Reminder: Home National Bank will never ask for your PIN or password over the telephone or by e-mail.
Email Fraud
Phishing (pronounced “fishing”) is a form of criminal activity that employs social engineering techniques to acquire sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details. By masquerading as a trustworthy person or business in an apparently official electronic communication like e-mail, criminals use sophisticated lures to “fish” for users’ financial information and passwords.
How to avoid getting hooked:
- Don’t reply to email or click on pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information and do not click on links in the message. Don’t cut and paste a link from the message into our Web browser-the links may look as if they go one place, but actually it sends you to a different site. I site where they can get you hooked.
- Some scammers send an email that appears to be from a legitimate business and ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a “refund”. If you need to reach an organization or company that you do business with, call the number you have on record, the back of statements, or back of your card.
- Use anti-virus and anti-spy ware software, as well as a firewall, and update them regularly.
- Don’t email personal or financial information period
- Review bank and credit card statements as soon as possible for any unauthorized transactions
- Be cautious about opening any attachments or downloading any files from emails you receive.
- If you have been scammed, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft website at www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.
