Debit and credit card fraud happens every day in our complex global economy. Threats exist not only with retail purchases, but also with online transactions, email schemes, and internet scams. Identity theft is an ongoing concern.
Our fraud protection services actively anticipate, address, and help prevent security threats. If suspicious activity occurs, an experienced fraud analyst will contact you to verify the authenticity of your card transactions.
If you believe your debit card or PIN has been lost or stolen, please call us immediately at (860) 379-7561 or (800) 455-6668 from anywhere in the USA. You also have the option of deactivating your card 24/7 through your online banking account or mobile app. Also, if you deactivate a lost card and then happen to find it, you can reactivate it.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud or have fallen for a scam, contact Northwest Community Bank immediately at (860) 379-7561 or (800) 455-6668 from anywhere in the USA.
1. ALERT
Call Northwest Community Bank right away to secure your accounts and pause compromised cards.
Contact any other financial institutions where you hold accounts to flag potential activity.
Reach out to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit file.
2. REVIEW
Review your deposit history and recent transactions carefully to identify any unauthorized charges.
Check your official credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com to spot unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
Review your insurance policies to see if you have coverage for fraud-related financial losses.
3. REPORT
Submit an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov to receive an official FTC Affidavit for your records.
File a police report with your local department, providing your FTC Affidavit and account documentation as evidence.
Report online scams or cyber fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
Enjoy 24/7 debit card monitoring. Trained analysts watch for suspicious activity and contact you immediately to verify transactions.
Shop online with confidence. Real-time risk analysis protects your transactions behind the scenes without slowing down checkout.
Manage your debit cards on demand. Get real-time notifications for balance changes and transactions, or turn lost/stolen cards off and on directly in the app.
Reduce paper trails and identity theft risks by accessing your official account statements securely online.
Like all forms of scams and schemes, incidents of fraudulent text messaging (smishing) have been increasing nationally, as well as locally. Scammers send text messages that appear to come from banks, delivery services, government agencies, or well-known businesses, often spoofing names and numbers that make the message look legitimate. They will use tricks such as urgent scare tactics–claiming a debit card is canceled, a package is delayed, or a tax payment is past due–or tempt you with fake prizes to steal your personal and account details.
If you receive an unsolicited text message requesting immediate action, do not click on any links, open attachments, or reply to the message. Northwest Community Bank will NEVER send a text message asking you to click a link to log in, reveal personal credentials, or call an unfamiliar phone number.
For more information or to report fraudulent activity: call or visit any of our branch locations.
For more information on scams: Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/ or call 855-411-2372.
Fraudulent email scams (phishing) are among the most common tactics used by cybercriminals to steal personal credentials, financial details, and identity information. Scammers construct emails that mimic trusted brands, online retailers, utility companies, or financial institutions like Northwest Community Bank. These emails often warn of fake security breaches, unauthorized purchases, or locked accounts, urging you to click a link or download an attachment.
Never share sensitive credentials, such as account passwords, debit card PINs, full card numbers, or social security details, via email. Northwest Community Bank will NEVER ask you to disclose or verify sensitive information through an email link.
If you receive an email that appears suspicious, check the sender's actual email address carefully, do not click on any links or download attachments, and contact the organization directly using a verified contact method.
For more information or to report fraudulent activity: call or visit any of our branch locations.
For more information on scams: Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/ or call 855-411-2372.
Fraudulent check scams occur when thieves use counterfeit, altered, or stolen checks to exploit unsuspecting individuals. Victims are typically contacted regarding an online sale, a remote job offer, a lottery or prize winning, or a mystery shopping opportunity. The scammer sends a check for more than the expected amount and instructs the recipient to deposit it and immediately wire back or send part of the money before the check fully clears.
Never transfer funds, purchase gift cards, or wire money against a recently deposited check. Once a check is flagged as fraudulent by the banking system, you are legally liable for the full amount transferred out of your account.
