5 credit card mistakes to avoid

5 credit card mistakes to avoid

Today, digital transactions have become the norm. This has made safeguarding one’s financial information all the more important. Sadly, credit card fraud remains a prevalent concern, and numerous victims are falling victim to the evolvingly cunning tactics employed by cybercriminals. One way individuals can safeguard themselves from fraudulent activities is by avoiding some credit card mistakes that leave them susceptible. Avoiding these mistakes can significantly bolster their defenses against potential threats.

  • Neglecting strong password
    Most individuals prefer using easy-to-use and easy-to-remember passwords to offer them easy access. However, easily guessable passwords such as birthdays and phrases can make things easier for cybercriminals. It is advisable to opt for complex passwords comprising a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numerals, and special characters to avoid granting them unauthorized access. Regularly changing passwords and employing a password manager can further fortify online security.
  • Disregarding secure websites for transactions
    Another grave mistake credit card users make that makes them susceptible to fraud is entering their details on unsecured websites. This is one place where cybercriminals exploit vulnerable sites to harvest sensitive data. To mitigate this risk, individuals should only transact on secure websites. Checking for “https://” in the URL and looking for a padlock icon in the address bar are some telltale signs of a secure connection.
  • Sharing card information on unsecured networks
    People find public Wi-Fi networks convenient to use. However, it is paramount that one stay alert to the information that is being shared or accessed on public networks. Transmitting credit card information over unsecured networks can expose it to potential interception by hackers. In order to avoid making this error, individuals should refrain from making sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi. It is also advisable to utilize virtual private networks (VPNs) and opt for cellular data connections to provide an extra layer of security.
  • Falling for phishing scams
    Phishing scams are a prevalent practice among those employed by cybercriminals. They use deceptive emails or messages that visually mimic legitimate institutions. These are employed to entice individuals and encourage them to divulge their credit card details. Legitimate institutions rarely request such information through email or messages.
  • Storing card information on multiple platforms
    Saving credit card information on various websites for convenience may seem harmless, but it poses a significant risk. In the event of a data breach on any of these platforms, all stored card details become vulnerable. Avoiding this mistake involves refraining from saving credit card information on multiple sites. Instead, individuals should opt for secure, one-time transactions or employ trusted digital wallets.
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Top automated investing services that make investment easy for all

Automated investing services or Robo advisors are becoming popular by the day, and financial experts around the world only expect to see a surge in their usage. This is because these intelligent services offer one crucial advantage that many investors benefit from: low-cost financial advice. With many top financial services companies jumping in the race to provide customers with the best automated investing services, there are plenty of great options available for every kind of investor.What is a Robo advisor and how much does it cost?A Robo advisor is a digital platform that provides algorithmic-driven money management services that require virtually no human supervision. It does this by collecting client data like financial situation, future goals, and other details through an online survey. This data is then used to automatically manage clients' assets and provide them with the most suitable financial advice. Robo advisors are immensely cheaper than human financial advisors. Most services only charge an annual management fee that is anywhere between 0.25% and 0.5% of the account balance. Depending on your need, you can even find good Robo advisors that offer services free of charge and low minimum balance value. Top Robo advisors in the marketThere are several low-cost Robo advisors that you can choose based on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the best automated investing services or Robo advisors available in the market today.BettermentBetterment is one of the oldest and the most popular players in the industry. It allows clients to invest in a range of funds chosen for you to improve returns. It offers automatic rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, a personalized retirement plan, and can even sync your outside holdings like bank accounts and any other investments. At extra cost, you can up your investing game by talking to a certified financial advisor on the phone.Management fee: 0.25%Account minimum: $0https://www.betterment.com/investing/SoFI InvestA go-to choice for student loan refinancing, SoFi has now expanded its services into automated investing with its user-friendly investment management system. The company provides goal-based planning, automatic rebalancing, and diversifies your money to help reach your financial goals. Plus, you’ll receive member benefits like career services, discounts on SoFi products, and the opportunity to speak to a human advisor—everything at zero cost. Management fee: noneAccount minimum: $1https://www.sofi.com/invest/automated/WealthfrontWealthfront is one of the largest automated investing companies that offer both short and long-term financial goal planning. Its software builds a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds to improve your returns and offers time-tested investment strategies that automatically look for profitable opportunities. Management fee: 0.25 percentAccount minimum: $500https://www.wealthfront.com/Charles Schwab Intelligent PortfoliosCharles Schwab is one of the most trusted financial services companies that launched its own Robo advisor that helps build, monitors, rebalances a diversified portfolio based on your goals, and provides 24/7 customer support from US-based service professionals. With Schwab, you are not charged any advisory fee or commission and can invest in a portfolio of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs).Management fee: noneAccount minimum: $5,000https://intelligent.schwab.com/

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5 mistakes to avoid when buying life insurance

Life insurance enables individuals to cover their family members against financial risks that may arise in the future. So, one must not overlook its purchase. If one can afford it, they could consider picking a policy with a higher coverage. Moreover, there are several errors that one could make when buying a life insurance policy, which could result in limited benefits for their family. Here are five such mistakes to avoid. Focusing only on the premium amount Several buyers pay attention only on the premium amount they are supposed to pay instead of looking into more about the coverage and its terms. Doing so could result in buying a policy that is insufficient for meeting the requirements of the policyholder's family. So, one must consider factors such as future goals, children's education fees, and inflation instead of only focusing on the premium. Relying on the employer's insurance coverage Employers generally offer a basic level of life insurance coverage. So, one must not completely rely on it for protection and should consider getting supplemental life insurance. Moreover, one may be able to secure a reduced premium rate when they opt for the life insurance provider associated with their employer for standard coverage. Choosing the first insurance provider Insurance buyers are usually in a rush to make the purchase and go with the first option they find. While they might get something affordable, it could result in them getting an insufficient insurance coverage. Therefore, one must study multiple policies by different providers and determine factors such as the company's popularity, experience of the insurance provider, and customer reviews before making the purchase. Delaying buying life insurance Delaying purchases when it comes to life insurance policies is not the best idea because the older one gets, the more expensive will it be to get insured. These costs will reflect as premiums the life insurance company wants the individual to pay. So, one should consider purchasing the policy earlier in life to ensure they pay lower premiums. Borrowing from the policy One might be able to borrow some amount from an ongoing life insurance policy for reasons seen fit, such as tax-free withdrawals and loans. But one should do this with caution. If left unmanaged, the withdrawal might lead to a policy lapse or it may run out of money, and in this case, all the gains taken out become taxable. Further, this could affect the monetary support left behind by a beneficiary for their family members.

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