Our online and mobile banking services put you in control
Beacon FCU is looking out for you by offering a number of convenient ways to handle your banking needs simply by using your smartphone or by going online.
You can view financial statements online , reorder checks, skip loan payments and much more. Make your life less complicated and free up time for other activities.
Beacon FCU offers you:
E-Statements
Receive free E-Statements.
Reduce clutter and easily organize your financial information by opting to receive free E-Statements. Here’s how electronic financial statements benefit you:
- Beacon FCU will send you an email letting you know when your E-Statement is ready.
- E-Statements are available online days before mailed statements arrive at your home.
- Track your expenses and pinpoint specific transactions.
- View 12 months of E-Statements at a glance to help with household budgeting.
- Reduced costs for Beacon FCU means you receive even better loan and deposit rates.
- Saving trees and reducing your carbon footprint help our environment.
Skip a Pay
Help when you need it.
If you find yourself in a situation when you need to catch up on bills or pay for other necessities, we allow members to skip a payment on a Beacon FCU loan.
Simply log in to Online Banking to manage your loan payments:
- Two Skip a Pays allowed per calendar year.
- Once you have logged in, click on the “Skip My Payment” tab to see which loans are eligible.*
- A fee will be assessed for each skipped payment. Interest on the loan will continue to accrue.**
Reorder Checks
Simply order checks.
When you’re ready to reorder Beacon FCU checks, you can simply:.
- Use our convenient online check-ordering service, or
- Visit a Beacon FCU location near you and talk with a friendly team member
Payroll Deduction
At Beacon FCU, you’re in control of where your funds are deposited.
When we receive your paycheck through Direct Deposit, you can choose to place funds into your savings or make a monthly loan payment.
- No charge for Payroll Deduction services
- Works with Direct Deposit of paychecks
- Schedule deductions from each paycheck or arrange periodic payments
- Build up your savings account balance
- Arrange loan payments
- Move funds to your Money Market account
To enroll in this service, simply visit a Beacon FCU location near you and talk with a friendly team member.
Technology Safety
Protect yourself.
Protect your identity and Beacon FCU accounts by using best practices to keep attackers at bay.
Online shopping is certainly convenient, but be aware of potential threats to the security of your account. Know that Beacon FCU will never email, call or otherwise ask for your username, password, or other electronic banking credentials.
Other tips to consider when shopping online:
- Be sure to choose an adequate username and password that, at a minimum, uses small case letters, uppercase letters and numerals.
- Periodically change your password. We recommend changing it every 90 days.
- Keep your username and password away from others.
- Ensure that you have a firewall in place when conducting financial transactions.
- Logoff your computer after you’ve finished shopping.
Also, monitor your account activity regularly and quickly report and errors or unauthorized purchases. See the Electronic Fund Transfer disclosures that you received when you opened your Beacon FCU account to learn more about federal regulations that protect you.
If you become aware of suspicious account activity, you should immediately contact the authorities and Beacon Federal Credit Union at 281-471-1782.
It’s easy to add an extra layer of protection to ensure your Beacon accounts remain secure.
To prohibit online attackers from impersonating you and accessing your accounts, Beacon FCU has created a login process with enhanced security measures. To log into Online Banking, members now need to enter their Member Number and Random Security Code.
Here’s how our Multi-Factor Authentication works:
- The first time you log in, you’ll be asked to enter five challenge questions and corresponding answers, as well as a Security Key Image.
- During subsequent logins, you may be asked to answer a challenge question and verify the Security Key Image that you select.
This system provides peace of mind for members when using Online Banking.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information—such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other personal identifying information—to commit fraud or other crimes.
Identity theft can result in a damaged credit record; loss of job opportunities; refused loans for education, housing or vehicles; and a large amount of time spent to clear you name and regain your identity.
Identity thieves don’t choose their victims based on age sex or race.
Best practices for identity theft protection:
- Sign up for E-Statements to reduce mail fraud.
- Learn about Online Banking and Multi-Factor Authentication.
- Don’t give out personal information when asked over the phone or through email.
- Protect your personal information (PIN numbers, birth certificates, passports, financial statements, etc.) in a secure place at home.
- Shred documents with personal information including credit card offers that come through the mail.
- Protect your Social Security number.
- Instead of having checks mailed to your home, pick them up at the credit union.
- Mail bills from locked mailbox or Post Office as your check and information can be stolen from an “open” mailbox.
- Be on the lookout for those peaking over your shoulder when entering your PIN at ATMs and store checkouts.
- Use electronic deposit for paychecks, and other payments.
- In a safe place, keep a list of credit/share draft account numbers, expiration dates, and phone numbers to report identity theft.
Detecting Suspicious or Unknown Activity:
Be alert to protect yourself from identity theft. By routinely checking your account and billing statements, you can be aware of any suspicious or unusual activity. Here are a few examples of suspicious activity:
- You notice fraudulent charges on your monthly credit card or financial statements.
- You don’t receive your statements as usual or any mail for several days.
