4 Ways to Prevent Personal Identity Theft

We’ve all heard about identity theft and how the online environment is making it easier than ever before to have your personal identity stolen. Realize that when your identity is stolen, you’ll be spending months trying to eliminate accounts that were falsely opened, damage to your credit score, and so forth. 

Here are four methods you can utilize to help greatly reduce your risk of personal identity theft.

Shred Your Sensitive Documents

Yes, this time tested method is still vital to employ today. Many lenders and banks will still utilize traditional snail mail to send out vital information about your account. This is to protect against telephone fraud and other potential problems. However, it’s a great way to leak your personal information. 

Make sure that any sensitive documents that you want to dispose of are properly shredded or burned. It only takes a minute and can mean the difference between months of struggling to regain your credit standing.

Don’t Give Personal Information Over the Phone

If you weren’t already aware, then you should’ve learned from above that mail is still a necessary form of personal information exchange. Your credit card company will send sensitive data, such as your new account pin, in the mail to your location. They won’t give you a new pin over the telephone because they know that the telephone make their clients vulnerable to identity theft.



As a general rule of thumb, if you get called by a creditor or bank, don’t give out your personal information. This holds true even if the caller id shows the lenders name. You should opt for communicating via traditional mail or tell the creditor or bank that you’ll call them back. This way, you can dial their number directly so you know that you’re speaking to them.

Use Computer Protection

With the amount of stuff that you probably do online, you’ll be asked for personal information from time to time. Do your best to safeguard against fraud on your computer. 

This means activating the firewall, maintaining virus protection, password-protect any financial documents, and don’t automatically save your login information. These simple measures can help to greatly reduce your risk of identity theft.

Leave Sensitive Documents in a Safe Place

Any sensitive documents such as your social security card should be left in a safe place at home. Don’t make it a habit to travel around with these items as you put yourself at risk for accidentally losing them. 

It’s safer to keep them at home and only bring them to places when it’s necessary to do so.

As you can see, personal identity protection isn’t that hard to do. It simply comes down to having a few key practices that you employ regularly to reduce your risk of theft. The above four practices should be a part of your regular identity protection routine.

When and When Not to Get a Fast Cash Loan to Bolster Your Finances

A cash loan can be a vital part of your financial strategy, at least when you use it correctly. If you take out this kind of loan at the wrong time, though, you'll find yourself in a hard financial position. Always know when to take out a loan and when one should be avoided before you start the process of borrowing.

DO Borrow for a Business Loan

If you're looking to start your own business, a cash loan might be exactly what you need to turn your idea into a reality. A cash loan is perfect for those who have a business idea that can reasonably generate income but who might not be able to get a loan from a more traditional lender. If you know that your business is going to generate enough revenue to pay back your loan, borrowing might be right for you.

DO NOT Borrow for a Payday Loan

Payday loans are inherently problematic. They are typically used by people who are short on cash but know they will get the money to pay off the debt at some point in the future. 



Unfortunately, the high interest rate on some of these loans makes them contribute to your long-term debt instead of solving any problems. Though the loans might look useful from the outside, a closer look will show you exactly why they should be avoided.

DO Borrow to Invest

There will be points at which you know that an investment is worth making but you won't have the cash on hand to actually make the investment. A great way to ensure that you don't miss out on the investment is to take out fast cash loans. 

It's usually a good idea to take out this kind of loan when doing so will allow you to participate in any activity that will generate a healthy profit.

DON'T Borrow to Pay Debt

Borrowing money to make payments on money that you have borrowed is rarely a good idea. Unless you have incredibly high-interest debt, taking out a cash loan will only transfer your debt to a new creditor. It's better to explore almost any other options to pay off your creditors that won't involve you taking on entirely new debt.

Cash loans can be great if you use them well. Make sure that your loan is going to help you rather than hurt you and always ensure that taking on the new debt won't put you further off of your financial goals. With a little research, you can determine if taking out one of these loans is really right for you.

4 Reasons to Get Serious About Having a Family Trust

Often many of us are so consumed with day-to-day responsibilities we neglect to properly plan for those whom we care for most.

Presuming that all will work out for the best without taking the necessary steps to assure that wished-for, favorable outcome is not a dependable strategy.

