Spirit Quarterly Newsletter

Beginning May 1, guest members using Shared Branch locations will be required to verify their identity through IDCheck in order to complete certain transactions. IDCheck offers a seamless and secure way to verify identity and helps protect your credit union accounts from unauthorized access. All Shared Branch transactions must be conducted in Eglin FCU branch lobbies and will no longer be available in drive-ups.

Here’s what you can expect when you visit a Shared Branch location:

1. You will visit verify.coop.org or scan the in-branch QR code with your smart device.

2. Select your credit union’s name from the drop-down list.

3. Enter your member account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

4. Upload a photo of your ID and take a selfie. Tip: Save your validation for an even quicker experience next time!

5. Show your one-time passcode to the teller. The passcode is valid for 20 minutes.

Join us for a Community SHRED-IT event Saturday, April 12! Two shred trucks will be in the parking lot of our Fort Walton Beach location at 838 Eglin Parkway NE. from 9 a.m. to noon. Dispose of your old documents while helping to protect yourself against identity theft and fraud. Bring your personal documents (no business documents, please) and watch as they are shredded. Stop and visit the Eglin FCU tent while you’re there! SHRED-IT is environmentally responsible and sends all of their shredded paper to a paper mill to be recycled into new paper products. Check our website and social media for more information.

Naming a beneficiary is an easy thing to skip over when opening an account, and something that none of us like to think about, but this small step can ensure that your final wishes are honored and money in your account goes to who you want in the event of your death.

Reviewing your beneficiaries is a task that should be part of your annual financial review. You can make changes whenever you want. If you do not have anyone listed on your accounts as Payable on Death (POD), then the money in your account is at risk of going through probate in the event that the unexpected happens. Probate can be a difficult process, and it takes time and costs money.

Naming a beneficiary is not required. This information is being provided for your education only. If you want to make any changes to your account, we are here to help. Please visit one of our branch locations or if you are out of the area, please contact us at 850.862.0111 or 800.367.6159 and select Option 4 for more information or to find out how to update your account.

Most of us rely on our phones for essential tasks like banking through mobile apps. If you’re thinking about upgrading your phone, here are four easy steps to remove your personal information from your phone before you trade it in.

• Save your information. Whether your going to trade in, sell, or donate your phone, start by backing up your data. You'll need this copy when you set up a new phone.
• Remove SIM and SD cards. If your phone has a SIM card, remove it because it may have your personal information on it. If you're keeping your phone number, ask if you can transfer your SIM card to the new phone. If you're not going to reuse the SIM card, destroy it. If your phone has an SD storage card, remove it too.
• Unlink accounts connected to the device. If you use multi-factor authentication to log in to any accounts, remove your phone from teh lsit of trusted devices for those accounts. Double-check that your phone is no longer connected to your online accounts.
• Erase your personal information. Finally, restore your phone to the factory settings. That'll erase all your personal information, like your account numbers, passwords, messages, videos and photos.

Once you set up your new device, set it to automatically lock when you’re not using it, keep it up to date, and back up your data. If you use an authenticator app to log into your accounts, set up the app on your new phone. Finally, if you’re not trading in or selling your phone, find out where you can recycle it.

Puig, Alvaro. “Consumer Alerts.” Consumer Education Specialist, Federal Trade Commission, 3 Jan. 2025, https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/01/whatknow-you-upgrade-your-phone-and-how-protect-your-new-one

Each spring, we celebrate America Saves week in April. We partner with Okaloosa Saves to offer opportunities to encourage our youngest members to learn how to be successful savers. This is also a great time to introduce them to some of the services the Credit Union has to offer.

From April 1 through June 30, there are two ways for young savers to win a $50 deposit into their account.

Open a new account or suffix:
Any young member (under 18 years old) who opens a new account or suffix is automatically entered into a drawing to win a $50 deposit into their account. One name per branch will be drawn in July, and winners will be notified by phone call and mail.

Make deposits:
In partnership with Okaloosa Saves, any young member (under 18 years old) who visits the Credit Union and makes a deposit can fill out an entry form to be entered to win one of six $50 drawings in July. Entry forms are available in the lobby or at the teller line. Okaloosa Saves will contact the winners in July.

This is a fun way for your children and grandchildren to learn about saving money and discover the resources your Credit Union offers. At Eglin FCU, we’re excited to help our youngest members learn about financial responsibility and give them the best financial service and support. Check out the fun, educational resources in our Student Center at eglinfcu.org/studentcenter. Visit any of our branches, and we will be happy to help them start saving!