If you have any suspicion of an outsider tampering with your credit, the first thing you can do is activate fraud alert. It should be treated as a preliminary step in response to fraudulent activity; other steps include credit freeze which is a stronger option that freezes credit access. Fraud alert is a flag that is attached to your credit report by credit bureaus. It warns anyone who checks your credit report that you were or may have been a victim of identity theft. In the event anyone wishes to extend you credit, they are encouraged but not obligated by law to verify the transaction with you via a phone call. Continue reading
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Budgeting on a Fixed Income
Fluctuating gas prices and rising costs in everyday commodities such as groceries and prescription drugs have placed a steady burden especially on those individuals with fixed income. If you are living on a fixed income, it is essential to keep unnecessary expenses at a minimum. By adopting a budget plan and exercising smart buying habits, you can take control over your money. Continue reading
Difference Between Credit Cards and Debit Cards
Until a few years ago, telling the difference between a debit card and a credit card was fairly easy. A debit card was used at an ATM machine to withdraw or deposit cash with a PIN number and the credit card was used at check-out to buy things. Now the differences aren’t too obvious. Both carry the same logos and both can be swiped to make purchases. Despite these similarities there are clear differences. Continue reading
How to Get Help with an Audit
Taxpayer Advocate Service (a division of the IRS)
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS whose role is to represent taxpayers with difficulties resolving their tax issues through normal IRS channels. TAS is a free-of-charge service which was established in 2002 to address “grass-roots” issues (those raised by the TAS panelists and the general public) and improve the customer service of the IRS. Continue reading
What are structured settlements?
Imagine yourself as a plaintiff and you have just settled your lawsuit with a company for a large sum of money. You can choose to cash out the lump sum or receive something called a structured settlement. A structured settlement is an arrangement made to pay the settlement in installments over time. This would usually be accomplished by purchasing an annuity. Continue reading
How to Protect Your Identity Online
Though you could physically have your personal information stolen, we are more likely to experience online identification theft now that the majority of us participate in internet shopping and social networking websites. Because the theft is virtual, detection is tricky and fraud can happen at a blink of an eye: unauthorized electronic transfers using stolen information could potentially empty your bank account(s) or someone could establish new credit lines with your personal information. Continue reading
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