Identity Theft And The Internet
Identity Theft And The Internet by: James H. Dimmitt
LexisNexis, a provider of personal and financial data, recently reported that the personal information of as many as 310,000 people nationwide may have been stolen. This figure is nearly 10 times higher than the original figure disclosed last month by the company.
ChoicePoint Inc., another consumer data collection service, stated 145,000 people in their database were possibly exposed to identity thieves earlier this year. At DSW Shoe Warehouse, officials acknowledged stolen credit information at 103 of its 175 stores nationwide. Hackers have also targeted databases at California State University as well as the University of California, San Diego.
Many consumers now fear that using the internet puts them at a higher risk of identity theft. However, surveys have shown that only 10 percent of known identity theft cases have resulted from online fraud. Dumpster diving along with phone scams account for far more ID theft than the internet.
In fact you can use the internet to help protect yourself from this crime in three unique ways:
1) View your banking and credit accounts online. Almost all banks and credit card companies have secure web sites that allow you to view your statements and activity safely online. Secure sites are those that begin with https// or display a padlock icon on your computer screen.
NEVER access a financial site through a link embedded in an e-mail message. E-mails with links asking you to verify or re-register your personal information are a sure sign of “phishing”, a scam to collect your name and other identifying information to steal your identity.
Instead, type the bank or creditor’s website address into your browser. Check your accounts every two weeks. Verify that the credits and debits shown on the statements are valid. Report any suspicious activity immediately to your bank or creditor.
2) Monitor your credit report. The main reason for stealing your identity is to open new credit accounts to purchase good and services using your name and stolen identity. Chances are that you won’t know you’re an ID theft victim until you’re denied credit or you receive bills for accounts you never opened.
If an ID thief has opened accounts in your name, they are most likely to appear on your credit report. There are three major credit reporting agencies; Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
New legislation allows you to obtain your credit report annually from all three of these agencies for free. This new program is being phased in gradually across the U.S.. Check www.annualcreditreport.com to see when your state becomes active in this program.
3) Use credit monitoring services. A variety of paid services are available that will monitor your credit reports for activity and alert you to any changes. As with any product or service, make sure you understand what you're getting before you buy. You can enjoy a free 30-day trial of CreditCheck® monitoring service and get a free copy of your Experian credit report by visiting http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com. This monitoring service checks your credit report daily to notify you about fraudulent activity, new inquiries, new accounts, late payments, and more so you can spot possible signs of identity theft. After the free 30-day trial, you will be billed $9.95 monthly unless you cancel the service.
If you become a victim of ID theft, your opportunity for loans, jobs, or even housing could be affected. Taking immediate action after being victimized can minimize the damage.
Here are some additional helpful identity theft related sites: www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ (US government ID theft website) www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm (ID theft resources) www.identitytheft.org/ (ID theft prevention and survival)
About The Author
© 2005, www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
Author: James H. Dimmitt
James is editor of "TO YOUR CREDIT", a free weekly newsletter with tips to help you manage your personal finances. Subscribe today and receive his ebook “IDENTITY THEFT- How To Avoid Becoming the Next Victim!” and other free bonuses by visiting http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com.
5 Tips On How To Save Money At The Gas Pump
5 Tips On How To Save Money At The Gas Pump by: Robert Smith
1. Keep an eye on your gas consumption
The more aware you are of the amount of fuel that you use the more you can do to try to reduce your gas costs.
If you notice that your gas efficiency is decreasing it could be an indicating factor that your car needs servicing.
Make weekly comparisons with your fuel log that you keep in you car to see how much your gas consumption is going up and your mileage per gallon is going down.
If you are finding that you are constantly seeing less and less performance from your car and spending more for gas at the fuel pump then you'll know that you need to take action so that you can start seeing a savings in your gas economy rather than a constant deficit.
2. Buy gas from a busy station
Try to buy your gas from a gas station that is consistently busy and therefore has its underground tanks filled on a regular basis.
