Have you tried VCNB Mobile?

Posted on November 6, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Have you tried VCNB Mobile? We’ve had a mobile app for some time now but introduced a new and improved app earlier this year. We couldn’t be happier with how easy the app is to use or how customers are reacting to it.

With VCNB Mobile, you will find streamline access to your account information, literally at the tip of your fingers. Once you login, you can view account balances, transfer funds, send funds with Popmoney® Personal Payment Service and pay bills with Online Bill Pay. You can also deposit checks using mobile deposit.

No matter where you go in the world, if you have a mobile device with data or internet service, you can bank with VCNB. Popmoney to your buddy from the movie theater line, transfer funds from the breakfast table and deposit a check on a rainy Monday when you just don’t feel like going to the bank.

It’s easy, quick and convenient.

Ready to get started?

To install VCNB Mobile, visit your phone or tablet’s app store and download VCNB Mobile. When prompted, enter your online banking username and then answer the online banking security questions you set when you registered for online banking. Then enter your Online Banking password! It’s easy and quick to get started and simple to use!

Want to learn about more VCNB products and the things we can do for you? Click here to get started!

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Posted on October 30, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. In 2014, there were 12.7 million victims of identity fraud in the U.S., according to Javelin Strategy and Research. Here at VCNB we want you to keep your information and your money safe. Here are some tips to help you!

Don’t share your secrets. Don’t provide your Social Security number or account information to anyone who contacts you online or over the phone. Protect your PINs and passwords and do not share them with anyone. Use a combination of letters and numbers for your passwords and change them periodically. Do not reveal sensitive or personal information on social networking sites.
Shred sensitive papers. Shred receipts, banks statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.
Keep an eye out for missing mail. Fraudsters look for monthly bank or credit card statements or other mail containing your financial information. Consider enrolling in online banking to reduce the likelihood of paper statements being stolen. Also, don’t mail bills from your own mailbox with the flag up.
Use online banking to protect yourself. Monitor your financial accounts regularly for fraudulent transactions. Sign up for text or email alerts from your bank for certain types of transactions, such as online purchases or transactions of more than $500.
Monitor your credit report. Order a free copy of your credit report every four months from one of the three credit reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.com.
Protect your computer. Make sure the virus protection software on your computer is active and up to date. When conducting business online, make sure your browser’s padlock or key icon is active. Also look for an “s” after the “http” to be sure the website is secure.
Protect your mobile device. Use the passcode lock on your smartphone and other devices. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your information if your device is lost or stolen. Before you donate, sell or trade your mobile device, be sure to wipe it using specialized software or using the manufacturer’s recommended technique. Some software allows you to wipe your device remotely if it is lost or stolen. Use caution when downloading apps, as they may contain malware and avoid opening links and attachments – especially for senders you don’t know.
Report any suspected fraud to your bank immediately.

Prepare For The Holidays With A Christmas Club

Posted on October 28, 2015 by vcnbfamily

There are two types of people in this world: those who prepare for holidays well in advance and those who don’t. If you’re like millions of Americans, you probably wait until November or December to panic over what presents to buy for Christmas and how to pay for it all.

On the other hand, if you had a VCNB Christmas Club, you could be saving a little money each month and receive a nice sum in October, just in time for holiday sales. However, if holiday saving isn’t your thing you can use a Christmas Club to save for other things. There’s no rule that says you can’t save your funds for a vacation, a new car, home repairs or just for the sake of saving for the future.

A lot of folks lack the self-discipline to save regularly on their own. The beautiful thing about Christmas Club is that we automatically transfer the funds from your checking or savings account into a Christmas Club account. You can access those funds in an emergency but the $20 fee for doing so should be enough of a deterrent you won’t be tempted to withdraw funds for a silly reason.

Best of all, you decide how much you want to save each year and we do the rest. We will divide your savings goal by twenty-six and transfer that amount into your Christmas Club every two weeks throughout the year. Then in October, your funds will be direct deposited into the checking or savings account you designate.

