The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. This $2 trillion emergency relief package represents a bipartisan effort to assist both individuals and businesses in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and accompanying economic crisis. The CARES Act provisions for retirement plan relief for individuals under federal tax law are discussed here. For …
Fraud Protection Tips Help Combat Surge in Consumer Fraud Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
A top priority for us at Directions Credit Union is the financial safety of our members. Unfortunately, we have recently seen an increase in fraud activity. Criminals are using the current coronavirus pandemic to make their fraud attempts more relevant in addition to preying on people’s concern and fear. To help concerned citizens avoid scams, members of the integrated Directions …
Do You Know These 8 Coronavirus Scams and Myths?
Crisis and disaster headlines typically generate misinformation and scammers try to take advantage of the situation. The novel coronavirus is no different. Scammers want to collect your personal or financial information or get you to download malware to do the same thing. Or they may be selling products they claim to cure or prevent the virus. They will use emails, …
Coronavirus Email and Donation Scams
With the current state of the Coronavirus, there are already scams trying to get donations and sending spam emails. Opening a spam email installs malware to get sensitive information off of your computer. Keep an eye out for email subjects like “How to protect yourself from COVID-19.” With people worrying about how to protect themselves, this is an easy way …
Beware The 2020 Census Scam!
We have answered all your questions about the 2020 census! Every 10 years, the Census Bureau makes an effort to count every person living in the U.S. Though the process won’t start until mid-March 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is already warning of scammers exploiting the process to con you out of your sensitive information. That’s why it’s important …
How To Dispute An Error On Your Credit Report
While it can be disconcerting to find a mistake in your credit report, the good news is you can contest errors like these and fix your score. As a financially responsible individual, you should be checking your credit on a regular basis. You can do this by signing up for free credit monitoring on a reputable website like CreditKarma.com, requesting …
Beware The Fake Check Scam Targeting College Students
There’s recently been an uptick in fake check scams targeting new college students. Young adults make excellent targets. In fact, according to the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, consumers ages 18 to 24 are three times more likely than seniors to fall prey to a scam. Also, the BBB’s ScamTracker Risk Report of 2018 found that 41.6% of students reported …
What Does The Retail Apocalypse Mean For America?
It’s become a familiar and depressing sight: the shuttered doors, the “Going Out of Business” signs, and the empty storefronts. And it’s not just happening to the mom-and-pop shops of our neighborhoods. In fact, dozens of major national brands we’ve grown up with are disappearing from the country’s retail landscape. What’s happening to the retail world in America? Is there …
How Men and Women Manage Money Differently
Men and women look at shopping very differently. A study by the Wharton School of Business titled “Men Buy, Women Shop” found that women are more likely to view shopping as a recreational activity, while most men just want to get out of that store with their purchase as quickly as possible. Because of this, women notice and care about …
Thanksgiving Hacks To Save Time, Stress And Money
Thanksgiving prep stressing you out? Wondering how you’re going to get everything done in time for the big day and stick to your budget at the same time? We’re here to help! Whether you’re traveling home for the holiday or hosting a houseful of guests, we’ve got you covered. Here are 15 clever Thanksgiving hacks to save you time, stress …