New Mortgage Lender at Reliabank

Reliabank is proud to announce the addition of Michelle O'Farrell as mortgage lender in Watertown.

Michelle comes to us from CitiFinancial and is looking forward to helping you with all your home financing needs in Watertown and the surrounding area.

Frauds Tied to the Economic Slowdown

With the economy impacting many people, please beware of a variety of frauds tied to current economic difficulties.

Scams tied to the Obama Administration's economic stimulus package. The Federal Trade Commission has warned about fraudulent Web sites and e-mails asking consumers for bank account, credit card and other personal information, supposedly for help getting money from the stimulus fund or for direct deposits of government payments. Instead, these scammers are collecting information to make unauthorized charges to credit cards or to withdraw money from bank accounts.

Bogus "help" with credit and debt problems. In some cases, con artists "guarantee" loan approvals to people with credit problems, then they disappear after collecting a nonrefundable fee and without delivering any services. Others involve companies that advertise credit counseling or promise to settle debts for less than is owed. They charge high fees and provide little or no assistance.

Con artists preying on people who need jobs. One common example involves attractive offers to work part-time from home but the end result is that the new "employer" commits identity theft or check fraud. Another involves "mystery shopper" programs for which consumers are supposedly hired to report on their experience doing business at a retailer but instead lose money in a fake check scam.

You can protect yourself from these and other financial scams by being extremely skeptical of unsolicited offers that involve "updating" or "confirming" personal information or requirements that you send a payment or provide bank account information before receiving anything in return.

Also, walk away from any offer from a stranger that would involve a large check to be deposited into your account and instructions to wire any of that money back, perhaps to someone in another country. In this type of scam, victims may end up owing thousands of dollars to the financial institution that wired the money.
*FDIC

Want to Pay Your Bills Online?

You have dipped your toes into the pool of online banking and can now check your balances, make transfers and view your statements via email. Online banking with Reliabank offers you instant access to your accounts, without having to go to a teller, and you can transfer funds freely among your accounts.

So the next logical step is to begin paying your bills online. Online bill pay can help you manage your bills without having to worry about paper bills and checks. You can pay bills on a regular schedule without having to send or write checks and pay for postage.

How does it work? Reliabank offers bill pay as a service that sends money out of your bank account to whoever you wish. If the company you want to send payments to is setup within the banks system, we will simply transfer the money electronically when you use online bill pay.

Ready to give it a try? Simply log in to your internet banking, click on bill pay tab and select which checking account you want the withdrawal taken from. This initiates your enrollment to bill pay, and will take about one business day to process. Go in to bill pay the next business day and there will be an email notifying you that your bill pay account has been set up. From there you can set up your merchant accounts and begin paying your bills online. If at any time you have questions there is an 800# to contact - and remember, you can always contact your Reliabank branch location for assistance too!

Rememberance Day

Where were you the morning of 9-11-01? Everyone has moments of that day carved into their memory that will never be forgotten. Today marks the 8th anniversary of the attack on our country. In rememberance of those who lost their lives and who lost loved ones.

Why Use an ATM/Check Card?

So you are trying to decide which plastic works best for you - credit card or check card? While each card has their own unique advantages, here are some basic reasons why you should be using an ATM/Check Card

1. Safer than using cash or checks. Anyone can spend stolen cash or forge checks. With a photo ATM/Check Card its nearly impossible to use by a thief

2. Because the amount you purchase is taken directly out of your account, there is no interest to pay and no annual fees

3. You're not using money that you don't have. Because its taken from your account, you don't accumulate debt to be repaid later

4. Check Cards are accepted world wide - personal checks are not. Have you noticed stores that are starting to use the "no personal checks accepted" policy?

5. They also offer you access to cash; many can be used at ATM's to withdraw cash from your account

6. Accurate Record Keeping – With monthly statements, it’s easier to keep track of where your money goes

7. Convenient - Simplifies the payment process; eliminates the need to fill out a check, present ID, give out personal information and wait while that information is verified

Debit Cards are now the wave of the future. They are easy, quick, and can help balance a budget. When you know how much you have to spend, it is very easy to then log into your checking account to verify the funds you have, and what has been taken out. Visit with a customer service rep at any Reliabank location to find out more information on our SHAZAM ATM/CHECK CARDS

Did you know? There is expected to be an overwhelming, 5 BILLION debit cards in usage by the year 2012!

Karing Kapers

Watertown Karing Kapers 2009 is presenting Silver Screen Sensations at the DD Miller Auditorium September 10-12 at 7:30pm each evening. Money raised from this production will help fund the Watertown Town Players endowment fund. Come out and enjoy an evening of entertainment while supporting the local community theater.

Reliabank is a proud sponsor of Karing Kapers

LABOR DAY

Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all. - Sam Ewing

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

DID YOU KNOW?
The holiday originated in Canada out of labor disputes ("Nine-Hour Movement") in the 1870s, which resulted in a Trade Union Act which legalized and protected union activity in 1872 in Canada.

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on Sept. 5, 1982

Only Canada and the U.S. celebrate Labor Day in September. Most other countries celebrate it on May 1; which we commonly know as May Day.

Wishing you all a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.
All Reliabank locations will be closed Saturday, Sept 5th through Monday, Sept 7th in observance of Labor Day.