Identity Theft

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft!

Identity Theft occurs when someone wrongfully uses your personal identification to obtain credit, loans, services, even rentals and mortgages in your name. Identity Theft is a frightening and overwhelming experience if it does happen to you.

Reduce your chances of being a victim of identity theft by remaining attentive in all financial matters and taking extra precaution to prevent your personal identifiers.

Here are a few pointers to help you avoid becoming a victim:

Your Daily Activities

1. Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and social security numbers, etc. Do not carry identifiers you do not need. Don't carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport, unless necessary.
2. Only release your personal data to agencies that require it for action you have initiated. Never give this information to unsolicited telephone callers or over the Internet.
3. Ensure that your PIN numbers cannot be observed by anyone while you're using an ATM.
4. Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters or in trashcans at gas stations.
5. Memorize all social security numbers and all passwords. Put passwords on your accounts that do not use your mother's maiden name. Make up a fictitious word, use numbers and symbols.

Your Mail

1. Shred all your important papers and especially pre-approved credit applications, bills, and other financial information that provides access to your private information.
2. Remove you name from mailing lists for pre-approved credit lines by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688)
3. Remove your name, phone number and home address from marketing lists by contacting Direct Marketing Association.

   Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service P. O. Box 9008 Farmingdale, NY 11735

   Direct Marketing Association Telephone Preference Service P. O. Box 9014 Farmingdale, NY 11735

4. Do not put checks in the mail from your home mailbox. Drop them off at a U.S. Mailbox or the U.S. Post Office. Mail theft is common. It is easy to change the name of the recipient on the check with an acid wash.
5. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery.

Your Credit Cards

1. Cancel all credit cards that you do not use or have not used in 6 months. Thieves use these very easily - open credit is a prime target.
2. Get credit cards and business cards with your picture on them.

On the Internet

1. Use caution when disclosing checking account numbers, credit cards number or other personal financial data at any web sit or on-line service location unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.
2. Don't email your personal data unless you use encryption technology.

Premier Bank will never contact you by email requesting personal or private information. We may contact you occasionally by phone to verify certain information or request additional information that may have not been collected at the time you opened your account. If you are not absolutely positive you are speaking with a Premier Bank employee, please do not give the information. Take the name and phone number and call back using the bank's main phone number 386-2225.

If you believe your Premier Bank account information may have been compromised, please contact us immediately either by phone at (850) 386-2225 or email us at info@premierbnk.com to assist you in protecting your Premier Bank assets and your identity.