Published April 13, 2022

Beware of Scams Targeting Ukraine Relief Efforts

Ukrainian relief efforts are being launched across the nation. Unfortunately, as with most national or global  tragedies, scammers move quickly to prey on the empathy of individuals, with fundraising schemes. If you wish to make a donation, it is always encouraged to conduct proper due diligence to ensure funds are going to legitimate organizations and recipients.
 

The Scam

Fraudsters are seizing the opportunity to scam people who just want to help.
 
Scammers use phone calls, texts, and emails (often with a link to a spoofed website, or an attachment), social media networks, banner ads, and the internet, sometimes posing as friends, family, or romantic interests on social media, to request donations.
 
The reasons for the donation often seem legitimate – the need to relocate a family or child within or outside the country, their home has been destroyed, or the need for medical or rebuilding supplies including medication and food. Key red flags include a sense of urgency and requesting donations in the form of gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
 
Bottomline, the scammer receives the donation rather than helping the intended cause.
 

Ways to Protect Yourself

If you want to donate to this cause, consider these risk mitigating tips:

• Do not click on a link or attachment in an email to donate online if it is received from someone you do not know.
• Connect through a different method to verify an online donation request is from a friend or family member.
• Do not provide Personal Identifying Information (PII) or debit / credit card numbers in response to an unsolicited donation request.
• Resist high pressure tactics and those with a sense of urgency. Be aware of direct emails from  “victims” and solicitors who have a heart-wrenching story.
• Research the organization and make sure it is legitimate before donating. Enter the URL of the charity yourself to independently confirm you are contacting the right organization.
• Be wary of requests for wire transfers, cryptocurrency and gift cards.
• If donating on a charity’s website, make sure the website is secure, your internet connection is secure, and your computer is equipped with the latest anti-virus protection.
• If possible, always pay by credit card, which offers additional layers of protection. If donating using a check, always make the check payable to the charity instead of an individual.
• If you believe you are the victim of a scam, please contact the credit union to put a hold on the account or credit card. Be sure to your check accounts regularly for any suspicious activity or unauthorized charges and set up notifications that will track your credit card transactions and alert you to account activity.

Published April 1, 2022

Pay It Safe With Zelle®

While Zelle is the easy way to pay friends, family, and people you trust, fraudsters frequently target Zelle. A popular fraudster scheme is to trick Zelle users into thinking they are transferring funds to themselves under the guise that it will replace funds originally stolen from their account. However, the Zelle transfers ultimately go to the fraudsters!

Here’s how the scam works:
1. A fraudster sends a text alert that appears to be from the Zelle user’s financial institution (FI), indicating that a large dollar transfer was made with Zelle.

2. The fraudster then calls from a spoofed phone number, appearing as the FI fraud department, and tells the Zelle user that the supposed fraudulent transfer went through, but the funds can be recovered.

3. The fraudster tells the Zelle user that they may transfer the funds back to their own account, but they must first remove the mobile number associated with their Zelle payment account and then re-link the mobile number.

4. Once the Zelle user removes their mobile number from their Zelle account, the fraudster actually links the Zelle user’s mobile number to their own account. A Zelle verification code is then generated and sent to the Zelle user to link their mobile number with what they believe is their own account.

5. The fraudster then requests that the Zelle user provide them with the verification code. Once provided, the fraudster enters the code to link the mobile number to their own Zelle account.

6. The Zelle user is then instructed to send themselves the funds that were originally reported to have been stolen. In doing so, the Zelle user is actually transferring the funds to the fraudster’s Zelle account that is now linked to the Zelle user’s mobile number.

HERE'S HOW TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM:

• Never share a Zelle verification code with anyone. Premier America and other FIs will never contact you to request that you provide a Zelle verification code to them.
• Be wary of texts or calls appearing to come from the credit union or another FI. Phone numbers can easily be spoofed.
• Never use Zelle to transfer funds to yourself.
• If you have concerns about the legitimacy of a Zelle payment, contact the credit union directly using only the contact information published online at PremierAmerica.com.
• If you receive a text or an email containing a Zelle verification code, and you did not request it, call the credit union immediately to report the incident.

