Whether you're new to personal finance or just want to brush up on your knowledge, understanding lines of credit could help you make smarter financial decisions. Credit lines are one more tool in your financial arsenal that can help you reach financial goals sooner. But if misunderstood, they could cause lasting harm to your finances. When you can identify different credit lines, choosing the best...

Protecting Your ATM Card Always protect your ATM card and keep it in a safe place, just like you would cash, credit cards or checks. Do not leave your ATM card lying around the house or on your desk at work. No one should have access to the card but you. Immediately notify your financial institution if it is lost or stolen. Keep your Personal Identification Number (PIN) a secret. Never write it...

The idea of a "budget" just sounds restrictive. Placing limits on how you spend your hard-earned money seems like the exact opposite of the financial freedom you crave. But spending money without a savings plan for the future — or even knowing how much you need to save — can put you in a financial bind that's hard to escape. Tracking your income and expenses using a budget is key to taking charge...

Financial surprises can lift your spirits. An unexpected federal tax refund, finding a $20 bill in a shirt pocket on laundry day, or receiving an instant rebate at checkout can put a smile on your face. But, when a water pipe suddenly bursts or an A/C unit stops blowing cold air on the hottest day of the year, the resulting financial surprise can quickly dampen your mood. An emergency fund can...

Scammers know that when potential victims believe they are speaking with someone whom they actually know and trust, they’re less likely to verify the details of requests for money or sensitive financial data. Here’s what you should know about this increasingly prevalent scam and what you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim. A Typical AI Voice Cloning Scam Scenario ( Ring! Ring!)...

Consumers love technology — and so do crooks. While e-banking is a secure way to manage finances online, fraudsters often trick people into sharing the very security details designed to keep their accounts safe. These bad actors combine stolen account details or other personally identifiable information along with smishing and vishing techniques to steal money directly from members by pretending...

Smart consumers aren't the only ones who stay alert to financial scams. Criminals also keep their eyes open to fraud alerts published by watchdog websites, like Fraud.org. They use this information to tweak their schemes, making them sound more realistic to unsuspecting victims. Fortunately, you can still avoid most scams by focusing on the common tactics criminals use to get you to believe their...

Some cybercriminals are eager to help themselves to your hard-earned cash and private financial data by pretending to fix your electronic devices. But you can avoid becoming their next victim when you learn to recognize a tech support scam. Here's what you need to know to keep your devices and your bank accounts safe. What is a tech support scam? A tech support scam occurs when someone...

In 2020, "saving money" was second only to "exercising more" as the most common New Year's resolutions among Americans. If saving money is one of your goals in 2021, resolving to reduce your credit card debt can help you do it more quickly. It can be challenging to put money aside if credit card debt payments are weighing you down. After all, there's only so much money in your budget. The faster...

When an unexpected job loss causes you to lose your financial footing, quickly regaining your balance is key to managing your money in the face of uncertainty. Feelings of fear, stress, and helplessness can be overwhelming if you don't take control of the situation quickly. While you can't force a potential employer to immediately add you to their payroll, you can take steps to improve your...