10 Tips for Avoiding ID Theft and Credit Fraud

Article excerpted from the new book, “How to Do Space Age Work with a Stone Age Brain” TM copyright 2004, all rights reserved, by Eve Abbott, the Organizer Extraordinaire

Each year billions of dollars in credit fraud is perpetrated on unsuspecting citizens. With so much personal information publicly available (or easily available to someone with medium computing skills) it is essential to develop good habits to prevent your information from falling into criminal hands. It is possible for someone to create an entire identity (get driver's license, etc.) based on just a few pieces of information.

I know of an employee who sustained an on-the-job injury then applied for disability. He was shocked when they turned him down. According to Workmen's Compensation records he had been collecting disability for the last year and a half. Someone had gotten their hands on enough information to drain his account!

It can take years and thousands of dollars to correct an identity theft, credit fraud or a simple key entry error by a clerk at a Credit Bureau. It takes minutes for you to do these simple tips:

Destroy all pre-approved credit offers you get in the mail before you discard them. Otherwise, someone can fill out a new address and get credit in your name. Use a paper-shredder for all documents with your financial or legal information included. Sign all your credit cards with 'Please ask for photo ID' instead of your signature.

Never give out your SSN or credit card information on the phone unless you initiate the call and you know to whom you are talking. Never carry your social security number in your wallet.

You don't have to give your SSN to businesses that request it, although they do have the right to refuse service. Only government agency, and employment or tax related inquiries must be answered.

Reduce the number of pre-approved offers you get by requesting these credit bureaus remove your name from their lists: TRW (800) 353-0809, Equifax (800) 219-1251 and TransUnion (800) 241-2858.

Once a year carefully check out your free credit report from Experian (800) 682-7654 and free Social Security file (800) 772-1213. If you are denied credit based on your report, the issuing credit bureau must provide you with a free copy upon request - even if they usually charge for it.

Do not give out confidential information on e-mail or do financial transactions on the Internet unless it's secure and encoded. (Look for the SSL reference)

Check guarantee and check verification agencies must provide the same protection as credit bureaus, such as access to your report and correction of errors. If your check is refused, get the agency name.

For assistance in re-establishing good credit and correcting errors, the non-profit Consumer Credit Counseling Service may be able to help you. To find the office nearest you call
(800) 388-2227.
You can check out more free time-saving tips at http://www.organize.com


no credit check

citizens auto finance

Winning Day Trading Strategies

The forex market is like a war zone, and unless you have the best day trading strategies in use you could go down and quickly. Fortunately in this day and age, we have access to one of the most powerful tools to enable you to trade more efficiently and accurately.

Thanks to the advent of the internet and the recent boon in technology, it's never been easier to jump into the forex market without any previous knowledge of it. Not that I or anyone would recommend that you go in completely unlearned of how to trade, but with the best of the day trading strategies in place, forex software, the learning curve is significantly reduced. This is because you can generate and trade by trends in the market as well as be able to auto trade when you are not around in person to give yourself full access trading around the clock.

As the forex market keeps much longer hours than the traditional stock market, it demands that you the trader be able to not only keep a constant pulse over what is happening, but to also be able to react and act on your trades as quickly as possible. Forex software does just that, you simply give it some guidance data in terms of what you want to accomplish, maybe set some limits, and it's off and running. The software only uses as much independence as you give it and is designed to simply ensure that you land on the winning sides of your trades near all the time and give you the peace of mind at knowing that your campaign is in good and capable hands around the clock, with whatever you're doing.

Another of the day trading strategies entails having the information of where the market will go ahead of time and trading accordingly. This is another function of some forex software. Trend indicators use complex mathematical algorithms to predict trends both positive and negative, enabling you to jump in the market at peak times and safely out before you lose anything. The best part about these trend indicators is that they are easily the most trusted and reliable way to trade ahead of the curve as these algorithms are tested and tweaked by their publishers for months and years in advance before they are ever released to ensure that they are as precise as possible for you.

Begin your path to financial independence through safe, reliable, and guaranteed income. To learn more and for in depth and updated reviews on the leading software available today, visit http://www.forexautotradingreviewed.com today.

Emini Trading Strategies

30 Minute Emini Day Trading System

Sleeping With Your Baby - The Benefits

There are a lot of debates on whether we should let our babies sleep with us. I have tried different sleeping arrangements for each of our children, from sleeping in the crib in our room, to letting her sleep in her own room; to sleeping with me in our bed. We found out (through the hard way) that it is very important that a baby should not sleep by himself, until at least about 2 years of age. Below are some of the reasons.

