November is Financial Literacy Month

Colouring Contest from November 1 to November 30

Stop by one of our branches or print off a colouring sheet here to bring in!
Youth 12 & under could win 1 of 4 prizes of $50 deposited into a youth BOO$T savings account.

Financial Literacy Event at the Vernon Library

Join us and local community partners for a special reading of our youth financial literacy book The Adventures of Cashman and SuperSaver.

About the Book
Loonie and Toonie each want a new bike, but they don’t have enough money. Good thing Cashman and Supersaver are here! Supersaver likes to save her money up, while Cashman chooses to spend his. Can Loonie and Toonie earn enough for new bikes with the help of the superheroes? Using familiar scenarios and timeless characters, The Adventures of Cashman and Supersaver introduces children to the basic financial concepts of earning, spending and saving. Kids can practice what they have learned with interactive fun learning worksheets! Read a recent news article featuring the book here.

/by

Earn up to $1,000 with our Business Welcome Bonus!

Move your business account to VantageOne and take advantage of these limited time offers:

The Commercial Welcome Bonus includes up to:

$500 Cash from VantageOne Credit Union when you open an operating account plus obtain one other product from the list below:

  • Telpay cash management services (accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll management and more) with 3 months of free transactions and waived application fee
  • 8760 merchant services to accept credit, debit, and online payments with 3 months of free terminal rental
  • Collabria credit card with First Year Annual Fee Rebate and 5,000 Welcome Points

    The total value is estimated at over $1,000!

Ask us for further details!

Already a member? You can earn up to $1,000 when you refer your friends, learn more here.

Phone
Local calls: 250.545.9251
Toll free: 1.888.339.8328

*Earn up to $1,000. For new commercial members, self-employed individuals or for-profit corporations only.

*Terms & conditions apply. Offer subject to change at any time.

 

/by

Scam Alerts: Local, Online and more

For a current listing of scams, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

For tips and resources, visit the VantageOne Anti-Fraud page here.

——– June 5, 2025 ——–

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is warning the public about fraudsters impersonating the CAFC. Fraudsters are using CAFC employee names, spoofing the CAFC’s phone number and email addresses to mislead victims while promising to assist with investigations and/or recover lost funds.

Click here to learn about common scam variations where fraudsters claim to be from the CAFC:

——– March 1, 2025 ——–

Did you know that March is Fraud Awareness and Prevention Month?

Fraud is an ever-present threat in today’s digital age, but with the right knowledge and precautions, you can protect yourself and others. This Fraud Awareness Month, take the time to review the different types of scams that exist and educate yourself about how to spot and avoid them. Remember, the best defence against fraud is awareness—stay vigilant and stay safe!

Stay Safe, Stay Informed. Learn more here.

——– February 12, 2025 ——–

Residents across the Central Okanagan are being asked to speak with their elderly family members and friends about the risk of an ongoing “grandparent scam” that is circulating.

According to the RCMP, several people in Kelowna and West Kelowna have fallen victim to scammers who have collected over $20,000 in cash. The scammers collected the money from people who thought they were helping their grandchildren, police said in a news release.

“Police said that the scammer impersonates the grandchild or as a lawyer on their behalf. The scammer then asks for money to secure the grandchild’s bail following an alleged arrest. Once the victim has withdrawn the money, the scammers arrange a pick up location or even arrive at the victim’s house. In most of the cases reported to the RCMP, a woman wearing a face covering arrives, takes the money and leaves on foot.”

Learn more here

——– January 23, 2025 ——–

Canadian police services are alerting the public about a Canada Carbon Tax Rebate e-Transfer scam currently circulating via email and text message. This scam may involve look-alike domains and phishing websites designed to deceive recipients.

Please note that this scam is likely to resurface periodically, particularly around the distribution dates for the Canada Carbon Tax Rebate which are:

  • January 15
  • April 15
  • July 15
  • October 15

Below are examples of fraudulent email/text messages you may receive.

 

——- December 10, 2024 ——–
Canada Post Scam Alert

With the Canada Post strike and the holiday shopping season underway, Canadians are facing a fresh wave of scams, particularly delivery scams, as fraudsters take advantage of the situation to trick people into parting with their money.

Here’s how these scams work and how you can protect yourself:

How the Scams Work:

  1. Phishing Emails or Texts: Scammers often send fake emails or text messages claiming to be from Canada Post or another delivery service. They might tell you there’s an issue with your delivery or that customs fees are due. The message will typically include a link to a fake website where you’ll be asked to enter personal information, like credit card details or your address.
  2. Fake Delivery Notices: Another common scam involves receiving a fake delivery notice, either in the mail or digitally. These notices might claim that a package couldn’t be delivered and that you need to pay a fee to have it rescheduled or released. Some even create a sense of urgency by stating that your package will be returned or destroyed if you don’t act quickly.
  3. Fake Tracking Links: Fraudsters may also provide fake tracking numbers that lead to a fraudulent website. The website might look like an official delivery site, but it’s designed to steal personal information or install malware on your device.

How to Identify Bad Actors:

  • Check the Source: Official communications from Canada Post will always come from an official domain (e.g., “@canadapost.ca”). Be wary of messages from unfamiliar email addresses or numbers.
  • Look for Red Flags: Watch for urgent messages that ask for personal details or payments. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay for services through strange or untraceable methods (like wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards).
  • Spelling and Grammar: Scammers often make mistakes in spelling, grammar, and formatting. Official communications are usually professionally written.
  • Verify Tracking Information: If you receive an email or message with a tracking number, double-check it on the official Canada Post website by entering it directly. Don’t click on any links in the message.

How to Protect Yourself:

  1. Do Not Click on Links: Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails, texts, or messages, especially those asking for personal information or payment.
  2. Verify Contact Information: If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Canada Post, contact their customer service directly using official contact details to verify the legitimacy of the message.
  3. Use Secure Payment Methods: Never provide payment details through unsecured channels. Always use secure payment methods and look for HTTPS in the URL before entering any personal information online.
  4. Report Scams: If you’ve been targeted by a scam or have received suspicious communications, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) or the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

With the rise in scams during busy seasons like the holidays, being vigilant and cautious is crucial to avoid falling victim to fraud.

Learn more about the scams here.

——- October 21, 2024 ——–

Local Online Marketplace Scam

Local police have issued a warning to the public following several people in the Okanagan falling victim to a scam that originates from local online marketplace buy and sell sites.

How does the scam work?

  1. You as the seller, post an item for sale online.
  2. You are contacted by “the buyer” offering to pay you full price for the item you are selling.
  3. “The buyer” claims they will e-transfer the funds to you, asking you to check your email for the notification.
  4. In the email, there is a link that once clicked, takes you to a “legitimate-looking” banking webpage.
  5. The seller is then asked to enter their banking information along with their phone number to receive a verification code through a text message
  6. Once that information is entered, scammers then have direct access to your bank account and can transfer funds out.

How can you avoid this scam?
Police recommend that the sale of online marketplace items be done in a public place with cameras.

If you have fallen victim to a scam, please reach out to your local RCMP detachment Vernon North Okanagan detachment – British Columbia (rcmp-grc.gc.ca)

Protect yourself from fraud, learn more here.

/by