Carry the Card That Fits Your LifestyleWhether you’re looking to transfer the balanceson your high-interest credit cards or just lookingfor a card that offers you great value, BFSFCUhas the right card for you.

Choose from our:

Visa Platinum CashRewards Card1

Earn a 1% cash reward2 anytime youuse your card — when shopping,entertaining, traveling or even whenpaying your bills.

Visa Platinum MemberRewards Card3

Earn points on your everydaypurchases and redeem your pointsfor travel, exclusive merchandise, giftcards, or even charitablecontributions.

Visa Platinum4

Enjoy purchasing power and prestigewith BFSFCU’s Visa Platinum Card,backed by all the benefits of Visa,including zero liability if your card isfraudulently used.

Visa Gold Card5

Our entry-level Visa Gold Card is agreat choice to start building yourcredit or to carry in case of anemergency.

1 12-month Introductory Rate: 5.9% APR (Annual Percentage Rate). Rate after First 12 months: 10.9% APR. Annual Fee: $39.2 Up to $1,200 per year3 12-month Introductory Rate: 3.9% APR (Annual Percentage Rate). Rate after First 12 months: 8.9% APR. Annual Fee: $19. Up to

120,000 points per year.4 12-month Introductory Rate: 3.9% APR (Annual Percentage Rate). Rate after First 12 months: 8.9% APR.5 12-month Introductory Rate: 3.9% APR (Annual Percentage Rate). Rate after First 12 months: Variable APR of Prime plus 4.0%.

For more information or to applyfor one of our credit cards, visitBFSFCU.org/CreditCards orcall us at 202.212.6450.

CREDIT UNIONS 2.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Technological advances are improvingaccount access and expanding thereach of credit unions across the countryand around the world. SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR CREDIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Learn how your credit union can help youstart clearing out some credit cobwebs.

DAILY DEALS: THE PITFALLS TO THE SAVINGS . . . . . . . . . 6Read this before you get caught up in thedaily deal frenzy!

THE ZIPCAR REVOLUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Find out how car sharing works and if it willwork for you.

PET PROS AND CONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Considering an addition to the family?Consider what kind of pet fits your lifestyle.

THE YEAR OF THE COOPERATIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Credit unions are only one of the manykinds of cooperative enterprises. It maysurprise you how many household-namebusinesses are cooperatively owned!

UNEMPLOYMENT SCAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12The last thing you need when you’re outof work is to be victimized by criminalslooking to cash in on your anxiety. Bewareof the scams that target the unemployedand make a bad time even worse.

Table ofContents

ISSUE: SPRING 2012

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Contributors: Stacey Rebbert, Thomas Bowen andMarbury WetheredDesigned by Bobbi LaChanceProduced by Visions, Ink. © 2012 This publication may not be reproduced, modified ordistributed without permission.

While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this publication’s content, it should not beseen as the provision of legal advice.

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ONLINE BANKINGOnline banking is still the easiest way toget the most benefit from your credit unionmembership without ever setting foot inyour local branch. Online bankingservices allow you to make transfers,request stop payments, make loanpayments, change your address, or resetyour PIN 24/7. Many credit unions offermembers the ability to manage their creditcards through online banking as well.New features like bill pay, checkingaccount management via store-boughtsoftware programs, and e-statements arealways being added. The adoption ofonline banking continues to rise asconcerns over its security decrease.

REMOTE DEPOSIT CAPTUREIn 2004 a digital check image becamelegal tender. Many credit unions are nowtaking advantage of this by offering remotedeposit capture as part of their onlinebanking suite. This emerging technologyand service allows a member to send ascan of a check they want to deposit intotheir credit union account to the creditunion via a secure module—often throughthe same online banking provider. With anapplication process that sets up eligibilityparameters and limits, the credit unionreceives the check image, makes thedeposit and gives the member access to aportion of the funds. The member keepsthe paper check for reconciliationpurposes.

This technology is also reachingsmartphones. Instead of scanning thecheck, the member takes a picture of thecheck and transmits it to the credit unionfor deposit. The ability to deposit a checkwithout a visit to the branch lobby or anATM makes credit union membershipvirtually boundless.

You don’t need to livenear one of your credit

union’s branches to takeadvantage of nearlyeverything the credit unionhas to offer. New servicesand technologies aremaking credit unionmembership moreaccessible and moreconvenient than ever.

