The Supervisory Committee is performing an Account Verification for the March 31, 2010 statement cycle. If any of the information on your statement is incorrect, please respond in writing to: Supervisory Committee, North Alabama Educators Credit Union, PO Box 380428, Birmingham, AL 35238-0428. PLEASE DO NOT send any address changes, loan payments, or deposits to this address. PLEASE NOTE that all e-statement members will also receive a mailed statement this statement cycle as part of this verification process.
An important part of this process is for us to verify that we have good addresses on our members. Do not be alarmed by this Account Verification process. All federally insured credit unions are required to perform an Account Verification on the membership at least once every two years. It is another step to help insure the safety of member funds against improper transactions and account takeovers. Members are encouraged to closely review their account statements EVERY statement period.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Five Signs "Census Taker" is a Crook
Good article from AZCentral.com.
Five signs 'census taker' is a crook.
PHOENIX (3/15/10)--The 2010 census officially gets under way this week--most forms arrive in mailboxes today through Wednesday. But expect con artists to exploit this once-every-10-years event by getting you to let your guard down and divulge personal information to impersonators (AZCentral.com March 3).
Legitimate census workers go door-to-door from the end of April to July to capture information from households that fail to mail back the form. Crooks know this and will attempt to collect information from you that's not required by the census--personal information that could lead to identity theft.
Take the census seriously, fill out the form, and mail it back. But don't get taken by impersonators with smooth tactics. Know the five signs that point to a census scam:
1. "Please verify your Social Security number." Legitimate census takers don't ask for this. In fact, there are just 10 simple questions on the form—that's it. And a question about your Social Security number isn't one of them.
2. "We need your credit union or bank account number." No, they don't. None of the census' 10 questions asks for financial data (MarketWatch.com Feb. 27). And the Census Bureau will never ask you for your PIN, passwords, or similar access information for credit cards or financial accounts.
3. "Please fill out your census form by replying to this e-mail or visiting this website." That's a sure sign it's a scam, because the Census Bureau never will contact you by e-mail or ask you to answer questions on a website.
4. "Of course I'm a census taker--you know about the census, right?" Legitimate census takers carry official badges and will give you the phone number of the local Census Bureau office so you can verify identities. To be safe, find your regional census office phone number at Census.gov/regions and call to verify identities.
5. "In cooperation with the census, we're asking for donations to a local charity." Legitimate census takers don't collect money for charities or political parties, according to the Census Bureau.
If you think you've been a victim of a census scam, contact your regional Census Bureau office immediately. Don't reply to suspicious e-mails or click on links within e-mails that portend to be from the Census Bureau. Instead, forward the e-mail or website URL to ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov. Then delete the message. The Census Bureau will investigate and notify you of its findings.
Five signs 'census taker' is a crook.
PHOENIX (3/15/10)--The 2010 census officially gets under way this week--most forms arrive in mailboxes today through Wednesday. But expect con artists to exploit this once-every-10-years event by getting you to let your guard down and divulge personal information to impersonators (AZCentral.com March 3).
Legitimate census workers go door-to-door from the end of April to July to capture information from households that fail to mail back the form. Crooks know this and will attempt to collect information from you that's not required by the census--personal information that could lead to identity theft.
Take the census seriously, fill out the form, and mail it back. But don't get taken by impersonators with smooth tactics. Know the five signs that point to a census scam:
1. "Please verify your Social Security number." Legitimate census takers don't ask for this. In fact, there are just 10 simple questions on the form—that's it. And a question about your Social Security number isn't one of them.
2. "We need your credit union or bank account number." No, they don't. None of the census' 10 questions asks for financial data (MarketWatch.com Feb. 27). And the Census Bureau will never ask you for your PIN, passwords, or similar access information for credit cards or financial accounts.
3. "Please fill out your census form by replying to this e-mail or visiting this website." That's a sure sign it's a scam, because the Census Bureau never will contact you by e-mail or ask you to answer questions on a website.
4. "Of course I'm a census taker--you know about the census, right?" Legitimate census takers carry official badges and will give you the phone number of the local Census Bureau office so you can verify identities. To be safe, find your regional census office phone number at Census.gov/regions and call to verify identities.
5. "In cooperation with the census, we're asking for donations to a local charity." Legitimate census takers don't collect money for charities or political parties, according to the Census Bureau.
If you think you've been a victim of a census scam, contact your regional Census Bureau office immediately. Don't reply to suspicious e-mails or click on links within e-mails that portend to be from the Census Bureau. Instead, forward the e-mail or website URL to ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov. Then delete the message. The Census Bureau will investigate and notify you of its findings.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Check Holds & Fake Checks
Members should be aware that there is no correlation between a check hold being released and the deposited item being a good check. The processing of a deposited item through the Federal Reserve system determines whether a check is ultimately paid by the institution that the check is drawn on. The check hold period applied by the credit union at the time of deposit only indicates when the funds from the deposit will be available to the member. The key point here is don't assume that a deposited item has cleared the institution it was drawn on just because a check hold is released.
Checks deposited to accounts are returned for a variety of reasons. They may be returned for insufficient funds, stop payment, closed account, or other reasons including fictitious item which means that the check is a fake. Members are legally responsible for all items deposited to their accounts. Members are encouraged to know who they are dealing with when it comes to receiving a check. If you don't know who sent you a check and the receipt of the check is connected to a contact made via the Internet or mail, please inform the credit union so that we can investigate the status of the check before it is deposited. If you are being asked to send or wire any money to a stranger from a check received from a stranger or "business opportunity", don't do it. If you think that a check is suspicious in nature, it usually is.
