December 17, 2009 | SECURITY UPDATE - PLEASE READ!

WARNING: With the approach of new regulations governing internet banking security, there is the possibility of increased fraudulent (scams) activity. These scams attempt to solicit personal information such as name, address, social security numbers, account numbers and more, all while posing to be an official organization, institution or agency.

PLEASE NOTE: Union Bank will never solicit any personal information via email. Please DO NOT respond to any email asking for confidential information. If you have any questions, or have responded to such an email, please contact us promptly.

IMPORTANT: If you have had ANY inquiries about personal information relating to your Union Bank debit or credit cards please contact our Electronic Banking Department at 802-888-6600 between 8:00AM and 5:00PM. Please know that Union Bank will never send you an email or call you asking for your personal information related to your electronic banking services. If you receive an email or phone call asking you to provide personal and/or sensitive information, do not click on any link and do not send or tell anyone the information. Even if the website, email or caller "appears" to be genuine - do not continue. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our Electronic Banking Department at 802-888-6600.

Note that this alert does not represent all current security incidents. For general information and helpful hints toward good personal security practices, please visit our Security page. Union Bank strives to maintain the most up-to-date, complete and accurate customer and account information.   If you have any questions, please call us at (802) 888-6600, email us or write to us at P.O. Box 667, Morrisville, VT 05661.

___________________

December 12, 2009 | SECURITY UPDATE - PLEASE READ!

For years, Better Business Bureau (BBB) has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door. With the U.S. Census process beginning, BBB advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.

Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

“Most people are rightfully cautious and won’t give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however the Census is an exception to the rule,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson. “Unfortunately, scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government employee and soliciting sensitive financial information.”

The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year, as well as determine a State’s number of Congressional representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau’s request for information. During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living in the house.

Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are impersonating Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

• Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the lookout for e-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Note that this alert does not represent all current security incidents. For general information and helpful hints toward good personal security practices, please visit our Security page. Union Bank strives to maintain the most up-to-date, complete and accurate customer and account information.   If you have any questions, please call us at (802) 888-6600, email us or write to us at P.O. Box 667, Morrisville, VT 05661.