All We Want for Christmas Is You… to be safe this holiday season! To ensure that your holiday season is full of cheer, follow these tips when making purchases online. Check Your Devices: Before making any online purchases, make sure the device you are using is up-to-date. Make sure you have strong passwords on all […]
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Cybercriminals frequently target people who are looking for opportunities. In this week’s scam, you might receive a text message or email with what looks like real job listings from a cybercriminal posing as a recruiter. The message even includes flexible hours, positions, benefits, and salary. If you reply, the cybercriminal asks you for further information, […]
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In this week’s scam, cybercriminals are using Google search results to try to trick you into calling a phone number that they control. If you search for an organization on Google, scammers can manipulate the search results to display a fake phone number for the organization. Don’t take a chance of losing your investments on […]
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Why credit management is important? Credit management is an essential aspect of being a responsible loan consumer. Your credit score plays a major role in determining whether you qualify for a loan and at what interest rate. A good credit score can help you qualify for loans with lower interest rates, while a poor credit […]
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We’ve all heard about phishing scams – those deceptive emails that try to lure us into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. But what about smishing? This lesser-known cousin of phishing uses SMS (text messages) to target unsuspecting victims, and it’s on the rise. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into […]
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Financial stability is a dream for many, but it can feel out of reach without a clear plan. Budgeting is the missing piece! It’s like a roadmap to your financial goals, helping you track your income and expenses, control your spending, and save for the future. Why Budget? Think of budgeting as a tool to […]
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The FBI warns Americans against using cryptocurrency money transmitting services that are not registered as Money Services Businesses (MSB) according to United States federal law (31 U.5.C. § 5330; 31 CFR §§ 1010; 1022) and do not adhere to anti-money laundering requirements. A few simple steps can prevent unintentional use of non-compliant services. For example, […]
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Is there a legit reason for someone to send you to a Bitcoin ATM? The short answer is NO. Will someone from the government send you to a Bitcoin ATM? NEVER. Scammers succeed because they’re good at what they do — which is lying. So, if someone calls and says you have to act now […]
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As a community bank, we are committed to helping our customers understand and avoid financial scams. One such scam that has been on the rise is the Money Mule Scam. A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else. Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds […]
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In this recent scam, cybercriminals are trying to trick you into downloading software that they can use to access your computer. They start by sending you a fake email that appears to come from your bank. The email says that there is an issue with your account and that their team needs to investigate. Of […]
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This week, it was confirmed that scammers are using Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) employees’ names to try to defraud members of the public. Specifically older adults, who received phone or video calls. The CFPB will NEVER contact you and ask you for sensitive information or to pay money. This includes never asking you to […]
Read MoreThe holiday season brings an air of excitement, with online shopping emerging as the go-to destination for extraordinary deals and exquisite gifts. Yet, amidst this festive fervor, there’s an unsettling reality: the proliferation of online shopping fraud and scams. In recent years, online shopping fraud has become increasingly prevalent. Deceptive tactics target the enthusiasm of […]
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Weather and health-related natural disasters can cause extensive property damage and wreak financial havoc on families and communities. In recognition of National Preparedness Month, Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are advocating simple measures to help consumers with preparation and recovery to reduce their financial impact. “While […]
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In today’s digital world, most of our daily interactions and transactions take place online. Video conferencing, email, online shopping, social media, and online banking all involve people willingly putting their personal information on the internet to thrive in our modern society. If you are not careful, however, you can make yourself susceptible to identity fraud. […]
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Wiring money at Murphy-Wall State Bank can be a quick and convenient way to transfer funds to someone else, either domestically or internationally. This method of transfer is faster and more secure than mailing a check and provides immediate access to the funds at the receiving end. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the […]
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When it comes to buying a house, there are many things to consider before making such a big investment. Here are the top five things to keep in mind when searching for your dream home. Location One of the most important things to consider when buying a house is the location. It’s important to think […]
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Teaching children about money management early on is an excellent way to help ensure their long-term financial well-being. With the right knowledge and skills, budgeting can not only be a useful tool but also be a lot of fun for kids. Here are some tips to get your children on track with budgeting: Provide Age-Appropriate […]
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Did you know part of good financial practices is balancing your checkbook? YES, even with digital and mobile banking, best practices are to balance your account once a month. So what does it mean to “balance your checkbook”? When we say “balance your checkbook” that means to keep a record of your transactions, review […]
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”Where’s My Refund?”…the phrase that soon will be on the lips of taxpayers, has attempted to be answered promptly by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS today reminded taxpayers in a report that the fastest and easiest way to check on tax refunds is by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov or […]
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Are you worried about going into debt? Have you ever heard the saying, “You have to spend money to make money?” If this is true, then do you succeed in making money without falling into the hole? Well, as any successful business owner knows, you need to have a plan set out to get […]
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Have you ever wondered about the differences between a credit card and a debit card? Perhaps you are a high school or college student, preparing to wrap up your final semester and get out into the “real world” and are ready to learn new ways to manage the money you’re about to make. Or, […]
Read More Most of those reading this probably know how to endorse a check; however, there are some details about this process some tend to overlook. Here are a few tips on proper check writing: What is Endorsing a Check Endorsing a check is the act of signing the back of a check to authorize the […]
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Pandemic Relief, Cares Act, and Unemployment Scams are on the rise and you may be held responsible if you receive funds deposited that are not yours. You should not allow anyone to authorize direct deposits into your account unless they are also an owner on the account. We are also aware that false unemployment claims […]
Read MoreBe organized, proactive, and aware to protect yourself, family and friends from financial abuse It’s easier than ever to handle our finances without setting foot inside a bank with so many advances in technology, but these changes have also made fraud and financial abuse a prevalent problem for older adults. Most elder financial abuse involves […]
Read More Visa protects customers from fraud with a number of prevention tools. With chip-activated terminals, a unique, one-time authorization code protects chip card transactions. Verified by Visa, the cardholder enters a password to verify their identity, which is confirmed by the card issuer in real time. Address Verification Service is used when checking the billing address […]
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In our digitally connected world, the bad guys aren’t limiting their scams to just your email account – they’re attacking you via social media, too! Social media plays a vital role in staying in touch with friends, family, and even local businesses. But with convenience comes vulnerability. Lurking among genuine connections can be fake profiles, […]
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April is National Financial Literacy Month, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Consumers are feeling more pinched each week with rapidly increasing gas and food prices and sluggish economic growth. According to a recent survey by Career Builder, 77 percent of American consumers are living paycheck to paycheck. Financial Literacy Month is […]
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