Shopping Online For A Used Car? Beware Of Scams, BBB Warns

St. Louis, Mo., July 26, 2011 - The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers to be on the alert for phony used car dealers using the Internet to advertise vehicles at deeply discounted prices.

The BBB says the fraudulent dealers often take detailed personal information and cash from potential customers, promising to deliver vehicles to customers' homes. The vehicles never arrive.

In the past five months, consumers have alerted the BBB to two used car scams - one supposedly located in New Florence, Mo., and the other reportedly based in Sullivan, Ill. Both operations fabricated their addresses. There is no indication that either was a legitimate business.

"People work too hard for their money to be taken by these yo-yos," said a Birmingham, Ala., consumer who alerted police to a fake dealership calling itself Edward American Cars, which claimed to be operating in Sullivan. The consumer said he was keenly aware of the potential problems of car scams after previously losing $5,500 to an online thief.

Sullivan Police Chief John Love said that the address advertised by that business - in the 500 block of South Sixth Street - actually is the home of a long-time city employee who has no involvement in any car business. Love said the case has been turned over to state investigators.

Love has taken several calls from consumers across the U.S. who questioned the legitimacy of the online site. He said he was aware of no one who lost money in the scheme, but several people said they were worried that their personal information may have been compromised.

In February, a consumer from West Virginia told the BBB he lost nearly $7,400 after buying a vehicle from Quick Auto Sales, which hijacked an address in New Florence, Mo. The address turned out to be the site of an abandoned service station.

“It’s sad that there are people like that,” said the man who had recently lost his job.

Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO, said consumers should be careful about making any advance payments for items marketed through the Internet, especially if they are not familiar with the business.

“Just because the picture is pretty and the price is right doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind,” Corey said.

The BBB offers the following tips for consumers interested in buying vehicles online:

• Buy from an established business with a good reputation.
• If you are unfamiliar with the business, check its address to make sure it has offices where it says it does. If you have continuing concerns, contact the building manager or other tenants to confirm the business address.
• Whenever possible, pay by credit card in case you need to challenge the purchase.
• Be wary of prices that seem unusually low. Low prices are the best way for a fraudulent business to attract victims.
• Get a BBB Business Review by going to http://www.bbb.org/

Infected Apps Lead to Smart-Phone Scams - You may be downloading trouble with infected apps.

The growing popularity and functionality of smart phones is presenting a tempting target for cybercrooks. Recently, an outbreak of malware (short for "malicious software") infected thousands of Android phones after users downloaded a seemingly innocuous app from the Android Market. This time, Google, which developed the Android operating system, wiped the threat from infected phones. But don't expect hackers to back off. "They can access your contact list, e-mails, mobile-banking account login information," says John Sileo, author of Smartphone Survival Guide: Ten Critical Security Tips in Ten Minutes. "They can act on your behalf; they can become you." Signs that your phone is infected may include decreased battery life and slow performance. Fishy calls and texts on your phone bill are a dead giveaway. To find trustworthy apps, experts recommend downloading from reliable sources, such as the Apple Store, Amazon and the Android Market – exceptions such as the infected application notwithstanding. For extra coverage, download free mobile security software, such as Lookout Mobile Security, available for Android, Windows and BlackBerry phones. Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2011 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. www.kiplinger.com.

Clip Your Way to Savings - 3 Easy Ways to Save with Coupons

How often do you find yourself leaving a store with a big grocery bill–but not a lot of groceries in your cart to show for it?

If you want to have a spring in your step–and more money in your wallet–the next time you leave the grocery store, try these tips:

1. Don't wait for your Sunday paper. You can find over 100 coupons in at least two inserts that are included in most Sunday papers. But you don't have to wait for your Sunday paper. Instead, you can visit the Sunday Coupon Preview website to read the insert schedule and sign up for an email alert to get advance notice of what coupons are going to be featured in the next Sunday paper.

2. Ask your grocer to match competitors' prices. Most, if not all, major grocers will match competitors' prices. Instead of dashing to different stores, spending additional money on gas, bring competitor advertisements to your grocer and ask them to match the prices on featured items or items on sale.

3. Print coupons from the comfort of your home. Websites like SmartSource.com ask you to enter your zip code and then display a list of ready-to-print coupons. You can print the entire list of coupons or select individual coupons to print. You can even narrow your search down by category and brand.

For some people couponing is an extreme sport, but if that's not for you there are still savings to be had in just doing the simple things above. Happy shopping!

