What is "Phishing"?
We would like you to be aware of a new type of financial fraud: "phishing", a technique whereby the Web sites of known institutions are entirely or partly copied and e-mails are used to obtain private or confidential data (e.g., Social Security/Tax ID Number, password or PIN (personal identification number), or account number) of the customers of those institutions. The request to provide those data often claims to be motivated by so-called safety measures or the need to update data banks.

Federal Trade Commission Information
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, "phishers send an e-mail or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you may deal with - for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message may ask you to "update," "validate," or "confirm" your account information. Some phishing e-mails threaten a dire consequence if you don't respond. The messages direct you to a Website that looks just like a legitimate organization's site. But it isn't. It's a bogus site whose sole purpose is to trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name."

Stay Alert
Please be aware of anyone requesting your account information via e-mail pretending to be affiliated with RS Investments. If you receive an e-mail asking for your RS account information, please DO NOT give it out. We will never ask you for this type of information via e-mail. To protect your privacy, you can only access your account information by answering security-related questions.

How can you protect yourself?

• Delete suspicious e-mails without opening them. If you do open a suspicious e-mail, do not open any attachments or click on any links it may contain.
• Access your account information only by typing the appropriate Web site address directly into your browser, rather than by clicking on a link.
• Never provide sensitive or personal information in responding to an e-mail.
• Install and regularly update virus protection, spyware removal, and SPAM-filtering software.
• If you suspect that an e-mail appearing to be from RS Investments is fraudulent, please forward it immediately to funds@RSinvestments.com or call us at (800) 766-FUND (3863).

If you have further questions about this topic, please contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit www.ftc.gov.