When we give out our email address then how can we get hurt?

When we give someone our email address to function in a virtual community then how can we get hurt in our physical community? 

I will venture my opinion to answer the above question.  
I do not see my opinion as a permanent answer.

I am aware that some people will always try to take something from others.
I am aware that some programmer will always be interested in hacking a virtual system to get personal ID information.
And, once they have my personal ID info then they are able to run a scam on my financial contacts. 
And, I am aware that we have people who will advertise a job in Craigslist and lure simple job seekers to their death.

At the same time, I know that when I use my email address to access Patch, Vanguard, or Valley Savings then I am likely to save time or gain in my quality of life.  

And, I may even be able to improve the quality of life for people in my virtual and physical community -- at the same time by sharing what little I know via Patch.

But, I take a risk to get a gain.  Thus, I want to lower my risk and increase my gain -- when I try to contact people.


As a member of my physical community (in a residence at 144 Grant Ave. in Cuyahoga Falls), we have one mayor, one school district that includes Silver Lake Village, and one library district that does not include all of Cuyahoga Falls.  

Each of these key players have the authority to tax us.  I must contact the city to get electric and water service.  I prefer to contact the school and library to see what they offer in services.


As a member of my virtual community (whom I contact via lschott1@gmail.com), we have three or more mayors, multiple school districts and library districts.
The physical boundaries of the taxing authorities have limits.  The boundaries and benefits of my virtual community are boundless.  And, the cost in money is trending toward zero.

I consider my highest risk of loss to be financial and related to my personal ID information residing with Vanguard, Valley, and the City of Cuyahoga Falls.  Note:  Akron was hacked recently.  

I trust the security systems of Vanguard and Valley.  They are so secure that I usually forget how to navigate their security system and thus cannot see my own financial information.

I worry about my personal ID info in our City's system.  Given the attitude that I get from some departments of our city when I ask for information, I feel reluctant to use the virtual systems of our City. 

More on this later.  In the meantime, please comment.  

I am 100% sure that none of us (as individuals) have all of the answers.
But, together, we might come up with better answers.