When you log into your bank or credit card account, you might get a text message or email with a verification code. You then enter it at the login screen to confirm it’s really you. That’s a form of two-factor authentication that adds a layer of security to your account — and keeps would-be scammers and hackers out. Your account password and a verification code[...]

If you are dealing with debt, you aren’t alone. The average American household has an average balance of about $6,600 in credit card debt,  and that’s not taking into account home, auto, and student loans. Paying off your debt isn’t always easy, but having a plan can go a long way in achieving your financial goals. Two of the most popular strategies for paying off debt on your[...]

If you suspect elder abuse has been or is being committed, visit the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) and contact the appropriate authorities in your area. Here’s a sobering statistic: Americans over the age of 60 lose an estimated $23.8 billion annually to elder financial exploitation (EFE) according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP.) And if that’s not bad enough, 87.5% of these cases[...]

Scammers pressure you to wire money to them because it’s easy to take your money and disappear. Wiring money with services like MoneyGram, Ria, and Western Union is like sending cash — once you send it, you usually can’t get it back. Never wire money to anyone you haven’t met in person — no matter the reason they give. Why Scammers Want You To Wire[...]

Scammers frequently try to trick you into clicking on malicious links in emails by making them appear legitimate. In a recent scam, they are trying to trick you with an email that appears to be related to your Microsoft account security. The email says that there has been some unusual activity on your account and that many of your account’s features have been locked. There[...]

The prevalence of self-care messaging reminds us to nurture our physical and mental well-being —with mindfulness practices, exercise routines, and virtual detoxing. But what about financial self-care? When we cultivate positive money habits and plan for our future we are (quite literally) investing in ourselves. Financial self-care is rooted in self-awareness, discipline, and intentionality. Here are several ways you can practice financial self-care, starting now.[...]