Trusted Contact

Find Peace of Mind with a Trusted Contact 

Your financial security is paramount at CHROME Federal Credit Union, especially as you age. That’s why we’re proud to introduce our new Trusted Contact Service for older adults. This service offers an additional layer of protection with someone who will protect your interests, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

 

What is a Trusted Contact?

A Trusted Contact is an individual you can depend on to look out for your welfare and act in your best interest. This person, who must be at least 18 years of age, will be designated as a point of contact for your account in case any concerns about your well-being emerge. 

Important: While your Trusted Contact cannot transact on your account or directly obtain financial information, their role in protecting your account is vital. You may choose a family member, significant other, close friend, or personal attorney to fulfill this role.

 

Why Choose a Trusted Contact?

While a Trusted Contact will not have account access, choosing the right person for this role can significantly enhance your financial security in several ways:

  • Emergency Contact: In cases where we suspect fraudulent activity or cannot reach you, a Trusted Contact can help us connect with someone who can potentially assist. While they have no account access, they can help us in contacting you.
  • Member Advocacy: We view this person as a trusted individual who will put your interests first. While we may approach this person in situations of concern, they cannot authorize transactions, make decisions on your behalf, or be given your specific account information. 
  • ‘Out-of-Character’ Support: A Trusted Contact can assist in a variety of ways when something doesn’t seem right. 
  • Health-Related Situations: If a health crisis prevents you from managing your finances, your Trusted Contact can help communicate your situation to us.
  • Prevent Financial Exploitation: With a Trusted Contact in place, we have additional resources available if we detect unusual activity that may indicate financial exploitation. While they cannot perform transactions or act on your behalf, they can assist us in contacting you.
 

How It Works:  

Perhaps you have a child nominated as your Trusted Contact. If an uncharacteristic transaction occurs, such as a large withdrawal, and we’re unable to reach you over concerns we may have, we can contact your Trusted Contact on your behalf. While this person cannot act on your behalf, it can facilitate faster communication. By having a Trusted Contact to call, we can help secure your account against fraud or scams, especially those targeting our senior community members.

For example: 
  • If our team sees you arrive with someone not usually with you and you seem intimidated, we can rely on a Trusted Contact for assistance. 
  • Or, if you seem disoriented and we are concerned about your health or well-being, we have a trustworthy person available to call. We can let this Trusted Contact know that “ [Your Name] was in today and performed an ‘out-of-character’ transaction.”

 

Choosing Your Trusted Contact

When selecting a Trusted Contact, consider the following:

  • Trustworthiness: Choose someone reliable who has your best interests at heart, such as a family member, close friend, or neighbor.  
  • Availability: Nominating more than one Trusted Contact is wise to ensure someone is always available to assist.
  • Understanding: Ensure your Trusted Contact understands their role and is willing to assist in emergencies. 
  • Advocacy: Your Trusted Contact does not require a Power of Attorney; they are simply someone committed to your personal and financial well-being.
 

Our Commitment to Your Security

CHROME Federal Credit Union is dedicated to safeguarding your financial well-being. Our Trusted Contact Service is one of the many ways we provide our members security and peace of mind. Here’s what we promise:

  • Confidentiality: With your consent, we will only share necessary information with your Trusted Contact in specific situations.
  • Flexibility: You have complete control over your Trusted Contact nomination and can make changes as your circumstances or preferences evolve.
  • Support: Our team is here to guide you through setting up this service and to address any concerns you may have about privacy, independence, or family dynamics.
 

Take Action Today

Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Adding a Trusted Contact to your account is a simple yet effective step toward securing your financial future. Visit our local branch or contact us to learn how you can set up this service and continue enjoying the peace of mind that comes with being a CHROME Federal Credit Union member.

 

Remember: 

A Trusted Contact is there to help protect you, but they do not have control over your accounts or finances. Choose wisely and secure your legacy with CHROME Federal Credit Union.

To assign your Trusted Contact at CHROME, contact us:

 

For additional information, call our CHROME Care Team at 724.228.2030 or visit www.consumerfinance.gov/olderamericans.