There is no set amount for Christmas Club. We have customers who save as little as $250 a year and others who save thousands.

Ready to get started? Stop by your local branch or click here to open an account today!

Retailer Specials Increase Points Earning Potential

Posted on October 20, 2015 by vcnbfamily

So you have a Rewards Checking and a VCNB Platinum Visa® Card and are eager to earn UChoose® Rewards Points. Did you know there are special point earning opportunities on the UChoose® website?

Many vendors have special offers that must be activated from your UChoose online account. These points are in addition to the points you will earn for simply swiping when you spend. Here are just a few:

Kohls – Earn two points per $1 at Kohl’s on purchases of $25 or more (maximum 10,000 points). Offer valid through 10/31/2015. Points cannot be earned when purchasing gift cards. Points are added to your account within 30 days of the date of purchase.

Papa John’s – Earn five points per $1 at Papa John’s on purchases of $25 or more (maximum 10,000 points). Offer valid through 10/31/2015. Points cannot be earned when purchasing gift cards. Points are added to your account within 60 days of the date of purchase.

Budget Rent A Car – Earn twenty points per $1 at Budget Rent A Car (maximum 10,000 points). Offer valid through 10/31/2015. Points cannot be earned when purchasing gift cards. Points are added to your account within 60 days of the date of purchase.

AMC Theatres – Earn ten points per $1 at AMC Theatres on purchases of $25 or more (maximum 10,000 points). Offer valid through 10/31/2015. Points cannot be earned when purchasing gift cards. Points are added to your account within 60 days of the date of purchase.

When you login to your UChoose account, click on “Earn Points” in the bar on the left. In the drop down menu that appears, click on “Activate” to see the list of current offers. Also, be sure to read the offer details so that you can take full advantage of the offer and don’t forget to click the “Activate” button while you’re at it.

There’s also a heap of offers that don’t require activation. You just automatically receive the points when you make a purchase. Here are a few of those too.

AutoZone.com                        8 Points
BedBath&Beyond.com           4 Points
Cabelas                                  3 Points
DirectTV                                 10500 Points per activation
DisneyStore.com                    5 Points
ElizabethArden.com               5 Points
HomeDepot.com                    3 Points
iTunes                                    6 Points
Kate Spade                            6 Points
LandsEnd.com                       4 Points
Magazines.com                      20 Points
New Balance                          6 Points
NewYork&Co.com                  5 Points
NikeStore.com                        7 Points
Philosophy.com                      5 Points
Walgreens.com                      7 Points

To find the complete list, click on “Earn Points” on the left side of the screen inside your Uchoose account and look for “All Offers” in the drop down menu.

Learn more about Rewards Checking by clicking here.

How Safe Is Your Mobile Device?

Posted on October 19, 2015 by vcnbfamily

How safe is your mobile device? The number of attacks on mobile devices is growing, in part, as a result of the increased popularity of mobile banking. According to a report by the Federal Reserve, 51 percent of smartphone users say they have used mobile banking in the past twelve months.

“The rise in the popularity of mobile devices has certainly made them a target for cyber-criminals,” said VCNB Chief Compliance Officer Jennifer Francis. “Banks work hard to protect customer information and customers play an important role. Any device used to connect to the Internet is at risk and we urge users to keep safety measures in place.”

