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Credit, ATM and Debit Cards: What to do if They’re Lost or Stolen
Many people find it easy and convenient to use credit cards and ATM or debit cards. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) offer procedures for you to use if your cards are lost or stolen.
Limiting Your Financial Loss
Report the loss or theft of your credit cards and your ATM or debit cards to the card issuers as quickly as possible. Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. It’s a good idea to follow up your phone calls with a letter. Include your account number, when you noticed your card was missing, and the date you first reported the loss.
You also may want to check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it covers your liability for card thefts. If not, some insurance companies will allow you to change your policy to include this protection.
Credit Card Loss or Fraudulent Charges (FCBA). Your maximum liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your credit card is $50. If you report the loss before your credit cards are used, the FCBA says the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your cards before you report them missing, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card. Also, if the loss involves your credit card number, but not the card itself, you have no liability for unauthorized use.
After the loss, review your billing statements carefully. If they show any unauthorized charges, it’s best to send a letter to the card issuer describing each questionable charge. Again, tell the card issuer the date your card was lost or stolen, or when you first noticed unauthorized charges, and when you first reported the problem to them. Be sure to send the letter to the address provided for billing errors. Do not send it with a payment or to the address where you send your payments unless you are directed to do so.
ATM or Debit Card Loss or Fraudulent Transfers (EFTA). Your liability under federal law for unauthorized use of your ATM or debit card depends on how quickly you report the loss. If you report an ATM or debit card missing before it’s used without your permission, the EFTA says the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized transfers. If unauthorized use occurs before you report it, your liability under federal law depends on how quickly you report the loss.
For example, if you report the loss within two business days after you realize your card is missing, you will not be responsible for more than $50 for unauthorized use. However, if you don’t report the loss within two business days after you discover the loss, you could lose up to $500 because of an unauthorized transfer. You also risk unlimited loss if you fail to report an unauthorized transfer within 60 days after your bank statement containing unauthorized use is mailed to you. That means you could lose all the money in your bank account and the unused portion of your line of credit established for overdrafts. However, for unauthorized transfers involving only your debit card number (not the loss of the card), you are liable only for transfers that occur after 60 days following the mailing of your bank statement containing the unauthorized use and before you report the loss.
If unauthorized transfers show up on your bank statement, report them to the card issuer as quickly as possible. Once you’ve reported the loss of your ATM or debit card, you cannot be held liable for additional unauthorized transfers that occur after that time.
Protecting Your Cards
The best protections against card fraud are to know where your cards are at all times and to keep them secure. For protection of ATM and debit cards that involve a Personal Identification Number (PIN), keep your PIN a secret. Don’t use your address, birthdate, phone or Social Security number as the PIN and do memorize the number.
The following suggestions may help you protect your credit card and your ATM or debit card accounts.
For Credit and ATM or Debit Cards:
Be cautious about disclosing your account number over the phone unless you know you’re dealing with a reputable company.
Never put your account number on the outside of an envelope or on a postcard.
Draw a line through blank spaces on charge or debit slips above the total so the amount cannot be changed.
Don’t sign a blank charge or debit slip.
Tear up carbons and save your receipts to check against your monthly statements.
Cut up old cards – cutting through the account number – before disposing of them.
Open monthly statements promptly and compare them with your receipts. Report mistakes or discrepancies as soon as possible to the special address listed on your statement for inquiries. Under the FCBA (credit cards) and the EFTA (ATM or debit cards), the card issuer must investigate errors reported to them within 60 days of the date your statement was mailed to you.
Keep a record – in a safe place separate from your cards – of your account numbers, expiration dates, and the telephone numbers of each card issuer so you can report a loss quickly.
Carry only those cards that you anticipate you’ll need.
For ATM or debit cards:
Don’t carry your PIN in your wallet or purse or write it on your ATM or debit card.
Never write your PIN on the outside of a deposit slip, an envelope, or other papers that could be easily lost or seen.
