Author: Compass Community Credit Union

The convenience of mobile banking allows you to handle your banking on the go. Unfortunately, mobile identity theft is also on the rise. Users should protect their privacy and their financial security by following these do’s and don’ts. Do: Use strong alphanumeric passwords and change them regularly Log out when you exit a social networking …

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Stopping Fraud on the go

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The convenience of mobile banking allows you to handle your banking on the go. Unfortunately, mobile identity theft is also on the rise. Users should protect their privacy and their financial security by following these do’s and don’ts.

Do:

  • Use strong alphanumeric passwords and change them regularly
  • Log out when you exit a social networking site like Facebook
  • Install and maintain up to date industry trusted antivirus and spyware software
  • Lock your mobile device with a password, so information can’t be accessed if it’s lost or stolen
  • Check out the reviews of an app before you download it
  • Let your financial institution (us!) know if you lose your phone or change your phone number
  • Monitor your accounts and credit report frequently for fraudulent or suspicious transactions

Don’t:

  • Access financial accounts when using free public Wi-Fi, unless you’ve installed encryption
  • Put personal or account information in an unencrypted text or email
  • Store sensitive information such as account numbers in your mobile
  • Use the same password for multiple accounts
  • Share your birthdate, email address, or personal details in a social media profile visible to anyone
  • Click on pop-ups or open attachments from dubious senders (anything you didn’t request yourself is suspicious)

Compass now offers identity theft protection and credit report monitoring. Stay on top of your credit scores and protect your identity with your IdentityIQ plan. To learn more, click here.

June 15th is Elder Abuse Awareness Day!

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Stop elder fraud from cheating a loved one.

Every year, crooks bombard senior Americans with all kinds of scams. Here are just a few:

  • Sweepstake scams
  • Junk mail
  • Phony investment schemes
  • Bogus charity fundraisers
  • Medicare fraud
  • Predatory reverse mortgages

Scammers with their con games and hoaxes cost people over 60 billion dollars every year.

It can be difficult for some to admit they may have been victimized. According to AARP, there are several telltale signs to watch for:

  1. Money and valuables are disappearing for no good reason.
  2. Bills aren’t paid, and a parent seems confused about his or her finances.
  3. They are being secretive about money and asking for more. There may be strange credit card charges.
  4. A family member won’t answer questions about your parent’s money.
  5. Someone new befriends your parent and manages to take joint title to accounts and property.

To help keep our seniors safe, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has created some free materials at www.consumerfinance.gov.

Tips to avoid missing a bill’s due date.

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Being late every now and then when paying your bills doesn’t sound like a big deal. However, those late fees can really add up.

In addition to charging a late fee, creditors could increase your interest rate. Some credit card companies will even reset your rate to a default APR as high as 29.99%.

Fortunately, Compass Community Credit Union has a way you can avoid all this and simplify your life in the process. It’s our free Bill Pay.

With Bill Pay, you’ll never have to worry about missing a payment or paying late fees. Simply schedule the payment date and that’s it. No need to spend time writing a check, paying for stamps and dropping it in the mail.

Taking care of your financial future is important. Using our free Bill Pay can make it a little simpler. To get started or to learn more, click here.

The most important financial account you probably don’t have

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Financial stress haunts many of us. We say, “If only I had more money?”

At Compass, helping members become more financially confident is a big part of who we are. One step you can take to increase your peace of mind: create an emergency fund.

For those who have limited income or little room in their budget to put money away, an emergency cash reserve may be even more essential than college funds or retirement savings. You may know how many years you are from retiring and how soon the kids will be old enough for college. But, there’s no way to tell when your car’s transmission will begin to slip, your goalie daughter will break a tooth or an arm, or your job will evaporate.

Emergencies happen when we least expect them, and our wallets usually suffer collateral damage.

Here are five steps to reduce your financial stress:

1. Figure out the cost for your monthly “must-haves.” On your most recent checking account statement, circle the amounts you paid for essentials. This means the necessities required for bare-bones living, such as your rent or mortgage payment, groceries, gas, insurance, utilities, credit card and loan payments.

2. Estimate how long you might need to stay afloat in an emergency. Most people should have enough savings to cover for three to six months without a paycheck. You may want to adjust this target up or down if your job would be harder or easier to replace. Let’s say your monthly amount is $2,500, so your emergency savings goal, if three times that, is: $7,500. Mission impossible? Maybe not, if you set up milestones on the way.

3. Make a road map toward your goal. Using $2,500 as an example, you’d get there in about 23 months by putting aside $50 every two weeks. Boost that $50 to $75, and it would take only 15½ months to get to $2,500. Within four years, you could reach your goal of $7,500.

4. Set up “driverless savings.” Once you’ve decided how much to set aside regularly, set up automatic transfers in online banking. Instead of hoping there’s money left to save at the end of each pay period, set it and forget it. That’s a crucial step for success.

5. To manage your stress, keep on saving after you reach your goal. Life is unpredictable, so there may be times you’ll need to draw cash from your emergency account. Just keep squirreling away into your savings, and you’ll replenish your reserve.

Some credit union members like to use our low-interest credit card or equity line of credit as a financial safety net. But when it comes to building confidence, nothing beats having savings in reserve. If you would like to open a separate “Emergency Savings Account”, you can open a secondary savings account online or stop by one of our branches.