Scam Alert: BBB Warns of an Email Phishing Scam

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a new email scam designed to steal your money. Be on the lookout for an email claiming to be from someone you know who is stuck in another country. They are asking you to give them a loan to pay for their hotel bills and airfare home and request that you respond via email.

“This is yet another phishing scam,” said Paula Fleming, BBB Spokesperson, “all the scammers are doing is using a new ‘hook’ to lure you into wire transferring money to them.”

This email scam will come from someone who you have corresponded with via email before, but their email address may be different. All personal information or signatures within the email will be the same. This is a type of phishing scam, where thieves send emails that appear to be from a trusted contact and try to trick you into providing personal information or sending large sums of money via wire transfer.

If you reply to the email, you will be asked to wire transfer money or to provide your bank account or credit card numbers. The scammer may also reply back with a link where you can supply this information. Do not click on links within scam emails, your computer will almost certainly be infected with malware or spyware viruses that can help the scammers find enough information on your computer hard drive to steal your identity.

The BBB has some simple advice to keep you safe:

• If you receive an email from someone you know who says they are in trouble, contact that person directly with the number or email address that you have for them.
• NEVER click on links contained in emails you receive from someone you don’t know, even if the email looks real.
• NEVER give out personal information over the telephone or online to someone you don’t know.
• Make sure your computer has up to date, anti-virus software because new scams are created every day.
• When in doubt, check it out with the BBB. It’s fast, easy and FREE to check on companies out at bbb.org.

For more information the latest scams, please visit bbb.org.

Top 5 Social Media Scams

We’re wired to be social creatures, and sites like Twitter and Facebook have capitalized on this to great success. According to its COO Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook draws 175 million logins every day.
But with this tremendous popularity comes a dark side as well. Virus writers and other cybercriminals go where the numbers are -- and that includes popular social media sites. To help you avoid a con or viral infection, we’ve put together this list of the top five social media scams.
5. Chain Letters
You’ve likely seen this one before -- the dreaded chain letter has returned. It may appear in the form of, "Retweet this and Bill Gates will donate $5 million to charity!" But hold on, let’s think about this. Bill Gates already does a lot for charity. Why would he wait for something like this to take action? Answer: He wouldn’t. Both the cause and claim are fake.
So why would someone post this? Good question. It could be some prankster looking for a laugh, or a spammer needing "friends" to hit up later. Many well-meaning people pass these fake claims onto others. Break the chain and inform them of the likely ruse.
4. Cash Grabs
By their very nature, social media sites make it easy for us to stay in touch with friends, while reaching out to meet new ones. But how well do you really know these new acquaintances? That person with the attractive profile picture who just friended you -- and suddenly needs money -- is probably some cybercriminal looking for easy cash. Think twice before acting. In fact, the same advice applies even if you know the person.
Picture this: You just received an urgent request from one of your real friends who "lost his wallet on vacation and needs some cash to get home." So, being the helpful person you are, you send some money right away, per his instructions. But there’s a problem: Your friend never sent this request. In fact, he isn’t even aware of it. His malware-infected computer grabbed all of his contacts and forwarded the bogus email to everyone, waiting to see who would bite.
Again, think before acting. Call your friend. Inform him of the request and see if it's true. Next, make sure your computer isn't infected as well.
3. Hidden Charges
"What type of STAR WARS character are you? Find out with our quiz! All of your friends have taken it!" Hmm, this sounds interesting, so you enter your info and cell number, as instructed. After a few minutes, a text turns up. It turns out you’re more Yoda than Darth Vader. Well, that’s interesting … but not as much as your next month’s cell bill will be. You’ve also just unwittingly subscribed to some dubious service that charges $9.95 every month.
As it turns out, that "free, fun service" is neither. Be wary of these bait-and-switch games. They tend to thrive on social sites.
2. Phishing Requests
"Somebody just put up these pictures of you drunk at this wild party! Check 'em out here!" Huh? Let me see that! Immediately, you click on the enclosed link, which takes you to your Twitter or Facebook login page. There, you enter your account info -- and a cybercriminal now has your password, along with total control of your account.
How did this happen? Both the email and landing page were fake. That link you clicked took you to a page that only looked like your intended social site. It's called phishing, and you've just been had. To prevent this, make sure your Internet security includes antiphishing defenses. Many freeware programs don't include this essential protection.
1. Hidden URLs
Beware of blindly clicking on shortened URLs. You'll see them everywhere on Twitter, but you never know where you're going to go since the URL ("Uniform Resource Locator," the Web address) hides the full location. Clicking on such a link could direct you to your intended site, or one that installs all sorts of malware on your computer.
URL shorteners can be quite useful. Just be aware of their potential pitfalls and make sure you have real-time protection against spyware and viruses.
Bottom line: Sites that attract a significant number of visitors are going to lure in a criminal element, too. If you take security precautions ahead of time, such as using antivirus and anti-spyware protection, you can defend yourself against these dangers and surf with confidence.
Copyright (c) 2010 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.

