How to Save for Multiple Financial Goals at the Same Time

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Although some financial goals begin and end in one phase of life, many people also find that they may overlap and coexist. For example, you may be saving for a down payment on a home, while also saving for retirement and paying off student loans. Saving for multiple financial goals at once can be overwhelming, but with a little planning and focus – you can work toward all the goals that are important to you. Here are a few tips on how to save for multiple financial goals at the same time.

Take a Snapshot of Your Current Financial Situation

To be in control of your financial goals, you first need to be in control of your finances. Having a clear view of your finances will help you set realistic expectations given your current situation.

Make a planned budget and compare it to your actual budget, or what took place over the course of the month. Let’s face it – life happens and you won’t always follow your planned budget perfectly. Maybe you worked fewer hours, or your electric bill was higher than expected. It’s still important to have a general idea of your income and expenses so you can determine what you can comfortably put toward your financial goals each month.

Don’t have a budget yet? Check out our Fillable Budget Worksheet to quickly and easily create a snapshot of your monthly finances.

Make Your Financial Goals Specific and Realistic

Many goals fail because they are vague, making it difficult to monitor progress and leaving you uncertain in how to achieve them.

Clearly defining your goals is especially important when you are balancing multiple financial goals. A popular framework for making specific, realistic goals is making them SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-oriented. Take the goal save for vacation, as an example. It becomes a SMART goal when it looks like: Save $2,000 over the next year to go on an international vacation.

Check out our article for more tips on how to clearly define your goals.

Pro Tip: Research shows that you’re 2x more likely to achieve your goal if you write it down!

Prioritize Your Goals

Prioritizing your goals doesn’t mean abandoning all but one – it means deciding where your money will have the greatest impact now. If you’re saving for multiple goals, you might feel tempted to contribute to all of them equally – for example, $100 to each across the board. However, not every goal requires the same attention at the same time. Prioritizing can help you decide the goals that need immediate attention vs. those that can be funded over time.

An effective way to prioritize financial goals is by time horizon – or how long until you need the funds for a specific financial goal. Short-term financial goals are those you wish to achieve within one year, medium-term is more than one year but less than five years, and long-term means in five years or more. A short-term goal could be saving for a summer vacation or a down payment on a car, while a long-term goal could be fully funding your retirement. Once you achieve a goal, the monthly savings dedicated to it can be redirected to another goal.

Build an Emergency Fund into the Plan

Consider an emergency fund if you don’t have one. An emergency fund is money that’s set aside to cover unexpected expenses or a sudden loss of income. This is helpful because it can aid you in covering expenses that would otherwise take savings away from other goals.

Decide Where to Save

After you’ve planned your goals, it’s time to decide where to keep those savings. Do you want to keep all the money in one account? Do you want to have separate accounts for separate goals? There are many different savings options, such as Personal Savings Accounts, Money Market Accounts, and Savings Certificates. If you’re live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in NJ – see how First Financial can help you save for multiple financial goals simultaneously through our various savings account options.*

Make Saving Automatic – And Fun

Especially when juggling multiple goals – setting up automatic, recurring transfers to your savings can help you stay on track and never miss funding a goal, even on busy days.

Saving doesn’t have to feel like a chore, either! Consider printable savings worksheets that allow you to color in dollar amounts as you reach each milestone, keep a coin jar to save your spare change, or take on a side hustle. This can keep you motivated to save.

Revisit Your Goals

It’s important to remember that your goals might need to be adjusted from time to time. Your circumstances may change – maybe you got a raise, had a child, or decided you want to purchase a home sooner. Circle back when your circumstances change – to ensure your contributions to savings accurately reflect your current financial situation, priorities, and financial goals.

Making consistent progress toward multiple financial goals can seem overwhelming – but with a little planning and discipline, will bring you closer to achieving the financial life you dream of.

*A First Financial membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. View full Rewards First program details.

What to Do if You’re a Victim of Check Fraud

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Finding out you’ve been a victim of check fraud can feel overwhelming. Maybe a check was stolen from the mail. Maybe your account shows a payment you never authorized. Or maybe you deposited a check that turned out to be fake.

