COVID-19 Resource Page

Here are some methods of banking you can use to manage your finances while practicing social distancing.

• Online banking
• Mobile banking Download the app for Apple or Android devices.
• Secure Messaging (after logging into online banking)
• Peninsula and Shared Branch ATMs
• Mobile Deposit
• Telephone Banking: 800.426.1601
• Mail: Peninsula Credit Union, PO Box 2150, Shelton, WA 98584
• Day/Night Drop Deposits: All branch locations (Will be checked throughout the day)
• Online Notary Service: Notarize Any Document in 5 Minutes or Less

1. Calculate your financial runway. How much money do you have? How long will that last? How much work (unpaid) will you be missing? What bills are coming up? What is the financial gap?

2. Prioritize your payments. Housing should be first. Perhaps student loans can be deferred for 6 months?

3. Look into solutions that will help you with temporary relief and an increase of cash flow during this temporary setback, (loan extensions, loan modifications, low interest loans for disaster recovery, waived fees, etc…) Reach-out to creditors/lenders to seek temporary relief too.

4. Here is a great BALANCE tool-kit called, Surviving a Financial Crisis.

5. Here are a couple of articles that may be helpful too:
What to do if your income is reduced?
Cut these costs immediately if you are facing a financial hardship.

Unemployment Fraud 1099-G Tax Forms

If you receive an incorrect Form 1099-G for unemployment benefits you did not receive you should contact the issuing state agency. With unemployment fraud that happened in 2020, be on the lookout. To learn more, check out this IRS news release.

Urgent News: (5/15/2020)

The State of Washington is suspending unemployment payments for the next several days as they investigate this issue. If any individual believes they have been a victim of imposter fraud, They are advised to go to esd.wa.gov/fraud and report it immediately using the instructions on that page.

It’s no secret that fear causes people to make rash decisions. That’s why people buy out all the toilet paper on the shelves when a pandemic is announced. Scam artists know this and use times of fear to manipulate others into giving them money or personal information, in fact, scamming is so prevalent during these times that the Federal Trade Commission created a Scam Bingo Sheet with some of the most common scams. It’s times like these that you need to be extra vigilant about who you’re giving information to and where your hard-earned money is going. Note that seniors are particularly vulnerable, please talk to your elderly family members about these scams and how to avoid them.

Fake Emails, Texts, and Phishing Scams

Phishing is a huge problem and is a favored method by many scammers. According to Dictionary.com Phishing is defined as “trying to obtain financial or other confidential information from Internet users, typically by sending an email that looks as if it is from a legitimate organization, usually a financial institution, but contains a link to a fake website that replicates the real one”. This can happen with any and all financial institutions, for example, you may get an email from someone claiming to be Peninsula Credit Union that requests for you to click a link or call a number and reveal personal information. In some cases, clicking the link alone is enough for the hacker to infiltrate your computer and find your personal information.

So, how do you avoid phishing scams?

• Know what information you need to guard. Scammers are looking for things like account numbers, social security numbers, login IDs, and passwords. If someone asks you for any of this information, be certain that they are a trusted source.

• Do not provide personal information to unknown sources. If you cannot verify the identity of who is calling you, texting you, or the source of the email, do not provide information.
  PCU Tip: To verify that it is Peninsula Credit Union calling you about your account, you can always ask for the name of the person you are speaking to, hang up, call our contact center (1.800.426.1601) and asked to be routed back to that employee.

Robocalls

In much the same way as phishing, scammers use robocalls to target individuals for private information. These calls could be set up to come from many sources that seem reputable on the surface, places like the Social Security Administration, Medicare, or even your financial institution. Robocalls may be trying to steal PIN numbers, account information, or trick you into buying gift cards.

So, how do you avoid Robocall scams?

• Hang up immediately, do not push any buttons or speak. As a rule of thumb, if someone needs to gather personal information, they will not use a robot to do it.
  PCU Tip: We’ll never ask for your personal information with a robocall. When in doubt, call our contact center (1.800.426.1601) to see if need anything from you.

Fake Cures & Testing Kits

Scammers and businesses prey on people’s fear by trying to sell products or services that claim to prevent or treat the coronavirus. These can be anything from oils and teas to therapeutic sessions. While government agencies are trying to crack down on these scams, some do manage to slip through the cracks.

So, how do you avoid fake cures and testing scams?

• Don’t purchase anything that claims to treat or prevent coronavirus. Currently, the Federal Drug Administration says there are no approved cures or at-home testing kits.

Charities

The times are uncertain and many people are more than willing to lend a helping hand. Be careful when being solicited for donations to charities that claim to help those affected by the virus or doing research. There are reputable organizations that do need your help and contributions, but there are also scammers who are trying to pull on your heartstrings and steal your money.

So, how do you avoid charity scams?

• Do your research. If the charity that is contacting you is one you’ve never heard of before, tell them that you’d like to look into them a little more before making a financial contribution. If someone is claiming to be a well-known charity, consider making the donation directly through their website rather than over the phone, this way you can be sure your contribution is going directly to them and not a scammer.

We understand that many people in our community will be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many organizations that provide assistance to those in need will need more support than ever before. Here are a few organizations you can support with donations or volunteer your time:

Mason County

• Crossroads Housing
• Saint’s Pantry
• North Mason Food Bank
• North Mason Resources

• Mason County COVID-19 Response Fund – Donate today to support nonprofit organizations that serve Mason County residents

Kitsap County

• South Kitsap Helpline
• Fishline
• Central Kitsap Food Bank

Jefferson County

• Port Townsend Food Bank
• Tri-Area Food Bank
• Quilcene Food Bank
• Local Investing Opportunities Network (LION)–  LION creates opportunities for local businesses, nonprofits, and citizens to network.

General Resources

• 2-1-1 is the easy to remember number for health and human services in your county for over 20 years.
• Washington State Coronavirus Response
• Financial Resources for Washington Residents Impacted by COVID-19 from the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)
• COVID-19 Resources for Washington Small Businesses from DFI
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources from the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA)
• Disaster assistance information for businesses and homeowners from the SBA
• For workers and businesses affected by COVID-19 (coronavirus) from the Washington State Employment Security Department
• COVID-19 resource list for impacted Washington businesses and workers from the Washington State Governor’s office
• Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants Apply for up to $10,000 in emergency funding

Education Resources

• Timberland Regional Digital Library
• Kitsap Regional Digital Library
• Jefferson County Digital Library
• BrainPOP
• XtraMath
• Scholastic
• Typing
• NoExcuseList.com
• GoNoodle
• Duolingo