Happy Holidays from your friends at 
High Country Bank
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Dear High Country Bank Customers,

December is Identity Theft and Protection Awareness Month, and High Country Bank would like to offer you six ways to avoid holiday shopping scams.

In the wake of recent data breaches, shoppers should be on high alert while purchasing their presents this holiday season.  "While millions of credit and debit card transactions are conducted safely every day, it's important that consumers are aware of the potential for holiday scams," said Brenda Spezze, Vice President of E-Banking at High Country Bank.  

High Country Bank offers the following tips to help you keep your information safe whether shopping in the store or online:
  • Monitor your account. Use online and mobile banking to keep an eye on your transactions, especially during the holidays. Notify the bank right away if there's any fraudulent activity.
  • Beware of phishing scams. During the holidays, criminals will create a fake email for a deal that's too good to be true. If you click on any links within the email, you may be downloading malware onto your computer or you may be asked for payment information that could lead to fraud.
  • Limit large sums of cash. Even though we've seen financial crime migrate from physical to cyber, customers should be careful not to carry around large sums of cash when shopping. A bank will make you whole if there's fraud against your account. If cash is stolen, your money is gone.
  • Secure your internet connection. If shopping online, make sure you do so from a password protected Wi-Fi network. Never access online banking from a public Wi-Fi network.
  • Shop safely. Before making an online purchase, make sure the website uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the web address begins with "https". Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears on the page.
  • Read the site's privacy policies. Though long and complex, privacy policies tell you how the site protects the personal information it collects. If you don't see or understand a site's privacy policy, consider doing business elsewhere.
Besides looking out for shopping scams this holiday season, we would also like you to consider what to do with all of your old devices when the season brings you new gifts.  There are inherent risks when selling or getting rid of your old devices.  Even though you might reset your device to a factory default, it does not mean that your information cannot be restored.  Although it might be hard to recover this information, it is possible.  

Please consider reading the following articles, so you can make wise choices when replacing your technology:
 
 
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201351  - What to do before selling or giving away your iphone, iPad or iPod
 
 http://www.dban.org/ -- As recommended by our technology experts
 
 

We do not share this information with you to instill fear, but rather to educate our customers on smart practices in a cyber-filled world.

We wish you, our customers,  the happiest of holiday seasons.  
 

Warmly,

Your Friends at High Country Bank
Service to Our Community

  • High Country Bank is proud to announce its December Charities of the Month; Elks Christmas Basket in Salida, Salvation Army in Buena Vista, and Toys for Tots in Canon City.

  • High Country Bank employees prepared and served lunch and dessert to approximately 150 veterans and their families in November. This Veterans Day tradition, in its fourth year, is truly one of the most enjoyable traditions for our employees. Being able to thank our heroes and spend some time with them truly filled our hearts. 
 
  










  • High Country Bank made a donation this fall to the Buena Vista Pregnancy Center. They were Buena Vista's September Charity of the Month.


Pictured from left to right...Ric Casto, Carolyn Gibson (HCB), Donna Cortese, Karol Flowers, Dot Berhardt, Amy Creek, and Valarie Austin (HCB)

  • High Country Bank made a $250.00 donation to Salida Soup's October recipient, Sage Generation.  Sage Generation is a non-profit organization striving to meet the needs of our senior community.  To learn more about Sage Generation, visit www.sagegeneration.org.  

Pictured from left to right...Jere Thomas, Nick Jones, Marilyn Bouldin, and Andrea Carlstrom, Sage Generation Board, receive a check from Salida Soup and High Country Bank

  •  High Country Bank generously contributed to the Salida Community Thanksgiving dinner this past November. A special thanks to Jaime, Chris, Marcus, and Caleb Burton, who put their hearts and souls in to an event that brings our community together at a very special time of the year.  


Pictured from left to right...Chris Burton, Caleb Burton, Gail Granzella, Jaime Burton, Jade  Livecchi, Mitch Laliberte, Larry Smith, Danielle Webster, Jodi Baldwin, Haley Elzinga, and Priscilla Steinmetz

  • Employees from High Country Bank and High Country Investment Services collected 1200 pounds of food and $712.00  through 9 Cares Colorado Shares.  These donations will be distributed through the Arkansas Valley Christian Mission.  

Pictured from left to right Valarie Austin, Sharon Sandefur, Judy Somers, and Carolyn Gibson (not pictured, but volunteering with a smile; Lynette Shaw, Glynis Laub, and Kim Armstrong)

  • High Country Bank was the 1st Place Winner in the Fundraising Challenge for 2016 "Bowl for Great Futures".  The Canon City Branch raised $4,001.00!  They have won the challenge 5 years in a row.


Pictured with the trophy, at the event, from left to right; Kristi Brownfield, Jake Grisenti, Jennifer Guerra, Mindy Hilbert, Michael Passarelli, Lynnette Passarelli, Gina Grisenti, Vanessa Trujillo and Rocco Passarelli.
  • High Country Bank is excited to be assisting with this year's Tree of Hope.  The Tree of Hope is a tree full of gift ideas for people who may not receive a gift this holiday season.  Both recipients and givers remain anonymous.  Gift ideas are found on tags hanging on trees at Patio Pancake, Safeway, and High Country Bank's highway location in Salida and Buena Vista.  Please share in the holiday spirit. Simply take a tag from a tree, purchase a gift, wrap it, and return it to The Mountain Mail or any of the High Country Bank locations in Salida and Buena Vista.  
  • High Country Bank employees had a fabulous time at this year's Parade of Lights.  This time of the year is magical to many, and this year it is extra special because High Country Bank is celebrating its 130th year in business with a community that is dear to our hearts.  A special thank you to the Salida Business Alliance and to The Mountain Mail for hosting such a fun and festive event.  And thank you to a community that is truly the "heart" of the Rockies. 










We are grateful to have the opportunity to engage our neighbors and work with them in "Building Futures Together."  Visit us at www.highcountrybank.net and please like us on Facebook.  
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