Carefully check ATM or debit card transactions before you enter the PIN or before you sign the receipt; the funds for this item will be fairly quickly transferred out of your checking or other deposit account.
Periodically check your account activity. This is particularly important if you bank online. Compare the current balance and recent withdrawals or transfers to those you’ve recorded, including your current ATM and debit card withdrawals and purchases and your recent checks. If you notice transactions you didn’t make, or if your balance has dropped suddenly without activity by you, immediately report the problem to your card issuer. Someone may have co-opted your account information to commit fraud.
Buying a Registration Service
For an annual fee, companies will notify the issuers of your credit card and your ATM or debit card accounts if your card is lost or stolen. This service allows you to make only one phone call to report all card losses rather than calling individual issuers. Most services also will request replacement cards on your behalf.
Purchasing a card registration service may be convenient, but it’s not required. The FCBA and the EFTA give you the right to contact your card issuers directly in the event of a loss or suspected unauthorized use.
If you decide to buy a registration service, compare offers. Carefully read the contract to determine the company’s obligations and your liability. For example, will the company reimburse you if it fails to notify card issuers promptly once you’ve called in the loss to the service? If not, you could be liable for unauthorized charges or transfers.
For More Information
The following federal agencies are responsible for enforcing federal laws that govern credit card and ATM or debit card transactions. Questions concerning a particular card issuer should be directed to the enforcement agency responsible for that issuer.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Regulates state-chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System, bank holding companies, and branches of foreign banks:
Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Stop 801
20th and C Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20551
202-452-3693
http://www.federalreserve.gov
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Regulates state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System:
Division of Compliance and Consumer Affairs
550 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429
877-ASK-FDIC (275-3342) toll-free
http://www.fdic.gov
National Credit Union Administration
Regulates federally chartered credit unions:
Office of Public and Congressional Affairs
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3428
703-518-6330
http://www.ncua.gov
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Regulates banks with “national” in the name or “N.A.” after the name:
Office of the Ombudsman
Customer Assistance Group
1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3710
Houston, TX 77010
800-613-6743 toll-free
http://www.occ.treas.gov
Office of Thrift Supervision
Regulates federal savings and loan associations and federal savings banks:
Consumer Programs
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
800-842-6929 toll-free
http://www.ots.treas.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Regulates other credit card and debit card issuers:
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) toll-free
http://www.ftc.gov
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
June 2002 PROTECT YOUR BEST ASSET YOU DON’T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE IT MAYBE TO LATE
Ads for Business Opportunities: How To Detect Deception
It’s not hard to see why ads for business opportunities that promote the benefits of being your own boss and making money quickly are appealing. But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the government agency that monitors advertising for deception, says that some ads for business opportunities feature empty promises and false claims that potential entrepreneurs could never realize.
Promoters of fraudulent business opportunities run ads where their targets are likely to see them: in daily and weekly newspapers, in magazines, and on the Internet. The FTC is asking for your help in finding these ads first. By doing so, you can protect your company and your readers from being left holding the bag.
As part of an advertising sales or production staff, you customarily review ad claims for taste and appropriateness. It’s just good sense to take that extra moment to review a business opportunity claim for telltale signs of fraud, too.
It can protect your company from being known as one that promotes rip-offs. Your readers may believe an offer is legitimate because it’s in your publication or on your website. When the claim turns out to be false, they may well blame you for running the ad.
It can keep you from getting cheated by those who are making the false claims. There’s a good chance they won’t pay their bills, and will have left town by the time you try to collect.
It can keep you from harming your readers and your legitimate advertisers.
Spotting False Claims
How can you spot claims for a fraudulent business opportunity? One clue may be the type of opportunity being advertised. Fraud has most often been associated with promotions for vending machine, display rack, pay phone, medical billing, and some Internet-related businesses.
