This Week’s Money Map:

• 🚗 Is your car on the most-stolen list?

• 🔍 Someone's using your health insurance: How to catch them

• 🏡 8 moves that actually lower your mortgage rate

•  🌴 Plan your summer travel for less this February and get rewarded

🚗 Is your car on the most-stolen list?

Car thieves have expensive taste these days. And if you drive a pickup truck or an older Honda, your ride might be exactly what they're shopping for. The bad news? Rising theft rates aren't just a headache for victims. They're jacking up insurance premiums for some car models, even if your car has never left your driveway.

The usual suspects
National theft data reveals a pattern: thieves love vehicles that are easy to flip or strip for parts. Based on our data, the most frequently stolen cars include:

• Hyundai Elantra and Sonata

• Kia Optima

• Full-size pickup trucks (particularly Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F150 models)

• Honda Civic and Accord

• Kia Soul and Kia Forte

These cars are popular for all the wrong reasons. Their parts are in high demand, older security systems are easy to bypass, and they hold their value on the resale market (or the black market). Pickup trucks, in particular, have seen a surge in thefts because their parts can be resold quickly, and many older models lack the sophisticated anti-theft technology found in newer vehicles.

The coverage gap you can't afford
Here's the kicker: if your car gets stolen and you only have liability insurance — or worse, have no car insurance at all — you're out of luck. Liability protects other people, not your stuff. Without comprehensive coverage, you're on the hook for the full vehicle loss, any remaining loan balance that still needs to be paid, and you'll need to find your own replacement ride.

Comprehensive insurance is what covers theft, vandalism, and other non-collision disasters. Many drivers skip comprehensive coverage to save money on premiums, especially on older vehicles. But if your car is worth $10,000 and it gets stolen, that's $10,000 gone — plus you still owe whatever's left on your auto loan. The temporary savings on premiums can turn into a financial catastrophe fast.

How to actually lower your risk (and your rate)
The good news? Taking anti-theft precautions can lower your rates, and many insurers offer discounts for proactive measures. Install GPS tracking or anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks or kill switches. Park in secured garages or well-lit areas whenever possible, and protect your key fobs from signal cloning by storing them in a Faraday pouch or metal container.

Most importantly, carry comprehensive coverage with a deductible that won't break the bank if you need to use it. Yes, it adds to your monthly premium, but the protection is worth it — especially if you drive one of those high-theft models.

🔍 Someone's using your health insurance: Here’s how to catch them

Health insurance fraud doesn’t just affect insurers — it affects you. Fraud drives up premiums, leads to denied claims, and can even put your personal information at risk. The tricky part is that many scams look routine on the surface — a phone call about a “free benefit,” a bill for a service you don’t remember, or a provider pushing unnecessary treatments. By the time you realize something's off, the damage is already done.

What fraud actually looks like
Health insurance fraud happens at every level of the system, and not all of it involves obvious criminals in ski masks. Sometimes it's a shady provider billing for services you never received. Other times it's someone who stole your insurance information submitting false claims under your name, which can later cause your legitimate claims to get denied when you actually need coverage.

Watch for these red flags:

• Bills for services you never received

• Providers recommending tests or procedures that seem unnecessary or rushed

• Unusual requests for your insurance or Social Security number

• "Free" medical equipment or services that require you to hand over your insurance details

• Pressure to sign blank claim forms or incomplete documents

Once someone has your insurance information, they can rack up charges that wreck your coverage history and leave you scrambling to prove you weren't the one getting phantom MRIs or designer knee braces.

It's not just patients getting scammed
Provider fraud is just as common as patient fraud, and both types cost you money. Shady providers might bill for phantom services, upcode procedures to charge for more expensive treatments than they actually performed, or run unnecessary tests just to inflate reimbursements. On the flip side, consumer fraud involves people misrepresenting information on applications, sharing insurance coverage with friends or family, or straight-up falsifying claims.

Both schemes feed into the same problem: they drive up costs across the entire system, which means higher premiums for everyone and stricter approval processes when you're trying to get legitimate care covered.

Protect yourself starting today
You don't need to become a fraud investigator, but a few simple habits can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of headaches down the road.

• Compare medical bills with services provided

• Review every Explanation of Benefits (EOB) you receive

• Keep copies of prescriptions, receipts, and visit summaries

• Never share insurance details over unsolicited calls, texts, or emails

• Question providers who push services that feel rushed or unnecessary

What to do if something's fishy
If you spot a suspicious charge or claim, act immediately. Contact your insurer to report it, ask providers to clarify any unfamiliar bills, and document everything — dates, names, copies of statements, the works. If the fraud is serious, file a formal report. Identity theft tied to medical records can trash your credit, mess up your insurance history, and even corrupt your actual medical file with treatments and conditions you never had.

