‘Tis the season to be jolly! Unfortunately, though, not everything about the holiday season is all happy and nice. As always, scammers are on the scene, ready to turn the joyous season into a nightmare. Here are six naughty-list scams to watch out for this holiday season. Online shopping scams In this classic scam, a shopper is lured into a …
If you have decided to take the plunge and buy a home, you should take great care to get the right lending partner. It’s is a big decision with lots of nuances to consider. With thousands of different banks, credit unions, and even online options, how will you pick the best financial partner for your needs? First, let’s look at …
Black Friday has long been hailed as the biggest shopping day of the year, but consumers are beginning to rethink that title. While there are definitely great deals to be grabbed on the day after Thanksgiving, it’s not always worth the hassle. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of being a Black Friday shopper so you can …
When it comes to covering the cost of your holiday shopping, you have several choices. Let’s take a look at some options and explore the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision. Credit cards For many shoppers, the most obvious way to pay for a purchase you can’t currently cover is with a credit card. …
The new income-driven repayment plan for student loans can be confusing. Here, we’ve broken down the plan into simple terms and outlined steps you may need to take. What is SAVE? Income-driven repayment plans are based on a borrower’s discretionary income, and not on the amount borrowed. Payments typically do not cover all the interest that accrues. After a specific …
Debt-collection scams exploit the feelings of helplessness and overwhelm to lure victims. Let’s take a look at these scams and how to keep yourself from falling victim. How the scams play out In a debt-collection scam, a scammer posing as a debt collector will call a victim to demand payment for an outstanding debt. The caller insists on a specific …
Student loans have undergone quite a few changes over the last few years. Backtracked statements and moving rollout dates have only made the headlines more confusing. As a borrower, though, it’s important to keep up with these changes. Here, we’ve outlined the important changes you need to know about and included steps you might need to take to benefit from …
Quick question: if a scammer was trying to pull off a con on two groups of people, one aged 13-21, and one aged 55+, which group would be more likely to fall for the scam? If you’d guess the group aged 55+, you may want to think again. Yes, older adults are a more vulnerable group that is also sometimes …
Hello, college, hello, money worries! College life brings a sense of independence that extends to personal finances. Being in charge of your own money can seem like an impossible challenge, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If the thought of managing your money in college is stressing you out, dig into these tips for some help! Create a …
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we live and work. Unfortunately, though, it’s also revolutionizing the way scammers play their games. Here’s what you need to know about AI fraud and how to protect yourself. What is AI fraud? AI fraud is the use of artificial intelligence to deceive or defraud individuals or organizations. When using AI to pull …
