As a small business owner, you may not consider yourself likely to become the target of a cyber-attack. You might think your business is too small for cyber criminals to take notice, or that you don't have anything valuable enough to be worth the effort. However, small businesses, like any other business, have information that is valuable to criminals, including employee and customer records and bank account information. Moreover, small businesses often have fewer resources dedicated to cybersecurity, so criminals don't have to put as much effort into hacking them compared to larger corporations.

Cybersecurity doesn't require a large monetary investment from your business; what it does require is a company culture that embraces and proactively promotes cyber-secure practices both professionally and personally. Studies have shown that companies who engage employees in cybersecurity training both in the workplace and at home experience increased identification of potential threats, reduced incidents, and a greater ability to recover after a cyber-attack.

If you are the owner or CEO of a small business, cybersecurity starts with you. Here are things you should do to help promote cybersecurity in your organization.

Make Cybersecurity Part of Company Culture. Discuss cybersecurity in regular, direct communication with your staff and be sure to outline security initiatives with your leadership. You should stress to your employees that security should be an "all-the-time" consideration.

Select a Security Manager. Once you have goals in mind and your leadership team has set objectives, identify someone in your organization to manage your security initiatives. This person doesn't necessarily need to be a security expert or IT professional, you simply need someone responsible who can spearhead the program and ensure it is implemented as intended.

Create an Incident Response Plan. The Security Manager should draft a written IRP for your leadership team to review. This is your plan of action before, during, and following a security incident. Make sure to involve leaders from throughout your business, not just the security manager and IT team (if you have one). Customize parts of the IRP based on the needs of individual departments.

Keep Your Network Up to Date. Make sure any applications, web browsers, security software and operating systems in your business network are updated regularly. Set antivirus software to run a scan after each update. Make sure your network's systems are protected by a firewall and, if your employees work from home, ensure they follow these same practices with their home system(s).

Make backup copies of important business data and information. Regularly backup the data on all computers. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files, and accounts receivable/payable files. Backup data automatically if possible, or at least weekly and store the copies either offsite or in the cloud.

Control physical access to your computers and create user accounts for each employee. Prevent access or use of business computers by unauthorized individuals. Laptops can be particularly easy targets for theft or can be lost, so lock them up when unattended. Make sure a separate user account is created for each employee and make strong passwords a requirement. Administrative privileges should only be given to trusted IT staff and key personnel.

Train Your Employees. Promote basic security policies for your staff, such as requiring strong passwords, and establish safe internet usage guidelines. Emphasize to your employees the importance of protecting not only customer data but their own sensitive information. Employees who are encouraged to practice cybersecurity in their personal lives are more likely to prevent cyber-attacks while on the job.

The best protection for any business is knowledge, both for the owner and the employees. Any cybersecurity initiatives should be tailored to your organization's needs, whether that's something more involved like formal training or as simple as a monthly email with tips and tricks. The key is to make cybersecurity a constant consideration for members of your organization.

Many low-cost and free resources are available for businesses looking to get started with cybersecurity training. You can find free training kits from the Cybersecurity Infrastructure & Security Agency which provide an excellent jumping off point for business owners who want to keep their employees engaged. Once you get started, you'll find it gets easier to keep security at the forefront of your employees' minds all year long and strengthen your business' defenses against cyber-attacks.

Stephanie Barton is a Senior Vice President and New Tripoli Bank's Chief Information Officer. She has been working for New Tripoli Bank for over thirty years and has overseen the maintenance and upgrading of the bank's digital infrastructure and security.

This fall will be the first time living away from home for many young people as they pursue college education. Some students will find it easy to adapt to their newfound independence while others may find themselves struggling to handle the added financial responsibility.

Rising tuition costs saddled on young adults, who may be unprepared to handle the stress of financial independence, can be a recipe for disaster. In 2023, the average graduate in America leaves college with more than $37,000 in debt, including federal student loans and the number can be even higher for those with private loans. When it comes time for a young person to leave the nest, financial literacy skills (budgeting, money management) can make all the difference.

Here are some tips for those high school graduates preparing to take the leap into financial self-reliance.

Learn How to Create a Budget

Budgets are your friends, and they are easy to make! First, calculate your expected income per month, including paychecks (if you have a job), grants, loans, and family contributions. This gives you an idea of how much money you have available each month and allows you to plan your spending on needs such as groceries, transportation, and so on. Once you have your needs accounted for, whatever is left can be used for saving, trips, or simple pleasures, ensuring your college experience is enjoyable without worrying about whether you can pay for basic needs.

