About Us
Phishing and Pharming
If you receive a suspicious email that appears to be from Premier America Credit Union, forward the email to HBSecurity@premier.org.
Phishing
Phishing attacks use both social engineering and technical subterfuge to steal consumers' personal identity data and financial account credentials.
Social-engineering schemes use 'spoofed' e-mails to lead consumers to counterfeit websites designed to trick recipients into divulging financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames, passwords and social security numbers. Hijacking brand names of banks, e-retailers and credit card companies, phishers often convince recipients to respond.
Technical subterfuge schemes plant crimeware onto PCs to steal credentials directly, often using Trojan keylogger spyware.
New Phishing Scam involving Voice over Internet Protocol (VolP)
The latest phishing fraud trend involves Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems that aid criminals in the capture of personal data. VoIP lines are telephone systems that use the internet instead of traditional telephone land lines to deliver communication services.
A VoIP line allows communication to flow freely from any land or internet-based telephone line. Phishers send out emails directing the consumer to dial the VoIP telephone number to update their personal information. The consumer is then directed to enter their personal information including card number, PIN CW2 code, etc. This is the phishers latest attempt to circumvent the warnings about clicking on emails and entering personal information into a website. Ensure your information is protected by using only official customer service numbers as printed on official websites or on the back of your credit or debit card.
Protect Yourself
- CAREFULLY CHECK the name of the email sender. For example, you may receive email solicitations - both legitimate offers and scams - from other institutions that include "Premier" or "Premiere" in their name. Don't assume these are from Premier America Credit Union just because the name is similar. If you question the source at all, feel free to email us at HBSecurity@premier.org or call (800) 772-4000 or (818) 772-4000.
- LOOK FOR "RED FLAGS" in unsolicited emails, such as threats to charge a fee or close or suspend your account if you do not act immediately.
- DO NOT RESPOND to emails asking you to verify personal or private information (such as account numbers, PINs or social security numbers). Your Credit Union will NEVER ask you for any private information via an unsecured email.
- BEWARE OF SUSPICIOUS links and telephone numbers in emails, especially if you are asked to enter or provide sensitive information.
- BOOKMARK web pages you visit often, or type a URL directly into your web browser address bar, to ensure that you are accessing a legitimate site and not a "spoofed" site.
Pharming
Pharming crimeware misdirects users to fraudulent sites or proxy servers, typically through DNS hijacking or poisoning.
