Paying your child’s room mom for treats for the class’ Valentine’s Day party. Reimbursing your friend for half of dinner. Contributing to a wedding shower gift. Peer-to-peer payment apps are a convenient way to transfer money to friends, family and individuals without having to carry cash or write out checks.
Unlike traditional methods of the payment, P2P payments are an electronic transaction that allows individuals to pay another person in real time directly, through an online or mobile app, think Paypal or Venmo, using their banking account or card information.
And, unfortunately, they are also a new way for fraudsters to scam you out of personal financial information. But with awareness and a few tips, using P2P payment options can be as secure as using your debit card.
Money scams are nothing new, but with this new technology, P2P fraud is on the rise. Be vigilant about these common scams:
• Scammers will sell online products or services from random sites. The vender disappears after your payment has been sent via the P2P app.
• Fraudsters call victims and impersonate the fraud department or their Credit Union. The fraudster will try to extract the cardholder’s passcode that is sent to them via text message and use it to take over the victim’s P2P app.
• Fraudsters ask a victim to use their phone, saying their battery died. While pretending to send a text, the stranger accesses the victim’s P2P app to transfer funds from the victim’s account to theirs.
• Skilled hackers can hack into a smartphone via the enabled Bluetooth portal and gain access to any application where the victim’s username and password are automatically stored.
Tips to prevent P2P fraud
1. Never transfer money to someone you don’t know. Also look into using P2P services, like Paypal, that offer buyer protection.
2. Double-check the username or phone number of the person you are trying to send money to.
3. Opt-in for platform security. Popular P2P platforms offer the ability to create a PIN or to use facial recognition.
4. Set up account alerts that notify you when transactions have been made.
5. Consider linking your credit card in the app, instead of a debit card, so you have more fraud protection.
If you suspect fraud, freeze or lock your card immediately. Contact the P2P app customer service to initiate a dispute. You’ll need to also contact the Credit Union for further instructions about your account.
—Staff report
Laying the groundwork for financial success
Turn your backyard into an office
When the nation’s workforce was sent home to work remotely during the pandemic, finding space to work became an issue for unexpectant professionals to juggle, whether providing connectivity to facilitating workspaces for everyone in the family. People started looking outside of their four walls for options.
“A lot of people never really had their home set up as an office,” one shed manufacturer told the Chicago Tribune. “So, having a quiet place allows them to make the most of the work-from-home lifestyle.”
Create your workspace
You can revamp your existing shed, build your own, buy a prebuilt shed or hire a contractor to build you a custom structure. The space can be as big or small as you want, but you may need a permit to build one (check your local zoning laws and homeowner’s association rules for the specifics).
Whether you’re upgrading an existing shed or building a new one, you may need to wire it for electricity and install insulation, windows, roofing and flooring (you can do it yourself or hire help). Make sure your Wi-Fi signal extends into the yard or call your internet provider for help.
Personalize your domain
Make the space your own with a desk, office chair, computer and office supplies. Add a lounge chair for breaktime, paint the walls and hang some family pictures or other wall art to personalize your space.
— Bridget McCrea
Laying the groundwork for financial success
I Will In 2021:10 goals to set for this year
A new year presents new opportunities to set goals. Whether you’re focused on growing professionally or personally, here are 10 to consider for 2021:
1. Develop a productive morning routine and follow it daily.
2. Read one new book every month.
3. Complete a 30-day fitness challenge.
4. Create time on your calendar for a new hobby.
5. Learn a new skill that will help you at work.
6. Write a 5-year career plan.
7. Reduce screen time; increase me time.
8. Sign up for a 5K or another competitive athletic activity.
9. Donate a household item that you haven’t used in the last year.
10. Make time to meditate for 10 minutes a day.
To ensure success, use a SMART goals strategy (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and timely); hold yourself accountable by writing goals down; and when you achieve a goal, try making the next one a little harder. — B.M.