Don’t Rack Up Debt

The idea of a student credit card sounds appealing but can be a trap for the unprepared. With proper credit card usage, a young adult can establish a record of credit card payments that help them build credit, making future loans and purchases easier. However, if the student treats their credit card like an infinite source of cash, high credit balances and missed payments could prolong the time it takes for them to get on their feet after graduation.

Some simple rules to follow when signing up for a credit card:

• Start with a prepaid card to get into the habit of budgeting. You can keep an actual credit card handy in case of emergencies.
• Research spending limits, interest rates, and terms to find the best credit card for your needs. Make sure you are aware of fees and other hidden costs that come with each card.
• Only spend what you can afford to pay back, and make sure to pay off your card in full each month.

Get a Part-Time Job

A part-time job is not only a great way to help mitigate the costs of higher education; it also provides valuable experience and helps young adults to build community and sharpen organizational skills. Even entry-level jobs require you to have some work experience and a part-time job is a great way to show initiative on your résumé.

Take Classes on Financial Wellness

Many colleges and universities offer financial literacy programs for their students. You can also reach out to administrators and academic advisors who may have information on extracurricular programs open to students.

Choose the Right Bank

College is an opportune time to find a bank that shares your values. These days, community banks boast the same mobile and online banking tools as large national banks while maintaining strong ties to the communities they serve and holding themselves to higher ethical standards. Many of these banks also offer deposit accounts with lower or zero fees for account maintenance, no minimum balance requirements, overdraft protections, and competitive interest rates. New Tripoli Bank’s Smart Start Checking Account is tailor-made for the college-bound graduate. Our mobile and online banking platform mean no matter which college you head for, you’ll have your bank account right at your fingertips.

PHEAA Student Loans

New Tripoli Bank has also teamed up with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to offer private student loan options for students pursuing higher education. These loans are designed to reduce the financial strain placed on college students by waiving many of the fees associated with loan applications and offering low fixed interest rates.

Keep these tips in mind for those who are college bound. By learning good financial habits early, they will develop the skills they need to become financially secure well into the future.

Sundra Sherwin is Vice President of Branch Administration for New Tripoli Bank. She has over 25 years of banking experience and has been with New Tripoli Bank for 15 years, working in various positions at the Bank. She has been promoting financial literacy in our community through her work with the Bank for years.

If you’ve ever wondered if it matters where you deposit your hard-earned money, let me assure you it does.

We know there are more options for where to bank today than ever before. But consider this: community banks like New Tripoli Bank offer benefits to consumers that you can’t find at regional or national banks. Whether you’re looking for personal banking options or services for your business, here are some reasons why your best decision is to bank locally.

Personalized Attention

Do you feel like you’re just an account number in a sea of account numbers, or that you’re always having trouble getting someone to pay attention to you? You’re at the wrong bank.

Community bank employees dedicate more time to the customer. They can respond to your needs with personalized solutions that fit the situations you face because they face the same situations in their own lives. That’s why customers prefer local banks, where customer service truly matters.

Faster Decisions

At a community bank, you speak directly with the people who make the decisions, and we keep those decisions local. You won’t have to wait for your request to make its way through an internal bureaucracy only for someone you’ve never met to weigh in on your request. That’s not fair to you and often leads to bad, poorly informed decisions.

Fewer & Lower Fees

Did you know that large banks have reported making nearly $2 billion annually just through overdraft charges? Or that 75% of large banks don’t offer a checking account without fees? This is just one of the reasons why large bank customers end up feeling like they’re just another name on a ledger.

Community banks charge lower fees than national banks. The most common types of fees—overdrafts and nonsufficient funds fees—are 13-19% lower for small banks compared to large banks. We also don’t look to layer fees upon fees, and work with you to avoid these situations, giving you access to a host of tools to help you manage your money and avoid unnecessary fees. It’s not in either of our interests to charge fees for everything. Additionally, 44% of small banks have checking accounts without monthly maintenance fees—and New Tripoli Bank is one of them!

High Quality Service

Large banks would have you believe that they alone can offer the most convenience and the latest technology, but nothing could be further from the truth. Community banks offer the same services and products as our competitors and often without charging you extra for their use! New Tripoli Bank has world-class online and mobile banking options to improve our customers’ experience, with features such as account alerts, online account opening, automated bill payments, and more.

