对于美国新移民而言，保护好自己的钱财对于未来的生活有着至关重要的意义。因此，了解个人财务、以及保护人身财产的各种方法是很有必要的。下面就和查字典留学网一起来了解一下吧。
1、个人理财
(1)创建一个理财账户
在美国，提供个人理财账户的两种类型的金融机构是银行和信用合作社。
银行是一个安全储存钱财的地方。银行提供多种不同类型的账户，活期存款和储蓄帐户是两种最为常见的理财账户。你可以单独为自己开一个账户，或者是与你的配偶或其他人办理一个联合账户。需要注意的是，银行可能会向你收取一些服务费用。
信用合作社是另外一个保证你的财务安全的地方。你可以参加你的雇主所在的信用社，也可以根据你生活所在地选择一个加入。信用合作社提供了与银行相同的大部分的服务，但是可能也提供额外的服务。建议在建立一个账户之前，比较金融机构提供的服务、收费、覆盖范围、时间以及地点，以选择出最适合自己需要的理财方式。
在你建立一个账户的时候，会被要求提供身份证明。你可以使用你的永久居民卡或者是驾驶证来证明自己的身份。另外，你还需要支付给金融机构一些钱称为押金来存入你的新账户。当你从账户中取钱的时候，这个交易过程称为取款。你可以通过支票、自动取款机(ATM)或者是在你所在的金融机构填写取款单来成功取款。
(2)使用你的账户
你可以通过使用个人支票、自动取款机、或者是借记卡来取钱，需要注意的是，只有你本人或者是你联合账户的持有者(如果你有联合账户的话)才能够从的账户中取款。
个人支票：在你办理支票账户的时候，你会获得一批个人支票。这些支票是你本人填写用来购买某些东西的表格。支票向你账户所在的金融机构说明了你的交易情况。请将这些支票保存在安全的地方，并且询问金融机构在已有支票用完之后，如何获得新的支票。
ATM卡：你可以要求你的金融机构提供一张ATM卡。ATM卡是一张与你的账户链接的小型塑料卡。通过ATM卡可以在ATM中取得现金或者是存入现金。通常情况下，使用本账户所属金融机构的ATM机取钱的时候不需要支付手续费，但是跨行则需要。
你的金融机构的工作人员会向你展示如何使用ATM卡，并且给你一个特殊的号码，称为PIN(个人识别号)，在使用ATM机的时候使用。在使用ATM机的时候需要格外小心，千万不要告诉别人你的个人识别号或者是ATM卡，因为这样以来他就可以使用你的ATM卡从你的账户中取钱。
借记卡：你的金融机构可能会提供给你一张借记卡，来使用你的支票账户。一些情况下，你的ATM卡可以被当成借记卡来使用。千万不要给别人你的个人识别号或者是借记卡，因为这样以来他就可以使用你的借记卡从你的账户中取钱。你可以使用借记卡在商店买东西，钱会自动从你的账户中扣除。
本票和保付支票：这是金融机构根据你的请求创建的支票，你给金融机构钱，然后他们就会创建支票，提供给你需要支付给某人或者是商务所需的费用。对于这种支票，金融机构一般是收费的。如果有需要的话，可以直接咨询你的金融机构。
写下你所有账户和借记卡、ATM卡以及信用卡的号码，同时记下这些公司的电话号码，将这些信息保存在一个安全可靠的地方。这样以来，如果你的钱包丢失或者被偷的话，可以打电话给这些公司取消你所有的卡，这避免了一些人非法使用你的卡。
2、保护自己和钱财
(1)避免身份被盗
身份盗窃意味着有人盗取了你的个人身份信息，例如你的社会安全号码，或者是银行账户号码。他们可以使用这些信息从你的账户中取钱，或者是以你的名义办理新的信用卡。身份盗窃是一种严重的犯罪行为，你可以通过以下方式来保护自己：
● 确认你知道并且相信你所提供身份信息的人或者是商业机构，尤其是在电话或者是网络上;
● 将你的社会安全卡放在家中安全的位置，不要随身携带;
● 仅随身携带你一直需要的身份文件或者是信用卡，将其他的卡放在家中安全的地方;
● 在你扔掉含有个人信息的材料或者表格之前，先撕碎它;
● 每一个账户使用不同的密码，不要使用相同的密码，因为这将会使你的个人信息出于比较危险的状态。
(2)钓鱼网站或者是其他的骗局
根据联邦贸易委员会(FTC)的说明，钓鱼网站就是指一些来历不明的电子邮件或者是弹出讯息，自称其来自你所加入的一些商业机构或者组织，例如银行、网上支付服务、或者是政府机构。该信息可能包含了要求你更新账户或者是个人信息的网站，电子邮件中的联系可能链接者一个看起来合法的组织的网站，但是该网站并不是真实的。骗子们创造了这些网站，来盗取你的身份信息，这样他们就可以以你的名义来取钱或者犯罪。
尤其需要注意瞄准个人的电话诈骗，包括移民者。诈骗者可能会打电话给你，问你要钱或者是威胁你。他们通常掌握了一些关于你的信息，并且他们的电话号码可能看起来是一个官方号码。政府机构从来不会打电话问你要钱或者是威胁你。如果你接到了这样的电话，请立即挂断，然后打电话给相关的商业机构或者政府部门，以检验其是否为诈骗。
为了避免诈骗，你需要牢记下面一些事情：
● 如果你收到了要求提供个人信息或者财务信息的电子邮件或者弹出信息，不要回复;
● 不要通过电话给出你的账户号码或者密码，除非你已经向相关公司确认其是值得信赖的。如果你对于这个公司有疑问的话，请联系当地的消费者保护协会或者是商业改进局;
● 在你收到诈骗信息的时候，尽快检查信用卡以及银行账户的账单，查看是否有未经授权的消费;
● 如果你有电脑的话，请使用防病毒和防偷窃软件，以及防火墙，并且经常更新他们;
● 在你点开电子邮件中的附件或者是下载当中的文件的时候要格外小心;如果你不知道是谁发送该信息给你，请不要打开附件或者是下载文件;
● 如果你怀疑该电子邮件或者是网站是诈骗的，请报告该信息给真正的银行、公司或者政府机构。
Taking care of your money can have a big impact on your future in the United States. This section discusses personal finances, paying taxes, and ways in which you can protect yourself and your money.
