• Shared Branching Information
• AAA Discount Information
• Debit Cards Too Risky for Online Shopping
• Looking for Office Space?
• Debit Card Security Strategy
• Free Credit Reports Help Members Monitor Potential Problems

Shared Branching = More Convenience

Effective Monday, July 21st, 2008 U.P. Connection Federal Credit Union will participate in shared branching to offer you, our members, the most convenient access to your CU accounts. With locations around the country, you can now do basic teller transactions at over 3300 locations. Just look for the swirl!

Credit unions have joined together to "share" their facilities as a way to provide convenient service to their credit union members. When you see the Shared Branching "swirl", you can conduct financial transactions at that credit union location.

What can you do at a Shared Branching location? Almost everything you normally do with a teller at your own credit union. You can make deposits and withdrawals, transfer funds, make loan payments, get a copy of your statement and more.

Remember, all you need to conduct a transaction at the CU Service Center is your credit union name, member account number, a valid photo ID, and the last 4 digits of your social security number. We thank you in advance for supplying this information and helping us protect you and your money from fraudulent activity.

If you have any questions about the shared branching network please contact us. If you would like to search for a service center location nationwide click on the icon below.

MADISON, Wis. (12/10/07)--Use the wrong payment method or the wrong piece of plastic when shopping online and someone you don't know could zero out your checking account balance in a matter of minutes. Remember some simple cyber rules to avoid becoming a statistic (Credit Union National Association center for personal finance). It's a fact: The safest form of payment online is a credit card, although there still are risks, particularly if you don't know the reputation of the seller. But if you're a die-hard debit card user and insist on using it for online purchases, you're putting yourself at much greater risk than if you use a credit card for those same purchases.Why? Because debit cards are regulated by the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which is weaker than the law that regulates credit cards. What you need to remember has to do with liability:

• Credit card liability. Federal law protects you so your liability is no more than $50 (per card) if a crook uses your card fraudulently before you report the theft. Report the theft before the crook uses your card, and your liability is zero. Even if you're subject to the $50 liability, some issuers may waive that amount.
• Debit card liability. Here's where it gets sticky. If you report the theft within two business days, your liability is limited to $50, and again, some issuers may waive that amount. However, after two business days, your liability jumps to $500. And if you don't report the loss or theft within 60 days of receiving your statement, your liability is unlimited.

To further compound the problem, remember that debit card purchases are deducted immediately from your account. If the debit charges are unauthorized or incorrect--such as double billing--they may be harder to recover; to get your money back, you'll need to work it out with the merchant, which may be much more difficult for online transactions.On the other hand, if you file a dispute over fraudulent charges made on your credit card, the card issuer's money is on the line--not yours--and it's up to the issuer to get the money from the merchant.Bottom line: Don't use a debit card for online purchases. Use a credit card on sites of reputable sellers. And follow more simple advice from the Federal Trade Commission:

• Get the seller's phone number in case you have questions or problems.
• Type the seller's name in your search engine to see if there are unfavorable reviews.
• Read the website's privacy policy to see how your personal information will be used.
• Understand the return policies.
• When entering payment information, make sure the http:// changes to https:// in the site's URL address line.
• Don't shop online unless your computer has antivirus and antispyware software, and a firewall.

Copyright © 2007 - Credit Union National Association, Inc.

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U.P. Connection has 1560 sq. ft. of unfinished office space available for rent in our Council Bluffs building. Monthly rent is $12 per sq. ft., and a tenant improvement allowance is available. If you are interested or have any questions please contact Jan or Julie at 402-391-5838.

Debit Card Security Strategy

To safeguard your accounts from International fraudulent use, U.P. Connection Federal Credit Union has implemented an authorization strategy for International Signature Based Debit Card transactions. You may use your Debit Card within the USA and Canada, but all other international transactions that exceed $50 (or exceed merchant floor limit) will be blocked unless you give U.P. Connection Federal Credit Union a five (5) day notice.

This will not affect transactions under $50 or at an ATM or merchant using a PIN for authorization instead of a signature.

Please contact U.P. Connection Federal Credit Union if you wish to use your Debit Card Internationally.

6707 Grover St.
Omaha, NE 68106
(402)391-5838
(888)302-9776

304 N. 168th Cir., Ste. 213
Omaha, NE 68118
(402)898-3233

204 S. 35th St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712)242-1055 

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Free Credit Reports Help Members Monitor Potential Problems

Thanks to a recent amendment to the Federal Fair Credit Act (FCRA), you can now request a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. Your credit report contains information about where you live, how you pay your bills and whether you've been sued, arrested or filed for bankruptcy. Creditors, insurers, employers and other businesses reference credit reports when evaluating applications for credit, insurance, employment and renting a home.

It is important to check your credit report for accuracy on a regular basis. Cases of mistaken identity, out-of-date information and outright errors can easily occur. If you discover a problem on your credit report, immediately contact a consumer credit reporting agency - Equifax, Experian or Trans Union - to make them aware of the discrepancy.

Obtain a Copy of Your Credit Report
When you request a copy of your credit report, you will need to provide your name, address, Social Security Number and date of birth. If you have moved within the past two years, you may also need to provide your previous address. For your protection and security, you may also be asked some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. Be sure to have this information ready when you submit your request.

There are three ways to order a free copy of your credit report:

1. Online at www.annualcreditreport.com
2. By calling 877-322-8228
3. By mail - complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and send it to:
   Annual Credit Report Request Service
   P.O. Box 105281
   Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

NOTE: Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually; the only authorized source for your free credit report is www.annualcreditreport.com.

Beware of Requests for Information
www.annualcreditreport.com is the ONLY authorized source for your free annual credit report from the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. These companies will not call you or send an email asking for your personal information. If you get an email or see a pop-up ad claiming it's from www.annualcreditreport.com or any of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies, do not reply or click on any link in the message - it's probably a scam. Report any suspicious calls or emails to the FTC's database of deceptive spam at spam@uce.gov .

If you have further questions regarding the availability or use of your credit report, just stop by and visit with a U.P. Connection loan officer.