Improving your credit is possible, but it’s hard to know where to start. There’s a lot of misleading information out there, and these credit myths can get in the way of improving your credit score. Your credit score is important for determining things like whether you’ll be able to qualify […]
Many people make it their New Year’s resolution to get a handle on debt and improve their finances. Here are six steps you can take to make that resolution a reality. 1. Budget Creating a budget will help you figure out how much money you have to pay down your […]
The holidays are a time of giving, from traveling to see family and friends to shopping for gifts. For many people, all of this spending can add up quickly. During the 2017 holiday season, American credit card debt rose at the second-fastest pace in 10 years according to the Federal […]
Saving money is not always easy, but having some savings provides people with the security needed to withstand economic shocks and plan for their future. Many people save automatically through a workplace retirement plan or by directly depositing money out of each paycheck into a savings account. But according to the […]
Dealing with debt collection issues can be challenging—especially when you’re not sure if the person you’re being contacted by is legitimate or trying to scam you. When an account like a credit card, auto loan, or cell phone bill becomes past due, the original creditor may attempt to collect the […]
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced the release of a Spanish-language version of Money Smart for Older Adults. The curriculum, now offered in English and Spanish, has been updated to provide new information and resources to help older adults and their caregivers recognize and prevent fraud, scams, and […]
Making and sticking to a budget is a key step to getting a handle on your debt and working towards your goals. Making a budget Let’s say you want to save up for a down payment on a house, a vacation, or for your emergency savings fund. Until you have […]
Free credit freezes and year-long fraud alerts are here, starting Sept. 21, 2018, thanks to a new federal law. Here’s what you should know. Free credit freezes Security freezes, also known as credit freezes, restrict access to your credit file, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts […]
The American Bankers Association Foundation in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission today released an infographic to raise awareness on the growing threat of fake check scams and the steps consumers can take to protect themselves. Checks may seem like a relic of the past, but according to the most […]
The Departments of Education and Veterans Affairs (VA) have teamed up to notify veterans with severe disabilities that they may be eligible to have their federal student loans discharged tax-free. The Bureau has previously highlighted for years the opportunity to obtain a disability discharge. So, we are pleased to share […]