Gas stations that are slow will have gas that has been sitting in underground tanks for longer periods of time, leading to gas contamination.
This contamination can mean that the gas you are purchasing is less powerful than fresh gas and will decrease your fuel economy.
Try to time your visits to busier gas stations at those busy times but make sure that you're not in a rush to get anywhere.
If you're late for an appointment you may find yourself giving up in frustration if you have to wait to purchase your gas and then find yourself moving over to a gas station that has a higher gas cost for the day.
3. Turn the nozzle
When you have finished filling up your gas tank try turning the nozzle of the hose a full 180 degrees.
This will drain a bit more gas into your tank; in some cases up to an entire half cup that would otherwise be a bonus to the next gas customer.
Once you get into the habit of turning the hose you'll find yourself doing it without thinking. That extra half cup that you get each time that you fill your gas tank can add up to a lot of extra gas at the end of the year that you never have known about.
4. High octane gas
For most cars these days, buying higher octane gas is a waste of your money. Regular unleaded has approximately 87 octane already and is fine for your vehicle.
By avoiding buying high octane gas you'll be saving a large amount of money over a period of time.
High octane gas is always more expensive at the gas pumps so the next time that you feel guilty for filling up your SUV with regular gas you can be assured that no harm will come to your vehicle.
Octane is simply a measurement of how difficult it is to ignite the gas in your car and has nothing to do with the quality of the gas. If you are experiencing engine pings, rattles, or knocks you can switch to high octane gas.
However, you shouldn't be experiencing any of those knocks and rattles if you are keeping your vehicle maintained and making sure that you don't miss those scheduled maintenance checkups.
If you are driving a new model car you definitely shouldn't be hearing any pings or rattles and if you are you should take your vehicle to a mechanic.
5. Avoid topping off
Try to avoid topping off at the gas pumps. When you purchase just a bit of gas at the gas station the pump doesn't have enough time to really activate, resulting in short bursts of fuel that may short change you from the amount of gas that you are purchasing.
The best time to replenish your gas tank is when you have half a tank or less left in your vehicle, or when you find a gas price that you just can't afford to miss.
About The Author
Robert Smith
Find more articles and tips about easy money saving by visiting http://www.ez-money-saving.com
Payday Loan Companies
Payday Loan Companies by: Jakob Jelling
At one point or another everyone of has encountered this situation, not having enough money to make it to our next payday. A common solution to this problem that seems to becoming more popular is a payday loan. While a payday loan may be fast and convenient, it may not be the best solution.
A payday loan company offers to loan you money based upon repaying it and a service fee on your next payday. This often seems like a perfect solution until you look closer.
There is a simple reason as to why we are seeing more payday loan companies opening up and advertising so much. Payday loans are very profitable for those doing the lending due to the high interest rates and often end up being almost addictive for those borrowing the money. A recent national survey of payday loan companies found that only 37% of companies accurately reflected their interest rate. At most places the interest rates varied from 390% to 851% annually with the average being 474%.
Once you get into a payday loan agreement it is often hard to get out of it due to the amount that must be repaid at once. In fact 77% of people who borrow money from a payday loan company can not afford to repay it in full so they roll the loan. When your loan is rolled a portion of the total amount owed is paid and the remaining amount of the old balance, including the old service fees, plus the new service fees and interest rates are added on to a new loan. Obviously it is very difficult to pay down the loan when so much more is being added on to what is owed.
If you can not afford to repay any of your loan then you may receive an even bigger surprise than the interest rates. It is common practice for you to sign a wage agreement that allows the payday loan company to garnish as much of your pay as they wish without having to go to court. Another option available to most companies is charging you with fraud. In many areas it is fraud to write a check if you do not have the money in your account to cover the check and you may receive court order fines or even some jail time.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to borrow from a payday loan company then perhaps it is time to pause and reflect upon how you got to this point. Sometimes situations arise that you have no power over but more often it is a fault of bad financial planning. Now would be a good time to review your monthly budget and try to see what went wrong and what you can do to prevent the problem from occurring again.
