Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

by Francesca Black
Copyright 2006 Francesca Black

Some law-enforcement authorities call identity theft the fastest growing crime across the country right now. In fact, identity theft is the most called-about subject on the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse's telephone hotline. Most victims don't even know how the perpetrators got their personal information.

Such fraud may account for as much as 25% of all credit card-fraud losses each year. Not surprisingly 49% of the victims, who have had their identities stolen, stated that they do not feel they know how to adequately protect themselves from this crime.

What Steps Can you Take to Avoid Identity Theft?

1. Credit Report

Order your credit report each year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Check each credit report carefully for accuracy and for indications of fraud, such as credit accounts that you did not open; applications for credit that you did not authorize; credit inquiries that you did not initiate; charges that you did not incur; and defaults and delinquencies that you did not cause. Check the identifying information in your credit report to be sure it is accurate pay particular attention to your identifying information like your name, address, and Social Security number. Make sure that you recognize every line of information established in your file.

2. Social Security Report

Additionally order your social security earnings and benefit statement once a year so that you can check to make sure your earnings are correctly recorded. If the numbers are inflated it maybe because someone is using your Social Security number for employment. (Note - The Social Security Administration now automatically mails these statements annually to all eligible workers age 25 and older).

3. Checks

Call the payees of any outstanding checks that you are not certain you wrote. The payee is the person or business to whom you wrote the check. Explain to each payee that you are the victim of identity theft and that you have to close your checking account for that reason. Ask each payee to waive (forgive) any late payment or returned check fee. Then send each payee a replacement check drawn on your new account and stop payment on the check that it replaces. It's a good idea to enclose a note with each check explaining why you are sending a replacement check and reminding the payee that the payee has agreed to waive the late payment or returned check fee.

4. Mail

If you are traveling be sure to stop your mail delivery at the post office, rather than having it accumulate unattended in your mailbox. If you do not receive your credit card statement on time or if you do not receive a new or renewed credit card when you expect it, your mail may have been stolen. If you notice your mail is dwindling, check with the post office to see if they have any change of address posted. If a change of address request has not been filed at the post office check if one has been filed with the creditor. Guard your mail from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office, rather than in an unsecured mailbox. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. Install a lock on your mailbox if you live in an area where mail theft has occurred. This will reduce the risk of mail theft.

5. Good Record Keeping

Be sure to keep a list of all your credit card account numbers, expiration dates, and telephone numbers of the customer service and fraud departments in a secure place, not in your wallet or purse, so that you can quickly contact your creditors in case your cards are lost or stolen. Make a list of, or photocopy, all of your credit and debit cards. For each card, include the account number, expiration date, credit limit and the telephone numbers of customer service and fraud departments. Additionally be sure to store a list of bank accounts in secure location, along with access numbers.

6. Lost or Stolen

A thief may steal, or the consumer may lose, the consumer's purse or wallet. The thief then may use the consumer's stolen personal identification information to obtain credit in the consumer's name.

7. Collection

If you receive calls from collection agencies or creditors for an account you don't have or that is up to date. Someone may have opened a new account in your name, or added charges to an account without your knowledge or permission. Financial account statements show withdrawals or transfers you didn't make. A creditor calls to say you've been approved or denied credit that you haven't applied for. Or, you get credit card statements for accounts you don't have. You apply for credit and are turned down, for reasons that do not match your understanding of your financial position.

8. Notebooks

Laptops and notebooks are treasure troves of useful information. Be sure to password protect any sensitive information. When creating passwords and PINs (personal identification numbers) do not use any part of your Social Security number, birth date, middle name, spouse's name, child's name, pet's name, mother's maiden name, address, telephone number, consecutive numbers, or anything that a thief could easily deduce or discover. For tips on strong passwords refer to: http://www.password-software.com . Avoid using an automatic log-in feature that saves your user name and password; and always log off when you are finished.

9. ATM/ Credit Cards

If your ATM card has been lost, stolen or otherwise compromised, cancel the card as soon as you can. Get a new card with a new PIN. If you suspect unauthorized use, contact the provider's customer service and fraud departments immediately. Never give out your credit card, bank account or Social Security number over the telephone unless you placed the call and you have a trusted business relationship with the business or organization. Place passwords on credit cards, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers. Cancel your unused credit cards so that the accounts will not appear as being "open" or "active" on your credit report. Shield your ATM or telephone key pad when using an ATM or making a phone call with your phone calling card. Some shoulder surfers' use binoculars or video cameras to record your numbers. If you use ABMs or point-of-sale terminals, always shield the entry of your PIN, and never give your access code (PIN) to anyone. Choose a PIN that can't be figured out easily, as you could be liable if you use a PIN combination selected from your name, telephone number, date of birth, address or Social Insurance Number (SIN). Remember that no one from a financial institution or the police will ask you for your PIN. Always take credit card, debit card and ATM receipts with you. Never throw them in a public trash container. ear them up or shred them at home when you no longer need them.

