Make the Most of Your Tax Refund with Boost

Tax season is here! If you’re getting a refund this year, consider our free Boost Interest Checking account. With Boost, you can earn up to 4.50% APY on balances up to $25,000 by meeting three easy monthly requirements. And the higher-than-average interest can help your refund grow faster than many savings options, all while keeping your money readily available.

If you have a savings or checking account at another financial institution, compare your current interest rate to what Boost offers. You could be earning less than you should. Here are the three simple monthly requirements you need to meet to earn the 4.50% APY:

1. Make 15 Debit Card Purchases:

Reaching 15 debit card transactions per month is easier than you think. Many Bellco members already use their debit card monthly an average of 25 times. Every purchase counts, whether you use your physical card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay^™, Google Pay^™ or PayPal_^® linked to your Bellco debit card. Online purchases through retailers like Amazon and eBay also qualify. (Note: ATM transactions are excluded.)

2. Log in to Online or Mobile Banking:

Staying on top of your finances is essential. Simply log in to your Bellco Online or Mobile Banking account at least once per month. Whether you prefer a quick daily check-in or a thorough monthly review, this step is crucial for earning the 4.50% APY.

3. Have at Least One Direct Deposit:

Most employers offer direct deposit for payroll. Setting up direct deposit to your Boost account fulfills this requirement. It’s a convenient way to get paid and a simple step towards maximizing your interest earnings.

More Benefits:

• No Minimum Balance or Monthly Fees: Boost is free. Earn the advertised rate on balances from $1 to $25,000 and never pay a low balance or monthly service fee.
• Interest on Higher Balances: Any balances in excess of the first $25,000 earn a rate of 0. 25% APY, if the requirements referenced above are met.
• Flexibility: Even if you don’t meet the requirements in a given month, you’ll still earn interest on your full balance, though at a lower rate.

And if you’re wondering how much money you can earn with Boost, you could earn over $1,000 annually¹ just by using Boost and meeting the requirements.

To learn more, including full terms and conditions, click the Learn More button.

*Membership eligibility required.
¹Calculated earnings based on $25,000 daily balance for the whole year and 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY). Your actual earnings could vary based on many factors.  Requirements apply.
Apple Pay is a trademark of Apple Inc. Google Pay is a trademark of Google Inc. PayPal is a registered trademark of PayPal, Inc.

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Celebrating All Things Irish During March

No matter your own heritage, March is the time to celebrate all things Irish, whether in traditional or not-so-traditional ways. And, given that Colorado weather can bring either beautiful springtime bluebird days or giant snowstorms, you might want to be ready with both indoor and outdoor celebrations. Read on for some family-friendly events and destinations you could choose from this month.  

Parades

If you’re like many Coloradans, you like a good parade, and you’ve got a few options in the state.  

• Bellco is proud to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Denver, known to be one of the biggest in the country. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 15.
• If you’ll be in the Colorado Springs area, you can watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade starting at noon on the 15^th. 
• For a more unusual experience, head to Boulder for the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will be on the 1600 block of Pearl Street starting around noon on the 15^th. To compensate for the shortness of the parade, you can participate in additional family-friendly festivities in the area.

Music

For the more musically inclined, there are certainly some options.

• On March 7 and 8, Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Creek will host the Celtic Festival XI, featuring pipes, drums, and fiddles, all in honor of Celtic music.
• Or, on March 8, head to Lyons for the Bloomin’ Beats concert from 1 to 3 p.m.

History

Colorado is chock-full of history, including specifically Irish stories. Leadville in particular, with its silver rush in the late 1800s, drew numerous Irish miners.

In the Denver area, you can check out historical Irish landmarks such as the Molly Brown House, which offers free entry to SCFD members the first Thursday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m.  

The Leadville Irish Miners’ Memorial pays tribute to Irish fortitude and recognizes the hundreds of Irish immigrants buried in unmarked graves in Evergreen Cemetery. 

While you’re in Leadville, check out some of the self-guided tours—for example, you can learn about the Flannery family, a working-class Irish clan that helped build Leadville.

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Beware of Recent “Card Cracking” Scams

College-age members, beware: Bellco is noticing an uptick in cases of “card cracking,” which can have dire implications both for your bank account and for you.

Card cracking is usually aimed at younger people who frequent social media, typically students and others aged 18 to 30 years old. However, this could be targeted to anyone. The steps of the scam are not complicated:

1. The scammer sends a DM offering the lure of quick cash, often in the thousands of dollars or in exchange for college tuition.
2. They ask the victim to provide the debit card and PIN for a legit bank account.
3. They deposit a fake check into the account and then turn around and remove the funds through an ATM.
4. They instruct the accountholder to report a lost or stolen card, so the bank refunds the removed cash to the legit account.
5. The fraudster might even provide an additional cash kickback.

The biggest problem with this scam is that it’s 100% a crime, on the part of not only the fraudster but also the accomplice—it’s bank fraud. On top of that, if you’re sucked into this scheme, you’ll be responsible for refunding the money that the fraudster has absconded with—which could put you in debt. Furthermore, the criminal mark on your record can make future employment difficult to obtain. To avoid those consequences, do your best not to be sucked into such scams.

• Don’t respond to online offers of “easy money.” The scammers might use convincing language like “quick, safe way to earn cash,” and they might even be able to show “testimonials,” but the offer will rarely be legal. If you see a post or receive a DM that has a suspicious offer, report it to the social media site. 
• Don’t share your account information or PIN. Providing your card and PIN information to a fraudster can make you an accomplice. Keep your debit card secure, use hard-to-guess passwords and PINs, and be sure not to autofill your password or account information on your phone or computer.
• Don’t deposit a check or money order from an unknown source. Rarely will money just fall into your lap. If it seems too good to be true, it likely is.
• Don’t be lured into filing a false “lost or stolen card” claim with your bank. Doing so is another way you can become an accomplice to the crime and face prosecution and potential jail time.

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Smarter Insurance for Bellco Members is Here

By The Insurance Loft

As a Bellco member, you have access to The Insurance Loft—Bellco’s preferred insurance provider for both personal and business coverage. Whether you need home, auto, or personal belongings protected, or you’re looking to secure your commercial vehicles, property, or liabilities, we work with multiple carriers to find Bellco members coverage tailored to your unique needs.

Our focus is simple: provide personalized service, flexible options, and affordable protection, all from independent insurance advisors you can trust.

Get Your Free Quote

Contact us today for a free insurance review, and let’s safeguard what matters most—whether it’s your personal property or the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

Learn more about all the various insurance options available to Bellco members.