Focusing on your finances in the new year? Get started with this easy 10 step financial wellness action plan:
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Identity Theft
Look Out for Tax Fraud Schemes
Get a head start on tax season this year by protecting yourself and your loved ones from these financially disastrous scams.
Unlock the Power of Your Credit Score in 2024
A credit score might seem like a mysterious three-digit number, but it holds significant influence over your financial life. Whether you’re applying for a loan or a credit card, renting an apartment, or even setting up utilities, your credit score plays a crucial role in the decisions that lenders, landlords, and service providers make.
Get Ahead of Your Debt
For many of us, November and December kick off a season of celebrating, family, feasting, and yes…spending. The holidays are a chance to make memories, but this can also be a time of financial stress—especially if you wait until the last minute to make plans.
Identity Theft Can Happen to Anyone
According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Report published in 2023 and covering the full year of 2022, reported cases of identity theft have increased by over 584% in the last 20 years.
The Procrastinator’s Guide to Holiday Savings
For many of us, November and December kick off a season of celebrating, family, feasting, and yes…spending. The holidays are a chance to make memories, but this can also be a time of financial stress—especially if you wait until the last minute to make plans.
Safeguarding Your Child’s Identity In Today’s World
Now, more than ever, it’s important to safeguard sensitive card information to prevent an interruption in your ability to make important purchases. Be sure to report a lost or stolen card to your financial institution immediately.
AI Scams Are on the Rise
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools for creating images, videos, recordings and text are easily available and growing in popularity, and scammers are taking full advantage.
Safeguard Yourself Against Student Loan Scams
If you’re a student or graduate, it’s crucial to be aware of online scammers who target borrowers with the aim of cashing in. Here are some strategies for protecting yourself and your finances.
Skimming and Gluing: Two Criminal Practices to Watch For
Now, more than ever, it’s important to safeguard sensitive card information to prevent an interruption in your ability to make important purchases. Be sure to report a lost or stolen card to your financial institution immediately.
Recent News
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Tips + Tools
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we’re offering tips, webinars, and services to help make the internet safer and more secure.
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: David Cook
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce David Cook, from Community Partners in Caring.
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Fran Talmadge
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Fran Talmadge, from the OASIS Senior Center.
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Lisa Murray
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Lisa Murray, from CASA of Santa Barbara County.
Shred Days Promote Sustainability, Safeguard Against Identity Theft
Did you know that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, and 4,000 kilowatts of electricity? Thanks to members at this year’s SESLOC’s Shred Days at our SLO, Atascadero and Santa Maria branches, we recycled 113 total bins with 17.79 tons of shredded paper— saving 302 trees, 124,530 gallons of water, 53.37 cubic yards of landfill space, and 71,160 kilowatts of electricity!
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