For many charities, the holiday season is the biggest time of the year for charitable donations. People are in a giving mood, the deadline for making this year’s tax-deductible donations is approaching, and mission-based organizations are making their final push to solicit donors. But this spike in giving can put donors at risk of fraud, [...]
Marriott International, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, today revealed its discovery of a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of up to 500 million guests. The data breach leaves Marriott guests vulnerable to account fraud, identity theft, and other criminal activities. Marriott says an unauthorized party has been accessing [...]
We’ve previously recommended two-factor authentication (2FA) as a useful tool for protecting your online accounts on this very blog. When enabled, 2FA requires a second verification after you enter your username and password, and it helps prevent anyone who has stolen your login credentials from gaining access to your accounts. Many organizations including banks, credit [...]
Social media networks are a great way to connect with friends and family online, but they’re also a breeding ground for scams and criminal activity. And while you may picture hackers trying to break into your account, thieves can just as easily use the information you volunteer to share publicly. It pays to be careful [...]
The information contained in your credit report should be fair and accurate. After all, it determines your credit score and helps lenders, creditors, and other companies decide whether to do business with you. Unfortunately, credit report errors are extremely common. In 2013, the FTC reported that one in five Americans had discovered an inaccuracy on [...]
When used correctly, your credit card can be a useful personal finance tool. Credit cards can fund everyday purchases, build your credit score, and even earn valuable rewards. But when you use your card the wrong way, you can easily fall into financial hot water and damage your credit. There are certain things you should [...]
With identity theft a rising threat for all Americans, it’s extremely important to keep your Social Security number safe and secure. With just a little identifying information and your Social Security number, thieves can apply for credit and open accounts in your name, wrecking your credit in the process. But your Social Security number is [...]
Credit card companies usually highlight their showier benefits, like cash back rewards or airline miles, to draw in new business. But many credit cards provide much more than that, offering a full suite of valuable benefits to their customers. If you’re only aware of your credit card’s surface level perks, you might not be getting [...]
When it comes to protecting your online accounts, passwords are one of the most important lines of defense. Your finances, credit score, and identity are all protected by the passwords you keep. Unfortunately, many people practice poor password security, which can leave them vulnerable. While passwords aren’t foolproof against thieves and hackers, using good practices [...]
Getting an unexpected call from a debt collector can be an intimidating experience. Often, debt collectors will try to pressure you into paying them over the phone on the spot. But even if you’re swimming in debt, you have rights when a debt collector calls, and you should always do your homework and exercise your [...]
If you’ve ever received a credit card pre-approval offer in the mail, you may have wondered why the credit card issuer is reaching out to you. How do they know you would be a good customer? Why are they extending you an offer unprompted? And are these offers guaranteed? The business of credit card pre-approvals [...]
One of the best ways to build credit is responsible use of a credit card. By maintaining a low balance and making your payments on time, you can use your credit card to improve your credit score. But if you already have bad credit, it can be tough to get approved for a card in [...]
The primary purpose of your credit report is to demonstrate your creditworthiness to lenders and creditors. In other words, your credit report can help companies decide whether to approve or deny your loan and credit card applications. But lenders and credit card companies aren’t the only ones that can pull your credit report. In fact, [...]
When you’re drowning in debt, bankruptcy can be an escape route. Bankruptcy can help you discard or pay off debts and get some financial relief, but it can also be devastating for your credit, causing your credit score to take a nosedive. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and myths surrounding bankruptcy. Here are five of [...]
If you’re unhappy with the terms of your current credit card, you might think you’re stuck with the status quo. But credit card companies are often willing to negotiate certain terms, especially if you’re a good customer or if you have special financial circumstances. Here are five things to negotiate with your credit card company. [...]
Following last year’s enormous Equifax data breach that compromised the personal information of 143 million Americans, consumers were left wondering how to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft. One solution is credit freezes, which prevent thieves from using your credit to open fraudulent accounts in your name. But freezing your credit with all three [...]
When you’re stuck with high-interest loans or massive credit card balances, it’s hard to envision a future where you aren’t overwhelmed by debt. If that describes you, you may be considering a debt consolidation loan to help dig yourself out. Personal loans for debt consolidation are offered by many banks and credit unions. They allow [...]
