Financial Education

Financial Education Classes

Do you need help planning for retirement, debt management, or buying a new home? We can help! Fort Worth City Credit Union offers free financial education webinars and in-person classes for members on a variety of topics, ranging from Retirement Planning to Homebuyers Education to Credit Repair and more.

Upcoming Financial Education Classes in 2024

WEBINAR: Identity Theft, Fraud & Scams
Wednesday, December 11 @ 1:00 pm CST

There are unfortunately a lot of creative people out there who will go to extreme measures to take advantage of honest people’s personal information and hard-earned money. While it is impossible to guarantee 100% protection, we want to help you take steps to reduce your chances of ending up in this situation. Join us on Wednesday, December 11 at 1:00 pm CST for a workshop to learn about identity theft, fraud, and scams. We’ll discuss what to look out for, how to protect yourself, and steps to take if – despite your best efforts – you become a victim.

Who should attend:

Anyone who uses the internet
Anyone who uses debit cards, credit cards, and checking accounts
Those who want to keep their personal information from landing in the wrong hands

What you will learn:

Popular scams that thieves are using right now to commit fraud and identity theft
Commonly used elder fraud tactics
Ways to protect yourself

To register for this free webinar, click HERE. Can’t make the live webinar? Register anyway, and we’ll send you a link to the recorded webinar afterwards!

Greenpath Financial Wellness

Fort Worth City Credit Union cares about your financial well-being. That’s why we have partnered with Greenpath Financial Wellness to provide you with access to free, one-on-one counseling, debt management services, and financial education tools.

What is GreenPath?

GreenPath has been empowering people to live financially healthy lives since 1961.

Free financial counseling: GreenPath offers free financial counseling and debt counseling without a sales pitch. Our caring, certified experts will partner with you to explore options for achieving your financial goals. everyone receives a personalized action plan.
Debt management plans: If you’re stressed about credit card debt, GreenPath may work with your creditors to develop a mutually agreeable payment plan to stop collection calls, lower interest rates, and save you lots of money.
Housing services: GreenPath’s housing experts offer foreclosure prevention services, homebuyer preparation assistance, and reverse mortgage counseling.
Student loan counseling: Concerned about student loans? GreenPath will guide you through all the student loan repayment options that can postpone or lower your payments. Learn the pros and cons of each strategy so you can make an informed decision on which is best for you.
Credit report review: Learn how to better understand your credit report and how to manage your score.
Financial education: LearningLab+ is your online source for free eCourses, videos, webinars, articles, and other financial education resources.

Visit GreenPath Financial Wellness, call 877-337-3399, or fill out the form below to request a call from a counselor to get started on your path to financial wellness today.

Latest Scams/Fraud Info

Recognize the Signs of a Scam

First and foremost, remember that FWCCU will never contact you and ask you to provide your full card number, online banking login credentials or security codes, social security number, or other personal information over the phone. Even if the call appears to come from the credit union, hang up and call the credit union directly to verify before providing any further information.

Recognizing the signs of a scam is crucial in safeguarding your financial well-being. Here are key indicators to be mindful of:

Unusual Email Addresses: Phishing emails often come from addresses that mimic legitimate institutions but contain slight variations or misspellings. Carefully inspect the sender's email address, and be wary of messages from unfamiliar or suspicious sources.
Urgency and Threats: Scammers commonly create a sense of urgency to manipulate victims into quick action. Be skeptical of calls or emails that threaten dire consequences unless you provide payment or sensitive information promptly. Legitimate businesses and institutions do not use such tactics.
Unexpected Attachments or Links: Avoid clicking on unexpected attachments or links, especially in emails requesting personal or financial information. Legitimate organizations usually don't ask you to provide sensitive data through email links.
Generic Greetings: Phishing emails often use generic greetings like "Dear Customer" instead of addressing you by your full name, and may say “Your Bank” or “Your Credit Union” instead of specifying the institution name.
Spelling and Grammar Errors: Phishing attempts may contain noticeable spelling and grammar mistakes. Reputable organizations typically maintain a high standard of communication, making errors a potential red flag.
Fake Websites: Be cautious of websites that appear to be legitimate but have subtle differences in the URL. Check for secure connections (https://) and ensure the website's address matches the official domain of the business.
Unexpected Account Activity: If you receive notifications about account activity that you didn't initiate, it could be a sign of a phishing attempt. Monitor your accounts regularly and report any suspicious transactions to FWCCU immediately.
Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations rarely ask for sensitive information, such as passwords or Social Security numbers, via email. Be wary of any email requesting such details, and confirm the legitimacy of the request by contacting the institution directly.
Too Good to Be True Offers: Phishing scams may entice victims with offers that seem too good to be true, such as winning a lottery, high-paid work from home jobs, or receiving unexpected refunds. Exercise caution and verify the authenticity of such claims.
Inconsistent Branding: Pay attention to the branding consistency in emails. Phishing attempts may use altered logos or mismatched colors. Compare the email to previous communications from us to identify irregularities.

Staying vigilant and informed is paramount in the battle against phishing scams. By recognizing these warning signs, you can take proactive measures to protect your financial information and maintain a secure online presence. Always verify suspicious emails or messages by contacting FWCCU directly through official channels before divulging any sensitive information.

What Can I Do If I Am a Victim

Report the scam. If you have been a victim of fraud or a scam, you should report this to the FTC online (www.reportfraud.ftc.gov ) or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 and report it to the FBI at Internet Crime Complaint Center. Reporting these crimes can assist not only in recovery put prevention of future crimes. For additional information about popular scams, how to avoid them and what to do if you are a victim, visit https://www.usa.gov/scams-and-fraud.
Collect as many details as possible. Full telephone numbers including area codes are essential for any telephone scam investigation. Never call a potentially fraudulent number. Law enforcement and local communication companies may be in the middle of an investigation that will be compromised if the fraudsters become suspicious.
If you used a wire transfer to pay a con artist, you should contact the wire transfer company. The MoneyGram Customer Care Center is 1-822-926-9400. The Western Union Fraud Hotline is 1-800-448-1492.
The I.R.S. contact people by U.S. mail, never by phone, email or text. If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from the agency, do not open attachments, or click on links. Forward it to phishing@irs.gov.

Other Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud

There are several things to remember in order to protect yourself from fraud:

Never reply to phone calls, emails, or text messages that ask for your full card number, PIN, online banking credentials or security codes, or ask you to go to a website to enter this information.
If you receive a suspicious call or text, don’t provide any personal information, and don’t engage with the caller.
If you suspect your debit or credit card is lost or stolen, report it immediately. Call us at 817-732-2803 or contact card services directly at 888-297-3416.
Be sure to keep FWCCU informed if you are going to be traveling or making a large purchase.
Familiarize yourself with FWCCU’s phone number, website and logo
If you ever receive any correspondence that claims to be from us that just doesn’t look or feel right to you, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 817-732-2803. We will be able to confirm or deny the communication attempt. Your personal and financial security is worth the effort!

Financial Education