- Beware Fraudulent Text Messages, Visions Federal Credit Union will NEVER send you a text message requesting your account or card information. This is a fraudulent attempt to acquire your information., Typically, you are directed to call a phone number and enter your card number, PIN, expiration date, and sometimes even the CVV code (the three digit code on the back of your card)., Don't do it., If you receive, or have received, a message and mistakenly called the number, please call us immediately to cancel your card and get a new one., Craigslist Scams, Advertisements have been posted on Craigslist as part of member recruitment scams nationwide. The ads solicit current credit union members and offer money - up to $500 - for help gaining membership for ineligible individuals. Here are samples of Craigslist ads targeted toward credit union members:, Examples of Craigslist ads targeted toward credit union members:, If your a ABC Credit Union Member MAKE SOME EXTRA $$ This is NOT a scam! I am willing to call you and discuss extensively! I need a ABC Credit Union Member to sponsor me into the credit union. I am willing to pay $100 USD for this service. Please email me and we can discuss this in detail. This is a 1 day process and I want to become a member for investment account/interest rate purposes. Need to…, Are you concerned about fraud or want to report a scam?, Please contact us if you believe you have received a suspicious email, text message, or phone call from Visions, or if you provided any of your personal information including your account number. You may contact a representative in our Contact Center during normal business hours at 800.242.2120. If you'd like to report any card related fraud, please call 833.224.5785 (available 24/7).
- College Debt is More than Student Loans, You've probably heard some of the startling student loan statistics out there. With a cumulative debt in the neighborhood of $1.5 trillion nationwide, you may even be one of the undergraduates struggling to pay back the average $37,000 in college costs. That's the student loan picture. But, what about the other stuff? For the majority of new grads, college debt is more than just student loans.…, All those extra costs..., Books Undergrads shell out an average of $1,298 on books each year, according to the nonprofit College Board. There's not a lot of wiggle room to get the stuff you need to do the actual college part of college. While some student loans cover these costs, this one's particularly susceptible to credit given the price tag. Gas This one's another expensive necessity, especially for commuters who have…, Other Stuff, College wouldn't be college without a little fun on the social side. Concerts, extracurriculars, the daily cup of coffee or maybe even a spring break vacation don't come easy with a limited income. If any of this sounds familiar, you've probably got post-college debt outside of the student loans. Just like school, you're also starting out with a limited income. Or you may be a more established…
- How Does It Work?, You still own a panel and enjoy low-cost, sustainable energy, only your panel isn't physically on your property. Instead, it's designed and constructed according to your needs, then housed off-site in a suitable, shared location. From there, the power it generates ties right back into the grid, providing you with affordable and reliable renewable energy. So, what does this mean for you? For…
- Save money, save the environment. Talk about a win-win., With over five billion years' worth of energy, the sun holds a lot of power that isn't going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, enough sunlight hits our planet every hour to power the whole world's energy needs for an entire year! Needless to say, harnessing this energy is basically a no-brainer. Thankfully, solar power has never been more reliable or affordable. These days, solar is tried and true…
- Solar energy has never been more affordable, Up until recently, going solar could be costly. These days, however, panel prices have stabilized at an all-time low, and generous state and federal tax credits can help mitigate much of the costs – in some cases, up to 70%! There's still the initial investment, though, and that's where a Community Solar Loan from Visions comes in. With a Community Solar Loan, you can finance up to $50,000…
- Summer Home Improvement Projects (and How to Pay for Them), Summer's here and the time is right for taking on some projects around the house. Whether you're doing the DIY thing or calling in the contractors, these home improvements can be costly. But with a home equity line of credit ( HELOC ), you can take an early return on your investment to transform outdoor spaces this year. From the backyard to the front porch, there are plenty of ways to upgrade…, Curb Appeal, You can take some simpler steps if increasing the value of your home is the goal. For example, you can easily increase curb appeal with a home equity line of credit that can fund everything from a few new coats of paint to a completely new landscape. Renovate the front porch with new outdoor furniture, upgrade the walkway, add some lighting, or put a fresh coat of paint on the facade. Maybe it's…, Energy Savers, Consider summer an ideal time to upgrade windows, doors and appliances to energy-efficient models. Not only will it add value to your home, but it will also save you a bundle on your energy bills. Like anything else you'd fund with a home equity line of credit , you can go as big or as small as you'd like. On the slimmer side of the scale, you might add some insulation or replace older appliances…, Decks and Patios, Boring yards can become cool places to hang out and entertain with the simple addition of a deck or patio. With a little wood, composite material, stone, or concrete, you can design a designated space for gatherings or relaxation. This is an easy way to add value to your home and expand living space, especially if you go with an outdoor kitchen concept. You can even save on energy costs by…, Pools, If you've got kids or just enjoy spending time with family and friends, installing an in- or above-ground pool provides a great centerpiece for recreation, relaxation, or even a staycation. With the average in-ground pool costing around $30,000, this improvement isn't cheap. But, it can be achieved with the help of a HELOC . This is mostly an investment in lifestyle, but if you live in a higher…
