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DSEF & FTC: Zappos Customer? Take These Steps to Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft.

DSEF & FTC: Zappos Customer? Take These Steps to Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft.

Today’s highlighted blog post from FTC/NCPW:

Zappos Customer? Take These Steps to Redue the Risk of Identity Theft.

January 18th, 2012 by Nicole via OnGuard Online.gov

In light of Zappos’ recent announcement that its database was hacked, OnGuardOnline.gov offers the following tips to help you reduce your risk of identity theft:

If you used your Zappos login ID or password for other accounts, change them. Identity thieves have been known to try IDs and passwords on many different websites to gain control of other accounts. When creating your new password, keep these tips in mind.

When you read your email, consider whether any of the messages could be a phishing scam. Having your stolen information could make it easier for crooks to send emails that appear to be from Zappos or another shopping site. If you get an email asking you to provide your credit card number or Social Security number – don’t.

Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements often. If you see charges you don’t recognize, get in touch with the fraud department of your bank or credit card company right away.

Be sure the information on your credit report is accurate. The law requires the three nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to give you a free copy of your credit report every 12 months if you ask for it. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to order your free copies. To find out how to correct errors, visit ftc.gov/freereports.

 

For 13 years, the DSEF has been proud to partner with the FTC and other organizations to offer a wide array of education events and resources that encourage consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their rights and make better-informed decisions.

You’ll find a wealth of resources at www.ncpw.gov that will help you protect your privacy, manage your money, learn more about credit and debt, decipher advertising messages, and steer clear of fraud and scams.

Please take a moment to share the resources on this Web site with others in your communities and companies and, together, we’ll help build a nation of better-informed and educated consumers.

Charles. L. Orr
Executive Director

Blog / Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: Overcoming Underearning

DSEF & Money Wise Women: Overcoming Underearning

Today’s highlighted post from Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series (Click here):

Overcoming Underearning

Barbara Stanny will help us understand the characteristics of underearners. She will discuss the process of Overcoming Underearning in five steps. You won’t want to miss this thought provoking and life changing teleseminar.

Barbara Stanny, author of Prince Charming Isn’t Coming; Secrets of Six-Figure Women and Overcoming Underearning

Barbara Stanny is a woman on a mission. That mission is to motivate women to become financially empowered. Barbara grew up relying on her father (the ‘R’ of H&R Block), then her husband, to manage her money. But a devastating financial crisis became a personal wake-up call. Barbara’s journey to financial independence is inspiring. She is an author, popular keynote speaker and hosts Overcoming Underearning workshops.www.barbarastanny.com

DSEF proudly sponsors the free Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series hosted by Marcia Brixey, Founder and President of Money Wise Women Educational Services and author ofThe Money Therapist: A Woman’s Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life. The series covers topics related to business and finances and provides women the opportunity to learn from professional experts in a safe, comfortable environment.

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

Blog

DSEF & CBBB: No Sale Prices? Will JC Penney Make it Work?

DSEF & CBBB: No Sale Prices? Will JC Penney Make it Work?

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

No Sale Prices? Will JC Penney Make it Work?

NO! NO! NO! I’m sure you’ve all seen the new JC Penney commercials where consumers are screaming NO! I don’t know about you, but I wanted to mute the TV immediately, but I wanted to also find out why they had all these people screaming no.

JC Penney has now released the concept behind the advertisements – here are two articles which explain, one from Business Week and one from the Wall Street Journal.

It will be interesting to see if this works – if consumers can give up their addiction to 50, 60 and 70% off sales and believe that prices could be lower without a sale. It sure would be nice, as a consumer, to shop on price points versus whether an item is 50% off.

BBB’s regularly review advertisements and comparison prices are so prevalent in today’s market.

Do you think it will work?

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

Blog / Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: The Practical Aspects of Divorce

DSEF & Money Wise Women: The Practical Aspects of Divorce

Today’s highlighted post from Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series (Click here):

The Practical Aspects of Divorce

Gain insight and learn answers to the “how, what, where, when, why” questions of divorce.

  • Decrease legal expenses while increasing your knowledge of the divorce process and how it will affect you – today and years down the road.
  • Get an accurate picture of not only your divorce but your life after divorce.
  • Address your financial issues and accept the importance of knowing about the money in your life.
  • Deal with all the issues and create a realistic settlement that is fair to all parties but will not lessen your quality of life.