No matter how it happened, one thing is true: acting quickly matters. The sooner you respond, the better your chance of limiting financial loss, protecting your account, and preventing further fraud. If you think you’ve been a victim of check fraud, here are the steps to take.

Step 1: Contact Your Financial Institution Immediately

Your first call should be to your financial institution. Tell them:

  • What happened.
  • Which transaction appears suspicious.
  • When you noticed it.

Your financial institution may be able to place a stop payment on a check, freeze your account, open an investigation, and provide information needed to file a report with the authorities. Don’t wait – time matters.

Step 2: Review Your Account for Other Fraud

Fraud may not stop at one transaction. Look through your recent account activity for:

  • Other unfamiliar checks.
  • Unusual withdrawals.
  • Account changes you did not make.

Review at least the last 30–60 days of account activity, if possible. If your account information was stolen, criminals may attempt additional fraudulent transactions – sometimes even weeks later when they think you are no longer paying attention.

Step 3: Document Everything

Keep records of:

  • Suspicious transactions.
  • Check numbers.
  • All related communications including calls, emails or text messages related to the fraudulent activity.
  • Police or fraud reports.

Write down dates, names, and case numbers. This documentation can help if you ever need to dispute charges or file reports.

Step 4: File a Fraud Report

Depending on the situation, you may need to report the fraud to local authorities or other agencies. This can be especially important if:

  • Mail was stolen.
  • Identity theft is involved.
  • A scammer targeted you online.

Ask your financial institution what reports they recommend and keep copies of everything.

Step 5: Secure Your Account

If your account information has been compromised, it may be recommended that you open a new account. Take additional steps like:

  • Changing online banking passwords.
  • Updating PINs.
  • Reviewing linked payment accounts and payment methods.

If you use the same password elsewhere, update those too.

Step 6: Replace Compromised Checks

If physical checks were stolen:

  • Report the missing check numbers to your financial institution.
  • Store remaining checks securely.
  • Order new checks if needed.

Do not continue using compromised check numbers.

Step 7: Watch for Identity Theft

A stolen check contains personal information. Watch for:

  • Unfamiliar credit activity.
  • Unexpected bills.
  • Collection notices.
  • New account openings.

Continue monitoring your financial accounts regularly – even months down the road.

If You Deposited a Fake Check

If you deposited a fraudulent check as part of a scam, contact your financial institution immediately and explain what happened. Even if the money appeared in your account, it may later be removed if the check turns out to be fake.

Remember: If someone asks you to send money back after depositing a check, that is a major warning sign of a check fraud scam.

How to Protect Yourself Going Forward

After check fraud happens, it’s normal to feel cautious. Moving forward:

  • Monitor your account at least weekly.
  • Use account alerts.
  • Mail any checks securely.
  • Keep checks stored safely.
  • Be cautious with unexpected payments.
  • Ask questions before acting.

Fraud can happen to anyone. What matters most is how quickly you respond by taking the necessary steps to put a stop to it.

Final Takeaway

As we’ve been featuring these weekly articles all month long, you probably know by now that check fraud can be frustrating and stressful – but you are not powerless. Quick action can help protect your money and reduce impact. Knowledge is one of your strongest tools.

Should you ever suspect fraudulent activity within any of your First Financial accounts, please contact us right away.

Check yourself – stop check fraud before it starts.

Article Source: Made in partnership with the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, America’s Credit Unions, and TruStage

Budget-Friendly School Lunch Ideas Your Kids Will Actually Enjoy

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Back-to-school season means back-to-lunchbox season, and costs can add up fast. With pre-packaged snacks and specialty ingredients, it’s easy to overspend on lunches kids might not finish. However, budget-friendly doesn’t have to be boring! With pantry staples and simple prep, you can pack affordable, quick lunches your kids will actually look forward to this school year.

Changing habits can lead to noticeable savings by report card time. Here are 4 budget-friendly lunch ideas your kids will actually enjoy, plus some shopping and prep tips to help you keep the whole week on budget too.

