Citizens Bank Offers Financial Literacy Funding for Non-Profits

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – As part of an ongoing commitment to give people the confidence and tools they need to budget, save, invest and be fiscally healthy, Citizens Bank is now accepting applications from nonprofits for crucial financial literacy services that help consumers manage their money better.

From Jan. 4 through Jan. 29, organizations throughout the bank's 11-state footprint are invited to submit an application for up to $50,000 in funding as part of the bank's Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money financial literacy initiative. Eligible financial literacy activities include:

Basics of banking and asset building

Budgeting

Homeownership counseling

Foreclosure prevention



Credit management and repair programs

Financial management for small businesses

In 2015, Citizens awarded 72 nonprofit organizations more than $1 million in contributions through Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money. The program also leveraged the financial expertise of Citizens' bankers, included volunteer outreach by Citizens colleagues and a social media public service campaign, that shared financial tips on Facebook and Twitter.

To be considered for funding, eligible nonprofits in the communities served by Citizens Bank should submit an online application by Jan. 29. Recipients will be announced in March 2016. For more information on nonprofit programs and services that may qualify for funding, or how to submit an application, click here.

Citizens Bank has offices on State Road in North Adams, on Merrill Road and in the Stop & Shop on Dan Fox Drive in Pittsfield, and Main Street in Bennington, Vt.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Warns of Toll-fee Smishing Scam

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was alerted that a text message-based scam, also known as smishing, is fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies from across the country. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.

The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads.

Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.

EZDriveMA customers can verify a valid text notification in several ways:

  • EZDriveMA will never request payment by text
  • All links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com

The FBI says it has received more than 2,000 complaints related to toll smishing scams since early March and recommends individuals who receive fraudulent messages do the following:

1. File a complaint with the  Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; be sure to include:

The phone number from where the text originated.
The website listed within the text

2. Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website.

3. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number.

4. Delete any smishing texts received.

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