10. Trash

One person's trash is another person's treasure. Shred documents before throwing them away. Be sure to shred credit card statements, bank statements, pre-approved applications, any important papers with identifying numbers. Memorize ALL passwords and PIN numbers. Keep them private. Some thieves create identities by retrieving personal information in your garbage or recycling bin by "dumpster diving".

11. Public Information

Some thieves use public information, Searching public sources, such as newspapers (obituaries), phone books, and records open to the public (professional certifications). Consider not listing your residence telephone number in the telephone book, or consider listing your name and residence telephone number without an address. If you decide to list your name and telephone number, consider not listing your professional qualification or affiliation (for example, "Dr.," "Atty.," or "Ph.D .").

12. Online Banking

After completing a financial transaction or online banking, make sure you sign out of the Web site and clear your Internet file/caches (Internet files are retained in your computer automatically and thus should be cleared so that hackers cannot obtain the information). Most financial institutions provide instructions on how to clear the caches under their "security" section. Look for "https" in the URL header and a padlock icon on your Internet toolbar at the bottom of the screen; both indicate that a secure connection is in effect. With Microsoft Internet Explorer, click Tools then Internet Options. On the General tab, click Delete Files, Delete Cookies and Clear History buttons.

13. Posing

Do not release any information to anyone calling. Thieves often pose as a creditor, landlord or employer to get a copy of your credit report or access to your personal information from other confidential sources.


About The Author
Francesca Black may be contacted at . Click here to view more of their articles.


Article reprinted with permission from http://www.ideamarketers.com/

4 Keys To Freeing Yourself From Debt

by Deanna Mascle
Debt is a way of life for many Americans. We owe money on our homes, our cars, our possessions (from furniture to clothes), and our education. Many Americans are so mired in debt they aren't even sure just how much they owe and to whom -- even worse they sometimes don't even remember just what caused their debt.
Some debt is good for you. For example, what you owe on your home can provide a nice way to balance out your income tax. A little debt is not a bad thing either as making regular payments to various creditors helps build your credit rating which makes it easier for you to obtain loans at good rates. However the truth is that most Americans have more than a little debt -- and many owe far too much money and are already, or soon will be, in financial trouble as a result.

Finding yourself owing a lot of money is not the end of the road and you can stop your cycle of debt by taking four positive steps to break the cycle.

First, attack your high-cost debts. This likely includes credit cards where you may be paying high minimum payments and high interest rates. Pay off the balances on credit cards carrying the highest interest rates first. Continue making your minimum payments for lower-interest cards but concentrate on paying off the highest interest. When the high-cost cards are paid off then work to eliminate the balances on your other cards.

Second, reach out to your creditors. If you are going to be late or have difficulty paying your minimum payments then contact the credit card company. Even if you can make all your payments in a timely fashion there are two benefits you can reap from contacting the card issuer. First, you may be able to negotiate lower rates or more favorable terms. Second, they might be able to recommend alternatives that can minimize damage to your credit rating.

Third, consolidate your debts as much as possible. You can accomplish this a number of ways. One possibility is simply transferring balances from one credit card to another with a lower rate, but be aware of transfer fees before choosing this option. Another possibility, if you own your own home, is to take out a home-equity loan or line of credit which should have a lower interest rate than most credit cards can offer as well as offering tax deductions. Finally, you can also consider a secured loan offering the value in another form of property, your vehicle for example.

Fourth, don't sacrifice your retirement savings. Obviously paying off your debt should be a high financial priority but cutting what you save for retirement to do so may not be the wisest course -- especially if that becomes a long term habit or if you are losing out on your employer's matching funds as a result. Perhaps you may be able to borrow against (or from) your retirement funds at a lower interest rate which will allow you to continue to save for retirement while also getting out from under your debt.

While owing money may well be the American way it can also be a tremendous burden to bear. You can shed the weight of your load or at least trim it down to a more manageable level by taking these four steps.


Deanna Mascle may be contacted at http://renaissancewomanonline.com/ deannamascle@gmail.com. Click here to view more of their articles.
I am a Renaissance Woman Online because I own four ezines, three newsletters, and more web sites than I like to admit. I have a wide number of internet interests and am fortunate that my two chosen career paths--teaching and writing--allow me to purse my various interests and help others. Visit http://RenaissanceWomanOnline.com or follow the link associated with this article to learn more.

