Volunteer Federal eNEWS

Holiday Season Phishing Scams and Malware Campaigns

2011-12-05T10:57:00.001-05:00

In the past, the US-Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has received reports of an increased number of phishing scams and malware campaigns that take advantage of the winter holidays and holiday shopping season. US-CERT reminds users to remain cautious when receiving unsolicited email messages that could be part of a potential phishing scam or malware campaign.

These phishing scams and malware campaigns may include but are not limited to the following:

electronic greeting cards that may contain malware
requests for charitable contributions that may be phishing scams and may originate from illegitimate sources claiming to be charities
screensavers or other forms of media that may contain malware
credit card applications that may be phishing scams or identity theft attempts
online shopping advertisements that may be phishing scams or identity theft attempts from bogus retailers

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to use caution when encountering these types of email messages and take the following preventative measures to protect themselves from phishing scams and malware campaigns:

Do not follow unsolicited web links in email messages.
Use caution when opening email attachments. Refer to the Using Caution with Email Attachments Cyber Security Tip for more information on safely handling email attachments.
Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
Review the Federal Trade Commission's Charity Checklist.
Verify charity authenticity through a trusted contact number. Trusted contact information can be found on the Better Business Bureau National Charity Report Index.
Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document for more information on avoiding email scams.
Refer to the Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks Cyber Security Tip for more information on social engineering attacks.

Refer to the Shopping Safely Online Cyber Security Tip for more information on online shopping safety.

Reprinted from:

http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#holiday_season_phishing_scams_and

2011-10-31T09:01:00.000-04:00

Tricks, Treats and Scares Galore!!!!

Join us as we once again transform ourselves into a haunting variety of ghastly and ghouly creatures of the night! Better bring a friend... you'll need someone to hang on to during the tour. Monday night, October 31st from 7:00 to 10:30 p.m. in the abandoned stone building behind Volunteer Federal's Main branch in Downtown Madisonville. Admission is $5.00 (proceeds benefit Toys for Tots).

2011-09-14T12:09:00.000-04:00

Local Band Seeking Your Support!
The Surfers, Madisonville's golden oldie quartet consisting of Mike Anderson, John Byrum, Jim Samples and Volunteer Federal's own Bobby Moser, are poised to hit the big time as one of eleven finalists in Charter Communications' CenterStage Battle of the Bands Contest. Let's show the entire country what a small town community can do by helping The Surfers win the grand prize worth nearly $25,000! Voting will begin on September 18th and last through September 25th on Charter Communications Facebook site. You can check out all the finalists, their music video entries, and vote for The Surfers at the same time using this link:
CenterStage Battle of the Bands Finalists

For the Serious and Not-So-Serious...

2011-03-31T14:40:00.013-04:00

Come and enjoy the spring weather and the great outdoors by participating in the inaugural Ridgerunners and Redcoats event on Sunday, April 17th.

For the serious competitor, Ridgerunners and Redcoats will challenge you on a timed course consisting of an off-road trail meandering through the beautiful lake side scenery of Fort Loudoun State Historic Area. For the rest of us, the event also offers families the opportunity to walk the trail at their own pace. There's even a Kid's Fun Run!

Register now to take advantage of early discounts (early entry deadline is April 8th). For more information, or to register online, click here or contact Abby Cook at 423-442-4545 (acook@volfed.com).

Donations for Kylie Grace Overton Accepted at Volunteer Federal

2011-01-04T14:46:00.006-05:00

Kylie Grace Overton is the 2-1/2 year old daughter of Nikki Cline and Sam Overton and the granddaughter of Mike and Teresa Cline. In the span of less than a week, Kylie and her family have been through a tremendous ordeal. Kylie had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, was airlifted to St. Jude Medical Center in Memphis and was scheduled to have surgery Monday, January 3rd. Her condition worsened and she was rushed into emergency surgery the night before. She has made it through surgery -- the tumor has been removed and she continues to have full use of her extremities. The battle is not over, however, as Kylie and her family are in need of prayer and support from a caring community. Volunteer Federal has been asked by the family to establish an account and begin accepting donations to help them with medical and travel expenses. Please make your donation at any Volunteer Federal branch today.

For more information on Kylie's story, see her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prayers-for-Baby-Kylie-Overton/134504613276501.

Support Art Education and Financial Literacy at the Same Time -- Vote Today!

2010-12-03T10:08:00.006-05:00

Volunteer Federal encourages everyone to teach our children how to be financially responsible -- especially the benefit and importance of becoming thrift-minded. Visit the drive-thru at our Sweetwater Highway 68 branch (from Dec. 3rd - 17th) or our Sweetwater-Vonore Road branch (from Dec. 17th - 31st) and vote for your favorite piggy bank crafted by the art students at Sweetwater Jr. High School. The winning student will receive a $100 savings account in his/her name!

"Life for Christmas" at Fairview Baptist Tabernacle

2010-11-29T15:45:00.006-05:00

Saturday, December 11th at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 12th at 10:30 a.m.

Fairview Baptist Tabernacle Church

112 Key Kile Road

Sweetwater, Tennessee
Come and experience the true meaning of Christmas with the Fairview Church Choir and worship band, Life Wide Open, at this can't miss event of the season! For more information, call 423-337-6208.

CASA Monroe -- 2010 Festival of Trees

2010-11-08T10:07:00.004-05:00

"Through the Eyes of a Child"

Help support a great community organization by attending the events and activities of CASA Monroe's 2010 Festival of Trees. Beginning with the gala grand opening on Friday evening, November 19th, and lasting through Sunday, November 21st, attendees will not only have the opportunity to view (and purchase) some of the most beautifully decorated Christmas trees of the season but also involve their children in a special breakfast with the very busy Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Additional special events are planned throughout the weekend. All activities will take place at the Tellico West Conference Center in Vonore TN. Ticket prices and event admission vary. Call CASA Monroe for more information (423-442-2750).

Fall Concert at Tellico Village -- Pianafiddle

2010-10-14T12:55:00.009-04:00

On November 5th at 7:30 p.m. Tellico Village Community Concerts, Inc. will present the eclectic duo of improvisational music, "Pianafiddle," featuring jazz and ragtime pianist, Randy Morris, and classically trained concert violinist and fiddler, Adam DeGraff. Admission is $20.00. The concert will be held at the Tellico Village Community Church with tickets available at Village Salon, United Community Bank, and Kahiti Grill. For more information, call 865-408-9166.

"Tennessee Colors" Quilt Show

2010-09-17T16:55:00.002-04:00

The Village Quilters will be presenting their 2010 Quilt Show on Saturday, October 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 10th, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Chota Recreation Center located in Tellico Village (145 Awohili Drive, Loudon TN). Everyone is invited to experience a wonderful display of over 200 quilts crafted by artists from the local area, along with vendors, a silent auction, and various boutique items for sale. There is a $4 admission charge with parking and shuttle service from the Cooper Visitor Center. This will be a great event for the experienced and wanna-be quilters in your family!

Is There a Better Way to Enjoy the Fall Weather?

2010-09-15T10:52:00.010-04:00

Join your community in celebrating Monroe County Rescue Squad's 50 years of selfless service. Come on out to Kefauver Park on October 16th for some great food and fun. All proceeds from BUZZ Fall Fest will be used to help the Monroe County Rescue Squad meet its equipment needs. For a listing of planned events and special promotions, visit the BUZZ's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/monroecountybuzz.

And, by all means, don't forget BUZZ Fall Fest is where and when the Turtle Tumble will take place. Show your support for the Boys and Girls Club of the Monroe Area by adopting a turtle for a chance to win some fabulous prizes. Stop by any Volunteer Federal "Turtle Adoption Site" today!

SCAM ALERT !!!

2010-09-03T20:55:00.003-04:00

Several people have reported receiving calls from someone claming to be Volunteer Federal. Always remember that Volunteer Federal will never contact you to obtain any sensitive personal information. If you have given any information, we ask you to please call your branch first thing in the morning to avoid or minimize any potential fraud. If you have given your debit card number to this scam after business hours, please call our lost or stolen card hotline at 1-877-849-5533 to have your card suspended. Our team is working diligently to track and stop the perpetrators of this attack. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused any of you.

2010-08-19T14:56:00.009-04:00

ENGAGE - Street Festival

Sweetwater Church
(Next to Sweetwater Elementary School)
Sunday, August 29th
10:30 a.m.

You won't want to miss this FREE event! Bring the entire family, invite your co-workers and friends, for some great fun and fellowship with the folks at Sweetwater Church. Following a special worship service, get your face painted, bounce and slide on the inflatables, win a fabulous cake in a cake walk, and play a game of cornhole. When you get hungry, find the Volunteer Federal Wiener Wagon for a free hot dog lunch!

2010-08-13T15:51:00.004-04:00

It's a Different Kind of Bank...
Volunteer Federal and MEDIC Regional Blood Center have something in common... they both serve the community as "banks." Why don't you stop by the MEDIC Mobile and make your "deposit" on Thursday, August 19th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at our Madisonville Branch (4450 New Highway 68)? All donors will receive a coupon for a free Chik-fil-A sandwich and be eligible for a weekly drawing for two free tickets to a Tennessee Smokies baseball game!

Visit our Mobile Website!

2010-08-10T11:06:00.005-04:00

Using an iPhone, Blackberry or other smartphone or tablet web-enabled device? Visit http://volfed.mobi/, our mobile website specifically tailored for internet access to Volunteer Federal information from a mobile device. The site is formatted to optimize the small display screen, while eliminating the need to scroll across a wide page. Our mobile content is a simplified version of our .com site, with handy features such as dialing bank phone numbers with one keystroke, checking your account balances, and easily locating our nearest ATM. Let us know how you like it.