Useful Suggestions for Protecting Yourself From Identity TheftWritten by Bryan A. Mjaanes
It's no surprise that thousands of Americans are victimized by identity theft each year. Last year more than 9,000,000 people were victims of identity theft amounting to some $45 billion dollars.By time average person realizes they have become a victim of identity theft; it is much too late. By this point, victim's financial stability and credit rating may be impacted significantly. What can you to to protect yourself from identity theft? Here are some useful suggestions for you... * Place passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, last four digits of your SSN or your phone number, or a series of consecutive numbers. * Secure personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your home. * Use a paper shredder to shred sensitive documents before discarding them. * Ask about information security procedures in your workplace or at businesses, doctor's offices or other institutions that collect your personally identifying information. Find out who has access to your personal information and verify that it is handled securely. Ask about disposal procedures for those records as well. Find out if your information will be shared with anyone else. If so, ask how your information can be kept confidential.
| | What is a Will?Written by John Mussi
What is a will? This subject is one that all of us tend to conveniently overlook. It is a necessary task which need not be morbid. A will is a very simple way to ensure that your funds, property and personal effects will be distributed after your death according to your wishes.A will is a legal document designating transfer of your property and assets after you die. Usually, wills can be written by any person over age of 18 who is mentally capable, commonly stated as "being of sound mind and body." Without a will to indicate your wishes, court steps in and distributes your property according to law. Wills are not just for rich; amount of property you have is irrelevant. A will ensures that what assets you do have will be given to family members or other beneficiaries you designate. Part of purpose of writing a will is to name an executor. An executor is person who oversees distribution of your assets in accordance with your will. Most people choose their spouse, an adult child, a relative, a friend, a trust company or an attorney to fulfil this duty
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