- May 2024
- By: Lisa Hartmann and Yosef Viz
Your security is our top priority. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of fraudsters, making impersonation calls an increasing threat. It's crucial to recognize and prevent these scams to protect your personal and financial information.
Understanding Impersonation Calls
Impersonation calls are deceptive phone calls where fraudsters pose as legitimate institutions, like Premier America, to trick you into revealing sensitive information. Recognizing these calls can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and continued vigilance, you can avoid falling victim to this growing scam.
Impersonation calls are not limited to financial institutions; they can also come from seemingly trustworthy sources such as popular online retailers like Amazon or your local utility companies. These fraudsters imitate the communication styles of these organizations, asking for personal information and pretending to verify accounts or fix issues. By pretending to represent these familiar entities, they aim to lower your guard and exploit your trust, making it evermore crucial to verify any suspicious calls directly through official channels.
Key Security Practices to Follow
Do Not Use Common Usernames and Passwords:
- Using common usernames and passwords makes it easier for fraudsters to gain unauthorized access to your accounts. These common credentials are often simple to guess and are regularly exposed in data breaches, increasing the risk of identity theft and financial fraud.
Creating Strong Usernames and Passwords:
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A strong username should be unique and not easily associated with your personal information. For instance, instead of using something predictable like your name or birthdate, you could opt for a combination of your favorite book and a memorable number, like Gatsby1925.
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A strong password, meanwhile, should be a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It should be at least 12 characters long to ensure complexity and security. For example, a strong password could be S$3cure!925Gtsby.
- By using unique and complex usernames and passwords, you effectively reduce the risk of security breaches and protect your personal and financial information from impersonation scams.
Verify Caller Identity:
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If the caller ID shows "unknown" or anything suspicious it's a red flag. Hang up immediately and contact us directly at 800-772-4000.
- One new tactic is to even have official names mimicked in the Caller ID and real numbers. If anything doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to hang up and call us directly.
Protect Your Account Information:
- Never discuss sensitive account details or personal information over the phone unless you've initiated the call to a trusted number. This includes avoiding discussions about account information via text messages.
Safeguard Your Security Codes:
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Do not disclose security codes over the phone. Premier America will only ask for verification through a "One Time Pass Code" (OTP) if you call our Contact Center.
How Premier America Continues to Protect You.
Ongoing Security Alerts: We continually monitor accounts for suspicious activities and will alert you of any unusual actions. This proactive approach helps in early detection and prevention of fraud.
Customizable Alerts: Enable online banking alerts through our digital banking platform. This feature allows you to receive notifications for various account activities, giving you real-time updates and an extra layer of security.
At Premier America, your security is our top concern. By staying informed and vigilant, you can play a crucial role in safeguarding your personal and financial information. Remember, when in doubt, hang up and call us directly. Together, we can keep your assets safe and secure.
For any questions or to report suspicious activities, please don't hesitate to contact us directly at 800-772-4000. Stay secure and informed with Premier America!