Depending upon your situation, there may be better options for you than a payday loan. For example, if you have a little time to wait, you may be able to use funds in your 401K plan. Funds withdrawn from your 401K you are only taxed at 10% and if you make arrangements with your payroll department to repay the withdrawal from your 401K then it is not taxable at all.
Before getting a payday loan make sure you have examined all of your options. Do you really need this loan? Is there a mistake on your credit report preventing you from getting a normal loan or credit card? Can you change your monthly budget to avoid the financial problem you are experiencing? Payday loans may seem like a convenient option but a steep price comes with that convenience.
About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance, debt elimination, budgeting, credit cards and real estate.
What Does Extending Your Taxes Mean to You?
What Does Extending Your Taxes Mean to You? by: Tiffany J. Morisue
Introduction
As the tax filing deadline is quickly approaching, many procrastinators and those who legitimately are just not ready to file their returns become stressed out and frantic, trying to meet what may virtually be an impossible deadline. Many would rather rush to get their returns prepared than file an extension. Common concerns include, but are not limited to, being flagged as a late filer, being assessed penalties, or being more likely to be audited. If you are one of these individuals, I hope that I can put your mind at ease and inform you of what it really means to extend your tax return and the benefits of doing so.
A few notes before getting started:
This article is written assuming a tax year that is the same as the calendar year, which is the case for most individual taxpayers.
If a tax deadline noted falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline is actually the next business day.
The focus of this article is on the filing of federal individual extensions except where noted otherwise.
“Tax professional” as opposed to “tax preparer” is referred to in this article. My definition of “tax professional” is someone who has extensive knowledge, education, and experience in taxation and can provide tax consultation and planning services in addition to preparing returns. Two commonly recognized credentials held by tax professionals include CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and EA (Enrolled Agent). CPAs and EAs are by no means the only tax professionals out there and not all CPAs do tax-related work.
With those preliminary notes out of the way, I will now discuss what you should know about extensions.
What is an extension?
First and foremost, it is important to know that an extension is an extension of time to file an income tax return, not an extension of time to pay the tax due. Unfortunately, many taxpayers miss the part about it not being an extension of time to pay, perhaps due to wishful thinking.
There are two federal individual income tax extensions that can be filed. The first extension, which is “automatic,” is due by the April 15th tax deadline and is a four month extension of time to file. Thus, if you file this first “automatic” extension, you will have until August 15th to file your income tax return. Your best estimate of the tax that will be due with the actual return is still due by April 15th.
As for the first extension being “automatic,” that does not mean it just happens – you need to actually file the extension. There are various ways to do so which are convenient and are discussed later. The reason it is referred to as “automatic” is that you do not need to provide an explanation for why you need additional time to file.
The second extension is not “automatic” like the first one. If you cannot complete your returns by the August 15th first extension deadline, you can “apply” for an additional two months. The second extension is considered an “application” because you need to provide a good reason why you need the additional two months to file. You need to demonstrate that you made a reasonable effort to get your returns completed within the first four month extension period or that you had extenuating circumstances. If the reason is merely for your convenience, your request can be denied. If your application is denied, your return will be due immediately or within a 10-day grace period. If you did not timely file a first extension, a second extension will only be approved in cases of undue hardship.
Between the two extensions, that gives you up to six months additional time to file beyond the April 15th tax filing deadline. Six months is generally the maximum total time a return can be extended by law.
Why should I extend?
The Internal Revenue Service prefers that you file a complete and accurate return. A return you have to rush through, do not have all information for, or make estimates of figures for is unlikely to be complete and accurate. Thus, it is better to file an extension if you are approaching April 15th and you do not have all information needed or otherwise cannot file complete and accurate returns.