Published December 7, 2021

Protect Yourself from Scams

The holiday season is here and scam artists are stepping up their deceptive tactics to trick people into providing personal and financial account information. Increasingly, fraudsters are posing as representatives of major retailers such as Amazon or Costco, and presenting information related to previous transactions to gain the trust of their intended victims. Incoming calls with faked phone numbers that appear to be from the actual business make phone scams difficult to detect.

Being cautious of direct calls you receive from any businesses, including Premier America, is the first step in protecting yourself from a potential scam. Here is a current phone scam you need to know about to protect yourself from fraudsters.

With this scam, a fraudster will:

1. Call claiming that 'due to fraudulent activity on your account, you’re due a refund'.
2. The caller claims that remote access to your computer is needed to provide a refund and you must log into your bank account so the refund can be processed.
3. The scammer will then try to convince you that you were refunded too much money and need to buy gift cards or wire money to pay back the overage. Also, the scammer now has access to your accounts and can make unauthorized changes.

You should always be wary of calls reporting suspicious activity that instruct you to press a menu option or call an unfamiliar number. When it comes to protecting your Premier America account:

• Never provide your password or a secure access code to anyone. A Premier America Representative will never call you directly and request Online Banking log in information or an account number.
• When calling for assistance, be prepared to answer security questions to verify your identity. If you are unable to pass the initial verification, a one-time, 6-digit secure access code will be provided to you, to verify your identity.
• Expect a call to confirm a wire transfer. For your protection, a Member Service Representative will contact you within 24 hours to verify wire transfer information.
• If you receive a call that appears to be from Premier America, pay attention to the information that is being requested. If in doubt, hang up and call Premier America back.

IMPORTANT: Never provide your password or 6-digit secure access code for Online Banking.

Published October 7, 2021

Helping You Stay Safe Online

Making sure you stay safe online and your account information is secure, is important to us. Here is helpful information to help ensure your online experience is safe and secure.

Never share your Online Banking Login ID or Password
Play it safe and keep your log in information private, never sharing it with others or storing the information in an unsecured area. You’ll never be contacted directly by a Premier America representative and asked to provide this information. If you ever need help accessing your account online, you can contact our Online Banking Support directly at 800-772-4000, option 8.

Fraudsters are good at spoofing phone numbers
Be wary of any direct calls or text messages you receive from someone claiming they’re a representative from Premier America or another financial institution. It’s best to politely end the call or not respond to a text message, and call the institution directly to verify the legitimacy of the initial call/text you received.

Be vigilant when sending money online
There are a lot of convenient ways to send money to people online, but these services are often a target of fraudsters. A common tactic is for a fraudster to send you a text or email notifying you of an online payment that you didn’t initiate. It’s often a means to get you to contact the fraudster who will appear to represent your financial institution. From there, the fraudster will typically have you complete a number of actions, supposedly to help you cancel the payment, but the real goal is to have you unintentionally release the funds to them. To guard against this scheme, be sure to only use contact numbers you know to be legitimate and never respond directly to a text message, email or phone call you suspect might be fraud.

Just remember, a Premier America representative will never contact you directly to ask for your Online Banking login information or secure one-time-passcodes you receive when enrolling with our new Zelle® payments service. Please review these tips for staying safe when sending money with Zelle®.


Published June 8, 2021

Seller Beware: 6 Tips for Avoiding Overpayment Scams

If you are selling something online, or through an ad, you may be targeted by an overpayment scam. Overpayment scams occur when someone sends you too much money, then requests a refund for the excess amount. Then eventually, the check/money order/cashier’s check for the original payment turns out to be counterfeit.