Can Your Car Be Hacked?

You might be behind the wheel, but increasingly, computers control your car’s every function.
Microprocessors direct braking, acceleration and even the horn these days. “Because they are hidden, people don’t often understand that there can be anywhere from 30 to 40 microprocessors in most cars and even up to 100 different ones running different functions in some vehicles,” says Stephan A. Tarnutzer, chief operating officer for DGE Inc., which provides electronic designs and consulting for auto manufacturers and suppliers.
But could a hacker compromise these systems? Recently, several news reports have raised the issue of car-hacking risks, including:

• Vehicle disablement. After a disgruntled former employee took over a Web-based vehicle-immobilization system at an Austin, Texas, car sales center, more than 100 drivers found their vehicles had been disabled or their horns were honking out of control.
• Tire pressure system hacking. Researchers from the University of South Carolina and Rutgers University were able to hack into tire pressure monitoring systems. Using readily available equipment and free software, the researchers triggered warning lights and remotely tracked a vehicle through its unique monitoring system.
• Disabling brakes. Researchers at the University of Washington and University of San Diego created a program that would hack into onboard computers to disable brakes and stop the engine. The researchers connected to onboard computers through ports for the cars’ diagnostic system.

Is your car at risk?
The potential for car hacking is real, although there may not be a financial incentive for hackers to focus on autos just yet, say the experts. “All the malware attacks consumers are faced with every day have financial motives behind them,” says Ryan Smith, a principal researcher with Accuvant Labs who finds vulnerabilities in computer systems.
Most of the danger right now may come from hackers who want to demonstrate their prowess and enhance their reputations, says Tarnutzer. And the increased reliance on wireless systems -- such as the tire pressure monitoring system -- makes your car more vulnerable to these attacks, says John Bambene, a security researcher with the Internet Storm Center, the global cooperative community that monitors cyberthreats.
Protect your car from hacking
Security is largely in the hands of auto manufacturers, who are working to address concerns. In the meantime, you can take these steps to protect your vehicle:

• Ask about wireless systems. Familiarize yourself with the wireless systems if you’re purchasing a new car, advises Bambenek. For a car you already own, you can review your manual or check online. Find out if any of the systems can be operated remotely.
• Ask about remote shutdown. If you’re financing through the company from which you purchased the vehicle, ask about remote shutdown related to repossession. Make sure the seller has security measures in place that control access to the system.
• Go to reputable dealers and repair shops. It’s possible for unscrupulous garages to manipulate your car’s computer systems, making it appear you need repairs that aren’t actually warranted. Don’t cut corners when it comes to choosing a dealer or repair shop.
• Protect your information. Of course, locking your car is always wise. And if you use OnStar -- the GM-owned auto security and information service -- make sure you don’t leave OnStar-related documents or your password in the car, says John Luludis, president and co-founder of Superior Tech Solutions, an IT provider, and a former car industry tech executive. Since OnStar can remotely shut off your engine if you report the vehicle stolen, there’s the potential for mischief if your password falls in the wrong hands.
  
• Be cautious about after-market devices. After-market car systems may not be as rigorously tested or designed, opening you to vulnerabilities, says Tarnutzer.

Luludis compares the use of computers in cars to the development in our use of personal computers. Hacking exploded when the Internet evolved, making it easy to access computers via networks. Wireless connections mean your car is no longer a closed system. “Once you have connection to vehicles, you have an entry point for people to try to access,” says Luludis. “The only thing standing in their way now is a standardized piece of software. It’s a concern we need to address.”
Copyright (c) 2010 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.

Unsecured Bad Credit Installment Loans Online – 3 Important Tips You Must Keep In Mind

Some people who own some fixed assets are considered “lucky” even though their credit scores are badly affected by the global economy crisis. They make good use of their fixed assets to serve as collateral so that they can obtain financial assistance from loan providers with low interest rates. For people who do not have any fixed asset, what can be done if they need cash for important matters? How can they resolve their financial hardship?

