Who's using your numbers?

'Identity thieves' can cost you
and wreck your credit!

ome thieves steal people's identities. By using your credit-card numbers or other personal information, scam artists and other imposters can take a joyride in your identity. And you'll be left with a high price to pay, including bad credit.

How to avoid victimization

• Avoid carrying credit cards and passports except when necessary.
• Reduce the number of your active credit cards and cancel unused ones.
• Memorize your personal identification numbers (PIN). Don't give them out, write them down or make them easy-to-guess (such as your name, birth date or consecutive numerals).
• Unless you initiate the call, don't give your credit-card numbers or other personal information over the phone. 
• Review monthly statements carefully and request a copy of your credit report on a regular basis.
• Keep a copy of  credit-card receipts and verify them against your statements. Don't leave them in the bag with your purchases, and don't discard them in a public wastebasket.
• Shred all statements that you discard.
• Creditors may call if they notice unusual activity on your account. However, if you get a call from someone who says they're your creditor, only verify information they tell you. If you have questions, hang up and call the number on your statement.
• Mail bills from a public mailbox.

Do not become a victim of the growing phenomenon of identity theft. Caution and common sense are your best defense. If you suspect fraud on any of your credit-union accounts, contact your branch immediately.

Private Matters

We hold your personal
financial information in
strict confidence 

ho can you trust with your 
confidential information? 
Albertsons Employees' Federal 
Credit Union is committed to safeguarding our members' personal financial information and to ensuring the accuracy of such information.

The member information that we collect enables us to meet member needs and satisfy legal requirements. This is done in a manner consistent with banking practices and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Personal financial information is only released in response to a lawful request issued by a court, government agency or regulatory authority with jurisdiction to make such a request. Third-party vendors offering related financial services to our members, such as the company that prints member statements, must abide by our confidentiality standards.

We maintain systems, policies and procedures to protect your information from being accessed by unauthorized persons, and we follow the National Credit Union Administration's strict bylaw provisions about member privacy. If you have questions about security of your financial information, please contact your Credit Union branch or e-mail us at:
info@albertsonsempfcu.com

The young and the debtless

Teach your kids how to stay out of the red

ntil we perfect the process of child-to-adult transformations,
kids won't magically mature with an instinct for financial
responsibility. Sure, parents could rely on a high-school or
college economics course to do the teaching. However, we
prefer the PG-movie strategy that says, "Parental guidance
is suggested."

• Go shopping with your child, show
  how to compare prices and resist
  impulse buys. 

• Require chores for the allowance
  your child receives. This teaches a
  work ethic and the value of money
  much more than an allowance with
  no strings attached.

• Encourage part-time work for a child 
  who has turned 16. The job should cover
  financial obligations of driving, such
  as gas and insurance (and possibly
  car payments).

• Warn about credit-card abuse. Young
  adults can be seduced by credit-card
  offers and the newfound freedom        
  to make big purchases, but the
  accruing interest can devastate a
  limited-income lifestyle.

You may want to consider having your child open a Share Draft
Account at the Credit Union, once they're 16, and work with
them to create good spending habits. For details, contact your Credit Union branch office.

Prepare now for taxes to come

Now that another Tax Day has come and gone, you may be anticipating a long season without having to think about your taxes. But as you're planning your activities for this fall, consider a little advance planning now to minimize your tax headaches next April.

If you received a hefty tax refund last year, you actually lost out on potential earnings. A refund means you overpaid your taxes through the year and that the government earned interest on your tax-free loan to them. Some view tax refunds as forced savings, yet it's better to change your withholding amount and earn your own interest on your savings at Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union.

Also, if you're doing volunteer work or taking a business/pleasure vacation, you'll need to be sure to keep better records of your expenses if you're strategizing now.

The articles and opinions in this publication are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.  We suggest that you consult your attorney, accountant, or financial or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation.  Entire publication ©Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union 2000.  All rights reserved.,