Ethics & Stability

If the last two decades have taught us anything, it’s that scandals strike larger banks with a fair amount of regularity. The same cannot be said for community banks, who are deeply rooted within the communities they serve and have a personal stake in the financial well-being of their customers. Reputation is important to community banks, and we hold ourselves to a higher standard.

Keeping Money in the Community

Most importantly, your local community bank puts your money to work fueling small local businesses. As small businesses themselves, community banks recognize their key role in keeping their local economy strong. This is why, year after year, community banks are responsible for the lion’s share of small business loans and often serve as the only physical banking presence in one-third of counties in the United States.

Now that you understand the benefits and importance of community banking, the only question left is “how do I get started?” Luckily, New Tripoli Bank’s free checking account is a great way to take advantage of the convenience and simplicity of community banking, and you can set it up 100% online or at any of our three offices. No matter which way you come in the door, we’re happy to have you here!

I hope this article has been helpful at illustrating the positives of community banking and no matter where you choose to bank, just remember to keep it local.

These days, it seems like we use our computers and the internet for everything. Whether it's sending mail, shopping, checking the news, or keeping in touch with friends and family, chances are you're staring at a computer screen when you do it. While there are many benefits for consumers—faster and convenient services, for example—it is important to be aware of the dangers of the internet.

Wherever you find consumers willing to spend money or divulge personal information, you will find criminals seeking to exploit them for personal gain, and the internet is no different. Every year, millions of people fall victim to frauds and scams that begin with an email, text message, or phone call. The cost on consumers is immense, but they suffer more than just the financial losses: fraud can cause damage to their credit history and can lead to a lost sense of security.

This is why New Tripoli Bank is dedicated to promoting cybersecurity. Strong cybersecurity requires smart internet use—you may have the best security systems installed on your computer, but one wrong link click can lead to you becoming the target of identity thieves!

Here are some tips to stay safe while surfing the web:

Be suspicious of unexpected requests for personal information. It doesn't matter how legitimate the email or website looks—only open emails from people or organizations you trust and, even then, be cautious if anything looks questionable. Keep an eye out for typos or other obvious mistakes—scammers send purposefully sloppy emails to isolate the most gullible targets.

Don't share personal information unless you initiated contact. Do not share info over the phone, through the mail, or via the internet in response to an unsolicited request. If you receive a message that appears to be from an organization you recognize instructing to you call a phone number or click a link, ignore the message, and instead visit that organization's website to use their verified contact information.

Thoroughly review your account statements. Make sure you recognize and can account for every transaction that appears on your end-of-month statements and make sure to contact your bank or credit card servicer if you notice any irregularities or unexpected charges.

Use strong passwords. Avoid using birth dates, phone, numbers of Social Security numbers for PIN codes. Don't create a password based on information that can be found on your social media profile or easily guessed.

Be careful what information you share publicly. It's best to show discretion when using social media; any information you share can be exploited by scammers to make them appear as if they are someone who knows you.

Keep your computer updated. All consumer PCs come installed with security software that you should  update regularly to guard from the latest malware and viruses.

Avoid unsecured networks. Be careful about where and how you conduct your financial transactions. Unsecured public wi-fi networks can be intercepted by malicious hackers, and you never know who could be watching you enter personal information while you're out in public.

Stephanie Barton is a Senior Vice President and New Tripoli Bank's Chief Information Officer. She has been working for New Tripoli Bank for over thirty years and has overseen the maintenance and upgrading of the bank's digital infrastructure and security.

A smart consumer is more than someone who can find the best deal. They know their spending limits, understand their rights and responsibilities as a consumer, and do research before making a purchase. Smart consumers aren’t tempted by impulse purchases or eye-catching red tag sales; they’re focused on finding a reasonable deal on a product that will last.

Here are some tips for you to make the best decisions when you’re shopping online or at a retail store.

Before Purchasing

Know what you can afford. Keep track of your monthly finances and determine how much money you can afford to spend after paying for groceries, bills, and other necessities. Once you have a number, stick to a spending plan to make sure you don’t live beyond your means.

Research the product. It may feel like a lot of work for something as simple as making a purchase, but proper research can help you avoid buying a product or service with a history of complaints or missing a lower price for the same product. Check product reviews for common issues people have with the product. Investigate the company selling the product and make sure you are buying from a reputable seller; check the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been filed against the company.