Read over and consider the following four reasons to get more serious about having a family trust. Doing so can put your mind at ease.

Being Proactive Versus Reactive

There are generally two courses of action to take with living life. One is either proactive or reactive with events that occur.

If you are one who lives reactively, you are always responding to the situation after it has happened. You are continuously having to deal with the adverse circumstances brought your way often due to a lack of planning.

If you prefer to live life proactively, you are always looking ahead. That involves planning for those worst case scenarios along your life-journey.




Proactive living invariably requires us to prepare for the time when we are no longer around to provide for and take care of our family members.

The best person to help secure the future of those close to you is a living trust attorney. This type of law practice helps the proactive among us to rest assured our loved ones get what we wish for them in our absence.

They will work with you to find and address key concerns about your final wishes for what and whom you leave behind.

Protects Family Home

One of the most valuable benefits in a person’s life is their home. It is the launching point for most of life’s major decisions like career, mate and where to live out those choices.

Having the blessing of at least a base of operations is an irreplaceable benefit for those who must live after you are no longer there to help and guide.

Assigns Other Assets

Another advantage is that you can assign your hard-earned assets how you best see fit. This can eliminate years of inter-family feuding by specifically stating your wishes.

Preserves Inheritance

A family trust is a legally binding document. It in essence grants the successors mentioned within it specific ownership rights to property left to them. This prevents spurious claims to the estate.

A family trust is a legal, proactive document that secures family assets and protects vulnerable family members in times of loss. 

Roadmap to Success—What You Should Be Doing Now for a Comfortable Retirement

While it’s wise to live in the present, it’s still important to plan for the future. If you’re in a position where you haven’t started preparing for retirement, don’t wait another moment. Time is of the essence. The sooner you start, the better off you’ll be. Consider some of the ways you can use today to prepare for a comfortable retirement experience down the road.

Debt Elimination

You don’t want to carry debt into your retirement years. Instead, it’s best to focus on ways that you can consistently pay off the debt you have. Pay off your student loans, credit cards, and mortgages. Use the credit to leverage, but always pay it off at the end of the month.

Multiple Income Streams

While you’re younger and have more energy to work, work hard. It’s okay to pick up a second job to earn more working income. However, it’s also important to develop multiple streams of income. Babysit for a couple on the weekends. Make baked goods to sell to friends and family. 



Join one of the many reselling websites to resell clothing online. Start a home-based business. To start a business, you’ll need a certain amount of start-up capital. If you don’t have it initially, find financial planners that can help you secure savings and income streams.

Investments

When you invest, you’re allowing your money to make money for you. This is why it’s wise to learn the details of the stock market, the real estate industry, and the foreign exchange market. When you understand how these different entities operate, you can leverage the knowledge and the finances in order to create a thriving retirement nest egg.

Health

Healthcare is very expensive. Plus, as you age, your body is weaker and more susceptible to health concerns. If you don’t want to spend the majority of your retired years in a wheelchair, make healthy decisions that will benefit your body in the long run. Eat lots of vegetables. 

Drink a lot of water. Get lots of rest. Live a balanced, stress-free lifestyle. Exercise daily to keep your body strong and lean. When you take care of your vessel now, it’ll take even better care of you later.

If you’re blessed enough to live a long life, you will experience the retirement phase. During this time, you’ll want to relax. If you have to combine old age with back-breaking work, this won’t be a fun experience. If you begin with these tips today, you’ll thank yourself later.

Have a New Year’s Resolution? Here’s How to Get Your Finances on Track

Setting a New Year’s resolution is always exciting. With the New Year coming, it can be a good idea to turn your attention to your finances. If you have struggled with their management in the past, consider some of the following things you can do to get them back on track.

Begin Budgeting

Budgeting does not have to be difficult. Always begin by organizing your monthly expenses and list your financial goals. Through this simple approach, you can already see where you stand and where you need to go to get the results you want. Make sure that you list potential revenue sources to move towards your goals in a more pronounced way.

Cut Your Expenses

Once you have some of your calculations set, you can move forward by cutting your monthly bills and expenses. Think about what you can do to lower your utility costs and spending habits. If you spend too much on your internet, choose a different provider. If you can stand to eat out a little less, change your meal habits. Do not be afraid to get creative during this stage.

