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Good Tuesday morning!
Here's your weekly, always street-smart

Dose of Dover

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Tuesday, July 22, 2003:
 
You'd better be careful when it comes to what you're writing, e-mailing or viewing on your computer at work! More companies are hiring a new breed of snoops called Human Resource Forensics Experts to look through your hard drive: They might be doing it when you're away from your desk (overnights are a popular option), or they might be looking into your computer during the day if you're on a network.  The fact is that nothing is private if you're on their equipment and doing it on their time.  Quick, go delete all of those porno sites from your browser's history, and then check out Marci Alboher Nusbaum's eye-opening story from The New York Times.....
 
 
The rules of the credit reporting world are about to expire!  Good, bad or ugly, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) has been out there "protecting" us from assorted credit bureau misdeeds for 33 years.  But believe or not, the FCRA's about to expire!  Read all about it here.
 
Assuming they pass a new and improved version of the FCRA by New Year's Day '04, let's hope for two things: Number One?  More teeth to penalize crappy credit reporting bureaus that could give a rat's a** about the damage they do to us when they fail to do their job properly and, Number Two?  More protections for victims of Identity Theft.
 
 
Identity Theft/Part II First she lost her gig on The Practice, and now Lara Flynn Boyle's lost her identity: Not in a Hollywood sorta way, but in a move even more destructive than a pink slip from the network, when thieves broke into her home last month, in addition to a buncha jewelry, they pilfered her Social Security Number.  Read all about it here.....
 
 
Identity Theft/Part III Didja hear about the latest beneficiaries of stolen identities? Pedophiles!  A convicted pedophile, using a stolen Social Security Number, not only escaped detection but gained custody of a 12-year old foster child.  Incredible...now you can read the rest of the story here.
 
 
Identity Theft/Part IV Some new laws went on the books earlier this month that will supposedly help protect us from the bad guys...especially if you live in the Sun Belt states:  California, Texas and Indiana put some teeth into new anti-theft laws; read Sandra Block's complete story from USA Today.....
 
Do you know what to do if someone steals your identity?  I do...and you will too after you spend some time in this special section of my website.
 
 
 
What do you want to be when you grow up?  How 'bout a credit card thief?  It's easy to learn how...all you need is an Internet connection.
 
 
Got credit problems? (Know someone that does?)  Wanna know more about the inner-workings of that black hole known as the credit reporting bureau?  You can get a digital copy of Ben's 1993 bestseller Life After Debt on-line, right now.  Read how right here.....
 
 
Tired of getting tiny returns on your cash?  Here's a U.S. Government-guaranteed investment that's not only 100% safe, but pay a 4.66% rate!  The Treasury's "I" bonds are just the ticket for weary savers looking for an alternative to what their banks or brokerage accounts are paying.  Read Linda Stern's article from the current issue of Newsweek and start pumping up your returns!
 
 
 
Did you know that interest rates are bumping up a bit?  Isn't time you got a better return on your cash?  Now's the time to buy a home: Interest rates are still lower than they were a year ago, so read what the big shots are saying about the future of those incredibly-low interest rates.  And since we're on the topic of good timing, what are you waitin' for?  Cash in and lock in the lowest rate in decades by re-financing your current mortgage and cut 10 to 15 years off your term!  It's easy to get educated about the process first...and the price is right!  (Free!)  Everything you need to know can be found on-line; get your own copy of Bens' 2003 Home Buyer's Guide by clicking here.
 
 
If you're moving somewhere/sometime soon, let's hope you're taking advantage of these (still extremely attractive) interest rates and getting serious about buying or trading up to a new home.  And while you're at it, why not get some cash back on your next home purchase?  (I'll show you how.)  Click here.....
 
 
Since you're gonna be moving sooner or later, knowing how to avoid having all of your worldly possessions "held hostage" by a buncha thugs is simple.  Do your homework (first) and choose the right moving company!  Ben's Moving Tips will save you time, money and lots-o-heartache.....
 
