Chaffey FCU Spring 2025 Newsletter

Happy Spring, Chaffey Members!

This is one of my favorite times of year: the weather is perfect for spending time outside, and the evenings (at least for a few months) are still cool enough to enjoy wrapping up in something cozy. I am excited that my lemon tree at home looks like it will bear some fruit for the first time this year! The promise of fresh lemons is enticing, yet that tree has deceived us a few times over the past years since we planted it.

There are a number of other circumstances where something might look promising and turn out to be a disappointment. It is important that we educate ourselves on the full story and try not to take things at face value. One example of this in Chaffey FCU’s world is the current potential threat to federal credit unions’ tax exempt status. While efforts are being made at the federal level to increase income and reduce expenses (what business or individual would not want that??), the removal of our tax-exempt status would have a minimal impact on the federal budget, yet it would cause a significant shift in how Chaffey FCU operates. I urge you to visit donttaxmycreditunion.org and submit a letter to your local representative in favor of protecting your credit union’s tax status. This would be a major help in turning lemons into lemonade!

Another area to be mindful that things are not always as they seem comes in the form of fraud attempts. Rest assured, Chaffey FCU does everything in our power to protect our membership from fraud, yet there will always be those that work to breach those protections. No one is immune to receiving fraudulent phone calls, text messages and e-mails from scammers; as the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. Read below in the newsletter for things you can do to identify messages from scammers and protect yourself and your funds from loss.

For this quarter’s newsletter recipe, I want to share a family favorite, and I’ll pivot from talking about lemons to another type of citrus: try this delicious key lime pie. It is my husband’s favorite, and a staple at his birthday every year. I do not think I had ever tried key lime pie before I made this for him the first time, and I have to say, the results are worth it!

From the team at Chaffey FCU, enjoy the spring weather! As always, thank you for your membership.

Diane Kotlewski

Chief Executive Officer

Launching Chaffey Jr Members towards financial success!

Celebrate Credit Union Youth Month with space-themed activities!

April is Credit Union Youth Month! We're celebrating bright financial futures this month by helping our youngest Members earn gift cards with special activities!*

For a limited time, Chaffey Jr Members can launch special opportunities and learn about savings with our Stellar Savings Coloring Sheets and Galaxy Activity Map from My First Nest Egg! Chaffey Jr Members** who submit their space-themed mission(s) online here or in branch can earn one $5 gift card for each project!*

Print out your Coloring Sheets and Galaxy Activity Map at home, or stop by any Chaffey FCU Branch during April to pick them up for your Chaffey Jr Member!

*Stellar Savings Coloring Sheets $5 gift card bonus and Galaxy Map Activity $5 gift card bonus limited to Chaffey Jr Members. Limit 1 Stellar Savings Coloring Sheet bonus per Member; Limit 1 Galaxy Map Activity bonus per Member. Maximum bonus per Member is two (2) $5 gift cards. Chaffey Jr Members will have the opportunity to select their gift card from a pre-selected variety (McDonalds, Target, Baskin Robbins) upon confirmation bonus activity is completed and Member status is confirmed. To qualify for each bonus, completed Coloring Sheets and/or Galaxy Map must be submitted online (via the form at chaffey.com/youth-month) or in-person (at any Chaffey FCU branch) by May 3, 2025 to be eligible. Membership will be confirmed for Chaffey Jr Member and/or Joint Adult Member on account before bonus is provided. Gift card will be sent to the address on file for the Chaffey Jr Member within one week of submission and Chaffey FCU membership confirmation. Terms subject to change or end without notice.

**All Chaffey Junior products require an adult owner on the account. A Visa Debit/ATM card can be issued to minors over the age of 13, or to the adult owner(s); Debit card only available for checking accounts. Youth Member must be age 13+ to qualify for a Chaffey Junior Checking Account. Chaffey Jr Savings Account available for children under the age of 18.

LAUNCH YOUTH MONTH ACTIVITIES!

3 Stellar Money Tips for Young Astronauts from My First Nest Egg:

Launch with a Savings Account: The best way to start building strong money habits and grow savings.
Small Savings, Big Impact: Even tiny deposits add up - just like stars forming a galaxy!
Explore New Worlds: Investing creates new opportunities, helping you plan for the future.

Spring wellness

Reflections from the Chaffey FCU Blog

At Chaffey FCU, we believe that healthy lives start with healthy finances. In our mission to help you achieve wellness, we’ve gathered some tips to help you build healthy finances and balanced lifestyles.

Fund your future. Building a healthy savings account is an essential aspect in personal growth. Having sufficient savings can help you navigate an emergency, progress towards a new goal, or avoid unnecessary stress. If you’re looking for a more fruitful way to save than a traditional savings account, seeking investment support from a professional can help guide you towards success.

