Welcome to our second issue of Texell Quarterly. As we gear up for the holiday season, we wanted to share budget tips so that you can make the most of the holidays while being financially responsible. Whether you’re buying gifts, decorations, or a celebration feast, it’s in your best interest to avoid debt and spend your budget wisely. If you do make a few card purchases, make sure to pay off the balance to avoid interest accruing.
This is also a season of increased fraud attacks, and we want you to be aware of the latest trends in cybersecurity scams. We’re also covering a newer threat in our Scam Watch section, “job offer” scams.
Medicare open enrollment starts on October 15, and we’re sharing key details about your plan options along with dates for our Medicare Educational Seminars. This issue’s Meet the Team section highlights Mandy Bly, our Texell Insurance Medicare Specialist Agent.
We appreciate your membership and hope you find useful information in this issue. From all of us at Texell, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season.
October 18 @ 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Shred Day, West Temple
October 25 @ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Killeen Branch Grand Reopening
Celebrate the grand reopening of Texell’s Killeen Branch. We’ll have a treat truck, games with prizes, and a drawing for a YETI¹ cooler.
October 21 @ 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Carter Blood Drive
Join us for this Texell Serves event and donate blood at Texell’s headquarters, 7083 Members Parkway, Temple.
November 15 @ 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Shred Day, Cedar Park
December 2 @ 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Baylor Scott & White Blood Drive
Come to Texell’s Headquarters and support this Texell Serves event by donating blood at 7083 Members Parkway in Temple.
December 13 @ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Photos with Santa
Come to Texell’s West Temple branch at 7083 Members Parkway in Temple and have your child’s picture taken with Santa!
¹ Texell Credit Union is not affiliated with YETI and makes no representations or warranties with respect to YETI products.
4 Tips for Holiday Budgeting
By Daniel Whaley
The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it’s no secret that expenses can add up quickly. Without a plan, financial strain in January can easily overshadow the joy of the season. The good news? With a thoughtful approach, you can enjoy all the festivities without putting your financial well-being at risk. Read our 4 tips for holiday budgeting.
Set a Holiday Spending Limit
Begin by determining your total holiday budget. Consider every seasonal expense, such as gifts, travel, decorations, meals, and charitable giving. Once you have a total amount in mind, break it down into categories. A well-structured budget will help you stay on track and avoid overspending. If you need guidance, Texell’s Beginner’s Guide to Budgeting covers the essentials and includes tools to create a personalized plan.
Track Your Purchases
Monitor your spending regularly, whether by using a budgeting system or keeping notes on your phone. Update your totals after every purchase, big or small. If you notice one category creeping over budget, adjust before it becomes unmanageable. For gifts, create a list in advance and stick to it to avoid impulse buying. Staying on top of your spending not only helps you keep your holiday budget on track, but it also makes it easier to notice any charges you didn’t make. With Digital Banking, you can quickly review your account activity from anywhere, and security features like multi-factor authentication and secure messaging help protect your information and make it simple to report anything suspicious.
Maximize Your Holiday Budget
Look for ways to stretch your dollars by shopping seasonal sales, taking advantage of store rewards programs, and using your saved up BONUS Reward Points from your Texell BONUS Credit Cards or BONUS Debit Cards. If you’re wanting to plan an event, hosting potluck-style gatherings where guests contribute food, decorations, and activities is a terrific way to save money. To avoid debt after the holidays, review Texell’s Tips for Recovering from Holiday Spending to stay on track.
Focus on What Matters Most
Ultimately, the holiday season is about the experiences you share, not the price tags attached to them. By creating a plan and managing your spending, you can reduce financial stress and keep your attention where it belongs—on enjoying time with family and friends. With the right preparation, you can make meaningful memories without the fret of overspending.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center saw a record for losses reported in 2024 totaling $16.6 billion due to cyber-enabled fraud.¹ With advancements of artificial intelligence (AI) used in scams, consumers must be proactive and take steps to protect themselves. Read about the latest trends, tips to avoid fraud attempts, and what to be aware of when shopping online.
