Fraud Recovery Checklist

If you believe you’ve become a victim of fraud, below are recommended steps you can take to help fix your credit and limit the impact to your account(s). Depending on the type of fraud, some of these steps may not be applicable.

If you suspect that there has been fraudulent activity with your Needham Bank account(s), call us at 781-444-2100 as soon as possible.

After realizing you’ve fallen victim to a scam or noticed fraudulent activity, it is important to remain calm so you can take the necessary steps as soon as possible.

  • Call 781-444-2100 or your local Needham Bank branch to let us know that you’ve been a victim of fraud
  • Contact other financial institutions with which you do business
  • Contact all three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report:

Equifax: 800-349-9960, Equifax.com/personal/contact-us

Experian: 888-397-3742, Experian.com/help

TransUnion: 888-909-8872, Transunion.com/customer-support

Fraud alerts and credit freezes are both free, however, they have different functions. When you have a fraud alert on your report, businesses must verify your identity before issuing new credit in your name. When you have a credit freeze on your report, access to your credit report is blocked and you cannot apply for new credit unless the freeze is lifted.

  • Submit your case to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) FTC: 877-382-4357, ftc.gov
  • Contact your local police or sheriff’s office to report the fraudulent activity

Take a breath. Now that the scam is reported, you can begin to repair the damage.

  • Change any bank account numbers, credit card numbers or debit card numbers affected by fraudulent activity
  • Close any accounts that were opened fraudulently in your name
  • Contact your credit card company to remove any fraudulent charges on your account
  • Review and correct your credit report by filing a dispute with the credit bureau(s) reporting the fraudulent error

Depending on the type of fraud, there might be additional steps you will need to take:

  • Get your electronic devices professionally wiped by a reputable company
  • Re-link any bank accounts, credit cards or debit cards to digital wallets, bill pay, etc.
  • Replace government-issued IDs
  • Clear your name of criminal charges

Follow these steps consistently to keep your accounts safe.

  • Monitor your accounts through online and mobile banking and set up alerts to watch your balances and to detect large withdrawals, large deposits, and when a check clears your account
  • Review your credit reports regularly
  • Use unique passwords that are hard to guess for each account you have
  • Visit secure websites that have the “https” in the web address
  • Confirm email requests via phone prior to making any transactions
  • Avoid clicking on a link or opening an attachment within an email or text message unless it’s from a known source
  • Keep your computers up-to-date by having automatic updates activated
  • Learn more by visiting these additional resources:

Federal Trade Commission: Reportfraud.ftc.gov
Federal Bureau of Investigation: Fbi.gov/scams-and-safety
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Consumerfinance.gov/fraud

Learn about Fraud Prevention

Learn how to protect yourself and others from fraud and scams.

Safeguard your business by proactively reducing the risk or fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

A compromised card is when your debit card account number was stored in a merchant’s file which may have been exposed to potential compromise. When these situations arise, Needham Bank may issue you a new card with a new card number, for your protection.

Needham Bank recommends that you shop with merchants you know and trust. Making sure any internet purchase or shopping cart is secured with encryption to protect your account information. Look for secure transaction symbols such as a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your web browser, or “https://…” in the address bar of the website. Once you've completed your purchase, log off from any website after a purchase transaction is made with your credit or debit card. If you cannot log off, shut down your browser to prevent unauthorized access to your account information. If you want the most secure option, Needham Bank offers MasterCard® SecureCode Internet Personal Identification Numbers on all NB Debit MasterCard®.

When selecting a PIN or password, we recommend that you do not use a number or word that appears in your wallet, or any easily identifiable personal information, such as name, birth date or phone number or other information that could be easily accessible on social media.

Yes, we may ask for your card number. NO, we will NEVER ask for your Pin number. 

Always keep your NB Debit MasterCard® in a safe and secure place. Treat it as you would cash or checks. Contact Needham Bank immediately at 1-833-337-6075 if your card is lost or stolen, or if you suspect unauthorized use.

You can also manage your debit card with NB MY Cards. Read More 

Phishing is an attempt to gain access to your account by tricking you into providing your personal information. These attempts are often made by automated phone call or e-mail message stating that you are being contacted on behalf of your bank. No legitimate financial institution would ever ask you to provide your personal identification codes. If you receive such requests, do not provide the information and please report the contact to your bank immediately. Needham Bank does not employ any automated calling services, and our customer service representatives will have any financial and personal information they need to identify you, and help you with your account.