From major retailers like Target to restaurant chains like P.F. Changs, there have been many credit and debit card data breaches lately. Some of the data breaches were the result of poor security, while others were found to be internal criminal activity No matter what the cause, data breaches put millions of consumers at risk…
Need to cancel a check? It is important that you follow the right steps in the right order to make sure your check is cancelled properly. This will ensure you are not charged any unexpected fees and that the check does not clear. You will also help alleviate any confusion on the part of your…
The federal laws that govern how banks process checks have been in place since 1987. The Expedited Funds Availability Act (EFAA) is very detailed and addresses every type of deposit transaction, including international transfer of funds. For the average citizen, however, three stipulations are particularly relevant to everyday banking. The EFAA requires that: • Your…
A variety of checking accounts types are available depending on your financial, saving and spending needs. Learning how these different types of checking accounts work helps ensure you get the most value from your account. Here are a few of the most common types of checking accounts and the major features they offer. Simple Checking…
You may have heard of friends or family having more than one checking account. Why, you ask would people want or need more than one checking account? Well there are many different reasons ranging from dedicated specific accounts for defined expenses to keeping money separate from your spouse in case of a separation/divorce and all…
One of the questions I hear most often is, “Do I need to get new personal checks if any of the personal information printed on them is no longer current? While it may not seem necessary to have to replace your checks because your address or other information has changed, you really should. It is…
Check fraud is one of the growing challenges facing individuals, businesses and financial institutions today. However, there are built in security features that come standard on most personal checks that make it increasingly difficult for criminals to manipulate checks and leave a wave of innocent victims in their wake. One form of check fraud consists…
Why do I need a checking account when I can use credit cards and debit cards? You may not see as many checks written at the checkout counter, but just because you don’t see checks being written as often as you used to, does not mean that they are not a vital part of your…
Check fraud was once an easy feat for an experienced criminal. However, recently there have been numerous advancements in the personal check printing industry that help prevent and detect check fraud. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has created industry standards and practices for personal bank checks that significantly reduce the risk of check fraud…
When you go to the store to make a purchase, you have multiple payment options: Cash, check, credit card or debit card. There are even ways of paying for things via applications on your cell phone such as Google Wallet. With the growth in electronic payment options comes the increase in ways people can gain…