Assisting consumers in meeting their fiscal responsibilities and reaching their financial goals through ethical education, credit, housing counseling and homebuyer programs. If you are a New York State Resident, the toll free number to contact the New York State Department of Financial Services is: 1-800-342-3736.

Identity Theft Case

The Justice Department today announced that 3 men have been indicted in what the Department of Justice calls “the single largest hacking and identity theft case ever prosecuted.” Authorities say more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen. If you believe that you ar...
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5 Questions to Help Parents

Parents preparing to send their high school graduates away from home for the first time should remember to pack some financial advice in those college-bound bags, boxes and suitcases. “Many college campuses will have credit card tables on display at orientation offering giveaways and easy credit,�...
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ABC’s of Credit Reports

Checking your credit score before you apply for a major loan is a must if you want to find out where you stand in terms of credit risk. Yet checking your credit report also proves worthwhile before you put in an application. Put simply, “The credit report is the raw data. A credit score is [&h...
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Talk About Money Before You Marry

In the quest to find Mr. or Ms. Right, finding out if the object of your affection is a saver or a spender may seem rather cold and calculated. But money, and the way it is handled, has a significant effect on relationships and talking about it before the nuptials can make a difference in […]...
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7 Tips for Finding a Job After 50

Advice from career coaches and hiring managers If you suddenly find yourself back in the job market after age 50, you might need to dust off your résumé and spruce it up for today’s changing job market. Here are seven strategies older workers can use to get their résumé to the top of the s...
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10 Ways to Cut Your Fuel Costs

With crude oil futures threatening to hit $90 a barrel, gas prices jumped again this week, to a national average of $2.78 a gallon for regular unleaded, according to AAA. So, fuel economy is paramount. Here are tactics to help you get the most miles per gallon from your vehicle this winter and save ...
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