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Fake Calls about Your SSN

Fake Calls about Your SSN

Lately, there has been an immense amount of fake phone calls in the Rochester Region. There have been several reports sent to the FTC about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to obtain your Social Security number along with your money. Some of these scam calls may include an occurrence that involves drugs, sending money out of the country illegally or someone has used your SSN to apply for a credit card. The scammer will call claiming that your social has been blocked and will ask for you to confirm the social security number. All these calls are nothing but a scam. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The SSA will never call and ask for your Social Security Number.
  • Your caller ID may show the SSA’s real phone number but scammers can easily disguise this to show any caller ID they desire.
  • Never give your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you nor confirm the last 4 digits.
  • Anyone who asks you to pay with a gift card, wire money or send cash is a scammer.

For further information on the fake calls visit: www.consumer.ftc.gov.

 

Don’t forget to sign-up for real time e-Alerts when you log into Online Banking!
Get updated on your account(s) on the go, download our mobile app today.

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NEW Credit Card Processor

We have exciting news, Advantage FCU will be converting to a
NEW Credit Card Processor in February 2019.

What does this mean to you, our Valued Member?
This will improve our ability to implement new technology as it becomes available and continue to provide the highest level of fraud protection. As a Bonus, we have NEW great looking Credit Card designs we hope you’ll love and enjoy using!

Please watch your mailbox from February 4th to February 11th, 2019 for your new card.
Your new card will have:

  • A New Card Number
  • Expiration Date
  • CVV Code

You may have a few questions; we hope we anticipated some of the answers below:

  • You will have to re-establish any Automatic Billing with merchants.
  • All unused reward points under your current program will be transferred to the New Program.
  • Last day to use your current card: February 23, 2019
  • First day to activate/use your new card: February 24, 2019
    (more details as we get closer)

If you plan to be out of town for the entire time between February 4th to February 11th, 2019; and will be unable to receive your new card, please let us know as soon as possible.
For any questions please call Advantage FCU Member Service at 1.888.454.2328.

Thank You for being a member!

 

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Tips to Avoid Fraud

10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud

Scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. With clever schemes of combining new technology and old tricks we must be more cautious of how we monitor our money. Always be alert and protect yourself from being scammed by following these helpful tips.

    1. Spot Imposters – Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, like a family member, company and government official. Do NOT send money or give out personal information in response to and unexpected request.
    2. Do Online Searches – When using your search engine (Google, Bing, etc.) be sure to add words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam” to describe your situation. You can even search phone numbers!
    3. Don’t believe your caller ID – Technology makes it easy for scammers to disguise themselves with a fake caller ID. If someone begins to ask for money or your personal information hang up immediately.
    4. Don’t pay upfront for a promise – Sometimes scammers will ask you to pay in advance for things like credit and loan offers. They may even say you’ve won a prize but first you have to pay fees. If you pay upfront they will most likely disappear with your money without a trace.
    5. Consider how you pay – Most credit cards have sufficient fraud protection built-in but not all do. Wiring money through services such as, Western Union and MoneyGram can be risky because it’s nearly impossible to get your money back. Be cautious of how you pay your loans, credit card, etc.
    6. Talk to someone – It’s easy to get talked into giving out your personal information. Con artists like to rush you into decisions, slow down and do some online research. Even consult someone you trust before making any further agreement.
    7. Hang up on Robocalls – If you answer your phone and you hear an automated sales pitch, hang up the phone immediately and report it to FTC. These calls are illegal and often the products are fraudulent.
    8. Be skeptical about free trial offers – Before you agree to a free trial, research the company and read the cancellation policy. Always be sure to read your monthly statements for charges you don’t recognize.
    9. Don’t deposit a check and wire money back – By law, banks must make funds from deposited checks available within’ days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. If your check deposit turns out to be fake you’re responsible for repaying the bank.
    10. Sign up for free scam alerts from the FTC at ftc.gov/scams

Don’t forget to sign-up for real time e-Alerts when you log into Online Banking!
Get updated on your account(s) on the go, download our mobile app today.

 

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Advantage FCU Holiday Hours

Advantage FCU Holiday Hours

All Advantage FCU branches, telephone banking and chat banking will be closed in observance of the following 2018 Federal Holidays:

 

Holiday2018 DateHours of Operation
Veteran's DayMonday, November 12CLOSED
Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 22CLOSED
Black FridayFriday, November 23Open until 3 p.m.
Christmas EveMonday, December 24Open until 3 p.m.
Christmas DayTuesday, December 25CLOSED
New Years EveMonday, December 31Open until 3 p.m.
New Year's DayTuesday, January 1, 2019CLOSED
The following services will still be available:

Advantage FCU ATMs – Find the closest ATM near you

Online/Mobile Banking – Download the Advantage FCU Mobile Banking App

 

 

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Visa Credit Card Challenge

Ready to consolidate your credit card debt?

