Joe Harris | Published 01/27/2007 | ValuableContent.Com
Ok, let’s face it. People love gold. For thousands of years kings and conquerors and adventurers alike have sought tirelessly after it. Wars were fought over it, empires forged with it, and great kings remembered for it.
And guess what? I’m going to show you how it’s SO easy to build a little empire of your own by getting into the gold market. You’ll be no King Tut? but I can bet that you’ll be pretty impressed if you follow through on what I tell you.
Ok so how do I get started?
The great part about this is that it’s so incredibly easy. You get to amass your own private little (or amazingly large) gold treasure. Yup. Physical, tangible, luxurious gold coins and bars. Something clicks in the back of your mind when you handle your first bit of gold that makes you see why so many people have been searching for it for so long.
Why should I care about the gold market?
Ok so here’s the scoop. Over the past few years gold has begun to shoot up in price after hitting a bit of a low in early 2004. And the gold market’s only going to get better. What’s happening is that the world digs up roughly 2500 metric tones of the yellow stuff each year. Problem? The world also ends up wanting to buy around twice that. You don’t have to be a math wiz to see the shortage problem.
This little deficit has been going on for over a decade now, but National Banks around the world, which are basically the equivalent of our Federal Reserve, have been selling enough to the gold market to more than compensate for the lack of renewed supply. The gold flowing from these banks has kept the price from skyrocketing to the heavens.
BUT!! As you may recall I told you that the price of gold has been rising unremittingly. It began to perk up around 2001, and gave a little “jump” in ‘04, opening a lot of eyes, and showing us all that the gold market is up and ready to explode. The foreign National Banks are no longer selling enough gold to quell the deficit.
This is where we come in.
Ok so how exactly do you buy gold?
The gold market is a lot closer than you’d think. First of all if you live in a town with over 15,000 people, bust out the old yellow pages and look up “Coin Dealer”. You’ll be surprised how many listings turn up. Just walk in, write a check, and skip away with glee. Welcome to the gold market!
If you’d prefer a more technological transaction, you can place orders over the phone or the internet. Just follow the easy directions, put in a credit card number over a secure form and you’re done. You can have gold on your doorstep the next morning!
But wait a second, isn’t investing in the gold market supposed to be with stock?
Glad you asked. And your answer is HELL no. Seeing that you would be investing in a COMPANY, that business? stock always has the potential to plunge down to zero, no matter how mighty it may seem today. Physical gold on the other hand will always hold most of its value. Always. That’s the beauty of the gold market. Look back in time, research it if you have to, but can you think of a timeframe in which gold was actually worthless?
Didn’t think so.
As the NASDAQ bust taught us all, every stock unfortunately has the threat of crashing. That won’t happen with the gold market. It has a timeless, self-intrinsic value that doesn’t rely on someone’s promise to pay. Gold you buy today will have, at the very least, the same value if your great grandchildren turned it in for retirement money.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
How To Simplify Your Living Expenses
A. Annika smith | Published 12/10/2006 | ValuableContent.Com
Here's the thing: I'm a New Yorker. And in New York, it is amazingly difficult NOT to spend a lot of money, just on the basics! As a student of Harv Eker, I am trying to limit my expenses to 50% of my after-tax income, and I have to tell you, that is really hard to do. Harv isn't the only one to suggest this either: almost every money-management guru gives the same advice. Simplify your expenses.
The fact is, if you want to become financially free, you must do two things: increase your passive income and decrease your expenses. Once your passive income is equal to or greater than your expenses, you are financially free. The concept is simple enough -- and in other articles I address creating passive income (the easiest and fastest way to do this would be by renting your rooms). But how do you simplify your expenses? Especially when you look around and you don't see a way HOW? Here are a variety of ways you can still live a decent life and be a bit more frugal at the same time.
Food & Toiletries
By far, making lunch at home was one of my biggest savings! I made lunch and snacks and bought them to work.