If you use a tax professional and you are getting your tax information to him or her just a few weeks or so before April 15th, do not be surprised if he or she indicates an extension will need to be filed. You are more likely to have a complete and accurate return if your tax professional is not trying to rush to make the April 15th deadline.
A few more comments for those of you who use tax professionals. If it is approaching the tax deadline and you have not yet contacted your tax professional, do not be surprised if he or she is unable to speak with you when you call his or her office. Also, do not assume that just because you used his or her services last year they will file an extension for you without you specifically requesting it. Tax professionals are very busy dealing with many clients and working long hours all of tax season and they get even busier as April 15th approaches. Moving forward, you should consider getting in contact with your tax professional’s office well in advance of the tax deadline to determine what he or she needs to file an extension, if necessary, and prepare your taxes.
In addition to having a complete and accurate return, there are certain planning opportunities that can be taken advantage of if you or your tax professional is not forced to rush through your return. One example is funding certain retirement plans such as SEPs and Keogh Plans – these can be funded for the prior year through the extended deadline of the return that falls in the current year. Some plans, such as a SEP, can actually be established for the prior year up through the extended due date of the tax return. It is important to note that traditional and Roth IRAs need to be funded by April 15th to qualify as contributions for the prior year. For more information on such planning opportunities for the year just past as well as the current and future years, you should consult with your tax professional.
What are the common concerns over extending?
As referenced earlier, many individuals are adverse to even the idea of extending due to concerns such as being “flagged” as a late filer, being assessed penalties, or being more likely to be audited. Filing an extension in and of itself is not going to raise any “red flags” or cause problems as long as your extension is timely filed and the tax due is paid by April 15th. As for being audited, you are more likely to be audited if your return is incomplete, includes estimated figures, or is inaccurate.
Another concern individuals have is that it will cost them more to file an extension. The IRS does not charge for filing an extension. Your tax professional may charge you for doing so, but the fees charged most likely will be far outweighed by the benefits of the return being complete and accurate. Incomplete and/or inaccurate returns can result in you being contacted by the IRS and generally require that an amended return be filed. Your tax professional will likely charge you for preparing an amended return. If additional tax is due, penalties and interest may be assessed. A complete and accurate return is much less likely to result in any correspondence from the IRS. Additionally, it includes an accurate tax liability, which means lower taxes or reduced penalties and interest as related to an understated tax liability. Like with many things in life, it is better to do something right the first time as there is more time, effort, and expense associated with having !
to correct something later.
Yet another reason that some individuals do not want to extend is because they are in the process of buying a new home or refinancing and their lender is requesting a copy of their tax return. Many lenders will accept a copy of an extension along with copies of documents substantiating income (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, etc.) and copies of the prior year tax returns.
What information is needed to file an extension?
You will need your general taxpayer information, which includes your name, name of your spouse if married and filing a joint extension, your social security number, your spouse’s social security number (if applicable), and your complete address. To avoid potential delays in the processing of your extension, special attention is required if any of the following apply: your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, etc.; your address has changed since you last filed a tax return; or you want to have correspondence related to your extension sent to your tax professional or otherwise. You should refer to the instructions for the extension form to properly address any of these items.
There is not much other information needed. The items needed for the tax year that the extension is for are an estimate of your total tax liability and the total tax paid. The estimate of the total tax liability is the more difficult of the two. You need to come up with your best estimate of what the tax liability is. The IRS instructions for the completion of Form 4868, “Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return” clearly state: “Make your estimate as accurate as you can with the information you have. If we later find that the estimate was not reasonable, the extension will be null and void.” If that were to be the case, your return would be considered late. A late filed return is subject to late filing and late payment penalties and interest.
How do I file an extension and, if applicable, pay the (estimated) tax due?
Either you or your tax professional can prepare and file your extension. The methods for filing it include e-file by phone, e-file by computer, or filing a completed paper Form 4868. Regardless of who is going to prepare and file your extension, the information discussed in the previous section will be needed. Thus, if you use a tax professional, you need to get in touch with him or her in advance of the tax deadline to ensure that he or she has that information.
