With kids still attending online classes and many adults still working from their homes, we are using more and more data, which is increasing the possibility of our personal information getting into the wrong hands.

International Data Privacy Day, on Jan. 28, is a worldwide initiative to promote awareness of the importance of privacy online as well as protecting personal information. It also is an effort to remind companies that safeguarding consumers’ privacy is a good business practice.

This year’s International Data Privacy Day theme focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected the way we live, work and interact.

“The pandemic has ensured that people all over the globe are more connected now than ever before. Consumers are generating more personal data through the use of devices and the businesses that power that connectivity inevitably collect and store that same data,” said Kelvin Coleman, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). “Data Privacy Day’s main objective is to be a yearly call-to-action; one that spurs discussion, reevaluation and awareness about how people can keep themselves and their data safe, and to show organizations that accountability, transparency and a commitment to fair and legitimate data-collection practices will ultimately lead to enhanced public trust and better brand reputation.”

According to the NCSA, Data Protection Day had been observed in Europe, and in January 2008, became known as Data Privacy Day in the United States and Canada. International Data Protection Day is celebrated on Jan. 28 to commemorate the 1981 signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection.

To protect you and your family, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers these tips:

Protect your kids:

• Talk to your children about never giving out their Social Security numbers, account numbers and passwords.
• Let them know that downloading “free” games, apps or other media can contain harmful software called malware, which can compromise their identity.
• Teach them about using strong passwords. The longer the password, the harder it is to crack. Login names, birthdates, addresses and common words or phrases are not safe passwords. Also, reinforce the importance to not share passwords with anyone, including their friends.

Protect yourself:

• Keep your software updated – Most apps, web browsers and operating systems will proactively offer the latest updates for increasing protection against cyber threats.
• Use Two-Factor Authentication – Two-factor authentication requires not only a password, but also another piece of information, such as a code sent to your phone or a number generated from an app or token, to log into your account.
• Use Encrypted Sites When Giving out Personal Information – To determine whether a site is encrypted, look for the letter “S” after the “http” in the beginning of a web address. This simple letter is a good signal to indicate the site is secure.

In addition to urging individuals to be vigilant in protecting themselves online, the NCSA is encouraging businesses “to keep individuals’ personal information safe from unauthorized access and ensuring fair, relevant and legitimate data collection and processing.”

Businesses are urged to abide by the following practices:

• Protect clients’ information with security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
• Know privacy laws pertaining to your business and educate employees on their responsibility to protect personal information.
• Create a culture of privacy within your company.
• Be honest and transparent about how your company collects and uses information.
• Know if and how vendors or partners are using clients’ information.

International Data Privacy Day may only be observed once a year, but its principles should be practiced every day to keep your personal information out of the wrong hands.

Your turn: How do you protect yourself and your family online? Tell us about it in the comments.

Learn More

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-cyber-security-alliance-kicks-off-data-privacy-day-this-week-to-raise-awareness-for-responsible-data-privacy-practices-301214558.html

About Data Privacy Day

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0017-kids-and-computer-security

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0009-computer-security

Vicksburg, Miss. – - Mutual Credit Union is excited to announce a milestone anniversary in 2021. Established in 1931, this year marks 90 years of serving our members and our communities. Over the last 90 years, Mutual Credit Union has grown from a credit union with fifty-six members and assets of $542.00 to a credit union with over 22,000 members and over $240 million in assets. Jerry Dean, 2020 Chairman of the Board of Directors for Mutual Credit Union stated, “I’m honored to celebrate with our members the 90^th anniversary of Mutual Credit Union. Serving on the board since 2005, I am proud of the work the board of directors has played over the years in serving our members and our communities. Happy Anniversary, Mutual Credit Union!”  

We invite our members and community partners to be a part of our celebrations during the 2021 anniversary year. Each month, we will focus, share, and celebrate together highlighting different aspects of Mutual Credit Union. We will feature giveaways, mementos, recognitions, and recaps of our storied history. Please make sure that you are signed up to receive emails from Mutual Credit Union and are following our social channels for each month’s details. 