- You begin receiving bills from unknown companies you did not open accounts with.
- Credit collection agencies call regarding debts you do not have.
What to Do if You become a Victim:
If you believe you have become a victim of identity theft, it's important to act quickly.
First, contact the fraud department from one of the three credit bureaus. Ask them to place a fraud alert on your accounts. Also, get a free copy of your credit report to see if and how many fraudulent accounts were opened in your name. If you see any, close them immediately.
Experian
Order Report: 888-397-3742
Fraud Unit: 888-397-3742
TransUnion
Order Report: 800-888-4213
Fraud Unit: 800-680-7289
Equifax
Order Report: 800-685-1111
Fraud Unit: 800-525-6285
Next, file a police report and get a copy of the report for your records. This will help you get information from the creditors about the fraudulent accounts.
From there, close all the accounts opened or used fraudulently by contacting the company’s fraud department. Follow up in writing and send copies of the documents that support your claim, including the police report. Remember to send copies of the documents, not originals.
Once you have resolved a disputed charge, ask for a letter stating that the matter has been closed. Remember to keep all copies and originals of your documents and correspondence with companies where accounts were opened or used fraudulently.
Finally, file a complaint online with the FTC by calling 1-877-ID-THEFT. This will help law enforcement officials across the country with their investigations. In addition, the FTC provides counselors to help you through this difficult time.
You may also call Beacon FCU at 281-471-1782 or 800-868-6939 because we are here to help, too.
To guard against theft of your card or account information, follow these tips:
Keep your card secure
- Treat your debit card like cash. Always keep your card in a safe place. It’s a good idea to store your card in a card sleeve. The sleeve protects the card’s magnetic stripe and helps ensure the card functions properly.
- Keep your “secret code” a secret. Your debit card will only work with your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Memorize your code. Never write it on your card or keep it with your card. Never tell your code to anyone. And never let someone else enter your code for you.
- Take your ATM receipt with you. Do not leave it at or near the ATM.
- Do not give out any information about your debit card over the phone. No one needs to know your PIN; not even your financial institution.
- Report a lost or stolen debit/credit card at once by calling Beacon FCU at 281-471-1782 or 800-868-6939. After hours, call 1-800-442-4757. Acting quickly reduces the chances your card will be used improperly. You will be issued another card.
- Check your receipts against your monthly statement to guard against ATM fraud. You get a receipt every time you make an ATM transaction. Verify each transaction by checking the receipts against your monthly account statements.
Remain secure at walk-up ATMs
- Always observe your surroundings before conducting an ATM transaction. If you are driving to an ATM, park as close as possible to the terminal. Observe the entire area from the safety of your car before getting out. If you see anyone that appears to be suspicious, leave the area at once.
- If an ATM is obstructed from view or poorly lit, go to another ATM. Report the problem to the financial institution that operates the ATM.
- When possible, take a companion along when using an ATM, especially at night.
- Minimize time spent at the ATM by having your card out and ready to use. If the ATM is in use, give the person using the terminal the same privacy you expect. Allow them to move away from the ATM before you approach the terminal.
- Stand between the ATM and anyone waiting to use the terminal so that others cannot see your PIN or transaction amount. Once you have completed your transaction, take your money, card, and receipt, and immediately move away from the terminal.
- If you see anyone or anything suspicious while conducting a transaction, cancel your transaction and leave immediately.
- If anyone follows you after making an ATM transaction, go immediately to a crowded, well-lit area, and call the police.
Electronic Signature Disclosure
Your consent.
These terms and conditions relate to your consent to sign documents electronically.
*The following loans are not eligible: Wilson Loan, Line of Credit, Real Estate, Credit Cards, Single Payment, Share and Certificate Secured. Collateralized loans with an original term greater than 84 months are not eligible. By participating in the Skip-A-Pay program, you request that your loan payment be deferred. You agree and understand that: 1) the payment deferral will extend the term(s) of the loan(s); 2) interest will continue to accrue on the principal balance at the interest rate provided in the original loan agreement. For members who have Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), coverage does not extend to the amount of the payment deferred. Also, you agree that by skipping your payment, your original GAP waiver election remains in effect. We reserve the right to decline any request. Beacon FCU reserves the right to discontinue this program at any time without notice. Other restrictions may apply.
**A fee will be assessed per loan. Interest and finance charges will continue to accrue on your loan(s) during the month you skip your payment, and the term of your loan(s) will be extended. The $40 processing fee per loan must be available in your Share Savings or Share Draft Checking account and paid the day of the request to skip your payment. Two skip-a-payment requests are allowed in one calendar year (must allow one month in between skips). Loan balances greater than $65K are not eligible for Skip A Pay product. Other restrictions may apply.
Youth Spending Accounts
- No monthly fees
- Your own ATM/Debit Card
- Online and mobile banking
- Scholarship opportunities
- Ages 10-18
Scholarships
You’ve got class. We’ve got cash! Apply today: One of three $2,000 scholarships or One of three $1,000 scholarships!