With the holiday season approaching, most of us will be starting our online shopping. While it is super convenient, online shopping is also an opportunity for criminals to steal your personal information and money. The good news: By following some simple steps you can protect yourself from being a victim of fraud.

Before entering personal information on a website, make sure the site is legitimate and safe. A site that displays “https” is secure. 

Exchanging in a “hot” real estate market is just as relevant today, as it was in 2017 when Northern 1031 Exchange Senior Vice President, John Starling, wrote this article for the New England Real Estate Journal. Selling a property in the current hot real estate market is the easy part. Buyers are plentiful and offers are high. However, securing a replacement property to buy in a hot market is where it gets tricky.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which was established to promote the role that cybersecurity plays in our everyday lives. Now in its 18th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month was founded by the National Security Alliance and the Department of Homeland Security. Recently, ransomware attacks have hit our schools, small businesses, etc. and are a major focus of this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts a victim's files and folders.

Lately, the Tax Reform Bill and proposed cap on Like Kind Exchanges (LKEs) has been making headlines. This cap will impact real estate investors who utilize exchanges to grow and diversify their businesses. As Congress continues to debate the Tax Reform Bill, the benefits of 1031 exchange continue to mount. Like many other financial institutions, Northern Bank is working on understanding the Bill’s impact on investor clients and addressing their concerns.

An imposter scam occurs when an individual, or a group of people, trick victims into sending money or providing confidential information. Your information is then used to steal your money or identity. Imposter scams are conducted using various methods. A phone call used to be the most popular but has since been replaced with emails and texts. Despite the sophistication of modern impersonation scam techniques, there are simple ways to protect yourself.

Mobile devices have become an integral part of everyday life, storing personal and important information, including pictures, emails, apps, and financial accounts. Almost anything that can be done on a computer can now be done from a mobile device. As mobile devices become even more robust, it becomes even more critical to maintain device security. Our mobile security tips, combined with staying vigilant, can help mitigate your risk of cyber attack.

In memory of Jim McGarry, the Northern Bank Charitable Foundation would like to extend a big congratulations to the 2021 James E. McGarry Jr. Scholarship recipient Luke Witherell of Littleton. The scholarship was established in 2014 to honor the late “Jim” McGarry of Woburn and his 50 years of service at Northern Bank, as well as his lifelong affinity for, and ongoing support of the police and fire departments in the community.

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.

Did you know that summer is the busiest season in real estate? Northern Bank's Michele Fitzpatrick was recently invited to present a CE credit class for Cotter Law and the WFG Real Estate School, where the hot real estate market was the focal point of discussion. She was joined by Attorney Elizabeth Cotter of Cotter Law and Lisa Stills from WFG National Title Insurance Company.

The simplest way to protect yourself from fraud is to be aware. Recently during the pandemic, there’s been an increase in scammers making fake calls asking consumers to make payments with gift cards. Gifts cards are not to be used to pay the IRS, social security, tech support, or a family member. 

Every year, Earth Day sparks much reflection on green living and environmental protection. But how often do you think about the environment in relation to your banking habits? Fortunately, you can save the environment and your money with these four quick tips. 

Corporate Account Takeover occurs when cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to business accounts using various online tools. Leveraging these tools, cybercriminals can access online banking accounts and gather applicable information to conduct financial crimes.