- Put simply, a money market is a kind of savings account, but with a few key differences from your traditional options. Money market accounts are designed to be a safe way to get a better dividend rate for people. However, these kinds of accounts generally require a higher minimum deposit. And just like regular savings accounts, money market accounts have NCUA protection which makes them a safe…, Why a money market account?, That makes money market accounts a good option for people looking for the benefits of saving money safely or finding a place to "park" a chunk of money while earning dividends, as well. With a money market account, a person can deposit money into their account whenever they like. On the flip side, if a person wants to get fast access to their money they have that option, too. All in all, this is…
- , Not sure if you need a personal loan?, Like lines of credit, personal loans can be used for any purpose, but do work best in certain situations. Struggling with student loan debt or credit card payments? Need to make a big purchase soon or fund an emergency now? Let's take a look at how a personal loan could help. Here are six ideal uses to consider ... Refinance Student Loan Debt The ever-higher cost of higher education has been…, Use it for any purpose!, These are just a few suggestions for personal loan uses. The best part about personal loans is you don't need to have a specific reason to take one out. Use personal loans for any purpose. If you need cash, consider the pros and cons of personal loans vs. lines of credit here . Make your choice and talk with someone at your credit union or bank or apply online for a personal loan or line of…, Ready to apply?, Click here to get started!
- What's the Difference?, If you're like some two-thirds of Americans who have little or no savings, you're going to need a personal loan or line of credit for cash for time-sensitive purchases or emergencies at some point. These are the two popular options for people who need unsecured funds quickly, provided they have a reliable income and decent credit score. While personal loans and lines of credit are very similar…, We all need cash we don't have from time to time., Talk with someone at your local credit union or bank for help making the best decision, or apply online for a personal loan or line of credit now to get the process started now. To weigh your options, call 800.242.2120. We're happy to help. , Ready to apply?, Click here to get started!
- Student Loans, Resources, and Free Money, Preparing for college is all about choices, be it filling in the circles on a standardized test or picking which school to attend. The most important choice, though, may be how to pay for college. Full scholarships are limited. They're usually reserved for outstanding athletes and a select few academic standouts. What about the rest of us? For most, paying for college is a search for funding…, Student Loans and Other Resources Are a Big Part of College Funding, Financial aid and scholarships can cover a good chunk of college costs, but most need student loans to fill the gaps. Many will borrow between $30,000 and $100,000 to cover the price tag of a four-year degree. College graduates owe an estimated $1.3 trillion in outstanding debt and recent numbers from the federal government suggest many are working hard to pay it back. The troubling trend of…, 1. Figure Out the Cost of Attendance, Colleges across the nation are actually required to post their cost of attendance (COA) each year. This COA accounts for the tuition and fees; books and supplies; room and board; transportation; and personal expenses the average student would pay in an academic year, or one fall and spring semester. Look up the number and stare it down. Now take a deep breath and let's get to work., 2. Fill Out The FAFSA, The Free Application for Federal Student Aid unlocks your access to federal student loans and grants, the most practical college funding source you have. Federal loans carry low, fixed interest rates that tend to make monthly payments a little more palatable than the higher rates you could get from private financing or a commercial bank. As the name suggests, it's free to complete the…, 3. Find Some Free Money for College, Whether it's for $50 or $50,000, scholarships help drop that COA in a hurry. The search and application process will take a lot of work, but the paycheck you could earn would be priceless. To make the process a little more painless, write a general essay you can submit with applications as the opportunities arise. Many decision-makers simply want you to explain who you are, why you want to go to…, 4. Find Even More Free Money for College, Every school has a Financial Aid office. Find it and use it. Simple enough, right?, 5. Use Special Credit Union Student Loans to Fill the Gaps, After you've gathered all your federal funds, scholarships, and financial aid, take another look at that cost of attendance. If you're like most, you're going to need more., Student Choice offers students and parents options., Visions Federal Credit Union offers many benefits to member-owners, including affordable student lending in the form of Student Choice. These lines of credit are exclusive to credit unions and offer competitive rates, in-school deferment, and a graduated repayment option. We're also dedicated to financial literacy when it comes to college planning . Find more information, tips, and our…, Apply for a Student Loan