SHARED BRANCHINGNational shared branching networks allowcredit union members to use other creditunions’ branches to conduct transactions.The participating credit unions agree toprovide access and services to non-members of their credit union in exchangefor the same privilege for their members.Because credit unions must demonstrate acommon bond to be chartered, most don’thave extensive branch networks outsidetheir original geographic locations. Thisused to make it hard for members tomanage their accounts while traveling forvacation or work or while away at school.With shared branching, you retain yourmembership at your credit union buttransact your business at the local branchof another credit union. Transactions areconducted in real time, too, so there’s noconfusion regarding your current balances.

Most shared branches provide basicservices to “outside” members like cash or check deposits or withdrawals, loanpayments, account transfers andstatement printouts. Some also offermoney orders, traveler’s checks or cashierchecks, but call ahead to confirm theiravailability.

BANKING BY PHONEProbably the first remote service madeavailable to credit union members,banking by phone is still very popular.There are two ways to bank by phone:speaking to someone in a call center andusing an automated voice responsesystem. In either case, there are fewlimitations to this unique service. Transfers,balance inquiries, loan payments, PINand password resets and much more canbe done with a few prompts or instructionsto a representative.

MOBILE BANKINGMobile banking is a natural outgrowth ofbanking by phone. It’s easy andconvenient—usually just a pocket away.Mobile banking transactions aretransmitted either via a mobile web-enabled application or through SMS textbanking. Like telephone banking andonline banking, mobile banking servicesrange from basic balance inquiries andaccount transfers to loan applications andfull account management.

While online banking took nearly 10 yearsto be adopted by 50% of U.S. households,mobile banking is expected to surpassthat by 2012. That’s not surprising whenyou consider that there are enough mobilephones in circulation for every man,woman and child in the United States.Plus, mobile banking is simply a greattool for keeping on top of your accounts,since your account information is alwaysreadily at hand.

Banking at a credit union branch withpeople you know and trust is still thepreferred method for most credit unionmembers. Still, it’s nice to have otheroptions. For many of us with particularlybusy schedules, they’re more likenecessities!

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As winter starts changing to spring, you may startdreading the task of spring cleaning. Sure, the

windows need to be cleaned and the flowerbeds need abit of sprucing up, but when was the last time youspruced up your credit report? You may be able toignore dirty baseboards and dried up plants in the frontyard, but don’t overlook your credit.

If you have a derogatory credit file, the Federal TradeCommission and your credit union encourage you to spend some timetransforming it into a positive report to improve your credit score. After all,your credit score is important: Your ability to obtain credit depends on it.

You may be in for a surprise one day if you don’t know what’s in your creditfile. You may be denied a loan or have your credit limit lowered by a lenderyou’ve borrowed from for years. That’s not the best time to start cleaningyour financial house. The best time is now. Here’s how to go about it.

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Green Clean!o Two parts olive oil and one part lemonjuice makes a great natural furniturepolish. The combination is bothchemically free and safe for yourfurniture. You can make it up ahead oftime and store it, but label it so that youdon’t forget and use it on a salad.

o Vinegar, salt, lemon juice and baking soda are excellentnatural cleaning products.

o Toss some cut lemons into your garbage disposal and grindthem with running water to freshen your sink.

o Don’t believe that old wives tale about old newspapers beinggood for cleaning mirrors: They get soggy and get newsprinton your hands.

THE 5-STEPCLEANUPPROCESSSTEP 1: GET A COPY OFYOUR CREDIT FILE. Consumers are allowed to get a creditreport for free once a year. Your creditunion may offer a service that helps youobtain one. They are also available atwww.annualcreditreport.com.

Avoid the companies with the catchyjingles. Their services may appear to be free,but there are usually strings attached.Many websites will play on the name “freecredit report,” but in the long run theremay be nothing free about it.

Once you receive your file, have someoneat your credit union review it with you. Itwill look like scientific data, but they canhelp you decipher it.

STEP 2: CHECK THEACCURACY OF THE DATA.If the data is incorrect, refer to the creditbureau or the company reporting it forcorrection or clarification. Look at anypublic records for accurateness. Remember,updates to credit bureau reports are usuallya month behind. Check your report yearlyto verify the information reported. If yoususpect fraudulent activity on youraccounts, you should contact the creditorimmediately. Oftentimes creditors willcontact you if they suspect suspiciousactivity or observe activity different fromyour normal spending patterns.

