Connection Credit Union has closed our Bremerton office effective November 1st.

Based on our analysis on the number and types of transactions at our Bremerton office, we have determined that our resources will be better utilized by developing a richer digital access experience that our members have been asking for.  We are currently in the process of implementing a new digital banking provider and a much improved system will be available in early 2020.  The new system will include mobile banking, remote deposit capture (deposit a picture of a check) as well as card control tools where you can manage your card as well as get alerts on your debit and credit card transactions and balances.  We will share more information on our exciting new system when we get closer to the roll out date.

Our Silverdale location will remain open to serve all our members.  Shared branching and ATM access are also available. Please contact us with any questions.

Port-Out Scams

Port-out scams involve fraudsters exploiting the process of transferring a cell phone number from one carrier to another by using phished or stolen account information to carry out the port without the authorization of the phone number’s true owner.

After successfully gathering information about a cellular account (acquired either directly from the victim via phishing or found online), a scammer, posing as the phone number’s true owner, takes the victim’s information to another carrier and requests to port the number to a new account and cell phone. The scammer will then report the victim’s phone as lost or stolen. If the cellular carrier does not require a security PIN number or passcode, or the scammer passes any identity verification measures, the scammer may successfully port the number to a new device and carrier without the victim’s knowledge, shutting down his or her own phone’s cellular service. The scammer, now with exclusive access to the victim’s phone number, can potentially gain access to the victim’s online accounts via two-factor authentication (2FA) codes or keys texted directly to the phone number. This can happen fast, with little time for the victim to stop it or contact anyone for help.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THREAT:

If you find your smartphone suddenly stops making calls or sending texts, or says “Emergency calls only,” your phone number may have been stolen and ported out. Immediately notify your carrier. Report Scam Activity: Report any scams you encounter to local police, your cellular carrier, the Federal Trade Commission, or the Better Business Bureau. Keep a record of any information given to you or sought by the scammer.

HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST THIS THREAT:

Many carriers require account PIN numbers or other verification information to port out numbers or give out new SIM cards. However, if the PIN is a birth date, zip code, the last four digits of a social security number, or any information that is easily gathered, scammers can still quickly gain access by trying them all. There are databases online that anyone can log into and find current address, full name, the names of potential victim’s relatives, and more. Just by being aware of the dangers of hacking and by being smart about sharing information, consumers and businesses can protect themselves from a port-out or SIM hijacking scam.

Some tips for protecting yourself from port-out scams and SIM hijacking scams include:

• Use Strong Passwords- Use strong account passwords with a variety of characters (symbols, numbers, and capital letters) for any and all online accounts. Do not repeat passwords for separate accounts.
• Use 2-Factor Authentication- If your cell phone carrier allows, sign up for dual-factor authentication (not always the same as an account PIN or passcode) upon logging into your account. In addition, if there’s an option, consider listing an alternative email for authentication instead of a phone number.
• Use Obscure Answers- If your carrier uses security questions for logging in, such as “What street did you grow up on,” try to use obscure answers you won’t be able to find out in a simple address directory search.
• Pin Protection: Most carriers allow you to create a PIN or passcode required to make changes to your account. Make a strong and random PIN number or passcode to access your account in addition to your online password
• Use Public Forum Safety: Avoid leaving personal information online in public forums or on social media such as your phone number, address, or any other personally identifiable info
• Online Marketplace Safety: When dealing with online marketplaces or forums, be careful not to give out personal information unless necessary or you can verify their identity first.
• Keep to yourself: Never give out information on your cellular account over email, online, or over the phone unless you are certain you are speaking with your carrier’s customer service representative.
• Keep track of your mail: Not all identity theft begins digitally. Make sure you keep track of your mail and shred any important documents that could be taken from trash or recycling. Your cell phone, bank, utility, and cable bills all have information that could be used to get a criminal closer to porting a number your phone number.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Below is a list of websites where you can file complaints about internet-related scams, fraud, and crime. Just don’t forget to call your cellular carrier and local police first.

• Your local law enforcement’s fraud or cybercrime division.
• File a scam complaint with the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker.
• File a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
• File a complaint about online or related transactions with EConsumer.gov.
• Federal Trade Commission: Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or file a complaint online.
• File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) (IC3 is partnered with the FBI).
• FBI: FBI Tips
• File a report on Fraud.org.

As a Connection Credit Union member you understand the value of keeping your money right here, in Kitsap County. Imagine if the money you spend on groceries could stick around for the benefit of Kitsap too!

