Protect Yourself from Scam Emails, Texts, and Calls
4/22/25
At HomePride Bank, your security is our top priority. Recently, we have received reports of fraudulent emails, texts, and phone calls targeting our customers. These messages often appear to come from HomePride Bank and may reference recent transactions, request confirmation of activity, or ask you to verify personal information. We want you to know how to spot these scams and what steps to take to protect yourself.
How These Scams Work
Fraudsters use technology to make their communications look legitimate. The sender’s email address, phone number, or caller ID may appear to be from HomePride Bank, but these are spoofed (see "Caller ID Spoofing" below). The scams might:
- Reference recent or suspicious account activity to create urgency
- Ask you to click on links or open attachments
- Request personal details like your login credentials, PIN, Social Security number, or account numbers
What HomePride Bank Will Never Do
HomePride Bank will never:
- Ask for your full password, PIN, or one-time passcodes via phone, email, or text
- Request you to verify account details by clicking on a link or downloading an attachment
- Pressure you to act immediately or threaten account closure if you do not respond
What You Should Do
- Do not respond to suspicious emails, texts, or calls.
- Never share your personal or financial information with anyone who contacts you unsolicited.
- Do not click on links or open attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.
- If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, hang up or delete the message and contact HomePride Bank directly at 855-447-2265, using the number on our official website, or the back of your debit card.
- Review your account statements and transactions regularly for any unauthorized activity.
- Report any suspicious communication to HomePride Bank as soon as possible.
We’re Here to Help
If you think you may have been targeted by a scam or have accidentally shared personal information, call us right away. Our team is ready to help you secure your account and guide you on next steps.
Your vigilance makes a difference. By staying informed, you help protect not only your own information, but also our entire banking community.
Your vigilance makes a difference. By staying informed, you help protect not only your own information, but also our entire banking community.
Stay alert. Stay safe. Thank you for banking with confidence at HomePride Bank.
What Is "Caller ID Spoofing"
Update 4/22/25
Caller ID spoofing is when someone deliberately changes the phone number (and sometimes the name) that appears on your phone’s caller ID display, so it looks like the call is coming from someone else—often a trusted business or person, like your bank. The caller could actually be anywhere in the world, but the number you see might be local or even match your bank’s official phone number.
How Caller ID Spoofing Is Used in Bank Scams
Scammers use caller ID spoofing as a key part of bank scams because it helps them gain your trust. Here’s how it typically works:
- The scammer uses technology to make your caller ID display your bank’s real phone number.
- They call you pretending to be a bank employee, often from the fraud or security department.
- They claim there’s suspicious activity on your account or another urgent issue.
- To “fix” the problem, they ask for sensitive information like your account number, PIN, online banking password, or a one-time code.
- Sometimes, they might even instruct you to transfer money or hand over your card to a courier, claiming it’s for your protection.
Because the number looks legitimate, many people believe the call is real and follow the scammer’s instructions, leading to financial loss or identity theft.
Is Caller ID Spoofing Used in Texts (SMS) and Emails?
Yes, spoofing is also used in both text messages (SMS) and emails:
SMS/Text Spoofing
- Scammers can make a text message look like it came from your bank or another trusted source by faking the sender’s number or name.
- The message might warn of a problem with your account and include a link to a fake website or a phone number to call.
- Because the sender ID looks familiar, victims are more likely to trust the message and respond or click the link.
- SMS spoofing is used for “smishing” (SMS phishing) attacks, which aim to steal your personal or banking information.
Email Spoofing
- Scammers can also fake the “from” address in emails, making messages appear to come from your bank or even your own email address.
- These emails often contain urgent requests to verify your account, reset your password, or click on malicious links.
- Email spoofing is a common tactic in phishing scams, which are designed to steal sensitive information or infect your device with malware.
Never trust a call, text, or email just because it appears to come from your bank. Always verify by contacting your bank directly using a trusted number (like the one on your card or their official website)