Financial Tips

We got your back

Financial wellness starts with good habits.Central Bank of Kansas City has developed tools to help you become financially savvy in every way, from protecting against fraud to educating financial literacy. Money smart Kansas city logo
 
LET’S…answer your basic financial questions? Wondering where to start? The Money Smart KC website answers dozens of basic financial questions, in an easy-to-follow website. Teen and youth topics as well as 36 topics for adults which are featured on the website including: 
 
  • Budgeting
  • College Savings
  • Retirement
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Immigration Services
  • Healthcare
  • Investing
  • Loans
  • Tax Preparation
Plus, Money Smart KC lists many workshops and events on financial literacy, employment skills, healthcare issues, and more. You can also find some local resources to help you navigate your personal finances. 

Financial Calculators

We have dozens of easy-to-use online calculators here involving mortgages, taxes, loans, investments, debt, credit cards, retirement and more to help you navigate your personal financial goals.  

Financial Apps to Help Save, Budget and Invest

Check out our updated 2019 list of the Best Personal Finance Apps 2019. 
 

LET’S…be safe online

Online Bank Safety

Follow these habits when banking online to optimize your security.

  • Create a strong password and change it every 3-6 months.
    • Use capital letters, numbers, symbols.
    • Avoid personal information like phone numbers, addresses, pet names, or other passwords that would be easy to guess.
  • Keep your username and password private.
  • Log off the bank website when you’re done with your session.
  • Password-protect your home wireless network.
  • Turn on your firewall and updated antivirus and anti-spyware software.
  • Look for https:// at the beginning of the URL to ensure it’s a secure connection. Don’t enter any log in or personal information on an unsecured (http://) page.
  • Monitor your account activity regularly. Check your monthly statements.
  • Be skeptical of phishing Emails, which try to get you to reveal sensitive information from a hacker posing as a legitimate business. Remember: Central Bank will never contact you by Email or phone and ask you for your Social Security number! If anyone does, hang up and call us.

Keep Up-To Date on Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides scam alerts that monitor the current scams out there, in real time. Have a suspicious feeling about a phone call you received from an unknown number? Confused by an odd Email from a business or financial institution? Before you respond, check with the FTC to see if you are a target of a current scam tactic. Stay educated, and trust your gut feeling! If something seems off, check in with the FTC Scam Alerts.

Protect against Elder Financial Exploitation

View the following links to uncover common issues specifically facing seniors.

Let's protect your identity

Financial Protection Your personal information is valuable—that means it needs to be protected. Let’s Deter, Detect, and Defend against possible scams. DETER hackers by keeping your personal information secure:
  • Shred financial documents before recycling.
  • Protect your Social Security Number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Only give out when absolutely necessary.
  • Don’t click on links or download attachments from unsolicited Emails you don’t trust.
  • Keep personal information secure in your home, such as in a locked file cabinet.
  • Sign up for eStatements to avoid mail theft (and save paper!)
DETECT suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your accounts:
  • Watch for unexpected statements, denials of credit for no apparent reason, and calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
  • Regularly review your bank statements regularly to spot purchases you did not make.
  • Order your credit report for free, as the law requires the major nationwide credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to give you one free copy of your credit report each year upon request. Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com, call 1-877-322-8228 or you can complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can download the PDF form from the FTC site.
  • Review your credit report for potential errors. If any are spotted, take the following steps to dispute.
DEFEND against identity theft by following these steps as soon as you suspect an issue:
  • Place a free 90-day Fraud Alert on your credit reports by calling one of the following toll-free numbers:
  • Close accounts immediately that have been opened fraudulently using your stolen identity, or tampered with by scammers.
    • Call the security/fraud departments of your accounts and credit cards, and follow up in writing.
    • Use the Identity Theft Affidavit and download the PDF application to support your written statement.
    • Ask for written confirmation that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts have been discharged.
    • Keep copies of documents of conversations about the theft.
  • File a police report. This will help you with credits who may need proof of the crime.
  • Report your complaint to the FTC.
Older couple working on finances

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