Fraud Awareness Updates
New Fraud Scams
August 11, 2008 SHAZAM has informed Premier Bank that some of their financial institutions and their customers are being targeted by vishing and mishing attacks. These new scams, aimed at obtaining a cardholder's personal information, are defined below:
Vishing versus Mishing
• Vishing (Voice Phishing): A visher calls a cardholder's telephone claiming to be from a legitimate business and requesting sensitive personal cardholder information, such as account numbers, PINs, the card verification value/card validation code (CVV/CVC), or passwords.
• Mishing: Mishing is the same type of attack with one slight difference. Mishing involves the use of mobile phones. Mishers will either make a call to a cardholder's mobile phone asking for cardholder information, or send a text message.
Please note: in a majority of both of these scams, the telephone calls will be automated. In addition, if cardholders do not answer, a message will be left on their telephones asking them to call back and provide the information.
The best policy for all account holders is to protect your card information at all times — do not provide account information to unsolicited callers. Financial institutions will not request account information from you as that information is already on file.
Beware of Fraud Scams
May 23, 2008: Residents in the Northeastern US (NJ and surrounding areas) are receiving automated telephone calls impersonating local financial institutions. The recorded call tells individuals their bank account was frozen. The message advises the individual to enter their ATM or debit card number, expiration date, and PIN to reactive their accounts.
Immediately thereafter, thieves use the card information to make international purchases. So far, the fraud has been isolated to the New England area. However, should you receive such a call, avoid providing account information over the phone to the caller. Financial institutions already have that information in their system. If you have questions, or feel you may have been victimized, please call Todd Link at 563.588.1000. The best policy for all account holders is to protect your card information at all times — do not provide account information to unsolicited callers, and ALWAYS review your monthly account statements.
Switzerland Blocked
May 8, 2008: Premier Bank has added Switzerland to the list of blocked countries due to fraudulent activity. You will not be able to access your accounts through your ATM/debit card while in a blocked country or state. The following is a complete list:
Countries including: Switzerland, Mexico, Canada, Pakistan, Spain, Italy, and France.
States including: Maryland.
These areas have been identified as heavy areas of ATM/debit card fraud. You will need to select an alternative payment method if traveling to one of these areas.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Todd Link at 563.588.1000.
Identity Theft Prevention Seminar Packets Available
April 28, 2008: Premier Bank's identity theft prevention seminar held on April 19, 2007 has generated inquiry from individuals that were unable to attend the session, but expressed interest in receiving the identity theft informational packets that were distributed as part of the seminar. Based on this interest, packets will be available at the reception desk at each of our three offices through the month of May. The packets are a good educational tool to better understand identity theft, actions individuals can take to help prevent becoming a victim, as well as recognizing cues someone may have already been victimized and finally, steps one can take to clear their good name. There is no cost for the materials. If you have related identity theft questions, please feel free to contact Todd J. Link Senior Vice President of Operations at 563.588.1000 or email tlink@premierbanking.com
Recent Fraud Attempts in Dubuque, Iowa
March 13, 2008: In the past several weeks, a variety of fraud schemes are circulating in Dubuque. While each individual instance surrounding the situations is slightly different, there is some commonality that all clients need to be aware of and take precautions against. They include:
- Avoid the temptation of “FREE” money. Frauds typically attract people with the promise of money (large inheritances from a foreign relative to large sums of money by being a secret shopper). Before you invest any time or money (or provide personal information) take time to research the prospect. You can contact your local police; the state attorney general’s office or the Federal Trade Commission. Or call us. Often, banks will be able to notify you to common frauds being circulated in the immediate area.
Frauds and scams generally change over time, but the underlying premise is often the same. For an unusual reason, an individual or a company is willing to pay large sums of money to a total stranger to help them facilitate some type of service or financial transaction that they “cannot perform themselves.” Trust your instinct and good judgment. Properly review the situation with appropriate authorities before proceeding.