In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Vinton County National Bank (VCNB) recommends that consumers take extra precaution to protect the data on their mobile device by doing the following:

Use the passcode lock on your smartphone and other devices. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your information if your device is lost or stolen.
Log out completely when you finish a mobile banking session.
Protect your phone from viruses and malicious software, or malware, just like you do for your computer by installing mobile security software.
Use caution when downloading apps. Apps can contain malicious software, worms, and viruses. Beware of apps that ask for unnecessary “permissions.”
Download the updates for your phone and mobile apps.
Avoid storing sensitive information like passwords or a social security number on your mobile device.
Tell your financial institution immediately if you change your phone number or lose your mobile device.
Be aware of shoulder surfers. The most basic form of information theft is observation. Be aware of your surroundings especially when you’re punching in sensitive information.
Wipe your mobile device before you donate, sell or trade it using specialized software or using the manufacturer’s recommended technique. Some software allows you to wipe your device remotely if it is lost or stolen.
Beware of mobile phishing. Avoid opening links and attachments in emails and texts, especially from senders you don’t know. And be wary of ads (not from your security provider) claiming that your device is infected.
Watch out for public Wi-Fi. Public connections aren’t very secure, so don’t perform banking transactions on a public network. If you need to access your account, try disabling the Wi-Fi and switching to your mobile network.
Report any suspected fraud to your bank immediately.

Follow VCNB on Facebook and on this blog to receive more cybersecurity tips and other information you will find helpful!

Get Rewards. Be Like Jim.

Posted on October 14, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Today we’re looking at how an average customer might accumulate UChoose Rewards® Points with Rewards Checking at VCNB. Customers who are using this account say that it has been easy to earn points by simply doing what they already do in terms of spending and banking habits.

See below to meet Jim and learn how he earns points every month. Jim spends with his debit card and Visa® Platinum Card, uses Direct Deposit and other bank products. As a result, Jim sees his UChoose Rewards Point balance increasing steadily.

By signing up for Rewards Checking before December 31, 2015, Jim even receives 5,000 bonus points to kick start his point savings.

Visit http://www.vintoncountybank.com/rewardschecking/ to see full terms and conditions as well as fees associated with Rewards Checking. Click image to enlarge.

Many of our customers and employees use Rewards Checking and have been thrilled with this new account. We encourage you talk to others who have Rewards Checking accounts and read up on the account by clicking here.

At this link you’ll find complete account details including ways to earn points, fees and other information you may find helpful. You can open a new account online or in office. If you are an existing VCNB customer, please contact your local office to have your account type changed.

Increase rewards earning with Visa® Platinum Card

Posted on October 5, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Customers who have signed up for our new Rewards Checking account at VCNB will be pleased to know that their rewards earning potential increases when they also use a VCNB Visa® Platinum card.

We are overwhelmed by the number of customers – both new and old – who have taken advantage of our new Rewards Checking. With Rewards Checking, customers earn UChoose® Rewards Points for their regular banking habits and for their daily spending. Rewards Checking customers who also have a Visa Platinum Credit Card can earn even more points every time they use this credit card.

In fact, customers earn one reward point for every dollar spent in purchases on a Visa Platinum Credit Card. Purchases made with a VCNB Rewards Debit Card earn one point for every three dollars spent.

It is easy to track Rewards Points through a customer account on the UChoose website and redeem them for merchant gift cards, cash back, travel, hotels, movie tickets, merchandise and more. To be most effective, the debit card and credit card should be registered to the same UChoose account so the points will accumulate faster.

Want to learn more about Rewards Checking and a special bonus we are offering now? CLICK HERE for details. Thinking about a Visa Platinum, need help with your UChoose account or have other questions? We would love to hear from you! Contact an Account Representative at your local VCNB office or call Customer Service at 1.800.542.5004. You can also chat with us from our website!

VCNB Employees Talk Savings Goals

Posted on September 22, 2015 by vcnbfamily

VCNB Rewards Checking has opened a new world of opportunity for our customers to earn points toward things they want! Gift cards, cash back, travel and other great rewards are available.

Ever wonder what other people are saving their UChoose Rewards® points for? We asked some of our employees to tell us about their savings goals!

Here are their answers. Click to enlarge:

Rewards Checking Savings Chart

What are you saving your UChoose® Rewards points for? Don’t have VCNB Rewards Checking? Learn more and open an account here!