Before you apply for a credit card, it’s a good idea to review your credit and identify opportunities for improvement. That’s because a better credit score can get you lower interest rates, higher credit limits, and access to better cards. Whether you’re applying for your first credit card or your fifth, you should take some [...]
Cybersecurity is a constant concern for retailers that store consumer data online. Even so, hackers are persistent, and data breaches have happened to some of the largest retailers in the world. When you use your credit card or debit card to shop online, you run the risk of your account information falling into the wrong [...]
People take vacations to explore new places, get away from the daily grind, or just plain relax. But even when relaxation is your goal, you need to be vigilant against identity theft. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 17 million people fell victim to identity theft in 2014 alone, and thieves won’t take [...]
A lack of familiarity with your credit report could cost you big. The information in your credit report determines your ability to qualify for credit cards, loans, and even employment in some cases. Negative information in your credit report could hurt your credit score and block access to the financial products you need. You should [...]
Criminals with a lot of time on their hands are committing a con that can take years to pay off and sounds like something out of the future: Synthetic identity fraud. Instead of the traditional identity theft of stealing an existing identity from someone and posing as them, synthetic identity fraud criminals create a new [...]
Your credit card is one of the most valuable items in your wallet, and you rightfully might feel frantic if it’s been lost or stolen. But unlike some other pieces of property, federal law protects your credit card. Replacing it might be a pain, but if you act fast you can limit the damage done. [...]
Each year, millions of Americans fall victim to identity theft. It’s a serious threat, as thieves can use your personal information to open new accounts, claim tax refunds, file fraudulent Medicare claims, and more. Even if your identity isn’t stolen, thieves may try to use your personal information to gain access to your bank account [...]
When used correctly, credit cards are one of the best tools available for building or improving upon your credit. They directly impact several factors that determine your credit score and are a good place to start if you want to make a positive change. Here are four ways credit cards can help you build your [...]
Debit cards are one of the worst ways to use your money if you want your ID protected. Because it’s linked directly to your bank account, anyone with your card information can instantly withdraw all the money from your account. If that doesn’t scare you enough, there’s the fact that debit cards don’t have near [...]
Despite an increasing focus on the importance of cybersecurity, organizations continue to lose consumer data to hackers and data breaches on a regular basis. It’s a widespread problem that will likely continue to grow and leave you vulnerable to fraud and identity theft. While you may know the basics of keeping yourself protected (not sharing [...]
The parental refrain “Do what I say and not what I do” isn’t a wise one in many respects, but especially when it comes to financial talks with your kids. Parents lead by example and if you’re racking up credit card debt you can’t afford, then you may be teaching them bad money habits. Such [...]
Data breaches are just about a daily occurrence. Whether it’s at a hospital, business school, energy provider or any other business with personal data on file, hackers are finding more ways to steal information and possibly later use it for fraud. Checking a credit report each month to make sure thieves haven’t opened accounts in [...]
Online shopping offers convenience and great deals, but it also leaves you vulnerable to hackers and data breaches. Criminals are constantly trying to break into the databases of online retailers to access consumers’ personal information and debit or credit card numbers. You should take steps to protect yourself online, and that includes determining the best [...]
Staying safe as you shop online requires diligence. Some good habits, such as keeping your credit card number private, are obvious. But savvy shoppers can go above and beyond to reduce the risk of theft and fraud as they shop on the Internet, using modern technology and safeguards to protect themselves. Here are five underused [...]
When you don’t have any credit history, it’s hard to qualify for credit cards and loans, which are ironically the very tools you need to build good credit. Lenders simply can’t judge your ability to manage debt without any past information to evaluate. This is a common challenge for young people and anyone without any [...]
Each year in the United States, tax season provides con artists an opportunity to scam taxpayers out of their hard-earned money. It’s a serious problem that is only on the rise: according to the IRS, the number of potential victims for one common scam has skyrocketed from hundreds to several thousands in a matter of [...]
When they’re used correctly, credit cards are one of the best ways to build credit. But if you have bad credit or a thin credit history, you might have trouble getting approved for a card. It’s a classic catch-22. Secured credit cards were designed for people in your scenario. While they have a few quirks [...]
Children are just as vulnerable to identity theft as adults, but they don’t have access to the same system of checks and alerts. By falsifying birth dates, thieves can use your child’s Social Security number to open credit cards, take out loans, apply for government benefits, and more. When it’s done to a child, identity [...]
