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SCAMS

SCAM CONCEPT.

This Executive Lost Her Life Savings to a Real Estate Scam: 7 Key Ways To Keep Your Money Safe

When Rana Robillard found her dream home in Orinda, California, she was excited to learn she successfully outbid three other buyers. “So when Robillard […] received an email in late January from her mortgage broker with directions to wire a $398, 359.58 downpayment to a JPMorganChase account, she wasted no time sending the money,” wrote Hugh Son at CNBC. Read Next: 6 Best Cities To Buy Property in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Agents Discover More: 7 Reasons You Should Consider a Financial Advisor to Boost Your Savings Yet, while the email came from the broker’s address…

By Cara Danielle Brown
Car dealer sales car to the customer.

4 Sneaky Car Dealership Scams That Might Be Illegal Soon

Buying a car can feel like walking through a minefield of shady sales tactics. Some deceitful dealerships have long employed a bag of tricks to nickel-and-dime consumers out of their hard-earned cash. However, a new ruling by the Federal Trade Commission aims to put the brakes on these shady practices once and for all. Check Out: I’m a Bank Teller — 4 Reasons You Should Withdraw Your Savings Right Now Learn More: 7 Reasons You Must Speak to a Financial Advisor Before Spending $10,000 or More The FTC’s new “Combating Auto Retail Scams” (CARS) rule may take effect later this…
Political Contributions & Lobbyists - Super PACs and Political Campaign Donations.

4 Election Donation and Identity Scams To Avoid

For scammers, the goals of getting your personal information and money remain the same year in and year out, but the strategies used constantly change with the times. As the presidential election approaches, Americans will need to remain vigilant not only against voter fraud, but financial and identity scams. “These donation scams are going to manifest themselves in many different ways,” said Shawn Waldman, CEO and founder of cybersecurity consulting firm Secure Cyber. Check Out: 3 Things To Do This Week If You Have Debt Learn More: 6 Money Moves the Wealthy Make That You Can Make Too According to…
Back view of hugging couple standing with real estate agent in front of house for sale.

Homebuyers: Avoid These 3 Common Property Scams

As if the stress of buying a home wasn’t enough, property scams are now an increasingly common threat to watch out for. Be Aware: I’m an Economist: Here’s My Prediction for the Housing Market If Trump Wins the Election Try This: 7 Reasons You Must Speak To a Financial Advisor Before Spending $50,000 or More Sofia Vyshnevska, a housing expert and co-founder and COO at NewHomesMate, a marketplace for new construction homes, shared the three most common homebuying scams that are on the rise, along with tips on how to avoid them.   Also, protect your cash from these common scams…

IDENTITY THEFT

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4 Tips To Better Protect Your Identity Online From Financial Scams

It seems like something out of a horror movie, or a particularly effective thriller: You’re going about your day, feeling good about the world, when suddenly, you’re hit with a notification about a credit card you don’t remember taking out. Or a car loan you know you didn’t apply for — for a car note that costs more than your mortgage.  Find Out: I’m a Bank Teller: 4 Reasons You Should Withdraw Your Savings Right Now Learn More: 7 Reasons You Must Speak To a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024 As you go about trying to repair…

By Laura Bogart
African Businesswoman Looking At Invoice Through Magnifying Glass.

I Recovered Financially From Identity Theft: 5 Steps I Now Take To Protect My Money

When Marissa was a single woman in her 40s, she was going through some medical challenges that required several surgeries and treatments. “Between procedures, consultations and follow-ups, I found myself writing checks more often, mainly to hospital billing departments, specialist offices and pharmacies,” she explained. “I had trusted that my financial transactions were secure and stayed focused on my recovery, wanting to get back to a normal life.” Learn More: 3 Things To Do This Week If You Have Debt Find Out: 7 Reasons You Must Speak To a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024 Little did she…
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6 Victims of Identity Theft Share Their Mistakes

You probably don’t include your identity when you list your assets, but it may be more valuable than you realize. Your name, credit history and bank account information is worth big bucks to criminals who want to benefit from your hard work. Identity theft cost people and businesses more than $10 billion in 2022. And in the last ten years, the number of identity theft situations reported to the FTC has increased by 300%, according to data from the National Council on Identity Theft Protection. See: 10 Healthy Habits of Happy People To Adopt That Will Ultimately Lead to WealthAlso:…
fraud-alert-computer

I Rebounded After Identity Theft: 5 Steps I Took To Get My Life and Money Back

Identity theft is a worry for many, and experiencing it first-hand creates ongoing effects that follow you for years — perhaps a lifetime. Going through identity theft presents the dual challenges of reclaiming your life and personal finances and getting back what you’ve lost. Years later, further attempts to use her personal details without consent continue to follow Cheryl Smith, a Florida-based identity theft victim, whose biggest issue came after she and her husband’s tax returns were rejected “because someone else had already filed a tax return under our social security numbers and had already received a refund.” Explore More:…

ONLINE SAFETY

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Beware of These 11 Instagram Scams in 2024

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), $2.7 billion in wealth was lost to social media scams in America between 2021 and mid-2023. With online scams reaching epidemic proportions, Instagram is a popular channel with over two billion active users for fraudsters to make a quick buck. In a world where anonymity, bullying, and catfishing are common, scams prey on internet users’ sympathy, fear or greed. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common hustles and how to protect yourself on social media. Explore More: I Made $10,000 Using One of Dave Ramsey’s Best Passive Income Ideas Find Out:…

By Lauren Monitz
credit card with a security lock with password - credit card data theft protection.

