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The Three Ps Help Holiday Shoppers Protect Identity

CHICAGO, November 22, 2006 –Retailers and charities aren't the only ones expecting to benefit from the upcoming holiday shopping season. With the average shopper expected to spend nearly $800 this year on holiday merchandise, according to the National Retail Federation, thieves are also looking to cash in on the season. Besides stealing money and objects, identity theft is gaining popularity among criminals.

"At Harris, information security is one of our highest priorities. We use the latest technologies to prevent unauthorized access," said Al Meyer, vice president of Information Security at Harris. "However, the best software in the world won't protect an individual who has unknowingly given away the keys to the kingdom – their personal information."

Identity theft is taken seriously at Harris where the bank offers its customers, who have been victimized by identity theft, the services of the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC). This not-for-profit cooperative effort helps victims of identity theft by reducing the delay and frustration that consumers can often experience as they restore their financial identity. Further information can be found at the Harris website:www.harrisbank.com. under "Security".

Harris wants to help consumers avoid identity theft and reminds them to be aware of the three Ps of identity theft: People, Paper and Phishing.

People:

• Remember identity theft is often committed by someone you know. This makes identity theft doubly distressing. Do not give your credit card or automated teller machine (ATM) card to anyone, including friends and family. Furthermore, keeping documents with personal information in an encrypted electronic file or under physical lock and key will remove additional temptation for people who are often in your home.
• Beware of "shoulder surfing." When asked to verify sensitive information, rather than saying it out loud for anyone near by to hear, write it on a piece of paper and make sure you get the paper back. Likewise, if you are shopping online or over the phone at work, be aware of who may be within earshot or looking over your shoulder, especially in open environments such as cubicles.
• Keep a close eye on your credit card when making a purchase. If your card needs to be taken to "the back" to complete the transaction, insist on accompanying them. Also be on the look out for "skimming" which occurs when your credit card is scanned through a second machine that stores the information from the magnetic strip on the back of the card.
• Watch your personal belongings at all times including handbags and purchases. The stores are not responsible for any lost items so be careful, especially at the register when you can get easily distracted by the transaction itself. Also, minimize what you carry with you so that you can more easily monitor what is in your w allet.

Paper:

Review your bank account and credit card statements early and often. Reviewing account statements online is best because you can spot suspicious transactions quickly.

Apply for store credit over the internet or toll free number instead of completing a paper application. Retailers frequently offer customers an immediate discount for purchases made when they open a new store credit account by filling out a paper application on the spot. These applications contain all the information necessary to open fraudulent accounts and are a prime target for thieves.

Monitor your mail carefully. As you look for holiday cards, also watch for monthly bills to ensure they're not being diverted. Make the trip to the post office to mail envelopes containing checks or sensitive information and avoid mailing items after the last pick-up of the day. If you plan to travel, suspend mail delivery. You can even schedule your mail hold online at www.usps.com .

Shred documents that contain personal or financial information. This includes, for example, bank statements, utility statements and pre-approved credit card offers.

Phishing:

Be wary of unsolicited emails requesting information that is sensitive or out of the ordinary. Phishing is the practice of sending unsolicited email messages in order to trick recipients into divulging personal and financial information. These emails use logos, links and email addresses that look like they could be from legitimate companies, and then send consumers to web sites that ask for personal and financial information. Many times these arrive under the guise of contests, a request to change or update personal information, a w arning of possible suspension of customer cards or accounts, or provide a false application for products such as credit cards. It is very important to remember that reputable companies such as banks, online shopping sites, and government sites will never ask for you to send sensitive information to them via email. If you are suspicious, always contact the company in question and ask before responding to the email. The Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Web site www.consumer.gov has more information about how to identify and report these scams.

Question requests for charitable donations that come unsolicited through the internet. This is a new twist on phishing and is especially compelling during the holidays as criminals are quick to exploit human compassion. Use the Federal Trade Commission's "charity checklist" to ensure your donation reaches its intended recipient.

About Harris
Harris is an integrated financial service organization providing more than 1 million personal, business and corporate clients with banking, lending, investing and wealth management solutions. The organization is a member of the BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which also provides corporate and investment banking services in the U.S. under the BMO Capital Markets name.

Harris^® is a trade name used by various financial service subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp. Banking products and services are provided by Harris N.A., The Harris Bank, N.A. and their bank affiliates. Members FDIC.

Brokerage products are offered through Harris Investor Services, Inc. (HIS), a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC registered investment adviser. Insurance and annuities are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS). Securities are provided by BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCM), a registered broker dealer and member NYSE, FINRA and SIPC. HIS, HBIS and BMOCM are affiliated companies and are wholly owned subsidiaries of Harris Financial Corp. Products offered by HIS, HBIS and BMOCM are Not Insured by the FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by Any Bank or Bank Affiliate, May Lose Value. The purchase of insurance or an annuity is not a condition to any bank loan or service. Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc., an SEC registered investment adviser. Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc. Investment advisory services are offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc. Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.