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Staying Safe from Tax Scams We received the following very handy and timely article from the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) in regards to staying safe during this season of numbers crunching and record keeping for taxes. As always, if you have any specific tax questions, be sure to consult a tax prep professional. Watch out for these scams Unfortunately, much of your personal information can be gathered from multiple locations online with almost no verification that the right person is receiving the information. Criminals know this and use the information to file a fake tax refund request! If a criminal files a tax return in your name before you do, they will file it with false information to get a large refund, forcing you to go through the arduous process of proving that you did not file the return and subsequently correcting the return. Once they have your personal information, criminals can continue to commit identity theft well beyond the tax season. Another favorite technique used by criminals during the tax season is sending phishing messages indicating that a new copy of your tax form(s) is available. These emails often impersonate state, local, tribal, and territorial government comptroller or IT departments. If you fill out or attempt to login into the phishing website, the criminals will be able to see your login name and password, which they can then use to try and compromise your other accounts. The more information they gather from you, the easier it is for them to use the information to file a fake tax return in your name. Lastly, tax fraudsters also impersonate the IRS and other tax officials to threaten taxpayers with penalties if they do not make an immediate payment. It is important to remember: The IRS will not initiate contact about payment with taxpayers by phone, email, text messages, or social media without sending an official letter in the mail first. The IRS will not call to demand immediate payment over the phone using a specific payment method such as a debit/credit card, a prepaid card, a gift card, or a wire transfer. The IRS will not threaten to immediately notify local police or other law-enforcement agencies to have you arrested for not paying. 4 min read

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Roof Maintenance Tips Severe roof damage can seriously disrupt your life, wreaking havoc on your home as well as your wallet. Here are some basic things you can do to care for your roof and maximize its life expectancy. 4 min read

Best Savings Account For Kids Finding the best savings account for kids doesn’t have to be complicated. Savings accounts can foster good saving and spending habits, and your child will probably enjoy watching their savings grow. First Bank offers the best savings account for kids in North Carolina and South Carolina. First Bank makes saving easy with our MyFirst Savings account. With this account, your child (under 18 years of age) can save money and earn interest. MyFirst Savings includes: 2 free withdrawals per month* No minimum balance to earn interest Interest-earning account $10 minimum required to open account Free online and mobile banking* Free online bill pay Free eStatements or paper statements The best part? There is no monthly service charge for this account. So you won’t have to worry about your kids’ savings being cut into by costly fees. Best Savings Accounts for Any Age Lead by example with one of First Bank’s five other savings account options. We offer savings plans for adults that range from basic savings accounts to accounts that can help you save for anything—from college to retirement. They are: Everywhere Savings—a simple savings account with a competitive rate Money Market—offers higher rates and access to your funds Certificates of Deposit—enjoy a guaranteed return with a fixed rate and choice of terms IRAs—a long-term savings strategy with tax advantages Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—a way to save for current and future healthcare expenses To learn more about First Bank’s savings accounts and why we offer the best savings accounts for kids, visit a branch near you. Teaching Your Kids to Save Children often learn their saving and spending habits from their parents, so teaching your children how to save money can be essential to their future. Children who grow up without knowing how to save money, budget, or pay bills often make poor financial decisions in the future. Follow these tips to teach your children the importance of saving money: Allow your child to earn money — try assigning your child age-appropriate chores then give him or her a weekly allowance when they are completed. Let your child spend money — allowing your children to purchase things they want with their own money will encourage them to earn money. Help your child save 4 min read

Where to Get 15-Year Mortgage Rates If you’re ready to buy a home, you’re probably wondering where to get 15-year mortgage rates, or you may just be wondering what a mortgage is. First Bank will go over your options with you and help you determine what type of home loan is best, whether that be a 15-year mortgage, or a 3/3 adjustable rate mortgage. Types of Loans at First Bank Before we tell you how and where to get 15-year mortgage rates, we’ll go over some of First Bank’s mortgage options. We offer: Conventional loans Jumbo loans Government loans VA loans Construction loans Dream It, Own It If you are a first time home buyer, you’re probably looking for a conventional loan. We offer two types of conventional loans: fixed-rate and adjustable-rate. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages vs. Fixed-Rate Mortgages Conventional adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have interest rates that will change periodically depending on shifts in a corresponding financial index that’s associated with the loan. This basically means that your rate will change, causing your monthly payment to increase or decrease. ARMs can be beneficial for some home buyers because they typically have lower initial interest rates than fixed-mortgages, and they provide homeowners flexibility. Conventional fixed-rate mortgages offer a more straightforward approach to home buying. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly interest rate never changes, making it easier for you to set a monthly budget. A lot of people prefer fixed-rate mortgages because they offer protection from rising interest rates for the life of the loan. Secure a Mortgage with First Bank We hope you feel a little more prepared to take on a mortgage and buy the house of your dreams. If you’re ready to apply for a mortgage loan*, visit your local First Bank, or contact our mortgage loan experts. *Loans subject to credit approval. ———— Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/arm.asp 2 min read

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