Identity theft continues to be a booming business: In 2014, 17.6 million Americans fell victim, and cybercriminals made off with $15.4 billion. And tax refund theft remains a lucrative piece of that business, despite the IRS' efforts to stamp it out.

This year at MSU, Mankato I signed up to participate in the Integrated Business Experience (IBE) in the College of Business. It is an exclusive program where a limited number of students are selected by faculty to launch and operate their own business and have it count towards college credits. It’s a unique program Mankato offers and that is recognized nationwide as a fabulous course for students to learn what it is like to own their own business. From which, I’ve learned several tips that may prove beneficial to your business ideas.

A member was interested in purchasing a used vehicle from a private party and wanted to finance the loan through Ideal. His question was "If I buy a used car from a private party and take out a loan, how does the process work at the point of sale? Is it possible to use a cashier's check instead of a personal check? Not many people trust personal checks from people they don't know."

“Christmas in July” is the name of a movie in which a man called Jimmy is tricked into believing he's won $25,000 in a national radio contest. (It's from 1940, but the point remains.) He promptly goes out and blows his winnings on a shopping spree. When the truth comes out that Jimmy didn't win, the department store owner tries to repossess all the presents Jimmy bought for his girlfriend, his mother and everyone on the block.