Financial Literacy Month Week 3: Be a Smart Financial Consumer
Financial Literacy Month Week 3: Be a Smart Financial Consumer
The more you know and understand your financial rights and responsibilities, the easier it is to avoid costly surprises and reach your financial goals.
Tips for being a Smart Financial Consumer
- You can save on banking fees when you have the right account for your needs. The Account Comparison Tool can help:
- In case of fraud, your financial institution may not cover your losses if you have not kept your PIN secret. Learn more about protecting yourself from fraud.
- Banks must obtain your permission before they can issue a credit card or raise your limit.
- The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has free tools and resources to help consumers better understand their rights and responsibilities when dealing with a financial institution.
Know Before You Owe
Financial institutions must provide you with clear and simple information when you sign up for a product or service
- Read and understand the information your financial institution gives you before you agree to anything and ask for clarification if you don’t understand something.
- Beware of signing up for a product that you weren’t planning on getting in the first place.
- Shop around to find the best deal that suits your needs.
- If you think your financial rights haven’t been respected, make a complaint to your financial institution and contact the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.
If you’re looking for more information about how to be a smart financial consumer, consider attending one of these programs during Financial Literacy Month:
IN-PERSON SESSIONS
Group RRSP Meetings with Desjardins
November 20 | Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. | Westdale Campus, McMaster University Student Centre
Financial Basics – Borrowing 101
November 25 | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Waterloo Campus
November 26 | 12 noon – 1 p.m. | Westdale Campus, Mills Library
WEBINARS
The Frank Truth About Income Taxes, RRSPs and TFSAs
November 21 | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Financial Basics – Borrowing 101
November 29 | 12 noon – 1 p.m.
Making Cent$ of Money – Budgeting 101
December 3 | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn more and register for events.
Homewood Health (EFAP)
McMaster’s EFAP offers a free financial coaching program over the telephone. This Life Smart Coaching program empowers you with the information and support you need to help you achieve financial peace of mind. They make it simple to get started and guide you step-by-step.
If you ever feel uncertain or overwhelmed about any issue, McMaster’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) can arrange counselling. Counselling services can be offered face-to-face, over the phone, through video, or online.
Learn about McMaster’s Employee & Family Assistance Program.
Contact Homewood Health
1.800.663.1142
https://homeweb.ca/
Program Contact:
Organizational Development
Human Resources Services
od@mcmaster.ca