Service and financial security is the foundation of Glendale Area Schools Credit Union. Created in 1937, by two GUSD teachers, the credit union was there to help the community in uncertain economic times. We are continuing that long tradition of our founder’s principles providing quality service to school employees and students, their families, and the Glendale Area Community.
While some things stay the same, much has changed since 1937! For many, personal computers are a tool we use daily. So please, check out our updated and remodeled website. The enhancements reflect our overall commitment to you, our members. It is easy to navigate the products and services we offer. Explore our Educational Tips and Tools that can help make your lives better. As a credit union member you are entitled to many discounts on products and services that you might already be using. Why not take advantage of all your member benefits? The sections on Events and News, School & Community Partnerships, and free workshops will keep you aware of the many happenings and our commitment to Glendale Area Schools, our community, and to you.
SCAM FRAUD RIPOFF
The government and news agencies are reporting our economy is improving. In spite of these reports, financial crime continues to prey on the unsuspecting. The following are a few examples of financial crimes and fraud. The underlying theme here is the same. You will receive a check in the mail. You will be instructed to wire funds from Western Union or MoneyGram. You will soon realize you are now in line with other people being victimized by way of a fraudulent scam. The check is not good. You are being ripped off. The credit union will often give you immediate credit on checks you deposit. The immediate credit is extended as a courtesy to you, however when the fraudulent check or money order turns out to be worthless that credit is reversed. The credit union has a collection of counterfeit bank cashier’s checks, business checks, personal checks and postal money orders. All you need to make counterfeit checks is a color copier.
SELLING ON THE INTERNET
Members have listed items for sale on the Internet including cars, drums, surfboards and more. Other members have listed rooms for rent or a house for lease. The scam surfaces when the “buyer” mails a check to the seller for an amount in excess of the sale price. The buyer instructs the seller to wire the excess funds from Western Union or MoneyGram to a transporter, shipper or third party. If you receive a check in the mail from a perfect stranger you must suspect it is either counterfeit, a forgery, altered or drawn on a closed bank account. If you send the wire, it is highly likely you are sending YOUR money before you realize the check is worthless. If you receive a check from a stranger you should presume it is fake.
LOTTERY
Members frequently receive e-mail notifications announcing they have won a European lottery from France, England, Germany, Spain, etc. In order to receive the million dollar winnings a lottery tax must be paid in advance. This request requires money to be wired from Western Union or MoneyGram to the foreign country. This is a scam. Chances are you never bought the lottery ticket. Chances are pretty good you did not win the lottery. However, the money you sent is now forever gone from your account.
SECRET SHOPPER
If only it were this easy to make money. One of the more serious scams involves someone claiming to be with a legitimate company such as Secret Shopper® and sending out large counterfeit cashier’s checks or money orders. The shopper is told to cash it and wire the majority of the funds via MoneyGram or Western Union, then keep the rest as their ‘pay’ for doing the secret shopping. Don’t be fooled by these scams! Financial institutions are required to make funds available on cashier’s checks and money orders within five days. The scammers are counting on you completing the wire transfer before the check or money order has cleared the bank. By the time you find out the check is not legitimate, you are out the money you sent.
WORK AT HOME
Beware of this classic envelope-stuffing scheme. In this typical scam, instead of getting materials to send out on behalf of a company, you get instructions to place an ad like the one you saw, asking people to send you money for information about working at home. This is an illegal pyramid scheme because there is no real product or service being offered. You won’t get rich, and you could be prosecuted for fraud. Additionally, the scammers may require you to buy equipment or supplies.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you are in doubt about the integrity of a check call both the bank and business the check is drawn on to verify if funds are available and legitimate. You can always bring it to the attention of the credit union before making the deposit.
PREVENTION
There is no legitimate reason why anyone would give you a check or money order and ask you to wire money anywhere in return. If it looks too good to be true, chances are it is.
Sincerely,
Glendale Area Schools Credit Union, CEO