William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-12-01 / 12. szám
I Moneywise ©Stay safe online. Banking or conducting other personal business online can be a convenient way to handle your finances, but you need to take precautions. Among them: Install and automatically update antivirus software and firewall protection on your computer. Never give your Social Security number, credit or debit card numbers, personal identification numbers or any other confidential information in response to an unsolicited e-mail, text message or phone call, regardless of who the source supposedly is. "Also, ignore online 'friend' invitations from people you don't know, because these may be covers for fraud artists," cautioned Michael Benardo, Chief of the FDIC's Cyber Fraud and Financial Crimes Section. Likewise, he said, be careful about the profile and contact information you post on social-networking and employment-related web sites, because in the wrong hands it can lead to identity theft and other crimes. For more guidance on how to conduct banking and other business online, see the Winter 2009/2010 FDIC Consumer News at www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/ cnwin0910. ©Keep important cards and numbers safe. Most experts suggest you carry in your wallet or purse only the plastic cards (ATM, debit, credit cards) you truly expect to use soon. Don't carry your Social Security card, either. Also, don't leave your birth certificate or documents with your Social Security number unprotected at home, at school or anywhere else. ©If you need to buy a car, consider the best way to pay for it. Understand the difference between buying and leasing a car. The Federal Reserve Board has published a guide called "Keys to Vehicle Leasing," online at www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/leasing. If you're thinking about borrowing money to pay for a car, see the tips in the Summer 2007 FDIC Consumer News at wzmv. fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnsum07/auto.html. ®lf you’re renting a house or apartment, consider whether it’s time to buy. Once you start earning a steady income, and you expect to stay in your community for a number of years, you may want to consider owning your first home. To learn more about homeownership and if it is right for you, consider talking to a HUD-approved counselor (start at 1-800-569-4287 or www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/ sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm). ©Always keep learning about how to handle your money. Start at www.fdic.gov to find consumer information from the FDIC, including back issues of FDIC Consumer News. Visit www.mymoney.gov to find financial education resources and tools from more than 20 different government agencies and Web sites. "Many young people find learning about money fascinating because of the power it gives them to achieve their dreams," concluded Reynolds. "And anyone can get this power just by creating an action plan, the sooner the better." (From FDIC Consumer News/Summer 2010) "Maybe you can download an 'app' to your phone to help you track all money that comes in and out of your account, or you can request electronic notifications when your balance drops to a certain level. Of course, you should always maintain a register to help you monitor your balance," Reynolds said. "Another way to save money is to avoid fee-based overdraft programs and instead ask your bank to cover any shortages by linking your checking account to a savings account." O Build a good credit record. As you pay your own bills and debts, you are building a credit record. Credit reporting companies collect information on your history of paying debts, which is used to prepare credit reports and credit scores that reflect your creditworthiness. In general, the better your credit history and credit score, the better your chances of borrowing money at lower interest rates. Your credit history may also be considered when you apply for a job, an insurance policy or an apartment. A good credit score will be particularly important when you decide to buy a house. One of the best ways to build and maintain a good credit record is to pay all bills and other debts on time. To do that, avoid charging more on your credit card than you can pay off in full by the due date each month. If you can't afford to pay that much, at least be sure to pay the minimum due, consistently and on time, to avoid late fees and a bad mark on your credit record. And if you cannot qualify for a regular credit card, you may consider a no- or low-fee secured credit card, for which you would keep cash in a deposit account that would serve as collateral. Also, obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies at ivwiv.annualcreditreport.com. Review each report, correct any errors and check for suspicious activity that may indicate you are a victim of identity theft. William Penn Life 0 December 2010 0 7
