An Important Message for NCFlex Participants
April 2022
Tips on Safe Travel
Summer months bring travel, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has great tips for helping you stay safe and healthy on the go.

If you're traveling outside the United States, consider visiting or contacting your primary care physician before departing for any relevant guidance. Don't forget your Flexible Spending Account may be used for doctor copays. Planning ahead for possible illnesses and injuries during your trip may be the best travel plans that you make.

For more CDC information on travel safety and health tips, visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/traveler-information-center

Finally, don’t forget your NCFlex AD&D coverage and NCFlex Dental includes emergency travel services. If you have one of the NCFlex AD&D plans, Core or Voluntary, you and your dependents also have access to Voya Travel Assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home.

With Voya Travel Assistance, get pre-trip information, emergency personal services, medical assistance services and emergency transportation services. Learn more and print information to keep with you when you travel.
Sensible Savings Session Webinars in May
NCFlex, in partnership with the State Retirement System, State Employees Credit Union, and Empower Retirement (State 401(k)/457) is offering a series of free financial and retirement planning webinars for State of North Carolina employees.
 
Learn how to make the most of your finances and resources during one of our Sensible Savings Sessions. Topics Include:
  • NCFlex Benefits
  • Financial Wellness with NCSECU
  • TSERS State Retirement Planning
  • State NC 401(k) and 457 Retirement Plans with Empower (formally Prudential)
 
The sessions are being offered on three different dates, please use the links below to register or you can visit the Sensible Savings Sessions page:
Other Webinar Opportunities with NCFlex:
May and June
NC 401(k)/457 and Continuation of Benefits after Employment
In May we have invited Empower (formerly Prudential), who will present on the NC 401(k) and 457 savings programs. In June we will discuss the options for continuation of benefits after leaving employment as well as life events that may allow you to make changes mid-year and how to make those changes.

Register on our Webinar Page or below for one of the scheduled dates/times. Bookmark the page for reference to view future events as well as recordings and slides of past events.
Please email us at ncflex@nc.gov with any questions.
Social Engineering, Scams, and You:
Know What to Look For
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Credit Union has observed an increase in the use of sophisticated social engineering campaigns to perpetrate fraud. To help protect yourself against fraudulent activities, there are some questions to consider when receiving an unsolicited phone call, text, or email:

  • Do you have a prior relationship with this merchant? If so, is this how they normally contact you? Review your account on a separate device and look for messages or requests for payment information updates. If the merchant communication is by phone, hang-up, independently verify the merchant’s phone number on their official website and call the merchant back to verify the communication is legitimate.

  • Are they asking for too much information or private information? For instance, does the requested information relate to the purpose of the call? You should never be asked to provide credit union/bank account or online banking information, Social Security Numbers, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), or other sensitive financial information unless you initiate the call.

  • If you receive a phone call, is the caller agitated that you aren’t providing the requested information? Scammers will often create a sense of urgency, stating immediate action is required to avoid fines or even legal action.

  • Have they asked you to make a payment with gift cards? If so, do not respond and report the communication to the merchant or agency directly through contact methods located on their website. Legitimate companies will not request payment by gift card.

Remember:
  • The Credit Union will not ask you to provide your full card number, PIN, Member Access Log-on, or to provide a one-time passcode you did not initiate.

  • Look out for unexpected emails, social media messages, or text messages that contain links. Do not click on links from unfamiliar sources or respond to suspicious messages.

  • Be wary of requests to download third party apps or allow remote access to your device for assistance.

  • Robocalls or communications with poor grammar, misspellings, or stilted language may indicate a potential scam. Use additional caution.

  • Trust your instinct. When in doubt, do not provide any information. Instead, call the merchant at a published support number available through their app or on their website.

Additional Resources:

Article provided by State Employees’ Credit Union