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Beware of Deepfakes: How AI is Used for Deception

3/14/2025

Cybercriminals are using AI to create deepfake videos, voice clones, and fake images. Learn how to detect and protect yourself from deepfake scams in OUCH! March 2025

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Beware of Romance Investment Scams

2/14/2025

Learn how scammers blend romance and investment fraud in ‘Pig Butchering’ scams. Protect yourself with these tips from OUCH! February 2025.

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First-Time Home Buying in 6 Steps

2/4/2025

Buying a new home for the first time is exciting. Here's a guide for first-time home buyers to help along the way.

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Secure Your Smart Home Devices

1/16/2025

Learn how to protect your smart home from cybercriminals. Follow these top tips from OUCH! January 2025 to secure your devices and safeguard your family.

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How to Use a Credit Card Balance Transfer

11/18/2024

Learn how to transfer credit card balances, choose the best cards, manage fees, and repay debt effectively to reduce high-interest costs.

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Paying Off Credit Card Debt

12/16/2024

Discover four actionable methods to reduce and eliminate credit card debt. Learn about debt consolidation, budgeting tips, and effective repayment strategies to regain financial freedom.

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Protect Your Passwords from Cybercriminals

12/12/2024

Learn how cybercriminals steal passwords and how to protect yourself. Follow these top tips from OUCH! December 2024 to secure your digital life.

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Lock Down Your Savings: Prevent Cyber Scams

11/14/2024

Discover how to protect your bank accounts from sophisticated scams and cyber threats. Follow these essential tips to secure your savings from cybercriminals.

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How Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Mortgage?

5/1/2024

Boost your credit score before applying for a mortgage. Discover tips on disputes, timely payments, lowering credit utilization, and settling debts.

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Text Messaging Attacks: A Smishing Saga

7/15/2024

Messaging attacks, also called Smishing, occur when cyber attackers use SMS, texting, or similar messaging technologies to trick you into taking an action you should not take.

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Download Danger: How to Outwit Malicious Mobile Apps

10/14/2024

Learn to spot fake mobile apps and protect your data. Follow these safety tips from OUCH! October 2024 to ensure your apps are safe and secure.

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Defend Against Voice Cloning Attacks

9/18/2024

Voice cloning is when someone uses AI to recreate a person's voice to include their voice patterns, intonations, and speech rhythms, creating a near-perfect replica.

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Understanding QR Codes

8/12/2024

Have you ever wondered what those squares of dots or bars called “QR codes” are all about? You most likely have seen them posted on websites, printed on posters, used as mobile tickets, or on restaurant tables.

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Identity Theft: Preventing, Detecting, and Responding

3/8/2024

Your personal information is more valuable than ever. Unfortunately, this also makes it a prime target for identity theft.

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Benefits of Joining a Credit Union

3/21/2023

As more people are learning the difference between a bank and a credit union, here are top reasons why many are making the switch.

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What is mortgage preapproval?

4/1/2023

Whether you’re looking for your first home or your dream home, it’s important to find out how much you can afford and what listing price you’re comfortable with.

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Affordable Homeownership With Rising Rates

8/9/2022

In a rising rate environment, it can be easy to shy away from buying a home or even buying too quickly before rates rise again. But don’t let the rising rates scare you away just yet. When interest rates are on the rise, the best thing you can do is do your research and be prepared to be flexible.

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Tips to save for mortgage down payment

2/14/2023

Saving for a down payment on a house can be the biggest obstacle first-time or repeat home buyers have to overcome.

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Should I buy a home when interest rates are high?

12/27/2022

A high interest environment could work to your advantage

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Benefits of an Adjustable Rate Mortgage

7/28/2022

In a rising rate environment, an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) could be the most appealing because of its initial lower rates and lower monthly payments.

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Dreaming of building your next home?

9/20/2022

If you’re ready to move but just can’t find the perfect home in your area, chances are you’ve started dreaming of building your home.

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How to Finance Your New Construction

7/19/2022

Understanding the ins and outs of a Construction-to-Permanent Loan

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Consider This Before Signing a Rental Agreement

6/17/2022

Renting an apartment or finding a house to rent in your neighborhood can be exciting. But before you sign a rental agreement, you should check these things out.