STEP 3: DEAL WITH ANYPAST DUE ITEMS.Contact your creditor to make paymentarrangements. Do not let it sit;unfortunately, it won’t go away. Pay offsmall balances as soon as possible and avoidusing that credit account again.

Some people think if they only charge asmall amount, they can pay it off at theend of the month. Those small amountsadd up over time. Getting control of yourspending is an important step in cleaningup not only your credit report, but alsoyour financial house.

STEP 4: CLEAN OUT THECREDIT CLUTTER.Remember the credit card you hid in thenightstand so that you wouldn’t use it?Perhaps it’s a store charge card or a cardwith a high interest rate. If you aren’t usingit, you may not want to have it on yourreport, as it can affect your score. The samegoes with a card near the maximum. Pay itdown if possible. Using up nearly all ofyour available credit may negatively affectyour credit file. It can also hurt to have toomany open credit limits. When you’reapplying for other loans, potential lendersmay consider too much credit availability anegative.

STEP 5: RELAX. DON’T LETTHE CLEANUP GET YOU TOOWORKED UP.It can be easily managed with the help ofyour credit union. It’s not an overnightprocess, but it is one that is terriblyimportant to your life. A consolidationloan may not be the answer to all of yourcredit cobwebs. A trusted credit unionadvisor can assist you in deciding whichoptions are best for you.

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THE DRAWBACKSMost deals come with anexpiration date. The sellersets limits. There aredaily minimums thatmust be sold forthediscountto behonored. Ifthe number isnot met, thenyou don’t get thedeal, but you are notcharged for it. Deals canalso sell out. This encouragesthe deal even more based on impulseand prompt action. Rules for use mayinclude days of the week coupons areaccepted or a set amount spent to receivethe discount. Restaurant deals are oftenlimited to the number of discount vouchersaccepted per transaction, so dining with agroup may be difficult. Restaurants mayalso add on gratuities so the wait staff iscompensated.

Most daily deal sites will contact you tomake arrangements for a refund or anexchange for a comparable deal if abusiness closes before you use yourcertificate, but read the fine print! Mostdeals are transferrable, so consider givingthem as gifts. Most daily sites are availablearound the world, so when planning a trip,you should look for deals in yourdestination city.

THE CLIP AND SAVEDaily deals offer opportunities forsomething new. The best discounts may beavailable only on luxury products andservices in your area. If you eat out morethan cook, the restaurant discounts mayhelp you save a little bit on your meal.

Daily deal sites are gaining momentumas great ways to save money without

affecting your social life. These sites offerup to 90% discounts on a variety of itemssuch as massage and spa treatments,designer items, dinners, teeth whitening,and access to local area attractions. Soundgood? Those savings could have pitfalls.

GETTING STARTEDThe first step is researching which dailydeal site is the most popular in your areaoffering enough options to make it worthyour while. People can sign up for severaldeal of the day sites, but, remember, eachwill send e-mails every day, so you will seemore e-mails in your inbox. There is noobligation to buy. Your financialinformation is safe, but they may sell youre-mail information. The deals correspondwith your geographic region. If you likethe deal, you simply click to buy usingyour credit union debit or credit card oryour Paypal account linked to your creditunion account. Once you’ve paid, youreceive a coupon. All you do is take it tothe merchant to redeem it.

WHY IT WORKSWhen the e-mail is received, the idea of adiscount encourages the recipient to makea snap decision. It’s all about the impulsepurchase. The deal either appeals or itdoesn’t. Maybe you want a massage, maybenot! As people get deals, they talk. Many ofthe sites gain momentum from socialmedia. The discounts work because it is awin-win for all. The buyer gets a discount,the business may get a new customer out ofthe deal, and the site makes money fromthe business posting the deal of the day.The idea is to increase local business.

Keep in mind that spending money isspending money, even with a discount. Askyourself if you are buying the product orservice because you actually want or need itor if you are buying it because of thediscount.

