QR Codes That Steal Your Information

QR Codes That Steal Your Information

Dec 13, 2023

Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your personal information. By Alvaro Puig – FTC Consumer Education Specialist QR codes seem to be everywhere. You may have scanned one to see the menu at a restaurant or pay for public parking.

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Don’t Let “Porch Pirates” Steal Your Christmas Treasures

Don’t Let “Porch Pirates” Steal Your Christmas Treasures

Dec 11, 2023

In the state of Texas, it is a felony to steal packages off front porches. But that won’t stop porch pirates who are on a mission to plunder holiday loot off the doorsteps of unsuspecting households. By Mechele Mills The rise of online marketplaces and

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Credit Karma

Credit Karma

Dec 8, 2023

Payments for people who wasted time on “pre-approved” Credit Karma credit card offers: Are you eligible? By Amy Hebert – Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Did Credit Karma say you were “pre-approved” for a credit card, but you ended up denied credit? Then you

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Spot Holiday Job Scams

Spot Holiday Job Scams

Dec 6, 2023

By Jim Kreidler – Consumer Education Specialist/FTC Lots of folks look for jobs during the holiday season to make some extra cash or pay bills. But scammers follow seasonal employment trends, too, advertising jobs the same way honest employers do. They’re looking for

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What If You Can’t Make Car Payments

What If You Can’t Make Car Payments

Nov 30, 2023

By Colleen Tressler – FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education Trouble making car payments? Worried about repossession? Unexpected life events, like a job loss or drop in income, may affect your ability to pay your bills, including car payments. If you’re worried

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Smith County Recognizes Employees

Smith County Recognizes Employees

Nov 29, 2023

Smith County employee recognition spans across several departments and tenure from 30 years to 5 years. 30 YEARS Gayle Hayward nabbed the first accolade when the  Commissioners Court this week honored Hayward for 30 years of service to the Smith County Juvenile Services

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Keeping Things Frugal Definitely Pays Off

Keeping Things Frugal Definitely Pays Off

Nov 27, 2023

By Mary Hunt As the cost of basic consumer goods continues to be much higher than a year ago, frugality is fast becoming its own art form. I hope the following encouraging tips from your fellow readers on how to be a frugal

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Gift Cards Are Not Gifts

Gift Cards Are Not Gifts

Nov 25, 2023

By Mary Hunt What to give for Christmas when you don’t have time to shop, don’t want to put much thought into it and just need to check someone off your list? A gift card, of course. At this point, I will resist

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Thank You For Your Thank You

Thank You For Your Thank You

Nov 24, 2023

By Robert Goldman Whether you’re reading this before or after Thanksgiving, thank you. (If you’re reading this on Thanksgiving, please pass a drumstick.) The importance of saying thank you in business cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, when you make as many mistakes as thee

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Tips For Finding A Holiday Side Hustle

Tips For Finding A Holiday Side Hustle

Nov 3, 2023

A seasonal job is a great way to supplement your income, particularly in today’s economic environment. It’s important to remember, however, that if your personal information gets in the wrong hands, a scam-artist can do considerable damage, so be careful when sharing. By

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