Take the Credit Card Challenge!

Start saving today with our LOW Rate Visa Rewards Card!

  • NO Balance Transfer Fees
  • NO Cash Advance Fees
  • NO Brainer!

Advantage FCU members are our priority and when it comes to getting a lower rate on your credit card balances and we’re more than happy to help!

To get started visit one of our branches (click here for locations).

Show us your credit card statements and we’ll show you how Advantage FCU can save you money.

No time to stop in branch?

Transfer your high rate balances to your Advantage FCU Credit Card at any time!

 

 

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Watch Your Earnings Grow

5 Month CD Special

Watch your earnings grow! Keep your funds safely rooted in a CD Special at Advantage FCU.

This CD Special requires new money only with a minimum of $500 to open.

Visit your local AFCU branch and start saving today!

 

 

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY). Effective as of August 1, 2018. A minimum of $500 is required to open a certificate. Must be new money. Five month share certificate equivalent to CD. Fees may reduce earnings. An early withdrawal penalty may apply. Limited time offer. Rates subject to change without notice. Membership subject to eligibility.

 

Data Breach
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General Security Tip

Advantage Federal Credit Union has an important security tip – we will NEVER contact you to ask you for your account number or other personal information by email, phone, or text message.

It is important that you never respond to phone calls, text messages, or emails that ask you to provide, validate, or update any account information.

Your personal information is highly valuable and Advantage FCU makes it our priority to encourage our members to take precaution when giving such information out. Knowing how to protect your information is important especially in today’s technologically advanced world.

The Federal Trade Commission published tips on how you can protect yourself from online hackers including:

For more information visit: www.consumer.ftc.gov.

Online Romance Scammers

Scammers take advantage of people looking for romantic partners, often via dating websites, apps or social media by pretending to be a prospective companion. Often people fall victim to those posing as or claims to be a U.S. Soldier. The “Soldier” then begins asking for money for various false service-related needs such as transportation costs, communication fees, marriage, processing and medical fees. Victims of these online scams have lost tens to thousands of dollars, with a very low possibility of recovery. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CIC) has tip son what to look for and “Red Flags” that AFCU Members should be aware of.

Click here to read the full article.

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NEW Money Management!

New Online Banking Experience – Now Available

Money Management

On March 21st, as part of an Online Banking update we are happy to introduce a new budgeting solutions called, Money Management!

Benefits of Money Management:
  • All of your transactions will automatically categorize using Money Management’s improved categorization process.
  • All AFCU accounts associated with your online banking username are automatically added
  • At least 90 days’ worth of transaction history will be imported
  • Add outside financial institution accounts, including retirement, loans and investment
  • Add asset such as real estate and vehicles
  • Transactions are automatically categorized
  • Instantly manage all of your debit in one place
  • Auto create first budget based on past 90 days of spending
  • Set savings, debt, and retirement goals
  • Safe and secure

Sign into your Online Banking to get started!

 

Purchase Rewards

Turn Everyday Purchases into Cash!

We are NOW offering exclusive cash back offers when using your Advantage FCU Debit card at the types of places you like to shop.
Don’t worry it’s very easy to use and right at your fingertips.

Here’s how it works:
  1. CLICK – To activate your exclusive cash back offers at the places you like to shop.
  2. SHOP – Online or in stores to redeem your offers by paying with your card.
  3. ENJOY – Cash back which will be deposited right into your account at the end of the following month.

Log onto Online Banking and let the savings begin!

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Money Market PLUS

Advantage FCU Money Market PLUS Account will pay some of the highest dividends available for this account!

 Earn Even More Dividends

Similar to our Money Market Account, the Money Market PLUS allows you to earn a much higher rate on your dividends. Although you are earning higher dividends, your funds are still accessible; you can have up to six (6) transactions per month*.

An Advantage Money Market PLUS Account will pay some of the highest dividends available for this type of account. Dividends are paid monthly and are calculated using the daily balance method. There is a $75,000 minimum balance required to open the account. If you are looking for a safe place to earn extra money, compare AFCU Money Market PLUS rates to the others!

Deposit Rates

*You may make no more than six (6) transfers or withdrawals from your account to another account of yours or to a third party in any method by means of preauthorized, automatic, internet transfers or telephone transfers, or by check, draft, or debit card. If you exceed these monthly limitations, your account may be subject to a fee or be closed. The rates for the Money Market PLUS Account are variable and may change after the account is opened.
AFCU Resources
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Personal & Account Information

ATTENTION: Please note Advantage FCU would not ask any personal or account information via text or email. If you receive a notification claiming to be from Advantage FCU, please do not give out any information.  Whenever you have a question about your account, please call us at 585-454-5900 or choose the chat button below during business hours.