Spirit Quarterly Newsletter

To assist with information about your banking needs, Eglin FCU now offers text, chat and video engagement through EVA, Eglin’s Virtual Assistant chatbot, located on our website.

Members can choose to communicate by text, chat or video with a live Eglin FCU representative during business hours. These options can reduce call durations with our representatives.

Additionally, Eglin’s Virtual Assistant chatbot has hundreds of automated responses to answer your questions on our website by clicking "Chat" or by calling 850.862.0111, Option 9.

Supported browsers include Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox. Give EVA, the Eglin Virtual Assistant, a try!

As consumers become more educated about fraud and identity theft, online criminals are moving to other places to launch their scams. Phone scams are gaining popularity again.

An email or text detailing a problem with your account and requesting you to call a specific phone number to provide more details.

A phone call from an automated call center asking you for sensitive information. You should never provide personal information to an unsolicited caller.

If you receive a call from an individual stating they are an Eglin FCU employee, even if the number appears to be from Eglin FCU, don’t give out any personal information. We will never contact you asking for your full card number, expiration date, three-digit code or one-time verification code. Instead, ask the individual for their extension, hang up, then call the main Eglin FCU number at 850.862.0111 or 800.367.6159 and enter the extension the caller gave you.

Mobile phones are another new target. For example, one scam involves sending a text message to your mobile phone claiming to be your financial institution or a credit card processor. If you receive such a text message and are unsure if it is a legitimate communication, call your financial institution’s customer service center to verify that the message is genuine.

Voice Cloning
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a consumer alert regarding using AI for new scams: cloning someone’s voice. This could happen to anyone. An attacker could pose as one of your family members or a co-worker (like your manager) and use the sound of their voice to try and trick you into moving money or giving out information.

Remember to always stop, look and think:

• Does the request make sense?
• Do you get a feeling in your gut?
• Does the request follow normal policy or procedure?
• Is the request out of character for the person asking you?
• Is there a sense of urgency?

When in doubt, call the person back from a number you know.
Read more about voice cloning and other scams at consumer.ftc.gov.

The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025. The meeting will be held at the Niceville Community Center at 204 Partin Drive North. Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m. and the meeting will be called to order at 7 p.m. Please check our website, eglinfcu.org, for updates.

The Nominating Committee confirmed current Directors Bill Rone and Richard Adams, whose terms are set to expire. Both are willing to serve another 3-year term. There were no Nominations by Petition; therefore, a mail ballot is not required, and no nominations from the floor will be taken.

At the end of 2024, Eglin FCU donated $1.9 million into the community through local nonprofits. Monetary donations were made to the Air Force Enlisted Village, Children in Crisis, Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation, Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, Fresh Start for Children and Families, Habitat for Humanity of Okaloosa County, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation and the United Way Emerald Coast.

"Eglin Federal Credit Union is very excited to be able to make this investment in our community," said President/CEO Cathie Staton. "Our Charitable Donation Account performed well, allowing us to make such a significant contribution. The intention of the distribution is to satisfy needs within our community that align with Eglin FCU’s Mission, Vision and Values, while making a positive impact to the communities where our members live, work, worship or attend school."

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Destin Miramar, Destin
• The Ships Chandler Marine Sales of Destin, Inc., Destin
• The Ships Chandler of Freeport, LLC, Freeport
• Coastal Spa & Salon of Fort Walton Beach, Inc., Ft. Walton Beach
• Rebuilders Group, Inc., Freeport
• Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, Crestview, Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Niceville, Pace, Pensacola, Santa Rosa Beach
• Walton Area Chamber, Santa Rosa Beach
• Define Legacy Group, LLC, Shalimar
• Eagle Tire and Service Center, LLC, Milton
• Diana Health FL P.A., Ft. Walton Beach
• Let’s Get Chillin Health & Wellness, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Bodyworks by Bull Therapeutic Massage, LLC, Ft. Walton Beach
• Green Wasabi 88 Inc., Shalimar
• Baskets by Mary, Mary Esther
• Flexzone, Niceville
• A Dolphins World, Crestview
• Shield of Faith Missions, Inc., Destin
• Stretch Zone Destin, Destin
• Stretch Zone 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
• Graze Craze Gulf Breeze, Gulf Breeze
• Cajun Crab Company, LLC, Pace
• Velocity Restorations, LLC, Cantonment
• Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, FL, Inc., Santa Rosa Beach
• Sunset Isle Yacht Club, Okaloosa Island
• SANE.Medical, LLC, Navarre
• Elite Performance Prep Academy Freeport, FL LLC, Freeport
• Trifecta Training – Body, Mind, Spirit, Freeport
• The Bakery Lady, LLC, Freeport