Fraud & Scam Prevention

The power to help prevent fraud

At Home State Bank, looking out for one another is part of who we are. Fraud is constantly evolving, but it grows weaker when banks and communities stand together. By sharing knowledge, staying alert, and speaking up when something doesn’t seem right, we can help protect our neighbors, families, and local businesses. Our Fraud & Scam Prevention resources are designed to educate, empower, and support you—because when our customers are informed and our community is engaged, we create a safer, stronger place to bank and live. Together, we can stop fraud before it starts.
 
Scroll on to learn more about common scams and how to protect yourself and those you care about.
What it looks like: Fake or altered checks, overpayment scams, or requests to deposit a check and send money back.
How to spot it early: Checks from unknown sources, instructions to return part of the funds, or funds that appear available before the check fully clears.
 
Here are a few tips to help protect your accounts from being used for check fraud:
  1. Always store blank checks securely and never leave them in unattended or easily accessible places.
  2. When writing checks, use a pen with permanent ink, write clearly without leaving blank spaces, and promptly record each check in your register to help spot unauthorized activity.
  3. Review bank statements regularly and report any suspicious transactions right away.
  4. Limit the information printed on checks
  5. Shred unused or canceled checks and financial documents
  6. Use secure mail options when sending checks
In today's internet environment, 95% of data breaches occur as a result of someone clicking a link or downloading an attachment. To learn more, please review the Social Engineering Red Flags information sheet. 
The illegal placement of skimming devices on ATM’s and retail terminals has become a growing concern affecting individuals throughout the area. For our part, our associates regularly inspect the outside of our ATM’s to mitigate these fraud attempts and ensure a safe experience for our customers. Earlier today, this inspection led us to believe that an ATM may have been subject to tampering. We immediately contacted the Crystal Lake Police Department, coordinated with them to perform a thorough review of our machines, and addressed the concerns swiftly. The safety and security of our customer information is always our greatest priority and we will continue, as we did today, to remain diligent in our efforts to stop this criminal activity. We would like to reassure our customers that your account information remains safe. Home State Bank’s database remains secure and no customer information has been compromised.
What it looks like: Messages that appear to be from your bank, a business, or government agency asking for personal or financial information.
How to spot it early: Unexpected messages, urgent language (“act now”), misspellings, unfamiliar links, or requests for passwords, PINs, or one‑time codes.
What it looks like: Someone claiming to be a bank employee, government official, utility company, or even a family member in distress.
How to spot it early: Pressure to act immediately, requests for secrecy, or demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid cards.
What it looks like: Fake websites, social media ads, or sellers offering deals that seem too good to be true.
How to spot it early: Unbelievably low prices, requests for payment outside secure platforms, no customer reviews, or poor contact information.
What it looks like: Someone forming a quick emotional connection online, then asking for money or financial help.
How to spot it early: Refusal to meet in person or video chat, stories that don’t add up, or urgent financial requests tied to emergencies or investments.
What it looks like: Claims that you’ve won a prize but must pay a fee or taxes first.
How to spot it early: You didn’t enter the contest, requests for upfront payment, or instructions to keep the “win” confidential.
What it looks like: Pop‑up warnings or calls claiming your computer or device is infected.
How to spot it early: Unsolicited contact, pressure to grant remote access, or demands for immediate payment to “fix” a problem.
What it looks like: Promises of guaranteed or low‑risk, high‑return investments.
How to spot it early: Guaranteed returns, urgency to invest quickly, or vague explanations that avoid details or written documentation.










Safeguarding Your Personal Information

Never reply to emails, phone calls, or text messages that request your personal information.
Home State Bank will never contact you by phone or email to ask for your account numbers, PIN numbers, or any other confidential information. LINK TO LATEST FRAUD SCHEMES: https://www.ftc.gov/

Make a list of the contents of your wallet
Make a list of every ATM or debit card, credit card, driver’s license number and other forms of ID you carry in your wallet or purse. Keep the list in a safe place at home and update it regularly. You will need this list if your wallet or purse is ever lost or stolen. Never carry your Social Security Number in your wallet or purse. Also, never carry in your wallet any paper onto which you’ve jotted down PINs, passwords, or login information.

Sign up for Online Security Alerts
Account Alerts inform you about transfers, payments and other transactions. They can tell you when a payment is due or an account balance reaches a certain level. Transactions, such as wire transmissions, ACH Transactions, and ACH batch initiations or transfers, can be watched. Alert notifications can be setup as Login alerts, Emails, or Text message options to your cell phone.

What should I do if I lose my card or it is stolen?
Call us immediately during regular banking hours at (815) 459-2000 and ask for Banking Operations. After hours, call (800) 472-3272. By reporting a lost or stolen card to us immediately, you will limit your liability due to unauthorized use of your card. Refer to the Endorsed Agreement for complete details.

Users may report their ATM/Debit card as lost or stolen through their Online Banking under "Settings".
*Important: Once completed, this change cannot be reversed and you will need to request a new Debit/ATM card.

Identity Theft Hotline (866) 999-5630

Monitor your statements, bills, and online accounts
Check the transactions listed on your bank statements, credit card bills, utility bills, and online accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions. If you spot something suspicious, report it immediately.

Only do business with companies you know and trust
When making online transactions, be sure the website is secure.
 
Protect your PC with up-to-date anti-virus software

Be cautious when sharing a computer
If you use a shared computer – such as a library or lab computer – or share a computer with roommates, log out and clear cookies after every computer session.

Password-protect your electronics
Enable the password feature on your cellphone, laptop, Kindle, iPad, or any other electronic devices that contain personal information about you – including, phone numbers, banking information – anything you don’t want in the hands of strangers. If your password-protected device is lost or stolen, your personal information is not immediately accessible to others.

Additionally, most devices have “remote wipe” capability that allows you to erase addresses, phone numbers, emails, photos and other sensitive content on a lost or stolen phone. Wiping a lost or stolen phone restores the device it to its factory settings. Refer to the manufacturer’s website to learn specifics for your device.

Watch your U.S. Postal mail
Missing bills or statements may indicate someone is tampering with your mail or your identity.
We recommend you consider going paperless (E-Statements) for your banking needs.  If you will be away from home for 3 - 30 days, sign up for “Hold Mail Service.” The Post Office has a forwarding service if you will be gone more than 30 days. For more information please call the U.S. Postal Service at (800) 275-8777. 

https://www.identitytheft.gov/