Fraud Protection & Awareness
Stay Alert. Stay Secure.
Fraud can happen to anyone—but staying informed is your best defense. Learn how to recognize scams, protect your personal information, and take action to secure your financial well-being.
Monitor Your Credit
Check your credit report annually. Consumers are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus annually. Simply go to AnnualCreditReport.com to get started.
Watch for suspicious activity like unfamiliar accounts or credit inquiries.
Spot & Avoid Scams
Verify suspicious contacts – If you get a call, text, or email claiming to be from North Star or another company, don’t respond right away. Contact them directly to confirm.
Don’t click unknown links or attachments – Phishing and SMiShing scams use urgent language to get you to click quickly.
Watch for red flags – Scams often sound too good to be true, demand fast action, or try to scare you into acting.
File taxes early – This reduces your risk of tax-related identity theft.
Ask about account protection – North Star offers security features like challenge passphrases and travel notes. Contact us to learn more.
Stay Safe Online
Use strong, unique passwords for every account—and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
Keep your computer updated with antivirus/malware protection and the latest software patches.
Avoid public Wi-Fi when doing financial transactions. Use a VPN if needed.
Be cautious about what you share on social media—fraudsters use public info to impersonate you or guess your security questions.
Protect Children from Identity Theft
Children are frequent targets of identity fraud. Here’s what to watch for:
Warning signs:
Debt collection calls or credit offers in your child’s name
IRS notices about taxes filed under your child’s Social Security number
What to do:
Contact all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to check if a credit report exists.
If fraud is confirmed, request a fraud alert, consider a credit freeze, and report it to your local police or attorney general’s office.
Notify any affected businesses and keep records of all communications.
Other Smart Tips
Protect your Social Security number—only give it out when absolutely necessary, and never over email.
Never click suspicious links or respond to urgent-sounding emails asking for personal info or money.
Look out for red flags in phishing emails:
Generic greetings (like “Dear Customer”)
Urgent language (e.g., “Your account is compromised!”)
Poor grammar or strange phrasing
Unexpected attachments or links
Government agencies will never email you asking for sensitive info like taxes, Social Security numbers, or payment.
Stay vigilant. If you ever suspect fraud on your account, contact North Star immediately.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.