Scammers often capitalize on fear, and the coronavirus outbreak is no exception. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are warning against a surge in coronavirus scams that can be difficult to spot.

With March Madness coming up,  let’s review some financial lessons we can all learn from the iconic sport of basketball.

“Buy today with no money down and zero interest!”

You’ve seen the ads when shopping for large purchases like furniture. They offer you the option of spreading your purchase over several months or years, with a zero-percent interest plan. To buy it, you may need to enroll in a payment plan; sign up for their credit card; or open an unaffiliated credit card offering an introductory no-interest period. It sounds like a fantastic deal—but is it? Here are the possible pitfalls of this route and the surprising benefits of financing a large purchase under the right circumstances.

Did you know that a strong PIN (Personal Identification Number) can keep hackers from breaking into your accounts? Here are 5 easy tips to help you create strong passwords: