Most financial institutions have some form of two-factor authentication ("2FA") when you log in online. They ask for something besides your user name and password. Some places do it every time you log ...
Stop Tax Return Fraud: Sign Up for the IRS IP PIN Program
[Updated on January 14, 2021. The online registration is open now.] Due to many hacks and breaches of personal information, having a tax return filed fraudulently in your name has become a problem ...
Ally Bank Removed Online Early Withdrawal From No-Penalty CDs
I have some money in a no-penalty CD at Ally Bank. A no-penalty CD offers the best of both worlds: The interest rate is guaranteed not to go down during the term, and the money stays liquid at all ...
Free Home-Based VPN for Accessing Financial Accounts During Travel
When I travel out of the country, I don't try to access my financial accounts, because (a) I don't know how secure the hotel WiFi is; and (b) when the financial institution sees login attempts from ...
Replace Lost Or Stolen Savings Bonds: A Real Life Experience
When the burglars broke into my home, they stole my stack of Series I Savings Bonds (see previous post Lessons After A Burglary: Physical Security). I started buying paper savings bonds in 2001. I ...
Lessons After A Burglary: Physical Security
"What if I lose this?" That's the question I should've asked myself more often. I hope you will ask the question now so that you don't get caught after the fact. I came back from work one ...