Taking control of your financial health starts with education.
Sweetheart scams, also known as romance scams, are becoming increasingly common as people seek out connections online. The FTC reports that Americans lost over $209 million to sweetheart scams in 2019 — which is 40% more than reported the previous year.
This is a good time to check in with your loan servicer to ensure you’re on a payment plan that fits your situation. Our partners at GreenPath recommend you do this soon; when loan payments resume, the government will be activating 30 million borrowers at one time, and you may find it difficult to reach your loan servicer.
On December 29, the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department announced that they are beginning to distribute the second round of Economic Impact Payments, also known as a “stimulus check,” as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to millions of Americans who received the first round of payments earlier this year.
The holidays are upon us, and so is the increase in risk for identity theft. Fictional characters are a big part of the season, but sadly they’ve also become a big part of identity thieves’ tool kits as well. According to a Federal Trade Commission Report, over the last five years, Synthetic Identity Fraud has become the fastest-growing type of financial crime in the United States and accounts for 20% of the credit-related losses.
The rise of online shopping during the pandemic has led to a proportional increase in online fraud and scams. As the Holiday season approaches, we want to make sure you are armed with the knowledge and the skills to protect yourself. With a little awareness, you can avoid online shopping fraud as the busiest time of the year for retail shopping is shifting into high gear.
An automobile accident can be a confusing and stressful event, but being prepared can help you remain calm. It’s important to know what to do immediately after an accident and what to do in the days following.
As we abide by stay-at-home orders, many of us spend hours in front of the computer each day for work and school. Online retail associations expect online holiday sales to surge by 25% – amounting to between $182 billion and $196 billion. Add this to a 15% increase in online sales from 2018 to 2019.
There are several ways to insure your possessions while you’re moving. Perhaps your current homeowners policy includes coverage for your personal property during a move. The policy may cover your possessions at the new location for a limited time, also. The same coverages, exclusions, and deductibles apply while you’re moving as they would for a regular homeowners claim.
Whether you already have auto insurance or are considering buying some, you may be wondering how much is enough and which types of coverage you need. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Does spending lift your spirits when life gets you down? Many of us turn to “retail therapy” when we feel down or stressed, and for a good reason. Studies show that shopping can trigger dopamine, which is a chemical in our brains that makes us feel good and fulfilled.
Now you can chat with a SESLOC Member Services Representative online on mobile or desktop. Whether you have a question about your account, products, services, you can get a response in real-time.
SESLOC is now scanning personal information cards (ID) if you do no have one already on file or when you have a new ID upon expiration. We have implemented this security measure for your protection as we work towards eliminating the need to provide a verbal password when visiting a branch. It will also speed up transactions, saving time while at the branch.
In alignment with the people-first philosophy of credit unions, SESLOC offers higher rates of return on savings accounts, lower rates on loans and lower fees than other financial institutions. With 53,000 members strong, we’re truly making a difference on the Central Coast. On October 17 we had special treats and gifts to celebrate members.
Do you know long you should hold onto your tax records? The IRS generally recommends three years. Then what?
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and we’re offering events, toolkits and services to help make the internet safer and more secure.