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Should You Refinance Private Student Loans?

6/14/2022

Here's a quick look at when you should consider refinancing as an option for private student loans.

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Mortgage Refinancing Basics: What to Know

4/1/2022

If you're a homeowner and see changes in interest rates, sirens are probably going off in your head. Decide if the time is right to refinance.

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8 Tips to Win a Bidding War While Buying a Home

4/12/2022

It sounds paradoxical, but the best way to win a bidding war is to not have one. Sometimes that’s possible. Other times, a bidding war is inevitable.

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Keeping Your Information Safe Online

10/4/2023

If you do a lot of online banking, protecting your identity is extremely important. Here are some tips on how to spot scams and protect against bank fraud.

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How to Spot a Scam

3/27/2022

Phishing. Smishing. Vishing. Are you familiar with these phrases? Learn how to spot a scam from criminals trying to steal your identity or attack your computer.

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How to Consolidate Debt with a Plan

3/26/2022

Debt consolidation is important for a healthy financial future, and knowing how to consolidate debt is the first step to building an action plan.

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Diversify Your Investment Portfolio with Share Certificates

3/25/2022

A balanced investment portfolio begins when you diversify your investment portfolio. Learn how to diversify your portfolio with Share Certificates.

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Using a Credit Card to Build Credit

3/25/2022

Using a credit card is a simple way to help improve your credit score, if you manage your debt responsibly.

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Organizing Your Tax Documents

2/28/2022

Your guide to getting prepped for tax time and knowing what you need to keep and what can go.

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How Much To Save In An Emergency Fund

2/24/2022

Here are four steps to help you get started saving money for emergency fund.

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On Your Way to a Better Budget

12/19/2023

As you take the steps for control of your money, you'll find financial success is much more likely.

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How to Start Your Own Business

11/24/2021

Have you ever wondered what it takes to start your own business?

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Should I Carry a Mortgage into Retirement?

9/22/2021

If you're mulling whether to make a mortgage part of your retirement plan, here are some considerations to help you decide one way or the other.

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One Simple Step to Securing Your Accounts

9/2/2021

Adding two-factor authentication is a far more secure solution than relying on just passwords alone. Learn about this one simple step to be more secure with your accounts.

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Securely Using the Cloud

8/16/2021

Cloud services are neither good nor evil. However, you are essentially handing over your private data to strangers. Make sure you use cloud services properly.

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Securing Your Mobile Devices

7/12/2021

It may surprise you to know that the biggest risk to your mobile device is yourself. Learn how to protect your device.

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Securely Using Mobile Apps

6/3/2021

Cyber criminals have mastered their skills at creating and distributing malicious apps. Here are steps to securely use most of today's apps.

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Saving for College

5/18/2021

There's no denying the benefits of a college education but these advantages come at a price. How do you plan?

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Student Loan Tips to Study

5/18/2021

Knowing how to pay for college and deciding which student loan is best is key to getting a great start after high school. These tips will help you choose.

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Vishing – Phone Call Attacks and Scams

5/5/2021

While some of today’s cyber criminals do use advanced technologies, many simply use the phone to trick their victims.

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Choosing a Rewards Credit Card

5/4/2021

Get the rundown on the different types of reward cards and how they differ.

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Kids Inherit Financial Habits from Parents

4/18/2023

See what studies say about kids' financial habits and how you can talk to them about money.

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Should You Buy or Lease Your Next Car?

3/17/2021

Compare the pros and cons of buying or leasing your next vehicle.

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Identity Theft - Protecting Yourself

3/5/2021

Protect yourself from identity theft by learning how to detect it, what it does, and how to defend against it.

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I'm Hacked. Now What?

2/12/2021

If you suspect you have been hacked, learn how to take back control.

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Securing Wi-Fi At Home

1/14/2021

Here are five simple steps to securing your home Wi-Fi to create a far more secure home for you and your family.

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How to Get the Best Deal on an RV

1/8/2021

Buying an RV is much like buying a car, but it's also like buying a home. Here are things to consider to get the most out of your RV.