E-file by phone is a very convenient option if you are going to file your own extension. The Form 4868 and its instructions can be easily downloaded from www.irs.gov. After reviewing the instructions for the form, use Form 4868 as a worksheet and then call the toll free number in the instructions. You will be prompted for the information from the completed form and given a confirmation number at the conclusion of the call. In order to e-file by phone, you must have filed a federal return for the prior tax year.
As for paying the (estimated) amount due, you can do so via electronic funds withdrawal (EFT, from a checking or savings account), credit card, or check. The EFT option can be used if you e-file by phone or e-file by computer. You will need to enter additional information when filing the extension to include AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) from your prior year tax return and the routing and account numbers for your bank account. Payment by credit card can be done via one of several service providers, each of which charge a convenience fee based on the amount of the tax payment being made. Payment by check can be made if you e-file by phone, e-file by computer, or file a paper extension form. More detail about these payment options is included in the instructions for Form 4868.
It should be noted that if you are a taxpayer that makes or should be making estimated tax payments, you should compute and timely make those payments for the current year even if you filed an extension. The federal income tax system is a “pay as you go” system and if you are self-employed or otherwise have income that results in a tax liability that is not paid via withholding, you may be required to make estimated tax payments throughout the year. If you are not sure if this applies to you, it is recommended that you research this topic or consult with a tax professional.
For further information about filing a second extension, please refer to the instructions for Form 2688, “Application for Additional Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return” which can be easily downloaded from the IRS website as www.irs.gov.
What about state, local, and other income tax returns?
Some states will accept the federal extension while others require that you file an extension document with them. Ohio accepts the federal extension and does not require that you send them a copy of it, though you do need to send in the tax due, if applicable, by the April 15th deadline. If you live in a state with municipal or other local income taxes, you may need to file an extension with the locality (or localities) that you have a filing responsibility with. Further discussion about state and municipal filing requirements are beyond the scope of this article as they vary from state to state. Check with the respective department(s) of taxation or your tax professional for more detail. Like with the federal extension, you generally need to pay any state or local tax due at the time the extension is filed.
In Conclusion
Whether you prepare your own taxes or work with a tax professional, I hope that you have a better understanding of what an extension is, when it should be considered, and what is involved in completing and filing one. If it is close to the April 15th filing deadline and you have not finished or even started preparing your returns, you should consider filing an extension. This will allow additional time to ensure that the returns are complete and accurate and, in turn, should reduce the stress associated with filing your taxes.
About The Author
By Tiffany J. Morisue, CPA, 04/03/05 e-mail: tiffany@rrohio.com
Morisue & Associates, LLC
dba ABC Solutions
3964 Brown Park Drive, Suite A
Hilliard, Ohio 43026-1163
Ph. (614) 850-9440
Fax (614) 850-8770
www.abcsolutionsohio.com
Emergency Savings Accounts
Emergency Savings Accounts by: John Cook
Unexpected expenses sneak up on the best of us. Paying these unexpected expenses looks impossible when you are in debt and barely making the payments from month to month. If you're like most, you have to reach for the credit card and then find yourself deeper in debt and farther behind.
What do you do about this?
The answer for paying unexpected expenses is an emergency savings account.
An emergency savings account is a sum of money set aside in an account that is only used for paying any unexpected expenses.
Unexpected expenses come in many varieties and range from a roof leak to a job layoff.
There is no hard and fast rule to determine how much you need in an emergency savings account, only rules of thumb.
If you are still paying off your unsecured debts it is generally accepted that $1,000 is an appropriate amount until you have become "bad debt" free.
If you have nothing more than a mortgage payment or perhaps are completely debt free the common recommendation is that you have 3 to 6 months living expenses put aside. Now this is where it gets tricky. Everyone will have different requirements for 3 to 6 months living expenses. The general rule of thumb is to have at least $10,000 available.
