Monday, March 17, 2014

How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

If you frequently make purchases online, or if you use a credit or debit card while shopping, you know that one of the most common risks associated with these practices is identity theft. Of course, identity theft can happen to anybody, even if you don’t use your debit or credit cards while shopping, but when consumers share important financial information online, they’re putting themselves at a higher risk. Unfortunately, with online shopping becoming more and more popular, identity theft continues to become increasingly common. Luckily, however, there are many steps you can take to safeguard your identity and prevent yourself from becoming a victim. Apart from protecting yourself with the proper identity theft coverage, make sure you follow these tips for keeping your identity safe:
 
Only Carry the Essentials
Though we can all understand the importance of carrying around a wallet or purse, some people like to carry around their social security card, all their credit cards, their passport, and sometimes even their birth certificates. While there certainly are a few situations in which you would need to present each of these documents to someone, in most scenarios, it’s overkill. Imagine if you were to lose any of these important documents: Someone could find it, begin taking out more credit cards in your name, making unauthorized purchases in your name, and much more. To help prevent this from happening, it’s important to only carry around with you the personally identifying items you need the most: like your driver’s license, insurance card, debit card, and one credit card.
 
Beware of Fraudulent Phone Calls and Emails
If someone sends you an email informing you that you’re a distant cousin of a wealthy prince in Zimbabwe, and they need your bank account information to send you a share of his riches, 1,000 times out of 1,000 it’ll be a scam. Likewise, if the phone rings and the person on the other line says they’re a government employee requesting personal information, don’t necessarily believe them right off the bat, because this could be a scam designed to rob you of your identity. The only time that you should consider it safe to give out your personal information is if you were the one who initiated the call/email, and you know it’s a trusted source.
 
Shred Unwanted or Expired Documents
Whenever you get something in the mail, even junk mail, one of the best ways to safeguard your identity is to shred any of the envelopes or documents that have your name, address, date of birth, social security number or account information on them. Scammers have gone to great extremes to get personal information, and they won’t think twice about raiding your trash. In addition, whenever you get a new credit or debit card (or any important documents, i.e. passports), shred the old and expired ones so that your name, account numbers, and personal information can’t be easily recovered.
 
Only Shop on Secure Websites
As mentioned before, if you like to participate in online shopping, you should be aware of the very real dangers that exist. While online shopping, in and of itself, isn’t inherently bad, you run the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft whenever you put your credit or debit card numbers online—especially when you use your debit card. Unlike debit cards, credit card users are protected by the Truth in Lending Act, which states there’s only a $50 limit on liability for unauthorized purchases, even after your missing card has been used. As for debit cards, however, you could be liable for only $50, but you could quite possibly lose every cent in your bank account too. That being said, the best way to keep your identity safe while shopping online is to only shop on websites that have the secure lock symbol at the top of the page and that start with: “https.” If neither one of these security measures are in place, do not shop through that particular retailer on the Internet.
 
These are just a few of the things that you can do to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft. However, the most important tip to remember is to simply practice common sense – both online and in the real world. Just keep your personal documents secure and practice safe shopping habits, and your identity will stay protected.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

CHECKLIST FOR HOME AND PROPERTY OWNERS




Get your home ready for spring to avoid related damage



** I am not 100% certain that we are ready for this yet but I am sure hopeful!**


After a long Midwestern winter – lots of snow, ice, sleet and cold – it’s finally time to think about opening the windows to capture those cool spring breezes. But before you throw open the sash, take a few minutes to review this checklist of things to do to keep your home safe and secure throughout the rainy season.


Tips to help property owners safeguard their homes this spring:

 

Make sure your windows are operating properly. Check to make sure the mechanisms of your windows – whether they’re casement, sliding or double-hung – are functioning properly. Lubricate tough-to-open windows to that opening and closing take little effort.

 

Trim your trees and bushes. Now’s the time, before the buds are on the greenery, to cut back limbs that overhang your gutters and to trim shrubbery that’s too close to the house. Keeping them away from your home will help prevent moisture buildup, mold, and storm-related damage.

 

Make sure spring rainfall runs away from your house. Grade your lawn and landscaping beds to direct water away from your foundation. Foundation leaking and cracks can be extremely costly. Use downspout extenders to keep drainage as far away as possible.

 

If you have ivy crawling up your house, now’s the time to cut it back. As attractive as ivy is, it’s not good for your exterior, whether wood, vinyl, brick or stone. Ivy traps and holds moisture against the home and forms attachments to exterior surfaces that could degrade their strength and integrity.

 

Fix any leaks you’re aware of. Winter often brings with it ice dams that develop on the shingles over your gutters. If these caused you problems over the winter, have a professional repair the spot, both inside and out to prevent further damage from rainwater.

 

Repair concrete driveway cracks. Winter cold expands concrete and often leads to cracking. Keep yours from eroding further during this wet, rainy season by patching any spots that may have erupted over the winter.

 

These tips will help you take on spring with confidence that your house and yard are ready for spring!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

How To Winterize Your Vehicle




 

Tips for avoiding costly weather-related repairs

 

When you think of winter, you might daydream about skiing, sledding, holidays and snowmen. But before you start jumping into all the fun, make sure your vehicles are able to take on the demands of harsh weather.

 

Make Your Car Roadworthy

Get your car into an auto mechanic for a top-to-bottom checkup that includes:

  • Brakes. Brake pads and rotors should be checked for warping, cracking or excessive wear.
  • Coolant system. Have your radiator pressure tested and hoses checked for cracks or bulges that could cause the system to fail.
  • Tires. Ask your local tire retailer to assess your tires’ integrity and replace if needed. At the very least, you should have your tires rotated to help them wear evenly. If you’re able to afford special winter tires, make the investment. Winter tires are made with low temperature-resilient rubber and have deeper treads that do a better job of gripping snow and ice.
  • Windshield wipers. If your blades are more than a year old, they’re probably leaving a pattern of wear on your windshield and should be replaced.
     

What To Do In An Emergency

Stranded on the side of the road is a dangerous and often frightening situation to be in. Carry these items in an easy-to-reach tote in your back seat or trunk throughout the winter months to help ensure your safety:

  • heavy blanket
  • jumper cables
  • flashlight and spare batteries
  • items to help you get “unstuck” from a snow bank: tire chains and/or sand (or cat litter), a small shovel, and a bag of salt to help melt snow and ice
  • first-aid kit
  • lightsticks or reflective triangles
  • protein-rich snacks like energy bars
  • extra hat, coat, boots and gloves
  • ice scraper

A little effort to get your car in tip-top shape will give you peace of mind as you set out on wintery roads, and help eliminate the risk of a costly repair. More importantly, being practical can help you stay safe!