Lunch Ideas Kids Will Love

1. DIY Lunchables

Store-bought lunch kits are convenient, but often cost more for packaging than food. Make your own with a divided container and include deli meat, cheese, and crackers. Buying a block of cheese and slicing it yourself can really cut down on costs. You can also add grapes or apple slices for a little something extra, that’s also healthy.

2. Chicken Wraps

Try a quick chicken wrap that mimics a popular fast-food snack wrap. Shred leftover rotisserie chicken, mix it with some ranch dressing, and layer it in a tortilla with shredded lettuce and cheese. Roll it up, cut in half, and it’s ready to pack. This quick and budget-friendly meal takes just minutes to make.

3. Banana Sushi Rolls

Kids enjoy food that looks different, think banana sushi. Spread a tortilla with peanut or sunflower butter, place a peeled banana, roll tightly, then slice into rounds to resemble sushi. It’s a sweet, inexpensive lunch, as bananas are affordable year-round.

4. Breakfast for Lunch (Pancakes or Waffles)

Having breakfast for lunch is a simple win, especially for kids who’d eat pancakes anytime. Make mini pancakes or waffles on the weekend, freeze, and pack with syrup or yogurt for dipping. It’s also a quick reheat meal using common ingredients, turning an ordinary Tuesday into a treat.

Smart Shopping and Prep Tips for Parents

Shop for Staples, Not Specialty Snacks

Snack packs, yogurt tubes and cheese sticks often cost more for convenience. Buying larger versions and portioning them out yourself can cut costs without changing the actual food.

A simple way to keep lunches varied is to stock a small rotation of staples: Tortillas, rice or pasta, canned beans, eggs or deli meat, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Mixing these core ingredients weekly avoids buying new, specialized items daily.

Give Each Day a Theme

Assigning a loose theme to certain days of the week can make planning almost automatic and take the guesswork out of “what am I packing for my child today?” A sample rotation might look like wrap day, pasta salad day, dip-and-dunk day (hummus, veggies, and crackers), leftovers day, and on Friday – breakfast-for-lunch day to close out the week. Having a default plan means fewer last-minute trips to the store for something special mid-week.

Make Sunday Your Prep Day

Spending just thirty minutes on a Sunday can save time and money during the week. Use that time to hard-boil eggs, wash and chop produce, portion snacks, and cook grains like rice or pasta for multiple meals. Prepared ingredients make busy mornings easier and reduce the temptation to buy expensive foods on the go.

Get Your Kids Involved

Kids might eat their lunch more willingly if they helped create it. Offering them a choice between two affordable options, instead of deciding for them – fosters a sense of ownership without exceeding the budget. Younger children can help assemble a wrap or organize the lunchbox tray, while older kids can handle packing their own DIY lunchables or slicing banana sushi rounds.

Round it Out with Affordable Sides

A lunch isn’t complete without a side, often leading to unnoticed costs. Budget-friendly options can include sliced carrots or cucumbers with hummus, pretzels, trail mix, fruit, or applesauce. Buying in bulk and dividing into reusable containers can save both money and time.

Keep Lunches Fresh Until Lunchtime

Budget-friendly lunches only pay off if they actually get eaten, and that often comes down to freshness. An insulated lunch bag paired with a reusable ice pack keeps items like yogurt, cheese and deli meat at a safe temperature until midday.

A Few More Money-Saving Habits

  • Cook once, eat twice. Extra rice, pasta or shredded chicken from dinner can become tomorrow’s lunch with almost no additional effort.
  • Buy produce in season. Fruits and vegetables cost less, and often taste better when they’re in season locally.
  • Pack from what you already have before buying something new. A quick inventory of your fridge and pantry before you shop, can prevent duplicate purchases and reduce food waste.

Small changes to how you shop and prepare can add up to real savings over an entire school year. If you’re looking to build lunch costs into your broader household budget, First Financial is here to help. Check out our budgeting guide and fillable budget worksheet to help plan for upcoming monthly expenses. Stop by a branch or give us a call at 732.312.1500 if you’d like to make an appointment to talk through planning your family’s financial goals and budget.

