LOCAL PHISHING ALERT

PriorityOne Bank has recently been made aware of some fraudulent activity, often referred to as phishing, targeting customers and non-customers of several local financial institutions. These messages have been sent by way of cell phone calls, text messages, and email. The automated phone calls typically ask the recipient to provide their debit card number and PIN for identification. Some victims are asked to “text” their bank account number to a phone number, or email it to any number of email addresses. The messages generally mention that the card number for the recipient has been deactivated. This is an effort to have the recipient contact a phone number or web site to provide card information this is information that could allow scammers to empty the victim’s bank account or open new credit cards in the victim’s name.  These calls are not legitimate. Please be aware that PriorityOne Bank will never ask for personal or account information by e-mail or solicit account information by phone. Should an account holder receive a suspicious phone call or e-mail, do NOT give out any personal or account information. We believe these phishing attempts are done at random and are not targeted towards any specific financial institution. If you believe you have been a victim of a phishing attempt, please contact your financial services institution immediately; or report it to the US Attorney’s office at 662-238-7677. If you would like more information on phishing, how to avoid it and what to do if it happens to you, go to http://onguardonline.gov/phishing .