Daily Deals:THE PITFALLS TO THE SAVINGS

The MostPopularSites

o Groupon

o Living Social

o Restaurant.com

o Daily Candy

o AmazonLocalDeals

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If you are lucky enough to live in one ofthe more than 170 cities in NorthAmerica or the United Kingdom that havea Zipcar office, or the more than 225North American university campuses, youcan join the masses who are saving money,saving time and saving the planet.

Zipcar is a basic idea with big implications.Many people don’t own a car by choice orcircumstance, but every once in awhile theyreally need one. Going on vacation. Moving.Job interviews. Zipcar gives you the optionto have a car only when you want one.

Urban dwellers are the main audience forZipcar, since parking spaces are rare andparking fees are exorbitant in most cities.Public transportation works fine, butsometimes you require the convenience,the independence and the flexibility of acar. Zipcar lets you reserve a car for a quicktrip across town or an extended vacation.

Zipcar is a proven way to save money formany Zipcar members—otherwise knownas Zipsters. According to the Zipcar website,members save an average of $500 a monthby using Zipcar instead of owning a car.

Your car probably spends more time sittingthan being driven. Every month you arepaying for insurance, parking, fuel andmaintenance for what might amount to afew hours of actual drive time. With Zipcar,you only pay for what you use.

Another appealing factor for many Zipcarmembers is the environmental issue. Bysharing vehicles, members feel they aredoing their part to lessen the burden onthe planet. The company claims that forevery shared Zipcar, 15 vehicles aretaken off the road.

College campuses and universities arealso benefiting from the Zipcargroundswell. With limited parking space

for resident students, most universities reservethe privilege of a car on campus forupperclassmen. By partnering with Zipcar,universities can eliminate traffic congestionand still provide students the flexibility andconvenience of having a car when they need it.

Zipcar maintains a fleet of nearly 10,000vehicles ranging in size from minis toSUVs, so there’s a size to fit every need.Gas and insurance are included in the priceyou pay for using a Zipcar, starting at$7.50 an hour or $56 a day—muchcheaper than a rental, a cab ride and, inmany cases, the subway or bus.

For more information and to see if Zipcarwould work for you, visit their website atwww.zipcar.com.

The ZipcarREVOLUTION

Becoming a Zipster in 4 Easy Steps 1. Join: Joining Zipcar

requires a valid driver’slicense, a shortapplication and a one-time $25 application fee.You will choose a planthat fits your budget anddriving style. Plan 1 offersno monthly commitmentand a $60 annual fee.Plan 2 offers no annualfee but you commit to$50 a month.

2. Reserve: Pick the cityyou are planning todrive in. Then choose thetype of car you want.You can choose ahybrid, a mini-van, anSUV or one of severalother models. You canreserve online or overthe phone, at the lastminute or months ahead.You will choose when,where, what kind, andfor how long.

3. Unlock: After you’vebeen approved formembership, you willreceive your Zipcard inthe mail. Your Zipcarduses RFID (radiofrequency identification)to open your reservedvehicle with a quickwave over the vehicle’swindshield. Only yourZipcard will unlock thevehicle you reserved.

4. Drive: Get in and driveaway. Simply return thecar to its reservedparking spot, and you’redone.

Did You Know...?• Zipcars offer an alternative forfirst-year college studentswho aren’t allowed to have avehicle on campus.

• Some credit unions havepartnerships with car rentalagencies. Check with yours tosee if discounts are available.

• When you’re ready topurchase your own vehicle,you should see your creditunion for a low loan rate anda pre-approval.

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Pet Pros and ConsDO THE KIDS NEED RESPONSIBILITY? IS YOUR NEST TOO EMPTY? MAYBE THE TIME HAS COME TO GET A PET. LET’S REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS.

CATSCats are playful, mischievous andindependent. Both pedigreed and mixedvarieties are available.

PROSGreat company.

Fit all homes.

Good if you work long hours or travel.

Don’t need to be walked.

CONSThe litter box.

Don’t travel well. (Cats prefer their ownsurroundings, but if you can’t find asitter it’s usually best to board them.)

May not get along with other pets.

Hard to train.

THE BOTTOM LINE Prices range from: free to $400.Annual cost: $635–$1000 in the firstyear and $375–$600 in subsequentyears.

