September 2024 News

It’s Time for the Colorado Fall Home Show

Now that the fall season has arrived, it’s time to visit the 2024 Colorado Fall Home Show, which is your one-stop marketplace to see hundreds of exhibitors and get thousands of remodeling ideas for your home. Bellco is proud to be the presenting sponsor of this three-day event at the Colorado Convention Center, September 13–15.

This year, Bellco members can get TWO FREE ADMISSIONS to the show at the door by showing their Bellco debit card, credit card, or mobile app and start exploring the latest in home products for free. Sunday entrance is free for everyone—no ticket required.

If you’re looking to access the equity in your home for remodeling projects or larger home show purchases, Bellco has you covered:

Home Equity ChoiceLine

For a limited time, Bellco is offering a fixed rate as low as 6.99% APR on a Home Equity ChoiceLine advance of $10,000 or more*. To learn more about this offer, visit Bellco.org/ChoiceLine.

For more information about the Home Show, visit Bellco.org/homeshow.

*All loans subject to approval. Membership eligibility required. Bellco is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

Be on the Lookout for Job Recruitment Fraud

Maybe you’re on the search for a new job. Or maybe you’re hoping for a second gig to bring in a little extra cash. Or maybe you just happen to have your toe in the water, wondering if that “great opportunity” will fall in your lap. No matter your relationship to a job search, be aware that you could be the target of a job recruitment scam.

It can start on job-hunting sites or even networks like LinkedIn or Facebook, where scammers pose as recruiters for legit companies. They create fake job pages and postings, hoping to lure job seekers in. And they’ll even do their own outreach, sending direct messages or texts trying to convince people that they’re “just the right fit” for a fairytale job. Sometimes they’ll even go as far as creating a fake virtual interview followed by a “job offer,” complete with a job brief that outlines responsibilities and benefits.  

At this point, the fraudster will frequently ask for money upfront to buy or lease office equipment, saying they’ll reimburse you. Or they’ll demand your personal information as part of the “employee enrollment” steps—if they get hold of your driver’s license info, social security number, or bank account number, they can steal your identity and your cash.

Not all job postings are frightening—the vast majority are honest, legitimate roles. To spot the scams, simply keep your eyes open at all times, watching out for the following:

  • “Work from home” jobs that seem too good to be true. If the posting claims you can make a lot of money in a short amount of time, it’s likely a scam.
  • Recruitment messaging that comes from a personal vs. an official company email address.
  • Requests for upfront payments via cash, Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal.
  • Requests to get some sort of certification or training before you can begin working. Frequently, this type of training ends up being expensive and useless, and your money is down the drain.
  • Checks sent to you before you’ve performed any work—this is a red flag for money laundering.

If you feel like something isn’t on the up-and-up, do some research before you give up any money or personal information. Check the official company website to determine if the job is real. Do an online search including the recruiter’s name plus the terms “complaint,” “scam,” and “review.” Never pay for a job—honest employers won’t ask you to do that. 

If you think you’ve been the victim of a fake job scam or if you think you’ve identified a job trap, report it as soon as possible to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

VENMO and PAYPAL are trademarks of PayPal, Inc. Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

Make Life Easier by Paying Loans with ACH

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to make your Bellco loan payments on time. That’s why we offer a number of payment options, including using ACH transfers from another financial institution. If you’ve been writing and mailing checks or using Bill Pay from another bank or credit union to pay your loans, ACH (Automated Clearing House) could be the answer to consistent payments.

ACH is a safe and effective payment method that started in the 1970s and has only grown in the decades since. Consumers, businesses, and even government agencies use ACH for their transactions. The system is a way to transfer money between banks without leaning on card networks or paper checks.

Using ACH to make Bellco loan payments means:

  • No more searching for a stamp
  • Peace of mind knowing your payment won’t get lost in the mail
  • Faster payment acceptance
  • ACH payments can be set up to recur monthly

Plus, setting up ACH is easy. Simply click the button below and follow the online instructions to get started.

How to Set Up ACH

Why Now’s a Great Time to Purchase a Home

By Bellco Home Loans

If you’re ready to turn your homeownership dreams into reality, now may be a great time to make that happen. We believe the next few months could be your golden ticket to finding the perfect home. Here’s why:

  • Lower interest rates: With the Fed signaling a rate cut soon, now is a good time to start your home and mortgage search. Many lenders have already lowered their rates in anticipation of the Fed cutting rates, and more rate adjustments should be coming soon, which can save you thousands over the life of your loan.
  • Seller concessions are on the rise: With more homes on the market, sellers are offering incentives like price reductions or contributions to closing costs to sweeten the deal.
  • Less competition: Many buyers have stopped looking by the start of school season, which gives you a competitive edge.
  • Increasing inventory: More homes to choose from means you have a better chance of finding your dream property.

All this means more homes, less competition, lower rates, and potential price reductions — a buyer’s dream come true! 

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity. Connect with a Bellco Home Loan’s representative to discuss your home buying goals and explore your options or visit the Bellco Home Loans website for more information.  

Bellco Home Loans is a joint venture between Bellco Credit Union and Guild Mortgage Company, LLC, an independent mortgage lender that has helped families attain home ownership since 1960. Bellco Home Loans, LLC is an affiliate of Guild Mortgage Company LLC. Guild Mortgage Company LLC; Equal Housing Opportunity, Company NMLS 3274.