Digital kidnapping happens when a scammer takes control of a victim’s social media profiles and holds it for ransom. It can also involve “kidnapping” photos that are posted on social media pages. Here’s what you need to know about digital kidnapping. How the Scams Play OutIn a digital kidnapping scam, a hacker takes control
Get ready for big savings on big-ticket items this September! Retailers want to bring the crowds back after the big back-to-school storm has passed, and to clear the shelves before the holiday season blows in. All that, plus the Labor Day sales, means big savings in September—but not on everything. Here’s what to buy and
Everyone dreams of winning the lottery, but scammers can turn that dream into an absolute nightmare. Here’s all you need to know about fake lottery scams. How the Scams Play Out In a fake lottery scam, a scammer reaches out to a potential target by phone, email, or social media message to inform them they’ve
When paying for everyday and occasional purchases, some purchases should be paid for with cash, some with a credit card, and others with a debit card. Let’s inspect each method and when you should use them. When should you use cash?Some retailers offer discounts for paying in cash, making it the wise go-to. Also, if
Independence Day sales are over and Labor Day is a month away, but you can still find great deals in August. Here’s what to buy and what to skip this month. Buy: Back-to-School Supplies Look for weekly deals on school and office supplies at big-box stores, pharmacies and e-tailers this month. Think beyond school—you can
Survey scams are almost as old as the internet. Spend just an hour online and there’s a good chance you’ll be running into an ad for a “super quick” survey promising big money or prizes for just a few minutes of your time. What actually happens, though, is that the scammer walks away with
The days are still long and filled with sunshine. And though retailers would have you think otherwise, school is still a long way off. If you’re looking to save on some purchases this month, you can find lots of bargains around Independence Day weekend and beyond. Here’s what to buy and what to skip in
Travel is finally back in full swing, something we can all be thankful for this year. While staycations and remote-working vacations have been all the rage since 2020, pre-pandemic vacationing is making a comeback in 2022. According to Booking.com, 60 percent of travelers from a 24,000-person survey claimed they are looking to meet new people
With a bit of creativity and pre-planning, you can trim your recreation budget without feeling pinched. We’ve listed a variety of ways to save on entertainment costs. Attend amateur sporting events Instead of spending big on professional sporting events, get your fix at local high school or college games. You’ll get the same excitement and
Everyone wants to do their best at work, but you can sometimes stare at the same to-do list day after day after day. Here’s how to keep your productivity levels up at work. Start your day with the MITs Get your most crucial tasks done by separating the MITs (most important tasks) from the other
It’s an amazing employment opportunity–or is it? Scammers often hijack the job market to ensnare job seekers. Here’s what to know about these scams. How the scams play out There are several variations in job scams. Here are the most common: Bogus job listing. There’s a Help Wanted ad for a dream job. The eager job-seeker
Using a compromised ATM can mean risking identity theft and/or having cash stolen. With this simple machine, all it takes is a few short minutes for a victim’s life to meet disaster. Here are tips to help you keep your ATM transactions secure. Keep your PIN private. Don’t share it with anyone and don’t write
Here’s how to enjoy a romantic evening with your partner without going into debt: Work with a budgetWe know your partner means the world to you, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend the world proving it. Designate a budget for all your Valentine’s Day expenses — and stick to it! Use a sales
IDENTITY THEFTThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers have been stealing personal information from individuals and then filing and claiming unemployment benefits in that individual’s name. Victims of these unemployment scams are often just now learning about this identity theft, as unemployment agencies are sending tax forms (1099-G) for income tax filing. If you received a 1099-G
America’s most expensive scam is on the rise. Romance scams are all over the internet and can be difficult to spot. Here’s what you need to know about these scams. HOW THE SCAM PLAYS OUT In a romance ruse, a scammer creates a bogus online profile and attempts to connect to singles on dating apps and
How it plays out:The “Secret Sister” gift exchange seems like a fun way to spread cheer within the social media-verse, but it’s actually an illegal pyramid scheme, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Akin to old-timey chain letters, the Secret Sister gift exchange asks participants to buy a gift of at least $10
The holidays will look different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why most people will try harder to make the season brighter. But you don’t have to dip into the kids’ college savings to create a special time! The most important thing to remember is a plan with a set spending amount
Uh oh — you’ve been hacked! Finding out someone has cracked open your accounts and helped themselves to your information can be alarming, but there are ways to mitigate the damage while jump-starting your recovery process. Here are five steps to take after being hacked: Step 1: Assess the damage First, determine the damage. Unfortunately, one
Don’t be the next victim of a debt-collection scam! Here’s all you need to know about these scams: HOW THE SCAMS PLAY OUT In a debt-collection scam, a caller claiming to represent a debt-collection agency demands immediate payment for an alleged outstanding debt. The caller insists on specific means of payment and may threaten to
It’s turkey season! Here’s how to celebrate Thanksgiving 2020 without compromising the health and safety of you and your guests. PLANNING A THANKSGIVING DINNERIf you’ll be hosting an in-person Thanksgiving dinner this year, take steps to ensure your day is as safe as possible. First, consider hosting it outside. Moving Thanksgiving dinner outdoors reduces spreading
