A scam, called "phishing" or "carding," uses spam to trick readers into revealing their credit card numbers, bank account information, social security numbers, passwords and other sensitive information. Home Bank will never request personal information from you be sent to us by email.

To avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam, the Federal Trade Commission says:

• If you get an email (with little or no notice) that one of your accounts will be closed unless you reconfirm billing information, do not reply or click on the link in the email. Instead contact the company cited using a telephone number or Web site address you *know* is genuine.
• Avoid emailing personal and financial information.
• Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them for any unauthorized charges.

For more information, click here to visit the Federal Trade Commission's phishing website.