Who You Gonna Call?
Northwestern Bank is in your corner – and community – to protect you from scams
![Northwestern Bank specializes in supporting folks in the Chippewa Valley.](/uploads/image/article/347/054/347054/photos_1080x/157559_web_northwestern.jpg)
Set your card controls, check your accounts, watch out for scams! We’ve been hearing about how to protect ourselves for years but sometimes you just want someone to walk you through the how to do it. How do you set the card controls, how do you use all the tech you have available and when fraud finds you how do you fix it! You may feel inclined to turn to your friend, family, and community for support – and that includes your community bank.
Northwestern Bank has been serving the Chippewa Valley for 120 years, and over the decades, has remained a steady, reliable source of information for their customers. They have the technology to help you and more than that, actual people to help you navigate it!
Northwestern Bank’s main office is in the heart of Chippewa Falls on Bridge St. Regardless of location all the teams support the community and surrounding region by donating and volunteering with local civic groups and causes like Feed My People and Sleep in Heavenly Peace, participating in community events and parades, and even creating an event to give back called Jazz for a Cause. Last year, Jazz for a Cause raised over $6,000 for Hope Village.
Everyone needs help sometimes and it's nice to know that you don't have to figure everything out alone. –Shelby, Deposit Servicing
And when something as unfamiliar as fraud happens, there’s a comfort in knowing you can reach someone local, quickly to get things taken care of. We asked the team members at Northwestern Bank that actually field real phone calls for their advice:
Check your accounts frequently!
So many people don’t check their accounts regularly. Check it in your app everyday! Know how much you have so that if an unknown charge comes through you can report it immediately.
Set your card controls!
What are card controls? Within your app you can control how much is spent on your card, geographical spending locations and even where it is spent. When you go on vacation and you report to your bank where you will be going before you go, card controls are part of what they change. You have the power to change these right in your app.
Know what your bank can or can't ask.
Your bank will never ask you over phone, text or email for information like your Personal Identification Number (PIM); full social security number; full credit card number; any account passwords; or one-time passcodes over the phone.
Stay informed about scams.
Ask your bank about local scams or check the federal trade commission’s website to learn of the latest types of scams. Know the four main signs to spot a scam: Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know, they say there’s a problem or a prize, they pressure you to act immediately, and demand payment a specific way. Usually payments through apps like PayPal or Venmo, money transfer, prepaid cards or gift cards, or cash.
PRO TIP: Learn how to use all the tools in your bank app! The "how-to" information is on the website but sometimes it's just easier to stop in and ask for help.
As a community bank, the team understands that its about more than just giving customers the access to the technology they need it’s about making sure they have access to real people to navigate all their banking needs. Northwestern Bank is a community bank with a mission of building stronger communities where people matter.
Northwestern Bank • Member FDIC
Seven locations, including Chippewa Falls
(715) 723-4461 – Downtown Chippewa Falls office
Northwesternbank.com