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Considering Consolidating Credit Card Debt? Promises and Best Options

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June 2005

Are you carrying balances on high interest rate credit cards? Are you tempted to move that debt by enticing credit card offers? 0% for 6 months! 2.9% till August 2006! No fee for balance transfers!

Such enticing "promises" come from your existing credit card accounts and from new credit card offers. In many cases consolidating credit card debt may make sense, but credit card offers like these often have many consumer traps lurking within the tiny print of the agreement.

How to Say NO to Investment Scams and Fraud

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May 2005

Tax time has just passed for another year. If you’re like me, that always turns the mind to financial matters. The holiday bills are just all paid off and vacations are coming up. This year, there’s also all that buzz about the future of Social Security and reform proposals that may make investors of everyone. Looking at it all, we think, oh my, it’s time to start doing a better job of financial planning and growing those savings.

All that thinking about finances can make you a little anxious and set you up for the “get rich quick” investment scam artists. Via email, phone, and snail mail, the offers pour in to “double or triple your money quick . . . no risk . . . guaranteed.” The promoter sounds so convincing and the Web site looks so slick. And it’s so easy to say or click “yes.” That’s exactly what thousands of investment scammers are hoping you’ll do.

“Free Services” for Your Computer May Cost More Than You Realize

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April 2005

Have you seen one of these ads or one like it? Looks real doesn’t it? Is your Internet browser trying to protect you? Well, in the lower left corner (that you really can’t see in this picture), in light gray type it says “advertisement.” This “message” didn’t come from your browser or your security software. These types of ads want you to click quickly without considering any consequences. My report this month looks at the potential dangers of clicking on these ads.

Everyone likes to save money. Free services for your computer—from antivirus and anti-spyware programs to Web accelerators—can be very enticing. A barrage of offers hit your screen when you’re online. But some of these “free” services can end up costing your personal information—and opening a back door into your wallet. Beyond your name, personal information can include account and credit card information, online account access information, and even medical information.

An Oasis Amidst All The Hype

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Auto Dealership Pressure on Customers Never Goes Away

February/March 2005

Here’s a piece of StraightTalk: Stop right now if you’re thinking about buying or financing a vehicle. More than ever, everything in the car business has become negotiable: the price of the car; the price of the loan; the value of your car; the cost of “add-ons” — even the cost of insurance or service agreements. Quite frankly, you can’t relax for a minute if you want the best deal or the best vehicle.

That’s why we want you to stop and visit StraightTalk before you start the car buying process.

Fake Check Scams Are Targeting Your Wallet

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Learn the Warning Signs and Avoid the Traps

January 2005

Getting burned by counterfeit checks is something that happens to your local merchants or to other consumers, but not to you or your friends and neighbors, right? Wrong! Some new variants of a very old scam are victimizing many innocent people. Typically, the con artist strikes when these folks are just trying to sell an item on the Internet; others may be trying to start a new business venture, find employment, make a date or locate a roommate to share an apartment. Here are a couple of stories.

Flexible Spending Accounts—Used Right They Can Save You Money

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November 2004

How would you like to reduce your taxable income while saving money that you can spend immediately to meet health care expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or day care expenses for your children under age thirteen? If your employer offers Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) as part of the employee benefits, then you may have a good opportunity to do just that. Like most potentially good deals, however, you need to find out the facts and do a little homework to see if an FSA is right for you and your family.

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Web Links

January 2009

Did you recently get a new computer or other electronics and you don't know what to do with the old stuff. Then check out these sites:

Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronic Products? — This page from the Environmental Protection Agency can help you find a local program, manufacturer and retailer programs, and government-supported donation and recycling programs.

Electronics Reuse and Recycling Center from GreenerChoices.org — This site from Consumer Reports provides various information about what you can do with your old electronics including donating and recycling.

Federal Reserve Consumer Help
This site is loaded with information from the Federal Reserve Board. Learn more about checking accounts, credit reports, deposit insurance, electronic banking and more. Other sections include file a complaint, find an answer, and other resources.

Tax Tips for 2009
Beginning January 5th, the IRS will issue more than 70 tax tips through the April filing deadline. These easy-to-understand tips cover a wide range of topics.

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