Stay Safe from Gift Card Scams This Holiday Season
As the holidays approach, gift cards remain a popular gift option, but they’re also a target for scammers. These fraudsters use tactics like phishing and tampering with physical gift cards to steal funds before they can be used. To protect yourself and your loved ones this season, it’s important to stay aware of these risks.
Having a well-stocked emergency fund is important. But so is saving for retirement. So how do you know which one to focus on? Well, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you should know.
Avoiding Financial Frights: How to Budget for Halloween Spending
Halloween is a time for spooky fun, but it can also bring a scare to your wallet if you're not careful. From costumes to decorations and treats, the costs can add up quickly. Here’s how to manage your Halloween budget and keep your spending under control while still enjoying the festivities.
Now is the moment to turn your attention to your tax obligations. With less than 60 days remaining until the tax deadline now is a good time to prepare your documents and file.
Unlocking Financial Goals: The Power of Club Accounts
Need a smart strategy to save on essential school supplies? Planning your dream vacation or gearing up for the holiday season? With a club account, you can save for essential school supplies, exciting vacations, and joyful holiday celebrations, making your financial goals more attainable and stress-free.
By shredding old documents, you’re protecting your private, personal information from identity thieves. What documents should you consider shredding? Anything that has a signature, account number, social security number, or medical or legal information that you no longer need to retain. If you’re not sure if you should keep or shred a document, keep it somewhere safe.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union and Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union, care about your security!
Free Shred-It Events
Reduce your risk of identity theft, de-clutter, and support your community at one of our Shred-It Day events! We hold events annually at various branches.
Staples and paper clips do not need to be removed before documents are shredded, but please remove binder clips and any heavier plastic. Documents can be shredded in plastic bags, such as plastic grocery bags or trash bags. Boxes are ideal, but documents don’t need to be removed before they’re shredded. Please note that only paper items will be accepted.
Consider shredding:
Documents with your address including labels from junk mail, magazines, and luggage tags
Bank statements two years or older
Canceled and voided checks
ATM receipts and any receipts with account numbers
Credit card and utility bills
Credit reports, credit histories, and pre-approved credit card applications
Report cards
Resumés
Used airline tickets
Documents containing your maiden name, social security number, signature, password or PIN number
Expired driver’s licenses, identification cards, passports and visas
Home purchase, sale, or improvement documents (if it has been seven years or longer since you sold the home)
Medical records and bills that have been paid two years ago or longer
Pay stubs from two years ago or longer
Tax records and receipts from eight years ago or longer
You MUST Keep:
Annual insurance policy statements
Birth and death certificates
Marriage license
Business license
Current ID cards and passports
Vehicle titles and loan documents
House deeds and mortgage documents
Pension plan documents
Retirement plan statements (401(k), 529, IRA, etc.)
Social security cards and statements
Wills, living wills, and powers of attorney
Bank statements for the past year
Pay stubs for the last year
Medical records and bills (keep at least one year after payment)
Tax records and receipts for the last seven years
Home purchase, sale, or improvement documents (keep for at least six years after you sell)
During our Shred-It events we also collect donations for local charities!
Scammers and identity thieves are getting smarter and savvier. MVCU has tips to keep your identity and your money safe.