Need a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report?

You’ve probably heard stories about a company’s records being compromised and Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or other personal data being stolen. If your information was among the stolen data, what would you do?

Well, after you’ve finished fussing and fuming about how it could have happened, there are options available to preclude or minimize any possible damage.

Placing a Fraud Alert

You could place a fraud alert. A fraud alert can help prevent the identity thief from opening an account in your name. There are two primary types of fraud alerts to consider.

An initial fraud alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. During that time, creditors must use “reasonable policies and procedures” to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. An initial fraud alert may be sufficient if you suspect that you have been, or may about to be, a victim of identity theft if your wallet or computer has been stolen or if you’ve been a victim of a phishing scam. The initial fraud alert also allows you to get a free copy of your credit report.

The second type, an extended fraud alert, stays on your credit report for seven years. If you’ve been a victim of identity theft you can ask for an extended alert. You will need to provide the consumer reporting company with an Identity Theft Report accompanied by a copy of a report you have filed with a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency. This type of alert requires potential creditors to meet with you or contact you before issuing you credit.

An extended alert entitles you to two free credit reports within twelve months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies. The consumer reporting companies will remove your name from marketing lists for pre-screened credit offers for up to five years or until you ask them to put your name back on the list if earlier.

If you are a member of the military and away from your usual duty station, you may place an active duty alert on your credit report to help minimize the risk of identity theft while you are deployed. When a business sees the alert on your credit report, it must verify your identity before issuing you credit. The business may try to contact you directly, but if you're on deployment, that may be impossible. As a result, the law allows you to use a personal representative to place or remove an alert. Active duty alerts on your report are effective for one year, unless you request that the alert be removed sooner. If your deployment lasts longer, you may place another alert on your report.

Whichever type of alert you place or remove, you will be required to provide appropriate proof of your identity such as your Social Security number, name address, and other personal information.

You can place a fraud alert by contacting one of the three credit reporting agencies. The agency you contact is required to contact the other two to place an alert on their version of your report.

• Equifax: 1-877-576-5734; http://www.alerts.equifax.com/
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com/fraud
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; http://www.transunion.com/

Placing a Credit Security Freeze

A more restrictive option is a credit security freeze. Most states have laws allowing the consumer to freeze their credit. A freeze restricts access to the credit report. Potential creditors won’t be able to access your report unless you temporarily thaw the freeze using a PIN so legitimate applications can be processed.

The charges for placing a security freeze on your credit vary by state. There may be a fee to place the security freeze, to temporarily lift it, or to remove it. Pennsylvania has set a maximum fee of $10 to place or temporarily lift the freeze and it is waived for victims of identity theft. Persons 65 years of age or older are also exempted from the fee to place a freeze. There is no cost to remove the freeze in Pennsylvania. The three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) or your state’s Attorney General’s office can provide information pertaining to your state.

If you wish to open a new account while your files are frozen, you can lift the security freeze for a temporary period of time or with a specific creditor.

Unauthorized Credit Card Use

The above options all relate to the opening of a new account. None will stop someone who has obtained your credit card number from going shopping. If that is the case, contact the issuing bank or credit union immediately. Your monthly statement will have the toll-free phone number. Follow up with a letter including your account number, when you noticed the card was missing, and the date you first reported the loss.

The maximum liability for unauthorized use of your credit card is $50 per card if reported within 60 days. If reported before the card is used, you are not responsible for any charges. If the card was not stolen or lost, but the number was used, you have no liability for unauthorized use. Always review your billing statements carefully and watch for any questionable charges.

For additional information on placing a fraud alert or credit freeze, go to:
Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov/
Pennsylvania Attorney General at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/
Consumers Union at http://www.consumersunion.org/campaigns/financialprivacynow/learn.html
Bankrate .com at http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20060911b1.asp

Slowing Down the Holidays

Holiday decorations are already filling the stores and many parents feel their blood pressure rise with just the thought of the stresses and expectations that the “joyous” season brings. This year try to take a step back and think about what memories you are creating for your children. Will they recall Thanksgiving and other holidays as a warm fun time surrounded by family, friends or neighbors? Or will their recollection be a horror story of how mom or dad “exploded” when the turkey burned?

