To help online banking users protect against spoofing, Northwest Bank has compiled a list of best practices for protection and remediation. Spoofing is the act of disguising a communication, such as a call or text, from an unknown source as being from a known, trusted source like a financial institution.

If individuals did not initiate contact with their bank and are contacted by someone claiming to be from their bank, they should ignore the text or email or disconnect the call. Then, they should call their bank immediately using a phone number from a known source, like online banking or a bank statement.

People should never send personal information over instant messaging, text, or email. Requests for personal information over the phone are almost always a scam.

Banks will never contact individuals and ask them to provide a code sent by text message or email to access their account. Text verification codes should only be initiated by the customer and entered by them through channels like online banking.

Individuals should routinely check online banking to be sure there have not been any unauthorized logins. If someone identifies unauthorized logins, they should update their user ID and password immediately and review their transaction activity, reporting anything suspicious to their financial institution.

The same user ID and password should not be used to access different websites. An email address should not be used as one's online banking user ID, and individuals should routinely change their online banking user ID and password.

Additionally, for those who become a victim of identity theft, Northwest recommends several steps. Victims should call their financial institution immediately. An identity theft complaint should be filed with the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov or 877-438-4338.

Victims should also contact the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on their credit report. To place a fraud alert, call Equifax at 800-525-6285, Experian at 888-397-3742, and TransUnion at 800-680-7289.

It is also important for people to file a police report to protect themselves if an ID thief starts using their information to commit crimes.

For more security tips, visit http://www.northwest.bank/security-center.