This week marks Identity Theft and Data Privacy Awareness Week, and the numbers speak for themselves.

In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported more than 1.1 million reports of identity theft. Full-year data for 2025 isn’t available quite yet, but experts expect the total for 2025 to rise higher than ever seen before.

These figures are a powerful reminder of how important identity protection has become. At Wolf River Community Bank, we’re committed to helping you safeguard your personal information so you can stay one step ahead of fraud. And remember—your thumbs have power.  A tap (or choosing not to tap) can protect your identity.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud. Personal information can include your name, Social Security number, financial details, or other sensitive data.

Once the criminal has gathered enough pieces of your identity, they can start acting as if they are you. They can open new accounts, apply for credit cards, get medical care, and even get a job.  All of this puts your finances, reputation, and livelihood at risk!

That’s why understanding how identity theft works and knowing how to protect yourself is so incredibly important.

How does Identity Theft Typically Happen?

Identity theft doesn’t just happen in the movies; it’s a real threat that can happen to anyone, including you! Understanding how criminals gain access to your personal information is the first step in protecting yourself.

Criminals use a variety of tactics to obtain personal information. Most fall into one of two categories: digital threats and physical threats.

Digital Threats

Phishing and Vishing Scams: These are among the most common and effective methods that criminals use. Phishing involves fraudulent emails or text messages, while vishing uses phone calls or voicemail. In both cases, the goal is to trick you into revealing sensitive information.

With these scams, criminals often:

• Impersonate trusted organizations
• Create a false sense of urgency
• Use official-looking branding that mimic legitimate communications
• Spoof phone numbers so it appears to come from a familiar source
• Direct you to click on malicious links
• Request personal information under the guise of “verification”

Phishing and vishing scams work because they trigger quick emotional reactions—such as fear, confusion, or pressure—that can make you act before taking a second to think.

Data Breaches: When companies experience security breaches, large amounts of personal information can be exposed. Criminals may buy, sell, or trade this data on the dark web.

Malware: Malicious software, known as malware, can be installed through infected attachments, unsafe downloads, or compromised websites.

Once installed, malware can:

• Capture your keystrokes
• Steal login credentials
• Monitor activity
• Provide remote access to your device(s)

Public Wi-Fi: By connecting your device to an unsecured public network—like those found in airports, cafés, or hotels, you give criminals the opportunity to intercept the data that you send, including passwords and personal messages.

Social Media: Using social media to share fun and exciting life updates is a normal way to stay connected… but did you know it can unintentionally expose personal details that criminals can use to steal your identity? Information like birthdays, locations, family names, pet names, job details, and even travel plans can help criminals guess passwords, answer security questions, and build a convincing impersonation profile of you.

Physical Threats

Stolen Wallets/Purses: We tend to carry half our lives in our wallets and purses. That means if it’s lost or stolen, a criminal suddenly has access to your IDs, cards, and personal documents.

Stolen Mail: Mail can include bank statements, bills, medical documents, and pre-approved credit offers. All of these documents contain sensitive data, and when they’re stolen by a criminal? It can give them a starting point.

Stolen Trash: We may not think twice about tossing papers into the trash, but criminals do. Discarded mail, old statements, or documents with personal details can be a goldmine for identity thieves.

How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft:

Protect Your Personal Information

• Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
• Turn on multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Avoid sharing sensitive information over email, text, or unexpected phone calls.
• Keep your Social Security number private.

Stay Alert for Scams

• Pause before clicking links in emails or texts.
• Avoid downloading attachments from unknown senders.
• Verify unexpected requests by contacting the organization directly.
• Be cautious of messages that feel urgent, threatening, or “too good to be true”.
• Don’t share personal information with unsolicited callers.

Be Mindful on Social Media

• Limit how much personal information you share publicly.
• Review your privacy settings.
• Avoid posting travel plans in real time.
• Skip those quizzes that ask for details like pet names or birth years.

Protect Physical Documents

• Shred documents containing personal information.
• Collect your mail promptly.
• Carry only the essentials in your wallet or purse.
• Store important documents in a secure place at home.

Monitor Your Accounts

• Check bank and credit card statements regularly.
• Review your credit report often for accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize. The FTC video below highlights that fact:

We Make Monitoring Your Credit Easy

We offer a Free Credit Monitoring Tool called My Credit Manager, which you can enroll in through your Wolf River Community Bank online or mobile banking. Look for the “Learn More” button under Credit Score and complete the required verification questions to access your credit score and additional credit-monitoring resources.

Learn more about My Credit Manager!

Stay Safe—Reach Out

Identity theft is an evolving threat, but you don’t have to face it alone. By staying informed, practicing good security habits, and knowing where to turn for help, you can significantly reduce your risk.

The Federal Trade Commission offers resources to help you protect your identity and understand what steps to take if you ever become a victim of identity theft.

Wolf River Community Bank is also here to help. If you have questions or concerns about fraud or identity protection, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us right away so we can help stop fraud in its tracks.