Fall is in full swing, and with it comes new opportunities to refresh your finances before the holidays. This month’s edition of The LPCCU Press is packed with helpful resources — from keeping your credit story accurate to spotting the latest scams — all designed to help you make confident money moves as the seasons change.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Credit Tells Your Financial Story – Learn how to check your report and fix errors fast.
• Powering Down Energy Expenses – Cut your electricity bill before winter hits.
• Scam Alert: Fake “Unpaid Toll” Notices – Protect yourself from this Michigan-specific scam.
• Is Your Credit Card Ready for Holiday Shopping? – Make sure your card is working for you, not against you.

Credit Tells Your Financial Story

Your credit tells your financial story - but what if the story lenders see isn’t accurate?



The power is in the details - and your credit report tells the story. Every payment, every account, every update… it’s all in there. But if the details are wrong, so is the story lenders see. And that can cost you higher interest rates, denied applications, or missed opportunities.

With Lincoln Park Community Credit Union’s Credit Score Solution - Credit Sense, available right now in your mobile banking app - you can:

● See Your Credit Score Instantly - Anytime, anywhere.

● Download Your Full Credit Report - For free, whenever you want.

● Track Progress Daily - Without hurting your score.

● Get Real-Time Alerts - Know the moment something changes.

● Fix Errors Fast - Dispute inaccuracies before they cost you.

Your credit is your reputation. Protect it, improve it, and put it to work for you - starting today.

Article brought to you by SavvyMoney one of our many trusted partners.

Powering Down Your Energy Expenses

If you’ve noticed that your energy bill is higher than ever, you’re not alone. Here are some ways to keep your electricity bill as low as possible.

Schedule an Audit

The first thing to do when trying to save on an electric bill is to schedule an energy audit. Simply call your provider and ask for one. During the audit, the expert will do the following: 

• Locate air leakage and insulation degradation. 
• Analyze your appliances to make sure they are efficient.
• Detail your current energy usage and past trends.

Use the Report

Once the expert is finished, they’ll give you a report with their findings.

• Use this report to fix and/or change things so that your home is more energy efficient.
• You may even qualify for rebates and discounts on energy-efficient upgrades.

Get Smart

Install a smart thermostat if you haven’t already. These thermostats monitor your usage and automatically adjust the heat/AC based on your habits. According to one report, installing a smart thermostat can save you up to 15 percent on electricity costs.

Ask Around

Many utility companies offer discount programs and other deals. You just have to ask about them. For example, most electricity companies offer “off-peak” and “on-peak” programs, which allow you to save on electricity by funneling your usage to off-peak times. 

Do One Thing: Call your provider and schedule an energy audit. This will provide a good starting point for saving on electricity. 

Article brought to you by SavvyMoney one of our many trusted partners.

Scam Alert: Fake Toll/Imposter "Unpaid Toll" Notices in Michigan

As we move into the busy months ahead, Michigan residents should be especially alert for imposter scams—in particular, fake toll or government-related notices that demand payment. 

These scams often pick up around this time of year when people are more distracted and may click or pay quickly to avoid supposed penalties. One recent example: texts or emails claiming to be from MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) demanding immediate payment for tolls, even though Michigan has no toll roads.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Targeted or Victimized

If you believe you’ve received or responded to one of these scams, here are steps to protect yourself:

1. Don’t respond or pay anything until you’ve verified that the request is legitimate.
2. Contact the real agency directly using a phone number or website you trust (not the number or link from the message). For example, MDOT has made statements clarifying that they will never send texts demanding toll payments. 
3. Check your bank/card accounts for any unauthorized transactions. If you used your card, alert your bank or credit union immediately.
4. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with all three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). Monitor your credit reports for any new or suspicious activity.
5. Keep records of all messages, notices, or conversations that happened. Having documentation helps if you need to dispute charges or identify what info was compromised.
6. Report the incident:

• To your local law enforcement or police department.
• To the Michigan Attorney General’s office or Consumer Protection Division.
• Via state tools such as Michigan Identity Theft Support (MITS). Michigan.gov
• Also report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their site IdentityTheft.gov.

Staying alert and verifying everything can go a long way toward avoiding becoming a victim of a scam. 

Is Your Credit Card Ready for Holiday Shopping?

The holiday season is right around the corner—and for many of us, that means more swipes, clicks, and transactions than usual. Before the shopping rush kicks in, it’s a smart time to review your credit card and make sure it’s working for you, not against you.

Ask yourself a few quick questions:

• What’s my interest rate? High rates can turn holiday cheer into a long-term burden.
• Does my card have an annual fee? If so, are the rewards really worth it?
• Am I truly benefiting from the rewards program? Some cards look appealing, but their rewards can be complicated or hard to redeem.

At Lincoln Park Community Credit Union, our credit card is designed to keep things simple and affordable. You’ll enjoy a much lower interest rate than most big-bank cards and NO annual fee—helping you save money both during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Make this holiday season a little brighter by using a card that works in your favor.

At Lincoln Park Community Credit Union, we’re here to help you stay informed, protected, and financially strong — all year long.

-Your Lincoln Park Community Credit Union