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, 2024Security Center No Comments

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. …

Save MORE on Back 2 School Purchases 

Save on back-to-school shopping by taking advantage of these tax-free shopping days in your state!   Alabama: 7/19/2024 – 7/21/2024 Florida: 7/29/2024 – 8/11/2024 South Carolina:8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024 Tennessee: 7/26/2024 – 7/28/2024  Virginia: 8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024 You can also take advantage of PEFCU’s great rates on credit cards and credit card rewards you actually want! Apply for our PEFCU Visa® Credit Card today! If you have additional questions about our products or services, give us a call at (800) 226-6673. Approval is based on creditworthiness. 

June 27, 2024Borrowing Basics, Wallet Wins No Comments

Save on back-to-school shopping by taking advantage of these tax-free shopping days in your state!   Alabama: 7/19/2024 – 7/21/2024 Florida: 7/29/2024 – 8/11/2024 South Carolina:8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024 Tennessee: 7/26/2024 – 7/28/2024  Virginia: 8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024 You can also take advantage of PEFCU’s great rates on credit cards and credit card rewards you actually want! Apply for our PEFCU Visa® Credit Card today! If you have additional questions about our products or services, give us a call at (800) 226-6673. Approval is based on creditworthiness. 

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

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

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

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

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

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…

Affordable Summer Adventures for the Whole Family

Every day the summer sun shines is another opportunity to create cherished memories with your family. For those with children home from school, the quest to find affordable family entertainment takes the spotlight.   Luckily, we put together eight ideas to help bring your family together and create unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank. Prepare for a summer that blends budget-consciousness with family memories that will last a lifetime.  Explore Your Backyard  With all the posts on social media today, it can often feel like the only way to enjoy yourself is to escape to some exotic land. It’s easy to…

April 18, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Every day the summer sun shines is another opportunity to create cherished memories with your family. For those with children home from school, the quest to find affordable family entertainment takes the spotlight.   Luckily, we put together eight ideas to help bring your family together and create unforgettable experiences without breaking the bank. Prepare for a summer that blends budget-consciousness with family memories that will last a lifetime.  Explore Your Backyard  With all the posts on social media today, it can often feel like the only way to enjoy yourself is to escape to some exotic land. It’s easy to…

Your Guide to Choosing a Low-Rate Credit Card

Credit cards are one of the most popular payment methods today. Whether managing monthly cash flow, making large purchases, covering unexpected expenses, or earning valuable rewards, credit cards are the go-to payment method for most.   They’ve become so commonplace that people often forget credit cards are loans. And with any loan, the most important factor is the interest rate. However, due to heavily advertised rewards programs, the rate is rarely the deciding factor when choosing a credit card. This oversight leads many to become entangled in high-interest debt that’s difficult to manage and ultimately drops their credit score.  Whether you’re…

April 18, 2024Wallet Wins No Comments

Credit cards are one of the most popular payment methods today. Whether managing monthly cash flow, making large purchases, covering unexpected expenses, or earning valuable rewards, credit cards are the go-to payment method for most.   They’ve become so commonplace that people often forget credit cards are loans. And with any loan, the most important factor is the interest rate. However, due to heavily advertised rewards programs, the rate is rarely the deciding factor when choosing a credit card. This oversight leads many to become entangled in high-interest debt that’s difficult to manage and ultimately drops their credit score.  Whether you’re…

Creditworthiness: What It Is & Why It Matters

Navigating the world of finance can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code, especially when faced with industry jargon. For example, creditworthiness. What exactly does it mean, and why is it such an important measure of your financial health? We’re here to help demystify creditworthiness so you can better understand its significance in securing loans and other financial products.   What Is Creditworthiness?   Creditworthiness refers to an individual’s ability to repay borrowed funds and fulfill financial obligations. It’s essentially a measure of trustworthiness in terms of managing and repaying debts, reflecting how likely you are to repay creditors. Lenders use it…

April 18, 2024Future Planning, Wallet Wins No Comments

Navigating the world of finance can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code, especially when faced with industry jargon. For example, creditworthiness. What exactly does it mean, and why is it such an important measure of your financial health? We’re here to help demystify creditworthiness so you can better understand its significance in securing loans and other financial products.   What Is Creditworthiness?   Creditworthiness refers to an individual’s ability to repay borrowed funds and fulfill financial obligations. It’s essentially a measure of trustworthiness in terms of managing and repaying debts, reflecting how likely you are to repay creditors. Lenders use it…