To explain the overpayment, the buyer may claim that they made a mistake, or the extra funds were intended to cover shipping costs, or they may provide one of many other reasons. The scammer is relying on your honesty and sense of fairness to get you to return funds that don’t exist. They will also offer to let you keep an amount to compensate you for your trouble. In the end, the buyer’s form of payment is fake, and you’re responsible for the entire amount deposited to your financial institution when the funds are deducted from your account.

Whether you run a business, or just want to sell a personal item, follow these tips to help avoid overpayment scams:
 

1. If you receive a check or payment for more than the agreed upon sale price, send it back or cancel the order and ask for another payment with the correct amount. No matter how tempting it is, do not accept a payment for more than your selling price. If a sale is concluded before you discover the overpayment, try to cancel it, and do not agree to return any overpayment. If possible, ask for payment in cash and provide a receipt.


2. Do not ship any item or return any funds until you are sure the payment is valid. Even when a payment clears in your account, the money can be withdrawn later if the financial institution determines that the check is fraudulent or the true account holder (if an account number has been stolen) reports unauthorized activity. Remember, just because the financial institution makes the funds available to you, it doesn’t mean they have cleared the other financial institution.


3. Only use secure payment methods you are familiar with. Instead of accepting checks, which offer less protection from fraud, accept cash or a person-to-person payment through trusted, secure payment systems, such as Zelle, Venmo, Popmoney, Apple Pay or Google Pay. This may dissuade scammers from targeting you in the first place. Some auction sites and payment apps also offer added protections for sales transactions.


4. Be cautious when a buyer proposes alternative payment or delivery methods. A scammer may try to involve another shipper, or they may suggest the seller return excess funds through online banking transfer, gift card or a wire transfer such as Western Union. With these nearly untraceable methods, you will have little to no recourse if something goes wrong.


5. Communicate your policies up front. When listing your ad or item for sale, specify the terms you will accept for payment and shipping. You can also review the safeguards experienced sellers use in their listings.


6. Keep it simple, and consult help early. If a buyer makes alternative requests that complicate the transaction, walk away. If using an auction or reseller site, such as eBay or Amazon.com, follow their policies, which may prescribe one way only for documented messaging. This is for your protection to avoid contact using your personal phone or email.
   
   If you have concerns about a sale in process, contact the listing or ad service you used. They often have a fraud department experienced in advising you on your situation.

By following a few sound practices, you can avoid become the victim of a scam when selling your personal items. The old saying is very true in these situations, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

If you believe you’ve been targeted by an overpayment scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from COVID-19 Vaccination Scams

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to more people, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seeing a spike in vaccination scams and is alerting the public to be careful. They especially warn folks to stay informed and be extra cautious when sharing personal, health, or financial information. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself:
 

1. You will never be asked to pay out of pocket to be put on a list or to speed up your eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Know your region’s plan for rolling out the vaccine to avoid being a victim.
2. Avoid scheduling vaccination appointments through unverified platforms. It’s best to schedule appointments through your health department or local pharmacy.
3. Do not respond to unexpected calls or click on links in text messages regarding COVID-19, from unknown individuals. If you’re sent any communication about the COVID-19 vaccine that seems suspicious, always check it out with your local health department.
4. Avoid sharing your vaccine cards on social media. Posting content that includes your personal information, including birthdate or any personally identifiable information, can be used to steal your identity.
5. You should only receive a vaccine at an authorized vaccination site. Avoid falling for scams that allow you to pay for a dose to be shipped to you.

To get legitimate COVID-19 vaccination information, please visit the Los Angeles County Public Health website or reach out to your healthcare provider. If you suspect you have been a victim of COVID-19 healthcare fraud, report it immediately by calling 800-447-8744.