4 Ways To Keep Your Money Safe From Scams and Fraud Online

You’re at the checkout when the cashier makes that face. Their expression hovers between pity and vicarious embarrassment, while steeling itself for your reaction as they inform you that your card has been declined. You know this can’t be true. You just got paid, so there’s money in your account. Leaving the store empty-handed with your frozen peas melting on the conveyor belt, you open your banking app only to find that you’ve been wiped clean. Even while your bank card has been with you, you’ve been targeted by digital pickpockets who have wreaked havoc with your finances. This is…

I’m a Bank Teller: 2 Money Transactions You Should Never Do Online

From automating bills to getting a loan, nearly every task in your online banking life can be managed via a few swipes on your smartphone screen. With that speed and convenience, why would anyone visit a branch if they didn’t have to? “While some transactions make sense to handle online, I would recommend people always handle wire transfers and large cash transfers in person at a bank or credit union branch,” said Kimberlie McGee, head teller at Addition Financial, a credit union in Lake Mary Florida. “Fraudulent activity is on the rise when it comes to wires and other activity…
Teenage Girl standing outdoors in Winter Landscape checking the social media news and e-mails on her smart phone.

Zelle Scams on Facebook Marketplace: How To Recognize and Avoid Them

Those who sell on Facebook Marketplace should be aware of a scam alert issued by the Better Business Bureau. The alert warns of Facebook Marketplace Zelle scams in which a fraudulent buyer attempts to buy a big-ticket item through a Zelle payment. No matter your financial institution, if you suspect suspicious activity with your bank account after you make a purchase or send money, make sure you contact your bank straight away. Quick Take: What Is Zelle? The Zelle app allows users to conveniently and quickly send money between U.S. banks as a peer-to-peer payment platform. Here are a few…

PROTECT YOURSELF

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Harris vs. Trump: Who Americans Trust More To Keep Their Money Safe

In 2024, nearly three-quarters of Americans said that strengthening the economy was a top priority for the government to address. No other issue was ranked as highly by the American public, outranking concerns related to terrorism, healthcare, education, crime and climate change. That means the economy should be top of mind for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Learn More: Here Are All the Promises Trump Has Made About Social Security If He’s Reelected Find Out: 7 Reasons You Must Speak to a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024 As the U.S. presidential election approaches,…

By Preston Hartwick
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6 Ways Millennials Can Protect Their Money From Fraud When Using Gig Services

Using gig services like ride-sharing and food delivery have become the norm in this age of apps and ease. Unfortunately, millennials are bearing the brunt of fraud when it comes to them. Check Out: 6 Coins From the 1970s That Are Worth a Lot of Money For You: 7 Reasons You Must Speak To a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024 “Millennials are particularly vulnerable to fraud on gig platforms like ride-sharing and delivery services due to their high usage rates and the often-lax security measures associated with these apps,” said Dennis Shirshikov, head of growth at Summer and…
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4 Signs You Worry Too Much About Your Money (and 4 Tips To Help You Stop)

According to a recent GOBankingRates’ “Keep Your Money Safe” survey, 29% of respondents said they worry sometimes about whether their money is safe — about once or twice per month. Approximately 17% worry often — once or twice per week — about the security of their money. And 15% of respondents admitted worrying about money safety more than twice weekly.  Check Out: I’m a Bank Teller: 4 Reasons You Should Withdraw Your Savings Right Now Read Next: 7 Reasons You Must Speak To a Financial Advisor To Boost Your Savings in 2024 Worrying can lead to anxiety, and frequent anxiety…
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Protecting Your Tech and Your Wallet: 7 Geek Squad Scams To Avoid

It would be great if you could open your email or pick up a phone call without worrying about scammers hacking your sensitive information. Scammers will go great lengths to steal credit card numbers and send fake antivirus software or phishing attacks. The unfortunate reality is that con artists are constantly looking for a new opportunity to exploit unsuspecting victims. Learn More: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money The good news is that you don’t have to be the next scam victim if you receive a suspicious email or too-good-to-be-true offer. When you know what to…

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Ask the Experts

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I’m a Bank Teller: 6 Top Ways You Can Keep Your Checking Account Safe

By Sean Bryant
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I’m a Banking Expert: 5 Things You’re Doing That Put Your Money at Risk

By J. Arky
A woman seems sad and worried as she looks at her phone.

I’m a Financial Expert: 6 Scam Red Flags — and How Much It Costs When We Fall for Them

By Laura Beck

Other Ways To Keep Your Money Safe

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Grow Your Wealth Safely

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9 Best Safe and Low-Risk Investments for September 2024

By Joel Anderson
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4 Mistakes That Make Gen Z Big Victims of Investment Fraud

By Josephine Nesbit
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Experts: 4 Safest Places To Keep Your Investments

By John Csiszar
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Where Do Millionaires and Billionaires Keep Their Money?

By Karen Doyle

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