Instead of buying shower gel, go back to soap bars. They last longer and are much cheaper.
Don't wash your hair every day, and when you do wash your hair, only wash it once. That saves lots of shampoo.
I made my own coffee at home -- or cut it out altogether and put that money aside in your financial freedom jar. One guru calls that the "latte factor."
As a nation, we eat out a whole lot more and buy convenience foods to just heat in the microwave -- but these can be expensive. Cooking may take time, but it does save you lots of money.
Buy generic! I was so opposed to this, and one day I ate some potato chips that my boyfriend bought. Seriously? They didn't taste different from the name brand. Try it. Ok, some things may be non-negotiable, but you'd be surprised what is. Your grocery bill will go way down.
Take the effort to cut coupons, take advantage of sales, and go to discount warehouses, like Sam's Club or Costco.
Heat & Electricity
If you don't already have one, get an electric thermostat with a timer, so you can change the temperature automatically during specific times of the day. Lower the temperature when the family is out of the house.
Use space heaters and lower the heat in the rooms you use. Use an electric blanket at night.
There is plastic covering you can get at the hardware store and cover your windows. That keeps the heat in the house.
Make sure your boiler and hot water heater are maintained properly.
Wear layers of clothing and keep the heat lower.
Use kitchen and bathroom vents sparingly in the winter
Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents
Wash laundry in cold or warm instead of hot
Use a clothesline instead of using the dryer
Use a ceiling fan instead of an air conditioner.
Cell Phones, Internet, and Communication Utilities
Avoid pre-paid cell phones, even if you just want the phone for emergencies, unless you are careful to use a plan with minutes that don't expire. You pay exorbitant rates per minute.
Never underestimate the minutes your teen may use. Be careful not to get the lowest plan. Constant overages are very expensive overall.
You don't necessarily need a home phone if you have a cell phone. With free nights, weekends and long distance, you may save considerably. Be careful with phone plans that have low rates, because the taxes add significantly to the bill.
For your Internet connection, you don't have to get the highest rate of connection speed. For the average user, you won't be able to tell the difference and that can save you $20 a month.
If you switch to broadband, don't keep your dialup (unless you travel often outside the country or in rural areas). Also, drop paying for AOL. All AOL features are free if you have broadband.
Entertainment
If you really wanted to be extreme about it, you could cut entertainment out altogether. But that's not really practical, so here are some ideas.
First, if you think FREE, you may not get free, but you do end up with "cheap." Cheap doesn't mean less fun, either. Sometimes you can have MORE fun.
If you live in a city, just try walking around. In New York, I have found impromptu concerts by street musicians or just sat in the park and people watched. You'd be amazed how much fun you can have!
Instead of eating out or going to bars with friends, host a potluck at home or just have friends over for drinks. It's much cheaper to buy liquor than to buy drinks at the bar.
For movies, go to matinees or the $2 movie (some communities have them). Yes, those movies are second-run, but hey, it's worth financial freedom to me. You can also always rent movies.
Cable. When times are tough, the cable needs to get going. It can get so expensive! If you do need it for the reception, get basic and then rent movies. Buying a great DVD player and renting movies is cheaper than cable in the long run. If you rent rooms in your home like I do, keep the cable -- it's a perk for your tenants that are worth paying for.
Take your kids to the bookstore and hang out.
Find free community shows, like Shakespeare in the park or fireworks.
Take the kids on the subway trip -- as far as you can and go explore. In New York, take the train to Coney Island.
In the summer, there is always a local food festival or street fair.
Get your kids involved in a community group, like a theatre. They develop skills, make friends and have fun.
Clothing
For kids, don't go over the top with the brand names, especially since the kids will grow out of them quickly.
For adults and older teens, don't buy really trendy clothes that will only last one season. Buy classical fashionable clothing that will last, and get trendy with accessories.
Buy shirts and ties or blouses and just one suit -- accessorizing is cheaper.
Buy a few pieces of quality clothing as opposed to lots of cheap clothing. They will last a lot longer.