Think about your own childhood holiday memories. Is it the perfect place settings or the number of casseroles that you recall? More likely it was the games you played with cousins or the hike the family took after dinner or some other simple pleasure that comes to mind. Maybe you can recreate these fun times for your kids and focus a little less on achieving perfection with your dinner or decorations. You might find that you are all a little happier as a result.

Think of ways you can involve your children in the preparations for the holidays. Can they make place cards for everyone, create table decorations, and help make the pumpkin pie or set the table? Perfection is not necessary – keep in mind the pride they will have when they tell others that they helped. The same is true if you are expecting a crowd for the holidays – leave them some tasks to do so they feel part of the event. I have used a “job jar” before and let my family members draw slips of paper that assigned them responsibilities for Thanksgiving dinner. The suspense of the “luck of the draw” made it fun for everyone. What creative ideas have you used to de-stress the holiday season?

Fitness for Families

Barriers The cooler months and holiday stresses can be a challenge for maintaining physical activity for good health. Some of the barriers include:

• shorter hours of daylight
• inclement weather (cold, snow, ice, wind)
• more hectic schedules with holiday tasks
• dislike of traditional exercise
• tight budgets

Benefits The benefits of staying physically fit are many---greater strength, more energy, better sleep, stress relief, weight management and the high of the endorphins. These make it worth your while to find solutions that work for you and your family.

Solutions Here are some strategies that might work to help you maximize the benefits and minimize the obstacles.

Lack of time:

1. Increase the intensity and burn the same number of calories in less time. Walking 4 miles an hour versus 2 miles an hour, riding an exercise bike at a faster pace or with more resistance, or dancing to a faster beat will all work. Be sure to work up to greater intensity very gradually and only do what is exercise at a pace that is approved by your physician.
2. Divide activity into three 10-minute segments rather than one 30-minute period. It is easier to fit in your schedule---10 minutes before work, walk at lunch, activity in the evening. Even doing activity during an hour TV show can give you 15 minutes worth!
3. Incorporate your activity into your daily lifestyle. Climbing the stairs, housecleaning for the holidays, shoveling snow, taking the baby for a walk can all increase fitness while accomplishing tasks. 

Weather woes; shorter daylight:

1. Use exercise videos or DVDs. Seniors might really enjoy Richard Simmon’s “Sweating to the Oldies”. Those with medical conditions that make it difficult to do be on their feet can get “Chair Dancing” by Jodi Stove or activity while sitting. It is amazing much of a workout you can achieve this way. Many times you can purchase these at flea markets for a dollar or two.
2. Keep a basket of hand and ankle weights and stretch bands in the family room. It is so easy to pick them up and do stretching and strength training while watching your favorite show. What might seem like a drudgery exercise routine is accomplished with ease.
3. Listen to music or a talk show, or read a book while pedaling an exercise bike, walking a treadmill, or using other exercise equipment. These items are frequently available second-hand at a low cost.
4. Take advantage of the winter weather by taking a stroll through the snow, participating in downhill or cross-country skiing, taking the kids sledding or getting your exercise by shoveling snow (don’t overdo it and use caution if you have any medical conditions that might be affected).

Tight budgets:

1. Ask for items you can use for physical activity for holiday or birthday gifts. Also give loved ones, including children, gifts that help them stay active. The whole family can enjoy the new video games that involve dancing and virtual sports. You can also give or receive exercise equipment or a membership to a fitness club or YMCA. Less expensive items include exercise tapes, CDs , weights or stretch bands.
2. Walking is always free and you can do it indoors at the mall, supermarket or discount store. Take a few extra laps around the perimeter, or go up and down all the aisles.
3. The lifestyle activities listed above do not require extra spending. Think of the money you save on medical bills by staying healthier!

As you can see there are a variety of ways to stay fit. Everyone can find something they like to do that fits their budget, interests and lifestyle. Make your plan today to maintain a healthy level of physical activity year round.

What strategies have worked well for you? Leave a comment.