Jamie Thomas, Divorce Network

Jamie Thomas learned the process of “divorce recovery” first hand by not only living through it but by recognizing that merely surviving divorce is not enough. She found when going through her own (second) divorce after a twelve year marriage that many aspects of the process were left unexplained. Although she worked with a good attorney, information she had expected to get from her lawyer was not forthcoming. The reason, she discovered, is that many problems and situations which have to be dealt with during the process of a divorce do not fall into the realm of legal help. Therein lies the reason for establishing a business which “fills in the gaps”. Jamie teaches women what they will need to know during their divorce on a general, elementary though very broad level – a kind of Divorce 101. Jamie founded the Divorce Network in 1996.

www.divorce-network.com

 

DSEF proudly sponsors the free Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series hosted by Marcia Brixey, Founder and President of Money Wise Women Educational Services and author ofThe Money Therapist: A Woman’s Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life. The series covers topics related to business and finances and provides women the opportunity to learn from professional experts in a safe, comfortable environment.

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: Women Empower Yourselves: Understand Your Debt and Credit Report

DSEF & Money Wise Women: Women Empower Yourselves: Understand Your Debt and Credit Report

Today’s highlighted post from Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series (Click here):

Women Empower Yourselves: Understand Your Debt and Credit Report

Your credit report can be very confusing but it has great power over many aspects of your life: employment eligibility, mortgage and rental applications, utility and phone service deposits, insurance premiums and loan and credit card rates. To maintain good financial health, it is crucial for you to understand the different types of debt, the consequences of not paying, and how your debt behavior affects your credit report and score.

Hollis Colquhoun

Hollis Colquhoun is an Accredited Financial Counselor and has over twenty years of experience in the financial industry. Starting out as an institutional trader and salesperson for a Wall Street brokerage firm, she later became one of its first female partners. Hollis worked in the Corporate Bond Departments of several New York firms then moved into the distressed securities market where she helped set up a new brokerage operation for one of Wall Street’s masters of “value investing”. Three years later, Hollis stopped working to devote more time and attention to raising her three daughters. She also became very involved in local community projects and a nonprofit education foundation. Two years ago, Hollis was hired by a nonprofit credit counseling agency and received certification as an Accredited Financial Counselor and as a Certified Personal Finance Counselor. Over a two-year period, Hollis counseled thousands of clients who were drowning in debt and in need of financial guidance. She also conducted workshops on budgeting and credit for local community organizations and New Jersey State welfare-to-work programs.

DSEF proudly sponsors the free Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series hosted by Marcia Brixey, Founder and President of Money Wise Women Educational Services and author ofThe Money Therapist: A Woman’s Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life. The series covers topics related to business and finances and provides women the opportunity to learn from professional experts in a safe, comfortable environment.

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

Blog

DSEF & CBBB: Weigh In on Gym Membership Tips

DSEF & CBBB: Weigh In on Gym Membership Tips

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB)

Click here:

Weigh In on Gym Membership Tips

One big holiday, Thanksgiving, down. Add two pounds. Christmas to go. Add three pounds. Obviously in January it’s going to be time to join a gym.

Not all gyms are good for the same people. Which one would be best for you?

Begin by checking their business reviews with the BBB. How long have they been in business? Do they have complaints? What happens if they get into financial trouble and are closed down? We recently had a Gold’s Gym franchise location close but the corporate office immediately opened it up again for their members.

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

Blog

DSEF & CBBB: How “Top” Are the Top Ten?

DSEF & CBBB: How “Top” Are the Top Ten?

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB)

Click here:

How “Top” Are the Top Ten?

Recently a local journal published a list of “Top Companies” in our area. “Wait a minute,” I said, spotting a familiar name. “Don’t they have an F with the BBB?”

Further research turned up the fact that this rating was earned in part due to a BBB Accredited Business revocation. We had revoked the company for not responding to a complaint after having had numerous chances to do so. Ironically, the complaint was about lack of response to the business’s paying customer.