Be cautious and skeptical of unsolicited checks, overpayments on items you are selling, and unfamiliar payment requests to safeguard against such fraud.
For more information or to report fraudulent activity: call or visit any of our branch locations.
For more information on scams, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at:
www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/ or call 855-411-2372.
Online romance scams occur when fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites, apps, or social media to build trust with unsuspecting victims. Over time, the scammer establishes an emotional connection, only to fabricate an urgent crisis–such as medical emergencies, travel expenses, or legal trouble–and request financial help.
Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to someone you may have met only online, no matter how compelling, urgent, or affectionate their story may seem.
If someone you met online asks for money or access to your bank account, cut off communication immediately and protect your financial details.
For more information or to report fraudulent activity: call or visit any of our branch locations.
For more information on scams: Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/ or call 855-411-2372.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving at an unprecedented pace, making scams harder to spot visually and audibly. Today's AI tools allow fraudsters to clone human voices, generate realistic images or videos, and craft highly personalized messages using just brief information from social media. Cybercriminals use voice cloning to impersonate family members in an emergency, legal representatives, or institution officials, relying on panic and isolation tactics (such as insisting you keep the situation a secret from others) to bypass critical thinking. Demand for immediate payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards is a red flag.
When high-stakes financial decisions or sudden emergencies are involved, never rely on voice or video alone. Always pause, protect your credentials, and verify through a trusted secondary channel. Create a unique word or phrase with your loved ones to instantly verify their identity if you receive a suspicious call claiming they are in an emergency.
For more information or to report suspicious activity: call or visit any of our branch locations.
For more information on scams, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at:
www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/ or call 855-411-2372.
Please let us know when you plan to travel. We will notify Fraud Prevention Services that there could be charges to your card from your vacation location. This will ensure that your debit card transactions will not trigger a card alert and will prevent them from blocking the card.
To notify us, please stop into any branch, call us at 800-455-6668, or place a travel alert through your online banking account or mobile app.
For your convenience we have compiled some of our most frequently asked questions and the answers:
No. Northwest Community Bank will never call, text, or email you requesting your password, online banking credentials, security codes, card PIN, or full card number. We will never ask you for remote access to your personal devices or ask you to transfer funds to assist with an investigation.
Yes. Our automated security monitoring systems analyze account activity for unusual patterns, such as unexpected out-of-state transactions or large, out-of-character purchases. If something looks suspicious, our team will reach out to confirm the activity with you.
Do not click any links, open attachments, or reply to the message. If you want to verify whether a communication was authentic, call us directly at (860) 379-7561 or (800) 455-6668.
If you believe your debit card or PIN has been lost or stolen, please call us immediately at (860) 379-7561 or (800) 455-6668 from anywhere in the USA. You also have the option of deactivating your card 24/7 through your online banking account or mobile app. Also, if you deactivate a lost card and then happen to find it, you can reactivate it.
FraudWatch Plus provides round-the-clock monitoring for your debit card. Trained analysts watch for unusual activity 24/7/365. If a suspicious transaction is detected, an automated system or fraud specialist will contact you immediately via text or call to verify the transaction before taking further action.
Enhanced 3D Secure evaluates online purchases in real time using background factors like location and device type. It automatically verifies legitimate transactions without requiring extra passwords at checkout, stopping high-risk purchases before they are complete.
Yes. Through the Northwest Community Bank App or online banking, you can toggle your card OFF to block new transactions. If you find your card, simply toggle it back ON to resume normal use.
Stop all communication with the individual(s) immediately and do not send any money, wire transfers, or gift cards. If you have already shared account details or sent funds from your Northwest Community Bank account, contact your local branch or call our support team right away so we can help secure your account.
Paper statements left in mailboxes or trash bins are a prime target for identity thieves. Switching to eStatements keeps your private account details safely behind encrypted online banking logins.
If you do not find the answer to your question, please contact your local branch so we may assist you.