Spring 2008 Newsletter

We're here when you want to bank

American Savings Bank makes it so convenient and easy to bank with an extensive ATM network, telephone and online banking, and in-store locations at some of your favorite local merchants. Plus, not only are we nearby or just around the corner, we're also open longer – so that you don't have to rush or try to squeeze your trip to the bank into your already busy schedule. Last year, we extended our banking hours at many of our branches on Oahu, with many featuring Saturday and even Sunday hours.

Now, our Neighbor Island customers on Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Molokai can also take advantage of extended banking hours:

Standard branch hours for most locations are either 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Most in-store locations at Foodland/Sack N Save and Wal-Mart are open until 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Some locations have Saturday, Sunday and most holiday banking hours from 9 a.m. –
4 p.m.

To find a branch near you or for our hours of operation, call 627-6900 (Oahu) or 1-800-272-2566 (Neighbor Islands and Mainland) or visit asbhawaii.com.

Beware of tax scams

You may be eagerly awaiting your tax refund, but don't fall for phony solicitations that appear to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Scam artists posing as the IRS, either by phone or through e-mail, are trying to get taxpayers to reveal personal and financial information that they can use to commit identity theft, access bank accounts or open new loans and credit card accounts in your name.

The IRS has warned of the following scams. Do not respond to any of these phone calls or "phishing" e-mails.

Rebate check scams. The government is working on an economic stimulus plan that would include sending rebate checks to taxpayers. It's not complete and hasn't started, but scammers are taking advantage of knowing about it and are already calling and e-mailing potential victims, claiming that they can get their rebate checks early if they provide their Social Security and bank account numbers. They may intimidate victims by saying that they won't get the rebate if the information isn't provided.

Refund e-mail. These bogus e-mails tell recipients that they need to click on a link in the e-mail to receive their tax refunds, and then ask for personal and confidential information. A similar one claims that you can "donate" your refund to a tax-exempt organization by providing information.

Audit e-mail. Scammers may scare victims by notifying them that their tax returns are being audited. This one is especially sneaky, because it may include a salutation with the person's name (most phishing e-mails aren't personalized), and notification of an audit is likely to put anyone into panic mode.

Changes to tax law e-mail. This fake e-mail, addressed to businesses, accountants and treasury managers, instructs them to download information on tax law changes by clicking on a series of links. Clicking on the links may load "malware" onto the victim's computer. Malware is code that can take over the victim's computer hard drive, giving someone remote access to the computer, or look for passwords and other information.

Paper check phone call. In this scam, a caller claims to be an IRS employee calling about a tax refund check that wasn't cashed and asks for the individual's bank account number.

Be safe
If you wish to access the IRS Web site, go directly to irs.gov on your browser. Never click on a link in an e-mail or open an attachment in an e-mail that appears to be from the IRS. You can forward suspicious e-mails or notify the IRS of questionable phone calls at phishing@irs.gov.

Page 1: Introducing: ASB Free Checking! | Online Banking puts you in touch and in control
Page 2: Take control of your retirement savings
Page 3: The best banking hours in Hawaii | Beware of tax scams
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