Choices for Your 401(k) at a Former Employer

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One of the common threads of a mobile workforce is that many individuals who leave their job are faced with a decision about what to do with their 401(k) account.¹

Individuals typically have four choices with the 401(k) account they accrued at a previous employer.2

Choice 1: Leave it with Your Previous Employer

You may choose to do nothing and leave your account in your previous employer’s 401(k) plan. However, if your account balance is under a certain amount, be aware that your ex-employer may elect to distribute the funds to you.

There may be reasons to keep your 401(k) with your previous employer — such as investments that are low-cost or have limited availability outside of the plan. Other reasons are to maintain certain creditor protections that are unique to qualified retirement plans or to retain the ability to borrow from it if the plan allows for such loans to ex-employees.3

The primary downside is that individuals can become disconnected from the old account and pay less attention to the ongoing management of its investments.

Choice 2: Transfer to Your New Employer’s 401(k) Plan

Provided your current employer’s 401(k) accepts the transfer of assets from a pre-existing 401(k), you may want to consider moving these assets to your new plan.

The primary benefits to transferring are the convenience of consolidating your assets, retaining their strong creditor protections, and keeping them accessible via the plan’s loan feature.

If the new plan has a competitive investment menu, many individuals prefer to transfer their account and make a full break with their former employer.

Choice 3: Roll Over Assets to a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

Another choice is to roll assets over into a new or existing traditional IRA. It’s possible that a traditional IRA may provide some investment choices that may not exist in your new 401(k) plan.4

The drawback to this approach may be less creditor protection and the loss of access to these funds via a 401(k) loan feature.

Remember, don’t feel rushed into making a decision. You have time to consider your choices and may want to seek professional guidance to answer any questions you may have.

Choice 4: Cash Out the Account

The last choice is to simply cash out of the account. However, if you choose to cash out, you may be required to pay ordinary income tax on the balance plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under the age of 59½. In addition, employers may hold onto 20% of your account balance to pre-pay the taxes you’ll owe.

Think carefully before deciding to cash out a retirement plan. Aside from the costs of the early withdrawal penalty, there’s an additional opportunity cost in taking money out of an account that could potentially grow on a tax-deferred basis. For example, taking $10,000 out of a 401(k) instead of rolling over into an account earning an average of 8% in tax-deferred earnings could leave you $100,000 short after 30 years.5

Questions about this topic or interested in setting up a time to talk? Contact First Financial’s Investment & Retirement Center by calling 732.312.1534.  You can also email maureen.mcgreevy@lpl.com

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

  1. In most circumstances, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plan in the year you turn 73. Withdrawals from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plans are taxed as ordinary income, and if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty.
  2. FINRA.org, 2024
  3. A 401(k) loan not paid is deemed a distribution, subject to income taxes and a 10% tax penalty if the account owner is under 59½. If the account owner switches jobs or gets laid off, any outstanding 401(k) loan balance becomes due by the time the person files his or her federal tax return.
  4. In most circumstances, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Withdrawals from Traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. You may continue to contribute to a Traditional IRA past age 70½ as long as you meet the earned-income requirement.
  5. This is a hypothetical example used for illustrative purposes only. It is not representative of any specific investment or combination of investments.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

How to Detect Check Fraud Early

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This month, we’re continuing to focus on preventing check fraud scams with weekly articles. Whether a check was stolen from the mail, altered, forged, or used in a scam – the sooner you notice suspicious activity, the better your chances are of limiting financial loss and protecting your account.

The challenge? Check fraud is not always obvious right away. A payment may seem delayed. A check might clear for the wrong amount. Or you may notice a transaction you don’t recognize – weeks later. That’s why regular account monitoring matters. Here’s how to spot the warning signs of check fraud and what to do if something doesn’t look right.

Warning Signs of Check Fraud

Fraud often leaves some clues. Knowing what to look for can help you act quickly.

  • A Check Hasn’t Been Cashed When You Expected

If you mailed a payment and it has not been processed within the normal timeframe, it is worth checking on. This does not always mean fraud, but it could mean the check was delayed, lost, or intercepted.

