WHAT'S NEW: EXCERPTS FROM CREDIT VIEWS NEWSLETTER, DECEMBER 2011 (PDF)

In this issue:

• Spread The Word, Share The Wealth

• Spread Holiday Cheer

• New Share Insurance Web Site

• Staying Safe This Holiday Season

At Columbus Metro, we believe the highest compliment you can pay us is to recommend us to someone else. Now you can earn up to $50 each time you do, thanks to our new referral program.

You can refer almost anyone, as long as they live, work, worship or attend school in Franklin County. And there's no limit on the number of people you can refer. The more referrals you make, the more you can earn!

You'll earn $25 if your referral opens a qualifying checking account and $25 if they finance an auto loan with us. That's up to $50 per referral. What's more, your referral will earn the same amount.

It's easy to cash in. Simply complete our referral form and give it to a friend, neighbor, family member or co-worker. Have them bring the form to any of our branches to open a new account. After the account's been open 60 days, we'll review it and pay out the cash!

For complete details, stop in any of our offices or go to www.columbusmetro.org/referralform.pdf.

• Use where debit cards are accepted — at millions of retailers
• Choose the amount you want to give, from $10 to $1,000
• Recipients can shop online or over the phone
• Safer than cash

Gift cards are just $2.95 each and may be purchased at any of our offices. Two limited-edition holiday designs with matching greeting cards are now available but hurry, supplies are limited!

Monthly inactivity fee of $2.95 after 12 consecutive months of inactivity. Lost/stolen replacement card fee of $5.00

New Share Insurance Web Site

Staying Safe This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for laughter, fun and warmth. Sadly, it's also the peak time for crime. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, crime usually increases during and after the holiday season. If you still receive federal benefits by paper check, your money could be vulnerable.

More than 540,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income checks were reported lost or stolen in 2010 — one of the reasons why the Treasury Department is getting rid of paper checks for federal benefits. You must switch to an electronic payment method by March 12, 2013. To sign up, go to the Treasury Department's Go Direct^® campaign Web site, www.GoDirect.org, or call the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at 800.333.1795.

Once you switch, you can rest easy knowing your benefits are safe and secure. To protect your money at all times, safeguard your personal information by following these tips:

1. Be wary of anyone who calls or e-mails saying they are from a government agency and asks for personal information.
2. Never give your Social Security Number or other personal information to anyone unless you initiate contact and know who you are dealing with.
3. Regularly check your account activity to ensure there are no unauthorized transactions.

For more information on protecting yourself from identity theft and other financial crimes, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Web site at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/.