IDENTITY THEFT
Check Fraud
FTC Report On ID Swindles
Frugal Living Tips
-- SAVVY-DISCOUNTS.com Archive --
January 16, 2003 Issue

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Published 1st & 3rd Thursday Of Each Month
Vol. 9, January 16, 2003

Here is the latest issue. Enjoy.
Editor, Rick Doble

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. CHECK FRAUD MUCH LARGER
   THAN CREDIT CARD FRAUD
2. CREDIT CARD HANGOVER
   Pay those holiday bills fast
3. SAVINGS CALENDAR:
   COUNT ON THESE SAVINGS IN FEBRUARY
4. COUGH MEDICINE FOUND USELESS
   Our home made recipe in last issue
   may be just as good
5. IDENTITY THEFT
   Useful sites for help
6. About our advertisers
   We looked for good values from reputable merchants. Read our pledge to our readers if you encounter a problem.
7. About SAVVY-DISCOUNTS.com
8. Advertise with us - click here
9. NEW! Classified Ads - as low as $9.97 -
   Click here to advertise

DEBT INTO WEALTH
A comprehensive, sensible plan
to get you out of debt quickly.
Read a description on our site.

#1. CHECK FRAUD MUCH LARGER THAN CREDIT CARD FRAUD

Last year the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that identity theft was the #1 fraud complaint in 2001. However, many articles did not mention that the most common form of fraud involved bank checks to the tune of 19 billion dollars vs. 1.3 billion for Visa/MasterCard fraud.

And the news gets worse. Most people assume the bank that issued the check will cover the loss but the recently changed laws that concern commercial transactions of this kind (UCC) assign blame depending on the circumstances.

To prevent check fraud reconcile your checkbook with your bank statement soon after your monthly statement arrives. Never give out your social security number, bank account number, name, address or even your phone number unless absolutely necessary.

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Such as: Costco, Eckerd, Duane Reade, Longs,
Safeway, Walgreens, Wal-Mart

#2. CREDIT CARD HANGOVER

At this time of year many people are suffering from credit card hangover. You charged a bunch of stuff at Christmas and now is time to pay up!

Discipline yourself to pay off all that you charged for Christmas by mid-year. Always pay more than the minimum. If you only pay the minimum, you may be paying for Christmas 2002 in 2010 plus probably more in interest than in principle.

HERE ARE SOME MORE CREDIT CARD TIPS:

• Always pay on time:
  one full week or five business days (remember holidays which are not business days)
• Call the first time there is a charge or you may be paying thousands for years
  Remind them that you are a good customer who has always paid on time and that you mailed the payment in plenty of time
  If you do not protest your could be charged a hefty fee, your interest rate could go up substantially and there could be a mark on your credit record
• Read your statements closely
  Look for late fees, changes in interest, penalties
• Watch out for odd charges
  I got charged for monthly insurance at one point
  it meant that the card never got paid off

HALE GROVES for great gifts
at the last minute.
Avoid the crowds; they ship with you gift card.
My family and I have been using Hale Groves for over 25 years.

Hale Groves - Premium Indian River Citrus Since 1947

#3.SAVINGS CALENDAR:
COUNT ON THESE SAVINGS IN FEBRUARY

In addition to store sales, look for close-outs from big catalogue companies such as L.L.Bean and Land's End. Watch for various Presidents Day sales; electronics are often discounted.

Valentine candy will be marked down drastically after the 14th. The most dramatic sale will be on specially designed Valentine's Day boxes and candies.

NOTE: With some produce now available all during the year, many people have forgotten when fruits and vegetables are really fresh. Buying in season means that these items are often cheaper, fresher, and that money may be going to local farmers.

Fruits and vegetables: avocados, broccoli, cabbage, celery, endive, grapefruit, oranges, rutabagas.

Great Cooking in the Cold Weather

Get Calphalon pans, grills, ice cream makers and all kinds of cookware. Read descriptions at our site:
www.SAVVY-DISCOUNTS.com/cooking

#4. COUGH MEDICINE FOUND USELESS

A British review of 15 studies of over-the-counter cough medicine, found that there was no difference between expensive medicine and a placebo. Dr. Knut Schroeder who was involved with the study said, "There's very little evidence for or against the effectiveness of these medicines."

Bottom line: It does not hurt to take these but it does not help either.

We recommend: If you like cough medicine, buy the generic brand that has ingredients which match your favorite name brand. We believe there will be virtually no difference and you will save as much as 50%. Or try a home-made formula listed in the last issue of this newsletter.
http://www.SAVVY-DISCOUNTS.com/V9-030116.htm

READ OUR IN-DEPTH ARTICLE AT THE SAVVY-DISCOUNTS.com WEB SITE: Cut the cost of prescriptions up to 70% Here are 14 ways to do it: http://www.SAVVY-DISCOUNTS.com/r_drug.htm

Give your Friends and Family the Gift of Savings
Give them their own long distance prepaid account so they can call from just about any phone in the USA at the BigZoo low rate.
What better way to stay in touch with friends and family than to give them a BigZoo Gift Certificate. It comes in 5, 10, 20 or 25 dollar amounts and is rechargeable. You can choose to send an E-card from our growing selection along with your BigGift. The person you send it to will have full access to all of BigZoo’s great rates, features, and services and will be forever thankful to you for the great savings they will receive.

You can use the BigZoo
for regular long distance service or like a calling card on the road.
Or give one to your children to call home all for 3.5¢/minute.

#5. IDENTITY THEFT

The Following Sites Can Help You Deal With Identity Theft:

FTC Identity Theft site:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
FTC fraud complaint statistics:
http://www.consumer.gov/sentinel/trends.htm
Guide to dealing with ID theft:
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17a.htm

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