Protection from Equifax Security Breach

What Happened

Equifax, one of the three main consumer reporting bureaus, experienced a huge data breach. Specialists estimate that nearly 143 million consumer records were hacked, meaning nearly ALL United States consumers will be affected by this breach. As large as this breach was, this means every Social Security Number in the U.S. in conjunction with the associated name, date of birth, and home address information must be presumed to be public knowledge. 

What You Should Know

VacationLand does everything within its control to safeguard our member’s information. 

How to Protect Yourself

1. Enroll in Equifax’s credit protection. You can do this for free at EquifaxSecurity2017.com
2. Review your credit report. You can do this for free annually at AnnualCreditReport.com
3. Consider a security freeze. This restricts access to your credit report, which makes it more difficult to open new accounts in your name because most creditors rely on information in your report to grant credit. 
4. Set up a fraud alert. This warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and that they need to perform additional verification measures before granting credit in your name.
5. Review your credit card and bank statements carefully.
6. Don’t ignore bills from creditors you don't think you have accounts with.
7. Shred any documents with personal or sensitive information.
8. Create strong passwords and change them frequently.
9. File your taxes early – as soon as you have the tax information you need, before a scammer can.

How VacationLand is Protecting You

1. We regularly test and assess our information security measures. 
2. We only share information for our everyday business purposes (such as processing transactions and maintaining your accounts) and as mandated by law.
3. We are enacting more stringent verification measures for transactions completed at our branches.
   • You may be required to provide a valid government-issued ID to access your account.
   • You may be required to answer out-of-wallet questions. These are harder verification questions based on information that wouldn’t typically be found in your wallet, such as on your driver’s license, social security card or credit cards.  

While our Credit Union data remains secure, it is undeniable that our members may be affected. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us toll-free at 1-800-691-9299.

On August 22, 2017, members of the Sandusky Ohio Edison Employee Federal Credit Union (SOEEFCU) voted to merge their credit union with VacationLand Federal Credit Union. The merger was official on September 30, 2017, and preparations are underway to finalize account transfers by November 1, 2017.

The SOEEFCU Board of Directors proposed the merger in order to expand the products and services available to their members. As we share the core value of putting members first, VLFCU was their first choice to entrust with this endeavor. We are proud to build upon the 78-year-old foundation established by SOEEFCU and look forward to providing these members with access to long-awaited benefits. VLFCU is committed to supporting all of our members in their efforts to achieve financial freedom. We see this merger as a testament to our strength as a full-service financial institution. As we continue to grow, we will be exploring new ways to serve the needs of our members.

On behalf of VLFCU staff and management, I hope that you will join me in welcoming our newest members from SOEEFCU!

Sincerely,

Bryan P. Myers

CEO

Click here for more information about the merger. 

July 15, 2017: It is estimated that over 2,800 children in Erie County will lack the supplies they need when school starts back up this August.  A few years ago, several non-profits and area businesses created the “Stuff the Bus Erie County” campaign.  VacationLand Federal Credit Union is proud to once again partner with The United Way of Erie County, The Volunteer Center, and the Sandusky Mall to provide backpacks filled with supplies to children whose families are in need.  The goal of the committee is to distribute 500 backpacks to students entering grades K-5 during the 2017/2018 school year within the school districts of Sandusky City, Perkins Township, Sandusky Central Catholic, Edison, Vermilion, and Margaretta.  

The Stuff the Bus Committee is asking for the community’s assistance to reach this goal.  Area businesses and organizations are encouraged to support this initiative by becoming a donation drop off site, conducting an internal collection, or making a monetary contribution.  Interested organizations should contact the United Way office at 419-625-4672.  Residents can participate by donating new backpacks and school supplies starting July 1^st at any of the public drop off locations.  Click here to download a copy of the supply list.  

Donations will be accepted at the following VLFCU branches: 

• 2911 S. Hayes Ave., Sandusky
• 2409 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky
• 2402 University Dr., Huron
• 295 Milan Ave., Norwalk
• 1607 SR 60 N., Vermilion

The campaign will conclude during a wrap up event on August 12, 2017, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Sandusky Mall. Click here to view details about collection sites and the wrap up event. You can also follow the campaign on the Stuff the Bus Erie County Facebook page! 

