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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.

SWACU 2022

Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union will hold its 2022 Annual Meeting and announcement of newly elected directors at 5:15 PM on December 8, 2022. The Annual Meeting will be held at 2430 Shorecrest, Dallas, Texas, 75235. The Nominating Committee, appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, has nominated one member for each Board position to be filled. The nominees are Barry Bursey, Melissa Chalupa and Carla Caisse. A brief statement of qualifications and biographical data is provided below. N O M I N E E

Barry Bursey... has

served on the SWACU Board of Directors as Vice Chairman of the Board and the Supervisory Committee Chairman for over 40 years. Mr. Bursey retired from Southwest Airlines in 1999 after 24 years of service and the US Department of Homeland Security in 2016 after 13 years. Mr. Bursey is committed to the continued success of Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union and its membership. Mr. Bursey is married to Barbara Bursey, who retired from Southwest Airlines in 2004 after 21 years.

N O M I N E E

Melissa Chalupa...

opened an account with Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union over 20 years ago, and is excited to serve as a member of the Board. Her journey with Southwest Airlines started at the BWI ticket counter, and brought her to HDQ in 2001. Along with years of operational experience, Melissa has a natural focus for customer service and a genuine curiosity about all things. Melissa is thankful for the opportunity to support the continued success of the Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union and its members.

Carla Caisse...

has worked in a variety of roles during her 42 years of service with Southwest Airlines. She currently serves as a Southwest Flight Dispatcher and works in the Network Operations Center. Additionally, she is a Designated Dispatch Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration. Carla serves on several safety and communication committees at Southwest, and is also a trainer and line-check dispatcher within her department. Mrs. Caisse has been a member of the Airline Dispatchers Federation since 1990. She served in several leadership roles for that organization for a decade. Carla was honored to receive the Southwest Airlines’ President’s Award from Herb Kelleher and Gary Kelly in 2007 and more recently from Bob Jordan in 2022. Mrs. Caisse has been a member of Southwest Airlines Federal Credit Union since her March, 1980 hire date. Carla is married and resides in Irving, Texas along with her husband Steve. Her family includes a son and daughter, and two spunky grandchildren.

Further nominations may only be made by Official Petition signed by at least 500 eligible members excluding the candidate. Official Petitions may be obtained by contacting Carol Hughes, Executive Assistant, at our main office at 2430 Shorecrest Drive, Dallas, Texas, and when completed must contain each signer’s name, member number, social security number, address, and telephone number. Members who are 18 years of age or older as of July 31, 2022, are eligible for elections. Official Petitions when completed must be accompanied by a signed statement from the nominee that he or she is agreeable to the nomination and will accept office if elected. An Official Board of Directors Nominee Form must also be completed which contains a brief statement of qualifications and biographical data, not to exceed 50 words each. Official Petitions must be filed with the Recording Secretary of the Board at the Credit Union’s main office (address shown above) by 5:00 PM on October 24, 2022, which is the closing date for receiving nominations by petition. If no Official Petitions are filed by October 24, 2022, there will be no election by ballot and no nominations from the floor. When only one member is nominated for each position to be filled, each nominee shall be deemed elected by general consent or acclamation. If there is more than one nominee for any position, the election shall be by plurality vote and shall be by mail ballot and the Secretary of The Board of Directors shall cause printed ballots to be mailed to the membership at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Federally Insured By NCUA

WHEN YOU GET NEW PLATES

AMERICANS GET FULL PLATES

CYNDE’S FRAUD TIPS CONTINUED

These common Financial Fraud schemes should provoke extreme caution:

Beginning in December, when you finance your Auto Loan with SWACU, we’ll donate $20 to

t Overpayment scams - Someone sends you a

check, instructs you to deposit it in your bank account, and wire part of the money back to them. However, the check was fake, so you’ll have to pay your bank the amount of the check, plus you’ll lose any money you wired.

FEEDING AMERICA!

t Unsolicited check fraud - A scammer sends you

a check for no reason. If you cash it, you may be authorizing the purchase of items or signing up for a loan you didn’t ask for.

t Automatic withdrawals - A scam company sets

up automatic withdrawals from your bank account to qualify for a free trial or to collect a prize.

t Phishing - You receive an email message that

asks you to verify your bank account or debit card number.

Offer Valid From 12/1/2022

– 12/31/2022

t Telephone scammers - Will try to steal your

money or personal information. Scams may come through phone calls from real people, robocalls, or text messages. Callers often make false promises, such as opportunities to buy products, invest your money, or receive free product trials. They may also offer you money through free grants and lotteries. Some scammers may call with threats of jail or lawsuits if you don’t pay them. Also be suspicious when calls come from international phone numbers.

Common Online Fraud:

t Phishing or spoofing involves the usage of fake

emails, text messages, or copycat websites to commit identity theft. Or it can be used to steal personal information, including credit card and bank account numbers, debit card PINs, and account passwords. Use caution when selling items online that may generate phone calls/text messages or emails with strangers.

swacu’s holiday loan offer is back!

t Data breaches occur when sensitive data (personal or financial information) is hacked into, leaked, or posted from a secure location by accident. This information may be used to steal identities or commit financial fraud.

$10,000 12 borrow up to

t Malware is dangerous software that is designed to disable computers and computer systems.

MONTHS

terms up to

t Internet auction fraud involves the

misrepresentation of products from an internet auction site. Or, it can occur when merchandise isn’t delivered to a buyer by a seller online as promised.

t Credit card fraud occurs when scammers

fraudulently acquire credit or debit card numbers to obtain money or property.

With A Wreath of Franklins

APR*

rates as low as

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Promotional rate of 5.99% reflects 12-month term, loan amount must be between $500 and $10,000 and is based on applicant meeting certain credit criteria. This promotional offer does not include existing signature loans and refinancing existing SWACU loans do not qualify. Example Repayment Term: 12 monthly payments of $860.62 for a $10,000 loan at 5.99% APR. Other terms and conditions may apply. Offer valid November 1st, 2022 - January 31, 2023. Rates subject to change without notice.

U P C O M I N G

DANIEL J. KIMBER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

WILL BE ACCEPTED STARTING JANUARY 1, 2023

ATTENTION 2023 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS! Mark your calendars! We will begin accepting applications for the Daniel J. Kimber Scholarship on January 1, 2023. For more information, visit www.swacu.org/scholarship.

OCT

Columbus Day

DON’T MISS A DAY OF THE

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

SWACU, is once again, bringing back the 12 days of Christmas! Starting December 9th, 2022, you can enter DAILY for a prize NOV

Veterans Day

to be announced the following business day. Prizes will be awarded each business day until December 24th, and you can nominate someone who deserves to win this year’s grand prize of $2,500! This can be a friend or family member who you believe

NOV

24 25

Thanksgiving

deserves a little something extra this holiday season. All submissions for the daily and grand prizes can also be entered through alternative means. Stay tuned for more details!

DEC

Observed Christmas

JAN

DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Is Back!

Observed New Year’s Day

PRIVACY POLICY – TO VIEW THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE SWACU PRIVACY POLICY, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.swacu.org. TO REQUEST A PAPER COPY OF THE SWACU PRIVACY POLICY, PLEASE CALL 800-262-5325.

APPLY TODAY! We’re looking for talented individuals to join our team. Take advantage of our amazing benefits too! Apply today on the careers page on swacu.org!

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FEDERALLY INSURED BY NCUA