Sanjeev Sinha

How to protect yourself from unsolicited cards, fraudulent transactions

If you receive an unsolicited credit card, raise an objection and communicate with the bank in writing; escalate if you do not receive a positive response within 30 days

Hiding foreign assets? Black Money Act provisions carry heavy penalties

Tax department warns of penalties, details how to revise returns by December 31 deadline

New labour codes set to restructure pay, which tax regime should you pick?

Take-home pay may dip temporarily, expect retirement savings to rise

Motor accident claims depend on prompt filing, proper documentation

Overstating income or injuries, false implication, or missing hearings and notices can result in rejection

PSU bank ETFs and index funds: Rebalance instead of chasing momentum

New investors should take limited exposure with long horizon

Super top-ups in health insurance: Match deductible with base sum insured

When base and super top-up are from different insurers, the second insurer may offer reimbursement, not cashless

Rigorous due diligence key when buying property via bank e-auctions

While properties can be purchased in such auctions at a discount to market value, they carry the risk of hidden liabilities

Registering property does not prove ownership, verify title before purchase

Lawful possession and an unbroken, valid chain of documents are other pre-requisites before registering a property, else ownership may not be guaranteed

Luxury real estate sees inventory build-up, investors should diversify

End users should prioritise ready-to-move or near-completion projects to avoid project delays due to developers facing liquidity pressure

Use RERA portals for property due diligence before and after purchase

Whether you wish to assess a developer's track record or the quarterly progress of a project, this is the source you should turn to

Health insurance sum insured: Review every 2-3 years to beat inflation

To strike a balance between the need for protection and affordability, combine base policy with super top-up

Educate seniors on digital arrest scams; urge them to seek timely help

Remind elders that genuine officials never demand money or threaten arrests over the phone or video call

Vehicle ownership transfer: Hand over only after submitting Form 29

Seller must ensure the vehicle remains insured during ownership transfer so that any liability is borne by the insurer, as per the Himachal Pradesh High Court ruling

Buy Now, Pay Later: Limit instalments to 10-15% of income, restrict usage

Those with multiple loans, irregular earnings, or poor repayment habits should avoid this form of quick credit

BNPL: Limit instalments to 10-15% of income and restrict usage to two plans

Those with multiple loans, irregular earnings, or poor repayment habits should avoid this form of quick credit

Occupancy certificate delay: Buyers entitled to refund with interest

Buyers should turn to RERA or consumer forum to seek redress

Co-branded credit cards: Make sure your annual spend justifies the fee

Check whether reward points are easy to redeem, their expiry conditions, and brand-specific limits

Asset split in divorce: Courts presume equal ownership of joint assets

They increasingly recognise the wife's non-monetary contributions such as homemaking and childcare when dividing assets

Rupee weakens vs US dollar: Diversify into global funds, gold to hedge risk

Doing so is crucial for those who have dollar-denominated goals, like a child's education abroad

Cashless facility suspension at hospitals: Keep cash, credit access ready

Submit claims promptly with invoices and receipts to reduce risk of delays, rejection