Fraud Prevention and Security

We have taken substantial measures at Home State Bank to protect your identity and your accounts. Below you will find some tips and information on how you can help protect yourself. 

Scams/Fraud

Phone Call Scams, Money Transfer Scams, Imposter Scams, Tech Support Scams, Grandkid Scams, IRS Imposter Scams, Online Dating Scams.

Someone calls to ask for money. Are they who they say they are? 

Imposter scams come in many forms. Scammers pretend to be computer technicians, officials from the IRS, grandkids, and online love interests. But their goal is the same-to earn your trust and convince you to send money or to give out personal information.  

Here are a few red flags to help you spot scams. If you hear a line that sounds like this, say “no, thank you”, and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. If you have received this type of call/email and have given out, any information notify us immediately at (320) 231-1118.   

  • You’ve been specially selected (for this offer).
  • You won a prize, but you have to pay “taxes” on it.
  • A friend or family member is in trouble and needs your help. “Grandma, I need money for bail.” Or money for a medical bill. Or some other kind of problem. The caller says it’s urgent and tells you to keep it a secret. 
  • You have a virus or other malware on your computer. Then asks to receive remote access to your PC or to buy new software to fix it. 
  • Someone calls and says they are from the IRS. They also say that you owe back taxes and threaten to sue you, arrest or deport you, or revoke your license, if you don’t pay right away. 
  • You can get a loan even if you have bad credit just have to pay a small fee first. 
  • You’ve won one of five valuable prizes.
  • You’ve won big money in a foreign lottery.
  • This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get anywhere else.
  • We’ll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card.

Whatever the pitch, their only goal is to get your money or personal information-not to give you something in return.

Here is what you can do

  • Stop. Check it out- before you wire money to anyone. Call the person, the government agency, or someone else you trust. Get the real story. Then decide what to do. No government agency will ever ask you to wire money. 
  • Keep your credit card, checking account, or Social Security numbers to yourself. Unless you have initiated the contact and have verified you know who you are communicating with, don’t give out this type of information.
  • Do not allow someone to conduct activity through your account. For example, never provide your debit card number or PIN or online banking credentials to another individual to conduct transactions.
  • Never send Money (e.g. Cashier’s Checks, Cash, or wire transfers) to someone who asks you to accept a deposit for them and send them the money. 
  • Never give control of your computer or your credit card information to someone who calls you out of the blue.

 

Other helpful links

 

Identity Theft

You have probably heard about identity theft in the news. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more prevalent throughout the United States and even throughout the world. Visit the websites below as a one-stop resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.

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Personal or Confidential Info

Always be cautious and never provide personal or confidential information as a result of receiving an email, voice mails or text message. Also, be wary of links provided in emails. Hovering or moving your mouse pointer over an embedded hyperlink should reveal the associated web address. If you do not recognize the web address or if the addresses do not match, there may be a reason for suspicion. 

As a reminder, Home State Bank will never ask for personal information over the phone or through an email. 

 

Lost or Stolen Card Info

During regular banking hours, contact your local Home State Bank office. After hours, please call 1-800-472-3272. Please note the After Hours number is ONLY for reporting a lost or stolen card after regular banking hours, no other business can be transacted.