Safe Shopping Tips:

http://ow.ly/TbfhJ 

• Always get your card back. Make sure you get your credit card, debit card, or driver’s license back after completing your purchase. *Keep your cards in the same place in your wallet all the time so you know when one is missing!

• Save your receipts. Keep the receipt for every gift you purchase and ask for a gift receipt to make any returns or exchanges easy for the recipient.

• Keep credit card info at home. Make a photocopy of the front and back of your cards, or write down account numbers and customer service phone numbers in case they are lost or stolen. Don’t forget to update your records when you get new cards in the mail!

• Watch out for scams. Only buy gift cards from reputable retailers (like HCCU), not online auction sites as they could be counterfeit. 

• Be careful with your cash. If you prefer to pay with cash, don’t flash your cash around. Count your cash discreetly out of sight of others. Keep a couple stashes in your wallet and purse instead of just one, that way it doesn't look like such a big stash to the nosey person behind you in the checkout line. Plus if your wallet disappears only some of your cash is gone and not all of it. 

• Keep your browser updated. Whether you use Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox, updating your browser helps ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date security protection.

• Update your anti-virus software. Before shopping online secure your pc by updating your anti-virus or security software.

• Look for the lock online. Only use secure websites for purchases. Look for the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen or “https” in the URL address.

Holiday Shopping Tips!

Holiday shopping is just around the corner, and HCCU has a few tips for you this holiday season:

http://ow.ly/TbdyC 

Tip #1—Use the Right Card.

Before you start shopping check your credit cards and see which card has the best rewards program so that you get the most back.
If you spend more than you saved, check which card has the lowest interest rate before you start charging.
HCCU offers VISA® Credit Cards with lots of great benefits! If you don’t have one yet. get the details or apply today: visit our website at www.horizonccu.com or call (920) 433-0122.

Tip #2—Check out the EXTRA perks your HCCU VISA® Credit Card get you.

Yes, there are all the regular benefits our card offers; low rates, no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and Scorecard Rewards Points, where you earn 1 Scorecard Point for every $1 you spend with your HCCU VISA Credit Card on purchases.
In addition, VISA® is giving away a Grand Prize trip to Super Bowl 50 and a 1st Place Prize of $5,000 to throw a Super Bowl bash to be remembered. All you have to do is use your VISA® card between now and 11/30/2015.
If that isn’t enough, HCCU is also giving you a gift this season! Use your HCCU Credit Card between 11/1/15 and 12/31/15 and earn DOUBLE REWARD POINTS! That means 2 Scorecard Reward Points for every $1 you spend! When you’re done with your shopping you can redeem your points and get yourself a little something at www.scorecardrewards.com.

Tip #3—Use It’sMe247!

Our online banking is a fast and easy way to get current account balances, transfer money between accounts, reconcile your checkbook, and more, plus it’s available 24/7. Did we mention it’s FREE? Try it today—contact us to activate your online account.

Tip #4—Ditch Checks.

We have a MUCH better solution for you than writing out paper checks at the store—a VISA® Debit Card from HCCU. You can use it at merchants and if you select credit the money still comes right out of your checking account. By selecting credit and signing instead of entering your PIN, it VISA offers you more fraud protection. If you have direct deposit, are a student, or you’ve celebrated your 50th birthday already, your 1st debit card is FREE. Apply today!

Post by: Cari J.

Don't Have an Identity Crisis--Protect Your Information!

Image courtesy of  wgpd.com 

Identity theft is terrifying. An identity thief can do a lot of damage to your pocketbook and your credit, and   the cost of getting everything back on track can be pretty expensive. No one wants to be a victim, and many believe they're doing a good job to protect their identity. It’s not like their giving out their credit information-or are they? Consider the following scenario:
You get a call on your cell phone. “Hi Jane! This is Terry from Horizon and we got a fraud alert on your credit card. We need to verify your credit information to be sure this is a legitimate charge. Can you tell me your credit card number?” How many people would respond “Oh! Let me get my card!” and then give out their credit card number, or maybe even their debit card number? It might seem perfectly legitimate, but it's not. Please know that when we call you about your account we NEVER ask you to verify this kind of information.

Here are some suggestions to follow to help you protect your identity:

• Be sure you don’t give out any more information than you should. A financial institution doesn’t need your entire credit or debit card number to verify the card. If you have more than one card, they may ask for the last 4 digits to ensure they've located the correct card. That's all. 
• If you're shopping online, be sure the web address you use is secure. A secure web address begins with "https." The "s" indicates that the website is secure, and that your information is protected. A website that begins with only "http" is not secure, and should not be trusted with personal and identifying information. 
• If you're going on vacation, be sure that your mail is secured while you're gone. Identity thieves can take personal information, and even account numbers, from your mail. In order to keep your mail secure, you can have it held at the post office, or you can have a reliable friend/relative pick it up everyday. 
• Those annoying credit card offers can be a gold mine for identity thieves. Many just throw them in the trash, but you should  shred them! Shredders these days are relatively inexpensive and are well worth the price. 
• If you have any expired credit or debit cards,  cut them into 3 to 4 pieces and don’t throw them in the same trash bag. You can also go to your financial institution and ask them to dispose of your cards.
• Check your various bills/statements every month. Be sure to check out all the purchases/charges that are listed and be sure you remember authorizing them. If you do not recall authorizing a transaction on your account, report it to the card vendor immediately. It's important you call right away, as some credit cards may not reimburse you for fraudulent charges that are more than 3 months old.

Follow this link to the Federal Trade Commission website for lots of great tips and ideas about keeping your personal information secure!

Written By: Mary D.