For Further Information Contact:
Linda Webb-Manon, Director of Public Relations
469-385-6486
[email protected]
Richard Grady, VP, Communications, Public Relations & Research
469-385-6485
[email protected]
Public Service Announcements Seek to Inform, Educate Public
Taxpayers urged to avoid RALs, file tax returns electronically
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 – (Dallas, TX) – Tax season is well underway, and according to the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS), by Feb. 27, it had already received some 56 million individual tax returns. For
taxpayers who have yet to file their tax returns, the Texas Credit Union League (League) has issued a
series of public service announcements in English and Spanish encouraging them to avoid the pitfalls of
high-cost refund anticipation loans, or RALs, and instead file electronically – opting for direct deposit of
their refund.
Audio files of the 30-second public service announcements are available for members of the media
online, at http://www.tcul.coop/Public_Service_Announcements.html.
Following is the copy (English and Spanish) for these PSAs:
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
Tax season is here and the filing time is running out. As the days decrease, the number of taxpayers
misled by high-cost “refund anticipation loans” increase. Don’t leave money on the table, and don’t be
one of the 9 million taxpayers last year who had their refunds short-changed. File with ease, file
electronically. This message is brought to you by Texas credit unions – strong, safe and secure for 75
years.
La temporada de impuestos está aquí y el tiempo para declarar se está acabando. Mientras los días
disminuyen, el número de personas engañadas por los préstamos de anticipación del reembolso aumenta.
No deje dinero el la mesa, y no sea una de las 9 millones de personas que el año pasado se defraudaron
con su reembolso. Declare fácilmente, declare electrónicamente. Este mensaje le es traído por las
cooperativas de crédito de Texas – fuertes y seguras por 75 años.
RALs Come with High Fees
Last year 8.7 million Americans were part of a scheme that duped them out of an estimated $900 million.
The culprit? High-cost “refund anticipation loans.” The victims? Taxpayers. This tax season, do
yourself a favor: avoid the too-good-to-be-true quick-refund loans and choose an institution that has your
interest at heart. This message is brought to you by Texas credit unions – strong, safe and secure for 75
years.
Texas Credit Union League  4455 LBJ Freeway  Suite 1100  Dallas, TX 75244  (469) 385-6400  www.tcul.coop
For Further Information Contact:
Linda Webb-Manon, Director of Public Relations
469-385-6486
[email protected]
Richard Grady, VP, Communications, Public Relations, and Research
469-385-6485
[email protected]
TCUL Releases PSAs
Page 2 of 2
La temporada de impuestos no tiene que agotar su paciencia. Los préstamos de anticipación del
reembolso pueden parecer como el reembolso rápido, pero vienen con un precio alto. En el 2007 casi 900
millones de dollares fueron deducidos de los reembolsos de los contribuyentes por medio de estos
préstamos. No sea una estadística; esté informado cuando haga su declaración de impuestos este año.
Este mensaje le es traído por las cooperativas de crédito de Texas – fuertes y seguras por 75 años.
Don’t be Duped into High-cost RALs
Tax season does not mean taxing your patience. High-cost “refund anticipation loans” may seem like the
quick refund, but they come with a fee. In 2007 almost $900 million were stripped from taxpayer’s
refunds through these loans. Be more than statistic; know the specifics when you file your taxes this year.
This message is brought to you by Texas credit unions – strong, safe and secure for 75 years.
El año pasado 8.7 millones de americanos fueron parte de un plan que los estafó de aproximadamente 900
millones de dolares. ¿El culpable? Los préstamos de anticipación del reembolso. ¿Las víctimas? Los
contribuyentes de impuesto. Esta temporada de impuestos, hagase un favor: evite los préstamos de
rápido-reembolso ya que son demasiado buenos para ser verdaderos y elija a una institución que se
preocupe for su beneficio. Este mensaje le es traído por las cooperativas de crédito Texas – fuertes y
seguras por 75 años.
About Texas Credit Union League™
The Texas Credit Union League is the official trade association for credit unions within the State of
Texas. The League represents, on a state and federal level, nearly 600 credit unions state-wide, which are
owned by over seven million members (about one-third of the state’s population). Organized in 1934, the
Texas Credit Union League protects credit unions and promotes their growth, strength and unity. It
accomplishes the mission through advocacy services, regulatory and compliance advice, training and
event activities, marketing and public relations actions, and by delivering innovative, high value and
profitable business solutions to the members. For more information, visit www.tcul.coop and
www.creditunionmember.org; write to us at 4455 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75244, or call
us at 469-385-6400.
Texas credit unions - strong, safe, and secure for 75 years.
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Texas Credit Union League  4455 LBJ Freeway  Suite 1100  Dallas, TX 75244  (469) 385-6400  www.tcul.coop