All posts by Barbara Nevins Taylor

Spammer Charged in Obamacare Fraud

January 23rd, 2014

Even before Obamacare kicked off on November 1st, scammers were at work trying to take advantage of confusion about the new program. And now one set of alleged rip-off artists is charged with sending spam emails that falsely claimed consumers would violate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if they did not immediately click a link to enroll in health insurance.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges that from at least May 2013 through August 2013, Kobeni Inc. an d its president, Yair Shalev sent emails like this one:

Today is the deadline to make your election or be in violation of federal law

Must Receive Your Election Or You Will Be In Violation of Federal Law.

Effective Monday (08-05-13) health coverage is REQUIRED BY LAW.

Why is this mandatory? New Federal Law signed by the President made it mandatory for all U.S. residents to have active coverage. You will be in violation and face penalties if you do not elect.

You Must Select One of These 5 Options

The links in the emails led to websites with advertisements for insurance. The websites’ operators paid the defendants when consumers clicked links contained in the ads. But insurance companies whose ads appeared on the websites did not authorize the email messages.

The FTC says the company and Shalev falsely claimed consumers would violate federal law if they did not select health insurance by the dates that appeared in their email messages.

In addition, the complaint highlights the law that aims to allow those of us targeted by spammers to opt out. The FTC says these folks violated the CAN-SPAM Act by failing to provide consumers “clear and conspicuous notice that they had the right to opt out of receiving future commercial email messages from the defendants, and by sending commercial email messages that did not include the sender’s physical postal address.”

ANY OF THESE PEOPLE EMAIL YOU? LET US KNOW. POST YOUR COMMENT BELOW.

LIVING! GET SOME INSPIRATION

Featured Stories, Latest News, Medicare, News

Appeal, Appeal, Appeal Medicare Denials

January 22nd, 2014

“Appeal, appeal, appeal,” is the advice from Joe Baker of the Medicare Rights Center. He says many of us are reluctant to appeal when an Medicare insurer denies something, and that’s a big mistake.

Only 1-3 percent of people who are denied coverage for a medication or a medical service appeal the decision. But more than 60 percent of those who do appeal get what they want.

The Medicare Rights Center’s national helpline deals with the problems people encounter with the Medicare system or their insurers. Now a new report from the group analyzes the complaints and finds that, among other issues, denials for prescription drugs are a consistent problem for those of us who have Medicare.

FRUSTRATING PRESCRIPTION DRUG DENIALS

These medication denials are particularly frustrating because a pharmacist can’t tell you why you were denied. You’re likely to get a slip of paper that says you’ve been denied and should appeal to the insurance company.

That means you leave the pharmacy without the medication. You go home and call in and then wait for a written explanation via email, or regular mail.

In the meantime, you don’t have the medication. Baker says it’s a problem because, “You are not on the medication that the doctor thinks you should be taking immediately.”

Find out How to Appeal

Proposing Changing

The Medicare Rights Center’s report proposes a rule change that would allow the pharmacist, with your permission, to call your doctor to see if there is another prescription medication that the insurer is likely to approve.

Streamlining Appeals

The report also recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) streamline the appeals process.

BABY BOOMERS AND LATE ENROLLMENT

Confusion about when to enroll in Medicare and penalties for late enrollment is another big issue for people just entering the Medicare world.

We continue to report about this issue because it’s a big one for Baby Boomers. I wrote about my problem with the transition to Part B in Medicare Catch 22.

We all get Medicare Part A when we turn 65 and many of us put off getting Part B. That’s okay, if we’re still working and have full-time healthcare coverage.

But if you are retired, have Cobra and are not going to work full-time, you have to sign up for Part B right away. Medicare becomes your primary insurer. If you don’t there’s a penalty and you’ll pay it every month for the rest of your Medicare life.

Often people get the wrong information and guidance from their employers about the Medicare rules and they still have to pay the penalty. Baker and the Medicare Rights Center are lobbying for reform that will require a change in the initial enrollment period and an active campaign to get the word out to those just turning 65.

We explain it all in our video Baby Boomers, Medicare and Costly Mistakes.

We have a lot more about choosing Medicare plans.

Figuring Out Medicare Choices

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Student Debt Relief Crackdown

January 22nd, 2014

Students hassled by debt relief companies are getting help from New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. He just set up something called the Student Protection Unit, which in its first action issued subpoenas to 13 companies.

