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NCCU donates $1,000 to Carter County Imagination Library

Northeast Community Credit Union is investing in the children of Carter County with a donation of $1,000 to the Carter County Imagination Library.

Northeast Community Credit Union is a Foundation Member of CCIL and has contributed thousands of dollars since the start of Carter County Imagination Library. Carter County Imagination Library provides a free book to children in Carter County every month from birth until they turn five years old.

“Our Board of Directors has a commitment to our community to annually donate a percentage of proceeds to local organizations for worthy causes,” NCCU President/CEO Teresa Arnold said. “We are so grateful for an opportunity to help provide books to children in our area. Children encounter worlds of adventure and inspiration while experiencing the enjoyment books can bring for a lifetime.”

According to the CCIL, the cost to provide children with books from birth until age 5 is around $150 per child.   Presenting this year’s donation on behalf of NCCU to Carter County Imagination Library is Andrea Lewis, Business Development and Event Coordinator.

To donate to the Imagination Library, contact the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library at (423) 547-6360.

Northeast Community Credit Union is a major contributor in the local community and has been providing service since October 1952 when it was chartered as a credit union by the State of Tennessee. Northeast Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative focused on youth financial education, providing convenient low-cost financial products and service to help families have richer futures, and growing strong local businesses while serving anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Carter, Johnson, Washington, Unicoi and Sullivan counties along with their family members.

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Amy Cole latest HTT winner

Amy Cole, teacher at Harold McCormick Elementary, is the latest Northeast Community Credit Union Helping Teachers Teach grant winner.

 

Cole applied for the grant to provide Boogie Board tablets for students to use to practice writing. The Boogie Boards will be used in addition to paper and dry erase boards.

 

“The students will have another way to practice letter formation and then later use them to practice writing words and sentences,” Cole said.

 

Northeast Community Credit Union awards $300 every month to a classroom to be utilized for classroom needs, classroom activities, and academic enrichment.  Helping Teachers Teach is open to teachers within Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, Sullivan and Washington counties who are members of Northeast Community Credit Union. Area teachers may become members online or at any NCCU location and can download the grant application on the credit union’s website:  www.BeMyCU.org.

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Beware: Package Delivery Scams

The holidays are here, which means two things: package deliveries are on the rise and scammers are taking advantage.

So if you get an unexpected text message from FedEx, UPS or the Postal Service telling you about an unclaimed package — and a link to claim it — do NOT take the bait.

We’re here to help you spot and avoid those pesky parcel tracking scams.

What is a package delivery scam?
A package delivery scam happens when you get an unsolicited text message about an unclaimed delivery, with a malicious link to supposedly “claim” the package that doesn’t actually exist. The FTC has a reported a spike in these scam texts, which sometimes include a fake tracking number and typically appear to come from a company you already know and trust — like Fedex, UPS, Amazon or the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

Fake shipping texts can contain messages like this:

  • You have an undelivered package that you can pick up, once you confirm your personal information and card details.
  • You have an undelivered package that won’t ship until you pay an additional fee.
  • You have a chance to win a free gift card or a free item, once you follow a web link, provide personal information, and pay for shipping.

Fake website: How the scam works

With these scams, fraudsters will link to a deceptive website that looks like an official delivery tracking site. They may indicate that a package is waiting at a warehouse, and once you answer a few questions, they’ll release the package (which doesn’t exist). They might even give you a fake tracking number in the text message, and ask you to plug in the number to receive more information.

But ultimately, at some point — usually at the end of the questionnaire — they will ask for personal or payment information. Once you input that, you’ve given the scammer everything they need to steal from you.

