Credit union members around the state have reported receiving text messages on their cell phone saying that "Statewide (or another credit union) Credit Union service has been frozen. Please call 877-573-1077 to restore service." If you receive such a text, DO NOT CALL that number! This is a "phishing"attempt to steal your member information and to try to steal funds from your account. We will not attempt to contact you through text messaging, or ask for your member information over the phone, since we already have it.

In 2009, Statewide raised more than $22,000 in contributions and donations to local and national organizations and charities. That's the largest total of donations that we've ever raised, and we thought you'd like to know how we did it and where those monies went:

1. Early in the year, we partnered with our credit and debit card processor to raise funds for Credit Unions for Kids, the second largest contributor to the Children's Miracle Network. A small portion of each credit and debit card transaction during January, February, and March went to Credit Unions for Kids. In total, we raised more than $3,900!

2. Twice during the year, we gave our members the opportunity to skip their monthly loan payment in return for a $20.00 donation. This year's total was the largest in the seven years we've been offering this option - more than $14,000 was donated by our wonderful, caring members!

3. Our Starkville Office participated in the Relay for Life again this year, raising more than $4,000! In addition, they donated more than $400 to their local food pantry!

1. Combined with the $3,900 raised with our card processor, we donated an additional $8,400 to Credit Unions for Kids through the Mississippi Credit Union Association, our state trade group.

2. $4,000 went to the Relay for Life in Starkville, along with $400 to the local food pantry.

4. $1,200 was donated to The Little Lighthouse, a school for children with Down Syndrome in Brandon.

5. The Center for Violence Prevention in Pearl received $1,500 in toys for children of their clients, as well as gift cards for clients' necessities.

This great outpouring of contributions and donations proves once again that credit union members and employees are the most caring, generous folks that we know. Thank you so much for however you were able to help! We look forward to working with you to help our local communities and state again this year.

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And see what the Wall Street Journal's SmartMoney says about student loans at credit unions.

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***** PHISHING ALERT *********

Please DO NOT RESPOND to any emails, phone calls, or letters from companies or individuals that ask for your account information such as account numbers, credit card number, or PINs (Personal Identification Numbers). These are 'phishing' attempts to gain access to your credit union accounts! Do not respond to any request asking for this type of personal information. We have this information on file and do not need to ask you for it. And we will never want to know your PIN numbers!