FDIC Consumer News
Fall 2015
News Briefs
The FDIC has updated the content of its Money Smart financial education program for people with visual disabilities. The content in Braille and large-print formats was updated to match changes previously made to Money Smart for Adults. In addition, the latest version of the audio (podcast) version of Money Smart is now available in Spanish. For more information, or to order the new products, visit www.fdic.gov/moneysmart.
A new FDIC online catalog makes it easier for consumers and bankers to order a variety of free publications and other educational resources from the agency. The catalog includes different versions of our Money Smart financial education curriculum.
The U.S. Treasury Department has made it easier to save for retirement in its "myRA" (myRetirement Account), a type of Roth IRA introduced earlier this year. Savers initially were able to fund their myRA account through automatic payroll deduction, but now they have the option to contribute from a checking or savings account or from a federal tax refund at tax time. For more information about the program or to sign up for an account, visit myRA.gov or call toll-free 1-855-406-6972.
Beware of fraudulent e-mails targeting consumers who haven't yet received new payment cards with computer chips. As previously reported in FDIC Consumer News, banks are issuing new credit and debit cards with microchips that are designed to reduce fraud, including counterfeiting. Now the Federal Trade Commission is warning that scammers posing as card issuers are e-mailing consumers with requests to confirm personal and account information that can be used to commit identity theft or to click on a link that will install malware that can lead to fraud. And for a variety of security tips for card users, see our Spring 2013 issue.
See our money and banking tips for the tax season. Consider reviewing our most recent article on ways to make tax time less taxing, in the Winter 2013/2014 FDIC Consumer News. The article also provides guidance on how to guard against tax-related identity theft, such as when a criminal calls and impersonates an IRS employee to ask for immediate payment or for confidential information.