Tag: money

Avoid Financial Scams: Key Tips to Stay Safe

In this post I discuss the pervasive issue of money-related scams, outlining four key signs. I explain how to report possible scams while emphasizing caution in sharing personal information to protect you and your money.

updated May 4, 2025

Listen or read the news, and you will notice that money gets people into trouble; or people get into trouble because of money.

People misuse money themselves, or trick or force someone else into making bad money decisions.

Recognize the four basic signs of a scam:

  1. Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration. They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of employee credentials.
  2. Scammers mention a problem or a prize. They may say your Social Security number was involved in a crime or ask for personal information to process a benefit increase.
  3. Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may threaten you with arrest or legal action.
  4. Scammers tell you to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire or money transfer, or by mailing cash. They may also tell you to transfer your money to a “safe” account.

What to do when you suspect a scam

Ignore scammers and report criminal behavior. Report Social Security-related scams to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

www.ssa.gov/scam

If you ever question whether a message or email is legit, call the business or go to its validated website. Even then, don’t release your personal information until you are absolutely sure.

Report fraud, scams, and bad business practices here

ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Mark scam emails and texts as “junk” and delete. If options to report are offered by your phone carrier or email provider, follow those instructions.

What motivates scammers?

Scammers prey on honest people’s needs, emotions, trust, fear, and misinformation.

Fraud, cheating, stealing, scamming, hacking, counterfeiting, embezzlement, blackmail- people are endlessly creative when using and abusing money.

The Bible connects the desire for or love of money with evil.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. “

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. “

1 Timothy 6:6-10, NIV

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Advice from the Federal Trade Commission

Spot a scam

  • Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know.
  • Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
  •  Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately.
  • Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way.

Avoid a scam

  • Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect.
  • Block unwanted calls and text messages. 
  • Resist the pressure to act immediately. 
  • Know how scammers tell you to pay. 
  • Stop and talk to someone you trust.  
scamsDownload

Exploring the HEART of health

Thanks for reading and sharing this post, information we all can use; it only takes a moment of carelessness to create hours of financial hardship. Sign up to follow this blog for more information and inspiration to live safely and healthily.

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Go to this link to try RoboForm Free;

if you like it you can upgrade to RoboForm Everywhere version with all the features

With Roboform, you will have one less thing to feel stressed about. (affiliate link)

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RoboForm Everywhere to manage your passwords

Expert Advice to Conquer Holiday Stress

Magazine articles, television programs, and music playlists tell us that this is

“the most wonderful time of the year.” 

That is until the extra work of shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping, planning, and entertaining makes it the least wonderful time.

a gingerbread house

While most of us welcome the chance to celebrate with family and friends, sometimes those encounters create emotional tension and strain. With the sadness we feel when loved ones can’t be with us, either through distance or death,  the season can become the worst of the year.

Prepare for stress

By anticipating these events and feelings, we can prepare ourselves for the physical and emotional stress of the holiday season, and find a way to enjoy the festivities with “hearts glowing.”

Here are links to resources with sound advice for confronting and conquering holiday challenges.

Plan. Make your list and check it twice. Being prepared for parties and presents and having help from family and friends can reduce last-minute stress.

red and gold Christmas tree bulbs

Over-the-top holiday excursions can be stressful, which is not how you should be spending this joyful season. Focus on your holiday traditions — don’t worry about the rest.

Make time for friends, family and good cheer, and embrace relaxation when you can. Don’t neglect the value of sleep, either. Do all that you can to stick to a normal sleep schedule even around all the celebrations and traveling.

Avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, daytime napping and large meals before bed. These factors can interfere with a good night’s rest.

Mayo Clinic
a decorative snowman figure

The “No Bullish” Guide to Getting Through the Holidays 

Set boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.

 If you’re a “Yes Man/Woman” (someone who always says “yes” and has a hard time saying “no”), then you not only have to deal with the stress of planning for the holiday, but also the overwhelming pressure to please everyone since you’re the reliable person whom everyone depends on (or the schmuck whom everyone takes advantage of), which leads to internal feelings of guilt, exhaustion, anger, and resentment if you can’t carry out all the duties expected of you,

but then blame everyone else for not helping you (you probably also don’t feel comfortable asking for or accepting help, right?)

Freud and Fashion
decorative wrapped packages

11 Holiday Shopping Tips  

Don’t shop ’til you drop
Sticking to your shopping list can help you avoid going off on a spree. It’s also smart to take a break between buys.

Yale University researchers have found that making a purchase can trigger what they call the “shopping momentum effect”—a psychological impulse to buy subsequent items. To counteract the effect, just walk away from the store or computer screen for a few minutes.

And no window-shopping on your way out.

Bank of America

Dealing With Grief  

Accept your feelings — whatever they might be.

Everyone takes his or her own path in grief and mourning. Some may try to avoid sad feelings; others will be bathed in tears. Some feel bad that they aren’t up for enjoying a holiday; others feel guilt because they are feeling joy. However you feel, accept it.

And accept the inevitable ups and downs: You may feel peaceful one moment and gut-wrenchingly sad the next. Try to stay in tune with your own highest truth and you will know how to get through the holiday without judging yourself or others.

AARP

Enjoy “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Eddie Pola and George Wyle.
Arranged by Hawley Ades
Cantare Children’s Choir: Catherine Glaser-Climie
Ron Bennie, Accompanist

Post Images

Photos used in this post -compliments of the photographers at Pixabay 

I took the cover photo of a grandfather and grandson at a local restaurant.

ANOTHER HOLIDAY POST FROM THIS BLOG

Simple Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

Holiday traditions often involve special foods and beverages, posing challenges for individuals managing medical conditions like diabetes, food allergies, and obesity. Emphasizing mindfulness in eating and understanding personal dietary restrictions can alleviate holiday stress and enhance enjoyment.

Keep reading

Sharing the HEART of the holidays

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

“Dwell” calmly during this busy season

person holding a lit candle

Many people find using their phones a convenient way to read and meditate on the Bible. And it’s easy to do so with the Dwell Bible App. With Dwell you can listen to and read the Bible and special devotional offerings for Advent, Lent, and throughout the year.

Using this affiliate link helps support this blog and my mission to share the heart of health wherever needed all over the world. Please join me.