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Help new grads be wise consumers
June 29, 2005 EST | Consumer Info
Graduation from high school or college is an exciting time when students focus on the future and the new responsibilities and opportunities it brings. The Federal Trade Commission has issued a new consumer alert, “How to Be the Class ‘Value-dictorian,’”... [More...]
Investing and the fear of regret and greed
June 29, 2005 EST | Investment
Discipline can be simply defined as your ability to follow your investing and trading plan. Discipline is a rather simple concept. You just need to define what, when and how you want to trade and manage it. You also need... [More...]
Facts about bank investments
June 27, 2005 EST | Investment
As a valued customer we want you to have a choice of investment and savings options. In addition to traditional deposit accounts, such as checking, savings, and certificates of deposit, we offer an array of nondeposit investment choices. Unlike traditional... [More...]
Guide to flexible mortgages
June 25, 2005 EST | Mortgage
Outlined below is a useful guide to flexible mortgages. Flexible mortgages are also known as Australian Mortgages because they usually feature something which is common in Australia - interest recalculation on a daily basis. Daily interest rate calculation means that... [More...]
Paying extra for ID theft protection?
June 23, 2005 EST | Consumer Info
The private sector is promoting new products to help people detect identity theft or cover certain losses. But are these products right for you? We can't endorse or recommend a particular product, but we can give you information to help... [More...]
Ten simple things you can do to fight fraud
June 23, 2005 EST | Consumer Info | Comments (0)
1. Protect your Social Security number, credit card and debit card numbers, PINs (personal identification numbers), passwords and other personal information. A thief can use these details to order checks or credit cards, apply for loans or otherwise commit fraud... [More...]
New studies highlight different ID thefts
June 23, 2005 EST | Consumer Info | Comments (0)
Here's a look at some new studies that can help you better understand the common causes of identity theft —situations in which a crook uses someone else's personal information to commit fraud — and how the crime is committed. The... [More...]
How to refinance your existing vehicle
June 20, 2005 EST | Auto Loans | Comments (0)
Here are some simple tips and reminders to follow if you're interested in refinancing your current auto loan: Evaluate your current situation. What is your current interest rate and how much can you potentially save after refinancing? Consider what lenders...
Ads promising debt relief may be offering bankruptcy
June 18, 2005 EST | Consumer Info , Debt Consolidation | Comments (0)
Debt got you down? You’re not alone. Consumer debt is at an alltime high. What’s more, record numbers of consumers—nearly 1.6 million in 2003—are filing for bankruptcy. Whether your debt dilemma is the result of an illness, unemployment, or simply... [More...]
BJ'S Wholesale Club settles FTC charges
June 18, 2005 EST | Financial News | Comments (0)
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its failure to take appropriate security measures to protect the sensitive information of thousands of its customers was an unfair practice that violated federal law. According to... [More...]
Mutual fund calculator
June 16, 2005 EST | Investment | Comments (0)
The Mutual Fund Cost Calculator enables investors to easily estimate and compare the costs of owning mutual funds. The Cost Calculator takes the mystery and math out of the cost equation, revealing how costs add up over time. Mutual... [More...]
Stock market fraud "survivor" checklist
June 16, 2005 EST | Consumer Info , Investment | Comments (0)
Investor enthusiasm for the Internet has created tremendous financial opportunities in recent years – for stock market fraudsters! That's because they often use the Internet to lure innocent investors into their scams. But you can survive stock market fraud and... [More...]
Unclaimed funds
June 14, 2005 EST | Consumer Info | Comments (0)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides deposit insurance to financial institutions and depositors of these institutions. If a financial institution is closed, by a regulatory agency, the FDIC is appointed as Receiver and is responsible for the payment of... [More...]
Do biweekly mortgages save you money?
June 12, 2005 EST | Mortgage | Comments (0)
You may have heard people, especially mortgage lenders, extolling the virtues of biweekly payments, saying that you can save thousands of dollars and take 5-7 years off your mortgage - and then offering to set up a biweekly plan for... [More...]
Front fees
June 12, 2005 EST | General | Comments (0)
You're caught between a rock and a hard place. If you refuse to pay front fees, you won't get very much professional help and what help you do find will be very costly. Front fee scams abound. If you pay... [More...]