Here is your solution – the unsecured bad credit installment loans online. You don’t need to own any fixed asset. As long as you are currently employed and you have fixed monthly salary, you are eligible to obtain the bad credit loan. Having poor credit history will not deter you from getting the financial assistance.
Before you make up your mind to take up the loan, you are reminded to go through the three tips stated below:

* Ask yourself honestly whether you really need the loan
I am not saying that unsecured bad credit installment loans are bad. To certain extent, they are really helpful for people who are in need of cash. To be frank, different people may have different needs when they apply for loans. You need to evaluate your financial situation carefully to find out whether the loan is really important for you or not. If you don’t need cash for urgent matter, it is not wise for you to obtain bad credit loan as this type of loan requires the borrowers to pay the interests through the nose.

* Find the genuine online lenders
If getting the unsecured bad credit installment loan is a must, then you are advised to search for it through the internet. The application process can be very fast if you are able to provide sufficient personal information. However, please do not submit any personal documents to any lender if you have not done any background checking on the particular lender. It will be good for you to gather the information of those genuine lenders from the official site of the Better Business Bureau.

* Consider the interest rates offered by different loan providers carefully
Please accept the fact that you need to bear much higher interest when you take up unsecured bad credit installment loan from the “special” lender. In order to save as much financial cost as possible, you must spend some time to compare the interest rates of different loan providers so that you can select one which provides you the best rate.

Having bad credit doesn’t mean that you are not good in managing your finances. Learn from the mistakes and experiences so that you can manage your finances in a more proper manner.

Many have problems of getting reliable unsecured bad credit installment loans during desperate times.

VISIT US AT http://www.emergentfunding.com/ to see how we can help you.

Verbiage provided by:  http://www.nptools2009.com/unsecured-bad-credit-installment-loans-online-3-important-tips-you-must-keep-in-mind/

Faces of Distracted Driving

Accidents caused by distracted drivers can be tragic. Watch these videos and visit Distraction.gov to learn more from the U.S. Department of Transportation about how distracted driving has impacted lives:

	Alex Brown In 2009, 17-year-old Alex Brown was killed when she crashed her truck on a rural road while she was texting. To honor Alex's memory, her family formed an anti-distracted driving advocacy group. Watch the video...
	Jacy Good On the way home for Jacy Good's college graduation, a driver talking on his cell phone ran a red light. The crash killed her parents instantly, and Jacy spent four months in the hospital. Today, Jacy raises awareness about the dangers of texting and cell phone use while driving. Watch the video...
	Ashley JohnsonOn May 10, 2010, 16-year-old Ashley Johnson was killed when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the center line, and hit a pickup truck head-on. She was texting at the time of the crash. Watch the video...
	Julie Davis In 2009, Julie Davis set off for a hike with her best friend. While walking, a 19-year-old driving at 70MPH struck Julie from behind, killing her. Laurie Hevier, Julie's daughter, is now an advocate against distracted driving. Watch the video...

 

© 2011 Council of Better Business Bureaus

Avoid Unexpected Cell Phone Data Charges when Traveling this Summer

Nowadays, cell phone users are surfing the web, receiving emails and watching movies all on their smartphone with just the click of a button from just about anywhere. However, when traveling abroad, many consumers fail to recognize that their data plan is constantly in use even when they think their phone isn’t. Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to either turn off their phone or make the necessary data arrangements with their cell phone provider to avoid thousands of dollars worth of data charges while traveling abroad this summer.

Last year alone, BBB received more than 27,000 complaints against the cell phone industry, some of which were from customers who were unaware that their data was still in use as they traveled outside of their coverage area or outside of the United States. One particular customer was charged more than $1,200 when his cell phone auto received his emails daily during a one week stay in Jamaica.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “roaming” is the term that describes a wireless phone’s ability to make and receive calls outside the home calling area under your service plan. When your phone is roaming, an indicator light on your phone may display the word “roam.” On occasion, your handset will not display a roaming indicator, even though it is in a roaming area. Before traveling abroad or out of your coverage area, it’s important for consumers to be proactive and contact their provider for specific details regarding their individual data and roaming plan.

“While the international roaming charges may vary from provider to provider, many of the fees can come as a surprise to travelers,” said Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “To prevent the unexpected roaming charges, contact your cell phone provider to clarify where you are covered and the data plans that can be purchased when traveling abroad.”

BBB advises consumers to do the following with their cell phone and cell phone provider in preparation for a trip abroad this summer:

Turn off your phone. If you don’t need your phone and don’t plan on using it while traveling abroad, turn it off. Some travelers opt for renting or buying international cell phones. Many rental plans offer services that work in several countries and may provide free incoming calls.

