Security

Security Matters: Freezes, Fraud Alerts and More

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Now more than ever, it’s important to stay vigilant when it comes to keeping your finances secure. When Equifax recently had a data breach, 143 million people discovered that their personal information including birthdates, Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses and addresses had been compromised, leaving them vulnerable to identity theft. After the breach, experts recommended consumers combat this exposure by stepping up their security measures. Here are some options to consider if you’re worried about identity theft.

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How to Protect Your Money and Accounts Online

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Being able to bank or shop online is a great convenience, but you want to be sure you’re protecting yourself before you hit “submit.” If the wrong people access your accounts, you might find yourself with a lot less money than you thought—and a lot of work to set things right. Here are six steps you can take to help make sure that doesn’t happen.

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Financial Moves for a Great Vacation

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No matter where the road may take you, there are ways to plan smart, save money and keep your finances secure while you’re away.  Here are some tips to make your future journeys more enjoyable.

Travel Planning: DIY or Travel Agent?

Thanks to the Internet, many consumers have become well-versed in online vacation shopping to snag the best travel deals. However, sometimes you may want to consider using the services of a travel agent, which can be a real time-saver, and in general, costs about the same as a do-it-yourself booking. Getting that expertise may be worth it when you have specific travel dates and destinations in mind for a special getaway, and you can sometimes save a lot on airline and hotel costs. And don’t forget the travel benefits that may come with your credit card. For instance, SchoolsFirst FCU MasterCard® Rewards Card1 offers both the MasterCard Concierge Service, designed to help you plan and book travel, and Priceless Cities, which offer one-of-a-kind deals on hotels, restaurants and shopping. Both are free.

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It’s a Money Thing: Why Is It Called A Credit Union?

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While bank and banking are universally understood and accepted terms, the term credit union is still largely misunderstood and unknown to many. Credit union is an unusual term, isn’t it? Is it just another name for a bank? Is it a credit card company? Do I have to be in a union to join? Watch the video.

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Beware of Phishing Scams

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Phishing is the act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The requested information is most often credit card numbers, but it can also be credit union or bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, or other sensitive data. The email often attributes the need for verification of data, due to security concerns, to create a sense of urgency in responding. Be particularly cautious if the email contains an embedded link for you to access the site in order to update your information.

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