1. For mothers who breastfeed, it is less tiring and taxing to breastfeed if she sleeps with her baby. She can breastfeed even if she is half asleep. She doesn't have to spend half the night walking to and fro her child's room. I think this is a real benefit, because as mothers, we need to grab as much opportunities to sleep as possible, since the baby wakes up a few times a night.
2. Some parents find that they can't sleep with their babies in their bed, because they are afraid of sids (sudden infant death syndrome) due to cosleeping. I bought a small little cosleeper bed that can be secured on our queen size bed to prevent this from happening. This bed is designed specifically for this purpose, and is quite convenient, especially if we need to travel.
3. If the parent is still not comfortable with the baby in the bed, because they feel that they have less space to sleep, they should at least put the baby in cot bed or baby crib in their room. In this way, they can sleep comfortably while still have the baby with them.
4. An infant will know if he is alone even when he is sleeping. He can sense it. He may feel that he is abandoned, and unloved. This will cause him to feel insecure and he might develop bad habits like thumb-sucking, etc. You can read my blog where I described my traumatic experiences of trying to remove my 2nd child's thumb sucking problem, who slept alone since she was born. We decided to sleep with her when she was 10 months old after realizing that her sleeping alone could have been the root cause of her thumb sucking problem. We also surveyed around and found out that most children that sucked their thumbs slept alone when they were infants. Also, studies have shown that Asian children (in the past) tend to have less thumb sucking problem, because, in the past, most Asian children sleep with their parents until preschool age or more.
5. Another benefit of having the baby in the same room as the parents is so that the parents can know what is happening to their baby at every instant, throughout the night. There were two occasions where my 2nd child slept in her vomit until morning, and I didn't even realize it, even though I came to her room and breastfed her twice during the night. I feel so sorry for her.

Through my own painful experience, I will always advice parents to have their baby sleep in their room. My 3rd baby slept with me in our bed, and she is a very secure and happy child. However, my 2nd child who slept alone is still slightly insecure, even though I have tried very hard to give her more attention and express my love to her. Sometimes, these decisions that we make when they were young will affect their entire life. So, a little inconvenience on our part to have them sleep with us when they are infants can make a lot of difference in the future.

Ruth Bonnemare is a very experienced mother who enjoys counselling and training young families. A renowned cook in her hometown, she loves to research into healthy living and healing foods from around the world. She has also consulted on breast feeding and supports young mothers on breast feeding while working. She maintains a website at http://www.allteachingparentingskills.com/

travel cot - baby travel crib

Buying a Drum Kit for the Aspiring Drummer in Your Family

When it comes to the beginning drummer, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a drum kit. Yes, drums are noisy and can take up a lot of space in a room. But they are also a rewarding instrument to learn how to play.

There are so many choices when considering which drum kit to purchase for the aspiring drummer in your family. This includes cost, versatility, quality, and whether or not you want an electric kit or acoustic kit.

Here is some advice that will help you purchase a drum kit for the aspiring drummer in your family.

Price Considerations

On the one hand, you can purchase a drum kit solely because of its cost. There are some pretty decent and really inexpensive drum kits out there that will definitely serve the purposes of a beginning drummer. The low cost is nice because if they do not stick it out, you did not lose as much money as you would have if you purchased a more expensive drum it.

Quality Considerations

On the other hand, if you purchase an inexpensive drum kit and they become serious about the instrument, then they will need a new drum kit. For an intermediate or advanced player, the beginners kits just wont cut it.

For one thing, quality kits sound better, they are more durable, and many come with a lot more accessories that are tailored to the genre of music you play. For example, if you are primarily a drummer for Latin music then your kit will look a lot different than a rock drummer.

This is a great thing to consider if your aspiring drummer has already taken a few lessons, is a drummer in the school band, or you can sense they will stick with it. If none of these are true, consider purchasing a less expensive kit.

Meeting Half Way

Of course, there are plenty of drum kits out there that serve a good compromise between the two. If you want something that is not too expensive and still sounds good, there is plenty of middle of the road drum kits that will serve the purpose. This is a good idea because it wont dent the pocket too badly if they do not stick with it and it will last a lot longer than an inexpensive kit because they are not just for beginners. Overall, when purchasing the drum kit for the aspiring drummer, there a lot of factors to consider and if you do not make the right choice, you can always return it.

Guitar Warehouse is the source for guitars, bass and drum kits. http://www.guitarwarehouse.com


beat making - drum samples

Best Gifts for Baby Boys

So, you’re scouting for a suitable gift for a cuddly baby boy and you don’t know where or how to start especially if you can just spare a limited time of your busy world. There’s no need to panic because shopping for a baby boy gift is easy as long as you know what to look for. Below are a few gift ideas to make your shopping a trouble-free one:

1. Educational Baby Toys: If your objective is to keep the baby entertained while he learns; then, these toys are a great option. There’s a wide variety of educational toys available. There are learning activity and puzzle toys available for you to choose from that helps stimulate the child’s mental ability and growth development. Surely, the parents and the child will have a wonderful time bonding with each other through these toys.

