Our blog is written by experts — who also happen to be real people who have experienced the same financial concerns you have. Read on for real talk about real finances.
Blog
Money talks.
Affordable ways to show your loved ones you care this Valentine's Day
Stores are filled with flowers, candy, stuffed animals and heart-filled cards as Valentine’s Day quickly approaches. People browse the aisles looking for the perfect gift. In fact, people spend roughly $9.324 billion on significant others/spouses on Valentine’s Day each year, with prices of the most common Valentine’s Day gifts increasing annually. This year, take the time to think about the... Continue Reading »
Tax season is also theft season
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen personal information, including your Social Security Number, to file a tax return claiming your refund. According to the IRS, reversing the damage caused by tax related identity theft can be a frustrating and complex process for victims. In addition, scammers will use tax season as an opportunity to commit fraud, pretending to be the ... Continue Reading »
Unemployment fraud: How it works and how to fight it
Across the nation, identity thieves are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic by committing Unemployment Benefits Fraud, which is filing for and collecting unemployment benefits fraudulently by using the identity of someone still employed. This type of scam is very difficult to detect. Sometimes the employer is the first one to know that a scam has taken place by receiving a notice of an unemployment c... Continue Reading »
Reach your goals: Get a personal loan
Whether you’re wanting to renovate your home, go on a dream vacation or pay off some debt, a personal loan may be the solution for you. A personal loan provides you with one lump sum of a fixed amount of money. The amount varies depending on the lender, but often can be anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000. Rates vary, as well, and are generally based on your credit score and the term of the loan sel... Continue Reading »
Top 10 identity theft myths
In today's world it is more important than ever to focus on the things that we can control to better safeguard our financial future. It's easy to get complacent, lulled into a false sense of security, when there are many other more urgent things to think about. That's why we assembled the Top 10 Identity Theft Myths that you need to stop believing now. Along with this information are suggested res... Continue Reading »
Preventing tax payer identity theft
While you may be ready to never look back at 2020 again, there is still one aspect of the year left for you to deal with – your taxes. This year, anti-fraud experts are seeing an increase in various types of fraud due to the covid-19 pandemic. With the 2020 tax return season upon us, it’s anticipated that there will be an uptick in tax-related identity theft as well.
Tax identity theft happ... Continue Reading »
What is a personal loan? Our Q&A has answers
When it comes to loans, most are easily defined by their names: home loan, car loan, or business loan, for example. But what is a personal loan?
A personal loan allows you to borrow a lump sum of cash, which can be used for whatever you need. The loan isn’t secured by collateral, like a car or a house, so it can offer a great deal of flexibility in how it’s used. In fact, some people appl... Continue Reading »
Synthetic Identity Fraud and the Holidays
The holidays are upon us, and so is the increase in risk for identity theft. Fictional characters are a big part of the season, but sadly they've also become a big part of identity thieves' tool kits as well. According to a Federal Trade Commission Report, over the last five years, Synthetic Identity Fraud has become the fastest growing type of financial crime in the United States and accounts for... Continue Reading »
Secrets of Holiday Budgeting: Webinar
Aside from all the cheer that comes with the holiday season, the holidays can be financially strenuous. The ticket to avoiding the holiday debt hangover, and making the season less stressful, is good planning. Watch our "Secrets of Holiday Budgeting" webinar and learn how to plan and budget for the holidays amid covid. The webinar covers:
Average holiday expenditures
Creating a holiday s... Continue Reading »
Online Holiday Shopping - Buyer Beware
The rise of online shopping during the pandemic has led to a proportional increase in online fraud and scams. As the holiday season approaches, we want to make sure you are armed with the knowledge and the skills to protect yourself. With a little awareness, you can avoid online shopping fraud as the busiest time of the year for retail shopping is shifting into high gear.
As of mid-November... Continue Reading »
