwood workshop, Sparklight provides resources through its Digital Education Center, an online hub covering computer literacy, cybersecurity awareness and safe internet use.

Schedule and Registration Information

Space is limited to 75 participants. Attendees are welcome to bring a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. For more information or to sign up, call 928-634-5450 ext. 8229 or email office@vvscaz.org.

To learn more about Sparklight’s high-speed internet and mobile services, visit www.sparklight.com.

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About Sparklight   

Sparklight is a leading broadband communications provider delivering exceptional service and enabling more than 1 million residential and business customers across 24 states to thrive and stay connected to what matters most. Through Sparklight®, the brand our customers know and trust, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity – we’re transforming it with a commitment to innovation, reliability and customer experience at our core.

Our robust infrastructure and cutting-edge technology don’t just keep our customers connected; they help drive progress in education, business and everyday life. We’re dedicated to bridging the digital divide, empowering our communities and fostering a more connected world. When our customers choose Sparklight, they are choosing a team that is always working for them — one that believes in the relentless pursuit of reliability, because being a trusted neighbor isn’t just what we do — it’s who we are.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: Are there any free digital safety classes in Cottonwood?
Answer: Sparklight is hosting a digital safety workshop Wednesday, Oct. 14, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Station on 6th, formerly the Verde Valley Senior Center, at 500 E. Cherry St. in Cottonwood. 

Question: What will I learn at the digital safety workshop?
Answer: Sparklight experts will discuss common online and mobile scams, safer online shopping, ways to protect personal information, and internet and mobile phone basics. There will also be a drawing for a $200 Visa gift card.

Question: Is the Cottonwood internet safety workshop just for seniors?

Answer: No. The free event is open to all Cottonwood, Verde Village and greater Verde Valley-area residents. Space is limited to 75 participants. For more information or to sign up, call 928-634-5450 ext. 8229 or email office@vvscaz.org.

Question: Can I bring my phone or computer to the workshop?
Answer: Yes. Attendees are welcome to bring a mobile phone, tablet or laptop to the session.

Question: Where can I learn more about internet safety?
Answer: Sparklight’s Digital Education Center provides resources about computer literacy, cybersecurity awareness and safe internet use. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center also provides information about internet crime trends and reporting suspected fraud.

Question: Is there low-cost internet available for Cottonwood-area households?
Answer: Yes. Sparklight’s Lift Internet is a low-cost internet service for eligible households. Residents can check eligibility and learn more at http://www.sparklight.com/lift-internet.

Digital Safety Resources

•    FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center 2025 Annual Report: Data on internet crime complaints, reported losses and AI-related complaints.
•    Sparklight Digital Education Center: Resources covering computer literacy, cybersecurity awareness and safe internet use.
•    Sparklight Lift Internet: Information about Sparklight’s low-cost internet service for eligible households.