Published January 15, 2021

5 Common Stimulus Payment Scams to Watch For

As part of the December 2020 Coronavirus Response and Relief Act, the IRS has begun issuing a second stimulus payment – formally known as an Economic Impact Payment - to tens of millions of qualifying Americas. Once again, scammers are taking the opportunity to trick people into stealing your payments, as well your personal and financial information. To avoid being a victim, here are 5 of the common stimulus payment scams to look out for:
 

1. Unsolicited Calls, Text, or Emails – The IRS will never send unsolicited texts or email messages. If you receive a message, especially if it is marked as urgent, do not respond, and avoid clicking on any suspicious links or opening attachments. There have been reports of individuals receiving text messages encouraging them to click on a link to accept their stimulus payment. This is a major red flag.
2. Verify Personal Information – If you receive a call or text asking you to verify information about yourself to receive your payment, this is a scam. Only use the IRS webpage to submit information about yourself, if requested. In most cases, you do not need to take additional steps to get your payment.
3. Faster Payments – Anyone who promises that you can receive your payment faster is a scammer. To check the status of your payment, visit IRS.gov/coronavirus.
4. Paying Extra Fees – Be aware of calls or text messages urging you to pay additional fees to claim your stimulus payment. Keep in mind, you will never have to pay to receive stimulus funds. The IRS says that stimulus payments will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on an individual’s most recent tax return. If the IRS does not have your direct deposit information, a check will be mailed to your most recent address on file.
5. Lookalike Checks – Be extra cautious about bogus checks mailed to you with an odd amount (specifically non whole dollar amounts).  A tip off could also be inclusion of a letter instructing you to call a number or verify information online. This is a scam.

If you think you have been a victim of a stimulus scam, the IRS suggests you visit IdentityTheft.gov. The site lets you report identity theft to the IRS and FTC simultaneously and develop a recovery plan. 

For more information about the second round of Economic Impact Payments, visit irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments.


Published September 16, 2020

4 Tips to Help You Identify a Package Delivery Scam

Have you received a text message recently asking you to claim or confirm a package that needs to be delivered? If you haven’t, then you need to be aware of the latest credit card scam, where hackers try to get you to click on a link in a text message in order to get your personal and financial information.

The text message will generally have wording similar to “[Name], we found a package from July owed to you. Please claim ownership and schedule for delivery here: [link]”. The link will likely ask you to confirm your personal information and, although there are no charges owed, you’re still asked to provide your credit card information.

Here are a few tips to help you identify this scam:

1. The from phone number is not a known number or it may look suspicious.
2. Your name may be misspelled or incorrect.
3. You do not recall a missing delivery. Most delivery carriers will send you a text prior to sending you delivery updates asking your permission to receive these messages.
4. Link looks suspicious. Most links in text messages are from actual delivery carriers and will have their name in the link, for example USPS.com/…
5. You are asked to provide your personal information and/or your credit card number.

What should you do when you receive a message like this?

1. Most importantly, DO NOT click on the link.
2. DO NOT provide your personal information or your credit card number.
3. Delete the message. You can even block the phone number in Settings so you don’t get any more messages from that number.
4. Contact your wireless provider and report it to their Fraud Department.

If you feel like you need extra protection, you can contact your wireless provider and ask if they have a tool or service that helps you block calls and text messages that may be a risk for fraud.

During times like these, it’s important to keep vigilant for possible scams whether they are through text, email or a phone call.  Implementing these precautionary measures can help you better identify a scam when you see one.

Published August 17, 2020

How to Protect Yourself From COVID-19 Employment Scams

As of July 2020, the unemployment rate in the United States was 10.2%. With tens of millions of people out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, scammers are hard at work trying—and often succeeding—to take advantage of the financial difficulties many Americans are currently experiencing.

Job scams aren’t new, but as unemployment has surged, they’re becoming more prevalent. Fraudsters are posing as legitimate employers and using increasingly sophisticated methods to prey on innocent Americans, posting job listings for positions that don’t exist, creating websites that look like the company they’re impersonating and scheduling “job interviews” with potential candidates.

 

Signs of a Scam

If you’re currently searching for a new job, here are some things you need to know to help you identify potential scams.
 

