Consumer Insights 2023
Personal Finance for Couples: Managing Joint Finances
Joint financial decisions as a couple demand clear communication and compromise. Dive into budget basics, decide whether to merge or keep finances separate, explore tax implications, and learn the significance of estate planning.
What’s in Your Wallet? Tips for Keeping Digital Assets Safe
While digital wallets and payment apps offer convenience, they also present risks like hidden fees and potential provider failure. This article provides tips on asset protection, urging users to research providers, enhance security, and exercise transaction caution, along with advice on reporting suspected fraud.
Watch Out for Crypto Affinity Fraud
Affinity fraud is an investment scam that targets identifiable groups and communities with common ties such as ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, military service, or age (seniors).
Smart Ways to Save for Large Purchases
This guide provides a range of smart saving tips to help you boost your financial health. It covers everything from identifying big purchases, paying yourself first, setting attainable SMART goals, to adopting the 50/20/30 rule for budgeting. Plus, it offers insights on opening a high-interest savings account and leveraging technology for better savings.
Homebuyers Guide to Navigating a Sellers’ Market
In the hot California real estate market, homebuyers face unique challenges such as intense competition and the “rate lock-in effect.” This guide provides vital insights and tips to navigate this complex sellers’ market. It covers crucial considerations from making an informed offer, securing financing, carrying out home inspections, to choosing between online and brick-and-mortar lenders.
How to File a Complaint with the DFPI
Filing a complaint with the DFPI helps in effectively addressing your financial grievances by facilitating communication with the relevant institution, and also assists in protecting other consumers by identifying patterns of misconduct, thus promoting fair business practices.
Private and For-Profit College Financing Scams
Learn about private postsecondary education financing, common scams, and borrower rights, as well as resources for avoiding scams and how to file a complaint with the DFPI. Safeguard your education and financial future.
Embracing Sustainable Investment Practices with ESG Investing
Embrace sustainable investment practices with ESG investing, focusing on environmental, social, and governance factors. Learn how to get started, avoid common mistakes, and seek professional guidance to align your investments with your values.
Navigating College Financing
Explore different options for financing your college education, including work-study programs, family assistance, college savings plans, scholarships, grants, military and community service, student loans, income share agreements, and more. Understand the responsibilities and risks associated with different financing options and seek help from the DFPI for questions or complaints regarding student loan providers.
AI Investment Scams are Here, and You’re the Target!
AI investment scams are rising, exploiting the hype around artificial intelligence to trick investors. Fraudsters use AI-generated content and voice cloning to deceive, promoting fake opportunities on online platforms. Protect yourself by being cautious with AI-based investments, avoiding Ponzi and pyramid schemes, and verifying the legitimacy of financial service providers through the DFPI.