Getting credit when you're over 62
June 09, 2005 EST | Consumer Info | Comments (0)
Credit is an important money management tool for both young and older consumers. Yet the elderly, particularly older women, may find it difficult to get credit. If you're an older consumer who has paid with cash all your life, you... [More...]
Credit and debit card blocking
June 09, 2005 EST | Consumer Info , Credit Card | Comments (0)
Have you ever been told you were over your credit card limit, or had your debit card declined, even though you knew you had available credit, or money in your bank account? If this happened shortly after you stayed in... [More...]
Establishing a trust fund
June 06, 2005 EST | Investment | Comments (0)
Establishing a trust requires a document that specifies your wishes, lists beneficiaries, names a trustee or trustees to manage the assets and describes what the trustee or trustees may do. For a living trust, you can name yourself as trustee... [More...]
Special uses for trusts
June 06, 2005 EST | Consumer Info , Investment | Comments (0)
Before you set up a trust, ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish. Here are just a few of the many special uses for trusts: A charitable trust is used to make donations and realize tax savings for an...
Type of trust funds
June 06, 2005 EST | Consumer Info , Investment | Comments (0)
There are two basic forms of trusts: after-death (or testamentary) and living (or inter vivos). An after-death trust will come into existence, usually by virtue of a will, after a person's death. The assets to fund these trusts must usually... [More...]
Benefits of establishing a trust fund
June 06, 2005 EST | Consumer Info , Investment | Comments (0)
People often associate trust funds only with the wealthy. But a trust fund ("trust") actually can be an effective financial tool for many people in many circumstances. A trust is a separate legal entity that holds property or assets of... [More...]
Don't be a victim of loan fraud
June 06, 2005 EST | Consumer Info | Comments (0)
Protect Yourself from Predatory Lenders Buying or refinancing your home may be one of the most important and complex financial decisions you'll ever make. Many lenders, appraisers, and real estate professionals stand ready to help you get a nice home... [More...]
Common mistakes young adults make with money & how to avoid them - part II
June 04, 2005 EST | Consumer Info | Comments (0)
Having too many credit cards. Two to four cards (including any from department stores, oil companies and other retailers) is the right number for most adults. Why not more cards? The more credit cards you carry, the more inclined you... [More...]
Common mistakes young adults make with money & how to avoid them - part I
June 04, 2005 EST | General | Comments (0)
Everybody makes mistakes with their money. The important thing is to keep them to a minimum. And one of the best ways to accomplish that is to learn from the mistakes of others. Here is our list of the top... [More...]
Safe internet banking - II
June 03, 2005 EST | Banking/Trading , Consumer Info | Comments (0)
Protect Your Privacy Some consumers may want to know how their personal information is used by their bank and whether it is shared with affiliates of the bank or other parties. Starting July 2001, banks are required to give you... [More...]
Safe internet banking - I
June 03, 2005 EST | Banking/Trading , Consumer Info | Comments (0)
Tips for Safe Banking Over the Internet As use of the Internet continues to expand, more banks and thrifts are using the Web to offer products and services or otherwise enhance communications with consumers. The Internet offers the potential for... [More...]
Bogus credit repair operators banned
June 03, 2005 EST | Consumer Info | Comments (0)
An operator who charged consumers for services he did not deliver and misrepresented customers’ credit worthiness to the credit reporting agencies has been banned for life from operating a credit repair business. Settlement of the charges also bars further... [More...]
Identity stolen - basic steps to follow
June 02, 2005 EST | Credit Reporting | Comments (0)
How can someone steal your identity? Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft... [More...]
Access to your free credit report - part II
June 02, 2005 EST | Credit Reporting | Comments (0)
Why would I want to get a copy of my credit report? You may want to review your credit report: because the information it contains affects whether you can get a loan — and how much you will have to... [More...]
Access to your free credit report - part I
June 02, 2005 EST | Credit Reporting | Comments (0)
A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes... [More...]
Avoiding credit and charge card fraud
June 02, 2005 EST | Credit Card | Comments (0)
A thief goes through trash to find discarded receipts or carbons, and then uses your account numbers illegally. A dishonest clerk makes an extra imprint from your credit or charge card and uses it to make personal charges. You respond... [More...]
Top 3 things to know about credit cards
June 02, 2005 EST | Credit Card | Comments (0)
Today there are so many different credit cards available, student prepaid, low interest cards etc. that it has becomes a real hassle to find the right one that will suit your needs. This is the reason why we at online-creditcheck... [More...]