What to do: Start by contacting the person or company you wrote the check out to, and confirm whether they’ve received it or not.

  • A Check Clears for the Wrong Amount

One of the clearest warning signs of check fraud is a check clearing for more (or less) than you wrote it for. This may happen in cases of check washing or altered checks.

What to do: Compare your check register or payment records to your account statement, and review the check image. Most financial institutions provide check images through online and mobile banking, or you can request them at your local branch or contacting customer service.

  • You See a Payment to Someone You Don’t Recognize

If your account shows a check made out to a person or business you did not authorize, that is a sign of fraud. This may happen with forged or altered checks.

What to do: Review the transaction details immediately, and contact your financial institution right away.

  • Missing Checks or Mail

If checks from your checkbook are missing or you notice missing mail, it may signal theft. Stolen blank checks can be used fraudulently.

What to do: Secure your remaining checks, report missing checks to your financial institution, and any missing mail to the post office.

  • Unfamiliar Withdrawals or Account Activity

Not all fraud appears as a check image. Sometimes check fraud starts with stolen account information and shows up as other account activity.

What to do: Watch for small test transactions, unusual withdrawals, or multiple failed payment attempts.

Simple Ways to Monitor Your Accounts

The best way to catch fraud early is to make account monitoring a regular habit.

  • Set Up Account Alerts

Most financial institutions allow you to set up alerts for withdrawals, deposits, low balances, and large transactions. These alerts can help you spot suspicious activity quickly.

  • Review Your Account Weekly

A quick weekly review of your account can help you catch issues before they grow. Look for payments you don’t recognize, checks clearing for the wrong amount, or missing expected transactions.

  • Look at Your Cleared Check Images

Most financial institutions allow you to view images of checks that have cleared. Look for the correct payee, amount, and your actual signature. This can help spot altered or forged checks.

  • Keep a Simple Record of Checks You Send

Whether it’s a checkbook register, a notebook, or a note on your phone – tracking helps. Record the date you sent the payment, the amount, and the recipient’s information. This will make it easier to compare later if you need to.

  • Be Careful with Unexpected Checks

If you receive a check you were not expecting, especially tied to a job, prize, or payment request – pause! Ask questions before depositing the check. Unexpected money is often a big warning sign of fraud.

What to Do if You Notice Something Suspicious

If you think something may be wrong, act quickly.

Step 1: Contact Your Financial Institution 

Review what you’ve noticed with your financial institution. They can assist with freezing or flagging the account and any transactions, place a stop payment on checks, or investigate the issue further.

Step 2: Gather Your Records

Collect check numbers, account statements, payment records, and any related emails, texts, or messages. Having information ready can speed up the investigation and account protection process.

Step 3: Monitor Closely

After reporting suspicious activity, keep watching your account. Fraud sometimes happens in more than one transaction and on various dates (sometimes with weeks in between – in the hopes that you don’t catch it).

Step 4: Change Account Security if Needed

Depending on the situation, it may be recommended that you close your account and open a new one, update passwords, or add extra account protections.

Early Action Can Make a Big Difference

Check fraud can be stressful, but early detection gives you more options:

  • Review your account regularly.
  • Pay attention to missing or unusual transactions.
  • Act quickly if something feels off.

Small habits can help protect your money. Check yourself – stop check fraud before it starts.

Article Source: Made in partnership with the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, America’s Credit Unions, and TruStage

Received a Text About Unpaid Tolls? It’s a Scam

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Cash-free toll lanes have improved driving convenience, but they also have led to a surge in text message scams. If you’ve gotten a message claiming an unpaid toll, you’re not alone. Many drivers nationwide, including in New Jersey – have reported similar suspicious texts.

How the Scam Works

Scammers will send a text pretending to be from a toll collection service such as E-ZPass, claiming you owe a balance and that your account will be suspended if you don’t pay immediately. The message usually includes a link that leads to a fake payment site designed to steal your personal and financial information.