This goes without saying, but buy clothing in the off-season and on sale. You will save a tone of money.
Transportation
A gas saving tip I just learned: put your car in cruise control whenever you can. It has cut my gas bill in HALF.
If you live in a metropolitan area, try walking around the city as opposed to taking a bus or a train. In New York, you can even get there faster sometimes! :-)
Maintain your car -- tire pressure, oil changes, everything. Preventative maintenance is way cheaper than repairs.
Never use cheap gas - use quality gas and the correct octane for your car. It may seem more expensive, but it's cheaper in car repairs in the long run.
Don't be afraid to walk, even in the winter. It's great exercise and it saves a ton of money. Bring a backpack with you for grocery shopping if you need only a couple of things.
The Change Jar
I have a change jar. Every time I pay for something, I always use bills and get the change. I put the change in the jar. You wouldn't believe how much money you can save! This money could be entertainment money, allowance for the kids, put it in a savings account or saved for emergencies. This change jar has saved my butt many times over the years, and is a great way to have "found" money at the end of the month.
Here's the thing: I'm a New Yorker. And in New York, it is amazingly difficult NOT to spend a lot of money, just on the basics! As a student of Harv Eker, I am trying to limit my expenses to 50% of my after-tax income, and I have to tell you, that is really hard to do. Harv isn't the only one to suggest this either: almost every money-management guru gives the same advice. Simplify your expenses.
The fact is, if you want to become financially free, you must do two things: increase your passive income and decrease your expenses. Once your passive income is equal to or greater than your expenses, you are financially free. The concept is simple enough -- and in other articles I address creating passive income (the easiest and fastest way to do this would be by renting your rooms). But how do you simplify your expenses? Especially when you look around and you don't see a way HOW? Here are a variety of ways you can still live a decent life and be a bit more frugal at the same time.
Food & Toiletries
By far, making lunch at home was one of my biggest savings! I made lunch and snacks and bought them to work.
Instead of buying shower gel, go back to soap bars. They last longer and are much cheaper.
Don't wash your hair every day, and when you do wash your hair, only wash it once. That saves lots of shampoo.
I made my own coffee at home -- or cut it out altogether and put that money aside in your financial freedom jar. One guru calls that the "latte factor."
As a nation, we eat out a whole lot more and buy convenience foods to just heat in the microwave -- but these can be expensive. Cooking may take time, but it does save you lots of money.
Buy generic! I was so opposed to this, and one day I ate some potato chips that my boyfriend bought. Seriously? They didn't taste different from the name brand. Try it. Ok, some things may be non-negotiable, but you'd be surprised what is. Your grocery bill will go way down.
Take the effort to cut coupons, take advantage of sales, and go to discount warehouses, like Sam's Club or Costco.
Heat & Electricity
If you don't already have one, get an electric thermostat with a timer, so you can change the temperature automatically during specific times of the day. Lower the temperature when the family is out of the house.
Use space heaters and lower the heat in the rooms you use. Use an electric blanket at night.
There is plastic covering you can get at the hardware store and cover your windows. That keeps the heat in the house.
Make sure your boiler and hot water heater are maintained properly.
Wear layers of clothing and keep the heat lower.
Use kitchen and bathroom vents sparingly in the winter
Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents
Wash laundry in cold or warm instead of hot
Use a clothesline instead of using the dryer
Use a ceiling fan instead of an air conditioner.
Cell Phones, Internet, and Communication Utilities
Avoid pre-paid cell phones, even if you just want the phone for emergencies, unless you are careful to use a plan with minutes that don't expire. You pay exorbitant rates per minute.
Never underestimate the minutes your teen may use. Be careful not to get the lowest plan. Constant overages are very expensive overall.
You don't necessarily need a home phone if you have a cell phone. With free nights, weekends and long distance, you may save considerably. Be careful with phone plans that have low rates, because the taxes add significantly to the bill.