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

Blog

DSEF & CBBB: Protect Your Mail

DSEF & CBBB: Protect Your Mail

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

By CAROL ODELL

With the mail picking up for the holiday season it’s a good time to focus on mail theft.

The Colorado Springs Police Department sent out a Community Alert about mail theft that is worth repeating. Here it is.

Mail fraud can mean anything from non-delivery of mail-order merchandise to mail actually being stolen. Not only do criminals steal packages containing presents and cards filled with money or checks but personal information in your mail can be used by criminals to steal your identity.

Preventing Mail Theft:

  • Do not leave outgoing mail in your unlocked mailbox.
  • Deposit mail in a collection box or inside your local post office.
  • Promptly pick up your incoming mail after it is delivered.
  • Arrange for the installation of locked group mailboxes for neighborhood delivery. These are Neighborhood Deliver & Collection Box Units (NDCBU). Each address has an individual locked unit for delivery and collection. At least seven neighbors are needed to sign a petition requesting an NDCBU.
  • Install a locked mailbox or convert your unlocked box to the lockable type.
  • Have mail delivered to a Post Office Box or Personal Mail Delivery Service.
  • Use Direct Deposit and Electronic Banking to avoid checks in your mail.
  • Contact the senders if you don’t receive credit cards, checks or other valuable mail.
  • When out of town have the post office hold your mail or have someone your trust pick up the mail daily.
  • Be observant of and report suspicious activities on your street, including those near your letter carrier, the postal vehicle, residential mailboxes, and collection boxes.
  • Notify the post office and people who will be sending you mail that you have a change of address.
  • To stop receiving pre-approved credit and insurance offers call: 18885OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit:  www.optoutprescreen.com

Do you have any other mail safety tips?

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

Blog

DSEF & FTC: Take A Close Look At Your Phone Bill For Mysterious Charges

DSEF & FTC: Take A Close Look At Your Phone Bill For Mysterious Charges

Today’s highlighted blog post from FTC/NCPW:

Click here:

Take a close look at your phone bill for mysterious charges

May 20th, 2011 by Cheryl

Do you examine your phone bill closely enough each month to recognize any new charges? Would you notice a $2 or $3 one-time service charge? Or an obscure, recurring monthly charge?

Scammers hope you don’t.  That’s why they invented cramming – the practice of sneaking charges onto your phone bill for services you didn’t order or use.

For 13 years, the DSEF has been proud to partner with the FTC and other organizations to offer a wide array of education events and resources that encourage consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their rights and make better-informed decisions.

You’ll find a wealth of resources at www.ncpw.gov that will help you protect your privacy, manage your money, learn more about credit and debt, decipher advertising messages, and steer clear of fraud and scams.

Please take a moment to share the resources on this Web site with others in your communities and companies and, together, we’ll help build a nation of better-informed and educated consumers.

Charles. L. Orr
Executive Director

Blog

DSEF & FTC: Getting Your Free Annual Credit Report

DSEF & FTC: Getting Your Free Annual Credit Report

Today’s highlighted blog post from FTC/NCPW:

Click here:

Getting Your Free Annual Credit Report

July 5th, 2011 by Carol

Are you looking for a job? Thinking about buying a car or a home? Applying for credit?  Before you do, get – and review – a copy of your credit report.  The information in your credit report can affect whether you get a job, a loan, or the terms or cost of a loan.  You want to be sure the information about you is correct, complete and up-to-date.

For 13 years, the DSEF has been proud to partner with the FTC and other organizations to offer a wide array of education events and resources that encourage consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their rights and make better-informed decisions.

You’ll find a wealth of resources at www.ncpw.gov that will help you protect your privacy, manage your money, learn more about credit and debt, decipher advertising messages, and steer clear of fraud and scams.

Please take a moment to share the resources on this Web site with others in your communities and companies and, together, we’ll help build a nation of better-informed and educated consumers.

Charles. L. Orr
Executive Director

DSEF Academic Engagement

Complete a brief survey to help us identify academic or university connections companywide.

This survey will help us learn more about:

  • The various partnerships each department has with a professor, college or university.
  • The existing connections that our employees may have with a university.
  • How our team can better support or align with these relationships.

Please provide us with the following contact information:

Do you or your department have an ongoing professional partnership or personal relationship with a university, college professor, program or department?