SCAM ALERT! June 22, 2023 | Our members have alerted us to two scams happening right now. One is from a group called PTSO saying they are working "hand-in-hand" with Green Country on disaster recovery efforts. The other is for mortgage refinance or forbearance through a group called Optimus. Neither group is legitimate. Do not [...]
10 ways to spend less when shopping online Get what you need without overpaying—or being tricked into overbuying. Key takeaways Retail sites have features that entice you to buy more than you need, but savvy shopping can help you stick to a budget. These tips and habits—including staying focused, carefully timing purchases, and factoring in [...]
5 Tips For Keeping Your Children Safe Online The Internet is an incredible tool to expand knowledge and information exchange for adults and children alike. but there are pitfalls This short paper will provide you with tips to help your children safely use the internet, benefitting from the positives and helping to avoid the negatives. [...]
Automatic Payments for the Child Tax Credit Start on July 15th - Here's What You Need To Know So what is the child tax credit and how is it changing? Traditionally, the child tax credit provides parents a credit on their taxes for each child under 17. If your tax credit exceeds the amount of [...]
If You Get This Message From the IRS, Don't Open It New Tax Credit has scammers clamoring to take advantage of you. Scam callers claiming to be from the IRS are a dime a dozen. While tax season has come to an end, you might be gearing up to receive the IRS' child tax credit [...]
How to shield your family from financial elder abuse While it’s not always the most pleasant topic, discussing finances with aging family members is crucial. They may be fine now, but it’s possible that as the years pass, they’ll need help managing their money to keep up with expenses and bills. Plus, the unfortunate reality [...]
Classic warning signs of possible fraud and scams There are several signs that indicate you might be dealing with a scammer. They include contact from someone: Calling or emailing you, claiming to be from the government and asking you to pay money. Asking you to pay money or taxes upfront to receive a prize or [...]
Fraud & Scam Resources Losing money or property to scams and fraud can be devastating. But there are many resources to help you prevent, recognize, and report scams and fraud. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a U.S. government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly. [...]
Fraud and Scams Glossary Want to learn more? Visit the CFPB online. Elder financial exploitation Elder financial exploitation is the illegal or improper use of an older adult’s funds, property, or assets. It is the most common form of elder abuse, but only a small fraction of incidents are reported.The perpetrators can be strangers who [...]
Money Missteps - A Great Thing to Happen to a Kid? You Spent Your Money on What?! Any parent with a child old enough to have control over money has probably at least thought that, if not shouted it across a dinner table. While the outrage at a teenager spending an entire pile of birthday [...]
As the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out continues, it’s important to be on the lookout for scams. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN) recently issued a new warning about vaccine scams: Beware of scams offering early access to vaccines for a fee. Keep an eye out for phishing scams where scammers email or text you with phony [...]
Online Shopping Safety In today's electronic world, it is extremely easy to shop and purchase goods or services on your computer, without ever leaving your home. Certainly, there are many benefits — cyber storefronts are always open and bargains are abundant. It is simple to comparison shop with the click of your mouse, and sellers [...]
There are so many COVID-19 scams circulating right now. Everything from stimulus money fraud to imposter contact tracers and everything in between. Stay aware and keep your personal information safe. Here are some tips from the FTC. KEEP CALM & AVOID CORONAVIRUS SCAMS Learn how to tell the difference between a real contact tracer and a scammer. [...]
5 tips for social media security and privacy Social media accounts are powerful tools in the wrong hands. We’ve recently seen hackers take over the Twitter accounts of media outlets and large corporations, using them for anything from basic spam to drawing attention to global issues. Your own accounts might seem too small to tempt [...]
