Identity Theft Awareness Week: 5 Simple Ways to Protect Yourself
Identity Theft Awareness Week, January 26–30, is a reminder that protecting your personal and financial information is an ongoing effort. Identity theft can happen to anyone, but small, consistent habits can reduce your risk.
Here are five practical tips you can use every day to help keep your identity and accounts secure.
Protect Your Personal Information
Your personal information is valuable, and scammers are always looking for ways to obtain it. Never share sensitive details like your Social Security number, online banking credentials, or account numbers unless you initiated the contact and trust the source.
Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, emails, or text messages claiming to be from a financial institution, utility company, or government agency. If something feels off, stop and verify before responding.
Tip to remember: If you did not start the conversation, do not share your information.
Strengthen Your Passwords
Strong passwords are one of the most effective tools for preventing unauthorized access to your accounts. Use long, unique passwords that combine letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid reusing the same password across multiple sites.
Whenever possible, enable multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of protection, even if your password is compromised.
Tip to remember: One password should never unlock everything.
Watch for Phishing Scams
Phishing scams often appear as urgent messages designed to make you act quickly. These messages may ask you to click a link, download an attachment, or confirm account information.
Take a moment to slow down. Legitimate organizations will not pressure you to provide sensitive information without giving you time to verify. When in doubt, contact the company directly using a trusted phone number or website.
Tip to remember: Urgency is a common scam tactic. Pause before you click.
Monitor Your Accounts Regularly
Review your bank and credit card statements often to catch suspicious activity early. Even small, unfamiliar transactions can be a sign of fraud.
If you notice anything unusual, report it immediately. Acting quickly can limit potential losses and make resolving issues easier.
Tip to remember: Check your accounts even when you are not expecting problems.
Secure Your Devices
Your devices hold a lot of personal information, so keeping them secure is essential. Install software updates as they become available, since updates often include important security fixes.
Use strong passcodes, fingerprint recognition, or facial recognition to lock your devices. If a device is lost or stolen, these safeguards can prevent unauthorized access.
Tip to remember: A locked device is your first line of defense.
Stay Informed and Stay Protected
Identity theft prevention is about awareness and smart habits. By taking proactive steps, you can protect yourself and your financial well-being year-round.
If you have questions or notice suspicious activity, contact MMCCU right away. We are here to help protect your accounts and your peace of mind.