Your e-statement questions answered

UPDATE: E-statement subscribers – your tax documents should be posted to the system by now. Thanks!

Over the past few months, we’ve heard from lots of members about e-statements – the efficient, convenient way to check your statements. For some members, e-statements are a brand new idea, and some may feel nervous about checking your account activity on the Internet.

For some members, e-statements won’t make sense. We understand that, and respect each member’s personal preferences.

But we can try to help clear up any misgivings about how the process works, and how safe it is.

We’ve heard you. And we want to help.

“I DON’T HAVE A COMPUTER.”

For members who don’t own a computer, the idea of e-statements probably seems silly. Why check your statement on the web when you can’t access the web?

However, ask yourself: do you open your statement when it arrives in the mail?

If you honestly don’t, e-statements are a good way to clear out your real-life mailbox. It’s one less piece of clutter you don’t have to toss out or recycle. And since “reduce” comes before “recycle,” reducing your mail is a good way to help the environment.

But if you don’t have a computer and you really do check your American 1 statement each month, then by all means – continue to receive the regular paper statement.

“I’M WORRIED ABOUT SECURITY.”

American 1’s home banking system uses the same Internet encryption that large online retailers use.

To test it, visit american1fcu.org. Look up at the address bar. At the beginning of our web address, it will say “https://” and then our secure web address. The “s” at the end of “http” means our site is protected by high-grade online security.

But that only protects your information on our side. If you’re really worried about security, the worst that could happen is someone finds out about your online banking username or password. To prevent that kind of identity theft, keep a username and password combo that’s easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess, and keep that information safe and secure.

Thousands of account transactions are posted to American 1’s home banking site each week, with no breaches in security. Odds are, your account information will remain your account info.

“I DON’T TRUST E-MAILS SENDING MY ACCOUNT INFO.”

Rest assured, e-statements are not sent over e-mail. Rather, a reminder is sent to your e-mail each month letting you know your e-statement is ready for viewing.

To view e-statements, you must log on to American 1’s A1@home online banking site. Your e-statement is stored there, and is not sent via e-mail. We do this to keep a copy of your electronic statement secured on our end, not sitting in your e-mail inbox for anyone to see.

“MY KID’S/JOINT/SHARED ACCOUNT DOESN’T NEED E-STATEMENTS.”

If you manage someone else’s account at the credit union, share an account with family, or oversee your child’s Eagle Earners Club account, e-statements are the perfect way to cut down on mail clutter.

Or if you have an American 1 account to simply make your loan payment, you may not need a paper copy of your statement each month. E-statements are perfect for these kinds of pass-through accounts that you probably don’t need to manage on a month-to-month basis.

A FEW OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Signing up for e-statements is a good way to store your statements as well, since we keep past copies of your e-statements archived on our system. E-statements are actually more secure than paper statements because they can’t be stolen out of your mailbox, missplaced, or accidentally wind up in the wrong hands.
• Once you start receiving e-statements, you may not miss your old mailed statements. And it could be a gateway to more cost-effective banking options like online Bill Pay.
• E-statements are a great way to see copies of your cleared checks. You can view them free with each monthly e-statement you receive.
• If you’re away a lot on business, out of town at school, or if you move often, e-statements are a great way to ensure you receive your American 1 account information. Combined with online banking, it’s the perfect way to manage your account from anywhere.

If you’re unsure about how the system works, ask a Member Service Specialist at any branch to walk you through the setup. E-statements are easier than ever to access, and we’d love to show you how to do it.

Introducing: Receipts on demand

Like many other businesses, American 1 is always looking to cut costs for our members, reduce waste, and leave less of an impact on the environment.

That’s why we’re excited to announce Receipts On Demand, a program that introduces both a new receipt and a new way of doing things.

For one, we’re no longer automatically printing receipts for our members for each transaction. If you come into a branch to manage your account, and you want a paper receipt, you will ask for one. Otherwise, we won’t print a receipt. Ask yourself: do you really need a printed receipt for your transaction? Sometimes you will, sometimes you won’t. We’ll assume, in most cases, that you won’t need a receipt.

