Premier Bank Joins ABA Phishing Awareness Campaign

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Premier Bank is partnering with the American Bankers Association and more than 1,300 banks nationwide to educate customers about the persistent threat of phishing scams.

The initiative coincides with Federal Trade Commission estimates that consumers lost $1.9 billion to phishing schemes and other fraud in 2019, and the pandemic has only increased the threat, the FTC says.

To help combat the toll that phishing is taking on customers, the partnership is launching an industry-wide consumer awareness campaign called #BanksNeverAskThat. Using humorous and engaging videos and social media posts, the BanksNeverAskThat campaign seeks to empower consumers to identify bogus bank communications asking for sensitive information such as their passwords and Social Security numbers.

“This campaign is an unprecedented effort by the banking industry to address a growing threat to our customers,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO, in a statement. “Thanks to participating banks like Premier Bank, we’re turning the tables on the bad guys by giving consumers the tools they need to spot illegitimate bank communications.”

Premier Bank will share the campaign’s eye-catching basic questions and consumer tips on social media designed to highlight the most common phishing schemes.

“Cybersecurity education and fraud awareness can often be dull and forgettable. This campaign is designed to be bright and bold with a bit of comedy,” said Vince Liuzzi, executive vice president and chief banking for Premier Bank. “Customers are directed to BanksNeverAskThat.com to learn more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, take the #BanksNeverAskThat quiz, and discover videos, phishing red flags, tips and FAQs.”

Premier Bank, headquartered here, operates 75 branches and 12 loan offices in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.