April National Youth Month

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April is National Youth Month, designed to encourage kids to develop healthy saving habits by making saving fun and exciting. The theme for this year is “Be a credit union saver and your savings will never go extinct.” 

This campaign is an opportunity to engage with young members and show them Compass Community Credit Union is here to help them throughout their financial journey. This Jurassic theme makes saving for the future fun and helps younger members appreciate the importance of putting money aside. 

To learn more, click here.

Watch out for these scams

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Phone scams have been around almost as long as phones. Sadly, the prevalence of automated robocalls has exploded and appears to invade our lives almost daily.

Three general warning signs your call may be a scam:

  1. You get an unsolicited call from someone claiming to work for a government agency or Microsoft. None of them will call you unless you have already contacted them.
  2. The caller asks for your Social Security number or to “verify your identity” in any way.
  3. The caller threatens consequences if you do not provide payment or personal information.

Beware of these particular scams that are sweeping the nation:

The IRS Swindle

A threatening phone caller “from the IRS” (or “from the Federal Reserve”) says you’re guilty of tax evasion and must pay the penalty at once with your credit or debit card, or else face jail time or revocation of your driver’s license. Some folks with complex financial lives may pay up, assuming they made a mistake on their taxes. Wrong—the IRS never demands payment over the phone. Self-defense: Don’t pay. Report the scam to the U.S. Treasury Inspector General’s office at 1-800-366-4484.

The “Family member” Scam

The person claims to be a family member in trouble and needs your help, asking you to send them money or use your credit card. You might be asked to guess who’s on the line. If so, don’t give out any names. You ask the caller to identify who they are. Then ask them to describe something you know only the real person would know like a special occasion or trip together, a gift you gave or received or something in your home that they would know. Self-defense: Be absolutely sure you know who you are speaking with and do not give out any information until you know for sure who it is you’re talking with.

The “Computer Crash” Con

You get a phone call from a self-described “computer security expert” who warns that your Windows PC or laptop may be infected with a fatal virus. You might be asked for money to protect your system or to remove this nonexistent malware. If you agree to download a fix or allow remote access to your computer, the crook can ask for your passwords—and may actually install malware that you then have to pay to get rid of. Self-defense: Hang up on this scammer. No legitimate IT security pro will ever cold-call you in this way.

America Saves Week

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America Saves Week was established in 2007 as a call for everyday Americans to commit to developing a habit of saving. It’s an initiative where credit unions can help members develop better financial habits. Compass Community Credit Union is proud to participate and provide financial resources to our members.

Each day of the week focuses on a different area of finances to help individuals and families address savings goals to achieve better financial stability, along with strategies for how they might get there. Click here to learn more.

Wheel and deal this Presidents’ Day

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What comes to mind when you think of Presidents’ Day? Besides a welcome day off for some of us, Presidents’ Day is actually a great time to buy a car!

Dealers everywhere offer great sales on both new and used vehicles. You can score great deals on last year’s models and new inventory is on display. So it’s the perfect time to go car shopping!

Plus, you’ll get up to 1% cashback, up to $500, when you finance or refinance your auto with Compass. This is for a limited time and certain restrictions apply so click here for details.

Make your next car buying process easier with a pre-approval for an auto loan from Compass. With our online application, you can be pre-approved in minutes. Then use your pre-approval to land a great deal!

Five simple steps to take now that can make tax filing easier later

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Welcome to 2021! That means that the 2020 fiscal year is over. While there’s nothing fun about filing tax returns or paying taxes, taking steps in January to organize your paperwork could help you avoid getting frustrated, frazzled, or befuddled come tax time. Here are 5 things you can do now:

1. Make a copy of last year’s tax return and attachments. With this to guide your tax prep, you’re less likely to forget a source of income or a deduction.

2. Collect the tax IDs you’ll need. This includes your dependents’ Social Security numbers and the SSN of anyone you employed (e.g., a babysitter, housecleaner, or nanny).

3. Create a file folder labeled “Income”. Use this folder to organize the following tax forms you should receive in January or early February:

  • W-2s and 1099-MISCs from employers
  • 1099-INTs reporting interest income and 1099-DIVs for mutual fund or stock dividends
  • 1099-Bs reporting brokerage transactions

4. If you typically itemize your deductions, start another folder labeled “Deductions”. Some of the information that goes here will come by mail; the rest you may need to supply yourself.

  • 1098s reporting interest you paid on mortgages and equity loans (also real estate taxes, if included in your monthly mortgage payment)
  • A receipt for real estate taxes if you paid them yourself
  • A copy of your W-2s showing state and local income taxes you paid
  • A receipt for personal property tax from your town or the taxing authority
  • Receipts for charitable donations, including mileage
  • Receipts for medical expenses, including mileage
  • Receipts for bills incurred while job-seeking

5. Rev up your retirement saving. There’s still time before the April filing deadline to contribute to a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA. For details, search “IRA Contribution Limits” at www.IRS.gov. Don’t have an IRA yet? Ask us about our insured IRA options.

Compass Community Credit Union does not provide tax advice. We recommend consulting a qualified tax professional to determine how tax laws may apply to your situation.

In short, a credit union is a cooperative financial institution where people work together to make everyone’s lives better. Everyone who has an account here is a member. And every member is an owner.

Rather than making profits to send to far-off shareholders, Compass CCU reinvests in our credit union. Which means we reinvest in YOU. That’s why we say that, at Compass Community Credit Union, we guide you to better banking.