Get a head start on tax season this year by protecting yourself and your loved ones from these financially disastrous scams.
![Look Out for Tax Fraud Schemes](https://www.sesloc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Tax-Fraud-1080x675.jpg)
Get a head start on tax season this year by protecting yourself and your loved ones from these financially disastrous scams.
A credit score might seem like a mysterious three-digit number, but it holds significant influence over your financial life. Whether you’re applying for a loan or a credit card, renting an apartment, or even setting up utilities, your credit score plays a crucial role in the decisions that lenders, landlords, and service providers make.
According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Report published in 2023 and covering the full year of 2022, reported cases of identity theft have increased by over 584% in the last 20 years.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to safeguard sensitive card information to prevent an interruption in your ability to make important purchases. Be sure to report a lost or stolen card to your financial institution immediately.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to safeguard sensitive card information to prevent an interruption in your ability to make important purchases. Be sure to report a lost or stolen card to your financial institution immediately.
A quick web search for “data breach” reveals countless recent hits detailing major data breaches. One of the biggest risks following a data breach is that scammers could use your stolen personal information to open a loan or a line of credit in your name, potentially damaging your credit score or leaving you to pay for the fraudulent charges.
Phishing is a technique employed by cybercriminals to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or installing malware on their devices. This method is executed through various channels such as phone calls, emails, SMS texts, or even social media messages.
Identity theft is a type of crime where someone obtains another person’s personal information without their permission or knowledge and uses that information to commit fraud or other illegal activities. The personal information that is commonly targeted includes names, addresses, birthdates, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and bank account information.
Periodically reviewing your credit report and credit score is an important step to better protect and improve your financial health. Follow these tips to develop good credit habits throughout the year that will help you stay on track with your goals and protect your identity.
This year, tax crimes have become more complex and sinister than ever before, including scams like identity theft, phishing, fake charities, false claims, and more. This article will cover new fraud schemes and reoccurring ones in hopes of helping you understand what to watch for and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Lisa Murray, from CASA of Santa Barbara County.
Have you noticed your insurance bills skyrocketing lately? If so, you’re in good company. According to Policygenius, the average home insurance premium increased by 21% between May 2022 and May 2023. Combine this with rising housing costs, property taxes, and high interest rate debt, and it’s no wonder why so many Americans are struggling in today’s market.
You may hear of cyberattacks throughout the news and think it may never happen to you but cyberattacks can happen to anyone and any business. Knowing the severity a cyberattack can create for members, SESLOC has and continues to improve its defenses against cybercriminals. Listed below are 10 ways that SESLOC works to provide the best protection for their members.
Did you know that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, and 4,000 kilowatts of electricity? Thanks to members at this year’s SESLOC’s Shred Days at our SLO, Atascadero and Santa Maria branches, we recycled 113 total bins with 17.79 tons of shredded paper— saving 302 trees, 124,530 gallons of water, 53.37 cubic yards of landfill space, and 71,160 kilowatts of electricity!
SESLOC Credit Union is thrilled to introduce the Instant Funds loans, a new short-term, small-dollar loans program designed to support individuals in need of emergency financial assistance. Keeping the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” in mind, we are introducing this product to ensure there is financial support for the underserved and underbanked in the Central Coast community.