THE SWACU NEWSLETTER SPRING FALL 2022 2021 At SWACU our members are the reason we do what we do. As a nonprofit organization, our primary objective is to provide financial assistance for our members. We believe financial security is a huge part of this objective. One of the best ways to have financial security is to protect what you already have from attacks by fraudsters. While it is still important to be diligent with things like shredding your personal information before it goes in the trash or recycle bin, today’s fraudsters have new tricks that should cause you to be even more vigilant. Later in this newsletter, you will find some common examples of how fraudsters are stealing from individuals; but for now, let me share ways you can strengthen your barrier against these unscrupulous people and their practices.
TOTAL LOANS
$523,049,576 TOTAL DEPOSITS
$703,016,048 TOTAL ASSETS
$786,902,594
T I P S F O R P R E V E N T I N G I D E N T I F Y T H E F T: 3 Secure your Social Security number (SSN). Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Only give out your SSN when necessary.
TOTAL MEMBERS
56,514
3 Don’t share personal information (birthdate, Social Security number, or bank account number) because someone asks for it. 3 Collect mail every day. Place a hold on your mail when you are away from home for several days.
Financials as of August 31, 2022
3 Store personal information in a safe place. 3 Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender. 3 Review your credit card and bank account statements. Compare receipts with account statements. Watch for unauthorized transactions. 3 Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements, and expired credit cards. This can prevent “dumpster divers” from getting your personal information. 3 Use the security features on your mobile phone (PIN code, Biometrics, etc). 3 Update sharing and firewall settings when you’re on a public wi-fi network. Use a virtual private network (VPN) if you use public wi-fi. 3 Install firewalls and virus-detection software on your home computer. 3 Create complex passwords that identity thieves cannot guess. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases. Use a good quality password manager to store and generate complex passwords. 3 Review your credit reports once a year. Be certain that they don’t include accounts that you have not opened. You can order it for free from www.annualcreditreport.com. 3 Freeze your credit files with Equifax, Experian, Innovis, TransUnion, and the National Consumer Telecommunications and Utilities Exchange for free. Credit freezes prevent someone from applying for and getting approval for a credit account or utility services in your name. Our goal of providing financial assistance can best be realized when we all (SWACU + our members) work together to prevent fraud from occurring at all. We want the very best for you and we are always here to help with all your financial needs.
For additional tips on fraud and fraud prevention go to page 3 of this newsletter.
IN THIS ISSUE:
• Annual Meeting &
Election Notice • Cynde’s Fraud Alert Continued • Drive Out Hunger • SWACU’s Holiday Loan Offer • Daniel J. Kimber Scholarship Announcement • 12 Days of Christmas • Now Hiring • Like Us. Luv Us. Follow Us.