Behind Enemy Lines

Battling Account Takeovers and ID Theft with John Fick, Head of Fraud at Northwest Bank

• ThreatMark • Episode 2

In this episode of Behind Enemy Lines, host Mike LaFleur sits down with John Fick, Corporate Vice President and Head of Fraud at Northwest Bank, to dive deep into the ever-evolving world of account takeovers. John breaks down how fraudsters exploit stolen credentials, social engineering, and hybrid attacks to infiltrate online banking systems and drain accounts. He explains why account takeover has become so prevalent, with nearly $13 billion in losses across North America alone.

John highlights the growing sophistication of fraud, driven by advancements in technology like AI, and how financial institutions must adopt machine learning and biometrics to stay ahead. He also discusses the challenges banks face balancing fraud prevention with a seamless customer experience.

As the conversation unfolds, John emphasizes the need for collaboration, education, and vigilance to combat financial crime. His advice is clear: anyone can become a target, so proactive monitoring and protection are key.

Guest-at-a-Glance
đź’ˇ Name:
John Fick

đź’ˇWhat he does: Corporate Vice President and Head of Fraud

đź’ˇCompany: Northwest Bank

đź’ˇNoteworthy: With 20+ years in financial crime prevention, John specializes in building fraud departments and combating account takeovers.

đź’ˇ Where to find them: LinkedIn