Town of Hempstead Go Direct Month

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has proclaimed February "Go Direct Month" and is encouraging seniors who receive federal benefits, such as social security income, to use direct deposit.

"Hempstead Town is very proud to join dozens of other municipalities throughout the country in declaring February 'Go Direct Month,'" said Supervisor Kate Murray.

Go Direct is a national campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank, designed to motivate more seniors to direct deposit their social security checks and other federal benefits. Direct deposit eliminates the risk of stolen checks and forgeries and helps protect people from identity theft. Go Direct works in conjunction with local municipalities such as the Town of Hempstead, so seniors are informed about the program by an entity that they already know and trust.

"Identity theft is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, ruin your credit and impact your daily life," stated Supervisor Murray. "Not only is it extremely convenient to have monthly social security income checks directly deposited into bank accounts, it eliminates the risk of stolen checks and forgeries."

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, electronic payments are more secure, reliable and cost effective than paper checks because they help to protect against check theft and fraud, they provide easier access to funds during emergencies and natural disasters and provide citizens with more control over their money.

"I encourage all seniors to consider having their federally-issued checks directly deposited so that their money and identity do not end up in the wrong hands," concluded Murray.

To sign up for direct deposit, please call the toll-free helpline at (800) 333-1795, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or visit GoDirect.org.

The Go Direct campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve Banks. The Go Direct and Direct Express logos, Go Direct and Direct Express are service marks of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service (used with permission). The Direct Express Debit MasterCard card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.