• The job ad or “recruiter” asks you to pay for supplies, training materials, certifications, application fees, to receive more job listings or anything else. Legitimate employers won’t ask you to pay to apply for a job. And if they want to send you for additional training or certifications, they’ll typically do it after you’ve accepted a job offer and been onboarded as an employee.
• You see a listing for “previously undisclosed” government jobs. All listings for open positions within the federal government are available for free at usajobs.gov.
• The listing says the company is hiring but doesn’t list a specific job, promises guaranteed employment or says you’re guaranteed to make a certain amount of money, often from the comfort of your own home. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

What You Can Do to Prevent Being Scammed

Just like no one can guarantee you a job before you apply, no one can guarantee that you won’t be the victim of a scam. But there are things you can do to minimize your risk.
 

• Don’t respond to emails or phone calls from people you don’t know, especially if they promise you a job you didn’t apply for.
• Never send money or credit card information to an employer. If an employer asks you to wire money or provide them with your credit card number, that’s a red flag.
• Don’t click on links in emails you receive from people you don’t know. Clicking on a link may download malware onto your device or send you to a website that look legitimate but is really designed to collect sensitive data that can be used to steal your identity or gain access to your financial accounts.
• Be wary of job placement services. Some are legitimate, but others aren’t. If you want to work with one, find out what they’re offering before you start. If you have questions they can’t answer or they pressure you into signing a contract without reviewing it, it could be a scam.

 
During times like these, it’s important to be extra vigilant and take steps to protect yourself from fraudsters. If you’ve been the victim of a job scam, file a complaint with the FTC.
​
Published July 22, 2020

5 Ways to Protect Yourself Against the Latest COVID-19 Health Care Scams 

As the world continues to be impacted by COVID-19, hackers are using the pandemic to their benefit to collect personal and financial information from the public. The latest alerts come from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, alerting the public about people being offered COVID-19 tests in exchange for sensitive information.  Information is requested via telemarketing calls, text messages, social media outlets, as well as door-to-door visits.  Here are 5 ways you can protect yourself and avoid being the next victim.

1. Be cautious of unsolicited requests for Medicare or Medicaid numbers. Scammers will pretend to be COVID-19 contact tracers. Legitimate contact tracers will never ask for your Medicare number or financial information.
 
2. Be suspicious of unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies. Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites.
 
3. Only a physician or healthcare provider should assess your condition and approve any requests for testing. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first. You can also visit your state or local health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.
 
4. Do not respond to, or open hyperlinks in text messages about COVID-19 from unknown individuals.
 
5. Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone claiming to offer grants related to COVID-19.
 
As COVID-19 continues to affect the world, we will continue to see a rise in reported fraud cases. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it immediately online or call 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).


Published June 19, 2020

6 Tips to Protect Yourself While Using Smartphone Apps

Nowadays, we reply on the convenience of our smartphones, to manage a multitude of daily tasks and to access entertainment. Our phones allow us to get the latest news, check the weather forecast, check our account balances, save myriad account passwords, send and receive money, as well as connect with friends and family. With this level of smartphone dependence, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect our private information. Here are 6 tips to protect yourself while using smartphone apps:

1. Keep Apps and Operating Systems Up-to-Date
Make it a habit and set aside time to make sure your apps and operating systems are up-to-date. By doing this, you are staying one-step ahead of hackers. Double check your phone settings, many will allow you to enable automatic updates.

2. Avoid Connecting to Public WIFI
If you must connect to Public WIFI, make sure you’re not logging into sites or apps requiring entry of personal or financial information, such as account numbers or passwords. Be extra cautious about pop-ups and requests to download items onto your device. If possible, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

3. Research the App
Before downloading an app, research the company to validate if they are legitimate. By doing your research, you can see if there have been recent data breaches.

4. Use a Password Manager Tool
Password manager apps can help you generate strong passwords, as well as help keep all of your passwords protected. Remember, a strong password should include a random string of numbers, letters and special characters.

5. Double Check App Permissions
We are all guilty of quickly accepting all permissions requested by apps. Take a second to think about what they’re requesting and if it makes sense. You can also go back to existing apps and reevaluate the permissions you have already granted.