Beware social media ads. There are many ads that pop up on Facebook and Instagram with great deals. Be sure to do your research before you buy. Use Google search to verify the product and seller. There may be scammers that use Facebook ads, advertising great deals to trick you into entering your card information.

Read the fine print. Before you sign a contract for a big purchase or hire someone for a service, make sure you read and understand everything you are agreeing to. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you’re unsure about something and never sign until you are 100% comfortable. Make sure you get everything in writing, and never pay in full until the job is done and you are satisfied with the workmanship.

While Shopping

Make sure to compare prices. Being a consumer in the age of smart phones means instant access to information that consumers in previous generations could only dream of. If you see a product that you’d like to purchase at a retail store, take the time to look it up online and see if other stores are selling it at a better price. Some retail stores offer price matching, so you don’t even need to make another trip!

Be careful with financing options. Companies sometimes offer 0% financing options for larger purchases (for example, window installations and furniture), which can be great for staying within your budget. However, make sure you understand the terms of any contracts you sign, as these offers usually come with extremely high interest rates that you will be required to pay if you fail to make your minimum monthly payment.

Though most shopping still happens in retail stores, many people have switched exclusively to shopping online since the pandemic, which can come with a whole host of problems for consumers who aren’t careful! When shopping online:

Stick to secure, reputable sites. Look for URLs that start with https://. These websites use encryption to protect your sensitive data. Keep an eye out for red flags such as spelling mistakes, malfunctioning features, or a lack of contact information. When in doubt, search the site’s name to see if the search results are filled with articles about frauds related to the site.

Avoid shopping on public wi-fi or public computers. Hackers will often target users on public networks with keyloggers or other methods to steal your information. You also never know who is watching you in a public place, so it is best to avoid entering personal information in such situations.

Make sure to read all contracts and agreements. Don’t click the check box without reading the documentation. It is especially important to read a website’s terms of use to understand how the company plans to use your data and if they share it with other companies.

Look for a return policy. Any reputable company will have a link to their return policy somewhere on the front page of their website. It’s important to understand your rights as a consumer before you buy.

After Buying

Keep a copy of any receipts, warranties, or service contracts. Consider creating a binder to hold all this documentation, as you may need it later to make a claim or in the event of a recall. You should make copies of any receipts printed with ink that could fade quickly.

Be a responsible borrower. If you financed a purchase or used your credit card, make sure you have a plan to pay it back quickly! Try to pay down outstanding balances immediately if you can. You can also contact a credit counseling service for additional help managing debt.

Make a complaint. If you’re not happy with your purchase, contact the seller and give them a chance to fix the problem. If the issue cannot be resolved, you may want to consider making a formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.

It’s easy to be a smart consumer if you arm yourself with the proper tools. A New Tripoli Bank checking account gives you access to our mobile banking tools such as email/text alerts that are customizable to you, which makes keeping track of spending and budgeting even easier. You can download the CardValet app to help monitor your accounts for fraud. Just make sure the next time you go shopping to keep these helpful tips in mind!

Jen Moyer is an Assistant Vice President and head of New Tripoli Bank's Deposit Operations. She has been a member of the New Tripoli Bank team for nearly twenty years and has worked in multiple departments within the Bank. 

The start of each new year is a time for us to reflect on the past year and plan for the next. 2022 was a challenging year for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was record-high inflation that had plenty of people tightening their budgets. As we head into 2023, I'd like to offer some tips to help you establish and maintain good credit so you can enjoy a brighter financial future.

Open a Checking Account

While a checking account can't help you improve your credit score, it does help you balance your budget while you're establishing a credit history. By making credit card and loan payments with your checking account, you will see all of your monthly transactions on a single bank statement rather than having to compare several different statements in order to get a full view of your financial situation.

Another benefit of checking accounts is that most come with a debit card. Using a debit card along with your credit card is safer than paying with cash, since banks offer fraud protection and card controls to help prevent negative impact to your credit if your card is lost or stolen. Make sure to monitor your credit and bank statements regularly, so you can correct any errors and detect signs of potential identity theft.

Automate Bill Payments

One of the easiest ways to damage your credit is to fall behind on loan or credit card payments. Thankfully, most banks (New Tripoli Bank included) offer automatic bill pay through their online banking platforms to ensure that your monthly bills are paid.

An emergency fund is helpful for staying ahead of your bill payments. A good rule of thumb is to set aside enough money to pay for six months of living expenses so that, in the event of an emergency, you can absorb unexpected expenses and avoid penalties for late payments. Thankfully, most banks' online banking platforms allow you to set up automatic, recurring transfers between accounts, so you can set aside a portion of each paycheck for a rainy day into a dedicated emergency savings account.

