Summertime Scams are Coming in Hot

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

July 1, 2024Uncategorized No Comments
Summertime Scams are Coming in Hot

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

Financial Tips to Prep for College

Going off to college is both exciting and intimidating. You’ll likely be on your own for the first time, facing new responsibilities and freedoms, meeting new people, and enjoying new experiences.   As you’re taking steps to prepare for college and making lists of everything you need to do to get ready, don’t forget to add a few money-saving checkboxes to your list. Here are some tips to help you cut down on costs and keep up with your finances while attending college.   Explore Available Student Discounts   Never overlook the money-saving potential of student discounts. Many local and chain businesses offer…

June 21, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Financial Tips to Prep for College

Going off to college is both exciting and intimidating. You’ll likely be on your own for the first time, facing new responsibilities and freedoms, meeting new people, and enjoying new experiences.   As you’re taking steps to prepare for college and making lists of everything you need to do to get ready, don’t forget to add a few money-saving checkboxes to your list. Here are some tips to help you cut down on costs and keep up with your finances while attending college.   Explore Available Student Discounts   Never overlook the money-saving potential of student discounts. Many local and chain businesses offer…

Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing: How to Protect Yourself

In today’s digital age, where everything from shopping to banking is done online, the threat of scams looms larger than ever. Imagine receiving an email, a text message, or even a phone call that seems legitimate, only to realize later that it was a trap set by cybercriminals. These tactics, known as phishing, smishing, and vishing, are more than just annoyances – they’re sophisticated schemes designed to steal your personal information and drain your financial accounts.   In this article, we’ll dive into the world of these deceptive practices, unravel their intricacies, and equip you with the knowledge you need to…

May 22, 2024Security Center No Comments
Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing: How to Protect Yourself

In today’s digital age, where everything from shopping to banking is done online, the threat of scams looms larger than ever. Imagine receiving an email, a text message, or even a phone call that seems legitimate, only to realize later that it was a trap set by cybercriminals. These tactics, known as phishing, smishing, and vishing, are more than just annoyances – they’re sophisticated schemes designed to steal your personal information and drain your financial accounts.   In this article, we’ll dive into the world of these deceptive practices, unravel their intricacies, and equip you with the knowledge you need to…

6 Essential Credit FAQs Answered

Building and maintaining an excellent credit score should be a top financial priority for every adult. Your credit score plays a significant role in how much interest you pay on loans, whether you’ll be approved for financing, and it can even impact whether you can rent an apartment or land specific jobs.  However, the world of credit reports and scores can be a bit confusing – and overwhelming. Not to worry. We’re here to help answer some of the more common questions about credit to ensure you’re on the right path to locking in an exceptional score.  #1: What Is…

May 22, 2024Borrowing Basics No Comments
6 Essential Credit FAQs Answered

Building and maintaining an excellent credit score should be a top financial priority for every adult. Your credit score plays a significant role in how much interest you pay on loans, whether you’ll be approved for financing, and it can even impact whether you can rent an apartment or land specific jobs.  However, the world of credit reports and scores can be a bit confusing – and overwhelming. Not to worry. We’re here to help answer some of the more common questions about credit to ensure you’re on the right path to locking in an exceptional score.  #1: What Is…

Empowering Your Teen with the Right Checking Account

Teenagers are at a critical stage of their lives where they are beginning to navigate the complexities of personal finance. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools empowers them to make responsible decisions and build healthy financial habits.   One pivotal step in this journey is selecting the appropriate checking account for your teen. Teaching teens money management skills goes beyond the latest bells and whistles in the financial world. It starts with real-world, hands-on guidance from you with an account that won’t punish them for minor mistakes.   Key Features to Consider in a Teen Checking Account  When deciding which…

May 21, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Empowering Your Teen with the Right Checking Account

Teenagers are at a critical stage of their lives where they are beginning to navigate the complexities of personal finance. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools empowers them to make responsible decisions and build healthy financial habits.   One pivotal step in this journey is selecting the appropriate checking account for your teen. Teaching teens money management skills goes beyond the latest bells and whistles in the financial world. It starts with real-world, hands-on guidance from you with an account that won’t punish them for minor mistakes.   Key Features to Consider in a Teen Checking Account  When deciding which…

Is an Auto Loan Preapproval Necessary?

There is no doubt it can be exciting when it is time to purchase a new car. Your car reflects you and your personality, so exploring different models and features is fun. With all the excitement in the air, it’s easy to be drawn to the dealership to see the vehicles up close and schedule a test drive. However, that’s one of the first and biggest mistakes when it comes to car-buying.   Dealerships will use every sales trick and tactic they know to close the deal right then – whether you are ready to buy or not. This scenario can…

May 21, 2024Borrowing Basics No Comments
Is an Auto Loan Preapproval Necessary?

