January 26-30, 2026, marks the annual Identity Theft Awareness Week, a crucial time to focus on protecting your personal and financial information. This national observance, often spearheaded by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its partners, shines a light on one of the fastest-growing crimes and empowers consumers with the knowledge to safeguard their identities.
The threat of identity theft is real and constantly evolving. Criminals look for any opportunity to gain access to your Social Security number, account details, or other personal data to open new accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, or steal your tax refund.
Identity theft risks include financial ruin through fraudulent credit, loans, and bank accounts, as well as other serious consequences like medical identity theft, damage to your credit score and reputation, and time and money spent recovering your identity. Thieves can also use your information to commit crimes in your name, steal your tax refund, and gain access to your accounts or online profiles. A Simple Step for Powerful Protection: Switch to eDocs
One of the most effective and easiest ways to reduce your risk is to minimize the amount of sensitive information traveling through the mail—a common target for thieves. At BNC National Bank, we encourage all our clients to take advantage of our eDocs service.
Switching to eDocs is both friendly and safe:
Secure: eDocs are protected by the same high-level encryption and security protocols used for online banking, making them far more secure than paper statements that can be stolen from your mailbox or trash.
Convenient: You receive an email notification when your statement is ready, and you can view, download, or print your documents anytime, anywhere.
Environmentally Friendly: Reducing paper consumption is a positive step for the environment, aligning your financial habits with sustainable practices.
By eliminating paper statements, tax forms, and other sensitive documents from your physical mailbox, you drastically reduce a key point of vulnerability for identity thieves. Tips for a Safer 2026
Identity Theft Awareness Week is the perfect time to review your security habits. Here are a few essential tips:
Guard Your SSN: Never carry your Social Security card with you and only provide the number when absolutely necessary.
Stay Alert to Scams: Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, emails, or texts—especially those asking for your personal or financial information. Remember, the IRS and legitimate organizations will not contact you demanding immediate payment or asking for personal details via email.
Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized activity.
Protect Your Mail: Consider switching to eDocs today to keep your most sensitive documents out of the mail stream.
Make the secure choice today and switch to BNC eDocs. By choosing electronic delivery, you are taking an essential step in deterring identity theft by removing a key risk: paper statements in your mailbox.
For more in-depth guidance on how to deter, detect, and defend against identity theft, we encourage you to visit the Federal Trade Commission's official resource at IdentityTheft.gov. You can also find broader consumer information on data security on the FTC’s Privacy and Security page. Secure your information and enjoy the convenience of BNC eDocs now.
