Saturday, February 10, 2007

Credit Report Monitoring: OTS Highlights Importance of Credit Report Monitoring

Credit Report Monitoring: OTS Highlights Importance of Credit Report Monitoring: "Knowing your credit score and the contents of your credit report is extremely important,” notes OTS Director John Reich. “Careful credit report monitoring not only helps consumers obtain credit at rates commensurate with their credit history, it also helps to guard against identity theft.” "

Bankruptcy Fraud Hotline Available

Bankruptcy Fraud Hotline Available: "As part of the Department of Justice's efforts to combat bankruptcy fraud and abuse, the Executive Office of the U.S. Trustees has launched an Internet hotline, which allows the public to report suspected bankruptcy fraud"

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

OTS Highlights Consumer Guidance on Understanding ARMs

OTS Highlights Consumer Guidance on Understanding ARMs: "In its third release for Consumer Protection Week, the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) highlights two separate pieces of consumer guidance on understanding issues and terms with adjustable rate mortgage loan products (ARMs). "

Top 2006 Consumer Complaints: Identity Theft Complaints Again Top the List

Top 2006 Consumer Complaints: Identity Theft Complaints Again Top the List: "Other categories near the top of the complaint list include shop-at-home/catalog sales; prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries; Internet services and computer complaints; and Internet auction fraud."

Electrical Contractor Update: Contractors State License Board Warns Electricians That Deadline for Certification Has Passed

Electrical Contractor Update: Contractors State License Board Warns Electricians That Deadline for Certification Has Passed: "The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is urging all electricians who work for C-10 electrical contractors to immediately sign up to take a certification exam. Not complying with the law could subject the licensee to administrative action by the CSLB. It could potentially open these contractors and workers up to civil suits should there be problems with work done by an uncertified worker"

IRS Update: Changes to Tax Laws in 2006

IRS Update: Changes to Tax Laws in 2006: "Taxpayers should be aware of important changes to the tax law before they complete their 2006 federal income tax forms. Here are some changes that may affect your return."

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

IRS Begins Processing Returns Claiming Extender Deductions;Urges Taxpayers to File Electronically, Check on Phone Tax Refund

IRS Begins Processing Returns Claiming Extender Deductions;Urges Taxpayers to File Electronically, Check on Phone Tax Refund: "The Internal Revenue Service has started processing tax returns that claim key tax provisions renewed by legislation enacted in December and urged taxpayers not to overlook the one-time telephone tax refund."

FinCEN and IRS to Provide Outreach Sessions for Nevada Casinos on Bank Secrecy Act Regulatory Requirements- Anti-money laundering requirements

FinCEN and IRS to Provide Outreach Sessions for Nevada Casinos on Bank Secrecy Act Regulatory Requirements- "These educational outreach sessions will reinforce our message to Nevada casinos about the importance of having effective BSA anti-money laundering programs and complying with reporting and recordkeeping requirements,' said William F. Baity, Acting Director, FinCEN"

Bad Deals and Scams that Arrive by Phone, Letter and the Internet - How to Protect Yourself

Bad Deals and Scams that Arrive by Phone, Letter and the Internet - How to Protect Yourself: "Beware of crooks impersonating legitimate businesses, charities and other organizations"

New Yorkers Invited to Grand Central Terminal to Exchange Currency for First Presidential $1 Coin

New Yorkers Invited to Grand Central Terminal to Exchange Currency for First Presidential $1 Coin: "As Presidents Day approaches, New Yorkers will get a chance to experience big change coming to the country. The United States Mint will release the first Presidential $1 Coins into nationwide circulation on Thursday, February 15, 2007. Kicking off at Grand Central Terminal, New Yorkers may exchange their currency for the first George Washington $1 Coin. "

Breast Cancer: FDA Clears Breast Cancer Specific Molecular Prognostic Test

Breast Cancer: FDA Clears Breast Cancer Specific Molecular Prognostic Test: "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today cleared for marketing a test that determines the likelihood of breast cancer returning within five to 10 years after a woman's initial cancer. It is the first cleared molecular test that profiles genetic activity"

New Credit 'Security Freeze' Law to Protect Victims of Identity Theft Effective January 1

New Credit 'Security Freeze' Law to Protect Victims of Identity Theft Effective January 1: "Victims of identity (ID) theft in Hawaii are able to put a security freeze on their credit reports to prevent others from continuing to secure credit in their name."

Monday, February 05, 2007

Avoid Costly Scams Involving Fake Checks and Money Orders

Avoid Costly Scams Involving Fake Checks and Money Orders: "There's been explosive growth in counterfeit personal and business checks, cashier's checks and money orders in the last few years, due in part to new technologies and the growth of the Internet for transactions among strangers. But what's especially troubling is that individual consumers and businesses are losing significant sums in these scams – often thousands of dollars – because they deposited a check from a stranger"

Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Update: Information for Travelers to Affected Areas

Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Update: Information for Travelers to Affected Areas: "Highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) (hereafter referred to as “H5N1”) virus has caused serious disease among wild birds and poultry on multiple continents. "

Presidential $1 Coin Program Website Offers Free Informational Materials

Presidential $1 Coin Program Website Offers Free Informational Materials: "WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today it is offering a wide range of free informational materials on its website at www.usmint.gov/$1coin to help retailers, financial institutions, educators and other interested organizations promote understanding of the new Presidential $1 Coins. "

Inhaled Steroids Best Treatment for Children With Asthma

Inhaled Steroids Best Treatment for Children With Asthma: "Several medications are available to help control children’s asthma, but there haven’t been clinical trials directly comparing them. A new study tested the effectiveness and safety of three different asthma medicines. It found that inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective initial daily therapy for children with mild to moderate persistent asthma."