Author Archives: Chief Marketing Officer Jessica

How to Avoid Banking Scams and Stay Safe Online

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Banking scams are more common than you think, especially lately. In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 2.1 million fraud reports. Criminals use these types of scams to trick people into giving up their bank account information.

Don’t panic just yet. There are many ways to protect yourself against banking scams and online fraud, and we’re here to help.

What are banking scams?

Banking scams are when fraudsters attempt to access your bank account to take your money or private information. The most common banking scams include:

  • Overpayment scams: When someone sends you a check, asks you to deposit it into your account, and wire part of the money back to them. The check is likely fake, so you’ll end up having to pay your bank the amount of the check, plus what you wired.
  • Unsolicited check fraud: When a scammer sends you an unexpected check, you cash it, and then you’re suddenly authorized for purchases or a loan you didn’t ask for.
  • Automatic withdrawals: When a fraudulent company sets up automatic withdrawals from your account to qualify for a free trial or prize.
  • Phishing: When you receive an email or text asking you to verify your bank account or card number.

How to protect yourself from banking scams

Now that we know what kinds of banking scams are out there, let’s talk about how to prevent them from happening to you. Here are our top tips to follow:

  • Be careful who you cash checks for. Never write a check for someone in exchange for cash, unless you know the person well.
  • Trust your instincts. If something feels off or is too good to be true, it likely is. Always read the fine print with any email or text you receive.
  • Don’t share your personal information. Scammers can easily hack into your account with the right information. Therefore, it’s important to avoid sharing account, Social Security, and credit card information with anyone – unless you know for certain it’s a legitimate request that you initiated with your financial institution.
  • Question unnecessary fees. If you’re sent a prize or job offer that requires an upfront fee, it’s a scam. The same goes for offers from unverified sources that require bank account information to redeem or claim them.
  • Be careful where you send money. This may seem obvious, but do not wire or send money to people or companies you don’t know.

What to do if you’re a victim of a bank scam

If you believe you’re a victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately to stop any unauthorized purchases or withdrawals from your account. You’ll need to report the scam to the proper authorities as well. Your financial institution should most likely offer a way you can file a complaint directly, or be able to provide you with the necessary steps to take. If you received any phishing emails, forward them to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.

At First Financial, we are here to help protect our members from scams and identity theft. If you have any concerns or questions about any of your First Financial accounts, please call member services at 732.312.1500 or visit one of our branches.

 

Tips for Improving Your Financial Literacy

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April is Financial Literacy Month, so we’re sharing our top tips for improving your financial wellness. Whether you’re new to managing a budget or are looking to save for a big future purchase, these tips will help you achieve your goals while maintaining a reasonable financial balance.

What is financial literacy?

Financial literacy refers to the knowledge and use of financial management skills, including budgeting, investing, saving, etc. By having an understanding of finances, you’ll be able to make better financial decisions. Achieving financial literacy is a lifelong process that requires continuous learning and management, and we’re here to help!

Here are our best tips for improving your financial literacy.

Learn how to budget

Don’t let the idea of creating a budget scare you. If anything, successfully building and maintaining a budget can be empowering. Start by creating a list of essential expenses including housing costs, food, transportation, clothing, internet, cell phone, insurance, and more. Then, write down how much you spend on each. From there, you’ll need to add up your monthly income and deduct your expenses. The amount leftover should be used toward building your savings and/or for any less essential purchases.

Improve your credit score

Maintaining a good credit score is an important part of your financial future. Without a good score, you’ll have difficulty securing a loan or mortgage down the line. Here’s what you can do over time to better your credit:

  • Pay your bills on time
  • Pay off or pay down your credit cards
  • Don’t close any open credit cards, but slow down opening new credit card accounts
  • Contact a financial expert – like us!

Open a savings account

Whether you need an emergency fund, money for retirement, or to pay a large expense – having a savings account is essential. You can start by dedicating a certain amount of your paycheck toward your savings. While it’s recommended to keep 20% of your income for savings and debt repayment, you’ll need to evaluate what works within your budget and when you’ll need the funds. Even if you’re starting small, you’ll be surprised how quickly the account can grow!