6. Only Use Reliable App Stores
It’s highly recommend that you use established app stores like Google and Apple when downloading apps. Apps on these stores are vetted and meet the standard quality for data protection. If you’re asked to download an app from a text message be very cautious. This is a method hackers will use to place malware on your phone.

While businesses do their best to protect consumers, you should do your part to protect yourself from hackers and potential online intruders. By following these tips, you can confidently take advantage of all the benefits a smartphone has to offer.


Published April 29, 2020

How to Identify & Avoid COVID-19 Phishing Scams

As we all continue to navigate the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, searching for informational resources online has become a common practice. Hackers are taking advantage of this practice to obtain consumer’s personal and financial information. Over the last few months, online phishing attacks have tremendously increased, specifically targeting people who have been hurt economically. These phishing attempts range from fake job offers, fake news, loan or foreclosure offers and relief programs, and even messages impersonating government officials. More than ever, we need to be aware of what information we are accessing or responding to online. Here are 3 ways to identify and protect yourself against online fraud:

Think Twice Before You Click 
Before you click on any links, hover over them to reveal the full website address. Look for misspellings, grammatical errors, apparent fake website names or anything that may look suspicious. Keep in mind that hackers are creating links that closely resemble legitimate addresses. If you sense you have received a phishing email, delete it right away.

Don’t Open Suspicious Attachments
If you have received an email from an unrecognized source with an attachment, be very cautious about opening it. By opening a suspicious attachment, you could unintentionally download malicious software onto your device, giving hackers the ability to access personal information.

Guard Your Personal & Financial Information
Be aware of phone calls, text messages, or emails from someone claiming they are a government official or someone who is raising money for COVID-19 victims or disease research. Be especially wary of individuals pressuring you to act fast.  If you are interested in giving to a charity, the Federal Trade Commission has provided tips to ensure your donation gets to where it needs to go.  Click here to learn more.

To find the most accurate and up-to-date information about COVID-19, it is recommended you visit a credible source like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  and World Health Organization (WHO).

CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

WHO - https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1

For more tips on how to avoid COVID-19 scams, please visit https://www.cisa.gov/coronavirus.


Published April 20, 2020

Stimulus Check Scams to Be Aware of

The best defense against fraud during these difficult times is to know the facts that will stop scammers in their tracks. With the Economic Impact Payment now on its way to many taxpayers, scammers are trying to trick you out of your share. Here are the 4 stimulus check scams to be aware of:
 

1. Requiring sign-up – Payments are automatic; you will not be required to take any action to obtain your stimulus check. If someone contacts you requesting your information, or asking you to sign up or enroll, it should raise a red flag.
2. Verify your password or direct deposit – Scammers are sending “official” looking postcards, texts, and emails asking you to go online and verify your payment or direct deposit information. Please note, the IRS will never contact you to verify your financial information.
3. Expedited Payments – Scammers may contact you by phone, email or text promising you, for a fee, to obtain your government payment sooner than scheduled. Don’t fall for it! You can confirm the status of your check by visiting irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
4. Over-payment checks – This scheme involves scammers sending you a check for more than you are supposed to receive. The scammers will call you to apologize for the mistake, and ask you to return the difference in cash, gift card or by wire transfer. Then the entire check will bounce and you will be out of funds that you returned to the scammer.

 
The first round of economic impact payments are now being issued to taxpayers via direct deposit and mail. To check the status of your payment, update your records to receive a direct deposit instead of a paper check, or for general information please visit irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments.

 
Published January 6, 2020

Don't Abbreviate the Year 2020

We are all used to using the last 2 digits of the year when signing things. Last year we simply used '19 when adding the date.
 
But that may not be the best idea in the new decade. With the dates now ending in '20, that opens up the possibility of fraud should someone decide to change the date. Signing and dating documents with just the 20 could be fraudulently changed to another date such as 2017 or 2018, for example.
 
When you write a date on a document, don't shorten the year 2020 to just "20." Writing out the whole thing will keep the documents you have signed from getting changed.
 
