ABC's of Money Ministries

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about rising “brushing” and “quishing” scams.

Brushing scams involve receiving unordered packages to boost fake reviews, while quishing scams use fraudulent QR codes to steal personal or financial information.

These scams are becoming more sophisticated, targeting online shoppers and everyday smartphone users. Protect yourself by avoiding unknown QR codes, verifying deliveries, and reporting suspicious activity. Consumer awareness is key to preventing identity theft and online fraud.

Heads up, everyone! There’s a “$20 scam” making the rounds.

What is the $20 scam? It’s a distraction scam where criminals use a fake “dropped $20 bill” to get close enough to you and
distract you by telling you that you dropped a twenty. While you are looking down or in another direction, they try to steal your cash, credit or debit card and PIN.

Keep an eye out in the store, parking lots, gas stations, and ATMs. When using your card, cover your PIN, and trust your gut if something feels off.

Walk away if a stranger tries to distract you in a parking lot or store by telling you that you dropped a twenty.

Paying off debt with the snowball method means focusing on your smallest balance first, making minimum payments on everything else, and rolling each paid-off payment into the next debt to build momentum. It’s a popular debt payoff strategy because those quick wins can keep you motivated and help you stay consistent. 
Tackle debt one balance at a time with the debt snowball method, stay focused, and watch your progress grow. Small wins lead to big financial freedom.

Saving money in payment apps might seem convenient, but it can put your money at risk. Many popular payment platforms are not FDIC insured, meaning your funds may not be protected if the company faces technical issues, fraud, or shutdowns.
To protect your savings, consider moving your funds to a secure bank account where you can earn interest and benefit from stronger financial protections.

Don't let the worries of this world choke out the wealth of the Word of God.

Ok people! Find your gas receipts and head to JCP on Friday July 3! This is a one day only deal and we don't you to miss it 🧾💲🧾💵

Have you noticed the small print on some of your digital coupons lately? When you see “paid via PayPal after purchase” on coupons, it usually means the deal is a rebate or cash back offer, not an instant discount at checkout. That’s why it’s important to read the fine print, confirm the offer is eligible for your exact purchase, and check that your PayPal account is linked. The offer may only work with a qualifying PayPal account or email.

Integrity, diligence and patience still pays off to create the kind of success that lasts. 💪

❤️

One of the biggest shifts by bankers is the growing use of alternative data, including rent payments and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) activity, which can influence your credit profile depending on how it’s reported. Additionally, previous changes to medical debt reporting are still helping many consumers see score improvements.

So what does this mean for you? Staying consistent with on-time payments, keeping balances low, and monitoring your credit report are more important than ever.