(CGN) Capital Growth Network

Scam calls Fraudsters can phone people and pretend to be from your bank, the police, or other well-known companies. Scam calls can sound real and professional. But stop, 'take five' and think - is this call genuine? What to look out for: Unexpected calls - If you didn’t expect the call then it could be a scam. If you’re not sure, you can call back. Pressure calls - Fraudsters want to hurry you into making a quick decision. They may also ask you to 'trust them' and or 'keep it quiet' and not tell anyone about the call. Don’t trust anyone who does this. A need to transfer money - Scam calls (#Grab Finance, #Seek Finance, #BTC miner) can try to get you to transfer money for security purposes or to a safe/secure/holding account. Do not do this. Refunds - If a call offers you a refund that you are unaware of, it's a scam.  Test transactions - If a call asks you to do a test transaction then it’s a scam. A real bank would never ask you to do this...

BUYING ONLINE The internet is a great way to buy and sell new or second hand goods. But you should look out for fake adverts on social media or trading websites. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR Bad reviews - Lots of good reviews from different buyers are better than mixed, bad or no reviews at all. Amazing deals - If prices on a site are a lot lower than other sellers, it could be a scam. Requests for advance payments - If an item is large and expensive, like a car, fraudsters may invite you to view then ask you to pay before you can pick it up. Once they have your money they'll disappear. Don’t pay until they hand the item over to you. Odd ways of paying - A fake site may ask you to pay by direct bank or wire transfer. These are hard to trace. If things go wrong, you may not get your money back. WHAT YOU CAN DO Take your time - Make sure an offer is genuine before you choose to buy. Ask the seller questions - If a seller can't tell you any details about the goods or tries to ...

Are you looking for some smart ways to save? these money saving tips should help you start to build up a handy nest egg. Create a budget by adding up your monthly spend on essentials like rent, utility bills, food shopping and car costs, to see if you have any spare money that could be moved into a savings account Start saving with a basic savings account. Saving even a small amount will give you peace of mind and get you into the savings habit (eg. Nationwide Flex-Basic)  If you have more money available, consider a higher-interest account or invest in an ISA. If you already have an ISA, maximise your allowance for this year Start long-term savings as soon as you can. Speak to your employer about possible pension schemes to join If you get a windfall of money, think about putting a percentage of it into your savings. Make saving money a habit Saving money doesn’t have to be a chore. There are some easy ways you can get into the habit of saving money on a regular basis....