The FDIC often hears from bank customers who believe they may be the victims of financial fraud or thefts. The Summer 2017 FDIC Consumer News alerts the public to common scams and provides basic tips for protecting personal information and money. Topics include:
- An overview of 10 schemes bank customers need to be aware of, starting with the crime that occurs when thieves pose as government employees with false claims about needing a payment or valuable information, such as Social Security or bank account numbers;
- Basic defenses to consider in your everyday life, especially when engaging in financial transactions with strangers through e-mail, over the phone or on the Internet; and
- Resources to turn to for more information on how to avoid becoming a victim of financial scams.
Consumers also come to the FDIC for answers to questions about shopping for a mortgage to buy a home, which is likely to be the biggest single purchase they’ll ever make. The latest FDIC Consumer News helps answer questions on topics like how to get a good interest rate, the ability to negotiate with a lender, and how seniors may borrow money after owning a home by taking out a “reverse mortgage.”
Also in this issue is a look at how the FDIC is working with banks, nonprofit organizations and other government agencies to bring more low- and moderate-income Americans into the financial mainstream by improving access to safe, secure and affordable banking services.
The Summer 2017 FDIC Consumer News can be read or printed at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnsum17, with e-reader and portable audio (MP3) versions forthcoming. Additionally, in the coming weeks a Spanish-language version will be posted at www.fdic.gov/quicklinks/spanish.html.
About FDIC Consumer News
The goal of FDIC Consumer News is to deliver timely, reliable and innovative tips and information about financial matters, free of charge. To find current and past issues, visit www.fdic.gov/consumernews, or request paper copies by contacting the FDIC’s Public Information Center in writing at 3501 North Fairfax Drive, Room E-1002, Arlington, VA 22226, by emailing publicinfo@fdic.gov, or toll-free at 1-877-275-3342.To receive an email about each new issue of the quarterly FDIC Consumer News with links to stories, go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.
The FDIC encourages financial institutions, government agencies, consumer organizations, educators, the media, and anyone else to help make the tips and information in FDIC Consumer News widely available. The publication may be reprinted in whole or in part without permission. Please credit FDIC Consumer News. Organizations also may link to or mention the FDIC website.