Author: Amanda Thomas

Check Yourself: How to Detect Check Fraud Early

Check fraud prevention tips and resources from America Saves Check fraud isn’t always easy to spot. A payment may seem delayed, a check could clear for the wrong amount, or an unfamiliar transaction could appear on your account. According to America Saves, regularly monitoring your accounts can help you recognize warning signs and take action […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Fraud & Scams.

How to Protect Yourself from Today’s Most Common Fraud & Scams

Scammers are getting smarter, faster, and more convincing than ever before. From fake text messages to phone calls pretending to be your financial institution, fraud attempts are becoming part of everyday life. At Lincoln Park Community Credit Union, we believe knowledge is one of the best tools to help protect your finances and personal information. […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Fraud & Scams.

Turn Your Credit Score Into a Strategy

Your credit score should not feel like a guessing game. It is more than just a number. It reflects your financial habits and can be a powerful tool to shape what comes next. When you understand what is behind your score, you can make smarter, more confident decisions. That is where a clear and guided […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Uncategorized.

Why Keeping Your Devices Updated Matters for Fraud Protection

We use our phones and laptops every day—for banking, shopping, and staying connected. But if your devices aren’t up to date, you could be leaving the door open to fraud. Why Updates Matter Software updates aren’t just about new features—they’re designed to fix security gaps. Hackers look for these gaps to access personal information like […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Financial Wellness, Fraud & Scams.

Debt. Income. Clarity.

Understanding Your Full Credit Picture Your credit score is important—but it’s only part of the story. To truly understand your financial health, you need to look at how your income and debt work together. That’s where your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) comes in. What Is Debt-to-Income (DTI)? DTI is the percentage of your monthly income that […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Financial Wellness.

Why Learning About Money Early Builds Confidence for Life

Learning about money is an important life skill—especially when it starts early. Just like learning to read, ride a bike, or manage time, understanding how money works helps kids build confidence and make thoughtful choices as they grow. Many adults look back and wish they had learned more about saving, budgeting, and goal setting at […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Financial Wellness.

Staying Alert: Protecting Yourself from Fraud This Spring

As routines shift and activity increases in the spring, fraud attempts often increase as well. Scammers take advantage of busy schedules, tax season conversations, home improvement projects, and online shopping trends. The good news is that awareness is one of your strongest defenses. Fraud can take many forms. Phishing emails that appear to come from […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Fraud & Scams.

Why Strong Savings Habits Matter More Than Perfect Timing

Waiting for the “right time” to start saving can keep people stuck longer than they realize. There will always be a reason to delay. A busy month. An upcoming expense. A plan to start next quarter instead. The truth is, strong savings habits matter far more than perfect timing. Financial stability is built through repetition. […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Financial Wellness.

Protect Your Money with Safer Ways to Pay

Fraud is becoming more common, and scammers are always looking for new ways to take advantage of people — especially during busy times of year when bills, payments, and online activity increase. Checks, mailed payments, and shared personal information are often prime targets. One simple way to reduce your risk is by using Online Bill […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Financial Wellness.

Get Your Tax Refund Faster with Direct Deposit

Get Your Tax Refund Faster with Direct Deposit Expecting a tax refund this year? The IRS recommends filing electronically and using Direct Deposit to receive your refund faster and more securely. With Direct Deposit, your refund goes straight into your LPCCU checking or savings account—no paper checks, no unnecessary delays. What you’ll need when filing: […]

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Financial Wellness.