American Savings Bank would like to warn the general public about a “phishing” scam with calls originating from the mainland. Fraudulent automated telephone messages falsely identified as coming from American Savings Bank have been reported.

The recorded message informs the recipients that either their American Savings Bank credit card was deactivated or they have been approved for a new American Savings Bank credit card. The recorded message instructs the recipient to provide their card number, personal identification number (PIN), expiration date and the three—digit code located on the back of the card. We urge anyone who receives this call to hang up immediately.

American Savings Bank does not conduct automated phone calling to our customers nor do the bank or its authorized vendors ever solicit confidential or personal account information by phone or email.

If you are an American Savings Bank customer and have responded to a questionable phone call or email, please contact the American Savings Bank customer service center at 627-6900 or toll-free from the neighbor islands at 800-272-2566.

American Savings Bank offers the following reminders for consumers to protect themselves from phishing activities:

1. Be wary of unusual or unsolicited phone calls even if they claim to be on behalf of a bank familiar to you.
2. Before making any type of banking transaction over the phone or through email, verify its authenticity by contacting the bank's phone number listed in a phone book or from an official source.
3. To determine actual customer support and other phone numbers, check the organization's Web site. And when you do your research, don't follow a link in an e-mail—always type the Web site URL address yourself.
4. If available, refer to your hardcopy records of past invoices or statements for legitimate contact phone numbers and other information. Creditor customer support phone numbers are also often listed on the back of credit cards.