Under the umbrella of the state’s Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Student Protection Unit is investigating allegations that companies charged improper fees without adequate notice for enrolling students in debt relief programs that are available for free through the federal government.

Cuomo said, “The rising tide of student loan debt has made it more important than ever that we put in place strong consumer protections for New York’s students. Any company trying to sell students a raw deal using misleading or deceptive practices should know that we’ll continue to work vigilantly to root out consumer abuse.”

Debt Consolidation Problems

Many debt relief companies charge fees to consolidate several loans into one. But the same consolidation programs are available for free through the U.S. Department of Education. And the upfront fees charged by the private companies add to student debt.

Private Student Loans

Some companies target those with private student loans. There’s concern that the fees they charge are exorbitant and that the companies make misleading promises.

Call for Student Debt Reform

The DFS Student Protect Unit subpoened information from these companies:

• AlphaOne Student LLC

• Brelvis Consulting, LLC d/b/a The Student Loan Help Center

• Consumer Protection Counsel, P.A.

• Debt Be Gone, LLC

• Default Student Loan Assistance, LLC

• Interactiv Education, LLC d/b/a Direct Student Aid, Inc.

• Omega Capital Advisory LLC d/b/a Federal Student Aid Relief

• Student Consulting Group, Inc.

• Student Loan Relief Center, Inc.

• Student Loan Service

• US Student Loan Helpers, Inc.

• US Student Loan Services, Inc.

• Xtreme Products LLC d/b/a USA Student Loans

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Refinancing Still A Good Move

January 22nd, 2014

Mortgage interest rates are not as low as they were, but they dipped slightly and are still a good move if you are considering refinancing, or buying.

ConsumerMojo.com Mortgage Guide

Right now, refinancing is on the upswing. The Mortgage Bankers Association says an increasing number of people are taking advantage of the relatively low rates.

64 percent of the total mortgage applications in the week ending January 17, 2014 were for refinancing.

Interest rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with what lenders call “conforming loan balances” of $417,000 or less decreased to 4.57 percent.

That’s the lowest level since November 2013.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with what lenders call “jumbo loan balances,” for amounts greater than $417,000, also decreased to 4.57 percent, matching the November 2013 low.

FHA interest rates are different than those for conventional loans, and the average interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA decreased to 4.24 percent. Again, that’s the lowest level since November 2013.

15-Year-Fixed-rate Mortgage

If you are willing to take a 15-year-fixed-rate mortgage, you can get an even lower interest rate of 3.68 percent.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Experts don’t advise taking an adjustable rate mortgage, or ARM, unless you are going to be in the property for a very short time. Right now the interest rate for ARMs is 3.23 percent.

While the chilly season isn’t exactly the time most people choose to go house hunting, there are some homebuyers who don’t have a choice. They also want to lock in interest rates below 5 percent.

We recently reported about Angel and William Wong, a New York City couple who purchased home the first week of January 2014.

Home Buying in the Chilly Season

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Call for Student Debt Reform

January 21st, 2014

The numbers are grim. 39 million people have student loan debt totaling over one trillion dollars. And delinquencies total about $120 billion. That’s an increase of more than 30 percent from 2011 to 2012.

Clearly student loan borrowers need help. The National Consumer Law Center, in its new report, makes recommendations to help borrowers and do a better a job of monitoring the companies that “service” the loans after lenders make them.

The report focuses on the banking giant Sallie Mae. And there’s more than a little irony in the fact that Sallie Mae was created by then-President Richard Nixon in 1972 as the Student Loan Marketing Association to encourage banks to make more student loans.

Once a bank made a loan, Sallie Mae would buy it, freeing up money for more loans.

In 2004, the report points out, Sallie Mae became a private company and is the major player in the student loan universe. NCLC says that Sallie Mae’s return on investment in 2006 was 30 percent and that its C.E.O., from 1999 to 2004, earned over $200 million.

Apparently during that time, Sallie Mae made what it called “non-traditional” loans to students with low credit scores. In some cases they charged 15 percent interest and many borrowers paid high fees that loaded debt upon debt and made it even more difficult for people to pay off their loans.

Sallie Mae also became one of four servicing companies that handle student loans made through the Department of Education. The report cites media accounts that say Sallie Mae earned about $84 million from the D.O.E. in 2012. A lot of money, yes?

