Scholarship Winners Identity Fraud   PART 2 ATTENTION: Free Workshop The Best Deals May Be Used Wheels Smart Saving and Spending #2 Rocky's Corner Rocky's Word Puzzle Community Action News From Ivalene M. Miles Long Term Care Insurance Win A Gift Certificate For Love and Money Holiday Closings

Identity Fraud continued from page 1

they will supply an initial report for free, and another one, also for free, after 90 days.) For $70 to $80 a year, Equifax and Experian will alert you if anyone applies for credit in your name.

Stop annoying junk mail. You can “opt out” of getting pre-approved credit offers. To get off the credit bureaus’ marketing lists, all you have to do is call 888-567-8688.

If You’ve Been Scammed
Initiate fraud alerts. Just phone the three major credit agencies: Experian - 888-397-3742; TransUnion - 800-680-7289;Equifax-800-766-0008.

Spread the word. Contact any creditors with whom the thieves have run up bills. A shortcut, use the Federal Trade Commission’s fraud affidavit at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. Many businesses will accept it in lieu of their forms.

Get a police report. Creditors often require this document as evidence that you’re a victim.

Smart $aving and $pending #2
Steps For Success - (continued from last quarter’s newsletter)

• Discuss your spending plan with family members, friends or the people at your credit union. They might see some ways to help you be a better saver.
  
• Check over what you charge for your work. Ask for a raise or see about getting a different job.
  
• Look at your expenses and decide if you can make some changes in your spending. Slow down what you spend. Leave extra cash at home (or in your savings account at your credit union), don’t buy on impulse and don’t borrow from friends.
  
• Start the savings habit. You can decide how much you are comfortable with saving, but a good starting place may be to look at 10% of your before tax income. You may also want to pick a dollar amount you feel comfortable with, but save something.
  
• Save automatically. When you have a job, you can do this easily by taking advantage of direct deposit and payroll deduction at your credit union.
  
• The important thing to remember with a checking account is to KEEP THINGS IN BALANCE. When you get your first checking account, have someone at the credit union or a family member teach you how to make deposits and balance your account. And above all, do not give your account number to anyone. Keep your checkbook in the same manner you would keep money, because in reality it is the same.
  
• ATM or Debit Cards allow you to get cash from your account. It is very important to protect your card and PIN at all times for both of these very convenient cards. Do not allow anyone to have access to your card or PIN. This is just inviting someone to take advantage of you.

Have You Considered
That The Beat Deals
May Be Used Wheels

Experts say that buying a used vehicle is a financially smart thing to do, even for people who have the cash to buy whatever kind of car they want. A used car does not suffer the depreciation effects like new vehicles do immediately. Even one-year old used cars are 20% to 30% cheaper than brand new vehicles.

Several good reasons to buy used:

• Used cars are generally more reliable and safer today than ever before;
  
• You may be able to buy more “vehicle if you buy used. You may not be able to afford a new SUV, but a preowned one could be more in your price range;
  
• Newer pre-owned vehicles may still be under manufacturer’s warranty;
  
• More manufacturers are selling certified pre-owned vehicles; and
  
• You can easily trace the history of a used vehicle using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Altamaha Federal Credit Union is here to help you purchase the pre-owned vehicle you want Kirk Nichols Beverley. Just contact one of our friendly loan officers to learn more or to apply for pre-approval. This will save you time and allow you to have greater negotiating power when you show. There are tremendous deals on pre-owned vehicles in the marketplace today, so now is a great time to get the car you want.