Financial scams are an increasing problem for consumers. Learn how to protect your money and financial information, both in real life and online.
It’s challenging enough to stay vigilant about protecting your own identity. But if you have children, you need to actively protect their identity, too. In fact, a Carnegie Mellon University study says children are actually 51 times more likely than adults to have their identity stolen. And when it happens, it can take years to become aware of ch...
If you’ve ever considered becoming a secret shopper to make extra money, you probably have a lot of questions. How much do mystery shoppers make? Are secret shopping jobs legitimate? Are there scams related to mystery shopping? Keep reading, because we’re about to answer those questions and more. What is Mystery Shopping, Exactly? ...
Most people will end up renting a place to live at some point in their lives. Whether it’s as a young person just starting out or after the kids have grown and it’s time to downsize the empty nest (or at some time in between). And there are many people who simply prefer the relative freedom of renting instead of owning a home. While renting ...
When it comes to strategies for improving your credit, you’ll hear many terms used interchangeably and often, incorrectly. One of these misunderstood terms is ‘credit repair.’ Let’s take a look at what credit repair really is, and whether it’s something you can do yourself, or if it requires professional assistance. What is credi...
We talk a lot about keeping your financial information safe and secure online. But what about when you’re doing business in the real world? Do you just assume your transactions are secure? Unfortunately, they’re not. Any time money changes hands — whether in person or online —there are thieves and scammers ready to insert themselves in the ...
The popularity of direct selling websites and apps such as Craigslist, Letgo and OfferUp shows no signs of slowing down. And with good reason. They are a great way to make money by selling your unwanted items, or to find a bargain on something you need. But as with anything that involves money changing hands, avoiding scams is key to having a good ...
If it hasn’t happened already, there will come a time when a friend or family member will want to share “an exciting opportunity” with you. When you hear those words, there’s a good chance they’re about to try to recruit you into a multi-level marketing business. Whether it’s old-school Amway or Tupperware or newer businesses, such as L...
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, has been considered o...
By now, you’ve heard of the massive Equifax data breach that has made nearly 143 million Americans’ personal information vulnerable to fraud and identity theft. Many believe the initial response from Equifax was inadequate, especially considering three top Equifax executives sold large amounts of company stock before news of the breach was rele...
In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, many Americans are in the process of rebuilding their lives following a natural disaster. After the initial shock passes, there are a number of things individuals and families must tackle as they try to return to day-to-day life. But even if you don’t live an area that’s prone to hurricanes, earthqu...