October 16, 2013
Greater Pittsburgh Federal Credit Union
Credit Union Chatter 
Halloween

Quick Links
Main Office - Oakland
Monday - Friday
9:30am - 4:00pm
Phone - 412.621.6800
Fax - 412.681.7421
Toll Free - 1.888.673.7224
North Hills - UPMC Passavant Hospital
Monday - Friday 
9:00am - 5:00pm
No Transaction after 4pm
Phone - 412.367.6338
Fax - 412.367.6658
UPMC Presbyterian 
Hospital Office
Monday and Wednesday
7:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 
7:30am - 3:00pm
Phone - 412.647.6337
UPMC Children's Hospital Office
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 
7:30am - 3:30pm
Phone - 412.688.0442
UPMC Mercy Hospital Office
Tuesday 
8:30am - 12:30pm
Thursday 
11:30am - 3:30pm
Phone - 412.232.7717
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BOO!  

Do you have your costumes ready for Halloween?  What are you going to be?  A ghost?  A werewolf?  A zombie?  

At GPFCU we aren't just scared of these monsters - we're scared of fraud and you should be too!  Fraud can come in many unsuspecting forms and we'll give you some tips on how to defend yourself and your money against it.  

We'll also cover how those scary collections can effect your credit rating.  Don't fall into the trap!  

We hope you have a safe and Happy Halloween!  
  
Sincerely,
  
Greater Pittsburgh FCU Staff 
Shield Yourself From Swindles


Fraudsters take advantage of innocent consumers daily through checks, ATM, and Internet scams, and they're using the latest technology to pull off their scams. Know the latest trends to protect yourself.


Phishing Scams
 
Phishers send fraudulent e-mails containing authentic looking logos and graphics and ask for financial information. Some scams are activated when you simply open an e-mail, no clicking required. Once infected, the scammers change the IP address in your PC's hosts file to their choosing, associates the IP address with financial institution websites, and forces your browser to go to fake websites.

Tip: Change online banking and shopping account passwords every three to six months. To avoid being led to fraudulent websites, retype Web addresses in your browser rather than click through e-mail links.

Check Scams
Fraudsters increasingly use e-mail to contact victims, and the most common check scam is the "Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud." You're told you'll be sent a check for an extra sum and you're asked to wire back the excess money.  Scammers purport to be from other countries and claim you can collect on a sweepstakes or pay you to work at home. The realistic-looking checks are forgeries, but victims are responsible for money withdrawn against bad checks.

Tip: Don't send refunds or deliver goods in the time it takes cashiers' checks to clear.

ATM Scams
Skimming is one of the newer ATM scams. Using a skimmer--a card-swipe device that reads your ATM card--the fraudster uses a blank card to encode information from your ATM card and create a counterfeit. Your PIN is confiscated through a small camera mounted on the ATM. You won't know you've been scammed because your ATM card hasn't been stolen and still works at other machines.

Tip: Be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary at the ATM, such as odd-looking equipment or wires. Monitor accounts regularly for unusual activity.
 

Foil ATM Skimmers

 

* Use the same ATM as often as possible, so you will know if anything about it looks fishy. 
* If the ATM or card reader at a gas pump looks unusual-cracked, loose, scratched, or taped-don't use it. 
* When possible, use indoor ATMs, which are harder for thieves to tamper with. 
* When entering your PIN on the keypad, cover the keypad with your free hand to block the view of any potential camera. 

Check your account often. If you notice any unusual activity, contact us at GPFCU immediately.

 

If you've been scammed, contact Greater Pittsburgh FCU and the Federal Trade Commission at [email protected].
 
 
 

Copyright 2013 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. All other rights reserved.
 

Collections and Your Credit
By Lydia Willig, Collections Officer

To some, scary or uncomfortable thoughts come to mind when hearing credit and collections in the same sentence.  That doesn't have to be the case.
 
Collections play an important role in any financial institution, starting as a preventative step towards keeping your credit in good standing.   A call or letter from a collector is not necessarily a negative.   At Greater Pittsburgh Federal Credit Union, the collector is also considered a Member Service Representative:  someone available to help and assist members with their credit concerns. 
 

The collector's role foremost is to make a situation easier for a member, not harder.   If there is ever an issue or question about any type of credit account with the credit union, always feel free to contact the collections department.  If there are any types of extenuating circumstances where payment arrangements need to be made, the collections department is here to help.  We will do whatever we can to help keep your credit in good standing, and work with you.  A member may have a loan, take a leave from his employer due to surgery or disability, and is worried about making the next loan payment.  Simply notify us.  There are many options.  Payment arrangements will be made.  If disability insurance was purchased on the loan, the collector will file a disability claim, and follow up with the insurance coverer to ensure payments are sent. 

 

If an account does become delinquent, remember: we are here to work with you.  The collections department will help you get back on track. 

 

If there are concerns before applying for credit with GPFCU please feel free to contact the collections department.  We will let you know what will be considered when applying.  It is always advisable to know and review your credit report before applying.  Once a year, you can get free copies of your credit reports from the major credit reporting agencies by contacting Free Credit Reports at (877)322-8228 or www.annualcreditreport.com

 

Also know your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), regarding the accuracy of your credit report.  Additional information can be found by going to

www.ftc.gov/credit

 

 

Free Credit Reports www.annualcreditreport.com

Fair Credit Reporting Act www.ftc.gov/credit

 

 

Stagger Free Credit Reports Throughout the Year

As soon as you become eligible for a free credit report from Equifax (800-685-1111), Experian (888-397-3742), and TransUnion (877-322-8228), spread requests for those freebies out over the year. Instead of ordering all three at once, order one, say, from Equifax in January, one from Experian in May, and one from TransUnion in September. This will help you monitor your reports for signs of identity theft or fraud year round.

Also try using www.annualcreditreport.com online!  

 

Copyright 2013 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. For use with members of a single credit union. All other rights reserved. 

 

Reduce Debt with Consolidation!

 

Are your interest rates more than 7.99%?  Consider a personal loan to pay off a debt cheaper and faster than your credit card APR!  

 

5.99% - 36 months 

6.99% - 48 months 

7.99% - 60 months 

 

Members may submit an application here.  You may borrow a max of 3 months gross income.  Must submit a copy of recent proof of income - via fax (412.681.7421) or email to [email protected].  

 

President's Corner

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of Greater Pittsburgh Federal Credit Union I would like to take this opportunity to say good-bye and good luck to our long time employee, friend and Delinquency Control Officer Lydia Willig.  Lydia is moving on to take another position elsewhere effective this week.  Lydia began working for the Credit Union as a University of Pittsburgh student and became a full time employee after graduation.  She married, had two children and returned to us several years ago.  She has done an excellent job and developed a strong and professional relationship with many of our members.  We, along with the many members who have been assisted by Lydia, wish her nothing but happiness and success in all of her future endeavors.  This is not good-bye Lydia, just see you later. Be happy and have a good life.  

 

Sincerely,

Patricia Juliano and Your Credit Union Family
President/CEO 

 


Greater Pittsburgh Federal Credit Union