Use Direct Deposit for Federal Benefits
 
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service
 
Still receiving your federal benefit payments by paper check? You should know that your check is vulnerable to a variety of risk factors that can prevent it from arriving on time each month.
 
Paper checks can be delayed, lost or stolen, and leave you open to financial crimes such as check fraud and identity theft. In 2008, more than 485,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued.
 
Don’t let your check be next – take charge of your money with direct deposit. Direct deposit is better than paper checks for federal benefit payments because it’s:
 

• Safer – Eliminates the risk of lost or stolen checks and helps protect against identity theft.
• Easier – Money goes straight into your checking or savings account. There’s no need to wait for the mail to arrive or to make a special trip to cash or deposit a check.
• More control – Your money is available on payment day each month and accessible from virtually anywhere.

 
During Go Direct® Month in February, the U.S. Department of the Treasury urges you to take control of your monthly payments by switching from paper checks to direct deposit. With this one simple step, you can help safeguard your money from financial crimes and get your money on time, every time.
 
It only takes five minutes to sign up. Call the Treasury Department’s Go Direct campaign helpline at (800) 333-1795, visit www.GoDirect.org, or stop in and speak to a Mercer Savings Bank representative.
 
Rid yourself of the hassles caused by paper checks. Switch to safer, easier direct deposit for your monthly payments. It’s your money – take charge of it. Sign up today!