How to avoid a fake shipping scam

  • DO ask yourself these questions. Was I expecting a package delivery? Did I send a package to someone? Did I ask for text notifications?
  • DON’T click on any suspicious links. If you receive an unexpected text message, don’t click on a link. Even if it provides seemingly authentic tracking and delivery information.
  • DON’T respond to unsolicited texts. Immediately delete the message, and never respond. If you’re unsure about the message, look up and contact the company directly (don’t use the info in the text message).
  • DON’T pay additional money to get a package delivered. Know that legit companies won’t contact you “out of the blue” to request additional fees for shipping or delivery.
  • DO look for a missed delivery notice. Legitimate delivery services will usually leave a physical “missed delivery” notice on your front door or doorstep.
  • DO report fraud when you see it. If you think you’ve spotted a scam, contact the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, which helps law enforcement partners gain important information about scams.
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Have you heard about Charity Fraud?

Here’s how it works:

Someone contacts you asking for a donation to their charity. It sounds like a group you’ve heard of, it seems real, and you want to help.

How can you tell what charity is legitimate and what’s a scam? Scammers want your money quickly. Charity scammers often pressure you to donate right away. They might ask for cash, and might even offer to send a courier or ask you to wire money. Scammers often refuse to send you information about the charity, give you details, or tell you how the money will be used. They might even thank you for a pledge you don’t remember making.

Here’s what you can do:

  1. Take your time. Tell callers to send you information by mail. For requests you get in the mail, do your research. Is it a real group? What percentage of your donation goes to the charity? Is your donation tax-deductible? How do they want you to pay? Rule out anyone who asks you to send cash or wire money. Chances are, that’s a scam.
  2. Pass this information on to a friend. It’s likely that nearly everyone you know gets charity solicitations. This information could help someone else spot a scam.

Please report scams

If you spot a scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Call the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or TTY 1-866-653-4261 or go online at ftc.gov/complaint.

Your complaint can help protect other people. By filing a complaint, you can help the FTC’s investigators identify scammers and stop them before they can get someone’s hard earned money. It really makes a difference.

 

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Amy Ensor latest Helping Teachers Teach winner

Amy Ensor, teacher at West Side Elementary, is the latest Northeast Community Credit Union Helping Teachers Teach grant winner.

Ensor applied for the grant to provide book bins in her classroom library for her Accelerated Reading program. In Accelerated Reader, students have individual book levels to read at and complete quizzes.

“With the book bins, I can arrange the books in a way that would help the students be able to check out books appropriate on their level of ability,” Ensor said. “The program helps children grow comprehension skills and reading levels. Most importantly, Accelerated Reading helps foster a greater love for reading.”

Northeast Community Credit Union awards $300 every month to a classroom to be utilized for classroom needs, classroom activities, and academic enrichment.  Helping Teachers Teach is open to teachers within Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, Sullivan and Washington counties who are members of Northeast Community Credit Union. Area teachers may become members online or at any NCCU location and can download the grant application on the credit union’s website:  www.BeMyCU.org.

The Money Tree – October Edition

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Dugger latest Helping Teachers Teach winner

Susan Dugger, teacher at Wandell Early Learning Center, is the latest Northeast Community Credit Union Helping Teachers Teach grant winner.

Dugger applied for the grant to purchase a new rug for her pre-K classroom. The new rug will replace an older, well-used rug in the class.

“The rug is used very often throughout the school day as a meeting place for teaching,” Dugger said. “Each day, it is used for circle time, English Language Arts, and large group learning.”

Northeast Community Credit Union awards $300 every month to a classroom to be utilized for classroom needs, classroom activities, and academic enrichment. Helping Teachers Teach is open to teachers within Carter, Johnson, Unicoi, Sullivan and Washington counties who are members of Northeast Community Credit Union. Area teachers may become members online or at any NCCU location and can download the grant application on the credit union’s website: www.BeMyCU.org.

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Medicare Information Sessions

Medicare information sessions will be provided as a public service for those who have questions regarding Medicare open enrollment which lasts October 15 – December 7 this year.

Representatives from United Healthcare and Humana will be on site at the main office at various times to speak with those interested – it’s best to call for appointments but the reps will also speak with walk-ins as time permits. The schedule is:

United Healthcare on October 24 & November 7, 10 am-2 pm both days (Sam Monroe, 423-742-6252)

Humana/ Blue Cross Blue Shield on October 31 & November 9, 10 am – 2 pm both days (Shelia Minier, 423-534-2969)