Navigating Finances in Preparation of Deployment or Training

Safety and Protection

April 28, 2025

Service members and their families may face numerous challenges during deployments or extended military training. Save these strategies and resources to help prepare for and avoid unnecessary financial stress during deployment or training periods.

Update Contact Information

Update all relevant contact information, including primary and secondary phone numbers, email addresses, as well as the information for your trusted or emergency contact(s) at financial institutions, utility companies, insurance, phone, or other service providers.

Suncoast tip: You can update your contact information at Suncoast by contacting our Member Care Center at (800) 999-5887, or by visiting your nearest service center.

Set Travel Notifications

Set travel notifications for debit and credit cards that the servicemember expects to utilize while they are away. With respect to Operations Security (OPSEC), do not disclose specific locations for deployments, but notify financial institutions you are deploying overseas. Check whether travel notifications set at your financial institutions are per card or for your entire account.

Suncoast tip: You can set travel notifications for individual Suncoast cards directly through digital banking or by contacting our Member Care Center.

Enroll Electronic Notifications & Statements

Enroll in electronic notifications and statements at financial institutions, utility companies, insurance providers, and phone providers to prevent private information from being delivered, or to provide convenient access while away from home.

Suncoast tip: You can enroll in electronic statements at Suncoast directly through digital banking.

Establish Automatic Payments, Transfers, or Allotments

Establish automatic payments, transfers, or allotments to pay bills, put money in savings, or fund your joint account(s). Servicemembers can establish allotments from their military pay directly through their Mypay/DFAS.

Suncoast tip: You can establish automatic payments or transfers at Suncoast directly through digital banking, by contacting our Member Care Center at (800) 999-5887, or by visiting your nearest service center. Consider connecting your external financial institutions to Suncoast, or vice versa for easy payment management.

Update Passwords & Account Security

Update account passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for financial institutions, utility companies, insurance providers, and phone providers.

Suncoast tip: You can update your Suncoast Password and Account Security preferences directly through SunNet, or through the SunMobile App and you can set a Verbal Password by contacting our Member Care Center at (800) 999-5887, or by visiting your nearest Service Center.

Take Necessary Action on Debit & Credit Cards

Replace your debit or credit card(s) if they are due to expire during deployment or military training. Report lost or stolen cards to the respective financial institution as soon as reasonably possible.

Suncoast tip: You can report lost or stolen debit cards, or order replacement cards at Suncoast by contacting our Member Care Center at (800) 999-5887 or by visiting your nearest service center.

Consider Designating a Power of Attorney

Consider designating a Power of Attorney Agent (POA) to manage your personal or financial affairs during deployment or training. Service members may contact their local Judge Advocate General (JAG) office for assistance with completing a POA.

If you decide to designate an agent, ensure they know what businesses or financial institutions they must work with in your absence – they are responsible for providing a complete copy of your POA.

Suncoast tip: At Suncoast, your Agent may submit your POA and complete required intake documentation by contacting the Special Accounts Department at (800) 999-5887, by email at specialaccounts@suncoastcreditunion.com, by fax to 813-740-2020, or by visiting their nearest service center.

Establish or Update Estate Planning Documentation

Establish or update Estate Planning Documentation, such as wills, trusts, or pay-on-death beneficiary designations for financial institutions. Ensure that a trusted or emergency contact, a POA Agent, or an attorney knows where to locate your estate planning documentation. Service members may contact their local Judge Advocate General (JAG) office for assistance with creating or updating estate documentation.

Suncoast tip: You can designate Pay-On-Death Beneficiaries for your Suncoast deposit accounts by visiting your nearest service center or by contacting our Member Care Center at (800) 999-5887 to request the necessary documents to update your beneficiary designations.

Update Insurance

Establish or update Insurance policies, including Pay-On-Death Beneficiary Designations for Life Insurance (SGLI or private), automobile, motorcycle, RV, boat, homeowners, renters, umbrella, or other insurance policies. Contact relevant insurance providers regarding potential savings when storing automobiles, motorcycles, boats, etc. during extended training or deployments.

Suncoast tip: Members Insurance Center (MIC) offer a wide arrange of Insurance for Suncoast Members, including credit life, accidental death & dismemberment, and whole life. For assistance with establishing or updating a Suncoast or MIC policy, contact our Member Care Center at (800) 999-5887, MIC at (888) 238-7511, or visit your nearest Service Center.

Other Items to Consider

Set Credit Freezes & Alerts

Freeze credit profiles or set Active Duty Fraud Alerts with the major credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to prevent potential fraudulent accounts, credit fraud, and identity theft while you are away.

Contact Your Mobile Phone Service

Contact your mobile phone provider to ensure you have correct coverage for international use, obtain a mobile access hotspot device, or identify foreign country requirements.

Financial Hardship and Payment Solutions

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides extra protections for service members if legal or financial transactions adversely affect their rights during their service. If you require financial assistance, you may have options available through your branch of service, or directly through your billing company or financial institution.

Suncoast tip: At Suncoast, all members may access robust offerings depending on the type of financial hardship they are experiencing. For loan assistance and other payment solutions at Suncoast, contact our Member Care Center at (800) 999-5887 and request to speak with Member Solutions.

Additional Resources

The links below are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Suncoast Credit Union of any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual.

Suncoast Credit Union bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

Suncoast’s military employee resource group S.A.L.U.T.E. (Suncoast’s Alliance for Leadership & Unification of Troops and Employees) created this guide to improve the quality of service provided to military members and their families.

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