Part 2 of Secure Online Banking. When it comes to online banking, there is no way to absolutely guarantee your safety. However, good practices do exist that can reduce the risks posed to your online accounts. The following sections describe these practices. #1 Review your bank’s information about its online privacy policies and practices. By […]
Part 1 of Secure Online Banking. Online banking continues to present challenges to your financial security and personal privacy. Millions of people have had their checking accounts compromised, mainly as a result of online banking. If you are going to use online banking to conduct financial transactions, you should make yourself aware of the risks […]
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. There are many types of consumer reporting agencies, including credit bureaus and specialty agencies (such as agencies that sell information about check writing histories, medical records, and rental history records). Here is a […]
Part 5 of How to Choose a Credit Counselor. Depending on your financial condition, the amount of any savings you obtain from debt relief services can be considered income and taxable. Credit card companies and others may report settled debt to the IRS, and the IRS considers it income, unless you are “insolvent.” You are […]
Part 2 of How to Choose a Credit Counselor. Reputable credit counseling organizations advise you on managing your money and debts, help you develop a budget, and usually offer free educational materials and workshops. Their counselors are certified and trained in the areas of consumer credit, money and debt management, and budgeting. Counselors discuss your […]
Part 1 of How to Choose a Credit Counselor. Living paycheck to paycheck? Worried about debt collectors? Can’t seem to develop a workable budget, let alone save money for retirement? If this sounds familiar, you may want to consider the services of a credit counselor. Many credit counseling organizations are nonprofit and work with you […]
Part 3 of Forex Trading For Individual Investors. Forex trading in general presents significant risks to individual investors that require careful consideration. Off-exchange forex trading poses additional risks, including: There Is No Central Marketplace. Unlike the regulated futures and options exchanges, there is no central marketplace in the retail off-exchange forex market. Instead, individual investors commonly […]
Part 2 of Forex Trading For Individual Investors. The forex market is a large, global, and generally liquid financial market. Banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions, as well as large corporations, use the forex markets to manage the risks associated with fluctuations in currency rates. The risk of loss for individual investors who trade […]
Part 1 of Forex Trading For Individual Investors. Individual investors who are considering participating in the foreign currency exchange (or “forex”) market need to understand fully the market and its unique characteristics. Forex trading can be very risky and is not appropriate for all investors. It is common in most forex trading strategies to employ […]
The debt limit is the total amount of money that the United States government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries, interest on the national debt, tax refunds, and other payments. The debt limit does not authorize new spending commitments. It simply allows the […]
Your credit report contains information about where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. Credit reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting […]
Part 1 of Credit and Debit Card Blocking. 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 a hotel or rented a car, the […]