Checks deposited to accounts are returned for a variety of reasons. They may be returned for insufficient funds, stop payment, closed account, or other reasons including fictitious item which means that the check is a fake. Members are legally responsible for all items deposited to their accounts. Members are encouraged to know who they are dealing with when it comes to receiving a check. If you don't know who sent you a check and the receipt of the check is connected to a contact made via the Internet or mail, please inform the credit union so that we can investigate the status of the check before it is deposited. If you are being asked to send or wire any money to a stranger from a check received from a stranger or "business opportunity", don't do it. If you think that a check is suspicious in nature, it usually is.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Pictures with Easter Bunny - March 27th
Please RSVP Laura Simpson at loanclerk@naecu.org or call 256-534-2423 to schedule your appointment time. Members may remember that we did a similar photo session event with Santa and Mrs. Claus this past Christmas. One of the popular options is the $3 e-mail photo option where you can e-mail photos to friends and family members. Keep in mind that all proceeds benefit our Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.Friday, February 26, 2010
Spring Auto Loan Rate - As Low as 4.75% APR
Click the video above to view our latest commercial. During the months of March and April the credit union will have reduced rates on our new & used automobile loans. The special rates will be good on purchases or refinances from other lenders. If you have a vehicle financed elsewhere, now would be a good time to refinance before rates start rising. It only makes sense to pay less for your debt. For full terms and rates available, please visit our "LOAN RATES" page on our web site at www.naecu.org.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tax Preparation Scam
Consumers are being drawn in by individuals claiming to be tax preparers. Consumers provide their personal information (i.e., name, social security number, etc.) to have tax refund completed and the phony tax preparer inflates the information as much as possible with fraudulent information. (i.e., claiming children they don’t have, day care expenses, etc.)to obtain a larger refund. The tax refunds are transmitted as a direct deposit (ACH credit) to either a newly created account or an existing account with an impersonator added as a joint owner These accounts are being established by either the impersonator or their recruiters. Once the tax refund has been deposited into this account, the impersonator or recruiter withdraws their fee and the remainder of the ACH credit goes to the tax recipient.
The key here is to deal with a reputable tax preparation group. There should NEVER be a reason to open an account with a tax preparer as a joint owner. Consumers who engage in this type of transaction are filing fraudulent tax returns and would most likely have Internal Revenue Service problems as a result. A healthy tax refund is only valuable if you get to keep it.
The key here is to deal with a reputable tax preparation group. There should NEVER be a reason to open an account with a tax preparer as a joint owner. Consumers who engage in this type of transaction are filing fraudulent tax returns and would most likely have Internal Revenue Service problems as a result. A healthy tax refund is only valuable if you get to keep it.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Secret Shopper Scam
Below is an actual example of a Secret Shopper scam. The scam is that you receive a fake check and are then directed to send money via a Moneygram or Western Union, pocketing the difference as your compensation for "evaluating" the money transfer transaction.
"Our online data source has identified you as a candidate interested in an additional income part-time job. Therefore we are pleased to invite you to participate in a paid Triple "S" Program (Secret Smash Shopper) in your area of residence as a Customer Service Evaluator of selected retail stores, restaurants, and various other commercial establishments making predetermined purchases and evaluating the customer service level of the stores and service providers. Secret Shopping or Mystery Consumer is a tool used by market research companies to measure quality of retail services or gather specific information about products and services.
As one of our possible 5,700 shoppers selected for this project, you visit selected businesses in your area and secretly evaluate things like customer service, store location, and appearance as well as product quality. If you accept this offer, the current consumer services evaluation you are undertaking will attract a participation pay of $300.00 per week. After a few evaluations your participation will be reviewed with the possibility of it going up to $450.00 per week. Depending on the company you will be assigned and the tasks involved participation pay can go as high as $600.00 a week after six months. Upon accepting this offer you must keep your identity and assignments as a secret shopper CONFIDENTIAL in order not to introduce any form of bias to the data you collect. You must not take this letter to your assignments.
This assignment is put together to be completed at two different locations. The evaluation will take place at any MONEYGRAM or WESTERN UNION agent bear you or as determined by your coordinator. The objective of this assignment will be to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the payment system. You will pose as a customer sending the stipulated amount listed below to a supposed relative of yours residing at a location your Training Coordinator will provide to you. This offer expires 7 DAYS from the day you call in the receipt of this letter. This program is run on a weekly basis.
Below is a breakdown of the enclosed check bearing the required funds to cover your first week's assignments as follows:
1. Participation Pay for first week = $300.00
2. Stipulated amount for Money Gram/Western Union = $2,600.00
3. Service Fee by Money Gram/Western Union = $200.00
TOTAL AMOUNT = $3,100.00
Please Call your Assigned Training Coordinator at 1=800-###-#### for any further clarification or if you do not understand the offer. Your coordinator will provide you a computer generated receiver name you will need to complete for your first assignment. Withdraw the required amounts and proceed to evaluations. Upon completion of evaluations, notify your coordinator and fax your market report forms and all receipts."
Pretty slick, huh? There are many variations of this same scam so avoid these type of employment offers. Anytime you asked to send money to a stranger from funds given to you by a stranger, you should not engage in that transaction. There are potential criminal implications for members who negotiate counterfeit checks as well.
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