The Kitsap Community Food Co-op opened a small, community-owned store in downtown Bremerton (421 Park Ave) on July 4th, to create year-round access to local, nutritious, and natural food. The cooperative is a grocery store owned by, and operated for, the benefit of the community it serves –not a giant, conglomerate corporation. By sourcing as locally as possible, creating good jobs, strengthening local food access, and sharing profits with its members, a food co-op keeps food money circulating in the local economy, instead of heading straight out of it.   The best way to support this local food movement is to join the food Co-op as a founding Member-Owner. A lifetime household ownership share is just $200.  Learn more and join today at www.kitsapfood.coop.

We know local is  better for financial services. We think it’s better for food as well, which is why your credit union is supporting this effort with a “One Good Co-Op Deserves Another” promotion:

• Refinance a loan you have somewhere else with Connection Credit Union and well match your rate and term PLUS give you a rebate of 1.5% of the loan amount and donate $25  to the Kitsap Community Food Co-op expansion fund.  Apply here or at any branch.  Some restrictions apply.*

Connection Credit Union and the Kitsap Community Food Co-op  –  Co-ops helping Co-ops for the benefit of the Kitsap community.

* Membership and promotion restrictions apply.  Contact us for additional details and restrictions.  Must live, work, worship or attend school in Kitsap county to be eligible for membership. 1.5% rebate is based on amount financed on approved credit.  If loan is paid off within one year the rebate amount will be added to the payoff balance.  Maximum $400 per loan.  Floor rate 3.50% APR. APR = Annual Percentage Rate.  Additional restrictions may apply.

2018 Connection Credit Union Annual Report

Your credit union has recently updated our Mission statement  (what we are striving to do today) and Vision statement (what our future looks like) to help focus our efforts both now and in the future.

Mission Statement

Connection Credit Union provides each member of our local cooperative family, including those underserved by larger institutions, with personalized financial and education services, ensuring all our members have the tools for financial success.

Vision Statement

Connection Credit Union is Kitsap County’s premier choice for a truly local not-for-profit financial cooperative.  Our community of financially literate and healthy members is built through superior service, technology, education and community involvement.

We’ve added some great new security resources.  Check them out at Security Resources

Click on the link below a listing of ATMs that are surcharge free for CCU members.

Surcharge Free ATMs

One of the most important tools we’ve developed over the years to help our members build their financial futures are budgeting worksheets. We hope you find them useful.

Extended Budget Worksheet – Excel

Extended Budget Worksheet – PDF

If you desire a more simple budget, use these:

Members-Personal Budget – Excel

Members-Personal Budget – PDF

Connection Credit Union has a variety of first time auto buyer programs available for our members.  We work with members with little to no credit and those just starting their credit journey.  One of the key tenets of our program is we will spend the time going through all phases of the process:

• Finding the right loan amount for you
• Tools and tips to help you negotiate the best deal
• Strategies to reduce the amount of interest you pay
• Consultation on the true costs of owning a car including insurance and maintenance
• Budgeting assistance to help you start off on the right foot

Contact our loan department to get started and ask about our member referral program!

Fraud is on the rise.  Here are some tips:

• Be aware of the heightened risk of attacks and scams, such as phishing attacks, scams where the victim is asked to pay the scammer money, and recruitment scams where the victim is asked to pay a bit of money up front to earn more money later on.  Remember, if you did not initiate the conversation or transaction  – do not give out your account information or PIN number!
• If a deal sounds ‘too good to be true’.  It probably is.
• We recommend that you more closely and more frequently monitor ACH items, outgoing wires, and online transaction activity on all of your cards and accounts to look out for any unauthorized activity. Let us know right away if you spot anything that is suspect.
• We have systems in place to help flag or block any unusual out-of-state card purchases. Please alert us if you will be traveling over the holidays, so that they are not affected by these preventative measures. These systems will also generate verification calls to ensure transactions on your account were performed by you.  Please respond promptly to these as legitimate transactions may not be processed without this verification.
• In the event of a compromise, we will determine if we will block and reissue or monitor compromised card numbers. In cases where the full unaltered magnetic stripe has been compromised, we would most likely block and reissue the card data. If this happens we will contact cardholders to let them know when they are part of the compromised breach and will place a message on our website or phone system with any updates about the breach.

Visit our Fraud Alerts page for more information and some helpful security videos.