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Digital Assets

Digital Assets are anything digital that have value, ownership, and are discoverable.
This includes photos, videos, documents, graphics and much more.

Resources below offer information for digital assets ranging from terms to know, risks to remember, and identifying scams.

Ten digital asset terms you should know.14 digital asset risks to remember.10 signs of a scam Crypto or Forex trading website. 

Cybersecurity and Identity Theft Prevention

Cybersecurity- The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.

Identity Theft Prevention- The steps taken to prevent scammers from obtaining one’s personal or financial information to commit fraud.

Tips for identity theft prevention

  • Monitor credit reports & freeze cards upon noticing suspicious activity.
  • Create strong and different passwords for accounts.
  • Utilize two-step factor authentication.
  • Shred documents that contain personal information.
  • Be careful sharing personal information on social media.
  • Download and use antivirus protection software.
https://www.identitytheft.gov/

Report identify theft to the Federal Trade Commission.

https://www.ic3.gov/Home/ComplaintChoice/

Report internet and online scams to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Contact Center, IC3.

https://www2.labor.idaho.gov/ReportIdentityTheft/

Report unemployment related identity theft to the Idaho Department of Labor.

https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/

Report Medicare of Medicaid Identify theft to the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General Hotline.

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

Review credit reports regularly to identify unauthorized or unusual activity; this can be a sign of identity theft.

Financial Literacy Resources

Financial Literacy means obtaining skills, knowledge and behaviors that allow an individual to make informed decisions about money. Financial Literacy Education is growing increasingly important and benefits everyone throughout their lifetime.

Earn, save, invest, protect, spend, and borrow.

https://www.mymoney.gov/lifeevents/

Resources to navigate financial milestones associated with various life-stages.

https://consumer.gov/

This FTC website helps consumers manage and use money wisely, use credit and loans carefully, and tools to protect your identity and money.

https://consumidor.gov/

A Spanish version of the FTC website is available to Spanish speaking consumers. This includes guides to manage and use money wisely, use credit and loans carefully, and tools to protect your identity and money.

https://www.annuity.org/financial-literacy/

Annuity gives consumers more background on the principles of financial literacy.

https://playmoneysmart.fdic.gov/games/

FDIC games and resources to test how money smart you are.

https://www.finance.idaho.gov/consumer-education/financial-terms/

Financial terms outlined on the Idaho Department of Finance website.

https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness/

Tips for financial preparedness.

Banked and Underbanked

Collection, Debt Settlement, and Credit Counseling

Consumer Loan Information

Cybersecurity and Identity Theft Prevention

Digital Assets

Financial Literacy Resources

Homebuyer and Foreclosure Resources

Investor Tips and Resources

News & Events

Resources for Idaho Students

Scam Prevention Resources

Consumer Loan Information

A consumer loan is any type of loan made by a creditor that is given to consumers to finance specific expenditures.

Types of loans

  • Mortgages: finance the purchase of a house
  • Credit cards: finance everyday purchases
  • Auto Loans: finance purchase of a vehicle
  • Student Loans: finance education
  • Personal Loans: personal purchases
  • Solar Panel Loans: finance solar panels

Consumer Resources from the CFPB
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers educational tools, answers to commonly asked questions, and guides consumers to make informed financial decisions.

https://afsaonline.org/American Financial Services Association is the primary trade association for the consumer credit industry, always striving to protecting access to credit and consumer choice.

Financial Literacy Resources from the OCC
Financial Literacy Resource Directory provides crucial information on financial literacy education resources for all ages.

“Money Smart” From the FDICMoney Smart allows consumers of all ages to enhance their financial skills and better understand how to be “money smart.”

Consumer Solar Awareness from the U.S. Department of the TreasuryThe U.S. Department of the Treasury offers resources to spread awareness and information on solar panel loans.

Banked and Underbanked

Collection, Debt Settlement, and Credit Counseling

Consumer Loan Information

Cybersecurity and Identity Theft Prevention

Digital Assets

Financial Literacy Resources

Homebuyer and Foreclosure Resources

Investor Tips and Resources

News & Events

Resources for Idaho Students

Scam Prevention Resources

Collection, Debt Settlement, and Credit Counseling

Struggling with Debt Flyer

Third-Party Collection – A third-party agency or company that collects unpaid debts on behalf of a creditor. The creditor (the original person or company owed the debt) hires a collection agency to pursue the debtor and collect the outstanding balance.