There is no doubt it can be exciting when it is time to purchase a new car. Your car reflects you and your personality, so exploring different models and features is fun. With all the excitement in the air, it’s easy to be drawn to the dealership to see the vehicles up close and schedule a test drive. However, that’s one of the first and biggest mistakes when it comes to car-buying.   Dealerships will use every sales trick and tactic they know to close the deal right then – whether you are ready to buy or not. This scenario can…

Making the Most of Financial Windfalls

What would you do with an extra $1,000? What about $10,000? Or $100,000?   You’ve probably spent time daydreaming about what you would do if you suddenly received an unexpected financial windfall. Maybe it’s a significant work bonus, an inheritance, a lawsuit payout, or even a surprisingly large tax refund.   As you begin to envision what you could do with the extra money, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. Your heightened emotions can quickly get the best of you, leading to frivolous spending. However, managing financial windfalls like these wisely requires far more than impulsive decision-making. While it…

April 15, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments
Making the Most of Financial Windfalls

What would you do with an extra $1,000? What about $10,000? Or $100,000?   You’ve probably spent time daydreaming about what you would do if you suddenly received an unexpected financial windfall. Maybe it’s a significant work bonus, an inheritance, a lawsuit payout, or even a surprisingly large tax refund.   As you begin to envision what you could do with the extra money, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. Your heightened emotions can quickly get the best of you, leading to frivolous spending. However, managing financial windfalls like these wisely requires far more than impulsive decision-making. While it…

Your Balance Transfer Checklist: Before & After

Credit card debt has a way of sneaking up on you. Before you know it, the balances can become a financial burden and a challenge to pay off. This is especially true if you’re managing multiple cards with different balances, payment amounts, and due dates.  Finding the right tools to alleviate debt is an essential step on your path to financial freedom. One solution that can help you in your journey is called a balance transfer. Balance transfers enable you to streamline your financial obligations into one solution – providing immediate financial savings and stress relief.   If you’re committed to…

March 28, 2024Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments
Your Balance Transfer Checklist: Before & After

Credit card debt has a way of sneaking up on you. Before you know it, the balances can become a financial burden and a challenge to pay off. This is especially true if you’re managing multiple cards with different balances, payment amounts, and due dates.  Finding the right tools to alleviate debt is an essential step on your path to financial freedom. One solution that can help you in your journey is called a balance transfer. Balance transfers enable you to streamline your financial obligations into one solution – providing immediate financial savings and stress relief.   If you’re committed to…

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them  Tax season is here, and it tends to put most people on edge. Many are anxious to file their returns because they rely on the money from their tax refund. Others find it stressful to locate all their tax documents and file on time. Add in people’s fear of the IRS and making mistakes on their returns, and it creates the perfect environment for scammers.  Fraudsters feed off uncertainty, and tax time provides multiple opportunities to deceive taxpayers. Fortunately, protecting yourself can be easy with the right knowledge.   While the tactics used…

January 30, 2024Security Center No Comments
Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them  Tax season is here, and it tends to put most people on edge. Many are anxious to file their returns because they rely on the money from their tax refund. Others find it stressful to locate all their tax documents and file on time. Add in people’s fear of the IRS and making mistakes on their returns, and it creates the perfect environment for scammers.  Fraudsters feed off uncertainty, and tax time provides multiple opportunities to deceive taxpayers. Fortunately, protecting yourself can be easy with the right knowledge.   While the tactics used…

The Power of a PEFCU Visa® Credit Card

In today’s fast-paced world, you need a reliable credit card packed with exclusive benefits to help you stay on top of your game. At PEFCU, we understand your need for financial flexibility and security, too. That’s why we make our Visa® credit card stand out with its exceptional rewards.  Competitive Rates at 9.90% APR: One of the key advantages of choosing the PEFCU Visa® credit card is the low Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 9.90%. With rates lower than the national average and no fee for balance transfers, it’s one of the best financial decisions you’ll ever make. No Balance…

January 10, 2024Wallet Wins 1 Comment
The Power of a PEFCU Visa® Credit Card

In today’s fast-paced world, you need a reliable credit card packed with exclusive benefits to help you stay on top of your game. At PEFCU, we understand your need for financial flexibility and security, too. That’s why we make our Visa® credit card stand out with its exceptional rewards.  Competitive Rates at 9.90% APR: One of the key advantages of choosing the PEFCU Visa® credit card is the low Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 9.90%. With rates lower than the national average and no fee for balance transfers, it’s one of the best financial decisions you’ll ever make. No Balance…