Don't Take the Bait: Spotting Fraud and Scams Before They Hook You

Don't Take the Bait: Spotting Fraud and Scams Before They Hook You

In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Alison and Michelle are joined by special guest Pam to discuss one of the fastest-growing threats facing consumers today, fraud and scams. From phishing emails and fake text messages to imposter calls and social media scams, fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to steal personal and financial information. Pam shares common scam tactics, warning signs to watch for, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your accounts. Tune in to learn: • How to recognize phishing and smishing scams • Common red flags scammers use to create urgency and fear • Ways to protect your personal and financial information • Security tools and habits that can help prevent fraud • What to do if you think you've been targeted by a scam Whether you're tech-savvy or just getting started with digital banking, this episode offers valuable tips to help you stay one step ahead of scammers and keep your finances secure. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

Local Love - Supporting the Businesses that Support our Community

In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Alison and Michelle are joined by special guest Karen to talk about how AAACU is building real relationships within the communities we serve. From business lending and personalized financial solutions to business visits, employee conversations, and community connections, this episode highlights the many ways AAACU shows “Local Love.” Hear real stories about how simple visits turned into lasting partnerships, why meeting businesses where they are matters more than ever, and how being present in the community creates meaningful impact for both businesses and their employees. Because at AAACU, it’s about more than banking it’s about relationships, trust, and supporting the people and businesses that make our communities thrive.The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

The One Where Michelle Goes to GAC

This episode may have spent a little extra time on the back burner, but we couldn’t let it stay there forever. In this “not forgotten” episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Michelle shares her experience attending GAC from key takeaways and memorable moments to the connections, conversations, and inspiration that came from the event. We’re finally bringing this episode out of the vault and into your playlist because some conversations are just too good to skip. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

Take Control of Your Money with Financial Coaching

Ready to feel more confident about your finances? In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Alison and Michelle are joined by AAACU Financial Coach Cheyenne to talk all about the credit union’s Financial Coaching Program. Whether you're trying to build a budget, pay down debt, improve your credit, or save for a big life goal, financial coaching provides personalized guidance and support to help you create a plan that works for you. Tune in as we discuss: • What financial coaching is and how it works • Who can benefit from meeting with a financial coach • Common financial challenges members face • Real success stories from coaching sessions • Simple steps you can take today to start improving your financial future Plus, don’t miss this week’s Talking Cents Hook — a practical challenge to help you take action on your money goals right now. Your financial journey starts with one step — and we’re here to help.

Wait... You Offer That: The Best Financial Tools You Should Know About.

In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, we’re highlighting the services and benefits that often surprise our members. From tools that make everyday banking easier to resources that support big life milestones, there’s more available to you than you might realize. If you’ve ever said, “Oh, I didn’t know you offered that!” this episode is for you. We’re sharing practical, valuable services designed to help you save money, stay protected, and feel confident about your financial future. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.