Personal Finance
Getting an Account
In the United States, two types of financial institutions that offer personal financing accounts are banks and credit unions.
A bank account is a safe place to keep your money. Banks have different kinds of accounts. Checking accounts and savings accounts are two common ones. You can open an account for yourself or a joint account with your spouse or another person. Banks may charge you fees for some of their services.
A credit union is another place to safeguard your money. Your employer may have a credit union that you can join, or you may be able to join one, depending on where you live. Credit unions provide most of the same services as banks but may offer extra services. Compare the services, fees, coverage, hours, and locations of financial institutions before you open an account so you can choose one that best meets your needs.
When you open an account, you will be asked to prove your identity. You can use your Permanent Resident Card or drivers license. You will also need to give the financial institution some moneycalled a depositto put into your new account. When you take money out of your account, this transaction is called a withdrawal. You can withdraw money by writing a check, going to an automated teller machine (ATM), or filling out a withdrawal form at your financial institution.
Using Your Account
You can get money from your account by using a personal check, ATM, or debit card. Be sure that only you and your joint account holder (if you have one) have access to your account.
Personal Checks: You can get a supply of personal checks when you open your checking account. These checks are forms that you fill out to pay for something. Checks tell your financial institution to pay the person or business you have written on the check. Keep these checks in a safe place and ask your financial institution how to order new checks when you have used your supply.
ATM Cards: You can ask your financial institution for an ATM card. An ATM card is a small plastic card linked to your account. Use this card to get cash or deposit money in your account at an ATM. Usually you do not pay a fee for using your own financial institutions ATM. You will most likely be charged a fee if you use an ATM owned and operated by another financial institution.
The financial institution staff will show you how to use an ATM card and give you a special number, called a PIN (personal identification number), to use at the ATM. Be careful when using ATMs. Never give anyone your PIN or ATM card because he or she could use it to take money out of your account.
Debit Cards: Your financial institution may give you a debit card to use for your checking account. Sometimes your ATM card can also be used as a debit card. Never give anyone your PIN or debit card because he or she could use it to take money out of your account. You can use your debit card to pay for something at a store and the money will automatically be taken out of your checking account to pay the store.
Cashiers and Certified Checks: These are checks that a financial institution creates upon your request. You give the financial institution money and then they create a check for that amount of money to the person or business you want to pay. Financial institutions may charge a fee for these checks. Ask your financial institution about other options that may be available to you.
Write down the numbers for all accounts and debit, ATM, and credit cards. Also write down the phone numbers of these companies. Keep this information in a safe and secure place. If your wallet is lost or stolen, call the companies and cancel all of your cards. This will keep someone else from using your cards illegally.
Protect Yourself and Your Money
Avoid Identity Theft
Identity theft means someone has stolen your personal information, such as your Social Security or bank account numbers. They can use it to take money from your accounts or open a credit card in your name. Identity theft is a serious crime. Protect yourself by:
● Making sure you know and trust the people or businesses you give your personal information to, especially on the phone or the Internet.
● Leaving your Social Security card at home in a safe place. Do not carry it with you.
● Carrying with you only the identification documents or credit cards you need at the time. Leave the rest at home in a safe place.
● Tearing up or shredding any paper or forms with your personal information on them before throwing them in the trash.
● Selecting unique passwords for each account. Do not use the same password, as that could put your personal information at risk.
Phishing and Other Scams
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), phishing is when an unknown source sends an email or pop-up message to you claiming to be from a business or organization with which you are associated, such as a bank, an online payment service, or even a government agency. The message may include links to websites asking you to update your account or personal information. The links in the email connect to a website that looks like a legitimate organizations site, but the website is not real. Scammers created the website to steal your identity so that they can charge money or commit crimes in your name.
Be aware of phone scams that target individuals, including immigrants. A scammer may call you and ask for money or threaten you. They will likely have some information about you and their phone number may look like an official one. Government agencies will never call you to ask for money or threaten you. If you receive a call like this, hang up and call the official number for the business or government agency to check if it is a scam.
To avoid getting scammed, here are important things to remember:
● If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply.
● Do not give out your account number or password over the phone unless youre making the call to a company you know is reputable. If you have questions about a company, check with your local consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau.
● Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized charges.
● If you have a computer, use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall. Update them regularly.
● Be careful when opening attachments or downloading files from emails. If you do not know who sent the message to you, do not open the attachment(s) or download the file(s).
● If you suspect an email or website is fraudulent, report this information to the real bank, company, or government agency