Contact your cell phone provider. Many cell phone users know not to make calls or send text messages while out of their coverage area or abroad, but many fail to realize that their data is in use even when they don’t think it is. For the occasional traveler, who doesn’t talk on the phone that frequently, it may be worth looking into an international add-on plan. Your cell phone carrier can provide specific tips that cater to the roaming needs of your individual cell phone and data plan.

Invest in a prepaid SIM card. For the frequent, chatty travelers, or long-term travelers, investing in a prepaid SIM card may be the best way to cut costs. With access to a local phone number, you’ll be able to make phone calls at the country’s local rate. Always check with BBB before choosing an international service provider. Many companies offer SIM cards that can be purchased and can include free incoming calls originating from anywhere in the world.

For more travel tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news.

Let's Read! Let's Move! Promoting summer reading and tackling childhood obesity

Let’s Read! Let’s Move!

July 6th, 2011 Posted by Tracy Russo

Attorney General Eric Holder reads from Oh! The Places You'll Go. He is joined by Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education and basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

In an effort to combat childhood obesity and summer learning loss, the Department of Justice joined the U.S. Department of Education to address young audiences throughout the nation as part of the Let’s Read. Let’s Move. campaign.
Earlier today, Attorney General Eric Holder participated in the first Let’s Read. Let’s Move. summer enrichment event at the Department of Education’s Lyndon Baines Johnson building in Washington, D.C.
The Attorney General was joined by Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan; Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan; NBA Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; and a classroom full of local students as he read a selection from Dr. Seuss’ Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

Students get active after story time.

This series of events, in conjunction with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, motivates young people to get and stay active, encourages summer learning outside of the classroom, and emphasizes the impact adults make when they take time to read to children.
Attorney General Holder’s book choice echoed the initiative’s call to reading, learning and active living:

Kid, you’ll move mountains! So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!”

At the event Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, led students through a number of activities, emphasizing the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle. Meanwhile the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington Physical, Healthy, Driven staff conducted games and the Target Corporation provided books and healthy snacks for those who were able to attend.

Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, sits with students during story time.

Let’s Read. Let’s Move. is one part of the Obama Administration’s United We Serve summer service initiative, which encourages all Americans to make service and learning a daily priority.
Find opportunities to serve in your community at Serve.gov.

POSTED IN: Office of the Attorney General

Buyback Plans For Technology Products May Not Be Good Investments, BBB Advises

If having the latest cell phone, laptop or tablet computer is your goal, you may have listened with interest to some stores’ advertised promises to buy back your gadget so you can upgrade quickly.

The BBB advises consumers to investigate the offers carefully before signing up or paying a fee. The plans are basically a form of insurance that allows you to trade in a gadget in good condition toward another product. However, the value may be less than you expected or it may be hard to qualify for the buyback if you don’t follow specific directions as required in the plan.

“Consumers who have to have the most sophisticated gadgets as part of their job or their lifestyle may find value in these offers,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “But you have to balance the cost of the plans against what you may actually get back if your item isn’t in tip-top condition when you trade it in.”

The New York Times recently reported that many of these plans come with high price tags, and their value drops sharply if you don’t trade in the old item within a short period of time – often less than a year. It could take longer than that for the new version to arrive on store shelves.

The BBB offers the following tips for consumers who may be considering a buyback plan:

• Consider the buyback plan as a form of insurance. The plans basically guarantee a resale value, but that value can drop off sharply over time. The true value may be nominal and may be hard to define, so make sure you read the fine print.
• The plans have the retailer’s interest at heart. When you bring back your item, you usually will be issued a gift card good only at that retailer, essentially locking you in to that store for the next technology purchase. In some states, consumers also have found that they have to pay sales tax as many as three times – for the original purchase, when they return the item and again when they use the gift card.
• Buyback plans don’t work if you’re forgetful or disorganized. Many plans require you to return the original purchase receipt, power cords and manuals. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to get as much trade-in value for your gadget.
• Mobile phone contracts are excluded. You may be able to upgrade your cell phone with a buyback program, but you will still have a contract with the cell phone service provider who may bill you for the life of the contract. Find out whether the service contract can be transferred to a new phone.
• Erase any personal data before returning your gadget. To avoid identity theft, make sure that the memory of the gadget is wiped clean before you turn it in. Otherwise, computers and even cell phones can contain sensitive information that could be used to commit identity theft.
• Consider reselling gadgets elsewhere. Some consumers have found that they can get more out of their gadgets by reselling them than by trading them in. Online auction or classified ad sites may be a better way to get some value out of your gadgets.