For your Internet connection, you don't have to get the highest rate of connection speed. For the average user, you won't be able to tell the difference and that can save you $20 a month.
If you switch to broadband, don't keep your dialup (unless you travel often outside the country or in rural areas). Also, drop paying for AOL. All AOL features are free if you have broadband.
Entertainment
If you really wanted to be extreme about it, you could cut entertainment out altogether. But that's not really practical, so here are some ideas.
First, if you think FREE, you may not get free, but you do end up with "cheap." Cheap doesn't mean less fun, either. Sometimes you can have MORE fun.
If you live in a city, just try walking around. In New York, I have found impromptu concerts by street musicians or just sat in the park and people watched. You'd be amazed how much fun you can have!
Instead of eating out or going to bars with friends, host a potluck at home or just have friends over for drinks. It's much cheaper to buy liquor than to buy drinks at the bar.
For movies, go to matinees or the $2 movie (some communities have them). Yes, those movies are second-run, but hey, it's worth financial freedom to me. You can also always rent movies.
Cable. When times are tough, the cable needs to get going. It can get so expensive! If you do need it for the reception, get basic and then rent movies. Buying a great DVD player and renting movies is cheaper than cable in the long run. If you rent rooms in your home like I do, keep the cable -- it's a perk for your tenants that are worth paying for.
Take your kids to the bookstore and hang out.
Find free community shows, like Shakespeare in the park or fireworks.
Take the kids on the subway trip -- as far as you can and go explore. In New York, take the train to Coney Island.
In the summer, there is always a local food festival or street fair.
Get your kids involved in a community group, like a theatre. They develop skills, make friends and have fun.
Clothing
For kids, don't go over the top with the brand names, especially since the kids will grow out of them quickly.
For adults and older teens, don't buy really trendy clothes that will only last one season. Buy classical fashionable clothing that will last, and get trendy with accessories.
Buy shirts and ties or blouses and just one suit -- accessorizing is cheaper.
Buy a few pieces of quality clothing as opposed to lots of cheap clothing. They will last a lot longer.
This goes without saying, but buy clothing in the off-season and on sale. You will save a tone of money.
Transportation
A gas saving tip I just learned: put your car in cruise control whenever you can. It has cut my gas bill in HALF.
If you live in a metropolitan area, try walking around the city as opposed to taking a bus or a train. In New York, you can even get there faster sometimes! :-)
Maintain your car -- tire pressure, oil changes, everything. Preventative maintenance is way cheaper than repairs.
Never use cheap gas - use quality gas and the correct octane for your car. It may seem more expensive, but it's cheaper in car repairs in the long run.
Don't be afraid to walk, even in the winter. It's great exercise and it saves a ton of money. Bring a backpack with you for grocery shopping if you need only a couple of things.
The Change Jar
I have a change jar. Every time I pay for something, I always use bills and get the change. I put the change in the jar. You wouldn't believe how much money you can save! This money could be entertainment money, allowance for the kids, put it in a savings account or saved for emergencies. This change jar has saved my butt many times over the years, and is a great way to have "found" money at the end of the month.
10 Easy Steps Towards Stock Market Success
Joe Harris | Published 02/3/2007 | ValuableContent.Com
We all need a set of guidelines to help us along the way. This is what I use in all of my investments to ensure that I maximize every profit and virtually eliminate all of my risks. Now you can too?
1. Set Your Goal
You always want to start off any potential investment by thinking about what you want out of it. Ultimately, you're going to be making money off of it?duh. But how much? How quickly? How will this particular investment play into the bigger picture of all your finances? Getting all of this figured out ahead of time will give you a clearer image of your investment down the road.
2. Time to Strategize
We all know there are literally thousands of investment tactics out there. So pick one. Take your time and study up to find the approach that works best according to your financial goals. You can tweak it accordingly as you go through the rest of these steps, but the better prepared you are the smoother the entire process will go.