Show Stability in Your Credit Use

As you work to maintain your credit, you should seek to develop a good mix of credit—for example, paying down a mortgage loan plus credit card payments—to demonstrate that you can manage different types of credit, which can improve your credit score. It is also better to pay down your credit gradually instead of immediately paying off your debt all at once, as it shows you are capable of making payments on time.

If you are planning to use credit for a large purchase, you should adjust your credit usage leading up to the purchase. For at least three to six months prior to your purchase, you should focus on paying down existing debt and avoid incurring new debt.

By establishing these spending and saving habits early, you'll be able to make your money work for you so you can speed up your recovery from temporary financial roadblocks and remain financially healthy. If you are concerned about your financial wellness, New Tripoli Bank offers checking, savings, and lending options to help you navigate pivotal financial milestones and plan for your financial future. Reach out to one of our friendly community bankers who can help steer you in the right direction for 2023.

Kate Hart-Zayaitz is New Tripoli Bank's Chief Lending Officer and Senior Vice President. Kate has spent many years working for various community banks in our area. She was born and raised in Emmaus and has been involved with multiple banking and economic organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Planning to spread some cheer this holiday season? Extend that cheer to your community during the holidays by purchasing one-of-a-kind creations from local small businesses in the Lehigh Valley. By doing so, you’ll be giving a gift that keeps on giving—local economic prosperity.

Did you know that for every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $48 out of every $100 is returned to the local economy, compared to just $14 when you shop at a national chain? Or were you aware of the country’s 32.5 million small businesses that create 62% of net new U.S. jobs annually? By shopping locally, you’re not only putting your hard-earned dollars to work in your community; you’re providing the fuel that powers our national economy.

Independent, community-serving businesses typically consume less land, carry more locally made products, and create less traffic and air pollution, so shopping locally is good for the environment too. Moreover, locally sourced goods and services like those found in Lehigh Valley are often crafted by local artisans and are exclusive to our region, making for memorable gift-giving during the holidays and beyond.

If you prefer your gifts without a shiny bow, gift an “experience” of tickets to an outside concert, picking up a meal from the local family-run restaurant, or hosting an intimate party with a few friends and family. Events like these are a great way to make memories and stay connected with one another, while also providing opportunities to support small businesses and help sustain the local economy.

Better yet, continue the movement beyond the holidays. Show support for entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the year by shopping locally and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do the same. Post a picture or video of your favorite locally sourced product and share it on social media as inspiration for others.

To learn more about how New Tripoli Bank supports local small businesses and the community, you can listen to testimonials from our business customers and the nonprofits we support.

Kate Hart-Zayaitz is New Tripoli Bank's Chief Lending Officer and Senior Vice President. Kate has spent many years working for various community banks in our area. She was born and raised in Emmaus and has been involved with multiple banking and economic organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Nobody likes tricks when it comes to banking. At New Tripoli Bank, we focus on the “treats” that distinguish us as your trusted bank.

We do business the old-fashioned way – one customer at a time - partnered with today’s conveniences like mobile/online banking. It’s been our philosophy since we opened the doors 112 years ago, and it continues to help us serve the unique needs of our customers today. 

Community banks’ relationship focus has made us America’s favorite lenders according to a Federal Reserve small business credit survey, with approval ratings well ahead of those megabanks and online lenders.

It’s not just proximity that wins repeat business. Unlike credit unions and the Farm Credit System, New Tripoli Bank effectively serves both individuals of modest means and agricultural borrowers without taxpayer-funded subsidies.

We put our dollars to work right here in the Lehigh Valley, helping to support local school districts, fire departments, EMS departments, and other municipal services. New Tripoli Bank also helps fortify our community through philanthropic outreach and civic service. In 2021 alone, New Tripoli Bank donated over $200,000 to local aid organizations, fire departments, and historical societies.

Our employees volunteer to help in our community. They sit on the boards of the East Penn, Greater Lehigh Valley, and Western Lehigh Chambers of Commerce. Members of our organization volunteer with food banks, churches, youth sports associations, and emergency services all around the valley. For example, volunteers from the bank helped stock shelves at the Lowhill Food Pantry and others handed out free ice cream to patrons of Pioneer Apple Fest.