The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to untangle the damage.

🏡 Eight moves that actually lower your mortgage rate

The difference between a 6.5% and 7% mortgage rate on a $400,000 loan is about $133 per month in principal and interest. Over 30 years, that’s roughly $48,000. That’s the reason why small rate changes matter.

Mortgage rates in early 2026 are hovering around the low-6% range, down from the 7%+ levels seen in parts of 2024. The Federal Reserve did cut rates in late 2024, but mortgage rates don’t move in lockstep with the Fed. They’re more closely tied to the 10-year Treasury yield and investor expectations about inflation and the economy.

That means you can’t control the market, but you can control how lenders price your loan.

Steps to your lowest rate mortgage rate

1. Get your credit score into the high 700s — Borrowers with scores of 760 or higher usually qualify for the best pricing tiers. Lower scores don’t mean denial, but they often mean higher rates. Improving your credit before applying can save real money.

2. Lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio — Divide your monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income. Many lenders like to see 36% or below, though approvals can go higher depending on the loan. Paying down credit cards before applying helps.

3. Make the largest down payment you comfortably can — A bigger down payment lowers the lender’s risk. At 20% down, you also avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), which reduces your total monthly cost.

4. Shop at least three lenders — Freddie Mac research shows borrowers who compare multiple offers can save $600–1,200 per year. Don’t rely on just one quote.

5. Compare APR, not just the rate — The interest rate doesn’t include fees. The APR does. A lower rate with high fees can actually cost more.

6. Consider buying discount points — One point costs 1% of the loan amount and often lowers your rate by around 0.25%, though it varies. It can make sense if you plan to stay in the home long enough to break even.

7. Lock your rate — Rates change daily. Once you’re comfortable with a quote, lock it. Most rate locks last 30 to 60 days.

8. Choose the right loan type — Conventional loans work well for strong credit and larger down payments. FHA loans are more flexible on credit. VA loans offer competitive rates with no down payment for eligible borrowers.

After you secure your mortgage, remember you’ll also need homeowner’s insurance. The coverage type you choose affects both your protection and your total housing cost. It’s part of the real monthly picture, not an afterthought.

Small adjustments before you apply can mean tens of thousands saved over time.

🌴 Plan your summer travel for less this February and get rewarded

Airlines and credit card companies throw dozens of promotions at us every month. Some are legitimately useful. Others look good on the surface but don't deliver much value. Here’s a solid batch of deals that can save you money on summer trips while padding your points balance.

Hotel bonuses worth your attention

🛎️ Hilton Honors: 2,000 bonus points per stay
Hilton Honors is offering 2,000 bonus points for every eligible stay completed between January 15 and April 30, 2026, once you register. This bonus applies each time you check out during the promo period, with no cap on the number of stays.
That’s about $8–12 in value per stay at typical redemption rates — not a free night, but a nice boost toward future travel if you’re already planning multiple stays.

🛎️ IHG One Rewards: 2X points (starting with your second stay)
IHG’s spring promotion runs through March 31, 2026 after you register. You earn double base points on eligible stays, but only beginning with your second qualifying stay in the promo period. 

🛎️ Marriott Bonvoy: 2,500 bonus points + elite credits
New for early 2026, Marriott Bonvoy’s global promotion lets registered members earn 2,500 bonus points per eligible paid stay, plus one bonus elite night credit for each different Marriott brand you stay at. The eligible stay period runs February 25 through May 10, 2026, and you must register before completing stays to qualify.

This is one of the more generous hotel promos right now, especially if you’re trying to build both points and elite status across several brands.

Travel credit cards with strong perks

Capital One Venture Rewards
Right now, the Capital One Venture Rewards card is offering:

• 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months

• $250 travel credit in your first year

• $95 annual fee

Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase points are flexible — you can redeem them through the Chase travel portal at a solid rate or transfer to airline and hotel partners for potentially higher value.

• 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

• $95 annual fee

American Express Platinum
The Amex Platinum carries a higher annual fee (around $895), but includes premium travel benefits such as hotel credits and airport lounge access. It’s a better fit for frequent travelers who will use the credits and perks rather than occasional vacationers.

The best travel deals aren’t the flashiest ones, they’re the ones that fit with trips you’re already taking and help you earn more without chasing random bonuses. These promotions do exactly that, as long as you act before their deadlines.

Smart Cents gives you actionable tips and mindset shifts to help you reach your financial happy place. Thanks for being a part of our community.

The MoneyGeek Team

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