Automated Fraud Alerts

Accelerated, Automated

Your Best Defense Against Fraud.

At Freedom, we’re serious about protecting you from fraudulent activity on your accounts. That’s why we’ve strengthened our defenses. Our new automated system can identify threats faster, notify you sooner, and give you the tools you need to take IMMEDIATE action against fraud.

The new system allows you to receive an automated call that easily walks you through reviewing suspicious activity on your card. You may also sign-up to receive Automated Fraud Alerts text messages on your mobile phone.

Our new automated system includes:

IMMEDIATE Alerts
When suspicious activity has been detected on your account, our automated system will contact you by text or phone.
2-Way Communication
You can take action the second you receive your alert. Simply follow the instructions to answer questions regarding your recent card activity.
Real-time Support
Our live agents are ready to assist you at any time to ensure you receive the best defense exactly when you need it. Don’t delay – you’ll want to sign up to receive the full benefit of this powerful new automated fraud prevention system. Log into Online Banking to register for text fraud alerts today!

Members should be aware that, while Freedom does monitor fraudulent or suspicious account activity and may proactively contact a member about this activity, we will never call and ask for confidential information such as your entire account number or PIN. Please contact us at 1-800-440-4120 to let us know if you have provided confidential information.

Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarships

Scholarships Available to Harford County Residents

Each year the Harford County Chamber of Commerce Foundation awards scholarships to local residents. Scholarships are available to recent Harford County high school graduates and adults who want to attend college. In 2017 the Chamber gave 10 scholarships to adults, veterans and high school seniors.

Chamber scholarships fund a wide range of studies. High school seniors may received funding from the following scholarship types:

Arts, Media and Communication
Business, Finance and Information Technology
Health and Human Services
Service, Engineering and Technology
Technology/Trade
Chuck Boyle Business Scholarship
William B. Seccurro Teacher Education

Scholarships available to adults include a veterans scholarship, a Technology/Trade scholarship, and a general scholarship.

To download this year’s Scholarship application go to: http://www.harfordchamber.org/resources/scholarships/

America Saves Week 2018: Feb 26 to Mar 2

Boost Your Savings

Join Freedom during America Saves Week 2018: February 26 – March 2. When you join as a new member and deposit $50, we’ll match your deposit; and we will match $25 for a new young member account.*

Deposit match details:

The deposit match is available to all new Freedom members:

$50 for new member adult savings accounts opened with a $50 deposit.*
$25 for new member youth savings accounts opened with a $25 deposit.*
We will honor matches until March 15th

Take Part in America Saves Week!

Take the Pledge
Assess your savings
Take advantage of our match!
- Become a member by opening a savings account.
- Already a member? Refer your friends and family to Freedom so they can get the match!
Enter the #ImSavingsForSweepstakes

#ImSavingForSweepstakes

Enter to win $500 in the #ImSavingForSweepstakes by pledging to save!

Tell America Saves your savings goal by taking the America Saves Pledge.
Increase your potential prize by $250
- Share your goal, personal story, or favorite savings tip on social media
- Use the hashtag #ImSavingForSweepstakes.

*Bonus funds will be placed on hold and released for availability after 60 days. If after 60 days the new member account has not been activated, the funds will be withdrawn and no bonus will be paid out. This special is only available through March 15, 2018.

Tax Season Brings Fraud

Guard Against IRS-Themed Scams

Tax season brings fraud. In one common scam a person pretends to be an IRS agent and threatens to arrest you if you don’t immediately pay a tax debt. Or scammers may claim you have a refund and need to provide your bank or credit card information to receive it. Scammer may contact you by phone, email, letter or online.

The IRS will never initiate contact with individuals by telephone, text messages, email or social media. If you get a call, email or text from someone claiming to be from the IRS it’s fraud.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, hang up immediately.
Don’t click on any links or content within an email claiming to be from the IRS. Delete it.
Only sites that contain “www.irs.gov” URLs should be treated as legitimate. If you come across a non-irs.gov website, social media link or pop-up window, close it.
If you have unresolved business with the IRS, call them directly at 800-829-1040.

For more information from the IRS read this IRS-themed scam alert. You can report scam calls by calling 800-366-4484, or report them online.

For information on current scams and alerts, read our Fraud Alerts page. Subscribe to the newsletter and alerts by clicking the link at the upper-right corner of the section.

Account Verification in Process

Account Verification Procedures to Affect Some Members

Our auditing firm will be verfiying the accuracy of our members’ accounts. Thus, a random group of members will receive a letter in the mail from our auditing firm, Rowles & Company, LLP. Please follow the letter’s instructions. If account information is correct, no reply is necessary from most members. Some members will need to reply to the auditors.

We thank you for your cooperation.

Credit Union College Scholarship Program

College Scholarship Contest Underway

$12,000 Credit Union Scholarship Program

The Maryland/DC CU Foundation is once again offering a college scholarship contest for credit union members. Each of the 12, $1,000-scholarships goes toward college or trade school tuition. Freedom members entering their freshman through senior year of college or trade school are eligible.

The Credit Union College Scholarship Program is underway now! Eligible credit union members may apply for one of 12 scholarships in three categories. Options include 10 essay-based scholarships, a video-based scholarship, and one photo-based scholarship. Eligible members may even apply in all three categories!

The deadline for applications is March 31, 2018. Awards will be announced in May 2018.

This year’s essay topic is “Describe the value found in credit union membership”.

2017’s Video Challenge is to “Create a 60-second credit union ad to attract young members (age 16 – 24)”.

The Photo competition theme is the credit union core value, “Community”.

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Freedom is dedicated to giving back to the Harford County Community. Our participation is the MD/DC Credit Union Scholarship Program is just one part of that. We also offer a scholarship to a student at Harford County Community College, as well as scholarships for Harford County educators.

Take a look at our work in Harford County. See why when you join Freedom, you really are joining something special!

Fund Drive Benefits Kids

Miracle Network Fund Drives Raises over 1K

Freedom recently participated in a Children’s Miracle Network fund drive! The Miracle Jeans Day-Credit Union for Kids benefit raised money for our local Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Staff and members donated throughout September to benefit Johns Hopkins Children’s hospital.

Miracle Jeans Day
The Miracle Jeans Day-Credit Union for Kids fundraiser began with employees. Freedom employees were encouraged to donate $5 for the opportunity to go “Casual for Kids” by wearing jeans. The one-day event took place on September 13. Proceeds support John’s Hopkins Children’s Hospital’s greatest needs, including include life-saving research, treatments, equipment and charitable care.

Collection Boxes in all Branches
Fundraising continued through the end of September. So many employees and members gave that we collected a total of $1,081.44!

Sponsorships and Giveback
It’s important to us to give back. To support the Harford County Community, we provide free financial education, support local organizations, and routinely volunteer in the community. It’s all about making Freedom a special place to work and a special place to bank.

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