FDIC Consumer News Features Tips on Protecting Assets — 2018-03-05

It’s always important for consumers to save money for their future, keep banking and borrowing costs down, and guard their possessions from high-tech thieves in today’s digital world. The Winter 2018 FDIC Consumer News includes information about:  Five things to know about safe deposit boxes and home safes for protecting valuables. Among the tips: bank safe deposit boxes are good choices to store originals of key documents, such as birth certificates and property deeds, but probably not the right choice if quick access is a must. Also, people are better off stashing their cash in a bank deposit account, like a savings account or certificate of deposit, than in a home safe or a safe deposit box, where the money isn’t protected by FDIC insurance.  Guarding against criminals who place hidden recording devices at or near automated teller machines (ATMs) and retailer checkout registers.