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Protect What Matters: Simple Ways to Help Secure Your Identity and Data

January 26, 2026
As we kick off the new year, two important observances remind us to safeguard our personal and financial information: Identity Theft Awareness Week (January 26–30) and Data Privacy Day (January 28). These events highlight the growing need to protect ourselves in an increasingly digital world. 

Why These Dates Matter 

Identity Theft Awareness Week focuses on preventing fraud and helping victims recover. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, like your Social Security number or bank account details, to commit fraud. It can lead to drained accounts, damaged credit, and months of stress.  

Data Privacy Day is part of a global campaign to raise awareness about how our personal data is collected, shared, and sometimes exploited. With billions of people online, every click, purchase, and post creates a digital footprint. This day encourages individuals and businesses to respect privacy and take control of their data. 

How to Protect Yourself: 

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords 
  • Avoid reusing passwords across accounts. Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.  
  • Consider adopting passkeys or passphrases.  
  • Example: Instead of “Opportunity123,” try something like “ILoveBanking@OppB@nk!Montana2026.” 

2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication  
  • Add an extra layer of security to your bank, email, and social media accounts.  
  • Example: When logging into online banking, you enter your password and then confirm a code sent to your phone. 

3. Monitor Your Accounts 
  • Review bank statements regularly and set up transaction alerts. 
  • Check your credit report and look for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. You can get a free report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Our free Credit Sense tool also provides alerts and access to your report. 
  • Example: If you get an alert for a $500 purchase you didn’t make, you can act immediately to help stop fraud. 

4. Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze 
  • A fraud alert makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name. 
  • A credit freeze blocks access to your credit report entirely. 
  • Example: After losing your wallet, you place a credit freeze with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to prevent new credit accounts from being opened. 

5. Be Wary of Phishing Scams 
  • Don’t click links or open attachments from unknown senders. 
  • Verify requests for personal information by contacting the company directly at a known, published number.  
  • Example: You receive an email saying “Your account is locked—click here to verify.” Instead, you call your bank directly to confirm. 

6. Protect Physical Documents 
  • Shred old bank statements and tax forms before discarding. 
  • Collect mail daily and place a hold when traveling.  
  • Consider using password protected electronic statements, when available. 
  • Example: Before recycling, you shred last year’s tax return to prevent dumpster divers from stealing your Social Security number. 

7. Update Privacy Settings 
  • Review privacy settings on apps and devices regularly. 
  • Delete apps you no longer use and enable automatic software updates.  
  • Example: On Facebook, consider changing your profile settings so only friends can see your posts, not the public. 

9. Limit Data Sharing 
  • Share only what’s necessary online. Avoid posting personal details like your child’s school or your home address. 
  • Example: You skip an online quiz asking for your mother’s maiden name, a common security question, because it could be a scam. 

10. If Identity Theft Happens 
  • Report it immediately at IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan, and contact your local Opportunity Bank branch for assistance. 
  • Example: After noticing a credit card you didn’t open, you file a report on IdentityTheft.gov and freeze your credit. 

Take Action This January 

Use Identity Theft Awareness Week and Data Privacy Day as reminders to review your security habits. By making security a habit, whether it’s updating passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, or shredding old documents, you’re building a strong defense against fraud and data misuse. These small actions add up to big protection. 

Resources 

-FTC Identity Theft Help: IdentityTheft.gov  
-FTC Consumer Advice: consumer.ftc.gov 
-Annual Credit Report: annualcreditreport.com 
-Data Privacy Tips: StaySafeOnline.org 

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