For more consumer tips or to check a company’s BBB Business Review, go to http://stlouis.bbb.org/

BBB Advises Parents To Watch For Signs Of Child ID Theft

The first tell-tale sign that a child has been the victim of identity theft could be a credit card solicitation in the child’s name arriving in the mailbox, the BBB warns.

Identity thieves comb the Internet to find inactive Social Security numbers, many of them assigned to children. Companies sell the numbers under different names. Thieves then use the numbers to establish fake credit and rack up significant debts. The debts could mar a child’s credit record later in life. Creditors may try to collect the debts, too.

“Identity theft is a serious problem for adults, but it’s even more frightening that it can affect young children,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “Parents should take precautions to ensure the safety of their child’s identity and credit.”

Last year, 8.1 million American adults became victims of ID theft, with losses totaling $37 billion, according to a report from Javelin Strategy and Research. While information on child ID theft is scarce, Debix, an ID theft monitoring company, checked records for 40,000 children and found that 4,000 records had been tainted. The BBB advises parents to be on the lookout for signs of child ID theft:

• Find out how to check your child’s credit report. Many reports for children under 13 are unavailable from the free credit report website, http://annualcreditreport.com/. The easiest way to check is to ask TransUnion, one of the three credit reporting agencies, for your child’s report. If there is no report, then odds are good that your child is in the clear. If not – or if you have other reasons to believe your child has been a victim – you should get reports from the other two bureaus, Experian and Equifax.
• Recognize signs of trouble. Calls for your children from collection agencies or letters offering them credit cards are common red flags that indicate a child’s identity may have been stolen.
• Know what to do if you suspect your child is a victim. Every parent should check his or her child’s credit report on the child’s 16th birthday. While it isn’t a good idea to check it too often, families should check reports in time to fix errors and remove fraudulent activity before their children apply for college and seek financial aid. If you find suspicious activity, contact all three credit bureaus and request a report immediately. If your state allows it, you can request that a credit freeze be placed on the child’s report immediately.

For more information on securing your identity or to check a company’s BBB Business Review, go tohttp://stlouis.bbb.org/

Is Retirement in Your Future? Advice from the Better Business Bureau

Having an alternate plan for retirement is becoming the norm today. With the changes in retirement rules and the fact that employees are cutting back on what they contribute to an employee’s retirement, consumers now realize they must take more personal responsibility for their retirement finances. In this economy, how do you go about making sure you will have the finances needed for a secure retirement?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), fewer than half of all Americans have calculated how much they will need to save for retirement. While it’s important to plan, it’s also important to set realistic, achievable goals. Know your options and ask questions. Set aside time to talk with your employer about retirement plans. Your employer may offer benefits like 401(k) plans which allow for an immediate tax deduction growth on your savings.

“While earlier generations of retirees relied on employer provided pensions, today’s workers will need to rely on their own work-related and personal savings for retirement,” said Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “That’s why it’s extremely important to have an alternate plan and save as much as possible.”

BBB and USDOL recommend that consumers consider the following to ensure a more financially comfortable retirement:

A penny earned is a penny saved. Start saving now and continue to stick to your savings goal, it’s never too late to start saving. Make a budget and use it! Saving can be fun if you think big and realize how much it will pay off when the times comes to retire.

Be realistic about your retirement needs. According to the USDOL, experts estimate that you will need about 70 percent of your preretirement income – lower earners, 90 percent or more – to maintain your standard of living when you stop working. The average retiree is in retirement for 20 years of their life. Plan ahead and familiarize yourself with how much you will need after factoring in Social Security and other sources of retirement income.

Take advantage of your employer’s retirement savings plans. While more and more companies are becoming less generous with retirement benefits, some still allow you to contribute to a 401(k) plan. If it’s offered, participate. There may even be a chance that your employer matches a percentage of your contribution. If your employer doesn’t offer a plan, consider investing in a traditional IRA or Roth IRA. You can put up to $5,000 a year into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA); you can also contribute even more if you are 50 or older.

Don’t stir the pot. Avoid touching your retirement savings if at all possible. If you withdraw your retirement savings now, you’ll lose principal and interest and you may lose tax benefits or have to pay withdrawal penalties. If you change jobs, leave your savings invested in your current retirement plan, or roll them over to an IRA or your new employer’s plan.

For more financial tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news.