Though the Holiday season has just wound down and we’ve celebrated the arrival of a new year, this time of year is still peak season for cybercriminals and identity thieves.  Links: Explore sites Charity Navigator and Give.org to find trusted charity organizations Learn more about the benefits of a Better Checking account Check out TCU University for financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   With online shopping, traveling, and increased sharing of personal information, the risk of identity theft can rise dramatically this time of year. Follow these tips to help keep your identity safe and, in turn, keep this season, and your new year, stress-free.  Safeguard Your Personal information Whether you’re still shopping in-store or online or traveling to visit friends and family, limit the information that you share. Avoid oversharing and only provide the details necessary for a purchase or transaction. Shred any sensitive documents, since discarded holiday offers, receipts, and financial statements can be goldmines for thieves. Finally, stay vigilant of potential phishing scams. Ignore unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal details for payment information.  Strengthen Your Digital Security Cybercriminals ramp up their activities before and after the holidays. Keep your accounts secure and help protect your personal information by enhancing the security of your accounts and your devices. You can stay secure by keeping software up to date. Regular updates help patch vulnerabilities in your devices and the applications that you use. Additionally, when you enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your account by validating your identity through more than one authentication method. And remember to use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts.   Watch Out for Charity Scams While the season inspires generosity, it’s also exploited by scammers. Before you donate, take time to verify the charity’s legitimacy. Trusted sites like Charity Navigator and Give.org can help you identify and evaluate charity ratings and donor resources. Avoid donating through email or social media links and go directly to the charity’s official website.  Secure Your Mail and Travel Plans During this time of year, your mail and travel habits can expose you to risks. Hold your mail if you are traveling or ask a trusted neighbor to collect it. Beware of package theft, too. If you are unavailable to bring deliveries inside right away, consider using secure delivery options or pick-up lockers to keep your parcels safe. Additionally, if you’re traveling in the near future, be mindful about what you share. Advertising your absence or accidentally revealing sensitive data in photos, such as full name and date of birth, could increase your risk of identity theft and fraud.  At Triangle Credit Union, your security is our top priority. By following these tips now and throughout the year, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Stay vigilant and proactive in looking after your personal and financial information.   If you suspect identity theft for any reason, contact us - even if it’s not related to your account at Triangle. If you have a Triangle Better Checking account, you have access to a professional, certified Identity Theft Recovery Advocate who can work with you one-on-one to identify and resolve identity theft or fraud and return your identity and your accounts to pre-event status.  If there are any other tips or topics you would like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to t