DOGSUnlike some other pets, dogs will greetyou at the door, usually with a tail wag,a lick and a bark. Purebreds are pricy,though, unless they’re from shelters orspecialty rescue services. The right dogfor you? It all depends. Small dogs aregreat for small spaces; large ones needplenty of room. Irish setters andretrievers are good with kids.Dachshunds and terriers are gooddogs for busy people.

PROSLoyal and affectionate.

Require walking several times a day inall weather conditions. In other words,they force you to exercise.

CONSRequire walking several times a day inall weather conditions. (Maybe youalready get all the exercise you need.)

Require training.

If you’re a traveler, you’ll have to makecare arrangements or take them withyou!

THE BOTTOM LINEFee for adopting or breeding:$50–$2,000.Annual cost: up to $1,200 in the firstyear and $580–$900 in subsequentyears.

BIRDSBirds are available at pet stores andfrom reputable dealers. They requireadequate cage space (and prefer thatthose cages are kept clean) and likesunny, draft-free spots. They’re delicateand most prefer little handling. Wingclipping prevents them from flying away.

PROSBeauty.

Some can be taught to talk and sing.

Have no problem being left alone (but ifyou travel ask someone to “watch thebirdie”).

Some are quite social and love ownerinteractions and training.

Self-cleaning (but watch for skinirritations).

CONSNot cuddly.

Certain species have particular dietaryneeds.

Some species live to be 75 years old!

If you have an aversion to Hitchcockfilms, a bird may not be right for you.

THE BOTTOM LINEPrices range from: $20–$300.Annual cost: $200–$600 per year.

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LOVEYOUR PET?There areapps for that!

Name that Pet!Enter any letter in the searchbox and shake your phone. Petnames are displayed to helpyou decide a name for yournew friend!

Pets.tvPet news, stories and tips

Perfect DogAnswer a few basic questionson your lifestyle and this appwill pick the perfect dog for you.

Dog WhistlerCan’t whistle for yourcanine? Let this app do it.

EXOTIC PETSWhether you get a rodent, a lizard, asnake or something even more exotic,make sure you’re dealing with areputable seller.

PROSIt takes a particular type of personto appreciate the joy of owning anexotic pet. (In other words, get one ofthose people to tell you what the prosare!)

CONSFeeding an animal live crickets or miceis not for the squeamish.

Finding someone to care for your petwhen you are on vacation may be achallenge.

Expensive to buy and may beexpensive and difficult to care for.(Usually require costly aquariums orcages equipped with lighting for warmthand tight fitting lids.)

THE BOTTOM LINEExotic pets carry hefty price tags: up to$90 for rodents, up to $200 for lizardsand up to $500 for snakes.Annual cost: Varies according to type ofpet. Can be very high compared withother pets.

FISHFish spend their days swimming. If youlead an active lifestyle, a fish may be agreat pet for you. Fish tanks need to bemaintained, so brush up on yourchemistry.

PROSRequire no grooming and relatively littleattention.

CONSTraveling with fish is impossible.

Quite susceptible to disease, so you’llneed to clean the tank weekly.

Setup may be pricey.

THE BOTTOM LINETropical fish cost $1–$4 on average,but some exotic fish can hundreds ofdollars and the tank, gravel, plants andfilters can set you back more than$300.Annual cost (after initial setup): lessthan $300 in some cases.

A PLANTIs a pet too much responsibility rightnow? Consider a plant. It will requirewatering and occasional dusting (alongwith direct or indirect light, dependingon the plant), but that’s about it. Manyvarieties are available—including fake.

PROSNo walking required.

No behavioral issues.

Travel all you want.

Adds beauty to your life.

CONSRequires regular watering.

THE BOTTOM LINEUpfront costs vary depending on theplant and the container you choose.

founders set up a store to sell food theycould not otherwise afford to buy.

Then, in the 1850s, a German namedFranz Hermann Schulze-Delitzsch appliedthe cooperative philosophy to banking andthe first credit unions came into being. Atlast count, there were 53,000 credit unionsin 100 different countries.

COOPERATION BEGINS AT HOMEIn this country, the cooperative businessmodel has been used for all sorts ofenterprises. For example, even if you’venever lived in one, you may have heard ofhousing cooperatives, or “co-ops.” Thelargest one, New York City’s Co-op City, ishome to over 50,000 people. One of theoldest and largest cooperative communitiesoutside of New York is in the Washingtonarea. Greenbelt, MD, has long been hometo a 1,600-household co-op.

