High Country Bank Offers 7 Tips to Prevent Tax ID Fraud
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Dear High Country Bank Customers,


As Americans begin the process of filing tax returns, sadly, identity thieves are scheming to get their hands on that money. Tax identity theft has been the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission for the past five years. High Country Bank is using the start of this tax season to raise consumer awareness and provide tips to prevent tax ID fraud.

"Identity thieves look for every opportunity to steal your information, especially during tax season," said Brenda Spezze, Vice President of E-Banking.  "Consumers should be on alert and take every step they can to protect their personal and financial information."

Tax identity fraud takes place when a criminal files a false tax return using a stolen Social Security number in order to fraudulently claim the refund. Identity thieves generally file false claims early in the year and victims are unaware until they file a return and learn one has already been filed in their name.

To help consumers prevent tax ID fraud, High Country Bank is offering the following tips:
  • File early. File your tax return as soon as you're able, giving criminals less time to use your information to file a false return.
  • File on a protected wi-fi network. If you're using an online service to file your return, be sure you're connected to a password-protected personal network. Avoid using public networks like a wi-fi hotspot at a coffee shop.
  • Use a secure mailbox. If you're filing by mail, drop your tax return at the post office or an official postal box instead of your mailbox at home . Some criminals look for completed tax return forms in home mailboxes during tax season.
  • Find a tax preparer you trust. If you're planning to hire someone to do your taxes, get recommendations and research a tax preparer thoroughly before handing over all of your financial information.
  • Shred what you don't need. Once you've completed your tax return, shred the sensitive documents that you no longer need and safely file away the ones you do.
  • Beware of phishing scams by email, text or phone. Scammers may try to solicit sensitive information by impersonating the IRS. Know that the IRS will not contact you by email, text or social media. If the IRS needs information, they will contact you by mail first.
  • Keep an eye out for missing mail. Fraudsters look for W-2s, tax refunds or other mail containing your financial information. If you don't receive your W-2s, and your employer indicates they've been mailed, or it looks like it has been previously opened upon delivery, contact the IRS immediately.
If you believe you're a victim of tax identity theft or if the IRS denies your tax return because one has previously been filed under your name, alert the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490. In addition, you should:
  • Respond immediately to any IRS notice and complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
  • Contact your bank immediately, and close any accounts opened without your permission or tampered with.
  • Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a 'fraud alert' on your credit records:
 
More information about tax identity theft is available from the FTC at ftc.gov/taxidtheft and the IRS at irs.gov/identitytheft.
 

Warmly,

Your Friends at High Country Bank
High Country Bank Team Recognition

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD for third quarter goes to Sheri Talbot, Customer Service Representative Salida Highway Branch



What Sheri's peers shared...
 
"Sheri has much compassion for her customers.  She is a favorite and "go to person" for many of our Salida clients.  Many of them will wait quite a while, just to see Sheri.  She takes the time to explain documents and how things work and uses and promotes all of the E-Banking products we offer." 

"She is always helpful in any situation and goes out of her way to greet customers and chit chat with them."


TEAM PLAYER AWARD for third quarter goes to Emma Lindbloom, Assistant Vice President of Commercial Loans Salida Highway Branch



What Emma's peers shared...

"Emma has a amazing following of customers and you don't want to get in her way when handling customers. She is insistent on handling loan closings and allows the loan officers to sit in and watch so they don't mess up what she is doing. She is responsive to customer's needs and is always helpful and friendly."

"Emma is one of, if not the most reliable person in this Bank. You can always count on Emma to not only to get her job done, but also to help out anyone in the loan department or bank if they need help. It's a stress relief for certain knowing that Emma is in the department and working for us!"


TEAM PLAYER AWARD for third quarter goes to Kimalee Armstrong, Head Teller Buena Vista branch  



 What Kimalee's peers shared...
 
"She always answers my many, many questions. Even when she is busy, she still tries helping as much as possible. Whenever I learn something new, it is typically Kim teaching me. She even says we can call her whenever she is gone in case no one else is here to answer any of my or the clients' questions that I myself may not know the answer to.
She strives to help her employees be the best they can be and to help them learn more in order to help our clients out to the fullest extent.

"Kim is always willing to help anyone out, and always has an answer for whatever questions come through the door."
 

TEAM PLAYER AWARD for third quarter goes to Kelly Ordaz, Staff Accountant Salida Highway Branch

 What Kelly's peers shared...
 
"She has worked so hard over the past couple months while Chelsea was on maternity leave. She learned so much and has put all of her things aside just to keep things running in the accounting department. I owe her so much for all her help and so do many others. I have never met anyone who works harder just to make sure everyone else is pleased, she is truly a joy to work with!"
 
"Kelly is always happy to answer any questions we have and always willing to go above and beyond"



ROCK STAR AWARD for third quarter goes to Priscilla Steinmetz, Executive Administrative Assistant Salida Highway Branch



 What Priscilla's peers shared...

"Over the past few months, she has helped put together and organized great things for the community and the bank.  Her peers feel that they can go to her for advice and direction.  She helps out in whichever department is in need, willing to do anything it takes to get the job done.  Priscilla always has a smile and kind word, even though she is getting pulled in a million directions."

