Account takeover attempts are on the rise across the financial industry, and as criminals become more sophisticated, protecting your financial accounts requires staying one step ahead. At Priority Trust Credit Union, we believe informed members are protected members. Here’s what you need to know about account takeover and how to defend against it.

What Is Account Takeover?

Account takeover occurs when criminals gain unauthorized access to your banking credentials and use them to control your accounts. These attacks often start with stolen or compromised passwords, making your first line of defense stronger authentication practices.

Unlike traditional fraud where criminals use stolen card numbers for individual transactions, account takeover gives them complete control over your accounts, potentially allowing them to change contact information, transfer funds, and even lock you out of your own accounts.

How Criminals Target Your Accounts

Understanding their tactics helps you recognize and avoid these threats:

Password Attacks Fraudsters use data from previous breaches at other companies or employ automated tools to guess common password patterns. If you reuse passwords across multiple sites, a breach at one company can compromise all your accounts.

Credential Harvesting Sophisticated phishing campaigns create fake websites that look identical to legitimate banking sites. When you enter your login information, criminals capture and use those credentials on the real site.

Social Engineering Scammers contact you directly, often posing as bank representatives or technical support staff. They create urgent scenarios to pressure you into sharing account information or verification codes.

Building Your Digital Defense

Create Fortress-Strong Passwords Use a unique, complex password for your Priority Trust accounts that differs from all your other online accounts. Strong passwords include:

• At least 12 characters
• A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
• No personal information like birthdays, addresses, or family names

Pro tip: Password managers generate and store strong passwords for you, so you only need to remember one master password.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication This adds a second verification step beyond your password. Even if criminals obtain your login credentials, they still need access to your phone or email to get into your account.

Priority Trust offers two-factor authentication through:

• Text messages to your registered phone number
• Email verification to your registered email address
• Voice calls to your registered phone number

Practice Safe Digital Habits

• Log out completely when finished with your banking session, especially on shared computers
• Keep your browser updated with the latest security patches
• Never access accounts through links in emails - always type the web address directly or use your bookmarks
• Monitor your accounts regularly and set up account alerts for transactions

Warning Signs of Account Compromise

Contact Priority Trust immediately if you notice:

• Login attempts from unfamiliar locations
• Password reset emails you didn’t request
• Account alerts for transactions you didn’t make
• Inability to access your account with your usual credentials
• Changes to your contact information that you didn’t make

What Priority Trust Does to Protect You

We continuously invest in security measures to protect your accounts, including:

• Advanced fraud monitoring systems that detect unusual account activity
• Secure encryption for all online transactions
• Regular security updates to our digital banking platforms
• Multi-layered authentication options

Important reminder: We will never contact you asking for login credentials, passwords, or verification codes. Legitimate communications about your account will direct you to log into your account directly or visit a branch.

Take Action Today

1. Review your password strength - If it’s been more than six months since you changed your banking password, update it now
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already
3. Set up account alerts to monitor your account activity
4. Contact us at 713–970–6200 if you need help with any security features

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Need immediate help? If you suspect your account has been compromised, contact Priority Trust Credit Union immediately at 713–970–6200.

Your vigilance combined with our security measures creates the strongest protection for your financial future. Stay informed, stay secure, and thank you for trusting Priority Trust Credit Union with your financial needs.