- Scholarships and Grants and Loans, Oh My!, Just as Dorothy of Oz felt overwhelmed and lost as she set out to navigate her way through the haunted forest, you too may experience these same feelings as you go about the process of finding financial aid for college tuition. But don't worry just yet. The application process for college is exciting, stressful and chaotic all at the same time. There are many decisions to be made and seemingly…
- With the cost of college rising every year, students and their parents are searching for more ways to pay tuition and other college-related expenses. Some of the best sources of college funding are scholarships and grants, which usually do not have to be repaid. Students can begin applying for scholarships while they are still in high school and can continue to do so throughout their college…, FAFSA, Grants, and Federal Loans, FAFSA and Grants, Grants are given to students who demonstrate a financial need, based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Criteria for federal and state aid change from year to year, so students should aim to fill out the FAFSA form every year, even if they think they may not qualify. It is free to file and can be completed online., Federal Student Loans, Even if they do not qualify for scholarships or grant aid, many college students are eligible to take out student loans through various federal programs. It's important to try and maximize the use of these loans before considering other lending sources, as many federal loan programs are subsidized, meaning the government pays the interest on the loan as long as the student is enrolled at an…, Drawbacks of Private Loans and Home Equity Loans , If free money and federal loans cannot fully meet a student's financial needs, there are also private student loans available, but these loans have a few drawbacks. Here are some important things to know about private student loans: Generally made through a bank or loan company, private loans usually require a co-signer. This means that parents—or whoever co-signs—will be liable for the loans if…
- For your online safety and security..., The following are some helpful tips when shopping online:, Beware of: , Deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which may contain mobile malware Malicious screensavers, ringtones, and e-cards Make anti-virus software, which may trick you into purchasing the software Social media scams, such as phony Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, online promotions, and contests Scammers advertising popular holiday items Free mobile apps, attempting to steal your information…, Do the following to help protect yourself:, Secure your computer - at a minimum, have anti-virus, anti-spyware, and a firewall Set up alerts , so you always know when transactions are above a certain limit Turn off your computer when you're done shopping Research the seller of items before you buy Monitor your credit, debit, and account numbers used for online shopping to help identify any unauthorized usage Post vacation pictures after…, Learn to stay safe online, About "phishing" and "spear phishing", Visions Federal Credit Union makes every effort to ensure that our members' information is safe and secure., A potential threat involving online account access involves email and internet-related fraudulent schemes, such as "phishing" are being perpetrated with increasing frequency, creativity, and intensity. Phishing involves the use of seemingly legitimate e-mail messages and Internet websites to deceive members into disclosing sensitive information, such as bank account information, Social Security…, There is no guaranteed product or service to protect yourself from a "spear phishing" attack. It is important to educate yourself and be wary of any emails received containing attachments or directions to follow links and input data., Do the following to help protect yourself:, Never assume that recognizing the email address means it is safe Do not open an unexpected email that contains an attachment. It could contain malware, even if it's not "spear phishing" malware Ask friends and coworkers to notify you before they send an email with an attachment Don't take any chances. If you're unsure about an e-mail or attachment, delete it Check out our tips for protecting your…, Prevention Tips:, 1., Password Strength, : Use strong passwords. These are at least twelve characters in length, alphanumeric, case sensitive, and require the use of at least one special character (e.g., !, #, $, %, etc.). And change your most important passwords every two months or more. 2., Multi-factor authentication (MFA), : If you can set up Face-ID, push notifications, or secure access codes to strengthen your login, then do it! MFA is one of the strongest security measures to keep you aware of login attempts on your digital accounts 3., Security Software, : Protect your home computer with anti-virus and spy-ware software and a firewall. Update your software frequently! 