Beware of the phisherman, don’t become a victim

Phishing has become a huge problem over the years, and the more communication goes digital, the larger the problem. According to statistics, this method of scamming people is on the uptick with 95 percent of organizations having been victim of phishing attacks. Other startling statistics suggest a
250 percent increase of phishing incidents in the first quarter of 2016 alone and 97 percent of users cannot accurately identify a "sophisticated" phishing email.

You figure those stats are just for businesses and other agencies. Countless individuals are also exploited by the phisherman. Other information released in 2017 suggests a stunning 1.4 million websites are created every month with the intention of committing fraud via phishing.

Image credit: Pixabay

What to look for when choosing a realtor

Buying real estate is not a decision or an investment to be taken lightly. You want to choose the right location, property and, overall, make a good investment for your money. You can go it alone, but it might be worth the time to connect with a good real estate agent. 

Image credit: Leigh Goessl

How thieves set up ATM skimmers

ATM scams are an unfortunate reality in today's world. As the use of these automated machines grew to become a primary method to access cash, scammers, not to miss a beat, created lucrative ways to exploit these machines with the intent to rip people off. As with any convenience, there is typically a trade-off and, with ATMs, one of the biggest risks these days are devices called skimmers.

Difference between good debt and bad debt

Gaining a firm understanding of how to properly manage personal finances is a good effort for anyone to invest in. As a part of this, it's important to not only recognize the differences between good debt and bad debt, but know how to balance the two. If you can accomplish this, you can use this knowledge to pave the way to a successful financial future.

How to find the best post-holiday bargains

Many retailers offer great sales before the holiday season in attempts to entice you to come into their doors, especially with the Thanksgiving creep. Did you know that often the best bargains are found just after the holiday season? Post-Christmas shopping has quickly evolved into one of the most popular shopping days of the year. The day after Christmas has long been known as "Boxing Day" in many countries. In the United States, there is not a specific name, but it also is a busy retail day.

Will mobile eventually replace cash?

Mobile has been steadily rising in use and has changed the dynamics of how people communicate and do business. Already, the movement towards mobile has transformed how society across the globe operates, and it is now being kicked up a level. As smartphones now dominate, trends have shifted once again.

5 tips to protect yourself and avoid telephone scams

Image credit:  Pixabay

Internet fraud has grown significantly over the years. Yet, despite technology, good 'ol telephone scams are still widely occurring. Charming scammers may masquerade as a bank rep, a government employee, a charity rep, or any other type of commercial business. For instance, consider the widely spread jury duty and IRS phone scams.

All of these scams usually relate in some way to commit financial fraud, either through direct monetary theft or identity theft. It is a good idea to know how to avoid telephone scams.

How to save money on holiday shopping

The holidays have a tendency to creep up before you know it, here we are already at the end of November. Suddenly, the race is on to prepare for this year's festivities. While it's a wonderful time of the year, it can also drain your bank account or run up your credit.