4 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft From Happening to You
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on Monday, November 27, 2017
in
Security & Fraud Information
Fraud is scary, and according to a recent report by third-party research firm, Javelin Strategy & Research, 15.4 million people were victims in 2016. Your security is our top priority, and while we try to prevent our customers from fraud by monitoring account activity, here are some additional steps you can take to ensure it doesn’t happen to you:
- Check your accounts regularly for unusual activity. If you sign up for Northwest Bank Alerts within Internet Banking, you can personalize these alerts for specific activity, such as deposits or withdrawals.
- Change your passwords often. In addition to changing your passwords regularly, use different usernames and password combinations for each online account. Passwords are the first line of defense to prevent unauthorized access to your account. The strength of your password is based on its complexity, length, and uniqueness. Additional authentication methods such as image verification, security questions, or access confirmation on a separate device should be completed for all accounts.
- Beware of phishing scams. If you are contacted by someone – completely unsolicited – seeking personal information, chances are this is a phishing scam. Fraudsters may pose as company representatives, use authentic-looking websites or use emails with malicious links in an attempt to gather your personal information. Do not provide any sensitive information and avoid clicking on links from unfamiliar or suspicious emails.
- If you suspect any fraudulent activity with your account please contact Northwest Bank immediately at 1-800-678-4105, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST. If you have questions or need to report suspicious activity on your debit card Shazam can be reached at 1-866-508-2693.