- Do not provide personal information to ANYONE on the telephone without first verifying their identity. DO NOT ask for a call back number. Use a phone book, the number on the back of your credit card, or a previous billing statement to look for the actual call back number. Banks and card companies DO NOT call and solicit confidential information. Remember –these companies already have your account information. When in doubt, ALWAYS side on caution. Refuse to give out the information. Ask for a letter request instead, taking the letter to your police or an attorney to review.
Stopping fraud requires the combined efforts of the police, financial sector as well as yourself. Please take time to fully investigate requests for your personal information or payments that sound too good to be true. If you would like additional information on Identity Theft and prevention techniques, please feel free to call Todd J. Link, Senior Vice President of Operations, at 563.588.1000 or email tlink@premierbanking.com.
ATM/Debit Card Blocks
January 7: Just a reminder that we still have blocks in place in many areas, domestic and international, where you will not be able to access your accounts through your ATM/debit card. The following is a complete list:
Countries including: Mexico, Canada, Pakistan, Spain, Italy, and France.
States including: Maryland.
These areas have been identified as heavy areas of ATM/debit card fraud. You will need to select an alternative payment method if traveling to one of these areas.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Todd Link at 563.588.1000.
Card Fraud Information
October 5 update: Letters went out earlier this week describing a new monitoring system in place at Premier Bank for ATM/debit cards. Premier has partnered with SHAZAM to help guard against fraudulent activity. If suspicious activity is detected on your card you will be contacted either by a Premier Bank representative or a SHAZAM fraud specialist calling on our behalf to verify the transactions in question. Your card may be temporarily deactivated until you can be contacted about the suspicious activity. Suspicious activity may include some international transactions or transactions from many different parts of the country in a short time span. (If you travel regularly, that activity will be recorded by SHAZAM as normal activity.) If you are planning an out-of-the-ordinary trip, please notify our data processing department to prevent a temporary deactivation at your destination.
We encourage you to provide both a primary and secondary phone number to help us avoid any delays in response to fraud alerts. These may be your home, work, or cell phone numbers. It is also very important to keep this information current. If your information changes, please contact us immediately.
We will keep your contact information strictly confidential. Please remember that we will NOT ask for your ATM/Debit card number or personal identification number (PIN) to verify your identity. Always use caution when providing your ATM/Debit card information and contact us immediately if you suspect your debit card has been stolen or compromised.
September 20 update: France and Mexico have been added to the list of disabled ATM/debit card transactions. If you plan to travel to any of these destinations, please contact your personal banker about alternative ways to access your funds.
August 30 update: The state of Maryland was inadvertently omitted in the list of places disabled from ATM/debit card transactions. If you plan to travel to Maryland, please contact your personal banker about alternative ways to access your funds.
August 24 update: Premier Bank is happy to report that customers with a deactivated ATM/Debit Card can expect to receive their new card in the coming days. Perhaps you may have already received your replacement card! If you have any questions regarding card activation or choosing a particular PIN, please contact Premier Bank at 563.588.1000. We continue to monitor the ongoing investigation into the data security breach at an unidentified third party not affiliated with Premier Bank. In addition, for your continued security, we are conducting an internal review of ATM/Debit card safeguards to ensure we are providing you exceptionally strong security protection without significantly disrupting your ability to use the card. As our internal review proceeds, we will continue to provide you with updates to any potential change(s) we may make. Please continue to monitor your account activity and report any unauthorized transactions immediately.We value your business and the confidence you place in Premier Bank.
August 17 update: ATM/debit card transactions in Canada, Italy, Pakistan and Spain through Premier Bank have been disabled indefinitely. If you plan to travel to these countries, please contact your personal banker about alternative ways to access your funds. Other countries may be added to the list.
August 16 update: The MasterCard Fraud Management investigation is ongoing. Please carefully monitor your account activity for unauthorized transactions.
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