13 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Fraud During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Fraudsters are using the collective fear surrounding COVID-19 to scam innocent people. Here are precautionary steps from the Federal Trade Commission and Homeland Security Investigations to avoid becoming a fraud victim. Read More
Unemployment Benefit and Other Scams to Protect Yourself Against During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Fraudsters are taking advantage of COVID-19 and its impact on the economy to exploit people who have lost their jobs. Here are some ways to protect yourself. Read More
How to Protect Your Money During COVID-19
During a time when everyone is stocking up on paper goods and grocery items, it might seem like a smart idea to also stockpile our assets and quarantine our cash at home with us. But there are better ways to keep your money safe. Read More
Tax Season is Here: 5 Scams to Avoid
Tax season is underway and fraudsters are attempting to con the unsuspecting in 2020. To protect your data, identity, and money, please be aware of the following scams. Identity Theft Tax Refund Scam When someone uses your identity to file a fraudulent tax refund and claim a refund, it’s an identity theft tax refund. The […] Read More
11 Scams to Watch For
As technology continues to improve and develop, so do the tools and methods that scammers use. Our security and fraud team created this list of important tips to help you protect your accounts. Read More
Fraud Watch: Clickjacking, SIM Swapping, and Smishing
As our world becomes more connected, the threat of cybercrime continues to grow, making it one of the largest looming threats for businesses and individuals. According to , 23% of Americans reported being a victim of cybercrime or having a family member who was a victim. Meanwhile, found that cybercriminals targeted small businesses 43% of […] Read More
Life Advice from a Digital Guru
Wear sunscreen. Stay hydrated. Think twice before clicking “Reply All.” Do not go back for that third slice of cake. The world around us is spinning with suggestions, recommendations, and cautionary tales of why we should or should not do something based on some “listen man, I’ve been there” terrible first-hand experience. The reality is, […] Read More
Tending Community In an Age of Anxiety
Seven decades ago, Auden penned the phrase, “An Age of Anxiety” in a poem of the same name. His insight spoke to a plight of the human condition, a suffering of angst born out of world wars and a cultural shift to market consumption and increased social isolation since the industrial revolution. What Auden observed was […] Read More
Data Security Basics: 10 Easy Steps for Digital Self Defense
We race through today’s world leaving a trail of data behind us, from information about which Buzzfeed lists we’ve enjoyed to personally identifiable information that cyber criminals can use to “borrow” our identities or our bank accounts. When we’re so busy, we easily forget about data security…until it’s too late. But there are some quick […] Read More
Credit Freeze: Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Put That Credit On Ice
Since the announcement of the Equifax breach, you might have noticed friends and social media posts urging you to order a credit freeze. When hacks occur, the internet world can become a panicky place to be. While a credit freeze might provide the best solution for some, it might not necessarily be best suited for […] Read MoreOnline Banking If you are logging in for the first time (or if it has been 6 months since your last log in), use temporary credentials in the box to the right. Once in, you’ll be prompted to set up new credentials.
- Temporary USERNAME: Vantage West Member #
- Temporary PASSWORD: Last 4 digits of primary account holder’s social security # (For business accounts, use the last 4 digits of the business’s EIN.)
- Once in, follow prompts to create a new Username & Password. For future logins, use your new credentials.