Identity Theft

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

September 17, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The importance of understanding interest rates. Also in the news: Protecting your identity while shopping online, the pros and cons of retirement annuities, and what you should ask before paying your medical bills.

Misunderstood Money Math: Why Interest Matters More Than You Think
Understanding the complicated world of interest rates.

8 Ways to Protect Your Identity While Online Shopping
While you’re shopping for deals, hackers are shopping for you.

Who Benefits From Retirement Annuities
The pros and cons of a retirement annuity.

6 Questions You Should Ask Before Paying Any Medical Bill
Analyze every single penny.

The Right Way to Tap Your IRA in Retirement
RMDs can trip you up.

Will Apple make breaches obsolete?

September 11, 2014 By Liz Weston

If your credit or debit cards haven’t been compromised, you’re part of a shrinking demographic. Database breaches in recent months have exposed tens of millions of cards to potential fraud.

But Apple’s new payment system has the potential to sidestep the bad guys and someday, perhaps, make breaches a thing of the past, according to LowCards.com’s Bill Hardekopf.

Apple Pay, announced Monday, allows people to pay for stuff with their phones, but your credit and debit card numbers won’t live there. The system generates unique tokens that are used instead. No longer would your sensitive financial information be sent into the ether, to be stored in insecure databases.

You can read more at “Could Apple Pay Be the End of Data Breaches?“

Monday’s need-to-know money news

September 8, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to get rewarded for being responsible with your credit cards. Also in the news: The hidden costs of a new job, tips on how to avoid credit fraud, and how you should and shouldn’t pay for college.

3 Credit Cards That Reward You for Being Responsible
Paying on time has its benefits.

5 Hidden Costs of a New Job
That new salary could cost you.

5 Common-Sense Tips to Help Avoid Credit Card Fraud, ID Theft
Protect yourself.

Making smart choices when paying for college
Using your retirement savings isn’t one of them.

7 scams that just won’t die
Microsoft isn’t calling you.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

September 3, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Home Depot is latest retailer to suffer a major data breach. Also in the news: How to organize your finances based on your personality type, which banks are the best and the worst with checking account fees, and three tips that could help you pay off your mortgage early.

Home Depot Data Breach: What to Do If You’ve Shopped There Recently
The latest big name target of credit data theft.

Four Ways to Organize Your Money Based on Your Personality
The best organization strategies based on your personality.

The Best and Worst Banks, Based on Checking Account Fees
Some of these fees will astound you.

3 Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
Even a year early can make a big difference.

3 Types of Insurance You Need – And 3 You Don’t
Choose wisely.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

August 29, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The retirement mistakes being made by Generation X. Also in the news: Why you shouldn’t use your debit card at a bar, committing to a budget, and how to avoid overspending triggers.

7 Retirement Mistakes Gen X Is Making
Timing is everything

4 Reasons Not to Use Your Debit Card at a Bar
How to avoid an identity theft hangover.

How to Actually Commit to a Budget: 7 Tips for Success
Tips for sticking to it.

Common Overspending Triggers that Can Wreck Your Budget
And how to avoid them.

What not to buy over Labor Day weekend
Not all sales are equal.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

August 25, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Five things to know about filing taxes for 2014. Also in the news: What you need to know about the UPS hack, when you should accept financial help from your parents, and how to score some last minute Labor Day travel deals.