June 1, 2017:  At the close of the 2017 school year, six very deserving VLFCU student members, who have plans to pursue post-secondary studies at college in the fall, were each awarded a $500 scholarship from the credit union. This annual scholarship program, which has been in existence since 1996, recognizes and honors student members who have demonstrated strong leadership qualities and active involvement in their schools and communities.

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

Nick Frederick:  Nick is an Edison High School graduate who plans to attend The Ohio State University this fall to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with the desire to attend law school. While attending Edison HS, Nick was involved in Academic Challenge, football, baseball, basketball, and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Cole Good: Cole is a Perkins High School graduate who plans to attend BGSU Firelands in the fall and study accounting to become a CPA. His goal is to one day work for a large corporation or own his own business. During his years at Perkins, Cole was involved in football, basketball, and track. 

Elizabeth Snell:  Elizabeth is a graduate of St. Mary’s Central Catholic High School. Elizabeth plans to attend St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame and major in Digital Media and English Writing with a minor in Film Studies. During her years at SMCC High School, she was involved in Academic Challenge, marching band, several school musicals, and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Brookttanna Fox:  Brookttanna is a graduate of Sandusky High School and has been accepted to Kent State University where she will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. While attending SHS, Brookttanna participated in softball, volleyball, student council, marching band, and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Jacob Luma: Jacob is a graduate of Margaretta High School. Jacob plans to attend the University of Toledo this fall to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to one day become a Nurse Practitioner. During his years at MHS, he was involved in football, baseball, power lifting, SADD (Students against Destructive Decisions) and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Britain Bennett: Britain is a graduate of Perkins High School and plans to attend The Ohio State University this fall majoring in Broadcast Journalism. During her years at PHS, Britain participated in chorale and chamber choir, Teen Pep, Pirates for Peers, was a cheerleader for both football and basketball, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She is also the 2016 Miss Heart of Ohio Teen USA.  

The entire VLFCU staff congratulates these young people for their outstanding accomplishments.  We wish them continued success in their course of studies and their chosen career paths.

Can it really be October already? It's been awhile since we have posted, but where did the time go? Let's see if we can explain this...

Summer was a very busy time for us as we planned the 60th Anniversary Celebration and held our 60 Prizes in 60 Days contest.  Our marketing coordinator, Heather, had a great time putting smiles on members' faces as she had the pleasure of calling each one to let them know they had won.  Our branches were busy with members taking advantage of the 60th Anniversary Unsecured Loan and Visa Balance Tranfer promotions that were offered to help them save on interest.  And on September 21st, about 200 members joined us as the Hayes Avenue Branch to celebrate what is most important to us....OUR MEMBERS! 

VLFCU was also a major sponsor of Stuff the Bus Erie County.  The cuBe truck hit the streets to pick up donations at local businesses before the Wrap Up event at the Sandusky Mall in early August.  Thanks to generous community members and organizations, 300 students attending Sandusky, Sandusky Central Catholic, and Perkins Local Schools received a new backpack stuffed with school supplies.  We thank our partners in this endeavor: The Sandusky Mall, United Way of Erie County, Sandusky Volunteer Center, and Ohio Business College and to the volunteers who helped unload, sort, inventory, and pack the supplies! 

So, what's on the horizon?  At VLFCU we are always working on the next  contribution, and the holiday season is certainly critical to our community.  Here are ways that we are giving back this season with help from our members and local residents. 

Coats for Caring:  November 1 - December 3, 2016.  Drop off gently used winter coats and apparel at any VLFCU branch or during the BAS Broadcasting Coats for Caring Event at the Sandusky Mall on December 3rd.  Look for the VLFCU cuBe truck near center court. Donations will benefit families served by the Erie and Huron County Departments of Jobs & Family Services.

VLFCU Annual Toy Drive: November 1 - December 10, 2016:  Drop off new, unwrapped toys or make a monetary donation at any VLFCU branch.  We will also host a wrap-up event with activities for the kids at the Sandusky Mall on December 10th.  Donations will benefit families served by the Erie and Huron County Departments of Jobs & Family Services. 

Salvation Army Red Kettle Fund: November 1 - December 31, 2016: Buy a delicious candy bar for $1 when you visit any VLFCU branch and the proceeds will be donated to the Sandusky Salvation Army.  Try a different one each time you visit!  They also make great stocking stuffers! 

So as you can see, it's really easy to get into the holiday spirit at VLFCU!  You don't have to spend much to help make the holiday bright.  We hope to see you soon!