Want to open a savings account?* We’re here for you! Contact us or stop into your local branch to speak with a representative today.

Subscribe to financial newsletters

Stopping at the library and picking up some financial literature might not be everyone’s cup of tea. So, starting with digestible, yet informative articles is ideal. That’s why we recommend subscribing to newsletters (like ours!) with timely resources that cover a wide range of financial topics. The First Financial monthly e-newsletter delivers helpful tools and financial advice right to your inbox, so you can focus on achieving your monetary goals. You can sign up at the bottom of our website homepage, by entering your name and email address.

Talk to a financial professional

If anything, it’s always helpful to speak directly with a financial expert who can give you advice based on your individual situation. Contact us to get started or stop into your local branch to speak with a representative today!

 

*A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership before opening any other account/loan. 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. Click here to view full Rewards First program details. Some restrictions apply, contact the Credit Union for more information.

Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money

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It’s safe to say owning a vehicle can be expensive. Between gas, oil changes, tires, maintenance, and insurance, you can expect to have a good portion of your budget go toward car upkeep. In fact, AAA says the average cost of car ownership is about $10,000 per year. There are ways, however, to cut back on costs with proper vehicle maintenance and savvy budgeting. Here are our top car maintenance tips that will help save you money down the road.

Get your car washed and buy touch-up paint

This is not just a vanity suggestion – regularly cleaning and waxing your car protects your paint by preventing rust and residue that can damage the finish to your vehicle. This is especially important during harsh winters and if you park your car outside. Touch-up paint can seal chips and cracks before they become a bigger problem as well.

Don’t ignore your tires

Under-inflated tires will wear them down more quickly and negatively impact your gas mileage. Plus, low pressure tires can affect braking and make steering less responsive. This is not only dangerous for your car, but also for you. Thankfully, most gas stations have free or low cost air pumps you can use.

Shop around for mechanics

Sure, finding a mechanic is easy – but finding one with honest prices can be a challenge. Don’t just go for the convenient option, read reviews and ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. When you do find the right mechanic, research rates ahead of the appointment. Websites like RepairPal can give you an idea of what you should expect to pay for a particular repair, and connect you to certified mechanics in your local area.

Order parts online

Need to replace a part of your vehicle but the estimated price from the repair shop is too high for your liking? Your best bet would be to look online for parts. You’ll likely find better deals that way, even with shipping fees.

Consider repairing what you can at home

Many repairs and maintenance tasks can be done right in your driveway. Even if you’re not an experienced mechanic, you can likely change out spark plugs, oil, filters, and more with a quick Google search or YouTube video. You can also try tapping into your network to see if you have a friend or family member who can help. This way you can save on expensive labor fees!

Looking for a new or pre-owned vehicle? Our auto loans have great low rates, so you can have a new ride AND lower monthly payments! Visit a First Financial branch or contact the Loan Department to speak with a representative today!

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Not all applicants will qualify, subject to credit approval. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Actual rate may vary based on credit worthiness and term. First Financial FCU maintains the right to not extend credit, after you respond, if we determine you do not meet our guidelines for creditworthiness. Current loans financed with First Financial FCU are not eligible for review or refinance. A First Financial membership is required to obtain an Auto Loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. See credit union for details. A $5 deposit in a Base Savings Account is required to establish membership prior to opening any other account/loan.

 

 

Steps to Improving Your Credit Score

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Maintaining a good credit score is an important part of building your financial future. Not only does your credit score help lenders determine your credit risk, but it also affects the interest rates and fees you pay. Without a good credit score, you’ll have difficulty securing a loan or mortgage down the line. But don’t stress! If you take action to improve your credit score now, it will start increasing in no time.

What makes up your credit score?

Understanding your credit score is a crucial piece of planning your financial success. The bulk of your credit score is made up of your payment history (such as on time or late payments) and the amount owed. Additional factors include the length of credit, new credit (or the accumulation of debt in the last 12-18 months), and the type of credit.

