ABA: 5 Ways to Protect Your Small Business from Ransomware Attacks
WASHINGTON — Small businesses are becoming popular targets to a form of malware known as ransomware. Ransomware is used by cybercriminals to freeze your computer or mobile device, steal your data and demand a “ransom” — anywhere between a couple of hundreds to thousands of dollars — be paid. Ransomware infiltrates enterprise networks and servers and individual laptops or computers, leading…
CFPB: How to Avoid Credit Repair Scams
Repairing your credit history after a setback can feel overwhelming. Unfortunately, that’s why some credit repair companies use confusing and misleading messaging to target anxious consumers who are just trying to get their financial lives back on track. Over the past several months, more than half of people who submitted complaints with the CFPB about…
CFPB: Don’t Let Malicious Mail Make Off with your Money
According to the Department of Justice, older people are losing millions of dollars to mass mailing fraud schemes, often by sending $20 or $30 at a time. These mail scammers use any means they can to convince victims to send them money, credit card details, and personal information like Social Security numbers. These offers often promise…
CFPB: Be Your Family’s Financial Action Hero During an Emergency
Is your family prepared for a natural disaster, like a major flood or earthquake? It’s hurricane season, and, with memories of devastating storms like Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina, you might already be stockpiling supplies or planning an evacuation route. But there’s something else that should be on your list, too: emergency financial planning. And one…
ABA: 7 Tips to Help Older Americans Keep Their Money Safe
The ABA Foundation recognizes National Grandparents Day with tips for choosing a financial caregiver WASHINGTON — In recognition of National Grandparents Day on Sept. 11 and as a part of its Safe Banking for Seniors program, the American Bankers Association Foundation is offering tips to help older Americans and their loved ones choose the right…
CFPB: 4 Strategies to Help Youth Achieve Financial Capability
Today, we released a report, “Building Blocks to Help Youth Achieve Financial Capability,” which describes how young people acquire the “building blocks” of financial capability to help them navigate the financial marketplace as adults. The building blocks are: 1) executive function, 2) financial habits and norms, and 3) financial knowledge and decision-making skills. These building…
ABA: 10 Money Mistakes Every College Freshman Should Avoid
WASHINGTON — With the fall semester well underway, the American Bankers Association is highlighting common money mistakes college freshmen should avoid to remain financially fit through graduation. “Freshman year marks the first time many students take control of their everyday finances, so it’s important to establish good habits from the get-go,” said Corey Carlisle, executive…
CFPB: Four Ways to Support Your Community’s Fight Against Elder Financial Expoitation
Four ways to support your community’s fight against elder financial exploitation Financial exploitation robs millions of older people of their money and property every year. To prevent and respond to the crisis of elder financial exploitation, people are working together in hundreds of communities across our nation. These networks of people bring together, among others,…
FDIC: Tips on Choosing and Using the Right Bank Account
Having a bank account brings important benefits, including deposit insurance and access to a variety of financial services. The latest FDIC Consumer News features simple tips on how to choose and manage a checking or savings account wisely. The Summer 2016 edition also has articles on depositing a check using a smartphone or tablet, avoiding credit and…
CFPB: Tips and Resources for Enrolling in an Income-Drive Repayment Plan
Lost paperwork? Unexpected and lengthy delays? Different answers each time you call your servicer with questions? Every day, we hear from borrowers experiencing these problems as they struggle to repay their student loans. We’re here to help. If you have federal student loans and are trying to make your payments more affordable, you can change your repayment…