Roll of money

But Sallie Mae, like the other servicers, isn’t exactly student loan borrower friendly, and the NCLC calls for reforms. It suggests:

Creation of affordable repayment options for student borrowers.
The possibility of bankruptcy protection for those who have to default.
Great fairness in the collection process and enforcement of laws against collectors who violate them.

In addition, NCLC suggests that:

Federal and state regulators should coordinate their efforts to monitor the companies that service student loans. Currently, there’s a hodgepodge of rules and regulations that don’t protect borrowers adequately.
Better evaluation of servicing companies and collection agencies.

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55 Plus Job Search Tips

January 18th, 2014

If you’re over 55 and looking for a job, you know it’s not easy. It may be little comfort to know that others find themselves in the same boat.

More than 1,764,000 Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 years old are looking for work. ConsumerMojo’s analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that another 853,00 older job seekers are considered “discouraged” workers.

They stopped looking for jobs and yet they want to work and may need the income.

Myths About The Older Workers

At a recent job fair in Brooklyn, New York, we found that most of the people handing out resumes were older job seekers.

It was a discouraging day for them. They went from table to table in the big school gym and found employers weren’t interested. Vivienne Davis, in her mid-fifties said, “They seem to be geared to youth training; it’s not for people like myself.”

Even when the job didn’t involve training, prospective employers were polite but brushed off older applicants. Elaine Prosser, in her late fifties, told us, “They feel you are too old.”

Jeri Mendelsohn, Associate Director of the Samuel Field Y in Queens, New York, oversees programs that aim to help older workers.

She says many older workers “don’t have a skill set to translate into the new normal very well.”

GET A LITTLE INSPIRATION with LIVING!

Sue Resnick, a job trainer and counselor at the Met Council part of the UJA, agrees: “The overriding issue is either their skills are outdated or unfortunately they are in fields that they didn’t play catch up in.”

But this doesn’t mean that older workers should give up.

Mendelsohn says, “I think there have to be ways of making 50-plus workers in the workforce become more technologically independent and confident so that they can be an important team member.”

Sue Resnick says, “If you can bring something to an office environment that no one else can, you have to put it on your resume.”

Tip 1 Update your resume immediately.
Include anything that makes you special
Include the foreign language or languages you speak.

You may not like the idea, but it is important to get comfortable with social media.

Tip 2 Make LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter your friends. Social media helps you connect to others who can help in the job search. And it may be important to the job.
Many online sites offer guides to using social media.
If you need one on one help ask a younger family member to show you how they navigate social media.

Tip 3 Research a company before a job interview.
When you get a job interview, it’s extremely important to prepare.
Find out as much as you can about the company before the interview so you can talk knowledgeably when you sit down. Learn exactly what the company does, who leads it, what it earns and where it stands in relation to its competitors.

Tip 4 Choose areas that you really want to work in. Even if it’s not the field that you’ve left behind, try to pick a company or organization that’s involved in work that interests you.

It’s extremely hard to start all over again. But some of us have to do that.

Tip 5 Think about reinventing yourself and investigate new fields to work in

LET US KNOW IF THESE TIPS ARE USEFUL.

PUT YOUR COMMENTS BELOW.

RESOURCES

More attention is being paid to the growing need to help older workers retrain and find jobs. Not-for-profits like the Samuel Field Y and Met Council in New York provide training programs. And organizations all around the country offer similar programs. A Google search may help you find the right one in your area.

In addition many state labor departments offer services for older workers. We’ve provided links for several states whose websites feature information specifically for older job seekers.

NEW JOB AFTER LAYOFF

All 55 Plus, Medicare

Dropping Medicare Advantage

January 16th, 2014

If you’re dissatisfied with your Medicare Advantage plan, this is the time that you can drop it. There’s an open period from January 1st to February 14th that allows you to switch from an advantage plan to original Medicare.

It’s also possible to purchase a Part D drug plan to accompany original Medicare.

The rules are rigid about when you can drop a plan, switch or sign up for a new one. So if you’ve been thinking about it, now is the time to act.

And as part of the rule system, you can’t do the following during this period:

Switch from original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
Switch from one Medicare prescription drug plan to another
Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical savings plan

If you are switching, remember that original Medicare covers only 80 percent of your medical costs. It consists of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.

