West One Bank provides this information to protect its customers. Arm yourself against e-mail and Web criminals by being informed.

West One Bank will never ask you, via e-mail, or on an unsecured Web page, for your Social Security Number, account numbers, or other financial information. Many kinds of technological robberies are being initiated over the Internet and by e-mail. Counterfeit cashier's checks, phishing, pharming, the Nigerian Scam Variation, bogus contests, and great stock deals are all examples of scams being used against anyone with a bank account.

Counterfeit Cashier's or Official checks:

If you receive something that looks like a Cashier's or Official check in the mail, bring it to us for verification before you cash or deposit it. It is possible for thieves to steal a Banks logo and routing number and print them on fake or imitation Official checks. West One Bank has implemented a policy to protect you and the Bank by placing a hold on all Cashier and Official checks until they can be verified as legitimate and backed by sufficient funds. If you cash or deposit such a check that later proves to be fraudulent, even through no fault of yours, you will be responsible for reimbursing the Bank in full.

Phishing and Pharming:

Phishing attacks use both social engineering and technical subterfuge to steal consumers' personal identity data and financial account credentials. Schemes use e-mails to lead consumers to counterfeit Web sites designed to trick recipients into divulging financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames, passwords and SSNs. Hijacking brand names of banks, retailers, and credit card companies, phishers often convince recipients to respond. Technical subterfuge schemes plant crimeware into personal computers to steal credentials directly, often using Trojan horse keylogger spyware. Pharming crimeware misdirects users to fraudulent sites or proxy servers, typically through Domain Name Service (DNS) hijacking or poisoning.

Remember:

If you receive any unsolicited e-mail that asks for your personal financial information, and appears to come from West One Bank, call us and verify we sent it. Do not reply until you check with us. Remember, if it doesn't feel right, if it doesn't smell right, it probably isn't right. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you receive any unsolicited request for a donation that requires you to give them your SSN or account number via e-mail, delete it. Don't click on any links, and don't reply in any way. If you receive a phone call from someone who says he or she is with West One Bank, ask the caller for a return phone number. It should match the number at the top of this Web page. If you get one, call West One Bank and verify that the call came from us.

For more information on fraud and scams, via US Mail, e-mail, telephone, or with counterfeit checks, see these helpful Web sites: