According to reports released Sept. 7, hackers stole personal data, including Social Security numbers, addresses, birth dates, drivers’ license numbers, credit card numbers and credit dispute documents for 143 million consumers from credit reporting agency Equifax. The breach, which occurred sometime between May and July, h...
When it comes to your credit, it’s hard to know if all the information you see and hear is true. For example, does applying for a credit card really lower your score? What about getting pre-approved...
Identity theft is an unfortunate fact of life in the digital age. You must stay vigilant and take care to protect your personal and financial information from those who wish to misuse it for their benefit. Read on to learn how to spot identity theft and what to do if you think you have been a victim of identity theft. Signs o...
Identify theft is an unfortunate reality of our times, and seniors can be especially vulnerable to this life-altering crime. If you’re a senior yourself or are helping care for an elderly friend or family member, there are a number of things you can do to protect personal information from falling into the hands of the wrong pe...
Dealing with calls from a debt collector can be unpleasant at best; stressful and dehumanizing at worst. Most debt collection agents are paid on commission and receive minimal training, which can lead them to behave aggressively. The law forbids them from using threatening language or profanity. (That doesn’t mean they won’t...
As the cost of everything continues to rise, many people are finding themselves running out funds before their next payday. Some are turning to payday loans or cash advance stores just to make ends meet. However, many people are not aware of the total cost of payday loans. Many payday borrowers don’t understand that a $15 or $...
Financial scams tend to pop up more around the holidays. Consumers are busy, buying lots of goods and more than willing to shell out extra cash for those in need. While generosity is the theme of the season, it’s vital consumers use caution when donating to a charity. To help you stay alert and financially secure, we’ve comp...
When the housing bubble burst in 2007, a slew of scam artists started targeting homeowners facing foreclosure. It quickly became difficult to sort the real help from false hopes. Consumers around the country were scammed out of thousands of dollars, and even their homes. It’s important to know that legitimate help is widely...
It's that time of year, folks across the country are itching for a much-anticipated break from school and work. It's also the time when eager spring breakers put down their guard and fall victim to tr...
When you’re looking for work, it can be tempting to respond to every offer or opportunity. Unfortunately, scam artists take advantage of this vulnerable time in people’s lives by stealing personal information through bogus job offers, fake website applications and fake job postings. To help you better interpret employment...