Here is a list of tips to consider:

• Change your password. When you access Verity's Home Banking for the first time, you are assigned a temporary password. Once you log-in, you are prompted to change your password. It's good practice to change your password every 90 days.

• If you suspect fraud, act quickly. If you believe someone is trying to commit fraud by pretending to be Verity or you notice fraudulent activity on your accounts, contact us immediately at (206) 440-9000 or (800) 444-4589. We have processes in place to assist you in the event your accounts are compromised.

• Use strong passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs) for your Internet accounts. Choose passwords that are difficult for others to guess. Create passwords that combine letters and numbers.

• Leave suspicious sites. If you suspect that a website is not what it claims to be, leave it immediately. Do not follow any of the instructions it presents.

• Be alert for scam emails. These may appear to come from a trusted business or friend, but actually are designed to trick you into downloading a virus or jumping to a fraudulent website and disclosing sensitive information.

• Do not reply to any emails that request your personal information. Be very suspicious of any email from a business or person that asks for your password, Social Security Number, or other highly sensitive information-or one that sends you personal information and asks you to update or confirm it.

• Open emails only when you know the sender. Be especially careful about opening an email with an attachment. Even a friend may accidentally send an email with a virus.

• Be careful before clicking on a link contained in an email or other message. The link may not be trustworthy.

• Do not send sensitive, personal or financial information unless it is encrypted on a secure website. Regular emails are not encrypted and are just like sending a postcard.

• Do business only with companies you know and trust.

• Be aware-phony "look alike" websites are designed to trick consumers and collect their personal information. Make sure that websites on which you transact business post privacy and security statements-- review them carefully.

• Monitor your transactions. Review your order confirmations, credit card and bank statements as soon as you receive them to make sure you're being charged only for transactions you've made. Immediately report any irregularities in your Verity accounts by calling (206) 440-9000 or (800) 444-4589.