Start Your Countdown To a Hassel Free Holiday Dinner

The leaves are beginning to change colors and the days are shorter and cooler. These are subtle reminders that the holiday season is getting closer. When many of us think of the holidays we think of classic holiday meals featuring vegetables, breads, stuffing and, of course, turkey. Holiday meal planning can also prove to be very stressful. This year why not serve up a great holiday meal without the stress? If you start now, at the beginning of November, to begin your initial holiday meal planning you may eliminate much of the stress associated with putting a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner on the table.

The United State Department of Agriculture’s Partnership for Food Safety has developed an easy to follow holiday meal countdown that breaks up the major holiday meal planning task into smaller bite-sized pieces. You can find this countdown at their holiday food safety website, along with other useful and fun holiday planning tips and ideas.

You can check this website out first hand by visiting http://www.holidayfoodsafety.org/.

According to the Partnership for Food Safety’s countdown now, at the beginning of November, is the time to sort through some initial planning task. Developing a guest list and actually inviting your guest would be the first task to tackle. Ask your guest to let you know if they will be attending dinner at least two weeks before Thanksgiving. Question your guest to see if they have any special dietary needs that you should take into account when planning your dinner menu. This is also a good time to count how many tables and chairs you have as well as glasses, plates, etc. If you don’t have enough for the number of people you are inviting, make arrangements to borrow or purchase what you need.

Two weeks before the big dinner is the time to actually purchase your frozen turkey or order a fresh one from your grocer. Other key tasks on this list include preparing shopping list, assigning cooking task to family members willing to assist with meal preparation, and ironing table linens.

With one week to go, start shopping for hardy vegetables such as onions, winter squash, carrots, potatoes, parsnips and turnips. Remember to make room in your refrigerator to thaw the turkey. It will take some larger birds 3 days or longer to thaw. After the turkey is thawed it can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.

Don’t wait until the last minute to clean the house. This needs to be done three days before the event. Make pumpkin pies, rolls, and cornbread, biscuits or bread for the turkey dressing/stuffing two days before the dinner.

As you approach the day of the dinner the things you need to plan for are closely related to actual meal preparation. Study your menu and map out your day so that the foods that need the longest cooking times and long preparation are done first. Remember to allow time for congealed salads and other cold foods to chill.

The first task of the day of the Celebration Day is to clean and sanitize your countertops and cutting boards. This will help keep bacteria and other foodborne illness causing pathogens off of your guest list and out of your food. Another food safety must is a food thermometer. Use this tool to check the internal temperature or the turkey, dressing and casseroles and any other meats.
Before you put your feet up, divide any leftovers into smaller portions and store in shallow containers in the refrigerator within two hours. The website also features handy “use by” date labels for left-over containers.

For more information on keeping your holiday meal task manageable visit http://www.holidayfoodsafety.org/ or contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Nutrition Educator closest to you.

Creating Balance

Sometimes it feels like there is just not enough time to take care of ourselves. Parents are often exhausted from running children from one activity to another. Children are already on the treadmill of almost non-stop activity and “busy-ness”. In general, Americans tend to work long and hard, eat poorly, and exercise too little. And our mental wellness is often the last rung on the ladder.

One of the best life skills educational lessons I had occurred when I was an eighteen year-old college student. I attempted to join a sorority; however, I ultimately quit. First of all, I discovered how much I preferred individuality over belonging. I found that I could not subscribe to the uniform attitudes, behaviors, and insularity of a group of people. I hated having people tell me what to do and when to do it, which is a huge part of the initiation process. Submission was definitely not for me, so I politely turned in my badge and pledge book.

However, I did come away with a lesson that has stuck with me to this day. Throughout the admittance phase to the sisterhood, fledgling members had to document daily how they attended to their growth and personal development. It was required that each aspiring member write in a journal what they did for themselves physically, spiritually, intellectually, and socially each day. This concept of holistic wellness set me on a path that I never strayed too far from ever since. Even when things get hectic, I try my best to make sure I am getting a balanced diet of life.

I do feel a greater sense of wellness when I maintain this balance. I find that I get sick less and have more energy. There is a plethora of research that supports the body-mind-spirit connection. The roots of many common conditions and diseases are being traced to stress which is really the imbalance between the demands of life and the coping resources one has.

I encourage you to ask yourself this question each day and maybe even write down your answers. “What did I do for myself today physically, spiritually, intellectually, and socially?”