IDENTITY THEFT

When someone uses information like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes that is Identity Theft.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.  The crime takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until you’re contacted by a debt collector.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record.  Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

An excellent resource regarding what to do if you are the victim of Identity Theft can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.

Home National Bank will never contact you to ask you to verify your account information, password or PIN.  Never provide  your personal information in response to an unsolicited e-mail or phone call.  Phishers (pronounced "fishers") create internet pages and e-mails that look official, but are just trying to obtain information that can be used to steal your identity.