Work With Financial Advisors

Speaking to a professional can be a great way to think about what you can do for your financial future. Take the time to consult with Kirkland financial advisors and see what they can suggest for your budget. A financial advisor can be particularly helpful if you have hidden expenses that may be sapping away at your finances.

Plan Daily Meals

One of the best ways to supercharge your finances is to focus on planning for your meals. This can not only help you avoid eating out more, but it can also be a great way for you to limit bad nutritional habits. Finding recipes that work with your lifestyle and with foods that you like can allow you to enjoy a good home cooked meal every day.

Pay off Debt

Try to organize your debt so that you know where your money is going. You want to start paying towards your loans as soon as possible to reduce the interest payments you make in the long-term. Pay above the minimum, one debt at a time, to really see a difference.

Though it may seem challenging at first, the fact of the matter is that these relatively small changes can start to add up in a big way. Take the time to review all of your financial records and notes, and use the changes you see on a monthly basis to fuel you future budgeting.

Which Financial Institution Is Best For A Used Car Loan?

Availing a personal loan to finance the purchase of a used car is one of the ideal options owing to the considerable amount it offers at an affordable interest rate. Several financial institutions and NBFCs provide such used car loans to help you finance your purchase.

That being said, selecting the best financial institution can be much of a challenge owing to the lucrative benefits they provide. Hence, before you select your lender, consider the below-mentioned factors to choose the one that will suit your need, such as –

Eligibility criteria

Having stringent eligibility criteria can lower the chances of approval. It is thus advisable to opt for financial companies which offer loans against relaxed eligibility criteria. The better you fulfil the eligibility criteria before you apply for second hand car finance, the more beneficial terms will you be able to avail. To be eligible to apply you are required to:

• Be between 23 and 55 years of age.
• Hold a considerable salary and employment under an MNC, public or private company.
• Be a resident of India, residing in any of the cities where your lender would operate.

Besides, maintain the required CIBIL score for a personal loan for used cars, a minimum of 750 and above.




You can use a loan eligibility calculator to check if you qualify for such advances and then apply.

Documentation process

Used car loans necessitate substantial paperwork, more in comparison to other unsecured loans. While you apply, consider checking the documentation process of your lender. The list of the documents that you are required to submit include –

• KYC documents: Like Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, passport, driving license, etc.
• Residential proof: Such as ration card, electricity bills, water bills, gas bills, telephone bills, etc.
• Income proof: Like salary slips, income tax returns, account statements, etc.

Additionally, you are also required to submit your employee ID card along with a passport-sized photograph.

Application process

Consider choosing NBFCs that offer a convenient application process. To apply for a used car loan you are required to:

• Visit your lender’s official website.
• Share the required details (personal and financial) to fill an application form.
• Depending on your financial portfolio, NBFCs offer you instant approval. As soon as your application gets approved a representative will get in touch with you and take you through the process.
• Submit the above mentioned documents to proceed for verification.

After the verification is completed, your loan amount will be credited to your bank account within 24 hours.

Interest rate

Your EMIs includes two components, the principal and the interest components. Availing advances at an affordable interest rate helps you keep the cost of your loan low and also lets you avoid the burden on your pocket. Once you know the interest rates, you can use a loan EMI calculator to estimate your monthly repayments and manage your finances accordingly.

To use a personal loan calculator, you are required to alter your loan amount and loan tenor to have an estimation of your EMI amount and total cost of your loan.

Bajaj Finserv is one such NBFC that offers used car loans at an attractive interest rate and is a host of several other benefits such as instant approval, quick disbursal within 24 hours, substantial loan amount of up to Rs.25 lakh, flexible tenor of up to 60 months, online account access, etc.

You can also enjoy pre-approved offers if you are an existing customer. Pre-approved offers reduce the hassle of application and help save your time. These offers are available on several financial products such as home loans, personal loans, business loans, professional loans, etc. To check your pre-approved offer, you are required to share minimal details like your name and phone number.

Before you decide on the loan amount, consider analyzing your income stability to support your EMI payments and the price of your car. Avoid availing more than what you need as the repayments could be substantial on your budget.