Consumer Alert - Phishing and E-Mail Scams (04/03/04)

Companies nationwide are receiving complaints from consumers concerning e-mail solicitations for private information, so-called "Phishing Scams". These e-mails can appear to be from legitimate companies, sometimes including company logos and website images. They request you to reply to the e-mail or click on a link and verify your personal, account or login information. These links are directed to official looking, fake websites where your information is collected for fraudulent use.

In order to protect yourself from this type of identity theft, you should follow these precautions.

• Do not, under any circumstances, provide any information in response to an unsolicited e-mail, even if it is from a company you do business with.
• Always verify any request for information by contacting the company via telephone, using a number provided on your bill or other written correspondence.
• Do not provide information on an on-line application unless it is on a secure web page and with a reputable company.
• If you have any concern that your account information has been compromised, contact the company and change your passwords immediately.

Please be assured that representatives of Winter Hill Bank will never ask you for your password. If you receive an e-mail from the Bank, which you feel is suspicious, please contact us so that we may report it to the proper authorities