Protecting Our Neighbors: What Banks Will Never Ask You

For more than a century, North Shore Trust and Savings has been part of the fabric of Lake County and surrounding communities. Since 1921, we’ve seen other banks come and go, but we’ve endured by holding to one principle: Put the Customer First.

This October, during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, NSTS is proud to join the American Bankers Association’s #BanksNeverAskThat campaign. As banks nationwide raise awareness, we encourage you to Snap Out Of It—pause, stay alert, and protect your money.

Can You Spot a Scam?

Every day, thousands fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts, and calls from criminals pretending to be a bank, loved one, government agency, or law enforcement. With mobile and online banking on the rise, the threat is only growing.

The FTC estimates that Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25 percent jump from the year before. Scammers are skilled at making you feel pressured to act fast, trust them, and hand over information. It’s time to snap out of it.

At NSTS, our goal is to help you spot scams before they cost you. By joining this nationwide campaign, we’re working to make sure you recognize the red flags and protect your accounts.

Five Red Flags to Watch

  • You’re pressured to log into or send money with payment apps — Snap Out Of It.

  • You’re told to act immediately and keep it a secret — Snap Out Of It.

  • You get a text with a suspicious link — Snap Out Of It.

  • You receive an unexpected email attachment — Snap Out Of It.

  • You’re asked for personal information like your PIN, password, or Social Security number — Snap Out Of It.

For videos, tips, and a scam-spotting quiz, visit BanksNeverAskThat.com and share the site with friends and family.

Why It Matters to You

Scams are no longer limited to strange letters or pushy salespeople. Every day, fraudsters target people with texts, emails, and calls that look real but aren’t. They may impersonate a bank, a government agency, or even someone you know to trick you into giving away private information.

At NSTS, we’ve built trust by protecting families for generations. Now, we want to ensure our neighbors in Illinois and Wisconsin don’t become victims.

How to Spot the Red Flags

The rule is simple: If someone asks for your confidential information out of the blue, it’s a scam.

  • A real bank will never call, text, or email you asking for your account number, PIN, password, or Social Security number.

  • If you get a suspicious call or message, hang up or delete it. Then contact us directly using the phone number on your debit or credit card.

  • Even if the caller ID looks local, don’t assume it’s safe—scammers can fake (“spoof”) numbers.

Remember, if you call us first, we may ask you to verify your identity, but we will never reach out unexpectedly for sensitive data.

Practical Tips to Stay Safe

  • Don’t download unexpected email attachments—they may contain malware.

  • Don’t click suspicious links—they can lead to fake websites.

  • Don’t reply to unknown senders or share personal details unless you initiated the contact.

  • Report phishing attempts: forward emails to [email protected], texts to 7726 (SPAM), and file complaints at ftc.gov/complaint.

If you think you’ve shared sensitive data, contact NSTS right away. We’ll help you secure your accounts and guide you through next steps.

A Century of Trust and Security

Since 1921, North Shore Trust and Savings has stood with our community through every high and low. Protecting you isn’t just about good service, it’s about keeping your financial future secure. This October, we encourage you to stay alert, trust your instincts, and remember: Snap Out Of It. When in doubt, hang up, delete, and protect your money. Because banks never ask that.

Never Hesitate to Contact Us

Lost or Stolen Debit Card

Call: 1-800-472-3272

Checking, Savings, Certificates, General Banking Questions

Call: (847) 336-4430

Mortgage, Consumer & Commercial Lending Questions

Call: (847) 245-3700