Identity Theft Awareness Week: Steps for keeping your identity safe.

Created by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), Identity Theft Awareness Week is January 26–30, 2026), featuring events and tools to help consumers prevent, detect, and recover from identity theft. Mark your calendar, explore the resources, and take these steps to protect yourself from identity theft.

1) Freeze your credit (the gold standard)

Put a credit freeze on your files at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to block new‑account fraud. Freezes cost $0, don’t affect your score, and you can lift them temporarily when you need credit. Online/phone freeze requests must be placed within one business day; unfreezes must be lifted within one hour.

2) Add a fraud alert when you’re at risk

If your data was exposed or you suspect misuse, place a fraud alert (1 year) so lenders verify your identity before opening new accounts; extended alerts last 7 years for confirmed victims; active‑duty alerts protect servicemembers. Place one alert and it propagates to the other bureaus.

3) Upgrade to phishing‑resistant sign‑ins

Move beyond SMS codes to passkeys and Fast Identity Online Web Authentication API’s (aka FIDO WebAuthn), biometrics, or hardware security keys—methods that bind logins to the real site and defeat adversary‑in‑the‑middle phishing. meeting modern assurance levels.

4) Shut down SIM‑swap risks

Ask your carrier to add an account PIN/passcode and turn on change alerts. The FCC now requires stronger authentication and customer notifications for SIM swaps and number port‑outs—use those protections and prefer app‑based MFA over SMS.

5) Watch your mailbox (and claim your address)

Enroll in USPS Informed Delivery® to preview incoming mail and spot missing or diverted items—one of the simplest ways to reduce mail‑based identity theft.

6) Use your credit score as an early warning

Your credit score reacts to new accounts, utilization spikes, and missed payments—sudden, unexplained moves can signal fraud.
How to check inside LFCU Online Banking:

1. Sign in to Online Banking (web or app).
2. Select Credit Score on your dashboard and enroll (first visit).
3. Review score factors and set alerts for score changes.
   If something looks off, pull your full credit reports and investigate immediately.

7) Review your credit reports—free, every week

Get free weekly credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Scan for accounts you don’t recognize, wrong addresses, or unfamiliar inquiries—then dispute errors fast.

8) Add an IRS Identity Protection PIN before filing taxes

An IP PIN is a six‑digit code that stops anyone from e‑filing a tax return with your SSN. It’s available to any taxpayer who verifies identity, and you can retrieve yours via your IRS online account each year (available in mid‑January).

If a company says your data was breached

Follow the FTC’s steps: monitor your reports, consider a freeze or fraud alert, and—if you see misuse—create a personalized recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.

Below, we’ve created a best practices checklist for identity theft protection.

• Freeze credit (all three bureaus).
• Add fraud alerts when needed.
• Turn on phishing‑resistant MFA/passkeys.
• Set a carrier account PIN; avoid SMS‑only security.
• Enroll in USPS Informed Delivery®.
• Check your LFCU credit score regularly; investigate unexpected changes.
• Pull free weekly reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.