Here are four essential tips for protecting yourself online:
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Protecting the Older People in Our Lives From Becoming Victims of Scams
A January 2022 Pew Research study found that 75% of adults over 65 in the United States are using the internet regularly. This increased use of technology brings a heightened risk of fraud for all Americans. In this article we will address the most prevalent scams that target our senior citizens and provide simple advice on how to protect yourself and your elderly loved ones.
From Your CEO — Summer 2022
Welcome to summer, where travel and family adventures take flight. We hope that you and your families are able to enjoy the longer days and your travels, or even some downtime with a staycation here on the beautiful Central Coast.
Student Loan Scams — What You Need to Know
With many Americans holding out hope that their student loan debt will be reduced or forgiven altogether, but also struggling to keep up with the latest news from the federal government, it’s not hard to see why scammers have been so successful. That’s why we are highlighting five ways to protect yourself from fraudsters pretending to have the power to provide you with student debt relief.
Device Protection — Is Your Personal Information Safe?
A 2021 study by Deloitte found that the average American internet household owns 23 connected devices, an increase from an average of 11 devices in 2019, and that number is increasing each year. When we think of devices, we mostly consider our smartphones, home computers, and tablets.
Shop Local With Local Rewards
Local Rewards is here! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of this brand new program, where you can earn bonus rewards points on purchases made at partnering businesses when you use your eligible SESLOC Visa debit and credit cards.
Should You Try Cash Stuffing?
#CashStuffing has quickly gained popularity on social media as people look for ways to adjust their spending to accommodate increasing prices at the gas pump and store shelves. Cash stuffing is basically a rebranding of the old tried and true method called the envelope system — take out cash at payday for discretionary purchases and divide it into dedicated envelopes for different spending categories, like gas, groceries, dining out, and so on.
Amazon Impersonators Are Stealing Millions and They’re Targeting All of Us
According to the Federal Trade Commission, between July 2020 and June 2021, 96,000 reports of “Amazon impersonation” were filed. Six thousand of the targeted individuals lost money in the scam, with reported losses totaling more than $27 million. The real numbers are likely to be significantly higher, because not all instances of fraud and attempted fraud are reported.
10 SESLOC Rewards for Your Summer Vacay
Did you know you can redeem your SESLOC debit and Visa® Signature Rewards card points for merchandise, gift cards, and more? We asked our staff what their favorite SESLOC Rewards were. Richard Reynoso from Business Services is looking forward to summer and shared his top picks for a family vacation.
What to Know About Protecting Yourself During Tax Season
As the world continues to react to the virus, scammers are adapting their techniques to steal your money. With the increase in the number of transactions with the IRS this year (including child tax credit pre-payments, economic stimulus payments, and federal unemployment), the door has also become more widely open to thieves attempting to steal your tax benefits and your identity.
Recent News
2024 Shred Days Smash Records While Supporting the Local Community
SESLOC’s 2024 Shred Day events break nine years of records by serving 746 visitors and shredding nearly 42,000 pounds of paper! Thanks to our members who attended the events at our San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles and Santa Maria branches, plus our new Lompoc event location. In total, we recycled 133 total bins with about 21 tons of shredded paper— saving 357 trees, 147,000 gallons of water, 63 cubic yards of landfill space, and 84,000 kilowatts of electricity!
Establishing Financial Foundations: SESLOC Equips High Schoolers with Budgeting Skills
On Friday, October 11, SESLOC returned to Pacific Beach High School in San Luis Obispo for a second year to engage 55 students in the Bite of Reality simulation. This hands-on event immerses students in a realistic budgeting app, providing them with valuable insights into managing finances. Through interactive scenarios, participants learn to navigate the distinction between needs and wants, equipping them with essential budgeting skills for real life.
Shred Days Promote Sustainability, Safeguard Against Identity Theft
Did you know that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, and 4,000 kilowatts of electricity? Thanks to members at this year’s SESLOC’s Shred Days at our SLO, Atascadero and Santa Maria branches, we recycled 113 total bins with 17.79 tons of shredded paper— saving 302 trees, 124,530 gallons of water, 53.37 cubic yards of landfill space, and 71,160 kilowatts of electricity!
New Instant Funds Loan Empowers Individuals Facing Financial Emergencies
SESLOC Credit Union is thrilled to introduce the Instant Funds loans, a new short-term, small-dollar loans program designed to support individuals in need of emergency financial assistance. Keeping the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” in mind, we are introducing this product to ensure there is financial support for the underserved and underbanked in the Central Coast community.
SESLOC’s Financial Wellness Workshop Empowers Cal Poly Students
On Friday, May 24, over 120 student leaders participating in the Week of Welcome (WOW) program were enriched by a financial wellness workshop hosted by SESLOC at the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) campus in San Luis Obispo. The purpose of SESLOC and Cal Poly providing this workshop was to educate WOW leaders in practical and relevant financial education