4., Time and Date of Last Access, : Check the date and time that your account was last accessed after logging into your account. This may help you identify unauthorized access. 5., Logout Procedures, : Logout of your online banking session by clicking the logout button* rather than just simply closing the browser window or using the "backspace" key., *Please keep in mind that if you are using Visions digital banking and Bill Pay in your internet browser, you should click "log out" each session to fully be logged out., 6., Reconcile Accounts, : Reconcile all accounts and transactions on a daily basis instead of monthly. 7., Type the URL, : Never access a website from a link in an email, especially if it's asking for personal information., Be aware of: , 1., Public Access Computers, : Computers accessible to the public may be infected with viruses and/or malicious software, such as key loggers. 2., E-mails offering a prize or discount, : these may ask you to enter a user ID and password, which thieves will collect to gain access to your accounts. 3., Grammar and spelling:, Fraudulent e-mails often contain poor grammar or misspelled words. 4., Email is Not Secure, : Do not include personal or sensitive data in an e-mail. It could be intercepted. 5., Anyone asking for your Secure Access Code, : Your Secure Access Code is part of MFA and identity verification for you to enter into your own account. We will never ask for your Secure Access Code via text, email, or over the phone. Are you concerned about fraud? Want to report a scam? Please contact us if you believe you have received a suspicious email, text message, or phone call from Visions, or if you provided any of your personal…
- Visions will NEVER ask for your personal or financial information via email or text message. But many scam artists will!, If you were tricked into giving out your confidential account information by a scammer, please call us immediately at, 800.242.2120, . You can also call this number if you gave out your Access Card/Debit Card/Credit Card information., Phishing – emails, Email "phishing" scams target financial institutions. Most likely these scams send email to millions of people and may include some text and graphics from a website. They will ask you to provide personal information after following a link in the email. Be suspicious - the website may well be a fake created to get personal information from you. Do not follow or click on any web link in an email…, Vishing – phone calls, Vishing is similar to phishing but uses telephone lines as the means to scam you. It uses technology to trick caller ID and other security systems. The caller will then try to get your credit card number or other personal information., Smishing – text messages, Smishing uses text messages on your cell phone as the means to scam you. The smishing message usually contains something that wants your “immediate attention.” The text message may include a linked website URL or a phone number that connects to automated voice response system. A popular example is, “, (Name of a financial institution): Your account has been suspended. Call ###-###-#### immediately to reactivate., ” The “hook” will be a legitimate looking web site or telephone voice response system that asks you to “confirm” or enter your personal financial information, such as your credit/debit card number, CVV code (on the back of your credit card), your ATM card PIN, Social Security number, and other details like your Secure Access Code to digital banking. Remember, Visions will, never, ask you to provide your Secure Access Code., How do I know if a text message is legitimate?, Here's a list of authentic numbers used for Visions-related text messages and transaction verifications: 23618 – Debit/Credit Card transaction verification and fraud monitoring 86434 – Digital banking login and transaction verification 833.845.2800 – Zelle ® transaction verification 83281 – Visions Loan Payments and reminders If you’re ever unsure if a text message or phone call is legitimate, do…, 800.242.2120, to verify the information or visit your local branch., Are you concerned about fraud or want to report a scam?, Please contact us if you believe you have received a suspicious email, text message, or phone call from Visions, or if you provided any of your personal information including your account number. You may contact a representative in our Contact Center during normal business hours at, 800.242.2120, . If you'd like to report any card related fraud, please call, 833.224.5785, (available 24/7).