 
E-Mail, Part I - Wanna tell "W" what a good job he's doing? The White House is making it easier for you, thanks to The New York Times: The White House Web site began more prominently featuring the president's e-mail address a couple of days ago, adding the president's e-mail address to the main contacts page.  Recent spikes in White House website traffic resulted from an article in The New York Times about the relatively cumbersome process involved in sending an e-mail letter to the president.
 
According to a follow-up article by the NYT's Matt Richtel, the president's address had worked previously, but those checking the Web site had a hard time finding it because it was not on the main contacts page.
 
Oh yeah, and just in case you'd like to add the President to your Address Book: His address is president@whitehouse.gov
 
 
E-Mail, Part II The French continue to give us ammo to use against them: The latest from the world of punks that would be goose-stepping around the Eiffel Tower if it wasn't for us?  France's Culture Ministry (sounds like a buncha socialist crapola to me) thinks the term "e-mail" is too non-French.  Read the entire story here...
 
You don't have to fly across the Atlantic to get a taste of this latest French-based silliness, either: A quick trip to our 51st state (Canada) and to the right will put you in a North American pocket of snobbery.....
 
 
Level the playing field with the long-awaited new edition of Back Off! The Definitive Guide To Stopping Collection Agency Harassment:
 
 
Gotta have your Dover Radio Fix?  Here are two options:
    Call Ben on the air live, Tuesday mornings (as in this morning) on ABC Radio Network's Sirius [satellite] Channel 131 show with Mark Willis: It ain't perfect, and it's not 2 hours of Straight Dover, but it's better than nuthin':  (888) 782-5966.  (Limited show hours/limited window of opportunity to begin with...but it'll be expanding soon: 7:00a Pacific/8:00a Mountain/9:00a Central/10:00a Eastern.)
 
 
Looking for a cool birthday or other special occasion sorta gift that will keep on giving all year long?  Then give 'em a subscription to the Dose of Dover...the most reliable source of insights and no s*** ideas available on the planet.  (Besides...it's free!)  Be a big shot and share the wealth!  Sign-up for a subscription to the weekly Dose of Dover Newsletter right here!
 
 
The path to Hell is paved with good intentions...but did you know it's located in New Mexico?  Those gosh-darned Satanic souvenier hunters are at it again, this time "permanently borrowing" 15-20 signs from U.S. Highway 666.  Amazing...and who was the dim-witted Department of Highways tool who thought "666" would be a good "number" for a highway?  I mean, I know it can get pretty desolate out in that part of the country, but they should've seen that one coming.  Read the whole story here.....
 
 
Since we're on the subject of highways to Hell, isn't it time you stayed off the IRS' radar for (hopefully) good?  Tie down those tax-related loose-ends on your timetable--not theirs.  Wave the white flag and get a deal worked out before it's too late: Check out your options and learn why hiring an Enrolled Agent probably makes the most sense. 
 
 
Forget the NFL!  Kobe Bryant might have a chance to recover some (potentially) lost spokesman dollars if his agents wake up soon: Pfizer just signed a deal to use National Football League games as a platform to firm up its sporting world presence for Viagra. 
 
Then again, maybe using Kobe might not be the best match-up: Hmmmmm...let me see.  Who would be a better match, someone with NFL ties, anyway?
 
 
From the "Better Living Through Chemistry Department," Part II: While it's the hometown of our favorite fashion maven (soon-to-be in an orange jumpsuit), Nutley, New Jersey actually has a much bigger, drug-induced role in our world, thanks to a little something cooked up in a laboratory 40 years ago.....
 