Baby’s Room on a Budget

So you’re expecting a new little bundle of joy. Congratulations! You’ve cleared out the small bedroom near yours and you’re ready to set up your baby’s room. Here are some suggestions that will keep baby safe and comfortable and not cost a fortune.
Safety is the number one factor in a baby’s room. Check out the safety guidelines before buying or borrowing a crib (see Baby Crib Safety Checklist). Use your money to buy things that will last at least a few years, such as a crib that converts to a toddler bed and a small dresser. You may choose to use a cradle in the early months and keep it by your bed, but eventually you will need a crib.

Other baby furniture includes a changing table and a high chair. And don’t forget a comfortable rocking chair (with arms) for late-night feedings or to rock-a-bye baby a fussy infant to sleep.

In setting up the room, make sure everything you’ll need will be close at hand, so you never have to leave baby alone — even for just a moment! — on the changing table.

One of the biggest expenses in fixing up a nursery is the labor, so the best way to save money is to do it yourself! Refinish and paint (lead-free!) furniture, sew curtains (you can use cute baby print sheets), and get grandma to knit baby blankets. Paint the walls in light shades (with washable paint) in a color that will "grow" with the child. If you love wallpaper but can’t imagine doing a whole room yourself, trying decorating with a wallpaper border on painted walls or stencil a design around the windows, ceiling and doors. The room can look "done" by a decorator if you coordinate wallpaper and fabrics for a wall hanging, quilt, and window coverings.

If friends will be throwing you a baby shower, register for some things to decorate the room, such as bedding, crib accessories (bumper pads, mobiles), and bright colored toys or stuffed animals.

Use baskets, drawers, and shelves to store toys, clothing, and other infant essentials. Expand storage space by putting shelves or a small dresser in the closet.

Please find the original article and more information about this subject at http://www.homeandliving.com/DesignAdvice.aspx?Category=BabyRoomBudget
PARVATI MARKUS is a writer/editor with a Masters in Creative Writing from Antioch. She works with The Kabbalah Centre and freelances on non-fiction books and articles. As a recent arrival in L.A. Parvati is completing her “residency requirement” by writing a screenplay.

If you would like to publish this article on your own site, please feel free to do so. Please let us know the URL of the posted article by emailing the URL to customerservice@homeandliving.com. All we ask is that you include the whole article, without changes, including the link to the original article location, author information, this disclaimer and the following link.

Find great home furniture online at www.homeandliving.com...


Parvati Markus may be contacted at fernando@homeandliving.com. Click here to view more of their articles.

Kitchen Appliance Reviews And Information

by Lynne Birch -


Kitchen appliances are a central part of most kitchens. They make life so much more simple in the kitchen. Not only are they safer, they speed up meal preparation time. Because they are so useful, there are dozens of small kitchen appliance makers giving you hundreds of appliance choices to make. You can spend hours and days searching and researching different models and makes in the hopes of finding the appliance that is right for your needs.



When you set out to buy a new appliance for your kitchen, there are several important things to keep in mind. Space, cooking needs, and cost are at the top of the list of things to decide before you buy any appliance. Of course matching your kitchen's decor is also fairly important to some.



With the space in most kitchen always limited, you need to think about both how much space you have for your new appliance, and also where that space is located. If the only space you have is directly under your kitchen cabinets you may not want to place a rice cooker there since it let of lots of steam causing water damage. Location of your electrical outlets is also something to keep in mind.



Any appliance you buy needs to match your lifestyle and eating needs. If you drink very little coffee, a one cup brewer is probably more reasonable than a 12 cup model. If you're like me and enjoy an extra 5 minutes of sleep a timer on the coffee machine is a blessing. Every person has different cooking needs. Simple think about your daily food habits and routines and get the appliance that suits you best.



Finally, about price and how much should you spend. Well, that is entirely up to you. A $200 espresso machine may be great, but you can get nearly the same result from a cheaper model so if you're on a budget...well you get the picture. No matter what appliance you are looking to buy you need to decide if the benefits the more expensive models provide are worth the extra money. In many cases they are, but not all. If you're in doubt, step back a second and think about what it is that you really NEED vs. what the sales pitch is trying to make you want.



In the end, the choice is always yours to make. With a little bit of fore-thought and reading some good reviews will get you well on your way. Add in a little thinking about your kitchen's layout, your cooking habits, and lifestyle, you will buy the kitchen appliances that best suit your needs.



