Money

Money Matters Website

Understanding credit, handling debt and avoiding scams are essential to smart money management, especially in hard economic times.  This FTC site offers tips for navigating tough financial waters — and avoiding the sharks who profit from desperate circumstances.

ConsumerAction.gov

ConsumerAction.gov features practical tips for being a smart consumer. It includes the same information as the Consumer Action Handbook, along with links to consumer news and resources.

Real Relief from AARP

AARP will help you stay focused on your long-term financial goals while providing you with immediate solutions and assistance. Visit www.aarp.org/realrelief.

Gift Cards

This OCC consumer advisory provides important information that shoppers should have about the terms and conditions that apply to gift cards. Listen to a radio PSA about gift cards.

How to Purchase and Use Gift Cards

This brochure, produced by CFA and NACAA, explains the difference between store and general purpose gift cards, what to consider when buying and using gift cards, and what to do if there are problems.

Money Smart – A Financial Education Program

Money Smart is the FDIC’s comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help individuals outside the financial mainstream develop financial skills and positive banking relationships.

Money Transfers Can Be Risky Business

Scam artists use a number of elaborate schemes to get your money, and many involve money transfers through companies like Western Union and MoneyGram. This FTC Consumer Alert describes common money transfer scams to help consumers spot and avoid them.

Avoid Fake Check Scams and Get the Real Deal about Mystery Shopping

This fact sheet describes fake check scams that are disguised as mystery shopping jobs. It can be used, with attribution to CFA, to educate consumers about how to tell the difference between phony and real work-at-home opportunities.