Moneysmartz Personal Finance Guide and Blog

All Eyes on the Federal Reserve Bank

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:56:42 -0600

Much maligned and frequently misunderstood, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank is in the spotlight, with all eyes on Ben Bernanke's every move. Since the Fed is playing an increasingly important role in our financial lives, particularly as it struggles to conduct monetary policy in a way that contributes to the health of the economy, it is probably in your best interest to learn a little more about the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank. We will spare you the nitty gritty details, but instead offer a convenient bookmark to the Moneysmartz U.S. Federal Reserve page, with links to the Fed, its member banks, and more information on the inner workings of the Fed. After visiting this page, you will be better prepared to translate your Fed watching into smarter financial decisions.

BBBOnline Reliability Program

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 09:34:14 -0600

Verifying the authenticity of a website or finding an authoritative third-party referral is something we often overlook when searching online. As it becomes easier and less expensive to produce a polished and professional looking website, the threat of visiting a fraudulent site increases.

Fortunately, there are programs to combat Internet fraud, including the BBBOnline Reliability Program, which connects consumers with legitimate businesses.

Participating companies, after pledging to meet the BBBOnLine Reliability standards for ethical online business practices and agreeing to resolve complaints using the BBB's dispute resolution program or a similar program, may post the BBBOnline Reliability Seal on their websites.

In addition to looking for the seal, consumers should visit the BBB site and browse the directory of BBBOnline Reliability Program participants.

One final thought. Be sure to click the seal. After clicking, you should go to a page verifying that the company participates in the program or that their participation has lapsed. Since it's easy for sites to copy and post the seal online, make sure that the clicked seal goes to the BBBOnline site. Help other consumers by reporting abuse of the seal to BBBOnline.

Fighting Back Against Identity Theft

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 11:53:42 -0600

October conjures images of ghosts, goblins, and mail order costumes. It's the time of year when getting scared is fun.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), over 10 million Americans every year get spooked for real by identity theft. Unlike an amused laugh from a poorly carved pumpkin, identity theft elicits fear and causes untold pain and suffering by those having information about them used to commit fraud.

Fortunately, there are resources to help consumers fight back.

The FTC, through its Deter, Detect, Defend, and Avoid Identity Theft program offers easy to follow tips and tools including a must view 10-minute identity theft video with ways you can protect yourself.

Taking action won't remove the threat of identity theft, but it may keep the boo where it belongs and away from you.