2. Baby Booties: With the emerging fashion trend in shoes today, baby booties are of no exception. Baby booties are designed to keep the baby toes warm no matter what the temperature is. Look for designs that match with the personality of the baby or his aura.

3. Baby Hats: Baby hats that have attractive designs are hard to resist especially those that resemble like that of a baby animal. With ear flaps, eyes, and nose attached on the hat, it sure is very appealing to the child’s tastes.

4. Baby Hooded Towels: Cute hooded towels are fitting for an after bath or dip in the pool time. Made with quick-drying fabrics, these towels are safe for the baby’s sensitive skin and are very cuddly to use. The baby will surely enjoy these.

5. Baby Animal Slippers: These funky animal slippers are must-haves for cute baby boys. They are perfect in keeping the baby’s feet warm inside the house. You’ll be sure the baby will have fun wearing these adorable slippers.

6. Bodysuit: A baby bodysuit is the basis for nearly every baby outfit. It offers an easy way to give your baby an extra layer of warmth during cold weathers. There are wide selections of bodysuits available in the market today. Basic, solid colors are perfect for the baby boy.

7. Mini-Playground: If you’re that extravagant, you can purchase a mini-playground or a mini-gym. Although they can be pricey, baby boys will surely love this one. As we all know, boys are very active and they love to run and play around. Mini-playgrounds and mini-gyms provide a lot of activities for small boys. These minis are complete with stairs, slide and sometimes, a steering wheel. They also have small doors that the baby could open and close as frequent as he wants for his enjoyment.

8. Ride-on Toys: Ride-on toys are very popular for baby boys even at a very young age. Baby boys love being behind the wheel while parents love the durability. Riding toys include wagons, rocking toys, pedal toys and a lot more variety. Baby boys and their parents will certainly enjoy playing with these wonderful toys.

For the best baby gifts, visit Simply Unique Baby Gifts where you will find a large selection of baby gift baskets for boy, girls, unisex and twins.

Free Website Hosting vs. Paid Website Hosting Basics

Web site hosting service companies on the Internet permit the user to make their web site accessible through the World Wide Web. There are huge numbers of companies that offer web space on their server for their customers and also offer Internet connectivity in general in a data center. There can be various types of web site hosting companies. The main classification is the free web site hosting and the paid web site hosting service companies.In case of free web site hosting, the user has the right to upload his or her web site content on the server space that is provided by the web site hosting company without any cost. This type of web site hosting service is great for people who are new to to internet and plan to get familiar with web site creation and functionality of web servers. On the other hand, to get your web site uploaded on a web space that is provided by a paid web site hosting company, you need to pay the company periodic fees. The fee amount may vary from company to company. The paid web site hosting companies are best suited for professional web site owners. People who need large web space to upload their web sites and who expect a certain amount of web site visitors which is restricted on free hosting accounts to a minimum.The revenue that the paid web hosting service companies get is through the fee that is paid to the company by the web site owners. In case of free web site hosting companies, the main source of income are the ads and banners that can be placed on their clients web pages.The main advantage of using a free web site hosting service is that they are free of cost and hence make a perfect choice for people who are new into the business and are just looking to start out. They are perfect for people who just want to display a minimum content on the World Wide Web in small amount of web space. The other advantage of using the free web site hosting service is that most of these companies provide integrated, easy tools to upload the pages on to the hosting account. They do this realizing the fact that the free web site hosting services are generally utilized by the newbies.There are also certain disadvantages of using the free web site hosting services. When using the free web site hosting service, you are forced to place the ads and banners by the web site hosting company on your web pages. Also the revenue that is obtained by the ads goes to the web site company. In case of paid web site hosting service, ads and banners placed on your web site are according to your will and the revenue of the banners and ads placed on your web site goes in your pocket. Also in some case of free web site hosting, the domain name of your web site starts with the web site hosting company name followed by your web site name. This is not the case of paid web site hosting service. You get a unique web site domain. The web space provided by free web site hosting service is limited whereas in case of paid web site hosting service you can buy the web space according to your requirements.

Roger McLean is marketing executive of MojoScripts.com, a Tela IT Inc property. For more great resources about web development, web marketing and web hosting visit http://www.mojoscripts.com Copyright 2007 by Tela IT Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce the article in electronic newsletters or on websites provided that the complete article text is included, unchanged, and that neither the copyright declaration nor this license are removed.

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cpanel

Business Letters - Do You Really Know What They Are?

