Spend Wisely
Many Americans will receive a tax refund for their past year's taxes. It may be tempting to splurge on a shopping spree or vacation with your tax refund, but it's important to think carefully about how you can make the most of this extra money. Here are some smart ways to use your tax refund:
Pay off debt: If you have high-interest debt, such as credit card debt or personal loans, using your tax refund to pay it off can save you a significant amount of money in interest payments. By reducing your debt burden, you can improve your credit score and free up more money to put towards your financial goals.
Build an emergency fund: It's essential to have a financial safety net in place for unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or car repairs. Using your tax refund to start or boost an emergency fund can provide you with peace of mind and help you avoid going into debt when a crisis arises.
What is it?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and RVs. The VIN is typically made up of 17 characters and is used to identify a vehicle's make, model, year, and other important details.
The VIN itself does not contain any financial information about a vehicle, but can be used to access a vehicle's history report, which may include information about any liens, loans, or financial obligations. The VIN can also be used to to find ownership records, accident history, and recalls. It is often used by law enforcement agencies to identify stolen vehicles.
The VIN can be found in several locations on a vehicle, including on the dashboard near the windshield, on the driver's side door jamb, and on the vehicle's registration and insurance documents.
How to Report
Phone fraud, also known as phone scam or phone phishing, is a fraudulent practice in which individuals or organizations attempt to obtain personal or financial information from unsuspecting victims over the phone. Phone fraud can take many forms, such as fake IRS calls, tech support scams, or prize scams.
It is important to report phone fraud to the appropriate authorities to protect yourself and others. Here are some tips:
If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up immediately and do not provide any personal or financial information to the caller. Remember that your credit union and other legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information over the phone.