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Essentials for Your Digital Wallet

12/8/2020

Learn what a digital wallet is and the different options you have.

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Securing the Generation Gap

12/2/2020

Key steps to help keep family members, who may be struggling with technology, safer.

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Preventing Credit and Debit Card Fraud

11/12/2020

Learn some easy ways to protect yourself and your credit from fraud.

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Using an HSA to Pay for Medical Expenses

11/2/2020

HSAs give you control over how you want to spend your health care dollars. Learn about its benefits.

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Social Engineering

10/28/2020

Learn how social engineering, a cyber attack mechanism, work and what you can do to protect yourself.

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What Does Your Credit Score Mean

10/19/2020

Increasing your score can give you leverage to save money if you understand what goes into building and maintaining a good score.

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How Refinancing Your Car Loan Can Save You Money

8/12/2020

If you aren’t happy with your current car loan payment, or if your financial situation has changed since you bought your car—it might be a good idea to think about refinancing to a better interest rate.

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Buyer’s Market vs. Seller’s Market: What to Know

7/29/2020

Whether you are buying in a seller’s market or selling in a buyer’s market, remember to tailor your approach to the current housing market.

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Determining Your Home Value and How It Helps

7/29/2020

Knowing your home value gives you more control over these processes and provides clarity to future financial decisions.

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Understanding How a Skip Payment Option Works

7/21/2020

Before you take a skip payment offer, make sure you understand how they work.

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A Guide to Building Your Dream Home in 5 Simple Steps

7/2/2020

Here’s what you need to know before you build your dream home.

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Why You Should Make a Home Inventory Today

7/2/2020

Your home inventory is an essential resource in case of property loss.

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4 Mistakes People Make During the Mortgage Process

7/2/2020

Your mortgage is the most significant debt you will ever carry. Don’t make it more expensive than it has to be.

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What Is a Construction Loan, and Do I Need One?

7/2/2020

A construction loan is a useful tool to build your dream home. Here’s what you need to know to qualify for a construction loan.

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Here’s What Impacts Your Mortgage Interest Rate

5/6/2020

If you're like most people, you want low interest rates. Understanding the factors that go into mortgage rates will prepare you for negotiating the best interest rates possible.

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Fraudulent Shipping Scams

9/23/2022

The holiday season is usually about goodwill toward one another, but there are Grinches out there who like to use the holidays to help them steal information, data, and even money.

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Planning Ahead for the Holiday Season

9/22/2022

By now, we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing stores with holiday displays in September and October. And while this can feel cringe-worthy, it’s actually a good reminder to start planning your holiday budget in order to avoid the financial sting that can arrive with the New Year.

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Creative Ways to Use Your Home Equity

5/14/2020

Most homeowners don't know much about home equity. Learn how your home equity can be a useful tool to eliminate debt and more.

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5 Ways to Get the Highest Offer for Your Home

5/14/2020

Make sure you get the most for your house when you decide to sell. Here are five tips to help.

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Keep Your Identity Safe

7/27/2023

Here’s an easy way to remember the types of account information you should never give away.

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The Pros and Cons of Personal Loans and Home Equity Loans

5/14/2020

Both personal loan and home equity loan can provide the funding you need for covering unexpected or large expenses. Learn which one is right for you.

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What Is Mortgage Prequalification?

5/6/2020

As you prepare to buy a house, you’ve probably come across the phrases qualified and preapproved mortgage. While the two are similar, they are not synonymous.

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The Security of Online Banking

10/4/2023

Learn why it’s important to balance convenience with security to help defend against online fraud

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Tips to Avoid IRS Impostor Scams

4/4/2023

Don't fall for IRS imposter scams. Read here to get tips on how to avoid them.

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Online Shopping Security Tips

9/22/2022

No matter where you bank or what you buy, under consumer protection laws, credit cards are a safer bet than debit for purchases – online or otherwise.

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Why Your New Job Matters When Buying a Home

5/14/2020

While you can still get a mortgage if you change jobs, here is how it will impact your mortgage qualifications.

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