My two "writing help" websites receive well over two million visitors per year looking for information and templates to help them with their writing. With that many visitors I get a pretty accurate idea of exactly what people are looking for in the way of letter writing help. In fact, a significant number of people arrive at my site based on the search phrase "business letter".

Now, at first glance the term "business letter" makes sense. But, just wait a minute here! What exactly do they mean by "business letter"? Well, it turns out that they're not sure. What it boils down to in many cases is that the person doing the search is involved in some kind of "business" (as owner or employee) and they need to write some kind of "letter" related to their business. Hence, their search phrase of "business letter".

I often get e-mails from people asking me if I have any business letter templates, or if I can write them a business letter. Invariably, I have to reply to them asking "what type of business letter, what is the specific purpose"? The fact is; "business letter" is a very general term that can mean one of many different specific letter types.

Accordingly, the rest of this article is going to explain exactly what business letters really are.

Despite the widespread use of e-mail in commerce today, traditional business letters are still the main way that the majority of businesses officially communicate with their customers and other businesses.

This is especially true when businesses want to formalize an agreement or an understanding. So far, emails are great for all of the preparatory work, but a formal business letter is still most often needed to "seal the deal".

There are two overall categories of business letters: business-to-business, and business-to-customer.

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS LETTERS

Most business-to-business letters are written to confirm things that have already been discussed among officials in meetings, on the telephone, or via e-mail.

Can you imagine the letters that would have to go back and forth to cover all of the questions and possibilities that can be covered in a one-hour meeting, a half-hour phone call, or a few quick e-mails?

The main purpose of a typical business letter is to formalize the details that were arrived at in those discussions, and to provide any additional information that was agreed upon.

Over the years, certain general standards have evolved in the business world that the vast majority of businesses use in drafting their business to business correspondence. The Top 10 business-to-business letters that people search for at my writing help websites, in order of popularity, are as follows:

1. thank you letter

2. introduction letter

3. cover letter

4. financial letter

5. marketing letter

6. sales letter

7. project letter

8. invitation letter

9. employee letter

10. congratulations letter

Even though the above terms are much more specific than the general term "business letter" there are multiple types of each of the above letters, depending on the purpose of the letter. For example, a business-to-business "financial letter" could be: collection letter, credit approval letter, credit refusal letter, invoice, price quotation, etc.

BUSINESS TO CUSTOMER LETTERS

There are many different types of business-to-customer letters. They include: sales and marketing letters, information letters, order acknowledgement letters, order status letters, collection letters, among others.

As with business-to-business letters, over the years certain general standards have evolved in the business world that the vast majority of businesses use in drafting letters to existing and potential customers.

Of course, going in the other direction are customer-to-business letters. These include: order letters, order status inquiry letters, complaint letters, and others.

Since these are customer-generated letters, there is no particular expectation that they follow any particular letter-writing standard. Typically, they are handled just like any other piece of personal correspondence.

The Top 10 business-to-customer letters that people search for at my writing help Web sites, in order of popularity, are as follows:

1. cover letter

2. customer relations letter

3. financial letter

4. credit letter

5. introduction letter

6. order-status letter

7. sales letter

8. marketing letter

9. announcement letter

10. apology letter

Similar to the situation with business-to-business letters covered in the previous section; even though the above business-to-customer letter types are much more specific than the general term "business letter", there are also multiple types of each of the above letters, depending on the purpose of the letter. For example, a business-to-customer "customer relations letter" could be any one of : response to a complaint, follow-up with a new customer, interrupted service notice, letter of acknowledgement, special invitation, welcome to new customers, etc.

BOTTOM-LINE

As you can see from the above, specifying that you are looking for a "business letter" is not very helpful. You need to be specific and define the purpose of the letter; that is, exactly what is the letter meant to communicate?

It's important not to confuse non-business letters with business letters. For example: job application letters, cv and resume cover letters, employment and college related letters of recommendation, character references, resignation letters, etc. are NOT business letters.

You might be surprised to learn that over 75% of all visitors to my main writing help website are searching for information on how to write just the Top 20 letters listed above. In fact, it turns out that a full 90% of the more than 1.5 million people that visit that site each year looking for letter writing help are looking for help with one of a list of 25 letters.

That's why all of my letter writing toolkits focus on multiple variations of about 40 specific letter types that cover over 95% of ALL letters ever written.

To see fully-formatted "real-life template" of a number of typical business letters, you can check out the following link: http://www.writinghelp-central.com/sample-letters-business.html

Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett. All rights reserved.

Shaun Fawcett is Webmaster of two of the most visited writing-help websites on the Net and the author of numerous how-to books about practical everyday writing. He is one of the foremost authorities in the world on the writing of business and personal letters. His definitive guide and templates on the writing of ALL types of business letters can be found at: http://instantbusinessletterkit.com

Sample Business Letter.
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