The last thing anyone needs are issues with legal documents. Protect yourself. Do not abbreviate 2020.
 

Published October 10, 2019

What You Need to Know to Protect Your Business From Inventory Fraud Schemes
Business email compromise schemes aren’t new. Historically, criminals have tried to steal money from their victims by tricking them into sending wire transfers or ACH payments to illegitimate accounts.
 
But recently, a new scam emerged. Instead of requesting money, fraudsters trick their victims into shipping electronics such as laptops, tablets, drones and more to unauthorized recipients. The perpetrators in this latest scheme are targeting electronics companies by using hacked business email accounts from small to mid-sized IT vendors.
 
The criminals use the hacked email accounts to contact electronics companies and order large shipments of inventory. The electronics company ships the items in the order while the invoice or third-party financing is being processed.
 
The company never receives payment, and the criminals fence the stolen inventory, which is never recovered by the victim. Some of the fraudulent shipments have been valued at as much as $600,000.  
 
Warning Signs of Inventory Fraud
Because of the significant impact this type of fraud can have on your bottom line, it’s important to be on the look out for signs that your business is being targeted. Here are a few:
 

• Emails have been deleted or are missing from email inboxes without the user’s knowledge or permission
• Inactive accounts become active again
• Vendors or clients call asking for information about shipments or to change their payment information

 
Ways to Protect Your Business
While there’s no way to guarantee you won’t be a victim of inventory fraud, here are a few things you can do to help minimize your risk.
 

• Disable old or unused business email accounts
• Monitor email inbox settings for unauthorized installation of email rules to auto-forward or delete emails
• Enable multi-factor authentication on email accounts to make it more difficult for thieves to gain unauthorized access

Call vendors directly to confirm requests for changes to orders or bank account information

Published September 18, 2019

Six Ways to Keep Your Mobile Devices Secure 

1. Select apps carefully. You wouldn’t visit a questionable website you’re not familiar with. And it’s a good idea to avoid apps you’re not familiar with, too. Only download apps that come from sources you trust, to reduce the risk of having malware installed on your device.
2. Say “yes” to updates. Maintaining the most current versions of your operating system and apps resolves known security vulnerabilities. Consider setting up your devices to install updates automatically to help keep your information safe and secure. 
3. Install an anti-malware program. Anti-malware software on computers has been commonplace for decades. But it’s not as prevalent on smartphones or tablets, and the incidence of malware on mobile devices has skyrocketed in recent years. Consider installing anti-malware software to help protect your devices against viruses, ransomware and other types of online threats.
4. Use a password. Require users to input a password to gain access to your phone or tablet. Set up your devices so they default to the password log-in screen after a short period of inactivity. If your device is lost or stolen, this will make it more difficult for unauthorized users to access your information. 
5. Back up your data. Use either an external drive or cloud storage to back-up your data, so you can recover it if your device is lost or stolen. 
6. Install an app that lets you delete data remotely. If your smartphone or tablet falls into the wrong hands, this will enable you to remove your personal information without having the device in your possession.

To learn more about keeping your devices safe online, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s online  security resources at consumer.ftc.gov/topics/computer-security. 

Published August 15, 2019

Protecting Yourself from Financial Fraud

Every year, millions of people in the U.S. fall victim to financial schemes. Here are some current scams to be aware of:

Overpayment Scam - Online classified ads and auction websites are rife with overpayment schemers. In
this scam, a potential buyer offers to send a seller a check or money order for an amount greater than the item sales price and instructs the seller to return the overpayment amount to them. After the seller  has sent the overpayment, it’s discovered that the buyer’s original payment is fake and they’ve lost the money remitted to the buyer.
      Avoiding this Scam - A legitimate buyer won’t offer to overpay you. Use a secure online payment
      system like PayPal that offers purchase protection for buyers and provides dispute resolution for
      sellers.