This is just a rule of thumb and you will have to do some thinking for yourself here. If your mortgage payment is $2,000 each month, then $10,000 surely will not cut it. On the other hand, if you are debt free, $10,000 may be a nice cushion. Once you are living on a monthly budget it will be easy to determine how much you will need for your emergency fund. Make sure that you do not skimp on this account.
Your emergency savings needs to be readily available; money market accounts are usually the best choice.
Unfortunately money market accounts and other short-term savings vehicles are not big moneymakers, but you can access your money quickly and do not have the threat that it will decrease in value.
The reason that I like money market funds is that they will make a return comparative to other accessible investments, most have check writing capabilities, and your investment is safe from downturns in the stock market.
There are other options such as interest bearing checking accounts, savings accounts and possibly other savings vehicles in various banks, investment institutions and credit unions. Choose the investment that is available to you and fits the criteria.
One thing to be aware of when choosing a money market or any investment option is the expenses. Expenses will vary widely among investment firms. Ideally you want to find an account that lets you invest in the money market with no up front or back end fees and minimal yearly expenses. Since a money market does not appreciate quickly it would take a long time to make up for high expenses.
An up front fee is a percentage of your money that you have to pay when you initially invest it. For example if you invest $1,000 and the fee is 5%, they will take $50.00 out of your account and you will only end up with $950 invested.
With a back end fee they take a percentage when you withdraw your money.
All investment firms will charge an annual expense on your invested money. Just pay attention and choose one that has a low expense. Be careful, since some will lure you in with a low initial expense that will be raised after a specified number of months. Look at the track record going back a few years to make sure that the expense ratio has stayed consistent.
Make sure that you have an emergency savings account so that paying unexpected expenses does not chase you back in debt; it is a vital step in living without debt.
About The Author
John Cook is the author of FinanceForFamilies.com, a website designed to assist families in making smart financial decisions. The burden of seemingly insurmountable debt is destroying too many families. You can read more at http://www.financeforfamilies.com
How To Best Negotiate A House Deal
How To Best Negotiate A House Deal by: Sameer S Panjwani
Whether it’s selling your home or buying a home, more often than not you’ll come across a stage where you’d have to negotiate. Negotiation is the art of getting what you want at your terms and conditions. Of course, it isn’t that easy and it takes time and patience especially when it comes to real estate dealings.
So how do you negotiate a good deal for yourself and what are the points you can use to negotiate a deal to your favour. Well here below are some points you should consider:
Comparative market analysis of homes in the area. Ask your real estate agent or find out through other sources what other homes in the area are selling for and what they’ve sold for in the past. Having such figures can keep you in good stead during the negotiation process. It can be advantageous to either party. A seller may quote the price of a neighbourhood home to justify for his price or show that he’s selling for less while a buyer can use such facts and figures to justify for a lower price.
Show no emotion. The more desperate you show yourself to be in concluding the deal, the more likely you are going to be taken advantage of in the negotiation process. They say, ‘he who cares least, wins’ and this is most applicable when it comes to buying and selling a home.
Speak of your other options. By speaking of your other options and telling the other party that you have another buyer who’s also negotiating or another home which you’re interested in, there is a good chance you may push the deal to your favour.
Time factor. Deals can usually be closed much faster by offering or insisting on an earlier closing / possession date. As a buyer, offering to close in on the property and completing all the formalities immediately would greatly influence the owner to have some consideration towards bargaining in your favour. As a seller, if you want to close the deal earlier you may negotiate on the price with the condition that the deal is completed immediately.
Including items. If price is a no-go, then perhaps some of the movable items or appliances may be negotiated as to be included along with the price.
All in all, negotiating comes down to both parties being satisfied with the price and the terms and conditions of the deal. Make sure that everything is documented and signed when making the offers, so as to prevent any misunderstandings or chances of either party backing out in the future.
Coming back to negotiating, feel free to be innovative in your negotiations and you may just find yourself with a better deal than you could’ve initially asked for. Best of luck!
