January 2020 - Rockland Federal Credit Union
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Member
January 2020
NEWSLETTER
At the Rockland Federal Credit Union, we strive to provide our members with quality, affordable Volume 26
financial services in a responsible, efficient, professional and convenient manner. Issue 4
Every year, tax season brings a fresh Fighting identity theft
AVOID
crop of scammers with yet another way You can protect yourself from
to con you out of your money – and these scams by using the following
sanity. The IRS and the FTC are both precautions:
warning the public about a series of
TAX
tax-related scams to be wary of during • File early in the tax season.
this busy and stressful time. Remember, that the earlier you file, the
less susceptible you are to tax scams.
Here’s what you need to know about
the latest ways scammers use tax • Only e-file using a secure internet
SCAMS
season for fraud: connection.
Phony refund • When using an online tax preparation
service, look for the required tax-
In one scenario, scammers will use preparer identification number on
your identity to file a phony tax the web page. If you can’t find it,
return in your name. The refund will Tax collectors immediately log out of the site.Verify
be deposited directly into your bank that the site you’re using is secure by
account and you might not even know In another widely perpetrated scam,
criminals call unsuspecting taxpayers checking the URL for an “https.” Be
it. The scammers will then call you, sure to check for that “s” on every
posing as IRS officials. They’ll claim this posing as IRS agents and claim the
victim owes a large amount of money subsequent page you visit on the site.
money was mistakenly deposited into
your account and must be returned. to the IRS. They will go to any means • If you use a personal tax preparer,
You may even be threatened with to convince victims that the matter is inquire about their data security
criminal charges, an arrest warrant urgent, including threatening to arrest practices.
or blacklisting of your Social Security the victims, suspending their driver’s • Respond to all mail inquiries from the
number. license, freezing their accounts or even IRS as quickly as possible.
deporting them. The phone number
Of course, if you comply with the the callers use may even look nearly
scammer’s instructions, you’ll be If you’ve been scammed
identical to the IRS’s toll-free number.
sending the money directly to them and If you suspect you’ve received an
not to the IRS. Also, if you try to file a Note that the IRS does not: illegitimate “tax refund,” don’t despair.
legitimate return, you may hit a brick • Call to demand immediate payment You can still repair the damage. Simply
wall since a return has already been using a specific payment method such contact the IRS and ask how you can
filed in your name. as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire return your refund. Depending on the
Identity theft transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail extent of the scam’s damage, you may
a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. need to file an Identity Theft Affidavit
In another version, scammers will use with the IRS.
tax season to lure you into sharing • Demand that you pay taxes without
your personal information. Here’s how the opportunity to question or appeal Next, be sure to visit IdentityTheft.gov
it works:You log onto a “tax prep” site the amount they say you owe. or ftc.gov/complaint to report the scam
to the FTC. They want to catch the
and fill in all the information necessary • Threaten to bring in local police, crooks who did this to you as badly as
to e-file your return. Unfortunately immigration officers or other law-
for you, the site is phony and you just you do!
enforcement to have you arrested for
shared all of your identifying details not paying. The IRS also cannot revoke As a law-abiding citizen, you deserve
with a band of crooks. Once the your driver’s license, business licenses, to file your taxes without running the
scammers have this information, they or immigration status. Threats like these risk of having your identity stolen and
are free to steal your identity, rack up are common tactics scam artists use to safely receive any refunds you have
huge bills in your name and destroy to trick victims into buying into their coming to you. Stay one step ahead
your credit score. This scam has grown schemes. of all scammers by being proactive,
increasingly more widespread and the knowledgeable and cautious.
IRS has repeatedly warned against Don’t be a victim this tax season!
e-filing without using due caution.
How to Create and Keep Strong Passwords
Your passwords are like the keys to Step 3: Update all your passwords
your life. And when it seems like Next, you’re going to sync all the
there’s another big security breach websites and accounts you use with
every week, you want to be absolutely your password manager. Follow the
sure your passwords are strong guidelines on your password manager
and safe. After all, with just a few for this step, as they differ with each
keystrokes, a scammer can have full service.
access to your personal information,
financial accounts, social media pages When you’re through, you’ll only be
and so much more. able to log into these sites by using
your master password.
But creating those perfect passwords Follow the rules below and you’ll have
— and remembering them — can be Some sites you use might employ
a strong password. outdated systems that won’t work
difficult.
Below, we’ve outlined 6 steps
• Make it long. Many sites require with a password manager. For these
a password that is a minimum of 8 sites, you will need to use different
for creating and keeping super- characters long, but a 12-character passwords.You can slightly amend your
strong passwords that will keep password is even stronger. master password for these sites or
scammers guessing. create new ones using the guidelines
Step 1: Choose a password manager.