3. Asses Possible Risks
It is absolutely essential that you highlight the risks your investment will bring up. The key is to look at them realistically, not optimistically. You have to be able to devise an effective and PRACTICAL management plan. This will not only minimize your losses but in turn guarantee you maximize your profits, even if the investment tanks.
Notice how this step comes before profit assessment? This is to make sure you don't get overwhelmed with excitement before you size up the gamble you're taking.
4. Think about Profit Potential
Basically, you have to get paid, but you need to be able to do it at the right time. Most inexperienced investors just go for the cash, but by the time they actually collect their profits have diminished. Know when and how to get out so that the process is smooth and efficient.
5. But Are There Alternatives?
Do a little more homework. Check to see if there are other investments that have fewer risks, a better profit potential, or if there are is another strategy that will make your life easier (or hopefully a little richer at the end of the day).
6. Scaling the Mountain
This one goes along with devising an initial strategy. Every investment you make will have its challenges to optimize rewards and minimize shortcomings. By anticipating them you can create a strategy that will do just that.
7. Design Your Plan B
Set specific boundaries as to when you should get out of an investment. Whether everything goes wrong and you need to bail out or you've hit it big and need to move on, having explicit limits prevents you from losing returns or just losing more money.
8. Making the Right Choice
Investing takes time, so for one last time look over your new project as a whole. Now you've got all the pieces to see if this investment is really worth your while. And it's ok if it isn't: you'll be better off starting from scratch than losing on a big gamble.
9. Go for the Gold
In choosing to pursue an investment, go after it. Give it everything you've got and you'll come up a winner. Cliché¬ I know, but even if worse comes to worst you won't be that big of a loser either. Wholeheartedly following through on your game plan will give you the best returns in the long run.
10. Debrief
In the end look back over your plan. If somehow you bombed and lost a lot of money, try to figure out what went wrong. You want to ensure that you don't make the same mistakes next time. Constantly tweak your approaches until you find that perfect strategy. Once you've done that you'll eliminate all that stress that comes with the job.
We all need a set of guidelines to help us along the way. This is what I use in all of my investments to ensure that I maximize every profit and virtually eliminate all of my risks. Now you can too?
1. Set Your Goal
You always want to start off any potential investment by thinking about what you want out of it. Ultimately, you're going to be making money off of it?duh. But how much? How quickly? How will this particular investment play into the bigger picture of all your finances? Getting all of this figured out ahead of time will give you a clearer image of your investment down the road.
2. Time to Strategize
We all know there are literally thousands of investment tactics out there. So pick one. Take your time and study up to find the approach that works best according to your financial goals. You can tweak it accordingly as you go through the rest of these steps, but the better prepared you are the smoother the entire process will go.
3. Asses Possible Risks
It is absolutely essential that you highlight the risks your investment will bring up. The key is to look at them realistically, not optimistically. You have to be able to devise an effective and PRACTICAL management plan. This will not only minimize your losses but in turn guarantee you maximize your profits, even if the investment tanks.
Notice how this step comes before profit assessment? This is to make sure you don't get overwhelmed with excitement before you size up the gamble you're taking.
4. Think about Profit Potential
Basically, you have to get paid, but you need to be able to do it at the right time. Most inexperienced investors just go for the cash, but by the time they actually collect their profits have diminished. Know when and how to get out so that the process is smooth and efficient.
5. But Are There Alternatives?
Do a little more homework. Check to see if there are other investments that have fewer risks, a better profit potential, or if there are is another strategy that will make your life easier (or hopefully a little richer at the end of the day).
6. Scaling the Mountain
This one goes along with devising an initial strategy. Every investment you make will have its challenges to optimize rewards and minimize shortcomings. By anticipating them you can create a strategy that will do just that.
7. Design Your Plan B
Set specific boundaries as to when you should get out of an investment. Whether everything goes wrong and you need to bail out or you've hit it big and need to move on, having explicit limits prevents you from losing returns or just losing more money.