About The Author
Sameer S Panjwani is the CEO and Founder of ChoiceOfHomes.com - Real estate listings of homes on sale and rent. Visit http://www.choiceofhomes.com.
First Time Buyer's Guide
First Time Buyer's Guide by: Terri Hickey
Buying your first home can be a difficult time, especially in these days of high house prices, and low job security. But don't despair, www.mortgagedown.com have prepared a few top tips to make the process as painless as possible for you!
Get an agreement in principle from your favorite mortgage company BEFORE you start house hunting. This helps you establish your price range and makes you a better 'bet' as a buyer in the eyes of any sellers you meet.
Don't just rely on 'realtors' or 'estate agents'. Nowadays, the best place to start a property search is the web. You can also check local papers and even drive around your preferred area looking for private sales boards.
Make a checklist of teh essentials you MUST have in your new home. If you need a garage, saya so. If outside space is essential, don't go see and house without it.
Never go alone - take someone with you even if just a friend. Alone, you might miss something.
Never offer after just one viewing. Two visits minimum is essential, and they should be at different times of the day. Some areas that seem safe during the day turn dodgy at night!
Ignore the decoration. Mauve wallpaper can always be taken down! The important thing is space, and the layout of the rooms. Try to see this, not the color scheme used by the current occupier.
ALWAYS get a survey. You won't be economising if you don't. In fact, it could be the most expensive 'money saving' you ever make! A good surveyor will spot the things you can't, like damp, sloppy roofwork etc.
Ultimately, the old www.mortgagedown.com cliche about 'the place feels right' is true. If you walk in and you don't get that 'wow' feeling, you probably won't enjoy living there.
Remember, as prices are now falling in most parts of the world, it's a buyer's market and you can take your time. You can also put in lowball offers at times like these, and you might be surprised how little negotiation upwards is needed to secure a sale! Good luck with it, and happy house hunting!
About The Author
Terri Hickey consults on mortgages and writes for website www.mortgagedown.com the free tips and advice site for first time house buyers.
Credit Card Fraud Is Usually Preventable
Credit Card Fraud Is Usually Preventable by: Jakob Jelling
One of the worst things that can happen to you is credit card fraud. This is even worse if you don't pay very much attention to your credit reports, since you may not find out about the fraud until there are very serious problems to deal with. Even if it's possible to get out of paying for most of the fraudulent purchases that are made on your card, you will often have to pay for some of them - and you will have to go through the hassle of dealing with a stolen credit card if you're not careful.
One of the major places where credit card fraud happens now is online. Therefore, you should be very careful about the companies that you give your credit card number to. Ideally, you should figure out a way to avoid giving out your credit card number at all. There are several payment services online that will help you make your online payments without giving out your credit card number to unauthorized parties.
You should also make sure that if you are entering your credit card number that it is being entered into the right field on the right page, and that it is being sent over a secure connection. If the connection is not secure, then anybody online might be able to find the information that you sent.
Another place where credit card fraud is common is over the phone. For this reason, you should avoid giving your credit card number to people or companies over the phone if at all possible.
You should also listen to your instincts regarding the phone and internet. If you have any doubts about the safety of giving your credit card number, then you should probably not do so. After all, when it comes to things like fraud, you're much better off safe than sorry.
If you do find that there are charges on your credit card that you don't remember making, then you might be a victim of credit card fraud. Luckily, there are a lot of options to people who think that their credit card might be stolen. The first thing you should do if you think that your card or card number has been stolen is to call up your credit card company and immediately cancel the card. This will keep the person who has stolen your card from using it anymore. While you'll still have to deal with what has already been done with your card, you will at least have limited the damage.
To keep yourself from being a victim of credit card fraud, however, the most important thing to do is just to use common sense. If something seems shady, then it probably is, and you shouldn't risk your credit card number if you are unsure of the situation.
About The Author
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance, debt elimination, budgeting, credit cards and real estate.
