Month: September 2025

Elder financial abuse is on the rise, and it’s costing older adults their life savings. According to a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report, seniors are being targeted by scammers impersonating banks, tech companies, and government agencies. These fraudsters create fake emergencies and trick victims into handing over thousands of dollars, often under the illusion of “protecting” their money.

Why Online Scams Are Increasing and Why Seniors Are Targeted

The FTC found that losses reported by adults 60+ to government and business impostor scams have quadrupled since 2020. In 2024 alone, older Americans reported $445 million in losses, often representing life savings wiped out in a matter of hours.

Seniors are targeted because:

• They often have more financial assets.
• They may not be as familiar with evolving technology or scam tactics.
• They’re more likely to trust institutions and respond politely to perceived authority.

Common Impostor Scams: How Fraudsters Trick Older Adults

These scams work by triggering fear or urgency, then offering a fake solution, usually one that involves transferring money to “protect” it.

The FTC outlines three common lies:

1. “Someone is using your accounts” – A scammer claims to be from your bank or a company like Amazon, flagging suspicious activity.
2. “Your identity is linked to a crime” – Someone pretending to be a government agent warns that your Social Security number is tied to criminal activity.
3. “There’s a security issue with your computer” – Fake pop-up alerts push you to call tech support scammers who then gain access to your finances.

These impostors often appear convincing, using fake caller IDs, professional-looking emails, and urgent scripts designed to disarm even cautious adults.

Cybersecurity Tips for Seniors and Family Caregivers

Keeping seniors safe online is a shared responsibility. Start with these practical tips:

• Pause before responding. Never act on fear. Always verify unexpected calls or emails.
• Don’t click unknown links. 
• Be cautious of texts or emails claiming to be from financial institutions or the government.
• Enable alerts. Set up text or email notifications for suspicious account activity.
• Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.
• Discuss scams openly. Creating a safe space to talk about money mistakes can prevent future losses.

Curis Financial is committed to your security. Explore Identity Theft Protection resources to learn how to safeguard your personal information and respond to potential threats.

What to Do If You Suspect Financial Abuse or a Scam

Time is critical when dealing with elder financial exploitation. Take these steps immediately:

1. Stop communication with the suspected scammer.
2. Report the fraud to the FTC and local authorities.
3. Notify Curis Financial so we can help protect the member’s accounts and take fraud prevention steps.
4. Keep documentation (emails, call logs, receipts) for investigators.

Financial Fraud Protection Resources from Curis Financial

At Curis Financial, member protection is more than a feature, it’s a priority.

Here’s how we help safeguard you and your family:

• Identity Theft Protection resources
• Debit and credit card controls
• Alerts for suspicious activity
• Personalized fraud support
• Financial coaching and support for vulnerable members

If you believe you or a loved one may be at risk, don’t wait. Our team is here to help.

Financial wellness isn’t about having a perfect budget or never making a financial mistake. It’s about feeling in control of your finances and building habits that support your long-term goals, especially during seasons of spending, like the upcoming holidays. If your budget has gotten off track this year, fall is the ideal time to regroup before things get hectic.

1. Use a Personal Finance Checklist to Assess Where You Stand

Every journey starts with a check-in. A good personal finance checklist isn’t about nitpicking every line item. Instead, it helps you get a clear picture of where your money is going, what’s working, and where things could improve.

Start by reviewing:

• Your current income
• Fixed expenses (like rent or mortgage)
• Variable spending (groceries, dining out, entertainment)
• Savings account balances
• Outstanding debt or loan payments

Then, ask yourself a few honest questions:

• Am I saving consistently?
• Do I know how much I spend in a typical week?
• Are surprise expenses throwing off my budget?

This kind of self-assessment helps you identify what needs attention before the holidays, and that awareness is a powerful first step toward financial wellness.

For a deeper dive, Curis Financial offers helpful tools like our savings goal calculator, which can guide you in setting realistic, achievable targets.

2. Break Bad Spending Patterns with Smart Money Habits

Old habits are hard to break, especially when they’re tied to convenience or stress. But fall is a great time to pause and rebuild your routines. 

Try incorporating good habits like:

• Reviewing your bank transactions once a week
• Setting weekly spending limits
• Using cash instead of cards for discretionary purchases

One common barrier to financial wellness is spending that happens without much thought. You might not notice how quickly $6 coffees and $15 takeout orders add up until they’re hurting your monthly cash flow. The good news is that awareness leads to change. Small, repeated actions (like checking your balance before buying or planning meals in advance) can slowly shift your entire financial trajectory.

3. Learn How to Avoid Overspending During the Holiday Season

The holidays are a joyful time, but they can also become a financial minefield if you’re not prepared. If you want to stay grounded, it’s worth learning how to avoid overspending before the pressure to buy gifts and attend every event kicks in.

Start by creating a clear seasonal budget that includes:

• Gifts
• Travel
• Food
• Decorations or events

Once that’s in place, consider shopping earlier to avoid last-minute splurges. It’s also helpful to limit impulse buying by sticking to a written list. 