 
Here's why you'll be saying goodbye to free matches at your local restaurant in the not-so-distant future: Tesoro Trattoria, a downtown Los Angeles restaurant, got rid of its matches after California's statewide smoking ban went into full effect in 1998. Now, it offers business cards.  Matches still play a big role at Cheers, the Boston bar that inspired the long-lived TV show. Most tourists want to leave with a keepsake. Still, when the bar finishes off the matches it has on hand, it is considering a shift to souvenir buttons. Demand for restaurant matches isn't what it used to be as more localities ban smoking in dining establishments and bars. Mr. Stuart and many other owners say they plan to use up their supplies and then let the once-ubiquitous restaurant matchbook fade into history.  Read Audrey Warren's complete story from yesterday's Wall Street Journal.
 
 
If you're even remotely contemplating credit counseling, debt re-negotiation or bankruptcy, you'd better read this first:  Trust me, you'll be more informed and alot more grateful 10-minutes (or less) from now.....
 
Speaking of brain-damage, check out the new section for Californians that'll help you get a handle on your rights if you do decide to pull the ripcord (that's slang for filing for bankruptcy) on your creditors: It's a Q&A with one of the top bankruptcy attorneys in the state, and a chance to debunk the half-truths being spewed by those bottom-feeding tele-terrorists.
 
 
From the "it's about time" department  Finally! A retail store fights back: Boston area-based Filene's Basement told two sisters to take their business elsewhere because of their excessive returns of merchandise and their complaining.  Amazing, true and worth a read.....
 
 
Good news if you're getting older and in the market for life insurance: Longer life spans and medical advances are prompting life insurers to lower rates for older Americans. The Hartford Financial Services Group's rates for Americans 70 and older have fallen 5% to 20% this year. Others are increasing age limits and adding more price categories for seniors.  Why?  By 2035 the 70-plus age group will more than double, from about 26 million last year to 57 million, according to Census Bureau estimates. (Think they might be worried about the potential liability of older drivers?)  Read Christine Dugas' complete story from USA Today..... 
 
 
Money.  It's just not that hard to get your hands on anymore, Part I: Need to supplement your income?  The Bureau of Engraving and Printing might have the perfect career opportunity for you.  Good hours.  Insurance.  Retirement plan...and all of the take home samples you want?  (Sign me up!) Read all about it here.....
 
 
A little short of cash this week? It's just not that hard to get your hands on anymore, Part II: You don't need an ATM card anymore, not if you're working after hours in San Antonio, that is......
 
 
Speaking of cash and thinking ahead to cool gifts for the holiday season: Check out the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's website store for one of my favorite holiday/special occassion gifts: Sheets of un-cut currency, available in 1, 5, 10 and 20 dollar denominations from their retail Money Store.  Another favorite holiday gift?  Fattowels, the fattest and most lucious towel on the face of the planet makes my Top 3 list...and throw in those incredible flowers, shipped direct from Hawaii by my pals at Tropical Colors while you're at it.
 
 
Since you're in the middle of planning for the long Labor Day weekend (now only 38 days away): Really stretch your travel budget and get your Thanksgiving or Christmas-time travel planning handled now. Check out Ben's easy choice for hotel rooms and condo deals: www.hotels.com.
 
 
While we're on the subject of hotels (attention single guys looking to "meet someone new"), you'll definitely wanna see the latest hook to attract female clientele:  I said hotels, not some flea-bag no tell-motel type joint you can park your car outside the door of) read all about the latest way The Four Seasons, Wyndham and other hotels are going after estrogen-loaded dollars.....
 
 
Didja happen to miss the fastest (and most relevant) 2-hours in talkradio Sunday morning? Oops!  So did I!  Sleeping late?  Live outside of Southern California?  It doesn't matter: KFI canceled the show on Monday, June 23, 2003.  (Oh well...that's life in the radio world.)  Check out KFI's new weekend line-up by clicking here.
 
 
Did anyone learn anything from the incredibly-lucky parents of Utah-based kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart?  Even though my parents always used to tell me: "Never take candy from strangers, unless they offer you a ride" there's a much more sinister side to dealing with strangers that come into your home or onto your property to work for you.  Check out the Thursday, July 24, 2003 edition of Ask Benjamin Dover from The Dallas Morning News right here!

 


 
 
 

 

 

 
 

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