Latest Trends in Cyberattacks
Types of cyberattacks in the financial industry include phishing, vishing, social engineering attacks, and ransomware. To carry out these attacks, cybercriminals use tools that are evolving at an alarming rate with more sophisticated AI, machine learning, and digital innovation. These tools allow criminals to decrease the time it takes to execute cyberattacks, which also makes more people vulnerable to being a victim.
Criminals also use AI tools for credential stuffing — using usernames and passwords exposed in data breaches to hack accounts. Deepfakes and generative AI allow criminals to attempt identity theft, fraud, and to bypass two-factor authentication (2FA) and other security measures. Criminals may also use AI to alter malicious code in real-time after launching an attack to avoid being detected.
Another rise in cyberattacks comes from the evolution of ransomware and Ransomware- as-a-Service (RaaS). Attackers use file exfiltration to steal sensitive data with the threat of leaking or selling it if the victim doesn’t meet payment demands. RaaS has become a focal point with cyber security trends. In these attacks, ransomware groups are turning into service providers and selling their toolkits to cybercriminals who no longer need technical skills of past hackers.
3 Steps to Prevent Attacks
Protect Your Accounts:
Start with strong defense by creating as many barriers as possible to your accounts and personally identifiable information (PII). Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for all accounts and manage unique passwords easily using a secure password manager. Texell’s team members use 1Password to create unique credentials, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and passkeys.
Protect Your Connection:
Avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, especially when logging into your financial accounts or making online purchases. Change your settings to disable a device from automatically connecting to public networks. Only use secure online sites beginning with “https://” which use data encryption between your browser and the site. Monitor Bluetooth connections and turn them off when not needed. Keep all devices updated with the latest software to fix any known security bugs.
Threats when Shopping Online
As the holiday season approaches, scams targeting shoppers increase with fake “deals” and offers that sound too good to be true. Guard your wallet while shopping online by looking out for the following threats:
Websites with limited time offers, urging you to “act now!”
Websites that refuse to allow refunds or that charge for returns.
Fake websites mimicking popular retail sites.
Fake social media accounts impersonating a trusted brand.
Counterfeit apps that may install malware.
To avoid falling victim to these threats, don’t click links when scrolling online. If you see an ad with an offer and you trust the retailer, search for their official website instead of clicking third-party links. If you’re suspicious of an offer, perform a search online to see if others have reported a scam. Avoid installing apps to receive deals and instead use a verified app from a trusted retailer. Never use public Wi-Fi that’s not password protected, like those used in coffee shops, libraries, or stores. Public networks increase the risk of hackers intercepting your data, including payment details and personal information. Instead of saving payment information on websites, use trusted payment wallets that use tokenization, like 1Password, Apple Wallet, or Google Wallet.
Knock-off or counterfeit products that lack the quality of the “real deal.”
Phishing emails or texts claiming something is wrong with your order, hoping you will click the link and enter your personal information.
Text messages claiming a company can’t deliver your package that includes a phishing link to steal your information. If you aren’t expecting a delivery, this is usually a scam.
Monitor transactions daily in Digital Banking, review descriptions and amounts closely, and dispute fraudulent transactions quickly if you think you’ve been a victim. Some scammers may steal your card information and test the card with small transactions at first. They will then wait until payday to make a larger purchase when you have the most funds available. You want to identify any small fraudulent transactions early. Texell’s Digital Banking app also includes tools to set alerts based on balance or transactions amounts to help you identify potentially fraudulent transactions. Learn about these tools and more in 8 Reasons Why You Need Digital Banking
What is tokenization?
Don’t Click Unknown Links: If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Approach any claims to save you money or offers for cash rewards with the purchase of an item with caution, especially if the communication is through a text or email you weren’t expecting. Even if the source looks like a legitimate company that you may subscribe to for rewards or coupons, scammers frequently imitate the biggest retailers hoping you’ll take the bait. Amazon keeps consumers informed about the latest impersonation and other scam attempts at https://trustworthyshopping.aboutamazon. com/focus/scam-prevention
Tokenization replaces sensitive data, like an account or credit card number, with nonsensitive data. Let’s break down the steps:
A person makes a purchase and provides payment details to a retailer.
The retailer’s system uses the card details to retrieve a token from a token service provider. The retailer never sees, or is able to store, your actual card number.
The token service provider generates a unique, non-sensitive token which represents your unique payment method.
The token service provider sends the token data back to the retailer which the retailer uses for the remainder of the transaction. If the retailer experiences a data breach, their system never stored your card details.
Commercial Real Estate: Why Use a Credit Union?
By Kristen Reichert
When you’re ready to launch or grow your business, credit unions offer competitive rates on commercial loans, including those for commercial real estate. Texell offers loans for investor-owned, owner-occupied, construction and development loans and more. If you’re considering commercial real estate or equipment, here are three tips to keep in mind about lending from a credit union.
1. Competitive Rates
Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that exist to serve their members. Credit unions return their profits to the members through lower loan rates, better savings rates, and low or no fees for services. Commercial real estate loans at Texell offer competitive rates based on the market, not the interest of shareholders and their returns.
2. Local Lending Decisions
Texell’s Commercial Officers serve members in Central Texas and the Austin area. To apply for a commercial real estate loan at Texell, businesses will need to gather the business plan if it’s a new business, personal and business tax returns, financial reports including profit & loss sheets and balance sheets, details regarding collateral property, and a third-party appraisal of the property. Commercial lending takes into consideration a debt service coverage of 1.25 or more, showing that the business has a comfortable income that is 25% or more of its debt payment.
3. Personal Consultation
From the first meeting to signing the documents, Texell’s Commercial team walks members through the process while building a personal relationship. While someone may be eager to invest in commercial real estate, it’s important to discuss their goals, their history of business management, historical financials, and more.
Texell Means Business
Texell not only offers commercial loans but other accounts and tools for businesses, including checking accounts, payment processing solutions, credit cards with cash back benefits, lines of credit, money market, and certificate accounts. Visit Texell.org/Business or call 254.774.5161 to talk to our Commercial team today.
Job Offer Scams
By Daniel Whaley
Job offer scams are a growing concern, especially for those searching for remote work. These scams typically involve unexpected messages through text, email, or social media that promise high pay, flexible hours, and minimal requirements. While offers like these may sound appealing, their true goal is to obtain personal information or money from unsuspecting individuals. Here’s what to look out for and steps to take to protect yourself:
How Do Job Offer Scams Work?
Job offer scams often begin with a message from someone claiming to be a recruiter or company representative. The fraudster may say they found recipient’s résumé online or someone of influence highly recommended them for the position. Usually, the job details are vague, but the pay seems generous. Scammers then request personal details, such as Social Security or account numbers, during the early stages of contact. In many cases, they ask for payment upfront for training materials, equipment costs, or background checks with the promise of reimbursement that never comes. Criminals commonly conduct interviews for these fake jobs through text, email, or messaging apps, not through more secure video or phone meetings.
5 Signs of a Job Offer Scam:
1 2 3 4 5
Job offers received without applying or interviewing.
Requests for sensitive information or payment before hiring.
Vague job descriptions and promises of unusually high pay.
Interviews that only happen over text or messaging apps.
Emails or websites that look official, but do not match the real company’s contact information.
How to Protect Yourself:
Before accepting any job offer, take time to research the company using its official website and contact information to ensure the employer is legitimate. Never share personal or financial information unless you are certain of the company’s credibility. Avoid sending payments or purchasing equipment upfront and only apply to or confirm job postings through reputable job boards.
Job hunting should be a rewarding experience, and staying informed is the best way to protect your personal and financial information throughout your search. If you suspect a scam, promptly monitor your financial accounts and update your passwords to reduce potential risk. You should report suspected scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For additional resources and tips on avoiding scams, visit blog.texell.org.
Medicare Open Enrollment: What You Should Know
By Kristen Reichert
The Federal Medicare program offers health insurance for eligible individuals 65 and older. Open enrollment into Medicare is from October 15 to December 7 each year, and you must join during this time for your coverage to start on January 1 of the following year. You can also switch or drop plans during open enrollment. While you can apply online at Medicare.gov, it’s important to review your options and address questions you may have. Let’s take a closer look at what you should consider during open enrollment.