Another way to plan ahead is by using a dedicated savings account for holiday expenses, like a Holiday Club account. It allows you to contribute small amounts throughout the year, and then access those funds just before the season begins. This kind of built-in structure makes it easier to avoid credit card debt or dipping into your emergency savings when November rolls around.

4. Automate Your Savings to Stay Consistent Through the Fall

If saving feels like a chore, it might be time to take yourself out of the process. Automation is one of the simplest ways to maintain momentum, and it supports financial wellness by keeping your goals on track even when life gets busy.

Set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to a dedicated savings account each time you get paid. It doesn’t have to be a huge amount, even $20 a week adds up. What matters most is consistency.

Automated savings also make it easier to recover from unexpected expenses because you’re slowly building a buffer. You’re less likely to rely on credit cards when you have something set aside for emergencies or planned purchases.

If you’re not sure how much to set aside, that’s where a savings calculator can help. It’s a simple way to reverse-engineer your savings goals and see what’s possible based on your income and timeline.

5. Tap Into Financial Coaching for Long-Term Success

One of the most underutilized tools for building lasting financial wellness is financial coaching. A coach isn’t there to judge your spending or tell you what you can and can’t do. They’re there to help you see the bigger picture and build a strategy that fits your life. At Curis Financial, we believe in providing the tools to help our members achieve long-term financial wellness. That’s why we offer educational resources and personalized guidance through our financial education programs. Whether you’re creating a budget for the first time or looking to improve your credit score, having someone in your corner can make all the difference.

If you’ve ever wondered when to refinance a car loan, you’re not alone, and you’re asking a good question. Refinancing can be a powerful financial tool, but only when done at the right time, and for the right reasons. As the year winds down, many people find themselves reevaluating their budgets, setting goals for the next 12 months, and asking: “Could I be paying less for this loan?”

Let’s explore what refinancing really means, how to know when it’s worth it, and whether it makes sense to make a move before the calendar flips to 2026.

What Does Refinancing Do: The Basics

At its core, refinancing means replacing your existing loan with a new one. That new loan might offer a lower interest rate, a shorter term, or more manageable monthly payments.

But it’s not just about getting a better rate. Refinancing can help people:

• Switch from a variable to a fixed interest rate for predictability
• Free up cash flow during tighter financial seasons

In fact, many people don’t even realize they can refinance their car loan, even though it could save them money, particularly if they originally financed through a dealership, which often comes with higher interest rates and costs for after-sale add-on products. Bankrate suggests that borrowers with improved credit, or those early in their loan term, are the best candidates for auto loan refinancing.

Curis Financial Credit Union offers competitive car refinance rates with flexible payment options and no early payoff penalties. If you’re curious how it could help your budget, you can check out our auto loan refinance page.

That’s the big picture, but the question remains: when does it actually make sense?

When to Refinance: How to Know the Timing is Right

There’s no universal “best time” to refinance. It depends on the market and your life. But a few scenarios can signal it’s time to take a closer look:

1. Rates Have Dropped Since You Got Your Loan
   If your original loan came with a high interest rate and current market rates are noticeably lower, refinancing could reduce your total repayment cost by thousands of dollars. Even a one-point drop can make a big difference over time.
   
2. Your Credit Has Improved
   Credit scores influence loan terms more than many people realize. If you’ve been steadily paying bills, paying down debt, and keeping balances low, your credit score may have climbed enough to qualify you for a better deal than when you first borrowed.
   
3. Your Financial Goals Have Shifted
   Sometimes life changes faster than your loan terms. Maybe you’re aiming to pay off your car faster to reduce total interest, or you need to stretch your loan term to make monthly payments more manageable. Refinancing gives you the flexibility to realign your debt with your current financial priorities.

Getting a Refinance Loan with a Credit Union: Why It’s Different

Big banks and online lenders may advertise aggressive rates, but credit unions like Curis Financial Credit Union often offer more personalized service and member-friendly terms. That includes:

• Lower fees
• Competitive rates
• Guidance from people who actually know your community

Credit unions are not-for-profit and member-owned, which means the goal is your financial well-being, not maximizing shareholder returns. Refinancing through Curis Financial isn’t just a transaction; it’s a reflection of our commitment to serving our member community.

Refinance Benefits: What You Could Gain by the End of the Year

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s a simple rule of thumb: If you haven’t looked into your loan terms in over a year, or your finances have changed significantly, it’s probably worth having the conversation.

You may not need to act right now, but understanding your options can help you feel more in control and better prepared for whatever comes next.

If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, our team at Curis Financial is here to help you run the numbers, compare scenarios, and decide whether a refinance loan is the smart next step for you.

Want to dig deeper? You can explore auto loan refinance options directly on our website, or reach out to a team member. We’re always happy to talk through your goals and help you make a confident, informed decision.