8. Making the Right Choice
Investing takes time, so for one last time look over your new project as a whole. Now you've got all the pieces to see if this investment is really worth your while. And it's ok if it isn't: you'll be better off starting from scratch than losing on a big gamble.
9. Go for the Gold
In choosing to pursue an investment, go after it. Give it everything you've got and you'll come up a winner. Cliché¬ I know, but even if worse comes to worst you won't be that big of a loser either. Wholeheartedly following through on your game plan will give you the best returns in the long run.
10. Debrief
In the end look back over your plan. If somehow you bombed and lost a lot of money, try to figure out what went wrong. You want to ensure that you don't make the same mistakes next time. Constantly tweak your approaches until you find that perfect strategy. Once you've done that you'll eliminate all that stress that comes with the job.
5 Tips For Identity Theft Protection
Daryl Campbell | Published 11/3/2006 | ValuableContent.Com
It’s that time of year.
This is when we all start getting those emails that want to steal our secret codes and passwords. You know the ones: “Your Account Is About To Be Closed”, “There’s A Block On Your Account”, “Congratulations”, You’ve Won The Lottery (that you never entered). and my favorite “Could You Help Me Claim My Funds”?
This is also the time of year when we start shopping for gifts and the last thing you need is for your bank or credit card accounts to be stolen by “cyber grifters”. They are counting on some of us to follow the instructions in the email.
First and foremost, DON’T FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE EMAIL! If you think there might be a problem, access the account in question as you normally do on your PC and not with the link supplied in the phony email.
I’ve had some very authentic looking email supposedly from banks, that even went so far as to copy the colors of the bank logo and stationery style. But, don’t fall for the scam. In fact, don’t even open the email, because many are just set to loose a virus program on your computer by being opened. Simply forward the suspicious email to the “spoof email” address supplied by your bank, or credit card company.
Identity Theft is a worldwide epidemic. According to the Better Business Bureau and Javelin Research, almost 9 million Americans fell prey to identity theft this year with fraud costing businesses and individuals over $56 billion dollars.
There are ways to reduce your chances of identity theft:
1. Understand debit card dangers: When it comes to fraud, debit cards carry much greater personal liability than credit cards, depending on how quickly you report the loss of the card. If you fail to report unauthorized use within 60 days of receiving your bank statements, you could lose all the money in the account and be held responsible for the amount of money that has been tapped from your line of credit.
2. Rethink check writing: That little slip of paper has way too much information. Some experts advise against check writing because it gives away your address, bank account number, signature and license number to complete strangers. On top of that, there?s no federal legislation to limit your liability for forged checks (each state has its own set of rules). Experts advise that you look into automating your bill paying.
3. Secure your mail: Your mailbox is a goldmine of information. Between bank statement, bills, and all those pre-approved credit card offers, your mailbox is loaded with personal data which identity thieves can use to easily apply for a credit card in your name. Unless you diligently check your credit report, you may never even know about it. One way to avoid this is to have your mailbox under lock and key, but most of us in Santa Clarita have our mailboxes at the curb in front of our house and the postman frowns on carrying dozens and dozens of keys around. The other solution is to have a rented mailbox, or to foil “dumpster-diving” thieves by buying a shredder and destroy documents before discarding.
4. Go virtual: For shopping online, there are “virtual” card numbers. These are randomly generated credit card numbers that are disposable and that on-line shoppers use once and throw away. It’s linked directly to your real credit card account so purchases show up on your monthly bill. The service is easy to use ? and it’s FREE! All you need to do is register with companies offering the virtual card, and they are MBNA, Discover, and Citigroup.
5. Create an emergency identity kit: Would you know how to contact your credit card company in an emergency? Create an emergency kit that contains: your account number, expiration date, issuing company name, and emergency contact number for each card you own. While you’re at it, make copies of your driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate and passport and store them in a locked box or file cabinet, or a safe deposit box. I like the safe deposit box best, because this gives you protection in the event of a catastrophe such as fire, earthquake, etc.