The treats don’t end there. Community banks have a strong track record of helping underserved Americans by providing greater flexibility to low-income and minority borrowers. It’s the community banking way. New Tripoli Bank is committed to providing community development loans that provide financing for the construction of affordable housing, non-profit organizations serving low-moderate income markets, local and state community development projects, and community revitalization efforts.

We won’t disguise tricks as treats or leave customers holding the bag during times of need. Our fates are linked, so when good things happen for you, New Tripoli Bank and our community win as well. That’s the community banking difference, and it’s pretty sweet.

Autumn is here and while the leaves and temperatures are falling, it seems like the price of food and gas aren't following suit. On top of that, the changing season means more reasons to spend money including increased utility bills, updating your winter wardrobe, and planning for holiday purchases. Here are some tips to help you rake in some savings this fall season.

Winter-proof your home. Some TLC in the fall goes a long way toward cutting down on winter utility bills. Consider improving your home insulation by caulking or  using weather-stripping on windows and doors, and clean out your gutters to help with drainage. Cleaning or changing your furnace filter and checking if your roof is in need of repairs are two economical habits essential to prepare for the winter months. You should also consider switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs; though they cost more upfront, they'll save you money on electric bills in the long run.

Save on Appliances. Keep an eye out for your household appliances that are in need of replacing. Stores will put appliances on sale during the fall season to make room for new inventory and the latest models that come out just in time for holiday shopping. If you're shopping in person, ask sales associates if you can purchase floor models, which often come at a discount.

Clean Out Old Items. Take a long, hard look at your closets and storage spaces: they're probably full of items you haven't used in several years! Fall is a great time to clear out these items and make some additional cash while you're at it. Reach out to your neighbors about hosting a garage sale to sell off old, unwanted items, or post them to online shopping sites like eBay or Facebook marketplace. If you have a lot of old, still wearable apparel, clothing swaps are a great way to change up your wardrobe without spending a dime.

Set a Budget. Did you spend a little too freely over the summer? Fall is the perfect time to get your budget back in line. Go over your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. With the holidays fast approaching, saving extra cash now means you'll have more in your pocket for holiday purchases. New Tripoli Bank's online banking tool makes it easy to track your spending and allows you to set up automated bill payments to make sticking to your budget simpler.

Embrace DIY. Before you spend money on autumn accessories or Halloween décor, tap into your inner artist! Fall is a great time for DIY projects which can be a fun, cost-effective activity to enjoy with your family.

Finding ways to be frugal this season can help you save money while allowing you to enjoy everything the fall season has to offer. The best way to get started with your savings goals is signing up for Free Checking with New Tripoli Bank, which gives you access to our online banking tools that make it easy to keep to a budget.

With the government unveiling its sweeping new student loan forgiveness plan, millions of Americans are going to be looking for a piece of the debt relief package. This is the ideal setting for scammers to swoop in and take advantage of people's eagerness, tricking them into giving up sensitive personal and financial information.

You may be asking yourself "what do I have to do to claim this student loan relief?" You can read the full statement from the White House about the loan forgiveness program here https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief-announcement/

Before you click any email links or enter personal information into unfamiliar websites claiming to be official government pages, here are some tips to keep yourself ahead of the scammers trying to steal your identity.

Subscribe to official email updates from the Department of Education. As part of their announcement of the debt relief plan, the White House has set up a website where you can register to be notified when the loan forgiveness process officially opens. If you are seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness, visit PLSF.gov to learn more and apply.

Never click on links from unexpected emails. If you haven't signed up for official updates from the Department of Education and you receive an official-looking email regarding student debt relief, don't reply or open any attachments. Before clicking any links, mouse over the link to see if the address pop-up contains a legitimate .gov URL.

Don't email personal and/or financial information. Email systems are not encrypted; therefore, emails should not contain confidential information. If you are asked to visit a website to provide personal or financial information, you should instead visit https://studentaid.gov/ to confirm the loan forgiveness process is officially open; this is the official website of the debt relief program and any application process will be located here.

Don't be fooled by urgent requests. The government will provide a very clear timeline well in advance of any cutoff date for applications. If you receive an email emphasizing the urgency of filling out an application and/or submitting information, this is most likely a scammer trying to take advantage of you.

Ignore anyone asking for money in exchange for debt relief. The government's debt relief program is entirely funded by taxpayers and will not require you to send money to anyone.

If you think you or someone you know have been the target of a scam, you should contact your financial institution as well as contact the FTC.