Here are several other claims that have made it into the pages of legitimate papers, magazines and websites recently:
“Work Part-Time from Home.” Most scammers promise an ideal work situation — the ability to set your own hours, be your own boss, or work from home. In fact, this rosy scenario is far from reality for most small business owners. “Be Your Own Boss” “Own a Dealership Today”
“Earn $2,000 a month.” If an ad claims buyers can make a certain amount of money, the law says the promoter must give the number and percentage of previous purchasers who earned the income. If an earnings claim is there, but the additional information isn’t, ask for more information: the business opportunity seller may be violating the law. “$50K/yr” “Vending route nets $1,700/wk”
“No risk! Guaranteed!” Ads that promise a big payout with little or no risk are usually a telltale sign of a fraud. Legitimate business ventures involve risks — usually in proportion to the promised return. “Huge Income” “100% return on your investment!”
“Quick and Easy!” Successful start-up businesses, including franchises, require a lot of work to get off the ground, let alone manage. Only a few are profitable from the start. If ads promise vending locations, they may not be current or high-traffic; the merchandise also may be out-of-date or of poor quality. “Start Earning Today” “Prime locations available now”
These are examples of possibly deceptive claims. If you see them, highlight them for the appropriate person in your company. At the same time, know that many fraudulent business opportunity promoters use more subtle language when making promises, guarantees, and claims that they can’t possibly keep.
By taking a few moments to review the claims made in business opportunity ads, you can protect the reputation of your company — and the consumers in your community.
For More Information
For information on red flag claims for weight loss products, visit ftc.gov/redflag. If you see an ad you think is deceptive, you can report it to the FTC using the complaint form at ftc.gov.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Your Opportunity to Comment
The National Small Business Ombudsman and 10 Regional Fairness Boards collect comments from small businesses about federal compliance and enforcement activities. Each year, the Ombudsman evaluates the conduct of these activities and rates each agency’s responsiveness to small businesses. Small businesses can comment to the Ombudsman without fear of reprisal. To comment, call toll-free 1-888-REGFAIR (1-888-734-3247) or go to http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman.
ORIGINAL PRINT DATE December 2006 For the opportunity to see a legal and ligitimate business opportunity CLICK HERE
Helping America by Paying-it-Forward
Happy Thanksgiving
As I sit giving thanks for the things and talents that I have been given, I am reminded of the Saying that has hit me the most in my life. There is no other saying that I have ever heard that has had more impact on my life, and it is not a cliché.
The saying that has had such an impact on my life is Pay-It-Forward, so I have made this my passion in life to always work to pay-it-forward to every person I come in contact in my life. You are the next person I want to Pay-It-Forward too.
That’s what brings to me to the reason of my post; it’s about helping people save themselves from being a target. The fact is that some 30 million people in 2010 will be hit by a major issue and the worst part is that most likely won’t know about it for six months after it happens.
The stagger facts is 7 out of every 10 people in the US and Canada will in some way be hit with the largest single crime in history and it does not have to happen. The Crime is Identity Theft!
Yes it is the number one single crime in America and Canada and it is doubling every year and one of the driving forces today is the economy.
Think about this fact from the “Federal Trade Commission” 20,000 Children and Teens alone will have their identity stolen before they even have a chance to use it. “In 2010 alone”
Like I said the worst part is that if they knew if or when it is going to happen they would want to do something to stop it before it’s too late. But it’s not too late for 80% of the population who is sitting out there as a big bold target just waiting to be hit. It will come that you can be sure of it just a matter of time.
If you are in business or not I’m sure you know how important it is to give something that will have a major lasting impact on their lives. What better way to say I value you as a friend, then to educate them on the high probability that they will be hit sometime in their life! But if they take steps now they can avoid it from happening to them.
Not only can they protect themselves they can also insure themselves that if it happens they are fully covered and will have everything restore.
Let me ask you; do you know all of things that can happen to a person when their identity is stolen? Well there are over 101 real issues that can happen and it does not have to be this way. This is the really sad part; most people protect their home with insurance, they protect their lives, cars, businesses and boats not to mention they protect their health. But they don’t protect the biggest part of their lives; which is protecting them from losing the ability to being able to purchase any of the insurances listed not to mention receive credit or bank accounts just to name a few.
