You may
have heard about a new regulation that provides new consumer protections for
overdraft protection.
Beginning
July 1, if you want overdraft protection for ATM and one-time debit card
transactions, you must opt-in.
If you currently have overdraft protection,
these transactions are covered under your plan; however, they will not be
covered after August 15, 2010 unless you opt-in.
Your check and ACH transactions will continue to
be covered as always.
The service costs you nothing if you don’t use it and
you have the ability to opt-out at any time.
If you want us to authorize and pay overdrafts on ATM and one-time debit
card transactions, you may call us at (804) 649-2957 or click here for the >>> Opt-In Form.
ATM Skimming Alert Law enforcement agencies, identity theft experts, ATM acquirers and Credit Union 24 participants have reported an increase in ATM Skimming and Fraud this year especially in the southeast of the United States. According to the ATM Industry Association, card skimming is defined as "the unauthorized capture of magnetic stripe information by modifying the hardware or software of a payment device, or through the use of a separate card reader."
What should you do......
Protect and shield your PIN.
Report any non-working or jammed ATMs.
Check your financial statements regularly for fraudulent transactions.
Skilled professional criminals are using sophisticated technologies to easily defraud individuals and their financial institutions using a copy of a check and or an individual’s personal information. A thief is able to create new, authentic looking checks using a blank check or personal information obtained from an intercepted check mailed to pay a bill. Common-sense and a logical approach with the way an individual uses and stores checks can help reduce the risk of this type of loss.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO MEMBERS TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF CHECK FRAUD
1. Keep your account information confidential and never provide your account number or personal information to unknown persons. Be particularly cautious of unsolicited phone sales.
2. Reconcile your bank statement as soon as possible after receipt (within 20 days) to detect any irregularities. Delays may subject you to liability for any losses due to check fraud.
3. Protect your checks - Store your checkbook, blank checks, deposit slips and bank statements in a secure location.
4. Don't leave blank spaces on the payee or payment amount lines on your checks.
5. Monitor check orders to ensure they are received timely and immediately verify that all checks were received with the order.
6. Mail bill payments through the Post Office and not from your mail box at home. Seeing the upright red flag on your home mail box is a favorite signal for criminals to look in the box and steal whatever is there.
7. Do not add personal information on your check (Social Security #, Driver's License # or DOB).
8. Destroy (shred) cancelled checks (if received), account statements and deposit tickets unless needed for tax purposes.
9. Use your own pre-printed deposit slips and make sure the account number on your slip is correct. Thieves have made attempts to alter deposit slips at drive-up windows in the hope that bank representatives will not notice with the result that the funds are deposited into the thief’s account.
10. Don't ever make a check payable to cash and also, never endorse a check until you are ready to cash the item or make the deposit. If lost or stolen, a check made payable to cash may be legally and rightfully cashed by anyone.
11. If someone pays you with a cashier's check, be cautious and if possible, have them accompany you to the bank to cash the item. If you need to accept a check for payment, do so during normal business hours so you can verify with the financial institution that it is legitimate. Make sure you obtain identification information from the individual.
12. If your home is burglarized, determine if any checks have been stolen. Look closely because thieves will take checks from the back or middle of your check book to avoid immediate detection. Partners Financial Federal Credit Union is proud to give back to the communities we serve by donating time and/or money to these important causes in 2010:
JRAC's James River Clean-up Children's Miracle Network Central Virginia Food Bank The Breast Cancer Foundation The American Heart Foundation 1 out of 7 Virginians has Unclaimed Property.
Are you one of them? Use the link below to find out. www.VaMoneySearch.org EQUIFAX OFFERS
CREDIT WATCH IDENTITY PROTECTION SERVICE
Identity theft is the fastest growing white collar crime in America. One in five families have been affected by this epidemic. Identity theft protection products like Equifax's
Credit Watch Gold™ with 3-in-1 Monitoring continually monitor consumers’ credit files and alert them of potentially fraudulent activity like a new credit card application that they did not initiate.
Click the banner above for more information about Equifax's
Credit Watch program.
HOW TO AVOID DELINQUENCY, ADVERSE CREDIT ACTIONS, OR WORSE
Don't let personal finance problems fester and grow out of control. If you are a member who is having financial difficulties, call the helpful staff of your credit union and talk about it. We're here to help you in any way we can. Don't wait until you're way behind in payments, and don't let anxiety or embarrassment stop you from seeking help. There are many ways that Partners may be able to assist you...but you have to make the call. 804-649-2957 / 1-800-321-5617. We're here for you.
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has launched a new Fraud Information Center webpage that contains helpful inormation about the recognition and prevention of fraud, including links to current fraud alerts and instructions for reporting fraud. Click the NCUA logo above to visit this great resource.
ENTERPRISE CAR SALES
Did you know that Partners Financial FCU members have the opportunity to purchase quality vehicles at affordable prices through Enterprise Car Sales? Find certified used cars nationwide with the Enterprise Car Sales online
Used Car Finder. You can also call 804-330-0900in Richmondor 1-800-CAR-SALE for the nearest Enterpriselocation.
Click the Enterprisebanner below and check out the latest sale!
MEMBER DISCOUNTS ON NEW CARS
Click here> for full details at www.lovemycreditunion.org.
Quarterly Newsletters
Click below to download our newsletters in PDF format.
Your savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. NCUA, National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
