Third Quarter • July – September 2024

In this issue:

• Second Quarter 2024 Event Recaps
• Just Released: 2025 Heritage Club Trips
• Fraud Awareness: Social Security Scams
• Last Three Heritage Club 2024 Trips
• Upcoming Events
• Special Fraud Information Meeting with Mike Burke of SHAZAM

Second Quarter 2024 Event Recaps

It's been a busy summer for Guthrie County State Bank!

Our June 12 quarterly Heritage Social Club Social Event was also a blast.

Event highlights included: 

• We enjoyed a wonderful slide show and presentation from Hillary Nepstad, who talked with us about her flower farm, Walnut Trail Farms. Everyone went home with a beautiful flower!
• The money bag winner was Bill Valentine, however, he was not present to win, so the pot grows another $50 for September. (Sorry Bill!) All Heritage Club Member names go in the drawing for our September Quarterly Social Event to win $350. You must be present to win!

We look forward to getting together again for our third quarter 2024 Heritage Club Social Event — Wednesday, September 18 at 10:00 a.m. in the Barnett Room of our Guthrie Center branch location.

You can also mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 23, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. for our Heritage Club Annual Appreciation Dinner at The Guthrie County Fair Grounds Event Hall! Heritage Club members will need to register and pick up tickets at either Guthrie County State Bank location, and they must have tickets to attend the event. 

JUST RELEASED! 2025 HERITAGE CLUB TRIPS

Contact Gayle at 641-755-4023 or G.Shackelford@gcsbank.com for registration and with questions.

Plus ... an additional MYSTERY TRIP in June 2025.

More details to come ...

We anticipate the 2025 trips to fill up fast, so don't delay — register for trips early!

If you get a suspicious call from someone claiming to be with the Social Security Administration (SSA), here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

Spotting the Scam:

Imagine this: your phone rings, and the caller ID says it’s the SSA. You’re not expecting a call from them but you pick up anyway. When you answer, the caller claims to be an SSA agent with an urgent warning. They tell you your Social Security number is linked to serious crimes — for example, money laundering or drug trafficking. The scammer may even go so far as to mention an arrest warrant and seizure of your bank accounts.

The big reveal is that this so-called SSA agent claims the only way to protect your money is to buy gold. Yes, you read that correctly. The scammer will then send someone to pick it up and keep it safe until your name is cleared.

Keep Calm:

First off, take a deep breath. This is most definitely a scam. Legitimate government agencies will never demand money or personal items over the phone. If someone tells you to buy gold or withdraw cash to protect your money, they’re trying to rip you off.

Things to Remember:

• Scammers thrive on fear and urgency. So always try to remain level-headed in these situations and never make any hasty decisions.
• Verify the caller. Hang up and call the SSA directly at their verified phone number to confirm any claims.
• Never give out sensitive information to unsolicited callers.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Just because someone uses the word “government” doesn’t mean it’s legitimate.

GREAT NEWS ...

the last three Heritage Club Trips for 2024 are a "GO!"

• The Columbia & Snake River Cruise departed Sunday, September 1, 2024! Bon Voyage to those traveling!
• Branson — This trip is full and departs November 12, 2024. Fabulous shows, shopping, and holiday lights await us in Branson!  
• Magical New York Christmas departs December 9. Experience the iconic traditions of Christmas in the Big Apple!

Next Events: