RICHMOND, Va. - April is National Financial Literacy Month, and one group would like Virginians to know that if they have ever tried to stop automatic debits from their bank account, only to be given the run-around by the bank, they do have recourse.

Dana Wiggins is the director of outreach and financial advocacy for the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC). She said her office has been flooded with calls from people who have tried to stop their bank account from being automatically debited, only to be told by their bank that there is nothing the bank can do.

"It's really important to know that you can stop automatic debits from your bank account," she said, "especially if you haven't authorized them or if you've withdrawn authorization. It's important to know that you do have rights."

According to federal law, people have the right to stop any electronic authorizations with their bank or credit union, Wiggins said. But people are often told by their banks they must get the company to stop debiting the account, which can prove difficult when it comes to companies like payday lenders or other on-line lenders. She recommended that those needing help contact www.virginiafairloans.org or call the VPLC hotline, 866-830-4501.

Wiggins said an important first step to stop automatic withdrawals from your account is to tell the lender or the party that is automatically debiting that you wish to withdraw authorization, meaning you no longer give them permission to debit your bank account. You can do it verbally or, she suggested, it is best is to put it in writing - in an email or on paper - and copy your bank on the letter.

"Then, you want to go to the bank and say, 'Here's a copy of the withdrawal notice that I have sent to these lenders; I want to be sure that they aren't trying to debit from my account after I've withdrawn the authorization, so I would like you to also stop allowing them to debit from my account,'" Wiggins said.

In some cases, Wiggins added, people did not even authorize their accounts to be debited, and they are not able to reach anyone to withdraw the authorization.

Closing your bank account is also an option, she said. She suggested that people who have trouble with their bank file complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at www.consumerfinance.gov.




get more stories like this via email

April is Financial Literary Awareness Month and Hoosiers who are worried about inflation or watching their retirement account on the stock-market roller coaster may be wondering what they should do.

Many households are still recovering from the economic impact of the pandemic, according to the Indiana United Way.

Todd Christensen, education manager for the nonprofit Money Fit Financial, advised creating a spending plan and identifying priorities are good first steps. If you are considering buying a car or house, or taking a vacation, he noted a budget is about more than dollars and cents.

"Whatever it is that motivates you, set a purpose, is number one," Christensen recommended. "Number two is not to start adding income. That's usually where people start, but you've got to prioritize expenses. If you don't prioritize them, you will inevitably have to start eliminating expenses anyway. And you'll go with your emotions rather than with the rational part of your brain."

Christensen sees cash, credit cards and the popular "buy now, pay later" apps as convenient tools consumers often misuse. Convenience prompts human nature to kick in and encourage overspending. He suggested having two checking accounts, one for automatic bill payment and another for fun purchases, and a savings account for long and short-term goals.

Christensen supports teaching kids good money management habits before they earn spending cash as teens by mowing lawns, babysitting or doing chores. If they are not taught how to take care of small amounts of money as early as possible, he cautioned, they will be "terrible" with larger amounts as adults.

"By age two, children have been in their parents' arms going through a checkout stand enough times that they know that there's an exchange going on," Christensen observed. "They're learning that there's something magical about that plastic card or about the phone that they tap."

The Indiana Department of Education mandates all students in grades eight through 12 must have one semester of personal financial responsibility instruction, including lessons on debt management, savings, retirement and investment accounts.


get more stories like this via email

Washington is one of 25 states where people can use the online "IRS Direct File" system, to file their income-tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service. But the future of the program is at risk.

For years, taxpayers' advocates had pushed for a free, simple tax-filing option for people who don't need a third-party tax preparer. But the Trump administration has said Direct File may be a waste of IRS resources.

Casey Lantz, free tax preparation campaign coordinator with the United Way of King County, said it is time for people to voice their support for the program. She's used Direct File and says, since the program auto-fills tax information from forms like W-2s, filing her income taxes this year was the easiest it has ever been.

"I think it's exactly what people wish tax filing was like. And I think the only chance we have of stopping them from cutting it is if enough people say something," she explained.

Direct File guides users through simple questions in English or Spanish, and offers live chat support in both languages. People can check their eligibility and get more information online at 'DirectFile.IRS.gov.'

Adam Ruben, vice president of campaigns and political strategy with the Economic Security Project, said the process removes intermediary tax preparers and uses information the government already has to make it easier to file federal and state tax returns. Ruben explained Direct File is for people with straightforward tax situations, such as employees who get a W-2 from their employer.

"Direct File is not yet available for freelancers or gig workers, or people with complicated investments or who work across multiple states," he continued.

Lantz said even if you are not eligible for Direct File, you can still use it to file an income-tax extension by April 15.


get more stories like this via email

Pennsylvania is among a growing number of states offering residents access to the Internal Revenue Service's free tax filing system, Direct File.

The online tool was created to save people both time and money by allowing them to file directly with the IRS while removing the need for costly tax-preparation services.

Lucas DeBartolo of East Stroudsburg said using Direct File was easy and recommended it for people looking to take advantage of available tax credits.

"And it could be hundreds to thousands of dollars back in their pockets," he said, "and this software is really good at seeing what tax credits people qualify for."

It's estimated about 20% of eligible taxpayers don't claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. DeBartolo said using Direct File was quicker than other online tools he's used and appreciated his quick refund.

Americans on average spend at least 13 hours filing their taxes each year. Direct File cuts down on that time by autofilling information the government already has, allowing users to simply verify its accuracy.

Adam Ruben, vice president for campaigns and political strategy at the Economic Security Project, said the program is user-friendly with no hidden fees and is available in English or Spanish.

"If you get stuck, there's free live chat support in both languages," he said, "and importantly, unlike most other tax software, it will also help you file your state tax return for free."

Ruben said Direct File is not yet available for freelancers, gig workers, people with complicated investments or those who work across multiple states. He said people can check their eligibility and get more information at the IRS website.


get more stories like this via email