The top five things that can be attack are:
1. Drivers License
2. Medical Records
3. Criminal Record
4. Credit and Financial
5. Employment/ Social Security
This is the scariest thing of all it can happen and they don’t even know about it until it’s too late, in fact 25% of all people who are victims of this crime won’t know it until 6 months after it has happened. It does not have to happen at all!
If you would like to help me help people and Pay-It-Forward and get paid very well to help me then just go www.timrobbinstv.com/PayItForward and give a gift of personal security and peace of mind to everyone you know or will ever meet they will Thank you for it.
If you would like to join me in the crusade to help people across America and Canada get the protection and security they so desperately need then go to http://www.timrobbinstv.com/PayitForward today and let’s help people today.
Sincerely Pay-It-Forward
Tim Robbins
Concerned about People
What’s with Seniors Why they are Afraid of a Reverse Mortgage
This is the 24 thousand dollar question? The only mortgage product that carries a 97% satisfaction rate and seniors are still not taking advantage of a program that can change their retirement years for ever.
Q: So Why is it that they still fear it?
A: Well the number one reason that I have found is they still lack the understanding of the safety of the mortgage. They listen to everyone in the media who says it’s bad!
Q: So why does the media say it is a bad program?
A: The media always plays their stories to the bad side of everything this is a Fact. Listen or Read a Newspaper or article how many times you really get good news on the front page or as a lead story. Bad News Sells this is the facts. The other issue is in most cases the person who is doing the story is not a senior who is in trouble financially or has seen their life saving disappear.
Q: So what makes this Mortgage have a 97% satisfaction Rate over other programs?
A: Well let’s look at the program and what it does for seniors that NO other mortgage or public program can do.
1. It allows a senior to use their number one asset and convert it into cash or credit line without having to qualify.
2. Once they have a Reverse Mortgage they never have to make a mortgage payment ever again in life.
3. They can remain in their home for the rest of their life; No one can ever take the home for failure to make their mortgage payment.
4. Having money to pay for necessities such as medicines, healthcare, even trips or just going to the movies if they wish. In other words More Freedom
5. The only requirement that they have to make is what they must do in any mortgage, Pay Taxes, Pay Insurance, live in their home and keep the up keep going.
Q: So how can a senior receive the money?
A: This is the best part the senior can choose to receive the money in a multitude of ways that they can change over time.
1. Such as first they can take all of the money at once.
2. They choose to have a monthly income for life and this does mean life until the last person dies or moves out of the home.
3. They can setup a credit line that keeps growing and never adds to the loan balance until the money is actually used.
4. They can choose any one of the different ways to control the money it’s up to the senior no one can tell them how or what to do with the money.
Q: What does it take to qualify for a Reverse Mortgage?
A: This is the easiest part for any senior! If a senior or couple they must be 62 years or older. They must hold title to the home it does not have to be free and clear but it should have at least 50% equity.
Q: Can the Bank take my Home?
A: No Plain and Simple the bank does not take title to your home you remain the owner at all times.
Q: What about my children or heirs?
A: This is a question that many seniors ask and the easy way to answer this is simple If you needed money and not just five dollars to pay for medical, taxes, or other large expenses would your heirs or children send or be able to send you the money just because you asked? Here is the answer to the 64 Thousand dollar question they are in most cases suffering the same financial issues as you and in some cases even more the economy has not chosen who to hurt it affects everyone in different ways.
Here my question to you the reader!
Q: Where is it written and who said that it is the responsibility of a parent to leave anything to their children or heirs? If you have this answer please post it so everyone can see that this is not nothing but a falsies. The only obligation that seniors have is to you; and to give yourself the life you worked their entire life for and not put a burden on anyone else financially. Now that does not mean they cannot ask or receive help from family for other issues if they take care of their financial lives and keep their heirs from incurring debt when you are gone. The Reverse Mortgage is the only NON_RECOURSE LOAN AVAILABLE
For more information on how a Reverse Mortgage can help go to the Reverse Mortgage GUIDE