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
With interest rates falling and home prices rising, it might be a good time to use your home’s equity. A home equity loan, or HEL, can be an ideal way to source extra funds during a falling-rates environment. If approved, you’ll receive the funds in one lump sum within a few days. There are no
Everyone loves a surprise package, and scammers are taking the excitement out of that experience by using bogus packages as a cover for a nefarious scam that tricks victims into sharing personal information. Here’s all you need to know about the pending package scam: How the scam plays outIn the pending package scam, the victim
When trying to trim a monthly budget, most people don’t even consider their fixed expenses; however, with just a bit of effort and research, most of these costs can be reduced. 1. Consider a refinanceTrim your mortgage payments by refinancing at a lower interest rate. It will cost a bit, but you can roll closing
Credit cards and debit cards offer incredible convenience; but, is it a smart idea to pay monthly bills with them? Choosing to pay a bill with a card can have a significant impact on your general financial wellness. It’s important to consider the many variables of this decision before going ahead with it. Let’s inspect
It’s no secret that the IRS excels at making things complicated. And when you’re busy learning the ropes of a new job, trying to fill out a 4-page W-4 form can be a huge hassle. It’s not a good idea to rush through it, though, because a small mistake now can mean withholding too much
Credit scores can affect you more than you know. Employers look at credit scores. Landlords look at credit scores. Bill providers look at credit scores, and they might decide to charge you if yours gets too low. With all this pressure, you’ve no doubt started working on some good habits for improving your credit score.
It’s normal to feel hesitant about going through with what may be the biggest purchase of your life. To help put you at ease, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask yourself before buying a new home. Can I afford to buy a house?Before viewing properties, remember that purchasing a home costs more than
Your credit score is an indicator of your financial wellness and responsibility. We have outlined how credit scores are calculated, why it matters, and steps to take to improve your score. How is my credit score calculated?The three major credit bureaus in the U.S. collect and share information on a person’s credit usage with potential
Fake Grant ScamsScammers are hacking into people’s Facebook accounts and are messaging their friends and family claiming they are eligible for free grants. The message may come from a newly-acquired friend, a family member, or even a long-time friend, and details information on free grant money from the government. The message may reference others, specifically those already
DoverPhila Federal Credit Union is partnering with the United Way of Tuscarawas County to provide funds during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. On Thursday, March 26, the credit union’s Board of Directors approved a $25,000 donation to fund United Way’s COVID-19 community-response fund. The fund will be used to help residents of Tuscarawas County with various
As a financially responsible individual, you should be checking your credit on a regular basis. If all goes well, your credit card statements and report hold no surprises. Sometimes, though, you may find a mistake. When this happens, you’ll need to officially dispute the error to fix your score. Credit Report Mistakes Most credit report
It’s easy to go overboard for Christmas. Giving extravagant gifts to your family members seems like a great idea … until you’re facing a huge credit card bill in January. However, it happened, approach this problem rationally. Blaming yourself is pointless; the important thing now is to right yourself financially. Fortunately, you’re not facing this
Scammers always try to con victims out of their information and money. They also tend to prey on the most susceptible victims, including those who are down on their luck or are exceptionally naïve and trusting. DoverPhila Federal Credit Union’s biggest priority is your financial wellness, and that includes keeping you and your money safe.
It’s the bargain-hunter’s favorite season-or is it? Before you brave the crowds Black Friday, take a few minutes to read through our list of what to buy and what to skip so you come home only with true bargains. Skip: Large Home AppliancesWhile you may find markdowns on large household appliances, like dishwashers and refrigerators,
Q: I’m trying to increase my credit score ahead of applying for a large loan, so I’m considering signing up for Credit Karma to track my score. How accurate are the credit scores it shares? Is there anything I need to be aware of before signing up for this service? A: Credit Karma is a legitimate company;
You’ve heard it from a million places: Budget your money! Make a firm plan and stick with it. It’s the pathway to prosperity! For many people, though, that advice just doesn’t resonate. They feel constricted by a budget. Keeping cash in separate envelopes makes them feel like they can’t have a life. It takes too much planning and
Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and other mobile wallets are revolutionizing the checkout experience by blending two developments in payment infrastructure to save you time: near-field communication (NFC) and token encryption. Approximately one-third of all payment terminals nationwide have been updated to accept Apple Pay. It works on phones equipped with the necessary NFC equipment. If
