Fraud Recovery Checklist
If you suspect you’ve become a victim of fraud, please follow our checklist to help fix your credit and limit the damage to your account(s). You can also download our PDF version and print it out so you can easily check off each box.
Download our Fraud Recovery Checklist PDF
Immediate Steps
After realizing you’ve fallen victim to a scam, 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, Reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Contact your local police or sheriff’s office to report the fraudulent activity
Following Steps
Take a breath. Now that the scam is reported, you can begin to repair the damage.
- Close any accounts that were opened in your name
- Remove any fraudulent charges from your account
- Correct your credit report
Potential Steps
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
- Replace government-issued IDs
- Clear your name of criminal charges
Best Practices
Follow these steps consistently to keep your accounts safe.
- Login to online or mobile banking to monitor your accounts and set up alerts to monitor your balances and 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 and turning your computer off each night so updates occur
- 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