What will hurt your credit score?

Maintaining a good credit score means being cautious with how your handle your money. Your credit score can be negatively impacted by:

  • Missing or late payments
  • Maxing out credit cards and shopping for credit excessively
  • Opening up numerous loans and credit cards in a short time frame
  • Closing credit cards out (as this could lower your available capacity)
  • Borrowing from finance companies

How to improve your credit score

Poor credit won’t haunt you forever, and it’s still completely possible to turn your credit score around! While there is no quick fix, there are long-term improvements you can make to help boost your score over time.

Here’s what you can do to better your credit:

  • Pay your bills on time – You may have to set a reminder on your phone so you don’t forget, but this is very important!
  • Pay off or pay down your credit cards. Come up with a payment plan that focuses on paying down the highest interest cards first, even if that means maintaining minimum payments on your other accounts in the meantime. The goal is to keep credit card balances low and pay them off when possible.
  • Don’t close credit cards – This may decrease your capacity, thus negatively impacting your score.
  • Slow down on opening new accounts as this approach could backfire and actually lower your credit score.
  • Contact a financial advisor or creditor if you’re having trouble making ends meet. They will help you better manage your credit and pay on time.

Don’t let your credit score stop you from bettering your financial future! Use our guide to managing your credit and getting out of debt for additional tips and resources, or stop into your local branch to speak with a representative!

How to Spot Identity Theft and Ways it Can be Used Against You

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ID theft is unfortunately very commonplace today, and sometimes it can be unavoidable. Keep reading to find out a few ways you can safeguard your personal and financial information, how to spot if identity theft might be happening to you, and ways that having your identity stolen can be used against you.

3 Main Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen:

  • There are accounts you don’t recognize on your credit report.
  • There are unfamiliar transactions on your credit card or bank statements.
  • The IRS informs you that more than one tax return has come in under your name.

Ways ID Theft Can Be Used Against You:

  • The identity thief may use your information to get credit, a loan, or another service in your name. This will ultimately affect your credit score, and potentially your credit usage and how much you’ll be approved for – if not spotted in time.
  • Your own money could be stolen right out of your bank account. If the identity thief uses your personal information to login to your bank accounts, your money could be stolen right out from under you.
  • Your tax refund could get stolen. If you go to file your taxes and are notified by the IRS that they already have a return filed under you, this is a very good indicator that an identity thief has already gained access to your tax refund.
  • Your Social Security Number could be used to work at a job you don’t actually have. An identity thief who has access to your SSN may use it for their own employment purposes. This could also directly affect your tax return, as it would add extra income you will be taxed on.
  • Your health insurance could be used to provide medical care or prescriptions to an identity thief.
  • Your personal and financial information could be used to file a false unemployment claim. This would mean unemployment benefits are being issued in your name to someone else.

There are a few things you can put in place to spot ID theft right away, and to help thwart it off:

  • Be sure you are reviewing an annual free credit report. At least once a year, go to annualcreditreport.com and review your credit report for accounts you didn’t open yourself, or to see if there were any credit inquiries that are not yours. You’ll want to check for credit cards you didn’t open, and car or personal loans you did not apply for. Utility services will also appear on your credit report, so you’ll also want to make sure you actually have the ones listed on it.
  • Check your bank statements often. At least once a month, review your bank and credit card statements to check for accuracy. Be sure the purchases listed were ones made by you. If not, call your financial institution to dispute any incorrect charges right away.
  • Sign up for email or text alerts. Most banks and credit cards offer purchase alerts that you can setup for your accounts. Check your mobile app or online banking settings to see what your alert options are. Here at First Financial, our members have access to First Financial Wallet. If you haven’t already, get started today!
  • Review your health insurance statements. Take note of any medical bills or explanation of benefits statements that arrive in the mail. If you don’t recognize a medical procedure or expense listed, call your health insurance provider immediately.

For more ways to protect your identity, check out our identity theft prevention guide.

Article Source: consumer.ftc.gov