Spoofing schemes are on the rise and criminals are now pretending to be bank employees. As a reminder, Northern Bank will not call you and ask for personal information like PINs, passwords, social security numbers, or account numbers. Be wary of texts, calls, or emails that ask you to log into, or send money with, payment apps. If you receive a call matching this description, or alerts of suspicious activity on your account, please contact us immediately at 1-800-273-6908 Option "0".

June 24, 2021

Identity Theft – What to Do Right Away!

Written by: Michael Quigley Fraud Manager, Northern Bank
Fraud Prevention

What is identify theft and how does it occur? According to the FTC, identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal or financial information to make purchases, get benefits, file taxes, or commit fraud. It usually occurs due to a data breach where your personal information was stored somewhere and stolen. You can also become a victim if you provide your personal information to a malicious caller or if one of your personal passwords are compromised.


It is a stressful situation learning that you are a victim of identity theft, but there are steps you can take to be proactive and get protected.

  • If you know the company where the fraud occurred, you should call their fraud department right away.
  • Freezing your credit and other accounts when not in use.
  • Change logins, passwords, and PINs.


Other recommended steps from the FTC include contacting one of the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax) to place a free fraud alert and obtaining and reviewing your credit reports for fraudulent activity. Ultimately, identity theft should be reported to the FTC directly via identitytheft.gov and including as many details as possible. Based on the information you provide, a report and personal recovery plan will be created. Identitytheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.


These are just some of the ways to protect yourself against identity theft. Fraud awareness is important to our clients and to Northern Bank. Remember to check back for our latest fraud tips!


Written by
Michael Quigley
Fraud Manager, Northern Bank

Michael Quigley is an experienced Fraud Manager with a demonstrated history of working within the Financial Crime industry as well as a Private Investigator. At Northern, Michael has played an integral role in developing a robust fraud detection and prevention plan for the Bank. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree focused on Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, a certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS), Chairperson of a local fraud group, and an active member of several local, national, and international Financial Crime groups.

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About Northern Bank & Trust Company

Northern Bank is a full-service bank dedicated to providing practical, common sense financial solutions to help our customers live their lives and grow their businesses. From deposit products to loans to payment and collections services, we work hands-on with our entrepreneurial customers, both locally and across the country, to provide the financial support they need to realize their personal and business goals. Founded in 1960, Northern Bank has assets of $3.11 billion with 12 locations serving communities throughout Middlesex County. Northern Bank is a Member of the FDIC, and an Equal Housing Lender.

 

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