Many people take time throughout the year to clear out closets, organize paperwork, or give their homes a fresh start. But while you’re tidying up physical spaces, it’s just as important to tidy up something else: your personal data.
Online scams continue to grow more sophisticated, and organizations like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommend regular checkups to help reduce the risk of identity theft and account takeover. A quick “data cleanup” doesn’t take long — but it is a crucial step in the effort to keep your information safe.
Here’s a helpful checklist to get you started:
Review and strengthen your passwords
One of the easiest ways scammers access accounts is through weak or repeated passwords.
- Update any passwords you’ve reused across multiple accounts.
- Create strong passphrases that are long, memorable, and unique.
- Consider using a password manager to securely store and create strong passwords.
Check your financial and online accounts
Routinely reviewing your account activity is a key part of protecting yourself.
- Look over your financial institution, credit card, and investment statements for anything unfamiliar.
- Even small unauthorized charges can be an early warning sign.
- Review automatic payments, subscriptions you no longer use, recent logins, and linked devices.
If you see anything suspicious, contact your financial institution and update your password right away.
Update your security settings
Your online accounts may be sharing more than you realize.
- Review privacy settings on social media, email, and financial platforms.
- Keep personal details — such as your birthday, address, or phone number — private whenever possible.
- Turn on Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA) for an extra layer of protection.
Refresh your devices
Just like household items need maintenance, your phone, tablet, and computer do, too.
- Install software and security updates
- Delete unused apps
- Remove old files
- Ensure antivirus protections are up to date
- Restart devices to apply updates fully
Shred old documents and secure what you keep
Paper documents are still a target for identity thieves.
- Shred items such as outdated bills, account statements, canceled checks, and credit card offers.
- Store important documents — like tax forms or legal records — in a locked file box or secure home safe.
Request your free annual credit reports
You're entitled to free credit reports each year from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Review them for unfamiliar accounts, incorrect personal information, or activity you don’t recognize.
- If something looks wrong, report it immediately.
The bottom line
A periodic “data cleanup” may only take an hour, but it can significantly reduce your risk of identity theft. By reviewing accounts, strengthening passwords, updating device security, and safely disposing of old documents, you’re taking meaningful steps to protect your information.
For more tips to guard against scams and keep your information secure, visit cefcu.com/security.