- Use Your Home's Equity to Better Use Your Home's Energy, Did you know you can use your home's equity to make energy-efficient improvements that save money in the long term? A home equity line of credit, or HELOC , is the ultimate financial tool for making key investments today that can mean serious savings tomorrow. A HELOC works similarly to a credit card, with a limit based on your home's equity. That's the currently assessed value of your home,…, Heating and Cooling, If you haven't installed a new central air conditioner within the last 10 years, a lot has changed in the past decade. That 15- to 20-year-old furnace could use a look as well. At a minimum, a smart thermostat, which typically costs a couple hundred bucks, can introduce some efficiency and pairs well with your updated heating and cooling. A HELOC puts all these improvements within reach at a low…, Windows, Doors, and Insulation, Here's an obvious energy saver, albeit an expensive one. A HELOC can unlock the capital to make the investment, though. Begin by taking a look in your attic, where a lot of heat can be lost. Adding a little insulation there can make a big difference in your utility bill. Then dive deep into the efficiency of your windows and doors. If you feel a draft, chances are it's time for an upgrade – a…, Appliances, This is another simple, but potentially costly energy saver. Simply upgrading your major appliances can make your home much more efficient. Refrigerators are big energy eaters, but you should also consider replacing stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers., New Lighting Fixtures, Lighting accounts for about one third of a home's energy bill. While switching out incandescent bulbs for LEDs and CFLs can help, you can take this concept to the next level with smart lighting fixtures, starting with the ones you use the most. Remember HELOCs act like a credit card, so you can use as much or as little as you need and only pay back that amount. Whether taking on a big project…
- Are you in the know when it comes to smart homes?, There are several ways to increase your home's intelligence, especially when it comes to security. These are relatively small investments, but they can add up. That's where the home equity line of credit, or HELOC , comes in. A HELOC works similarly to a credit card, with a limit based on your home's equity. That's the currently assessed value of your home, minus any mortgage balance you might…, Security Cameras, If you're truly stepping up your home safety game, though, you might want to try some DIY security. Tons of companies offer accessories and kits that include cameras, from smart doorbells to straight-up surveillance. These smart devices can stream and save high-definition video right to your phone, so you'll know who's around the house when you're not home., Smart Locks, When you are home, a smart lock can provide a little comfort. These deadbolts not only give you convenient keyless entry, but also make it very difficult for would-be criminals to crack. , Solar-Powered Motion Sensor Lights, Here's a lower-tech solution for security that can add a higher level of safety. Plus shedding some light not only deters intruders, it also makes finding your way a little easier. Adding some or all these measures can get costly, but you can use your home's equity to invest in a smarter and safer situation. Because you only pay (at a competitive rate) for what you use, you can spend as much or…
- Use Your Home's Equity to Finance Your Dream Wedding, With wedding costs substantial and pretty much always on the rise, coming up with funding sources can be tough. The average wedding cost nearly $34,000 in 2019, according to the popular planning website The Knot . That included about $5,900 just for the engagement ring. In addition, the average honeymoon came to about $5,000. Yikes. If you're like most Americans, your savings could be a little…, Lower Interest Rate, You can easily score an APR in the single digits with a HELOC. That can mean massive savings when you compare the average credit card rate of 16% APR to something much lower., More Money, You can get a lot more than your typical personal loan. Personal loans are unsecured, meaning they're not backed by any collateral, and therefore have lower limits. With a HELOC, you can get up to 100% of your home's equity, which in many cases will get you closer to that $34,000 figure., Flexibility, Unlike a traditional loan, you only pay for what you use with a HELOC. The line of credit is simply there for you when you need it. You'll also get much longer to pay it back as HELOC terms can often be up to 20 years. So, keep that dream wedding within reach with a HELOC. With lower interest rates and higher limits, it's a smart way to borrow and take the "yikes" out of wedding plans when costs…
- Yes, You Should Probably Get a Home Inspection, Look at that – I answered your Google search right up front. And I mean it: a home inspection is a valuable part of the home buying process, even if it's not always a requirement to get a mortgage . Here's why., If these walls could talk, If you're anything like me, then you'll agree that buying a home is overwhelming. And, if you're really like me, you're also not a contractor, an architect, or a home inspector (though if you are, you probably don't need to be reading this in the first place, unless you're seeking some self-validation). That's why a home inspection is so important. A licensed inspector is trained to find the…, Remember you're putting a roof over your head, Homeownership comes with many costs, and maintenance is a big one. A home inspector will analyze different parts of the house and give you an estimate on when you may need to make repairs or replacements. While it's best practice to tag along and take notes if you can, you'll receive a detailed report of the findings once it's complete. This report will show you what you should prioritize first.…, It might bug you if you don't, Yes, this header is a pun, and I will not apologize for it. Because the fact is, that termite damage your inspector noticed can lead to costly repairs. And even little things like clearing the shrubs away from your foundation can deter pests from entering your home., You could save money by spending it, In the grand scheme of mortgage costs, home inspections are cheap. They typically start as low as $500. That $500 can pay for itself, though, if it means you have a report stating the roof needs repairs right away. That's because in most cases, you can leverage your inspection report for discounts on your offer – or even to force the sellers to make much-needed structural repairs., Know when to walk away, Finally, a home inspection is one of your last chances to back out of your purchase. Whether they find flood damage, a structural problem, or anything else, this is an opportunity to plan for your future whether you purchase your home or not. And that's important, because once you're locked into the contact and sign your paperwork, it's all on you. Still have questions? Stop by your local office…