- Who Are You? Identity Thieves Really Want to Know, Take these steps to protect your personal information:, Shred financial documents and paperwork containing personal information before you discard them Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number Keep your personal information in a secure place at home such as a safe or lockbox, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in…, If you believe you are a victim of Identity Theft, please contact us immediately at 800.242.2120 and utilize the helpful information below., , Identity Fraud - General Information, Identity theft and identity fraud are two of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. They occur when someone gains access to another person's personal information, such as a driver's license number, and uses the information to commit fraud. If you are a victim of identity theft or fraud, here are a few tips..., Write or call all of your creditors immediately. , Request a replacement credit card with a new account number. Ask that old accounts be marked "account closed at consumer's request." Monitor your credit card statements for evidence of fraud and report it immediately to creditors. Creditors may ask you to fill out and notarize fraud affidavits; however the law does not require that a notarized affidavit be provided to creditors. A written…, Keep a Log., Log all conversations related to your identity fraud case, including: Dates Names of people you talked to Telephone numbers of the agencies you called The time you spent on each conversation Expenses incurred, Follow up., All conversations with a written note, sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. Keep copies of all letters and documents., Call credit bureaus., Immediately call the fraud units of each of the three major credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union - to report the theft or loss of your credit card(s)., Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can ask the credit bureaus:, To have your account flagged with a "fraud alert" and place a victim's statement in your file requiring creditors to call you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing account. For the names and telephone numbers of creditors if any fraudulent account(s) have been opened. To remove fraudulent entries from your credit report. To notify those entities that have received…, File a Police Report., Report the identity fraud crime to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in your case. Give them as much documented evidence as possible. Ask for a copy of your police report. Keep the telephone number of the fraud investigator handy because creditors may require you to submit a copy of the report in order to verify the crime. Additional Considerations, Fraudulent Financial Instruments, If your checks are stolen or bank accounts are set up fraudulently in your name, report the fraud to the check verification companies. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you may not have written. Cancel your accounts and open new ones. If possible, give the bank a password for your account, other than your mother's maiden name., Compromised Cards and PINs, If your credit or debit card has been stolen or compromised, request a new card, card number, and password. Do not use your old password. When you create a new password, do not use numbers that are readily available based on your personal information, such as the last four digits of your Social Security number or your birth date., Fraudulent Change of Address, Notify your local Postal Inspector if you suspect that someone has changed your address with the post office or has used the mail to commit credit or bank fraud. Contact your local Postmaster to have your mail sent to the correct address. Alert your mail carrier to the problem., Social Security Number, Call the Social Security Administration at 800.269.0271 to report the fraudulent use of your Social Security number. The SSA will change your Social Security number if you meet the agency's fraud victim criteria. Also, call 800.772.1213 to order a copy of your Earnings and Benefits Statement and check it for accuracy. , Resources and Agencies, To contact the three major credit bureaus..., Equifax, : P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241, Report fraud, : Call 800.525.6285 and write to the above address, Order credit reports, : 800.685.1111, Have your name removed from their marketing lists, : 888.567.8688, Experian, : P.O. Box 949, Allen, TX 75013-0949, Report fraud, : Call 888.397.3742 and write to the above address, Order credit reports, : 888.397.3742, Have your name removed from their marketing lists, : 888.567.8688, TransUnion, : P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022, Report fraud, : Call 800.680.7289 and write to: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634, Order credit reports, : 800.916.8800, Have your name removed from their marketing lists, : 888.567.8688 To remove your name from mail and phone lists..., Visit the following website:, For mail and email: www.DMAChoice.org For telephone: www.donotcall.gov To report fraudulent use of your checks..., Call, :, Chexsystems, : 800.428.9623, Certegy, : 800.237.3826, Telecheck, : 800.710.9898 To obtain addition information about Identity Theft and Fraud..., Here are some helpful links:, Protecting Seniors from Financial Abuse Department of Justice Federal Trade Commission Federal Communications Commission Internal Revenue Service Social Security Administration U.S. Postal Inspection Service Internet Crime Complaint Center , Are you concerned about fraud or want to report a scam?, Please contact us if you believe you have received a suspicious email, text message, or phone call from Visions, or if you provided any of your personal information such as your account number. You may contact a representative in our Contact Center during normal business hours at, 800.242.2120, . If you'd like to report any card related fraud, please call, 833.224.5785, (available 24/7).
