Seven To-Dos for Identity Theft Awareness Week
January isn’t just about resolutions — it’s also a time to protect what matters most: your identity. With January 26 – 30 being Identity Theft Awareness Week, now is the perfect moment to strengthen your defenses.
Identity theft can lead to drained accounts, damaged credit and months of stress, but simple habits can help you stay safe. Here are seven to-dos you should consider:
1. Watch your transactions
Regularly reviewing your transactions allows you to catch fraudulent activity quickly.
By downloading the Kinecta mobile app, you can check your accounts and transactions from anywhere.
2. Check your credit
Credit monitoring helps you identify accounts you didn’t open or other issues that could arise from identity theft.
Sign up for complimentary credit score monitoring in online or mobile banking for an extra layer of protection.
3. Turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds a second identity check to protect your login credentials. Add this extra layer of security to your online banking logins to make it harder for account takeover fraud to occur.
Learn more about setting up MFA on your accounts with Kinecta with this step-by-step walkthrough.
4. Set up alerts & card controls
Get notified instantly about suspicious activity, like a big withdrawal or login from another device, with custom alerts in online or mobile banking. Plus, utilize card tools like lock/unlock card, transaction limits, alerts and more.
Set up custom alerts in online or mobile banking under Tools and Alerts or manage cards under Accounts and Card Management.
5. Protect your paper documents
Store W-2s and sensitive papers securely, especially those that contain your SSN. Identity thieves can exploit trash for valuable data so be sure to shred old documents.
We host complimentary shred events for our members at several branches each year. Lookout for our next one by checking our Community Events Calendar.
6. Think before you click
Never click unexpected links and never share secure information (e.g., login credentials or one-time passcodes), even if the person asking claims to be an employee of the company.
Learn more about how to protect your accounts and your identity at Kinecta’s Security Center.
7. Utilize identity theft monitoring resources
If you have Kinecta’s ProtectPlusTM checking account, you have access to identity monitoring tools, expense reimbursement coverage, high risk transaction, dark web and social media monitoring, and even resolution services. Be sure to register and activate your benefits so you can get the most from your checking account.
If you don’t have ProtectPlus, we encourage you to learn more about all the benefits it offers.