Beginning on April 10, 1931, the first credit union charter granted in the state of Mississippi was issued to the Federal Credit Union of Vicksburg. Later, in 1934, the name was changed to The Mutual Credit Union of Vicksburg and then again in 1954, the name was changed to what we know today as Mutual Credit Union. Starting from a cigar box in the old post office building in downtown Vicksburg, MS, Mutual Credit Union has seen exponential growth over its’ 90 years. In 1974, Mutual moved out of the old post office building to 1411 Cherry Street and then again in 1985 to the present-day location of 1604 Cherry Street. To accommodate growth, branch locations were established on the campus of Waterways Experiment Station, South Frontage Road Branch (2003), Clay Street (2006), Raymond (2010), Yazoo City (2012), and most recently Lakeover Road, Jackson (2020). In 2006, the Mutual Credit Union charter was adapted to open membership to all those who Live, Work, Worship, Volunteer, or Attend school in Warren, Hinds, Yazoo, Issaquena, Sharkey, Claiborne, and Copiah Counties.  

Mutual Credit Union was the fourth credit union in the United States to offer online account access and related internet services. We’ve grown from savings and membership accounts only to offering a full range of financial services paired with digital and electronic service options. Today, members of Mutual Credit Union enjoy access to CO-OP ATMs, one of the largest ATM networks in the United States. All Mutual Credit Union ATMs are full-service ATMs featuring deposit and withdrawal features. Mobile Deposit, Bill Pay, App and Digital Wallet features are available on all Mutual Credit Union spending accounts, as well as access to a full-suite card manager for both debit and credit cards. Featuring online account and loan opening, document signing, and a full suite of loan options from mortgages, to autos to rewards credit cards, Mutual is thrilled to be a digital champion expanding and meeting the needs of our members both near and far.  Mutual Credit Union President, Michael Mathews stated, “During my ten years at Mutual I have seen many things change.  One constant has always been the attention to service and responsiveness to our membership.  I am reminded daily of the great work our team does assisting members with their financial needs.  I look forward to what the future holds for our great organization.” 

The Credit Union Movement began in 1847 in Flammersfeld, Germany. The poverty of farmers and workers was so appalling that a cooperative savings institution allowing them to pool their money and make loans to each other was established. The popular idea spread across Europe and in 1900, the first credit union was organized in Canada. The first credit union to open its doors in the United States was the Caissee Populaire St. Marie known today as St. Mary’s Bank, in 1909 in Manchester, New Hampshire. With the passage of the Federal Credit Union Act in 1934, credit unions could be organized anywhere in the United States. During the Great Depression, while other financial institutions were closing their doors, credit unions demonstrated that ordinary people could organize and provide for their own financial security. Cooperative effort was, and still is, the key to credit union success.  

We look forward to all that 2021 will bring while reflecting on our dynamic history. We thank you for your continued support of the credit union movement here in your local community by being a part of Mutual Credit Union. Together, we can continue to embody the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People” in service and in spirit. 

For more information about Mutual Credit Union please follow this link to our webpage. For additional questions, please contact the marketing department at marketing@mutualcu.org or by calling (601) 636-7523 ext. 1226. 

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January 14, 2021

2021-2022 Mutual Credit Union Scholarship

(Vicksburg, MS): The Mutual Credit Union Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the we are accepting applications for our 2021-2022 Mutual CU Scholarship. Every year, Mutual provides $10,000 in awards for the upcoming school year to recognize its members who have shown scholastic achievement and who are interested in advancing their education. We will award six (6) scholarships in the amount of $3000, $2000, (2) $1500, and (2) $1000 to High School Seniors who best meet the requirements.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 31, 2021. A completed application package must be mailed or delivered by March 31, 2021 to the following address:

Mutual Credit Union • ATTN: Susan Mandarino • PO Box 25 • Vicksburg, MS 39181

It can also be emailed to smandarino@mutualcu.org or delivered to any of our branch locations. For additional questions or to request an application be mailed to you, please call 877-457-3654 ext. 1226 or email smandarino@mutualcu.org.

Mutual CU has a firmly-held belief that the education of our community’s youth is a solid investment in our community’s future. We wish the best of luck to all applicants and to each of our graduating seniors.

Hours of operation for all Mutual locations are Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; drive through services open at 8:30 a.m. Account access is also available 24/7/365 by visiting www.mutualcu.org, using the Mutual Credit Union app on your mobile device or by calling our SAM Audio Response System at 1-877-457-3654 Option 1.

For more information about the Mutual Credit Union Scholarship program, please follow this link to our webpage. For additional questions, please contact the marketing department at marketing@mutualcu.org or by calling (601) 636-7523 ext. 1226.

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