What’s Covered with Medicare?
Original Medicare includes Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical) Insurance. While Medicare helps with health care costs, it doesn’t cover deductibles, coinsurance, or copays. Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, includes Parts A and B, and some plans also include prescription drug coverage with Part D. Medigap policies, also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, help cover out-of-pocket expenses that original Medicare doesn’t, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You must have Parts A and B to enroll in Medigap, and you cannot have a Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plan at the same time.
What Should You Review?
Plans change each year, and you should review the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and the Evidence of Coverage (EOC), which you should receive at the beginning of October. Examine
your plan’s monthly premium, deductible, maximum out-of-pocket, copayment and coinsurance. Also, look closely at the services covered, which providers are in your plan’s network, and any prescription drug benefits. Compare plans and get estimates for out-ofpocket costs at Medicare.gov to determine if you need to make a change.
Questions about Medicare?
If you’re not sure if you should change plans or coverage, Texell Insurance¹ can help with our Medicare education program. Our goal is to equip you with tools and insight to make an informed decision about the insurance options available to you. Visit Texell.org/medicare to learn more.
Join us for one of our Medicare Education Seminars to learn more:
In Williamson County: Tuesday, October 7 • 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
In Temple: Tuesday, October 14 • 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 21 • 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 18 • 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
In McLennan County: Tuesday, October 28 • 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings, call 254.773.1604 (TTY: 711).
Meet Mandy Bly
Licensed Health Insurance Agent offering Medicare Guidance, Texell Insurance
Learn what it’s like to work at Texell in our Meet the Team series. For this issue, we sat down with Mandy Bly, the first Licensed Health Insurance Agent offering Medicare guidance for Texell Insurance1
Mandy is a Central Texas native born in Temple, TX, and is one of five children. Prior to settling in Moody, TX, Mandy was a proud Belton Tiger but ultimately graduated from Moody High School. She is the mother of two wonderful children, ages 17 and 12.
Mandy worked for a few different companies, quickly rising in ranks to higher positions. In January of 2024, she started at Texell Credit Union as a Teller at the Belton location. Six months later, Kimberly Reeves, one of Texell Insurance’s Property and Casualty Agents, recruited her to apply for the Health Insurance Agent position. Along with the support of Texell Insurance’s Manager Wes Chancler, Mandy acquired her General Lines Insurance License and now offers Medicare guidance.
“I love to see the amount of care and thought that my coworkers put into everything we do here at Texell,” Mandy said. “Texell Insurance is ready to offer Medicare Health Plan guidance to our members and non-members when navigating the complicated Medicare system. We are ready to answer questions, enroll you in a plan, or guide you to the plan that fits your needs.”
To anyone thinking about working at Texell, Mandy says, “Come on!” To work at Texell Insurance, she thinks it’s necessary to have a heart and passion for helping others. Educating Texell members about their health care options is crucial to Mandy, and she wants members to know that they shouldn’t hesitate to call and ask questions. Mandy’s primary office is at the Downtown Temple branch on South 1st Street, but she visits all the branches to meet members as needed.
Take the next step in your career at Texell!
Interested in joining a great place to work? Check out our current openings at: Texell.org/careers.
When she’s not working, Mandy loves volunteering at Texell Serves events, the credit union’s efforts to support causes in Central Texas. She is a Diamond Award recipient, a status given to those who have volunteered at the most events, and she loves to bring her daughter along to experience what it’s like helping others. One of her favorite events is making beds for local children in need at Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Waco, TX. She also loves hiking when the weather is right and being in nature. Mandy hopes to someday travel to Florida and experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with her family.
2X BONUS Reward Points
Earn double BONUS Reward Points this holiday season.
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Use your Signature or Platinum BONUS Credit Card on any purchases between September 15 – November 30, 2025, and earn double BONUS Reward Points!1
Here’s how it works:
• Platinum BONUS cards earn 2 points for every dollar spent2
• Signature BONUS cards earn 2.5 points for every dollar spent2
It’s that easy. Just use your Signature or Platinum BONUS Credit Card for any purchase and double your rewards! Visit Texell.org/2xbonus for details.