Part A covers:

Hospitalization
Nursing Care
Nursing Home Care
Hospice
Home Health Services

Part B covers:

Doctor Visits
Routine Medical Care
Preventive Care
Ambulance Service

Most people pay $104. 90 a month and the fee generally comes out of your Social Security. The Part B deductible is about $147 a year.

Before you drop the Medicare Advantage plan consider that it may offer benefits that include

Dental
Vision
Hearing
Some insurers offer gym memberships and more

Your plan may also provide access to a 24-hour nurse helpline and disease management program to help you manage chronic conditions.

We’ve got a lot more detail in our Medicare posts

Medicare Basics for Baby Boomers and Everyone Else

Figuring Out Medicare Choices

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Basketball Greats Mourning and Johnson Pitch Health.gov

January 16th, 2014

Alonzo Mourning and Magic Johnson teamed up with the Obama administration to pitch for Health.gov to encourage younger people to sign up for Obamacare.

Each wrote a blog, made a video and will appear in 30-second commercials on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBAtv during NBA games.

They’re appealing to people who think that health insurance isn’t necessary because they are still young and healthy.

Both superstar former basketball players suffered serious illnesses and require ongoing medical attention. When they were originally diagnosed, they were lucky enough to have good health insurance.

Mourning played primarily for the Miami Heat as a center and power forward and in the middle of his career found that suffered from a rare kidney disorder.

Here’s Mourning’s blog that was posted on the White House website.

by Alonzo Mourning

“When sickness or injury strike, having health insurance can mean the difference between falling and getting back up and dropping out of the game.

I know, because I was at the top of my game – I felt invincible – but when I went for my regular team physical it turned out I had a serious kidney disease. Thankfully it was caught in time to treat it and luckily, I was insured.

Today people across the country who are uninsured, or just want to check out their options can get affordable, quality insurance through the new Health Insurance Marketplace.

Through the Marketplace, you can compare brand name plans and even get lower monthly payments. And importantly, as part of the health care law, health insurance plans have to offer preventive services like flu shots, diabetes and blood pressure screenings for free. Plus there are no annual or lifetime caps on coverage. So you too can get the physical you need to catch small problems before they become big ones. And the coverage you need to get ongoing care without breaking the bank.Visit HealthCare.gov today to look at your options.

Quality, affordable coverage is just a call, click or conversation away. You have until March 31 to sign up.

Enroll today so you can stay in the game.”

Magic Johnson was a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers when he was diagnosed with HIV more than 20 years ago.

Here’s what he wrote:

by Magic Johnson

“No one plans to get sick or hurt — I certainly didn’t — but most people will need medical care at some point in their lives.

As an athlete, I understood the value of my health insurance. I knew that in my profession, injuries were common and could happen at any time.

It was important that I had the insurance needed to protect me in case I got hurt. It’s been almost 20 years since my playing days and having health insurance is still important to me.

All athletes know that a broken bone, or knee surgery can cost a lot, and medical bills can add up. But it doesn’t just happen to professional athletes, it can happen to anybody. And, without health insurance, some medical treatments can cost thousands of dollars.

The good news is, now you can finally get the health insurance you need. The new HealthInsurance Marketplace offers affordable, quality health insurance that can help you get the care you need without risking your life savings.

The Marketplace is a new, simpler way to purchase health insurance — all in one place. You can go online to find and compare options, determine if you qualify for lower costs, and enroll in the plan that’s right for you.I encourage folks to check out my video and visit HealthCare.gov to determine your options.

Everyone should have the opportunity to get affordable, quality health coverage. There’s still time to enroll through March 31.

Protect your health — enroll today.”

News

Celebrating Dian Fossey

January 16th, 2014

Google created a doodle to celebrate Dian Fossey who would have been 82. Fossey was extraordinary by any standard. She committed her life to studying and protecting the mountain gorillas in Rawanda. She was killed in her cabin in 1983.

Her autobiography Gorillas In The Mist became a movie starring Sigourney Weaver.

Fossey dreamed about becoming a veterinarian when she growing up in California. In 1963, she took a six-week sabbatical from San Jose College and went to Africa. The experience changed everything for her. She met Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey and the couple encouraged her to stay and study the wild gorillas.

She set up camp in the Congo, which was then called Zaire. And within three years, she had made enough progress to attract financial support from the National Geographic Society and the Wilkie Brothers’ Foundation.

