Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission defines identity theft as theft that happens “when someone uses your Social Security number or other personal information to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund.” This kind of theft not only steals your money, but your precious time as you work to figure out what accounts are compromised and finding safe ways to re-open them. Keep reading to prevent identity theft.  Start by Educating Yourself  The first step
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It’s the question that every household asks. What can I do to cut my monthly costs? And it’s a great question! No one wants to spend unnecessary money when there are mouths to feed and basketball uniforms to pay for. While you can tighten the budget by setting strict guidelines for yourself, your experts here at Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri have a few more realistic ways to lower monthly bills.  Plan Meals Ahead of Time  At first glance, planning meals ahead
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According to IdentityForce.com, about 1 in 15 people were victims of identity fraud in 2019. As technology continues to grow, the risk will only get higher. That’s why protecting yourself from this kind of crime is more important now than ever!  Rundown of Identity Theft  The first step in prevention is recognizing what identity theft is and why it’s dangerous. A simple description of identity theft is a crime in which an individual’s personal
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Besides the obvious positive of having constant access to your bank account on your very own device, online and mobile banking brings various benefits to the table. If you haven’t downloaded our mobile app yet, keep reading to find out why you should.  1. Deposit Checks Anywhere  Save yourself a trip by making it possible to deposit checks from the comfort of your home. It’s an easy process, too! Endorse
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Creating a basic monthly budget is simple, but breaking it down into categories and deciding what you should and shouldn’t spend money on can get tricky. That’s where the idea of wants vs needs comes into play, and it’s one of the most important steps in budgeting. Struggling to figure out what the difference is? We’ll explain!  The Overall Difference Between Wants VS Needs  Financial needs include purchases that are required or absolutely
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During 2021, we want everyone to focus on a few ways to enhance their life and habits. Financially, you are always able to make a change for the better and increase your savings. Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri offers helpful tips to break these five bad financial habits this year.  1. Impulse Buying  When you see an item you think you need to have and buy it instantly, that hurts your bank account. That item may be on sale somewhere else and that
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We all make mistakes and experiencing financial hiccups is a normal part of life. With each month comes new financial temptations that can be difficult to turn from. The good news is you can learn from others’ mistakes to avoid making them yourself! Keep reading to learn some common money temptations most people run into as well as how you can avoid giving into them.  Temptation #1: Spending Unexpected Cash  Whether you received
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Social media is growing and expanding each day, with nearly 3 billion people on Facebook and over 2 billion on YouTube. Platforms like these along with Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and more require usernames and passwords, but there’s always the unfortunate chance that your account is compromised. We’re here to provide you with a few simple things you can do to protect your social media accounts.  Two-Factor
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When it comes to teaching your kids important money lessons, the sooner the better! While young children can’t fully comprehend all that goes into finances, there are a lot of fun activities that can help them better understand. Try these out next time you’re looking for a fun way to entertain your little ones!  Financial Board Games  A simple way to learn about finances and include the whole family is to purchase a money-related board game. If you have little kids,
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With the flexibility and freedom of self-employment comes the tricky challenge of managing your finances properly. Whether you’re new to the freelancing field or already know your way around the ropes, a quick money refresher is always a good idea. Below are our top money management tips for the self-employed.  Have a Plan  Budgeting is just as important in your freelance business as it is in your personal life. This may be tricky with the inconsistencies in your income
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