IRS Imposter Scam - Fraudulent IRS phone calls claiming a taxpayer owes back taxes have spiked in
recent years. These scammers often reference personal information they’ve obtained and threaten impending arrest and criminal prosecution, motivating victims to send funds to resolve the matter.
    Avoiding this Scam - The IRS will always contact you by mail before calling you regarding unpaid taxes
    and will never threaten arrest if you don’t make immediate payment. Never provide private information
    to an unrecognized caller and always contact the IRS directly to verify any alleged claim.

Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam - High-stakes lotteries and sweepstakes advertising easy money or fabulous
prizes in exchange for a small handling or processing fee are a common scam. No legitimate program will require you to pay to collect a prize you’ve allegedly won.
    Avoiding this Scam - Never provide your credit card number or other private information to participate
    in an unrecognized lottery or sweepstakes without verifying a program’s legitimacy with the Federal
    Trade Commission and your State Attorney General.

Published July 15, 2019

Travel Safety Tips

Keep your personal and financial information safe while traveling! Keep your personal and financial information safe while traveling!
 

1. Let us know when you’re traveling. Maintain uninterrupted use of your Premier America debit and credit cards by submitting a travel notice before you leave. To submit a notice online, log into Online Banking and click on the “Services and Forms” tab. Or, call us at 800-772-4000, option 0 to submit a Travel Notice.
2. Make copies of important documents. Copy the front and back of your passport, driver license and credit cards to leave copies at home and carry with you while traveling. That way if your passport or cards are lost or stolen, you’ll have copies of the information to replace them.
3. Beware of free public WIFI. Avoid logging into financial accounts or entering passwords while using free public WIFI. Only enter passwords when using secure, password-protected WIFI.
4. Separate your sources of money. Don’t keep all of your cash and cards in one spot.
5. Beware of a helper at an ATM. Never let anyone near you while you’re making an ATM transaction, and ALWAYS cover the number pad with your hand while entering your pin code. If someone approaches too closely, take your card and find another ATM.
6. Password protect your phone and add a tracking tool. Set up a password to unlock your device using a strong, unique password and change it regularly. Also, enable location tracking and install a wiping software so you can track down your phone or destroy data if it’s stolen.
7. Avoid over-sharing online. Sharing travel plans on social media makes it easier for thieves to time a crime. Instead, wait to post about your trip after you get home.

How Not to Fall for Phishing Scams

A social media giant made headlines again this spring when more than 540 million user records were exposed to the public. As online data continues to be compromised, it becomes easier for hackers to trick people into handing over sensitive personal and financial information as well as their hard-earned money.
 
One of the challenges social media poses is that hackers aren’t just using information they find on a single site. They’re gathering information from multiple social media platforms and using it against you to create targeted messages that look legitimate.

 
Here are just a few of the ways hackers try to use your information to their advantage:
 

• They hack social media accounts of people and organizations you trust, including customer support accounts from businesses you have a relationship with.
• They send direct messages that look like they’re coming from someone you know, hoping you’ll click on the embedded links.
• They try to get you to click on links they include in comments they post.

 If you have a social media presence, here are some tips to help keep you safe:
 

• Limit what you share on social media and only post things you don’t mind everyone in the world seeing.
• Be suspicious. If you’re not expecting a communication from an individual or organization you know, assume it’s a scam. If you’re not sure whether it’s legitimate, contact the sender at a phone number you trust.
• Don’t click on links or attachments unless you’re certain they’re legitimate.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Be wary of requests for confidential information. Legitimate businesses and non-profit organizations won’t request confidential information through social media channels or email.

Published May 24, 2019

In today’s digital world, it can seem like hackers are lurking around every corner waiting to steal your information and use it to help themselves to everything from your credit card accounts to your identity. If you have social media accounts, it’s just as important to secure them as it is to secure your other online accounts. Here’s how:   
 

The first contact from the IRS will be through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message or social media. Only after mailing an official notification of an audit can an auditor/tax examiner follow up by phone. Forward any suspicious emails to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. Alleged IRS or tax-debt collection calls should be reported to (800) 366-4484.