Jennifer's Compass

In Focus: Market anxiety

(NECN) - Today In Focus, economic stimulus dreams are crashing into a hard reality. Investors hoping the market's ills would be cured are getting a sober reality check. Here's a segment with what I've been hearing from investors, and what we're telling people who want to sell and just hold on to the cash.

Keeping your accounts safe from hackers

(NECN) - A new warning issued today about a data security breach. Visa and Mastercard are alerting credit unions that consumer's account information may have been compromised. Hackers reportedly were able to break into payment processing companies. The announcement comes on the heels of a similar breach about a month ago involving the "Heartland Credit Card Processing Company". About 100 million accounts are estimated to have been compromised in that case.

Here are some tips to help keep your accounts safe.

At Home
• Check credit report at least annually
• Freeze your credit
• Use tamper-proof checks
• Read your statements
• Use a shredder

Online
• Check privacy policies
• Protect social security number and private info
• Update virus and spy protection software
• Use secure browser/check for encryption
• Make sure your wireless is secure

Out and about
• Don't carry family member info with you
• Only carry cards you need
• Use "strong" password on laptop
• Have mail held at Post Office

What to Do if ID Stolen
• Place a fraud alert on credit report
• Close affected accounts
• Contact police
• Contact FTC.gov

The economy was a recuring theme in the Viewer Questions we answered tonight

(NECN) - From investing to layoffs, the declining economy was a recurring theme in this week's Ask Jennifer segment.

Jason from Jamaica Plain: How do I find out if I'm getting a check from the new stimulus bill?

Uzzul from Cambridge: I have two questions. Where can I get the highest interest rate on the money I have in the bank? And what is the best way to invest money in the current economic crisis?

Liyan from Acton: My daughter college costs include: tuition, student service fee and board-college fee. Can we claim the Federal and MA tax deduction of the above three items?

Wendy from Boston: I'm about to be laid off and I'm 58. I have a (shrunken!) 401K and a pension at my company and another pension from another company. Can I access this money without penalty because of the layoff?

Lynne from Reading: Previously you did a segment on choosing a financial planner. How do I check my planner's background? I'm in the process of meeting with CFP who charges a flat rate.

Click below for the answers

Who gets a bailout? Recovery Act facts

(NECN) - The economic stimulus bill is now officially the recovery act, but what does it mean for you and your family?

Click below to see the segment

Who gets a bailout?

• Unemployed 25$ increase a week
• Social Security recipients $250 one time payout
• Middle and low income $13 per week in paycheck, $1000 child tax credit, $2,500 College tax credit

Time to switch to a small bank?

(NECN) - The big banks are struggling, but small community banks are attracting deposits with eye-popping interest rates. Is now the time to switch to a small bank? What should you be looking for if you want to change?

More tax season tips: Just in case you can't get enough of them

Somehow I just can't stop talking about getting ready for tax season! Click below for more tips on getting organized and getting the return in. File as soon as you can if you're expecting a refund, but watch out for the updated 1099s that are expected from many brokerage firms and investment houses next month.

Are you ready for IRA season?

Tax time means its IRA time. The deadline to make a deposit for 2008 is April 15^th. Click the segment below for info on deciding where to make your IRA deposit for the 2008 tax year.

Improving your credit score

Your credit score is more important than ever – it can affect what you pay for a car loan, whether or not you can get a mortgage or rent an apartment, it can even affect your job eligibility. This segment has tips on understanding what the scores are, how to make them better and whether or not subscribing to a credit score monitoring service is worth it.

Click below to view