The cooperative spirit has thrived inGreenbelt since the town’s founding in1937. One of the first things its originalresidents did was to organize a credit union.

The cooperative business model is aproven model for success. It’s been so

successful in fact that the United Nationshas designated 2012 as the InternationalYear of Cooperatives. The U.N. wants tomake more people aware of the importantcontributions cooperatives make to society.

Your credit union is a cooperative. Thatmeans that, unlike a bank, it’s owned andcontrolled by its members—the people itserves—and returns its profits to them. Asa member of a cooperative, you’re part ofsomething special: a worldwide movementwhose principles provide a framework forpeople who want to improve their ownlives as well as their larger communities.

STARVING ARTISANS STARTTHE BALL ROLLINGCooperatives have been around since theearly nineteenth century. The firstsuccessful one is generally thought to havebeen established by a group of weavers andother artisans in Rochdale, England in1844. The Rochdale Society of EquitablePioneers was born of desperation. Its

Today it also has a cooperative newspaper,nursery school, restaurant and supermarketand pharmacy.

COOPERATIVES ASHOUSEHOLD NAMESAmerica has lots of agriculturalcooperatives. One owns a company calledWelch’s, whose grape juice you’ve probablydrunk. Has a stewardess ever given you apack of Blue Diamond Almonds to munchon? Blue Diamond’s a cooperative. So areLand O’ Lakes, Ocean Spray, Sunkist andsome other famous brands you see all thetime at the supermarket.

REI, the outdoor gear and clothing chain?A cooperative. True Value Hardware? AceHardware? Yes, they’re both cooperatives.

That news story you just heard or read? Ifit came from the Associated Press, you havea cooperative to thank.

In the United States, as in many countriesaround the globe, cooperatives are a part ofthe fabric of everyday life—and that’s avery good thing.

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What Makes aCooperative aCooperative?

What Makes aCooperative aCooperative?The International Co-operativeAlliance has identified the followingseven principles as being definingcharacteristics of credit unions.

Voluntary and Open MembershipCooperatives are voluntaryorganizations, open to all personsable to use their services andwilling to accept theresponsibilities of membership,without gender, social, racial,political or religious discrimination.

Member EconomicParticipationMembers contribute equitably to,and democratically control, thecapital of their cooperative. Atleast part of that capital isusually the common property ofthe cooperative. Membersusually receive limitedcompensation, if any, on capitalsubscribed as a condition ofmembership. Members allocatesurpluses for any or all of thefollowing purposes: developingtheir cooperative, possibly bysetting up reserves, part of whichat least would be indivisible;benefiting members inproportion to their transactionswith the cooperative; andsupporting other activitiesapproved by the membership.

Education, Training and InformationCooperatives provide educationand training for their members,elected representatives,managers, and employees sothey can contribute effectively tothe development of theircooperatives. They inform thepublic—particularly youngpeople and opinion leaders—about the nature and benefits ofco-operation.

Cooperation AmongCooperativesCooperatives serve their membersmost effectively and strengthenthe cooperative movement byworking together through local,national, regional andinternational structures.

Concern for CommunityCooperatives work for thesustainable development of theircommunities through policiesapproved by their members.

Democratic MemberControlCooperatives are democraticorganizations controlled by theirmembers, who activelyparticipate in setting their policiesand making decisions. Men andwomen serving as electedrepresentatives are accountableto the membership. In primarycooperatives members haveequal voting rights (one member,one vote) and cooperatives atother levels are also organized ina democratic manner.

Autonomy andIndependenceCooperatives are autonomous,self-help organizations controlledby their members. If they enter toagreements with otherorganizations, includinggovernments, or raise capitalfrom external sources, they do soon terms that ensure democraticcontrol by their members andmaintain their cooperativeautonomy.

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official-looking names that resemblegovernment agencies to try to trick you.

VIRUSES ON JOB BOARDSJob boards have become popular as a wayof searching multiple companies andopportunities quickly. The trouble is thatone inquiry or application is usually loadedwith a latent virus that will reside on yourcomputer or transmit your sensitive data toscammers off-site.

