HOPEWELL FEDERAL ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE EXTENDED

$1000 to be awarded to Licking County High School Student

Hopewell Federal Credit Union (HFCU) announced that it will award a scholarship to a Licking County student pursuing secondary education. HFCU announced today that they have extended the deadline for students to March 31st, 2012. The winner of the HFCU scholarship will be awarded $1000 toward this goal. HFCU is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has invited students to reflect on the past as they look toward the future in their submission for this award.

Students will have two ways to enter for the HFCU $1000 Scholarship including Essay Entry or Video Entry. Students must submit entries to Beth Kelly at Hopewell Federal Credit Union, PO Box 2157, Heath, Ohio 43056 by 3.31.12. Hopewell Federal President and CEO, James G. Johnson said, “I am thrilled that we can offer this incredible opportunity to a Licking County student. I look forward to reviewing the submissions and think the new element of a video entry provides an interesting outlet for students to share their ideas.”

PHISHING SCAM

Various members received a message on 2/19/12 or 2/20/12 via text message from a fraudulent source. This is a phishing scam and is fraud. Please be advised that Hopewell Federal Credit Union DID NOT SEND THIS MESSAGE!

The message sent to cell phone reads: HOPEWELL F.C.U ALERT: Your CARD starting with 5510 has been DEACTIVATED. Please contact us at 740-531-5329

We are working with local law enforcement, phone companies and our credit card company to resolve the issue. This is a very inopportune situation and Hopewell Federal Credit Union is here to assist anyone who received a text message. Fraud and phishing scams are an unfortunate part of technology and despite every effort of prevention, criminal behavior still exists. We would like to remind everyone that Hopewell Federal will NEVER request your account information via text, phone or email. Under no circumstances should you ever reveal your account information to anyone who contacts you via text, phone or email.

If you did not reveal any information to the phone number on the text, your credit card information was NOT compromised. If you did reveal this information to the number provided on the text, please contact Hopewell Federal as soon as possible at 740.522.8311 or info@hopewellfcu.org.

Hopewell Federal Credit Union is committed to preserving your privacy and security. Please remember…Hopewell Federal and its affiliate partners will NEVER request your sensitive account information via text, phone or email. Again, Hopewell Federal Credit Union is here to assist you during this challenging time.

Tips to Avoid a Fishing Scam

Step Up Your Savings During America Saves Week

Current economic events are making it harder to save, even for high-wage earners, self-employed professionals, and business owners just one paycheck away from disaster. Those who struggled to save before are finding it even harder now.

Join tens of thousands of other Americans during America Saves Week–February 19 through February 26, 2012–and step up your savings. America Saves is a nationwide campaign focusing on the way Americans save money. The program was created in 2001 by the Consumer Federation of America, Washington, D.C., in response to the nation’s negative personal savings rate.

America Saves Week encourages individuals to evaluate their savings progress and take action to save more.

No matter your financial situation or how much you earn, you can save. Even the smallest amount tucked away regularly will accumulate into a nice savings cushion.

Start now. Make the dream of saving a reality. Visit americasavesweek.org to find out how to join the campaign.

DID YOU KNOW, HOPEWELL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OFFERS SHARED BRANCHING?

Once you’re a member of the credit union family, you have access to more than 2,200 credit unions across the United States through our shared branching network.  Across Ohio you access nearly 50 branches across central Ohio alone.

WHAT IS SHARED BRANCHING?
Shared branching allows you to make deposits, withdraw money, cash checks, transfer funds, make loan payments, get a copy of your statement and more at NO additional charge to you.

WHAT TRANSACTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Anywhere you see the swirl  you can conduct a range of transactions, such as:
•Deposits
•Withdrawals
•Loan Payments
•Make transfers between accounts
•Purchase money orders, travelers checks and official checks*
•And more!

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WHEN I COME TO A SHARED BRANCHING LOCATION?
To take advantage of this service, when you enter a shared branch you only need to bring:
•Your home credit union’s name
•Your account number
•Valid government-issued photo identification, i.e., State Driver’s license, US Passport
*May not be available at all outlets and locations.

QUESTIONS?

Contact your Hopewell Federal Credit Union team with any questions you may have.  info@hopewellfcu.org or 740.522.8311.