Oct. 15, 2012 – The federal Go Direct campaign is focusing on payment security this month – Crime Prevention Month – in promoting the switch from paper checks to direct deposit.
Go Direct notes that making the switch is especially important in light of the prevalence of crimes involving paper checks. In 2011, more than 440,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be reissued.
The campaign wants financial institutions and other organizations to help encourage the millions of senior citizens, people with disabilities and other federal benefit recipients that still receive paper check payments to switch to electronic payments.
To assist in this effort, the campaign is offering a number of free Crime Prevention Month materials online that can be downloaded to help enhance communication efforts. These materials include newsletter copy, social media tips, talking points, news briefs and printed materials such as fliers and posters.
Recipients of federal recurring payments have until March 1, 2013, to move their payments to electronic form.
NAFCU is a partner in the federal Go Direct campaign.