• Be creative. Avoid using names, above. Never double passwords; use a
places and recognizable words because
With so much of our lives accessible these are easily cracked. different one for every site you use.
online, it’s more important than ever to • Mix it up. The best way to keep Step 4: Use two-factor authentication
keep passwords secure. The best way your password unbreakable is to mix Add another layer of protection by
to do this is to use a password manager. up your capitalization and the kinds choosing two-factor authentication
These services will generate strong of characters you use, switching back whenever you have that option.
passwords for all of your financial and forth from letters to numbers to
accounts, favorite websites and social Step 5: Be careful with security
symbols. questions
media platforms and then keep them
safely encrypted.You will only need • Don’t use any of variation of these Ironically, security questions are
to create and memorize one master commonly used — and commonly extremely insecure. Anyone can
password, which you will use when hacked — passwords: Google your dog’s name or your
logging into all of your accounts. • 123456123456789 mother’s hometown. And, if all a
There are lots of password managers • Passwordadmin scammer has to do to retrieve your
on the market, but the ones that password with the “I forgot my
come most highly recommended are • 12345678qwerty password” tab is answer a security
1password, Lastpass and Keepass. • 1234567111111 question, the strongest passwords in
1Password and LastPass are both the world won’t do you any good.
cloud-based services, and can be • 1231231234567890000000
Protect yourself by treating security
vulnerable to remote attacks. However, • Abc1231234 questions like passwords. Never answer
both services heavily encrypt your • Iloveyouaaaaaa them truthfully. Instead, make up
data and don’t store your one master mnemonics or nonsensical answers that
password in the cloud. As long as that Bonus tip: Worried about creating are hard to crack but easy for you to
password is strong, you’ll be safe even if and remembering a long, unbreakable remember.
these services get hacked. password? Turn a sentence into
a password by using mnemonics, Step 6: Don’t let your browser or
Step 2: Create an unbreakable misspelled words and symbols that only phone “remember” your passwords.
master password you will understand. Here are a few to Keep your passwords in your head and
Once you’ve chosen your password get you started: not on your devices. Otherwise, you’ll
manager, create a strong master • WOO!TAwonTWS = Woohoo! The be in deep trouble if your computer or
password. This code can open up Astros won the World Series! phone is swiped.
every password of yours to potential
scammers, so be extra careful about • D:’(OspldMlk.JdreenqOJ = Don’t cry Avoid being an easy target - Keep
choosing one that is super-secure and over spilled milk. Just drink orange juice your passwords strong and safe!
virtually unbreakable.
Love your Credit Union?
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Share it with a friend and get a FREE gift!
It’s easy – visit one of our convenient branch locations to get your Tell-a-Friend coupons. Pass them
out to friends, neighbors, anyone you think would benefit from our great products and services. When
someone you refer opens a checking account with Rockland Federal Credit Union, they get a FREE
gift for joining us and you will receive a FREE gift as a token of our appreciation!
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MEMBERS LIKE YOU
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TruStage® Insurance products and programs are made available through
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are issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company. Auto and Home Insurance
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is not a deposit, and is not federally insured, sold or guaranteed by your
credit union.
DTCG-1827860.1
Looking to It’s a great time to refinance with Rockland Federal Credit Union!
Refinance Rates are low and we have the mortgage option to fit your needs.
Your The application process is easy.
Mortgage? Apply online or right from our mobile app!
Don’t Let the
Weather Get In CHECK
the Way of Your
Deposit. US OUT
Sign up for Mobile Check Deposit with RFCU and make deposits securely
from the comfort of home. It’s as easy as taking a picture of the check
with your smartphone in our RFCU app!
DeposZip software integrates completely with RFCU’s highly secure
online banking system. The password and authentication technology
used for Online Banking also protects your mobile deposits.
Eligibility: Did you know that Rockland
• You must be 18 years of age. Federal Credit Union is on
• You must have a RFCU checking or savings account open for a Facebook? Like and follow
minimum of 30 days; business owners a minimum of 6 months. our page to keep up with
• You must have a valid email address what we’re doing in your
• You must be enrolled in Online Banking community, hear about
exciting products and get
Getting started is easy - sign up through Online Banking or directly from
the RFCU Mobile App. Read and accept the user agreement and allow great tips on the financial
(2) business days for your registration to be reviewed and approved. You matters that matter to you!
will receive an email notification regarding the status of your registration Visit Facebook.com/
request. Enroll today and be ready for whatever this New England winter
has in store! RockFedCU today.
Don’t Forget to Make Your IRA Contributions!
For Traditional or ROTH IRA 2019 2020
Under Age 50 $6,000 $6,000
Age 50 or Older $7,000 $7,000
IRA Contribution Eligibility - “MAGI” Income Limits:
Filing Status 2019 2020
Single $122,000 - $136,999 $124,000 - $138,999
Married, filing jointly $193,000 - $202,999 $196,000 - $205,999
HOLIDAY HOURS Member Service Center
(781) 878-0232
Wednesday, January 1st (800) 562-7328
New Year’s Day
All branch offices are closed. Website
Monday, January 20th
www.rfcu.com
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Weymouth and In-store branches open 10am – 2pm
All other branch offices are closed.
Monday February 17th
Presidents’ Day
Weymouth and In-store branches open 10am – 2pm Federally Insured by NCUA MSN 01/20
All other branch offices are closed.
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