These messages can sometimes make you feel a false sense of urgency, encouraging you to act quickly without giving yourself time to think. That’s exactly what they want. Scammers rely on panic so you’ll click before you even question the message.

Where do scammers get your number in the first place? Often from data breaches, people-search websites, or lists purchased on the dark web. They also rely on caller and sender ID spoofing to make a text look like it’s coming from a legitimate short code, so the fact that a message appears to come from “E-ZPass” tells you nothing about who actually sent it. Because these lists are typically bought in bulk and sent out to thousands of numbers at once, you may get a toll scam text even if you don’t own a car, don’t have an E-ZPass account, or have never driven through the state named in the message.

What a Scam Text Might Look Like

Below are two examples of the kind of unpaid toll scam texts you might receive. Details like the agency name and link will vary, but the pattern typically stays the same:

“E-ZPass: Your account has an unpaid toll of $6.99. To avoid a late fee and possible suspension of driving privileges, pay now: ezpass-nj-tollpay.com. Reply within 24 hours.”

“Toll Services: Final notice. Outstanding balance on your account will be sent to collections and may affect your credit if unpaid. Settle now: tollpay-notice.net”

Notice the pressure tactics in both message examples: A small, believable dollar amount, a countdown, and a threat if you don’t act. The link is also the giveaway. A genuine E-ZPass New Jersey link will appear as ezpassnj.com, not a lookalike domain.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

  • Receiving a text at all. Most toll agencies don’t text final payment reminders – they typically will bill through your account, email, or regular mail.
  • The message threatens fines, legal action or license suspension if you don’t pay right away.
  • The link looks slightly off. Scammers often use web addresses that are close to, but not quite – the real toll agency’s website.
  • The sender’s number looks unusual, such as an international number, or the greeting is generic (“Dear Customer”) instead of using your name.
  • You’re asked to pay through an unusual method, like a gift card or wire transfer.

Other Toll Scam Variations to Know

E-ZPass is the most commonly impersonated toll brand in our region, since it covers tolls throughout New Jersey and much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. However, it isn’t the only one scammers borrow. Similar scam texts have circulated using the names of FasTrak in California, I-PASS in Illinois, SunPass in Florida, and Peach Pass in Georgia. If you receive a “toll violation” text referencing a state or toll system you’ve never used, that alone is a strong sign the message is fraudulent.

What to Do if You Get One of These Texts

  • Don’t click the link or reply to the message, even to say “stop.”
  • Check your account directly. Login to your toll account through the official app or website, or call the customer service number listed there – not one included in the text.
  • Block the sender to help prevent future attempts.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/, or file a complaint with the FCC.
  • If you already clicked the link and entered any personal or financial information, contact your financial institution right away.

Quick Questions, Quick Answers

Will E-ZPass text me about payment collection? No. E-ZPass and most other toll agencies don’t send final payment reminders by text. If your account is genuinely past due, you’ll typically see it reflected in your account balance, an email or physical mail. Learn more about NJ E-Z Pass text scams from the NJ Turnpike Authority.

How do I check if I actually owe a toll? Go directly to your toll agency’s official website or app and login to check your balance. Don’t use a link or number provided in a text message that you weren’t expecting.

I already clicked the scam link. What now? Don’t panic, but do act quickly. If you entered any account numbers, card details, or your Social Security Number – contact your financial institution right away. You may also want to consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus. If you only clicked the link but didn’t enter information – it’s still a good idea to run a security scan on your device, since some phishing links attempt to install malware in the background.

The safest scam prevention habit is a simple one: Treat any unexpected text asking you to click a link and pay immediately as suspicious by default, whether it claims to be about a toll, a package delivery, or an account alert. Verifying independently through an app, website or phone number you already trust – takes an extra minute, but closes the door on nearly every version of this scam.

At First Financial, keeping your accounts and personal information safe is always top priority. If you ever receive a suspicious message referencing one of your First Financial accounts, give us a call at 732.312.1500 or stop by your local branch.

For more tips on spotting scams, check out our Important Alerts and Scams collection on our First Scoop Blog.