It’s safer to use the job board for quicksearching and then go to the actualcompany website to complete an onlineapplication. This requires submitting yourinformation multiple times, but it is saferthan the alternative. Another safeguardwhen applying is being stingy about yourpersonal information. There is no need toenter a Social Security number, a bankrouting number, or driver’s license numberjust to apply for a job. If the applicationsays it is required, enter in the correctnumber of 1’s or indicate you will providethat information during the interview ifnecessary.

CHARGING TO FILE FORUNEMPLOYMENTIf you are approached or see anadvertisement for services to help you fileand claim unemployment benefits, it’s ascam. Unemployment benefits are no-costgovernment benefits provided to eligibleAmericans at the state level. There is no feeto apply for these benefits and no fee tocollect. You can personally call or visit yourlocal unemployment office. You don’t needan intermediary or service to assist you inthe process.

Economic troubles continue to affect theU.S., and many Americans are looking

for work. At the same time, scammers arelooking to victimize job hunters. If you’reone of the people the crooks are targeting,learn what to look for to protect yourselfand to avoid wasting valuable time.

FAKE JOB ADSWork from home!

Local mom makes $5,000 a month fromher computer.

Call this number for guaranteed jobs inyour area.

These are just a few of the enticingheadlines crooks use to lure people intotheir job scams. In most cases, these arefake job ads designed to get your attentionand take your money. Often, the ad willinclude a phone number that charges ahigh per minute rate to your phone bill.Sometimes the ad will include a toll-freenumber that directs you to anothernumber that eventually charges you a fee.

Other fake job ads will promise to pay youfor piecework that you can do from theconvenience of your home. However, theyask you to pay them upfront for shippingthe materials for the assembly kit or lettermailing. No legitimate employer willcharge you to work or receive work.

Another scam frequently seen during timesof high unemployment is charging a fee toapply for a job. Ethical employers will notcharge an application fee and most providefree access to job portals on their websites.The United States government will nevercharge a fee but many scammers will use

CHARGING PEOPLE TO LEARNABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIESSimilar to the so-called “services” that willhelp you claim found money, somescammers will try to sell the service ofhelping you find job opportunities. Unlikea legitimate employment agency that willactively try to place you in an appropriateposition, the scammers will try to sell youaccess to free sites like CareerBuilder orMonster.

In these challenging times, remember thatthere are scammers who will prey on yourvulnerability. Protect yourself by beingskeptical if an offer looks too good to be true.Be stingy when providing your personal andfinancial information during the applicationprocess. Go directly to the source if you areuneasy about a job board or websitepromising a job at another company. Foradditional guidance, visit a local careercounseling center or public library.

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UnemploymentScamsA GROWTH INDUSTRY IN A DOWN ECONOMY

Falling onHard Times?We know that beingunemployed can be stressfuland scary. Let your creditunion help. We haveprofessional and friendlyfinancial experts who canassess your personal situationand recommend ways toease the burden. We canlook at bill consolidation, apersonal loan, or refinancingyour car or mortgage to helpreduce your debt and yourmonthly payments. Give us acall and let us help.

Do More with YourMOBILE PHONEManage your accounts anytime, fromanywhere, with BFSFCU Mobile Banking.Mobile Banking is a secure and convenientway to bank on the move using your web-enabled mobile device.

With Mobile Banking, you can:L View your account balancesL Transfer funds between your accountsL Make payments to your credit cardsL Find a Shared Branch location

To access your accounts online, simply visitBFSFCU.org and log in to online banking usingyour smartphone or your web-enabled device.For older generation devices, simply visitgo.bfsfcu.org.

Check Out Our Free SeminarsAt BFSFCU, we understand that smart financial planning isn’t always easy.That is why we’ve designed our Free Financial Seminar Series to provideyou with the help you need to make the best decisions for your financialfuture. Here are some of the topics that will be covered this spring:• Tax Seminar for Non-Residents• Car Buying• Understanding Your Child’s College Award Letter

For more information and registration details, visitBFSFCU.org/seminars.

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Remote Depositis coming this Spring to BFSFCU!

Our Remote Deposit service,eDeposit, will offer you aquick, convenient, and secureway to deposit your checksfrom your home, office oranywhere you can access acomputer, a scanner and aninternet connection.

Look for more updates anddetails about our eDepositlaunch date on our website atBFSFCU.org.

FEDERALLY INSUREDBY NCUA