Your Money Insured
Your funds with us are Federally and additionally insured for $500,000 and more.
A Letter from the CEO
8/21/24
Subject: Important Security Update: Breach of Social Security Numbers
Dear Thinkwise Members,
We are writing to inform you about a significant security event that may impact you and millions of others across the country. A recent data breach involving 2.9 billion records, including Social Security numbers, has been reported. While this breach did not originate from Thinkwise Federal Credit Union, we are taking immediate steps to ensure the continued security of your personal information.
Your Security:
At Thinkwise, your safety and privacy are our top priorities. Although we have no evidence that your information at Thinkwise has been compromised, we continue using security protocols to safeguard your data.
Use the following website to see if your information was part of the breach. https://npd.pentester.com/
What You Need to Know:
The Breach: National Public Data (no affiliation with Thinkwise CU) has reported that Social Security numbers were compromised in this event. We are closely monitoring the situation and will update you with any new information as it becomes available.
What You Can Do:
We encourage you to take the following steps to protect your identity:
Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.
Wise Checking and Wise Checking Plus Members, your identity is already being monitored. Log in to eclubonline.net to set up email or text alerts if any activity is captured.
If you do not yet have an account online, contact us for your access code.
Place a freeze on your credit with the major credit bureaus (this is free).
To freeze your credit report, please visit each of the three major bureaus:
§ Experian: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-add-a-security-freeze-to-your-credit-file/
§ Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
§ TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Stay vigilant for any phishing attempts or fraudulent communications that may arise due to this breach.
Our Commitment to You:
We understand that this news is concerning. Please rest assured that we are here to support you every step of the way. Our team is available to answer any questions you may have, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect your financial security.
If you suspect fraudulent activity or have any concerns, please contact us immediately at 909-882-2911.
Thank you for your continued trust in Thinkwise Federal Credit Union. Together, we will navigate this situation with strength and care.
Sincerely,
Heri Garcia
President/CEO, Thinkwise Federal Credit Union
7/3/2024
Dear Thinkwise Members,
Recently, a credit union in California fell victim to a ransomware attack. While we are confident they will recover, we want to take this opportunity to reassure you that Thinkwise Federal Credit Union takes cybersecurity very seriously.
For security reasons, I won't go into details, but I will share that one of our key defenses is continuous, rigorous training for our employees. This ensures they are always prepared to handle potential threats and protect your information.
Please remember that your funds are insured up to $250,000 per membership through the NCUA, and we provide an additional $250,000 in coverage through private insurance. Your financial security is our top priority.
Here are a few tips to help you protect your cyber life:
1. **Use Strong, Unique Passwords**: Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts and use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
2. **Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)**: This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification.
3. **Beware of Phishing Scams**: Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal information. Verify the source before clicking on any links or providing information.
4. **Update Software Regularly**: Ensure your devices and software are always up to date to protect against the latest threats.
5. **Monitor Your Accounts**: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions and report them immediately.
Thank you for your continued trust in Thinkwise Federal Credit Union. We are committed to protecting your financial well-being.
Sincerely,
Heri Garcia
President/CEO Thinkwise Federal Credit Union
Your Federally & ESI Insured Funds
Our credit union has built a sound capital structure with careful lending and investment practices that protect your savings and deposits. Further, we provide you with as much federal government account insurance coverage as any financial institution in the United States, and an additional $250,000 in ESI coverage (for each specific type of federal coverage addressed below) beyond the federal insurance coverage limits.
For your convenience, we have provided you with ten (10) short summaries that explain the key ways we can assist you in organizing the accounts you have with us to increase the federal and ESI account insurance coverage beyond the $500,000 minimum. Should you have any questions about the federal account insurance coverage provided by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) or our additional account insurance coverage provided by the American Share Insurance company through its ESI (Excess Share Insurance) program, please visit or call us any- time we are open for business and we will be happy to answer your questions and assist you with all your account insurance coverage needs. You can also contact the NCUA at 1-800-755-1030 for more information about the NCUSIF (see “About the NCUA and NCUSIF” below), and ASI at 1-800-521-6342 for more information about ESI. Thank you again for being a member of our credit union. We greatly appreciate it!
Federal & ESI Account Insurance Coverage Summaries
The ten federal and additional ESI account insurance coverage summaries that follow provide you with an overview of the key ways we can assist you in organizing the accounts you have with us to increase your federal and ESI account insurance coverage at our credit union. The coverage addressed in each summary is provided by the NCUSIF and ASI separately from, and in addition to, all the other summaries explained in this piece. Therefore, these summaries provide you with a number of ways we can help you maximize the amount of federal and ESI account insurance coverage with us. Again, please contact us, the NCUA or ASI should you have any questions about the specifics of any of these federal and ESI account insurance coverages.
One Person Accounts You Have with Us
The funds in the account(s) you have by yourself (without anyone else on the account or named as a beneficiary /Payable on Death payee) with us are added together and insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 total.
Multiple Person Accounts You Have with Us
The funds in the account(s) you have with other people (joint accounts, without anyone named as a beneficiary/POD payee) with us, are added together and your share of the funds in the account(s) is insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 total.
Accounts with Beneficiaries You Have with Us
The funds in the account(s) you have by yourself or with other people that have one or more designated beneficiaries/POD payees (not including IRA or Keogh accounts) with us, are insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 for each different beneficiary/POD payee on the account(s).
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) with Us
The funds in the Individual Retirement Account(s) (IRAs and Roth IRAs) you have with us, are added together and insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 total.
Uniform Transfers to Minors Act Accounts with Us
The funds in the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account(s) (UTTMAs) for a specific minor with us are insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 for each different minor.
Business and Organization Accounts with Us
The funds in the Business and Organization account(s) with us are added together and insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to two million total for each different business or organization.
Accounts for a Revocable Living Trust with Us
The funds in the account(s) for a Revocable Living Trust you have by yourself or with other people where a beneficiary of the trust is not also already named as a beneficiary/POD payee on any other account with us (other than IRA or Keogh accounts), are insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 for each different beneficiary of the revocable living trust.
Accounts for an Irrevocable Living Trust with Us
The funds in the account(s) for an Irrevocable Living Trust with us where the grantors or beneficiaries of the trust are members with us, are insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 for each different beneficiary of the irrevocable living trust.
Keogh Accounts You Have with Us
The funds in the Keogh Account(s) you have with us are added together and insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 total.
Guardian and Conservator Accounts with Us
The funds in the Guardian or Conservator account(s) for a specific protected person with us are insured by the NCUSIF and ESI up to $500,000 for each different protected person.
About the NCUA and NCUSIF
Your savings and deposits with us are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), which is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Established by Congress to insure member share accounts at federally insured credit unions, the NCUSIF is managed by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a federal government agency and our federal regulator. This federal government insurance fund for credit unions provides the same coverage as the FDIC’s insurance fund for banks. For more information about the NCUSIF and the NCUA, please contact us or the NCUA at 1 (800) 755-1030 or www.ncua.gov.