Everyday Habits that Protect Your Identity

If protecting your personal information feels inconvenient, imagine how difficult and time-consuming it would be to recover it after identity theft. The good news? Preventative steps are far easier than repairing the damage. Here are practical ways to safeguard your identity and reduce your risk.

Secure Important Documents at Home

Carrying sensitive documents like your Social Security card in your wallet or purse significantly increases your risk if those items are lost or stolen. Store important documents at home in a secure location, such as:

• A locked filing cabinet

• A safe

• A safety deposit box

This includes Social Security cards, birth certificates, financial statements, passwords, marriage certificates, and any document containing identifiable personal information.

Reduce Paper Trails

Going paperless helps prevent personal information from being intercepted through mail theft or discarded paperwork. Digital statements reduce exposure—and, as a bonus, paper waste.

Shred Before You Dispose

When you no longer need physical documents, dispose of them properly. Never throw away paperwork that contains:

• Social Security numbers

• Dates of birth

• Account numbers

• Email addresses

• Phone numbers

• Financial details

Shredding sensitive documents is one of the simplest and most effective protective measures. Many Frandsen Bank & Trust locations have Shred-It days where you can safely dispose of sensitive documents for free. Ask your baker for information.

Monitor Accounts in Real Time

Regularly reviewing your accounts allows you to catch suspicious activity early. Digital banking tools make this easier than ever. In online and mobile banking, you can set up balance, transaction, and deposit notifications.

Strengthen Your Password Habits

Weak or reused passwords are one of the most common security risks. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts, and update passwords periodically. Consider using a password manager and enabling multi-factor authentication whenever available.

Review Your Credit Report Annually

Monitoring your credit report helps you identify suspicious accounts or inaccuracies before they become larger problems. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to request your free credit reports. You may contact a credit bureau about information found on your report.

Experian
Experian.com/help
888.397.3742

TransUnion
TransUnion.com/credit-help
888.909.8872

Equifax
Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
800.685.1111

Identity theft can disrupt your finances, your credit, and your peace of mind. Taking proactive steps today, securing documents, monitoring accounts, and strengthening digital security, can significantly reduce your risk tomorrow. Your information is valuable. Protect it like it is.