Our Fact-Checking Process

Financial misinformation can cost people real money. That's why MONEYlume applies a rigorous fact-checking process to every article before it's published — and continues to verify accuracy after publication.

What We Fact-Check

• Interest rates, APR, fees, and balance-transfer rules for credit cards and loans
• Tax deduction thresholds, IRS rules, and contribution limits (401(k), IRA, HSA, etc.)
• Investing fees, ETF expense ratios, brokerage rules, and Roth IRA limits
• Insurance premiums, coverage requirements, and state-specific rules
• Cost-of-living data and local rates across our 60+ city and state guides
• Legal thresholds: bankruptcy exemptions, statute of limitations, garnishment limits

Step 1 — Primary Source Verification

Every factual claim in a MONEYlume article must be traceable to a primary or high-quality secondary source. Writers are required to link to sources inline. We prioritize:

• Government agencies: CFPB, IRS, Federal Reserve, SSA, SEC, HUD
• Official financial data: FDIC, NCUA, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae
• Academic and peer-reviewed research
• Major financial institutions with transparent methodology (Bankrate, LendingTree, Experian)

Step 2 — Editorial Review

After drafting, every article goes through an editor who:

• Verifies each statistic against its cited source
• Checks that rates and figures reflect current data (not outdated)
• Flags any claim that seems inconsistent with other known sources
• Confirms that conclusions drawn from data are accurate and proportionate

Step 3 — Expert Review (High-Stakes Topics)

Articles about taxes, legal issues, insurance, and investment strategy are reviewed by a credentialed expert (CFP, CPA, or attorney) before publication. The reviewer's credentials are disclosed in the article byline area.

Step 4 — Post-Publication Monitoring

After publication, articles are added to a review calendar. Rate-sensitive articles (mortgage rates, savings rates) are reviewed monthly. Regulatory and tax articles are flagged for review whenever relevant laws change. We use Google Alerts and Federal Register notifications to catch regulatory updates.

How to Report an Error

If you find a factual error in any MONEYlume article:

1. Email hello@moneylume.com with the article URL, the specific claim in question, and your source
2. We will review the claim within 24 hours
3. If the error is confirmed, we correct the article and add a correction notice with the date
4. We respond to you confirming the correction or explaining why we believe our original information is accurate

What We Do Not Fact-Check

Opinions, predictions, and forward-looking statements are clearly labeled as such. We fact-check claims of fact — we do not verify subjective assessments or future projections.