Warning!  

There is a serious threat out there with fraudulent ATM and debit card transactions occurring in California.  It was just discovered that a member of the Federal Employees Credit Union has just fallen victim to this criminal activity.

It seems that payment card terminals at Michael’s stores across the country had a skimming device installed.  90 stores have been affected with 4 located in Iowa including the Michael’s store in Ankeny.  A skimming device will read all of the pertinent information from the cards including the card number, name and PIN number.  The thieves then use this information to create new cards with the captured information.  Even though our member has the card in their hand, the thieves are able to make ATM withdrawals anywhere in the country.

Here is the timeline of the activity on the FECU member’s account that was victimized by this scam:

Card used to pay for purchase at the Michael’s Store in Ankeny, Iowa on June 18, 2011

ATM withdrawal for $200 performed on July 11, 2011 in Redondo Beach, California

ATM withdrawal for $200 performed on July 12, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California

ATM withdrawal for $200 performed on July 13, 2011 in North Hollywood, California

The entire time the member had their ATM card in their pocket in Iowa.

So if you have shopped at a Michael’s Store anywhere in the country (no sense taking any chances) and paid for your purchases with a plastic card – either debit card or ATM card, it doesn’t matter the type of plastic or the financial institution that holds your account, please take the time to carefully review your account for any possible fraudulent transactions.  To be on the safer side, if the transaction was paid for using a credit card, carefully check those statements also!

If your account is at the Federal Employees Credit Union, please review the account very carefully at our home banking site, YourCU@Home.  The address is https://www.cusa-hfs.com/hfs/svc/fecuiowa/.   It is recommended that you review your account history on a daily basis.

If you should discover a questionable transaction, please call 515.244.1458 as soon as possible.  You can also send an email to:  info@fecuiowa.org.

PROTECT YOUR AUTO INVESTMENT WITH GAP

For the one-time cost of $350.00, GAP covers the difference between the actual cash value of your car (primary insurance settlement) and your outstanding loan balance at the time of your loss, less certain deductions like credit insurance or service warranty contracts. In the event of a total loss, GAP will even pay an additional $1,000 toward the purchase of a replacement vehicle when financed at F.E.C.U.

Call any credit union office for more information

Get Your Free Credit Report(s) – No Strings Attached

 As a result of the FTC's final ruling under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, you are entitled to a free credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies every year -- no strings attached.

 Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, are each required to provide consumers, upon request, a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months.  The program is rolling out region-by-region.  Residents in the West and Midwest are able to access their reports now; residents of the eastern states will be eligible on Sept. 1, 2005.

 The reports will not automatically be sent out. Each consumer must request their reports one of three ways.

1)   Go to www.annualcreditreport.com, which is the only authorized source for consumers to access their annual credit reports online for free.

2)   Call 877-322-8228 to request your report(s).

3)   Complete the Annual Credit Request Form, and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281 , Atlanta , GA , 30348-5281 .

 You can order all three credit reports at one time, or at different times throughout the year. It's your choice. But, be sure to order from the centralized agency. If you go directly to the credit reporting agencies, you will be charged unless you fit other criteria for a free report, such as: you've been denied a loan, insurance policy or job based on your credit report; you're applying for unemployment or receive public assistance; and you currently reside in a state that already offers an annual free credit report from each credit reporting agency (Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and Vermont. Georgia residents are entitled to two free annual credit reports from each credit reporting agency.)

To view these newsletters, you will  need Acrobat Reader.  If you do not have the Acrobat Reader, click on the icon to get your free copy.

FRAUD ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS!

The Federal Employees Credit Union would like to remind all members that identity theft and fraud has become a very prevalent and active form of theft in our day to day lives. 

 We want to impress upon each member the importance of using extreme caution and care when debit and/or credit cards are being used at a merchant location or ATM machine.  

We would also like to remind our members to review your statements in a timely and careful manner and to take advantage of our online account access to view your account status, history and all transactions at your convenience.  If you encounter any discrepancies or transactions that cause alarm or concern, please contact any one of the three credit union locations during regular business hours.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding debit or credit card transactions after regular business hours please call 1-800-234-5354.  

Gift Certificates Now Available

Looking for that perfect gift for a special occasion?  A teen in the family having a birthday, a graduation present, want to express a special thank you to a co-worker?   As a satisfied member of the Federal Employees Credit Union, you can now share your membership in your credit union with that special person in your life.  

Purchase a Membership Gift Certificate at any credit union office for $20.00.  Then the special recipient of your thoughtfulness can bring the certificate to the credit union, complete the necessary membership applications and then have $25.00 deposited into their share account.

Then they become an owner of the credit union and are now eligible to utilize all of our great member services.

As an added benefit, if your gift member joins within 60 days from the date on the certificate, they will be eligible to receive either a free box of checks or a reduction of 1% on a loan rate of their choice (excluding home equity loans).

Give the Gift of Membership!

  Protect yourself from fraud.

This link will take you to a collection of computer based modules designed to educate and protect you from fraud, including theft, check and credit card fraud, and other consumer scams.

Avoiding Cashier's Check Fraud

For a listing of current gas prices in the Des Moines area, visit: 

Des Moines Gas Prices

Iowa City Gas Prices

Knoxville Gas Pricies