Debt Settlement – The process in which a debt is settled for a lesser amount than what is currently owed with promise of payment in full. Debt settlement companies offer to arrange settlements of debts with creditors once a certain amount has been accumulated in a designated account.

Credit Counseling – Organizations set up to advise on money and debts, help create a budget, develop debt management plans, and offer money management workshops.

To learn more about Credit and Debit/Consumer advice, visit: the Federal Trade Commission website at: https://consumer.ftc.gov/credit-loans-and-debt/credit-and-debt

To learn more about prohibited fees and specific provisions of debt settlement, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at: https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/plain-language/bus72-debt-relief-services-telemarketing-sales-rule-guide-business.pdf

To learn more about debt collection, visit the Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) website: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/debt-collection/

For more information visit the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). The NFCC features various articles related to debt and can also assist in connecting consumers with a certified credit counselor to help review financial goals, a budget, and create a personalized plan.  For more information visit: https://www.nfcc.org/

Idaho Patient Act – Medical Billing & Debt Collection Protections –The Idaho Patient Act helps protect consumers from aggressive or unfair medical debt collection. Before a healthcare provider or billing company can take “extraordinary collection actions”—like reporting to credit agencies, garnishing wages, or filing lawsuits—they must first give patients a clear, itemized bill and allow time to resolve any billing issues. The law ensures transparency in medical billing, giving Idahoans a fair chance to understand and address their medical expenses before facing collections. Read the full Idaho Patient Care Act: https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2020/legislation/H0515.pdf

Scam Prevention Resources

Taking simple precautions can help you detect a scam and prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud. Learn how to recognize scams, and where to report them. 

Banked and Underbanked

Collection, Debt Settlement, and Credit Counseling

Consumer Loan Information

Cybersecurity and Identity Theft Prevention

Digital Assets

Financial Literacy Resources

Homebuyer and Foreclosure Resources

Investor Tips and Resources

News & Events

Resources for Idaho Students

Scam Prevention Resources

Homebuyer and Foreclosure Resources

Becoming a homeowner is one of life’s biggest decisions and financial investments. Having the right support and assistance is key to making this purchase.

https://www.hud.gov/

US Department of Housing and Urban Development provides housing support and uplifts communities.

https://www.neighborworks.org/Homes-Finances/Homeownership

NeighborWorks America offers a network of counselors that provide education and assistance for homebuyers.

https://myhome.freddiemac.com/

Guide to help homebuyers find information, tools and resources from Freddie Mac professionals about buying, owning, refinancing, selling, renting, and getting help.

https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/mortgage-relief-scams

Resources to help identify scams to avoid foreclosure.

https://idaholegalaid.org/topics/2477/housing

Idaho Legal Aid offers resources housing community resources, including free legal help.

https://www.idaholegalaid.org/node/2408/foreclosure-help-available-idaho-legal-aid

Idaho Legal Aid offers a vast number of resources to consumers facing foreclosure.

https://www.idaholegalaid.org/topics/2536/home-equity-conversionreverse-mortgage

Idaho Legal Aid offers information and resources on home loans, different mortgage types, and resources to help guide consumers through the process.

Banked and Underbanked

Choosing the right financial institution is very important when opening a checking or savings account. Most U.S. households are “banked”, meaning they have either a checking or a savings account with an FDIC insured financial institution. An “underbanked” person is someone that does not have a checking or savings account with an FDIC insured institution, instead they use alternative financial services.

https://www.fdic.gov/getbanked/

The FDIC offers resources on how to open a bank account, checklists to pay attention to when in the process of finding the best account for your needs, and reasons to open a bank account.

https://www.helpwithmybank.gov/

The OCC’s HelpWithMyBank.gov provides answers to commonly asked banking questions.

Investor Tips and Resources

Investing can be intimidating but can be extremely beneficial in the long run. Building a solid foundation for investing includes having emergency savings, paid off high-interest debt, and goals are determined.

Investor Tips

  • Create a solid financial ground.
  • Determine goals.
  • Learn the basics.
  • Starting small is okay!
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
https://www.nasaa.org/investor-education/

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) offers investor education tools for investors of all ages.

https://www.investor.gov/

Investor.Gov allows consumers to get an introduction to investing, find financial tools & calculators, learn how to protect your investments, and more.

https://www.investopedia.com/financial-term-dictionary-4769738

Investopedia financial term dictionary covering all things investing.

https://www.finra.org/investors#/

FINRA offers resources for every step in the investment process.

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