True Crime: Could You Become a Victim?

​It started simply enough. A member received a text alert about a questionable Visa credit card transaction. They tapped “no”, which blocked the transaction from going through. (So far, so good.)
Next, the member received a phone call asking about the transaction. The Caller ID made it appear the call was coming from NorthCountry, so when the caller asked for the member’s online banking credentials, the member cooperated. (Red flag! We will never ask you to divulge your password.) Once logged in, here’s what happened next:

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​​What the criminal did in online banking	​Why they did it
Reset the member’s online banking password	Block the member’s online account access
Marked the Visa credit card for travel	Allow transactions that don’t fit your normal spending habits and in places you don’t typically visit
Set up an external transfer account in Popmoney	Send money electronically from the member’s account to someone else
Change the email, mailing address, and phone number	​Block our attempts to contact you by email, mail, and phone​

Please be extremely careful when it comes to keeping your accounts safe.

1. Don’t assume the Caller ID is truthful. Criminals know how to spoof phone numbers.
2. Never give out your password or PIN.
3. If you have a question about an email, text, or phone call, call us at (802) 657-6847 or toll-free (800) 660-3258. Don’t reply directly to the suspicious email, text, or phone call – the person on the other end is probably trying to trick you into believing they’re us.
4. If someone is pressuring you to divulge your account access information, don’t do it. We already have your account information. We don’t need your password.
5. Review your account statements and promptly report any suspicious activity.

For more information on keeping your account safe, visit the security page of our website.