Spot Rigged ATM Machines!

How to Spot a Rigged ATM Machine

Article from EHow.com

Criminals have found ways to obtain consumer's private bank information by installing skimmers and small hidden cameras at ATMs worldwide. The skimmer is a small electronic device that is used to capture a victim's information--such as card number, name and expiration date. Before making a transaction at an ATM machine, consider these tips to avoid having your funds and information stolen.

1. #1 Pay attention to your surroundings. Look around and watch for anyone suspicious-looking that may be observing your actions. They could be waiting inside a car or standing nearby.
   
   
   
   #2 Check around the mirror and surrounding area for any small hidden cameras. Criminals use the hidden cameras to capture the victim entering his bankcard PIN number. Criminals will make a copy of your bankcard by using a credit card encoder, which can be easily purchased online. The newly made card is used to make future withdrawals.
   
2. 
   
   
   #3 Pay close attention to the ATM card slot to check to see it appears out of the ordinary. The skimmer is inserted into the card slot at the ATM machine to capture the bankcard number. The bankcard number is obtained and stored onto a microchip located inside the skimmer. Pull at the area around the card slot to see if it is loose or comes off. If you slide your card through the card slot and it appears resistant, it could be hacked. Call the local police immediately if the area around the slot comes off.
   
3. 
   
   
   #4 Use ATMs at stores that stand alone. These ATMs are usually harder for criminals to hack and add skimmer devices because they are located in heavily populated areas.
   
   
4. #5 Ask your bank if any skimming instances have occurred at their institution. Find out if your bank uses the ADT Anti-Skimming Solution, which was created to help prevent criminals from hacking into ATMs worldwide.
   

Teaching Kids About Money and Investing

There are many ways to educate your children about finance, credit management, and some basics about saving. I remember when I was growing up, the closest I came to understanding finance was my mother talking to me about the importance of paying your bills on time. She spoke of how important it is to be frugal and save your money and not overspend on junk. Funny thing is growing up my mom always shopped at the thrift stores; buying me used clothing and picking up household items for a deep discount. I didn’t realize at the time that this allowed my mom to help me out with some college costs and that big down payment that so easily slips through your hands to the mortgage company on settlement day, or all the other countless catastrophes and emergencies that pop up along the way growing up. But my mother realized this from day one and I am ever so grateful for her sharp sense of financial awareness. Even though my mom couldn’t help and pay for everything I learned a lot from her. There is a significant value added in sharing the importance of financial awareness with our children. We can grow and share a new learning experience with our kids because we not only share this knowledge with our babies but also educate ourselves in the process and that experience is priceless. The good thing is all of the information for the most part is free. The variety of websites provide articles, games and other activities like quizzes for children of K-12 and teenagers. While most of the resources require nothing more than registration and a willingness to learn the sites are relatively easy to navigate and provide fun modules for the kids to enjoy. I have taken the time to compile the resources and websites for further investigation. I have the broken the resources down by categories. Remember no time is like the present to become financially aware and share this information with our children no matter what age.

Banking

Learning Bank: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Website for grades K-12 created to educate and entertain children, teachers, and parents.

Banking on our future www.bankingonourfuture.org
Registration required-Operation HOPE's financial literacy program for grades 4 through 12. Learn about the basics of banking & credit unions, checking & savings accounts, insurance, credit and investments.

Finance

Kid$Inve$t
For children in grades (K-4, 5-8 and 9-12) This is from the state of Illinois. Kid$Inve$t is a comprehensive guide to the stock market, investing and money management specifically designed for young people.

Practical Money Skills for Life www.practicalmoneyskills.com
This is a website sponsored by Visa and has lesson plans for preschoolers to college that helps students practice better money management. This website has Home based Financial Literacy resources for adults, parents, and children.

Government Agencies

Federal Reserve Board: Kids Page www.federalreserve.gov/kids
This website teaches young children about the Federal Reserve. They can take a quiz to test their knowledge.

Money

H.I.P. Pocket Change: U.S. Mint http://www.usmint.gov/kids
Educational tool that includes games and cartoons for students that generates interest in coins, the U.S. mint and U.S. history.



Business/Young Entrepreneurs

YoungBiz: Teens www.youngbiz.com
Their mission is to empower youth with entrepreneurial, business and financial skills through innovative education and real world experience.

Teens and Money Management

It All Adds Up www.italladdsup.org
Website sponsored by American Express for teens who want a head start on their financial future. They have online games and simulations to help teens learn about credit management, buying a car, paying for college, budgeting, saving and investing. For example they have an excellent module which shows teens the truth about how long it actually would take to pay off a credit card balance.


Young Money Magazine www.youngmoney.com
A national magazine for young adults ages 18-25 that focuses on money management, entrepreneurship, careers, investing, technology, and travel.

National Endowment for Financial Education: Teen Resource Bureau
The program is dedicated to improving financial literacy among teens. This website encourages teens to take an active role in understanding the basics of personal finance.

How Do I Start Saving For My Children's Education?

First and foremost you need to figure out what the heck your intentions are. Let me explain, why are you choosing to save. Do you want to stash away money for education purposes like private school for example. Will this money you sock away for education be geared for elementary school, high school, or college? What about saving for general purposes like if your kid eventually gets married or wants a car to travel to and from home in while attending college if they commute or go to an out of state school, or just a first time home purchase. Perhaps you just want to set up a n account so they can have money set aside for them if they want to pursue a non college required career like being self-employed establishing their own business. Once you have figured out what you are saving for the next thing to consider is what type of savings will best meet your needs. There are so many savings vehicles out there and it is easy to get confused and make the worst mistake of all. Give up and not act at all. The various types of savings you could consider are ESAs known also as Coverdells, UGMA/UTMA accounts which are also called custodial account, there are also guardian and custodial accounts and 529 plans. There are prepaid tuition plans. Well I know it can be overwhelming deciding which one is best for you. There is plenty of help out there for you.
The following links below are great sources full of helpful information and are my favorites.

Vanguard College Savings Tools
College Savings Tutorial
Financial Aid Information and Tips

Upromise has $10,000 prize to go toward college

How about Upromise. Heard of that? Well Upromise is a program that allows you to take some of your money from purchases you make, like 2-3% and have those funds deposited directly into a Upromise Rewards account. Over time these deposits can really add up and after the balance reaches a certain amount, Upromise will begin transferring those funds to your 529. (Only a 529 managed/affiliated with Upromise). They also offer a savings incentive called UGIFT where folks with 529s can encourage their family and friends to make contributions to their child's 529 account. Check out www.upromise.com for more information on some of these programs. Anyway they are currently having a contest that can earn you $10 grand towards college!  (posted on walletpop)
Upromise has $10,000 prize to go toward college

Seasonal Shopping Is Best For Major Savings

This Shopping by the Calendar tip by Bankrate.com is a good reminder of when is the best time to get major bargains on items such as TVs, school supplies, kitchen supplies, clothing and vehicles.

Recipes with Ingredients That Cost $1 or Less!

Spending the $10 to $12 bucks to buy this book seems well worth the investment. You get a book full of delicious recipes full of ingredients that cost $1.00 or less. You can't beat that. The author Elizabeth Fisher was featured on 6abc and talks about her book that was published last month. With the continued funk of the existing economy this book couldn't have come at a better time. What a great savings tool allowing families to cook up tasty meals on the cheap.