Earning Rewards With Rewards Checking

Posted on September 16, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Lots of our customers are signing up for Rewards Checking and are excited to find ways to earn points with UChoose Rewards®. Here are a few ways points can be earned.

Swipe your card(s)
Receive one point for every $3 spent with your debit card. Have a VCNB Platinum Visa® Favor Credit Card? Earn one point for every dollar spent when you swipe this card.

Direct Deposit
You’re receiving a paycheck anyway. Now you can earn ten points for one direct deposit per monthly cycle.

Swipe your debit card more
Swipe your debit card 21 or more times during a monthly cycle and receive 200 bonus points! Earning points was never so easy.

Online Bill Pay
Pay bills with VCNB Online Bill Pay to earn even more! Receive twenty points per transaction and receive up to 100 points per monthly cycle simply for paying your bills. Just remember, if you sign up for Bill Pay, you must make at least one payment during the calendar month or you will be assessed a $3 fee.

Popmoney ® Personal Payment Service
Send money to someone with Popmoney® and earn 50 points per transaction. You can earn up to 200 points just using this service you may already be using. At .50 per transaction to use Popmoney®, it’s cheaper than mailing a check!

New Savings Account
Receive a 1,000 point one-time bonus at the time of account opening when you open a new savings account.

One more thing. We will reward your loyalty to VCNB with 500 Anniversary rewards points. This will happen every year for the life of the account! Also be sure to check in with us periodically – we may offer future promotions for loan accounts.

Don’t have Rewards Checking? Learn more about this account here. Have an account but still need to sign up for UChoose Rewards? Click here to get started.

Protect Yourself From Fraud

Posted on August 12, 2015 by vcnbfamily

How savvy are you when it comes to protecting yourself from fraud? Earlier this week we discussed what we do to keep your VCNB accounts safe. Today we want to talk about what you can do to protect yourself.

Protect Your Information
Sometimes you have to provide personal information for legitimate business reasons. For example, you are required to provide personal information when you open a bank account, apply for a credit card or enroll in college. However, you should avoid giving out this personal information unless absolutely necessary. Examples of personal information that should be kept personal include:

Address and Zip Code
Phone Number
Date of Birth
Social Security Number
Card or Account Number
Card Expiration Date

There is some information that you should NEVER share with anyone else. Passwords and Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) should absolutely never be shared and should always be kept private.

Using Your Card
Be attentive and vigilant when using your card at an ATM, in a store or a restaurant. Always cover your card and PIN and watch for anything out of place including:

Cameras, cell phones, mirrors or other instruments that might be used to view your card or PIN.
Individuals who are watching you.
Cashiers who take your card out of sight. Take it to the register yourself when possible.
Devices or items used to cover the card slots of an ATM, gas pump or other card machines. These devices can be used by criminals to capture your card information.
Any other unusual or suspicious activity.

Online Safety
Never respond to unsolicited emails that request personal information or that ask you to verify your card or account number. Legitimate businesses do not send these types of emails. Also beware of links to websites. A website may look legitimate but may collect data or even install spyware on your computer.
Plan Ahead
Are you traveling? If traveling abroad, contact VCNB before you leave. We can provide assistance and advice to help keep you safe on your journey. If traveling domestically, you do not need to contact us but it is wise to make some purchases along the way. Headed to the beach? Use your card to book the hotel and purchase gas along the way.

Also, make sure we can always reach you if we suspect fraud. Be sure to keep your current home, cell and work phone numbers on file with us. If we suspect fraudulent activity on your account, we need to reach you as soon as possible.

As we told you yesterday, we never solicit personal information via phone, email or text message. If someone contacts you requesting account information, your social security number, PIN, passwords or other personal information, do not provide this information. The bottom line is you should trust your instincts. If it feels suspicious it probably is. If you missed yesterday’s post, be sure to check it out.

VCNB Family

Our Family Serving Your Family Since 1867

Category Archives: Money Smart