Lynne Birch writes on home improvement http://www.my-kitchen-appliance.com selection of articles and reviews of kitchen appliances is growing daily. Updated Kitchen Appliance Reviews



Article Source: Article Interchange

How To Be A Frugal Shopper

by Steve Gillman

A frugal shopper has skills and ways of looking at things that help him or her take advantage of the money-saving opportunities in life. There are eleven of these techniques below. You can learn them in a matter of a day or two, practice them for a few weeks, and then save money for the rest of your life.

1. A frugal shopper studies other people. Do you know someone who always gets the best deal on cars, boats, or whatever? Ask him how he does it! Some people will tell you that the cheapest coffee in town is $3 per cup, while others will say 50 cents. There are probably people near you living a good life on half of what you make. Learn how others do things, so you'll know your options.

2. Frugality requires knowledge of values. It's tough to get a great deal on a car if you don't know what a great deal is. Start educating yourself on prices, especially before you're ready to buy anything that costs a lot.

3. Frugal shoppers pay cash. Things are cheaper when paid for in cash instead of credit. Want that new patio set? The price divided by the number of weeks you can wait to get it equals how much you need to set aside each week. You'll not only save on interest when you pay cash, but you'll often get a better price.

4. A good shopper looks for alternatives. Maybe you'd have just as much fun taking that discounted trip to the Bahamas as you would going to Jamaica. If you happen to enjoy pizza just as much - or more, skip the expensive restaurant and call Dominoes.

5. Frugal shoppers tell people what they need. Just mention it in conversation. Do you know how many people get free or cheap things, just because they talk? My neighbor wanted to upgrade her living room debt, and was thrilled that I would take her 3-month-old couch off her hands for $30. Glad I mentioned I was looking for one.

6. Do the math. You didn't really save $400 on that car if it costs you $500 more in gas each year. Also, be aware that some stores are cashing in on shopper's assumptions that larger is cheaper. Yes, the gallon of pickles might actually cost more than four quart jars. Be ready to do the math if you want to be a frugal shopper.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Steve Gillman has studied unusual ways to make and save money for thirty years. To learn five more ways to be a Frugal Shopper, visit www.UnusualWaysToMakeMoney.com/frugal-shopper.html

Shop Safely - How to Protect Yourself When Shopping Online

by Clive Chansa

Online shopping offers many benefits that you won’t find shopping in a brick and mortar store or by mail. The Internet is always open seven days a week and 24 hours a day. Internet-only deals and bargains can be numerous online. Shopping on the Internet is no less safe than shopping in a store or by mail. Keep the following tips in mind to help ensure that your online shopping experience is a safe one.

1. While Online Order Only On A Secure Server.
Use a secure browser and shop only at websites that offer encryption protection. A protected website will have one or more of these three features:
a) The small lock or key symbol at the bottom of your browser window;
b) An address that starts with https ("s" for "secure") instead of just http; and
c) A security warning box that pops up at the point of purchase.
Your browser should comply with industry security standards, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). These standards scramble the purchase information you send over the Internet, helping to secure your transaction.

2. Pay The Safest Way.
Use a credit card or Debit Card with a safe online shopping guarantee. Look for a card with specific guarantees, like 100% coverage for any losses due to fraud when shopping on the Internet. Many companies offer an online shopping guarantee that ensures you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized charges made online, and some cards may provide additional warranty, return and/or purchase protection benefits.

3. Protect Your Privacy.
Look for and read a website's privacy and security policy. Stay clear of a website that either doesn't have one or does not guarantee your personal information will not be sold. This policy should disclose what information is being collected on the Web site and how that information is being used.

4. Know Who You're Dealing With.
Research your merchant. Look at the ratings consumers give them and stay clear of websites that either aren't listed or receive poor marks. Shop with companies you know. Anyone can set up shop online under almost any name. If you’re not familiar with a merchant, ask for a paper catalogue or brochure to get a better idea of their merchandise and services. Also, determine the company’s refund and return policies before you place your order. These should be posted on the company’s Web site.

5. Keep A Record.
Print out a copy of your order and confirmation number for your records. Reputable merchants will usually send you an email confirming your order. However a hard copy is always good to have in case your order is lost, deleted or not delivered as promised.

6. Guard Your Online Password.
Keep your password(s) private. Be creative when you establish a password, and never share your website passwords with anyone. Write them down and store them in a safe place. Avoid using a telephone number, birth date or a portion of your Social Security number. Instead, use a combination of numbers, letters and symbols. Do not use the same username and password at every website. Should your personal information be compromised, a thief won't get very far if you use different passwords and usernames on different websites.

