Some members are also reporting receiving a text message stating that their credit or debit card has been deactivated. They are then asked to call a specific number within their area code to reactivate the card.

As a reminder, Westport Federal Credit Union staff will never ask you for personal information over the phone or through text messages. The phone numbers associated with these scams can be fabricated to appear as though the call or text is from a legitimate source or they may hide the actual number on the caller ID screen. If you have received a message or have given out personal/account information, contact Westport Federal Credit Union immediately at 508.679.0197.

WFCU Volunteers: CVB Manager, Danielle Simonin; Marketing/PR Coordinator, Katie Greene; Main Office Head Teller, Debra Carvalho

On Thursday, April 11th, Westport Federal Credit Union partnered with BayCoast Bank and other area businesses for the first annual Credit for Life fair at Westport High School.

Students were given a monthly budget sheet to complete and then had to visit booths to get clothing, credit  and lending, education, health and nutrition, personal luxury, furniture, housing, insurance, savings & retirement, transportation, community service, and a job search.  Once students visited all the booths, they headed over to our Westport Federal Credit Union volunteers, who were serving as credit counselors, to discuss the budget choices the students had made and provided them with guidance about their choices.

Items donated to WMS Life 101

Westport Federal Credit Union recently had the opportunity to team up with Westport Middle School to assist with their Life 101 project. Sheri Teague, a school counselor at WMS, reached out to us looking for real life financial resources that the students could use while participating in the program. Mrs. Teague explained, “Life 101 is a mock life and career exercise in which students are given a glimpse into possible scenarios for their financial future.   Students are given a college, career, and family profile along with a monthly paycheck based on their given career.  Students are then asked to proceed through life’s financial obligations by purchasing  housing, transportation, childcare, and food all while maintaining a healthy financial budget.”

WFCU donated a box of items including withdrawal and deposit slips, check registers, brochures, member account  information cards and passbooks. These items will be used by the students to help budget and maintain their monthly “expenses”.

WFCU wishes Mrs. Teague and Westport Middle School the best of luck with this program.

Are you planning a getaway soon? Want your money protected while you travel? Make sure you stop by Westport Federal Credit Union before you leave to get your Visa® TravelMoney Card. It’s easy to use, safer than cash and can be reloaded. These prepaid cards can be used at ATMs (for cash in local currency) and as a debit or credit card for purchases. The cards are usable worldwide, wherever Visa® is accepted. If the card is lost or stolen, replacement is fast and easy.

Looking for the perfect gift? Look no further than one of our convenient locations! Whether it’s a birthday, shower, wedding, graduation or holiday, we’re here to help you give the perfect present — a Visa Gift Card! Add as little as $25 or as much as $750, the choice is up to you!

These Visa® cards may be purchased at all three locations. Because this is a prepaid card, there is no credit check or credit reporting. For more information on the Prepaid Visa® card, please call 508.679.0197.

Are home improvements on your to do list this spring? Make an appointment today to apply for a 10 year term Home Equity Loan at 4.50%*

Now with THREE convenient locations, applying for a loan is even easier. Visit our Main Office at 655 State Road, Westport; our Central Village Branch at 790 Main Road, Westport; and our Fall River Branch, 73 Reeves Street, Fall River.

*Subject to credit approval

By teaching kids how to save for their goals, they’ll have one of the most difficult aspects of saving under their belt by the time they’re teens—being a consistent saver.

Here are just a few clues to help teach kids of different ages about being a savings sleuth:

* Have young children—preschool age—sort different types of money into piles by color and size.

* Play grocery store or credit union/bank. Help them use a pretend cash register.

* At the grocery store, let kids of all ages help you shop. Teach them how to comparison shop—for example, show them that for every $4.85 box of cereal, there may be similar brands on sale for half as much.

* As kids get older, let them know what things cost. Share sales receipts and bills that you receive for items or services you’ve purchased for them.

* If you decide to pay your kids an allowance, include them in the decision. Discuss allowance amounts and what they should use their allowance for. The amount is your call, but allow them input. One idea is to have children set aside part of their allowance for spending, part for saving, and part for sharing. Clarify what you’ll pay for and what they should be responsible for. For example, when you’re at the movies, maybe you agree to pay for the movie ticket, but the Milk Duds are on them.

* As kids reach high-school age, clarify what you will pay for and what your children are responsible for. For example, your kids may want the newest cell phone that comes with a really high price tag. Establish your spending limit. If they still want the more expensive version, have them make up the difference. Often, once the responsibility of paying for items is on kids, the “latest and greatest” aren’t so important.

Get your kids started right financially. Bring them in to Westport Federal Credit Union.

Copyright 2013 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. For use with members of a single credit union. All other rights reserved.

Reports were also given on 2012 loan balances and applications, membership applications, scholarship applications, and the 2012 auditing results, which rendered a favorable opinion. Next, three directors, James Coyne, Wallace Fletcher and Dennis Egan, were re-elected for three year terms. There being no more business, the meeting was adjourned and followed by raffle prizes and a light luncheon.

Scholarship applications are available at the Main Office, located at 655 State Road, Westport, the Central Village Branch, 790 Main Road, Westport and the Fall River Branch, 73 Reeves Street, Fall River. Applications may also be obtained on the Westport Federal Credit Union website, http://www.westport.org/scholarships, or through the guidance department at the local high schools. Student or family member must be a member of the Westport Federal Credit Union. This may include parents and grandparents. Membership qualifications must be met by December 31, 2011. Application deadline is April 14, 2013.

Update:

The deadline to submit applications for the 2013 scholarships was April 14. Applications are currently being reviewed. This story will be updated once the winners are chosen.

Since then, plans have been underway to add a drive-up/ATM to the location. A variance was just granted and work is set to be completed this spring. The new additions of the drive-up ATM/teller window will be located on the west side of the building.

Westport Federal Credit Union was founded in 1952 by Antone Costa making it the first financial institution in Westport. For many years it operated out of the American Legion Hall until the Zulmira Plaza was built in 1965. The Credit Union decided to move to new headquarters and has remained there since.

Westport Federal Credit Union would go on to acquire St. George’s Credit Union and following that, opened the Central Village Branch on Main Road in Westport on April 16, 2001. In 2004, the Credit Union reached $40 million in assets and was granted an expanded field of membership. The towns included in the expansion were Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Acushnet, and Freetown.

The Fall River Branch is now open Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 4 pm, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm, Friday, 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday, 9 am to 12 pm. It is closed on Wednesdays.