Finance and Credit Tips

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01/10/2013

Don’t Let Paperless, E-Receipts Compromise Your Personal Information

Have you ever opted for a paperless, e-receipt? Some retailers and banks have started offering customers the option of receiving receipts from purchases and ATM transactions via email.

01/10/2013

Three Things You Need to Know Before Investing

Investments take risk; sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. But smart investors know that the best way to minimize risk is to educate yourself.

10/11/2012

Children continue to be heavily targeted by identity thieves, BBB warns

A recent study published by Carnegie Mellon University Cylab, a cybersecurity research center, found that children were targeted by identity thieves 51 times more frequently than adults. Better Business Bureau encourages parents to regularly monitor their children’s credit report to prevent devastating damage to their future.

09/07/2012

Protect Yourself from Investment Scams

Before you invest your earnings, it is important to check for scams and verify credibility of the investment firm. Asking questions, research the company, reach out to local investment firms and advisers, talk to other investors. It’s essential to take precaution with all investment opportunities.

08/02/2012

Is Money Tight? Don’t Ignore Your Retirement Plan!

During challenging economic times, it can be tempting to forego contributions to your retirement account. But there can be some pretty tough financial consequences for tapping or ignoring your retirement plan.

02/28/2011

Better Business Bureau Recommends Following the Top Ten Tips from the Internal Revenue Service this Tax Season

With April 18th fast approaching, it’s time to start the tax filing process that we all know and love. This tax season, if you are planning to get assistance from a tax preparer or even if you’re planning to do the leg work yourself, Better Business Bureau, along with the Internal Revenue Service recommend following these top ten tax filing tips.

06/01/2007

FTC - Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here's What to Do

The possibility of losing your home because you can't make the mortgage payments can be terrifying. Perhaps you are one of the many consumers who took out a mortgage that had a fixed rate for the first two or three years and then had an adjustable rate. Or maybe you're anticipating an adjustment, and want to know what your payments will be and whether you'll be able to make them. Or maybe you're having trouble making ends meet because of an unrelated financial crisis.

03/01/2007

FTC - Understanding Vehicle Financing

With prices averaging more than $28,000 for a new vehicle and $15,000 for a used vehicle, most consumers need financing or leasing to acquire a vehicle. In some cases, buyers use “direct lending:” they obtain a loan directly from a finance company, bank or credit union. In direct lending, a buyer agrees to pay the amount financed, plus an agreed-upon finance charge, over a period of time. Once a buyer and a vehicle dealership enter into a contract to purchase a vehicle, the buyer uses the loan proceeds from the direct lender to pay the dealership for the vehicle. Consumers also may arrange for a vehicle loan over the Internet.

02/01/2007

FTC - Home Equity Credit Lines

Using a credit line to borrow against the equity in your home has become a popular source of consumer credit. And lenders are offering these home equity credit lines in a variety of ways.

01/01/2007

FTC - Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams

It’s your lucky day! You just won a foreign lottery! The letter says so. And the cashier’s check to cover the taxes and fees is included. All you have to do to get your winnings is deposit the check and wire the money to the sender to pay the taxes and fees. You’re guaranteed that when they get your payment, you’ll get your prize.

01/01/2007

FTC - High-Rate, High-Fee Loans (HOEPA/Section 32 Mortgages)

If you're refinancing your mortgage or applying for a home equity installment loan, you should know about the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA).

12/01/2006

FTC - Electronic Banking

For many consumers, electronic banking means 24-hour access to cash through an automated teller machine (ATM) or Direct Deposit of paychecks into checking or savings accounts. But electronic banking now involves many different types of transactions.

11/01/2006

FTC - Electronic Check Conversion

The next time you write a check to your local merchant, the cashier may hand it back to you after the payment has been processed – electronically. Or maybe you’re mailing a check as payment to a company. That payment, too, may be processed electronically. Why? More merchants and companies are using electronic check conversion, which converts information from your paper check into an electronic payment from your bank account. In fact, NACHA – the Electronic Payments Association – estimates that more than 1.7 billion paper checks were converted through in-store and mail-in transactions in 2005.

11/01/2006

FTC - Before You File for Personal Bankruptcy: Information About Credit Counseling and Debtor Education

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 launched a new era: With limited exceptions, people who plan to file for bankruptcy protection must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before they file. They also must complete a debtor education course to have their debts discharged.

06/01/2006

FTC - Financial Readiness: As Critical as Fully Charged Batteries

Home is where most people feel safe and comfortable. But sometimes — say, when a hurricane, flood, tornado, wildfire, or other disaster strikes — it’s safest to pack up and go to another location.