Second, we’re launching new thermal receipts and printers at three of our branches – Home Office, Argyle, and Parnall – starting Monday. Those receipts you get when you pay for gas at the pump? They’re kind of like those. They’re smaller, lighter, and only one sheet – instead of the yellow-and-white sheets we used to have.

This new on-demand receipt system does many things, all of them good, including:

• Save money on paper costs and waste
• Reduce our environmental impact with smaller receipts AND less of them
• Make most transactions faster, saving time
• Reducing identity theft, since there’s less of a paper trail

While this on-demand receipt system is kicking off at three of our branches, we plan to install it credit-union-wide over the next few months.

So when you make a transaction at an American 1 branch, and we ask if you want a receipt, make sure you really think about it. For some members, a printed receipt helps them manage their money better.

But if it’s just going to end up in the trash, say “no thanks.”

Poll: What’s the best way to get information?

We’re wondering what method you use to get information about American 1, or what is the best way to get that information to you. Answering either is fine – we just wonder what our members are looking for.

If you have any further thoughts, leave them in the comments below. Thanks!

How to sign up for MasterCard’s Secure Code

Maybe you’ve been ready to purchase something online with your American 1 MasterCard debit card, but you get prompted by something called SecureCode.

MasterCard’s SecureCode is a security system to prevent online fraud and theft. It protects others from using your American 1 debit card, keeping your money safe.

There’s just a bit of set-up required. First, you have to make your way to American 1’s own SecureCode site, where you can begin the registration process.

When you click on American 1’s link, the first thing you’ll see is a “Register Now” button. Click that to begin the process.

Be sure to read through the agreement and click “I Agree” underneath.

On the next screen, you’ll enter your American 1 debit card number.

Then, SecureCode will ask for the rest of your information, including your card’s expiration date, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your birthdate. This is to confirm that it’s actually you signing up with the SecureCode system.

Finally, you’ll pick your Secure Code – a 8-15 character password made up of both numbers and letters. Use something that you’ll remember, but is hard for others to guess, and the more numbers and letters you use, the better. If you forget your Secure Code, you’ll have to pick a new one.

Now, when you’re prompted to enter your SecureCode at online retailers, you’ll be set up with MasterCard’s security system.

New presidential dollar coins coming

If you’re a coin collector, take note that Thursday, Aug. 20, the new presidential dollar coin will be released. This one will feature James K. Polk, America’s eleventh president. After Polk comes Zachary Taylor on November 19.

For the full presidential dollar coin release schedule, visit the U.S. Mint’s page.

We usually have the new presidential coins in a few days after their release. Stop in or ask an American 1 branch to find out if we have any.

Use direct deposit to avoid lost/stolen checks

Columnist Terry Savage shares some sobering statistics:

It seems a point almost too obvious to make. Yet, last year, more than 480,000 Social Security checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued. And $64 million in Treasury-issued checks were fraudulently endorsed.

Savage recommends that SS benefit recipients enroll in direct deposit, ensuring that payments will go directly to their account.

Savage says GoDirect.org can give more information and guidance on the benefits of direct deposit. We feel that, once you have direct deposit, you’ll never go back to regular paper checks. It cuts a lot of hassle out of the whole process.

Help redesign the dollar

What if someone redesigned our currency? What would it look like?

The Dollar ReDe$ign Project explores this idea, with graphic artists posting new takes on the ol’ Greenback.

The above example is from Michelle Haft, and features bright colors and graphics celebrating the myriad engines of our economy (like energy, health care, and manufacturing).

What do you think? Would Americans be willing to change the classic “Dead Presidents” designs?

[Courtesy of ISO50 blog.]

New no-surcharge ATM at Allegiance Health

Good news – we just put a new no-surcharge ATM in at Allegiance Health’s Foote Hospital.

You can find the American 1 ATM on the second floor, near the cafeteria. Now if you need cash for food or the gift shop, you can take advantage of our no-surcharge ATM. For a complete list of American 1 ATMs, visit our ATM Locations page.

Message from the NCUA: ‘Your money is safe’

A message from Jane Bryant Quinn and the National Credit Union Administration. Learn more about your share insurance on their site.

2009: a Mobile ATM Odyssey

Check out pictures on our Flickr page.

Watch for it at this weekend’s Spring Women’s Expo!