7. Track Your Purchases.
Use only one credit card to shop with online. This helps keep track of your online purchases during the holidays, and will make it easier to spot purchases that are fraudulent. Look for a card that allows you to review transactions online as well -- you'll be more likely to notice a problem early on.

8. Keep Personal Information Private.
Don't enter more information at a merchant website than is absolutely necessary. There is usually no reason why you should have to supply information such as birth dates or Social Security numbers when making a purchase. Fill in only the bare essentials necessary to make your purchase. If you have children, teach them to check with you before giving out personal – or family – information online.

Tips For Credit Card Approval

by: Tim Renolds

With the vast expanse of the internet, it has become easier than ever to gain approval for a credit card instantly. This makes it extremely easy for those who have the need to pay off debts, take a vacation, or if they have an emergency to gain the credit card they want fast and easily. Of course, you can still go through the traditional methods of applying for credit card by filling out the forms, sending it with "Snail Mail", and then waiting another four to six weeks before you even hear a reply. However, with today's busy society many people opt to apply for their credit cards right online and receive instant approval.

It is extremely easy, fast, and possible to gain instant approval on a credit card thanks to the internet world. These approvals typically occur within one minute of submitting your application, since millions of people shop, do their research, and spend a great deal of time online in this day in age it just makes sense. There is no other method of applying for a credit card that is faster, easier, or more convenient than applying online. Think about it, if you were to fill out the application by hand, you have to take the time to fill it out, and it has to be done in ink, if you make an error you have to take the time to correct it in a manner that is legible. Another fallback of applying "offline", is that fact that you have to take the time to drop it in the mail box, then you will have to wait to hear back which could take anywhere from four to six weeks.

By applying online, if you make any errors, the backspace on your keyboard works wonders, additionally once you hit the submit button, the wonderful world of the internet provides you with approval in minutes. Now it is just as important to investigate and thoroughly research all online credit card offers as it is for those you apply for by hand. You need know what kinds of fees and rates are charged to you, the percentage rates, any times of introductory offers or incentives the card offers you. The best and easiest way to do this is to go to a site that has the comparisons already outlined for you. This will allow you to view specific cards side by side and compare them to find which credit card works well for you.

About The Author: Tim Renolds is the owner of Debt Consolidation Loan providing Uk homeowners with a free loan quote service. Visit us today for a free no obligation quote.

Set a Family Budget That Includes Savings

by M.Whitehead

When you and your family sit down to set a family budget plan, savings might come near the end of the list. Routine living expenses normally soak up a great deal of a family's resources and whatever is left over might be so miniscule that it won't seem worth saving. Regardless of the size, savings are a necessity.

No one can predict when life will take a turn for the worse. We rarely ever budget for illness, a broken car part or a furnace that is too old to keep us warm in the winter. These are rainy day expenses and as the old saying goes, sometimes when it rains it pours.

When you set a family budget you should consider savings as a high priority. One way to guarantee that you will save is to deduct a portion of your paycheck before you budget with it. In other words, you can take perhaps 5% or 10% of your paycheck and put it in a rainy day account. In that sense you are pretending the money isn't there and you can't be tempted to spend it. With the remainder of your paycheck you can set a family budget that will tend to your regular monthly expenses.

Another effective method of budgeting for savings is to take any extra money you receive during the year and place it in a rainy day account. This could include things like year-end bonuses at work, or income tax refunds. If you take those amounts and immediately put them in a bank account that is dedicated to emergencies, you won't have time to consider what else you could be buying with that money.

If resources are very tight when you set a family budget and savings are essentially impossible, it might be time to consider some cost cutting measures to free up some extra money. Here are a few ideas of things you can do everyday to save money:

Walk instead of drive. If you need to stop at a grocery store to fetch milk or bread and it's only a few blocks away, take a walk. It not only saves on fuel costs but the exercise won't hurt either. Take a bagged lunch instead of buying lunch. Bought lunches can add up to a fair bit of money over the course of a year. If you prepare a lunch at home, you'll quickly notice the extra money you're saving. Visit the library instead of the book store. Reading is a favorite pastime of many people, but it can become costly. Instead of purchasing each book you want to read, visit the library. The cost of a yearly membership is a very small fraction of what you'd normally spend on books over the course of twelve months.

By adopting a few small changes you can start saving money each month. It's always good to be prepared for any possible financial emergencies and having a saving plan in place when you set a family budget can help with that.

About The Author
M.Whitehead is the leader in family debt management. All around the world debt is a problem that literally just keeps on growing and growing. Debt does not discriminate.Vist us at http://www.debtmanagementsupport.com