Find a wellness routine that works for you. While not everyone is meant for those 5am gym sessions, it’s still important to discover what physical wellness means to you. Finding a new wellness activity - perhaps yoga, journaling, or running - can help you connect with yourself and find peace of mind.

Think positive. From rising prices, new jobs, or familial stress, there’s a lot in our world that may have us feeling stressed or anxious. While some of us turn to shopping or other expensive distractions, it’s important to find an outlet that we won’t financially regret later on. Talk through your feelings with a friend, family member, or professional; discover relaxing books or music; or try using a planner to help you see your life in a positive light.

MORE SPRING WELLNESS

Chaffey FCU 62nd Annual Meeting

Thursday April 24, 2025, 6:00pm

Chaffey FCU Rancho Cucamonga Branch

11563 Foothill Blvd. #101 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Chaffey FCU is owned entirely by our Members and we're guided by a team of volunteer Board Members. The Annual Meeting is a Meeting of the Membership! It invites Members like yourself to connect with your credit union.

Join us - in-person or virtually - as we celebrate Chaffey FCU accomplishments, recognize our community impact, and vote for our Board of Directors! RSVP soon! In-person attendance is limited!

Receive important updates from our Chief Executive Officer
Enjoy complimentary food and dessert (In-person attendees only)
Vote for the Chaffey FCU Board of Directors
Enter an exciting door prize raffle
Review the 2024 Annual Report

The Chaffey FCU Board of Directors are a team of dedicated, volunteer Members who help us ensure Chaffey FCU consistently prioritizes the financial well-being of our Membership. Read more about our Board of Directors on our website before the Annual Meeting.

Save Your Seat!

WISE

“The Chaffey WISE program has been great in just the past six months, I’ve been able to pay off half of my debts something I never thought possible in such a short time. The financial coaching provided through the program has given me the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take control of my finances. It has helped me create a realistic budget, set achievable goals, and develop better spending habits.” - Current W.I.S.E. Program Participant

W.I.S.E. is designed to help Chaffey FCU Members accomplish their financial goals. In the 10 months since the programs launch, we’re thrilled to have seen Members thrive and grow in brand new ways.

Our financial coaches are certified by America’s Credit Unions (formally, the Credit Union National Association), and are trained to help you understand and navigate your personal financial situation. Whether you need support getting back on track or want to excel even more in your finances, W.I.S.E. coaches can lead you to success.

Learn more about the W.I.S.E. program, and submit your interest to participate below.

WISE

BEWARE OF SPOOFED CALLS AND TEXTS

Knock, knock.

Who’s there?

Fraudster.

Fraudster who?

Fraudster who says, “Click this link for a surprise!”

Fraudsters are using spoofed phone numbers and text messages to impersonate Chaffey FCU to trick you into revealing your personal, financial, and digital banking login information. These communications may appear to be legitimate but are designed to deceive you.

In most cases, the fraudsters are creating a sense of panic by making you believe that your account has been compromised…tricky, they are the ones trying to compromise it! Don’t fall for it, don’t respond or provide your information. Instead, contact us directly.

To protect yourself from these scams, follow these important guidelines:

1. Do Not Trust Caller ID: Be aware that caller ID information can be faked. Even if a call or text appears to come from our official number, it may be a spoofed attempt by fraudsters.

2. Do Not Provide Personal Information: Never share your personal, financial, account, or login information over the phone or through text messages unless you are certain of the caller’s identity.

3. Verify the Source: If you receive a suspicious call or text claiming to be from Chaffey FCU, do not respond. Instead, contact us directly using our official phone number: (833) 282 - 1033

4. Do Not Click on Links: Avoid clicking on any links in unsolicited text messages, as they may lead to fraudulent websites.

5. Call Us Directly: If you have any doubts about a call or message, please contact us directly (833) 282 - 1033 to verify its authenticity.

If you have already provided information or clicked on a suspicious link, please contact us immediately.

Chaffey FCU will NEVER ask for your personal or sensitive information, including your social security number, username, password, one-time passcode (OTP), or card number. When you share your information, you are giving the fraudsters all the tools they need to access your account.

Stay vigilant and stay safe.

Tax Season Finishline

Less than two weeks until the Tax Filing Deadline!

If you’re struggling to get your taxes figured out by the April 15th deadline, we have a few resources to help make the process a bit easier.

Save more - Members can still file federal free* with FileYourTaxes.com! Log into FileYourTaxes.com from Chaffey’s Website (linked here) to access your free federal offer.

Affordable rates - If you’re facing an unexpected tax bill, a Chaffey FCU Tax Relief Loan can help you cover the cost, while helping you avoid levies or other tax penalties. Rates from 9.99% APR**