"Priscilla is nothing short of amazing. Anything you ask her to do she does, and all with a smile on her face. And she probably completes it 100 times better than if you would have done it yourself. I feel she has done a great job in improving employee morale because of the care and thought she puts into the events that she organizes. She is a true rock star!


SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AWARD for third quarter goes to Samantha Shake, Mortgage Loan Processor Salida Highway Branch



 What Samantha's peers shared...
 
"She handles it all. She continues to manage a huge processing load while at the same time handling the escrow analysis and property tax disbursements for the servicing department, training new people and assisting wherever she can in the loan department. She maintains a positive attitude and a great sense of humor and is easily approachable to ask for help when a job needs to get done.  She isn't looking for compliments - she just comes to work to do her job and ensure we are successful as a team."

"She always makes an effort to answer the phone whenever we call, and even if she doesn't know the answer she will find out and get back to us in a timely matter."

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Charity of the Month

High Country Bank is proud to announce its January Charities of the Month;
The Grainery in Salida, Arkansas Valley Christian Mission in Buena Vista, and Golden Age Center in Canon City.  
  
During the month of January, the Buena Vista branch will also collect non-perishable food items for the Mission.This food drive is to help the Mission replenish their stock from the holidays.


Mountain Lion at Longfellow

Thanks to a proud "papa" who also happens to be our bank president and a kindergartner with a Mountain Lion song, Longfellow Elementary has a new piece of art! On Friday, November 11th, with the help of John Diesslin, Rocky Mazza, and Brian Smith, a mountain lion sculpture was installed right outside the front doors of Longfellow Elementary. A big thank you goes to Longfellow Principal, Chuck McKenna, and a special thank you to High Country Bank for this generous donation to the the Salida School District. 
 



Imagination Library

High Country Bank made a donation this past December to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The donation, made through Salida's Sunrise Rotary and Buena Vista's Rotary will benefit local newborns to five years.   These local children will receive a book every month for the first five years of their lives.  What an excellent way to share the love of reading with our community.


Salida Soup

Mark Monroe of Sellars Project Space presents December's Salida Soup Pot to Andre Wilkens with the Salida High School Jazz Combo.  High Country Bank made a $250.00 donation which will support our local high school students endeavor in Texas.  These hard working students and their director will be judged in several different areas this coming spring.  We wish them luck, and know that all of their hard-work will pay off.  



Canon City Branch Cares and Shares



The Canon City Branch has partnered with Toys for Tots and Loaves and Fishes to collect toys to be distributed by December 22nd.  This has been an annual tradition since December 2006.  We have some very generous customers!




High Country Bank also presented a check to Loaves and Fishes as our charity of the month.  Pictured from left to right are: Dee Dee Clements (Director of Loaves and Fishes), Jennifer Guerra, Lynnette Passarelli and Vanessa Trujillo.

Salida Womens Volleyball Association

High Country Bank is proud to sponsor Salida Womens Volleyball this winter season.  We appreciate that this dynamic group cares about their wellness, but are very excited to know that fun is their mission!  Good luck team!  


Open Houses

Buena Vista and Salida Branches invited customers in to celebrate the holidays and High Country Bank's 130th Birthday.  It was great to fun to see our customers enjoying the camaraderie and the goodies!     




Pictured:  Valarie Austin and Jessica Gorman




Pictured:  Franz Wawrczyniak and Niki Tracy


Tree of Hope

Your friends at High Country Bank would like to express our gratitude to the community members that so graciously donated to the Tree of Hope this holiday season.  Because of your heartfelt involvement, many people in this community will have a present under their tree this holiday season. 
 
An extra special thank you to the following  individuals and organizations:  Family Dollar Salida for their generous donations, the Edmonds Family who made a special donation in honor of Janis Edmonds who served as the treasurer for the Tree of Hope for several years, the Correctional Peace Officers Fund,  the ad team at The Mountain Mail for all of their support, Heart of the Rockies Radio for getting the word out to the community, Antero Electric for going beyond, Wal Mart for their unwavering generosity, VN Nails, Integrate, Kaleidoscope, Book Haven, the Chamber of Commerce for supporting the Tree of Hope, that special "Secret Santa" out there (The stockings were hung because of you and your generosity!), Patio Pancake, Columbine Manor, Safeway, Dream Lamberson at Collegiate Peaks Bank for entrusting High Country Bank with this very special tradition, the employees of High Country Bank, for not only their willingness to take this on, but for doing so with bells and whistles and open hearts, to Salida, Poncha Springs, Howard, Buena Vista and surrounding communities for their open hearts, and finally to the providers in the region...they show support on a daily basis, and they do so with absolute unconditional love. 

We were so touched to see our communities working together, ensuring that our neighbors have a special holiday season.  Please accept our heartfelt thanks.
 

Brenda Spezze, Vice President of E Banking shows Clyde and Guy Edmonds the impact that their donation had, which was made in honor of their wife and mother, Janis Edmonds, who served on the Tree of Hope Board for several years.  Over 700 gifts were donated this holiday season. 

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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.  Member FDIC.
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