CCU Calendar and Other Bits

• Save up to 50%! - NOW!
  2008 Entertainment Books are now available at any CCU office! Stop in and purchase your book today for only $30.00 and you can begin using it immediately.
• Monday, November 12
  Credit union is closed for staff training.
• Thursday, November 22
  Credit union is closed.
• Friday, November 23
  Calendars will be available at all three offices.
• Monday, December 24
  Credit union will close at 1:00 pm.
• Tuesday, December 25
  Credit union is closed.
• Monday, December 31
  Credit union will close at 1:00 pm.
• Tuesday, January 1
  Credit union is closed.

The holidays are on their way, along with the stress of finding the perfect gifts. Hectic schedules can make the holidays seem even more overwhelming. Champion Credit Union would like to help ease the holiday tension. CCU offers a variety of products that are great for gift giving. Consider gift giving ideas so you can make one stop at your credit union. CCU offers some easy one stop ideas!

Young Savers Certificates Visa gift cards Movie passes Entertainment books Savings bonds Angel dollars Toledo Zoo Lights before Christmas tickets (begins November 16).

You can even pick up stamps for your holiday cards at your credit union.

If your wallet is feeling the overwhelming holiday tension too... CCU can help!

Champion Credit Union offers competitive rate loans and Visa charge cards to help ease the money crunch of the holiday season. Application for both is easy, apply online at ChampionCU.org, call or visit any credit union office to apply. CCU Visa Cards have NO annual fee and with scorecard, you may be eligible for cash back!

What about next year? Begin saving now with a CCU holiday account. The holiday shares earn the same great rate as our regular share accounts. Direct deposit or payroll deduction can make saving even easier. Checks are mailed to members after October 1, unless the member requests otherwise. Accounts can be started anytime during the year, just let any staff member know you would like to begin to save for the holidays.

On-line shopping too risky? Internet "hackers" have you worried? You would never believe it... but the National Fraud Center reports that during the holiday season, offline methods of stealing personal information are more prevalent than online theft.

Most identity thieves do not use the web to obtain information. They prefer to use methods such as "dumpster diving". Check fraud is again becoming common. Fictitious names and account numbers try to clear institutions, many times the scammers guess the wrong account number, but sometimes they hit it right and a check clears an actual account.

What can a person do to protect themselves? The credit union has some answers on easy ways to protect yourself this season!

	Review your monthly statements carefully and in a timely manner. Report discrepancies to your credit union immediately. This could be one of the easiest and most important things you can do! Check and balance your account using the back of your statement.
	Don’t carry everything around - such as ALL your credit cards, Social Security number, and birth certificate - unless it is absolutely necessary. Your Champion Credit Union VISA card and ATM/debit card are great choices for maximum purchasing power.
	Keep a list of all credit cards, account numbers, expiration dates, and phone numbers of the fraud departments or contact people, in a secure place - not your wallet or purse.
	Memorize your personal identification number (PIN) for your ATM/debit card; do not write it down or carry it with you.
	Avoid giving out your credit card number or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
	Shred all documents with personal information before discarding them.
	Request a credit report on a regular basis and verify the credit information listed. Consumers can request one report free each year from the big three credit bureaus. Visit CCU's site links at www.ChampionCU.org to request a free copy.