Protect yourself from becoming a 'faceless victim'
Your good name represents your most valuable asset. Unfortunately, criminals realize this and have begun "stealing identities." Now that the holiday season is almost upon us, thieves will be looking to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals.

You can take steps to guard against this. Protect your Social Security number, credit card numbers and other personal information. Never divulge anything over the phone, the computer, or even face to face unless you initiate the contact. Stick with people and companies you know and trust.

One place of concern is the Internet, specifically e-mail. Con artists will send e-mails that appear to come from legitimate financial institutions, asking customers to disclose personal information. These crooks then direct unsuspecting customers to a bogus web site and gather personal data, while promising loans, products or services.

Some of the more recent e-mail scams include offers for advanced-fee loans, guaranteed loans and help with credit repair. These e-mails reassure the customer there is nothing to lose. Offers of refunds for fees paid, guaranteed loan approval and removing negative credit information from a credit report may sound great, but, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is a scam. 		  If you like to shop over the Internet, make sure the site you are buying from has a good reputation. Contact the Better Business Bureau in that company's area to find out if the seller is legitimate. Also, make sure the site is secure before submitting any credit card information. Secure sites begin with "https" and many have a small padlock icon on the bottom of the screen to show a higher level of security. However, this icon is not a guarantee.

Finally, check your credit reports at least once every year. You can call the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, (800)685-1111; Experian, (888) 397-3742; and Trans-Union, (800) 888-4213, to request copies of your credit reports for a small fee. If you ever believe you are the victim of identity theft, notify all companies and institutions with whom you have an account, file a police report and contact the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877IDTHEFT (438-4338). Don't become a victim of Internet scams. Use caution and common sense as your best defense.

Don't let your finances leave you out in the cold
Is your furnace as ancient as Old Man Winter? Does your attic need insulation to ward off Jack Frost? Before winter descends, it's time to check around the house and prepare. Make sure you have the financial strength to fend off the storms of winter with a Personal Loan from Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union.

Home improvements can be expensive but are necessary, and the right improvements save you money in both the short and long term. A new furnace or heating system will bring substantial savings, and that insulation and those new		   windows you want will save a bundle when the heating bills arrive. In addition, heating and energy conservation improvements can increase the value of your home substantially.

Contact your Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union branch office or visit www.albertsonsempfcu.com to request a LoanLiner application before this winter hits hard. We will do what is necessary to turn winter's chill away.


What to look for when buying

BRANCHES

P.O. Box 8145
Boise, ID 83707
(208) 385-5200
Fax: (208) 385-5290

3305 Lake Breeze
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 292-2006
Fax: (407) 292-2520

1327 Brown Trail
Bedford, TX 76022
(817) 285-8292
Metro Line: (817) 268-6710
Fax: (817) 285-7053

341 E Imperial Highway
Fullerton, CA 92835
(714) 738-4681
Fax: (714) 870-6408

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bob Baker, Chairman
Bill Carter, Vice Chairman
Mike Shalz, Treasurer
Lary Matthews, Secretary
Cynthia Forsch, Member
Doug Gibson, Member
Gary Morton, Member
Pradip Mehta, Member
Kevan Fenderson, Member

MANAGEMENT STAFF

Phyllis Thomason, President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael S. Vickery, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Theresa Koenen, Loan Manager
Ann Cargile, Loan Servicing Supervisor
Chris Demaray, Manager, Member Services and Human Resources
Bonnie Kuhl, Card Services Supervisor
Stacey Devereaux, Manager, Accounting and Electronic Services
Leo Francis, Manager, Branch Operations and Regulatory Compliance
Clem Godin, Orlando Branch Manager
Tanya Brumfield, Dallas/Fort Worth Branch Manager
Laura Sotelo, Los Angeles Branch Manager

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(as of August 2003)
Members 46,236
Shares $153,801,456
Loans $72,669,243
Total Assets $183,004,078

a new or used car
Before you begin looking, think about what type of vehicle you want, which options you need and how much money you want to spend. While you may have a particulary model in mind, consider similar vehicles to ensure you're getting the best buy. If you're thinking about purchasing a car or truck, Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union offers loans that can make a difference when you make your decision.

When you start looking for a new car, remember your Credit Union is the best place to start shopping. Once you've been pre-approved for an auto loan, start car shopping.

Once you spot a vehicle you like, examine it thoroughly. If it's used, check for signs of body repair such as misaligned body panels, overspray, or mismatched paint. Inside, the odometer 		  reading should seem reasonable for the general condition of the vehicle. Look under floor mats and be aware of musty smells, which could mean a leak in the cabin.

Take the vehicle for a long test drive that duplicates your daily driving routine. Does the car respond when you hit the accelerator? Does it ride and shift smoothly? Is the steering tight and responsive? Do the brakes feel firm or do they pull to one side? Pay attention to dashboard indicators, listen carefully for unusual sounds and have someone watch for smoke coming from the exhaust.

Don't waste your time kicking the tires. Armed with a little common sense, a good eye and financing from Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union, you'll drive away in a new dream machine.

CU OnLine -conducting your finances on your time
CU OnLine is an electronic service that gives you secure account access via the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With CU OnLine, you can view all your credit union accounts, including checking, savings, ahare certificates, IRAs, and most loans, including lines of credit and mortgages.

CU OnLine is free! There is no charge for you to access your Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union accounts. However, if you sign up for our Bill Payer service, there is a $5.00 monthly fee that allows you to pay up to 10 bills per month. If you have more than 10 bills to pay in a month, it's only $0.40 per bill payment after your initial 10 bills.

Imagine being able to access your accounts and pay your bills from the comfort of your home. You'll never have to worry about writing a check or buying stamps to pay your bills again!

To access CU OnLine, all you need is a computer, a modem, Internet access, and one of two browsers, either Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher. Visit www.albertsonsempfcu.com today, and click on the eServices link for a sign-up form.
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 with your attorney, accountant, or financial or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. Entire publication © Albertsons Employees' Federal Credit Union 2003. All rights reserved.
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