Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing types of fraud but consumers can take measures to protect themselves from becoming a victim. Home Federal is here to help customers protect themselves by educating them on the risks and the steps to take if you become a victim.
Criminals can steal your identity in many ways and new avenues are being invented all the time. Identity theft involves someone using your personal information: name, social security number, credit card, or even bank account numbers to open accounts or run up bills in your name.
Sometimes, the scheme can be as simple as a phone call or letter asking you to update your information. Do not disclosure your personal and account information to anyone over the phone or by email. Home Federal Bank would never place a call to you requesting this information. If you think you may be a victim of Identity Theft, please contact your bank right away.
The links below are available to you with more information on how to protect yourself from fraud and what steps to take if you become a victim.
Federal Trade Commission - Identity Theft
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Fake Check Scams
www.fakechecks.org
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*PLEASE NOTICE -- Links to other websites are provided as a convenience to our customers and visitors. However, the availability of these sites is not under our control. Home Federal Bank is not responsible for the content, nor does it endorse any of the products or services promoted. Also, the privacy policies and practices of these websites may differ from Home Federal Bank's privacy policy. |
5:03 PM
Friday, November 20, 2009
November 5, 2009
Protective Alert for Small Businesses
As your trusted financial advisor, Home Federal is dedicated to keeping consumers informed of the latest financial schemes affecting our communities. Please be aware of the latest scam focusing on small businesses in our area. You can take steps to safeguard yourself by following the rule to never click on e-mails from a suspicious sender and delete them instead of opening them.
The newest phishing scam targeting small businesses sends an e-mail to the business CFO or owner that has the appearance of a court subpoena, tax lien or other document. Specific names often appear in the e-mails, making them seem even more professional. When the e-mail is clicked on, a dangerous type of software called malware attaches to the computer and runs silently while collecting usernames, passwords and other identifying information. Armed with these credentials, criminals have in some cases completely cleaned out company bank accounts. School districts, utilities and other public entities have also been targeted.
October 30, 2009
Protective Alert
Protective Alert As your trusted financial advisor, Home Federal is dedicated to keeping consumers informed of the latest financial schemes affecting our communities. Please follow the link below for detailed information about a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC and asks recipients to visit a falsified website and submit personal information in order to “check your Deposit Insurance Coverage”. The FDIC does not issue unsolicited e-mails and Home Federal Bank will never ask you for confidential information and it is very important that you NEVER give out your personal information over the phone or in response to an email.
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/alerts/index.htmlIf you think you may be a victim of identity theft, please contact your bank right away.
February 13, 2009
Protective Alert
As your trusted financial advisor, Home Federal is dedicated to keeping consumers informed of the latest financial schemes affecting our communities. We have received reports of two situations targeting people in the markets we serve. While they are not targeting Home Federal customers, we believe it is our responsibility to protect consumers by raising awareness about fraud prevention. If you think you may be a victim of identity theft, please contact your bank right away.
Debit Card Alert
The first situation involves callers receiving phone calls from an out-of-state number which claims that the consumer’s “debit cards could be in jeopardy and that they need to verify all of their account information.” Additionally, there are reports of automated calls directing people to “press 1” to reactivate their card, upon which they are asked for their debit card details.
Phone calls of this nature are categorized as “phone phishing”. Legitimate financial institutions such as Home Federal will never ask you for this information. It is very important that you NEVER give out your personal information over the phone or in response to an email.
Secret Shopper Alert
We are also receiving reports of an attempted “Secret Shopper” scheme, where people are contacted by what appears to be a legitimate business asking them to perform tasks and provide feedback on their experience. The fraud occurs when the victim is asked to use a wire transfer or money order to send funds in exchange for goods or money which is never received.
September 30, 2008
HIGH ALERT: Home Federal Protective Alert.
Customers have been receiving fraudulent email directing them to a phishing website, www.homefdrl.com.
This email is not from Home Federal Bank and customers should not respond. This website is not owned by Home Federal Bank. Please notify In-Touch at 800-244-2149 or 605-336-2470 if you or someone you know has received this email. As a reminder, Home Federal Bank would never ask for customer account information including card numbers, expiration dates, card verification values, or pin numbers through online or email channels.
July 18, 2008
HIGH ALERT: Home Federal Customer Survey Scam.
Some customers havereceived a survey appearing to be from the Home Federal Online Department offering a $20 reward for completing a 5 question survey. It asks for the customer’s Online Account Information and card information for the $20 credit transaction.
This is not from Home Federal Bank and customers should not respond. Please notify In-Touch at 800-244-2149 or 605-336-2470 if you or someone you know has received this survey.
Equal Housing Lender.