Protect Yourself Against Financial Fraud

Try to deal only with businesses and other organizations you already know or that have been recommended. When in doubt, contact your state or county's consumer protection office (listed in the blue pages of your phone book) or the Better Business Bureau. Get key details of a significant offer in writing and thoroughly check them out before agreeing to anything. Make sure you understand your responsibilities and the potential risks before entering into any transaction. "If the person making the sales pitch only focuses on the benefits or the promised return and brushes over the costs and potential risks, the seller may not be acting in your best interest and the product may not be appropriate for you," warned Michael Benardo, manager of the FDIC's Financial Crimes Section. Closely monitor credit card bills and bank statements. Look at your monthly statements as soon as they arrive and report a discrepancy or anything suspicious, such as a missing payment or an unauthorized withdrawal. Periodically review your credit reports for signs that an ID thief is misusing your name. Credit reports, which are prepared by companies called credit bureaus, summarize each person's history of paying debts and other bills. If your credit report lists a credit card, a loan or a lease you never signed up for, chances are a con artist is attempting to commit fraud using your identity. Under a new federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the nation's three major credit bureaus. Experts suggest spreading out your requests throughout the year to maximize your protection. To get a free report, call toll-free 1-877-322-8228. Remember the red flags of a fraud. You can avoid scams or help determine if an ill or elderly relative is a victim or target of fraud if you know some of the classic warning signs. They include: * Unsolicited offers from strangers or unfamiliar companies that sound too good to be true, including mail or phone calls proclaiming an elderly person to be the "winner" of prizes or investment "opportunities;" * Requests to send money or bank account information before a promised product or service is delivered; * Pressure to quickly say "yes" to a proposal, especially an oral offer to sell you financial products, household equipment or home repairs that you may not really need; * Indications of cash shortages when the elderly person should have enough money coming in; and * Checks payable to unfamiliar people or businesses for reasons that the elderly person can't explain. Immediately report a fraud or theft to the proper authorities.

Free sources in your research for your genealogy

Isn't it interesting to know more about your ancestral timeline several generations ago? If you are on the search for reliable sources that will serve as your reference documents, the internet is a good resource material. It has always contained the vast data that can help in your research. The great advantage when using the internet is that the genealogist can save both money and effort. Aside from the ancestral timeline, some people also would want to know the details about their recent generations. In the quest of finding this out, genealogy becomes a serious study that takes an investment. There are some helpful pointers that can give ease to your research. Whether you are new or a professional genealogist, you must know that there could be other researchers that work on your genealogy. One way to find out is to check on the published works of the surnames involved in your family tree. Some of these researchers publish their works on their website for other people to visit. Other helpful tools that can also be found in the internet are the searchable indexes that contain references needed in your study. The genealogical or historical society is an institution that you can ask help from. They are found in the towns where your ancestors once lived. This is an excellent source of information on how life was during the time of your great, great grandparents. The genealogical or historical society keeps the records of local directories, the list of buried people even in inactive burial spots, and newspaper archives. The advantage of seeking help from this institution is that this is run by volunteers who have been oriented with some genealogical facts. This also contains addresses of other societies which have links to their webs. Way back in 1800's, the US and Europe has the long tradition of funeral cards or mourning cards. These are also great sources for genealogists. There are also web sites that deal on the indexing of these cards. You can visit these sites and search for the surnames that you need. Newspapers are also good sources of local information. They usually contain valuable information about people who have lived a few years ago. The online newspaper archive is a searchable site that takes the place of microfilm reels. However, it would be advantageous if you have some information about your ancestors such as the event where they have been involved. When you search in online newspaper archives, you type the surname and the keyword, which is resembled by the event. The newspaper online is updated regularly that makes their information reliable. Another research tool that is helpful in genealogy is the indexed census. Aside from this, there are other transcribed records which are also available online. Such records of birth, marriage and death information are available in some databases. There are various research tools that help in the search of your ancestry. There are free and accessible sources that only proper organization provide.

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Easy Genealogy Search with the Right Tools

To be successful with your genealogy search, there are helpful tools which can aid you to find your ancestors. 

• By Word of Mouth   

Story-telling from immediate family members and relatives is the most common step one undertakes when doing a genealogy search. Oral history is the appropriate term for this in genealogy studies.

The memories of an individual are evidences you can gather to track your lineage. Face-to-face interaction is not the only means of communication you can assume when doing oral history. You can also opt to send a letter by post indicating your motive. Phone interviews can also be done.

It is best to prepare a set of questions when doing an interview, may it be formal or informal, to avoid repetitions. 

• Through the Internet

With the advent of technology, you can now enjoy a hassle-free genealogy search through the internet. The internet offers different genealogy search website. You can choose from a paid or free service to help you with your search.

There are several information you can gather through the internet such as your ancestor's surname. Different documents can also be obtained via the internet such as papers concerning your ancestor's birth, marriage, and death. In some sites, the location and type of employment can also be viewed. 

• Through DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

DNA testing is a medical technology utilized to determine and establish proof of the existing relationship of one person to the other. There are two types of DNA testing which can be done to help you with your genealogy search: 

1.    Y-line Test – this type of DNA test is extremely helpful to genealogists due to its distinctive features. Y-chromosome is only present with male individuals which are passed on from father to son.  Additionally, the said chromosome is the only chromosome that breaks out in the repeated rearrangement of the parental genes.
2.    mtDNA Test – mtDNA Test is  the short term for mitochondrial DNA test. This type of DNA test is also known as the "maternal lineage test."  The test determines if the individuals has the same maternal lineage. 

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Here are the most common signs of identity theft

• Your credit card statement has charges you did not make.

• You get bills for accounts you never opened.

• You are denied credit for no apparent reason.

• Money is missing from your bank account.

Get a copy of your credit report.  Note accounts you did not open and account balances that are suspiciously high.  Contact the major credit reporting companies. Ask them to place a “Fraud Alert” on your report. This alerts businesses to verify your identity before issuing credit and stops thieves from opening new accounts in your name.

File an “Identity Theft Police Report” at your local police station and keep a copy.

Contact companies that have reported accounts you did not open or charges you didn’t make. Send them a copy of your police report and a certified letter disputing the fraudulent charges. 

Keep a record of your calls and letters.

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Protecting Yourself From Identity Theft Is Easier Than You Think

Your identity is stolen when someone uses your name, social security number, or other personal information to get credit cards or loans. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports there were 9 million cases of identity theft last year with losses to consumers of more than $5 billion.  The simplest kind is credit card fraud, which accounts for over 60% of identity theft.

Check for identity theft by reviewing your credit report at least once a year.  You can get a free credit report every 12 months by calling (877) 322-8228 or online and the Annual Credit Report web site. 

Review your credit report for accounts you did not open and for account balances that are suspiciously high.

Only carry the credit and identification cards you need. Make copies of the cards you carry and keep them in a safe place. If your wallet disappears, you will have the information you need to report them as lost or stolen.

Do not respond to e-mail messages or telephone calls asking for personal and financial information.

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