When most people think of identity theft, they envision criminals and other miscreants using their private data to open new credit cards and take out loans in their name. Some identity thieves even go a few steps further and seek medical care using someone else’s sensitive information, or they’ll use…

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel has announced that he is leaving the agency on January 20, 2025. The timing is something of a surprise, since it was expected that Werfel might remain through tax season. Late last year, President-elect Donald Trump announced he has tapped former Congressman Billy Long as IRS…

No matter how often bank regulators, international standard setters, rating agencies, or financial reform advocates warn banks that climate change is serious, the frequency of disasters driven by climate change shows they are not heeding the warnings. Such disasters have significantly increased and intensified in the last several decades. According…

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Maybe you need some cash. Or check your account balance. Or deposit a check. ATMs are a convenient way for people to quickly access their bank accounts, deposit money, and withdraw cash without visiting a branch. But how do ATMs work, exactly? Here’s everything you…

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The Federal Reserve reduced borrowing costs again at its final gathering of 2024, but officials penciled in two fewer cuts for the year ahead as inflation stays stubbornly above their target. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point, marking the third consecutive…

Key takeaways Survey platforms work best as supplemental income, typically earning $100-500 monthly with strategic use. Legitimate platforms offer transparent payment terms and realistic earnings ($0.50-$3 per survey) through PayPal or gift cards. Specialized surveys targeting specific professions or demographics often pay significantly more than general consumer surveys. Side hustles…

The number one cause of car crashes in Illinois is speeding, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. In 2023, over 1,200 people were killed in car crashes in the state, and 55 percent of those fatalities were a result of speeding. Not only is speeding dangerous, but it may…

Key takeaways The Chase Ultimate Rewards program is a premier points program for among rewards credit cards. Through Chase’s travel portal, certain cardholders can score heightened points value toward travel, whether it be by redeeming for travel with specific Chase cards or transferring to high-value airline and hotel partners.…

Key takeaways Emergency loans are borrowed for unexpected expenses when you don’t have enough savings. There are different types of emergency loans, including installment and revolving options. Personal loans and personal lines of credit offer lower interest rates and more flexibility, while payday loans and title loans have higher interest…

PM Images/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate Key takeaways Loans for this amount are offered by banks, credit unions and online lenders. The latter often features rapid funding times. An excellent credit score will typically qualify you for the lowest rate on a loan of this size. Most importantly,…

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and gift-giving. However, it can also bring about financial stress and anxiety, especially if you’re worried about managing your credit card payments amidst the flurry of holiday expenses. To help you navigate holiday spending without missing a beat on your financial…

MoMo Productions/ Getty Images Key takeaways Both banking tools and third-party apps serve different purposes in financial tracking. Banking tools excel at daily monitoring, while third-party apps offer comprehensive analysis and planning features. Combining bank-provided tools with select third-party apps often provides the most complete financial tracking solution. Regular monitoring…

Key takeaways Factor rates are a decimal that you use to multiply the entire loan by to get the total loan cost. Factor rates do not incorporate loan fees into its rate, as APRs do, making it difficult to evaluate the total cost of the loan. Factor rate loans tend…

Cavan Images / Nenad Stojkovic / Getty Images There are many types of annuities out there. Critics might say too many types. But if you’re in the market for an annuity, it’s important to understand how they’re described and classified so you know exactly what you’re signing up for and…