But the brutal political upheaval in the country forced Fossey to move her study to Rwanada’s Parc National Des Volcans.

It was beautiful and challenging. She lived 10,000 feet above sea level between two volcanoes and battled her fear of heights, disease, rain, poachers and political violence.

Fossey’s commitment was rewarded when a male Gorilla she called Peanuts touched her hand. This was the first recorded peaceful gorilla to human contact, according to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.

She developed a strong relationship with a young male gorilla she named Digit. After poachers killed Digit in 1977, Fossey stepped up her crusade to protect the gorillas. National Geographic and other magazines ran stories about her struggle and the coverage attracted international attention.

If Dian Fossey had lived we’re sure she would have continue to inspire us with her work and determination. She would have been a perfect subject for our new web video series Living! featuring people over 80 who live vital lives.

Living!

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Protect Your Identity At Tax Time

January 15th, 2014

When someone steals your identity, it is very difficult to unravel the trail and straighten out your financial life. During tax season, it’s particularly important to be aware of who handles your personal information. That’s why we’re reposting this important blog.

by Tim Camus

Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration

Have you ever wondered how ID thieves get their victims’ personal and financial information? One way you may not have thought of is dishonest tax preparers. Each year, Treasury agents investigate allegations of criminal misconduct by tax preparers — a group that plays an important part in our nation’s tax system.

During the past several years, my agents have investigated and worked with Department of Justice attorneys to prosecute tax preparers who sold their clients’ personal and financial information to criminals. These tax preparers abused the trust their clients placed in them to protect their sensitive information from tax-related identity theft.

Tax identity theft is a serious and sizeable problem. It costs our nation an estimated $3.6 billion a year. We want to hear from you if you think you may be a victim of tax identity involving:

a tax preparer who discloses client information to help others commit identity theft
an IRS employee who either discloses tax information or participates in the criminal activity
someone who impersonates the IRS (using logos/emblems/emails) as part of the identity theft scheme

Call our office at 1-800-366-4484 or visit us atwww.treasury.gov/tigta.

If you are looking for a tax preparation service this year, take the time to check reputation and qualifications. Don’t trust anyone with your sensitive information until you have assurances that they will treat it with the safeguards it deserves.

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Apple to Refund Kids’ App Purchases

January 15th, 2014

If you have little kids, you know the story. They played with an iPad or other mobile device and ordered hundreds of dollars worth of apps from the iTunes store. It sounds funny until happens to your family.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took it seriously, filed a complaint against Apple and reached a $32 million settlement on behalf of consumers.

Now customers whose kids charged apps on mobile devices, without their parents’ consent, will get full refunds. Apparently tens of thousands of families complained to Apple that kids were making unauthorized purchases.

According to the FTC’s complaint, Apple made it child’s play for kids to order and order. The ordering system didn’t signal that after you enter a password there’s a 15-minute window to make a purchase.

The problem was compounded because the App store allows purchases to be made within apps.

So a kid could buy an app with parental approval and then buy additional virtual items, or currency used in games they already bought. These charges generally range from 99 cents to $99.99 per in-app charge.

The FTC says one parent reported that her daughter had spent $2,600 in the app “Tap Pet Hotel,” and other consumers reported unauthorized purchases by children totaling more than $500 in the apps “Dragon Story” and “Tiny Zoo Friends.”

As a result of the settlement with the FTC, Apple also will change its billing practices to make sure it gets permission and informed consent from parents before it charges them for mobile apps.

FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez says, “This settlement is a victory for consumers harmed by Apple’s unfair billing, and a signal to the business community: whether you’re doing business in the mobile arena or the mall down the street, fundamental consumer protections apply. You cannot charge consumers for purchases they did not authorize.”

GETTING YOUR REFUND

Apple is required to give notice of the availability of refunds to all consumers charged for in-app purchases. They are supposed to provide instructions about how to get the money.

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Trying to Stop Illegal Payday Lending

January 14th, 2014 2 Comments

You may see ads online for quick cash, short term loans, or “cash by tomorrow.” Think of these offers as a swamp that will suck you into financial quicksand.

The high interest rates, sometimes 400 to 600 percent, can lead you into a cycle of debt that’s difficult to escape.

That’s why some states like New York continue to try to crack down and stop illegal payday lending.

While payday lending is not outlawed in every state, New York law clearly bans these high interest loans. But the Internet makes it easy for payday lenders to do an end run around New York’s civil and criminal laws.

Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services (DFS) sent a critical letter to NACHA, the electronic payments organization that manages the network, which process payments for online payday loans.

He’s dissatisfied with the organization’s efforts to regulate groups that use its system. He wrote, “Unfortunately, NACHA’s reforms do not go far enough and continue to leave New Yorkers vulnerable to predatory payday lending over the Internet. Unless NACHA and its board of directors take bolder action, banks will continue to serve as a pipeline for the illegal activity by payday lenders who prey on consumers and brazenly violate New York law.”

Lawsky wants NACHA to issue a clear policy that says it’s illegal to debit money for payday loans in New York State. He also wants the group to put banks that do business with the payday lenders on notice that it’s their obligation to make sure debits are not processed, and he wants the banks to honor stop payment requests when borrowers realize they’ve made a big mistake.

In August 2013, Lawsky also demanded that 35 companies stop offering illegal payday loans online to New York customers. Of that number, 23 companies complied

And in December 2013, DFS announced that it was expanding its investigation into payday lending and sent subpoenas to 16 online ‘lead generation’ firms suspected of deceptive or misleading marketing of illegal, online payday loans in New York.

What’s Wrong With Payday Loans?

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Retiring When You’re Not Ready

January 8th, 2014 2 Comments

It may be you, or someone you know. The people at work get younger and younger and suddenly you are out. This isn’t what the Baby Boom generation expects.

The news here is mixed. One third of people over 55 who retired feel they had no choice but to retire, according to a new survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, funded by the Sloan Foundation.

The survey also found that 54 percent of people under 65 who retired felt that they had no choice but to retire.

Yet there is an indication that the situation is changing and that Baby Boomers are at the vanguard of a new trend.

People over 65 now represent the fastest-growing segment of the country’s workforce. And it’s estimated that one fourth of American workers will be 55 or older by 2020, up from 19 percent in 2010.

The AP survey found healthier older adults choose to work longer than ever before and even after “retirement,” we don’t exactly retire.

We frequently choose to put off collecting Social Security and retirement benefits while we continue to work at different kinds of jobs and careers.

We know many people who choose to work because they want to continue to be productive and vital, and we’ve been reporting about people who get shut out of the workforce.

Ronald Louis Peterson wrote about the Myths About The Older Worker for ConsumerMojo.com and he explores exactly why it’s a mistake to count us out.

But we also recently began a web video series called Living! that explores the stories of dynamic people over 80. Our first video is with children’s book author, poet and artist Ann McGovern. We think she an inspiration and hope that you agree.

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Second Layer of Target Scammers At Work

January 3rd, 2014

There’s a second layer of scammers at work targeting Target customers whose credit and debit card information was compromised. So it’s important to be on the lookout.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that scammers may have sent out notices that look like they are from Target and pretend to offer help. They are clever and make these emails look real. So you have to be really vigilant.

It’s likely they’ll ask for personal information like your credit card number and PIN to see if it has been compromised. But Target wouldn’t ask you for that information via email, nor would any other legitimate company. Don’t respond.

If there are links in the email, DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINKS. Scammers are very crafty and it’s easy for them to create links that look real.

They can easily install a virus on your computer or direct you to sites that steal your information. Just ignore the links.

If you think you received a fake email, forward it to spam@uce.gov, and delete the message from your inbox.

In the meantime, because the original hackers are likely to have your information, it’s important to stay on top of your account information. Check for charges that you don’t recognize and report them to your bank or credit card provider.

Continue to monitor your accounts to make sure there is no strange activity. It’s also a good idea to check your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com. The credit reporting bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are required to give you this information. So that means you can check your credit report three times a year for free. Don’t let anyone talk you into paying a fee for this service.

If there are errors on your credit report, contact the credit bureau. This is the tough part. You have to write a letter and point out the errors. Here’s a sample letter.

Date

Your Name

Your Address, City, State, Zip Code

Complaint Department

Name of Company

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear Sir or Madam:

I dispute the following information in my file. I have circled the items I dispute on the attached copy of the form that I received.

This item(s) (Identify the items in dispute. Give the name of the source such as creditors or tax court and identify the type of account – credit card or judgment, etc.) that is inaccurate or incomplete. (Describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why.) I am requesting that the item be removed to correct the information.

