To help protect you against fraud, we would like to alert you to the following types of phishing scams.

Phishing. Fake emails, voice or text messages are sent in order to trick unsuspecting victims into divulging sensitive personal information such as usernames, passwords and credit card numbers. These messages often may contain urgent instructions, fake toll-free numbers, links to counterfeit websites or even harmful viruses. These messages will likely appear to be from reputable organizations.

Phone phishing. You may be contacted by phone (either with a “live person” or recorded message) and asked to provide or confirm your personal/financial information or requests that you contact a fake toll-free number.

SMS text message phishing (SMiShing). You may receive a text message indicating that you need to visit a website or call a phone number to prevent fraudulent charges or retain the use of debit or credit card.

Don’t get hooked! If your identity is stolen, thieves can run up bills and commit other crimes in your name. Use the following tips provided to protect your identity from phishing.

Tips to protect your identity against phishing:

1. Never provide personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited request via phone, email or text message. Contact the company directly using the phone number provided on your monthly statement to verify the validity of the message.
   
   
2. Be wary of opening any attachment or downloading any files from an email or website provided in a text message.
   
   
3. Use a firewall and install anti-virus and spyware software on your computer and keep them updated.
   
   
4. Don’t send sensitive information, such as your SSN or account number, via un-encrypted email, as it is not a secure way to transmit information.
   
   
5. Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges. You can use our Net Banking service to check your account activity anytime you want! Personal Net Banking customers are automatically enrolled in our ID Theft Resolution Service.
   
   
6. Change your password(s) every three months and choose one that is hard to guess. Please note: We will never request that customers provide personal information to us via email or pop-up windows, nor use pre-recorded phone messages. Any unsolicited request for your account or personal information you receive should be considered fraudulent and confirmed by contacting your local branch directly to verify the validity of the message.

If you wish to report a suspicious message, that appears to be from Sterling Savings Bank, forward the email or text to phishing@sterlingsavings.com. Do not respond to or use any links within the email or text message.

If you wish to report a suspicious phone message, please contact your local Sterling branch or call us at -1-800-650-7141.

To learn more on how to protect yourself against fraud, please visit the Federal Trade Commission website for additional fraud prevention tips.