This may all seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but if you’re ever the victim of identity theft “even just once” you’ll realize that it’s well worth the effort.
Many of us forget that were it not for what we carry in our wallets or in our purses, we’re all John and Jane Doe’s if we can’t speak due to injury or are unaccompanied by someone who knows us. How much less stressful is it to know that in a bank box, no matter where you are, there are items that can verify your identity. Better to be safe, than sorry!
It’s that time of year.
This is when we all start getting those emails that want to steal our secret codes and passwords. You know the ones: “Your Account Is About To Be Closed”, “There’s A Block On Your Account”, “Congratulations”, You’ve Won The Lottery (that you never entered). and my favorite “Could You Help Me Claim My Funds”?
This is also the time of year when we start shopping for gifts and the last thing you need is for your bank or credit card accounts to be stolen by “cyber grifters”. They are counting on some of us to follow the instructions in the email.
First and foremost, DON’T FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE EMAIL! If you think there might be a problem, access the account in question as you normally do on your PC and not with the link supplied in the phony email.
I’ve had some very authentic looking email supposedly from banks, that even went so far as to copy the colors of the bank logo and stationery style. But, don’t fall for the scam. In fact, don’t even open the email, because many are just set to loose a virus program on your computer by being opened. Simply forward the suspicious email to the “spoof email” address supplied by your bank, or credit card company.
Identity Theft is a worldwide epidemic. According to the Better Business Bureau and Javelin Research, almost 9 million Americans fell prey to identity theft this year with fraud costing businesses and individuals over $56 billion dollars.
There are ways to reduce your chances of identity theft:
1. Understand debit card dangers: When it comes to fraud, debit cards carry much greater personal liability than credit cards, depending on how quickly you report the loss of the card. If you fail to report unauthorized use within 60 days of receiving your bank statements, you could lose all the money in the account and be held responsible for the amount of money that has been tapped from your line of credit.
2. Rethink check writing: That little slip of paper has way too much information. Some experts advise against check writing because it gives away your address, bank account number, signature and license number to complete strangers. On top of that, there?s no federal legislation to limit your liability for forged checks (each state has its own set of rules). Experts advise that you look into automating your bill paying.
3. Secure your mail: Your mailbox is a goldmine of information. Between bank statement, bills, and all those pre-approved credit card offers, your mailbox is loaded with personal data which identity thieves can use to easily apply for a credit card in your name. Unless you diligently check your credit report, you may never even know about it. One way to avoid this is to have your mailbox under lock and key, but most of us in Santa Clarita have our mailboxes at the curb in front of our house and the postman frowns on carrying dozens and dozens of keys around. The other solution is to have a rented mailbox, or to foil “dumpster-diving” thieves by buying a shredder and destroy documents before discarding.
4. Go virtual: For shopping online, there are “virtual” card numbers. These are randomly generated credit card numbers that are disposable and that on-line shoppers use once and throw away. It’s linked directly to your real credit card account so purchases show up on your monthly bill. The service is easy to use ? and it’s FREE! All you need to do is register with companies offering the virtual card, and they are MBNA, Discover, and Citigroup.
5. Create an emergency identity kit: Would you know how to contact your credit card company in an emergency? Create an emergency kit that contains: your account number, expiration date, issuing company name, and emergency contact number for each card you own. While you’re at it, make copies of your driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate and passport and store them in a locked box or file cabinet, or a safe deposit box. I like the safe deposit box best, because this gives you protection in the event of a catastrophe such as fire, earthquake, etc.
This may all seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but if you’re ever the victim of identity theft “even just once” you’ll realize that it’s well worth the effort.
Many of us forget that were it not for what we carry in our wallets or in our purses, we’re all John and Jane Doe’s if we can’t speak due to injury or are unaccompanied by someone who knows us. How much less stressful is it to know that in a bank box, no matter where you are, there are items that can verify your identity. Better to be safe, than sorry!
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