Enclosed are copies of my documentation that supports my position. (Send only copies, not originals, and describe what you enclose: receipts, payment stubs, court records, etc.)

Please re-investigate this matter (or these matters), and correct or delete the information as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Enclosures: List all the documents that you are enclosing.

Keep all of your originals, and keep a record of what you send.

To file a complaint, visit ftc.gov/complaint. For information about identity theft, visit ftc.gov/idtheft.

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How To Choose A Gym Membership

January 1st, 2014 1 Comment

By Matthew Vann

A common New Year’s resolution for many is to get fit. So that means signing up for what can often be an expensive membership plan at your local gym.

But the Better Business Bureau advises consumers to carefully consider the terms of the contract offered before joining.

Consumers who filed complaints with the BBB dispute the terms of their gym contract and say that their fitness center made promises that never materialized.

Complaints also claim that gym staffers made verbal agreements at the time the contracts were drafted that they refused to honor.

But not all gym memberships are created equal. Here are a few tips you should keep in mind before buying a gym membership:

Make sure that your finances are in order before signing up for a gym membership often

Gyms often ask new members to pay first-time fees upfront in as well as monthly membership fees. Additional fitness center services like access to the sauna or tennis court may not be in the base charge.

Don’t give into pressure from gym sales representatives

Feel free to walk away from clubs that pressure you into signing a membership contract on the spot. The BBB recommends taking a sample contract and reviewing at home before joining.

Ask for recommendations

Ask family and friends for their gym recommendations. Then pick the ones that best match your budget and fitness goals.

Make sure the club is bonded

New York State Law requires health clubs to have a bond or some form of financial security to protect members in case of closure. A gym representative should be able to show proof of their compliance.

Wherever you live:

Understand your cancellation rights

Find out what the cancellation terms are and if there are large fees to terminate your contract.

Consumers have the right to cancel their contract within three business days after they receive a copy of the written contract, according to New York State Law.

Laws vary from state to state, but consumer protection laws often take into account problems with gym memberships. So if you are having trouble with a gym, it’s a good idea to check with your local consumer affairs department about the regulations for your area.

**This story was first reported by Matthew in 2013. But we think it offers important tips and it’s worth highlighting again.

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Tips to Sell Gold Jewelry

December 28th, 2013

New York Diamond District jeweler Stephen Herdemian sells and collects antique jewelry. As a collector, he understands that it’s hard to give some things up. But he tells ConsumerMojo that scraps in our jewelry boxes, broken bits of chain and things we don’t wear can bring us cash.

It’s worth it to watch the video. But his big tips include:

Learn about what you have:

It’s always a good idea to know something about what you’re selling. Here are a few explanations and questions to ask. The list is provided by the Jeweler’s Vigilance Committee, an industry watchdog:

Precious Metal

Platinum

Items containing 950 parts per thousand (95%) may be marked as platinum.
Items that are 85% or 95% platinum must be marked with the platinum content. Examples: 900Pt, 850Pt.
Items containing less than 85% platinum must detail the platinum group metal. Example: 750Pt200Irid. Total parts must equal 950 (95%).
Note: Platinum group metals are: Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium, Iridium, Ruthenium and Osmium.Gold
10 karat gold is the minimum fineness of gold that may be sold in the U.S. Jewelry under 10kt fineness may not be sold as gold.
Jewelry is made of many different types of gold: solid gold, gold plate, gold filled, gold overlay, gold electroplate, gold flashed/washed or rolled gold plated.Silver
Silver/Sterling Silver means that 925 parts per thousand (or 92.5%) of the item is made of pure silver.
Silver plate describes a product made of base metal and layered (or plated) with silver.
Silver coins contain 900 parts per thousand (or 90%) pure silver.

Diamonds

The Four C’s are the criteria used to value a diamond. Carat weight, color, clarity and cut (cut refers to the quality of cut, not the shape).
Ask if the diamond(s) have been treated in any way (i.e. fracture-filled, laser drilled) and whether or not the treatment is permanent.

Colored Gemstones

Is the gemstone natural, lab created or an imitation?
Has this gemstone been treated? If so, how?
If treated, is the treatment permanent and has the treatment affected the gemstone’s value?
What is the country of origin of the gemstone?

Pearls

Are the pearl(s) natural or cultured?
Has the pearl been dyed to enhance or change its color?
If the pearl is dyed, is the treatment permanent? Did this affect the value?