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The Bad Guys Are Everywhere: How To Protect Your Family And Your Personal Info Plus: Buy Or Lease? Everything You Need To Know About Acquiring A New Set Of Wheels...But Didn't Wanna Ask And: What You've GOT To Do To Protect Yourself The Next Time You Move!
March 4, 2004
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Dear Ben: I have a warning for the numerous proud parents who have signs in their yards or decals on their cars announcing their children’s names, what sport they play or band or choir they’re in. I understand their pride, but this is giving too much information to strangers. I don’t want anyone driving by my house to instantly know my daughter’s name, what school she goes to, and what team she plays on.
Leigh in Garland
Dear Leigh: Great advice, even though it’ll get us labeled paranoid. And you can add this one to your public non-disclosure list: "Welcome" signs or doormats, complete with a family’s last name and sometimes–their move-in date–proudly displayed on front porches across America. The bad guys are devious, cut ’em off where ever/when ever possible.
Dear Ben: Please alert your readers to be keep an eye out for strangers bearing cell phones. Retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. offer the perfect settings for the newest wrinkle in identity theft-by-(cell)-phone: "Camera cell phones" are the latest tool to surreptitiously snap digital pictures of your credit card, driver’s license or personal checks, information that–in the wrong hands–will make your life miserable in a hurry.
MLA in Dallas
Dear MLA: You’re right on point. Japanese authorities were among the first to ban the newest generation of cell phone technology from places like locker rooms–for obvious reasons. Their ability to capture amazingly high-resolution images from tiny cameras present one more chance for identity thieves to sting us...and another reason why you might want to strongly consider staying a step ahead of them by subscribing to a credit monitoring service. I’ve spent an average of $25 a month ($300 a year) since 1986 for my Brink’s home security monitoring service, so this type of pro-active prevention makes spending the (average) $80 annual fee for credit monitoring a no-brainer. Early identity theft detection is the key to minimizing losses if you’ve been compromised. Read more information about credit monitoring services on my website: www.bendover.com/monitor.asp.
Dose of Dover For The Week/Part 1:
- Do you know the #1 reason why car buyers should consider leasing over buying–even with the hot-and-heavy inducements coming out of Detroit?
- Will taking your car to a "quick lube" establishment for an oil change work against you in the future if you need warranty work done on your new vehicle?
- Do you know your credit scores and what your credit reports are saying (good or bad) about you at this very moment? More importantly, how would you like some tips on what you can do to raise your credit scores and qualify for the best automotive financing deals/rates?
I’ve got answers to this and more: My first Smart Car Seminar in a couple of years is coming up on Saturday, March 13, 2004 in Addison. We’ve scheduled two seminar times (10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) and while it’s free, seating’s limited, so sign-up early to guarantee your spot. Click here for reservations and location information.
Dose of Dover For The Week/Part 2: So much of what I write about is based on my own life experiences (okay, mistakes) and how you can avoid making them. That’s why I want to share this latest "do what I say/not what I do" nugget with you. The next time you or someone you know moves to a new home, condo or apartment, make absolutely sure your landlord "re-keys" the locks at your new residence after you’ve moved in. You have absolutely no idea how many people have keys to your new home–from former tenants to ex-wives/husbands/girlfriends/boyfriends to housekeepers, maintenance people...got the idea by now?
And yes, I said after you move in...like on moving day or the day after. Why? Because you want to actually witness them changing out the locks and have the brand new keys for the brand new locks dropped into your hot little hand. It’s a matter of trust–or more accurately, accountability. Start off your renter/landlord relationship on the right foot and get new locks/new keys included into your initial lease contract. Wanna avoid tripping over the assorted moving-related booby-traps that await all of us? From hiring a reputable moving company to properly insuring all of your possessions during that stressful move–check out my updated-and-extensive pre-move checklist: www.bendover.com/moving.asp.
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