Identity thieves have only become more creative in finding new ways to hijack personal information and exploit their victims. It seems like every day we learn of yet another new identity theft or fraud scam. Especially in times like these, with pandemics such as COVID-19, identity theft becomes even more common.

We’ve gotten to a point where we accept identity theft as a part of our lives. 

As Tax Day draws near (Monday, April 15th this year), the Internal Revenue Service has released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams. The takeaway? Be aware and alert. Take the time to understand your tax return before signing. If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

Students! Make sure you use these tips to keep your financial information safe so you can avoid scammers and frauds!

It seems like everyday there's a new data breach or "hack" we have to worry about on one of our favorite platforms like Facebook or Google. Almost everything we do is online in some capacity, and managing our finances is no exception. Using these amazing online tools is convenient and helps us be more attentive to our finances but it also puts our personal information at risk of being "hacked". Thanks to our friends at Two Cents, we've provided some tips below for upping your cyber security game. 

Travelling is one of the best parts of the summer, but before you take off for your dream vacation, there’s important steps you must take to protect yourself and your bank account.

December is always a hectic shopping season as people scramble to buy last-minute gifts. Fraudsters, however, take advantage of this haste and try to steal your information while your mind is preoccupied. Here is how you can be aware and protect yourself from scams so you can have a safe and fun holiday season!

1. Sign-up for Transaction Alerts

If your bank does not offer transaction alerts, try to regularly monitor your account to ensure no fraudulent purchases are being made.

2. Always Question Online Legitimacy

Cybercriminals will often mimic legitimate content making it difficult to tell the difference. Some tell-tale signs the site is illegitimate are incorrect designs, poor spelling or grammar, or deals that seem “too good to be true”. The only way to ensure if it is the right site is to check the URL. Even the slight difference of one letter means the site is not official.