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ATMs Businesses Credit Credit cards Debt Finances Insurance Investments Jobs Scams Telemarketers ATMs (AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES) Well before using an ATM: ____ Avoid using ATMs between 7 p.m. and midnight - 50% of crime at ATMs occurs during these hours ____ Choose an ATM where there are a lot of people around, preferably in a store, etc. Before using an ATM: ____ Have card ready ____ Have forms filled out ____ Try to choose an ATM which is: - Well lit - In a busy area - A drive through - Doesn't have suspicious-looking people near it While using an ATM: ____ Be aware of your surroundings ____ Watch for suspicious people and activity ____ Use mirrors at the ATM to watch behind you If using a drive-through ATM: ____ Keep your doors locked and raise windows as feasible ____ Keep car running ____ Only open the driver's window If someone is in the area on foot: ____ Avoid using that ATM After withdrawing money: ____ Don't show the money ____ Don't stay in the area If someone approaches: ____ Drive away quickly Back to Top BUSINESSES Also see: BANKS, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, DESK, INTERNET, INVESTMENTS, JOBS, OFFICE, TRAVEL, WORK, WORKPLACE HOME BUSINESSES: If you are a parent with small children: ____ Consider giving your children jobs to do to help with the business During the summer: ____ Send kids to summer camp ____ Arrange for a few hours a day for uninterrupted phone calls ____ Set aside time for kids ____ Lighten workload If you have someone watching kids: ____ Ensure kids understand why you can't spend more time with them ____ Establish rules regarding when they can and can't disturb you ____ Explain what emergencies are (when you should be disturbed) ____ Line up several babysitters for emergencies Multi-level marketing: ____ Be very careful - only those who get into it early usually make money PARTNERSHIPS: Before going into business with a partner: ____ Be aware that con artists are usually very good at making you feel like you don't need to check them out ____ Ask for following from potential partners (don't be shy) (if they balk, be suspicious): - References - Business licenses and other professional licenses - Degrees ____ Have a background check done on potential partners (- approx. $25-100) including: - Business credit check - Civil filings - Criminal record ____ Get permission (a release) from the person you're looking to check out (if they balk, be suspicious) ____ Look for a data search company under "Information services" in the Yellow Pages SMALL BUSINESSES: ____ Don't be too reluctant to delegate to others If you don't have good management skills: ____ Obtain the services and/or advice of professionals - most small business failures are due to poor management Back to Top CREDIT Also see: CREDIT CARDS, DEBT, FINANCES If you want to improve your credit rating: ____ Live at the same address for at least 2-5 years ____ Stay at the same job for at least 2-5 years ____ Stay in the same profession/field for at least 2-5 years ____ Avoid using a finance company ____ Use retail cards and bank cards ____ Make payments on a bank card, etc. on time ____ Avoid having too much credit available, e.g., don't always pay off balances Annually: ____ Check your credit reports Back to Top CREDIT CARDS Also see: CREDIT, FINANCES Before applying for a credit card: ____ Determine: - The interest rate for purchases (watch out for unspecified rates, e.g., "as low as" a certain rate) - The interest rate for cash advances - If there's an annual fee and, if so, how much ____ The waiting period before finance When you receive a new card: ____ Make a note (in wallet, home files, etc.) of phone number to call in event card is lost or stolen When you receive a notice (e.g., "important changes") with your credit card statement: ____ Read it carefully, looking for: - New or increased penalties for paying off your balance - Cutbacks in rebate programs, etc. - Shorter waiting period before payments are late - Higher late charges - Penalty interest rate if you're late making payments, e.g., twice Back to Top DEBT Also see CREDIT, FINANCES If you are in debt: ____ Keep track of everything you spend for a month ____ Establish a budget ____ Take your credit cards out of your wallet ____ Buy things only with cash ____ Set up a payment plan to pay off debt ____ Consider having a professional counselor help you ____ Call the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (800 388-2227) to find a nearby counselor ____ Consider consolidating your loans Back to Top FINANCES Also see: COLLEGE, CREDIT CARDS, INVESTMENTS, LOANS, MORTGAGES ASAP: ____ Establish an emergency fund of liquid assets approx. equal to at least 3 months income ____ Consider using a credit union checking account vice one at a bank - credit unions usually cost you significantly less than banks ____ Save money automatically, e.g., deducted from your pay to go to savings (e.g., company retirement plan, mutual fund, brokerage account, credit union account, bank savings account) ____ Keep your finances as simple as feasible, e.g., reduce number of credit cards, accounts ____ Set up a simple record-keeping system which works for you ____ Plan for retirement daily ... remember that: - Life expectancies are increasing - Employers have been cutting back on their retirement plans ____ Buy a residence (try to have mortgage paid off by the time you retire) - to take advantage of tax benefits ____ Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage ____ Live below your means ____ Establish your financial goals, e.g., buy a house, pay for college, be able to retire at a young age REGULARLY: ____ Put a portion of your income into savings CHECKS: ____ Keep checks in safe place (so criminal won't be able to get your account #, create checks and write checks on your account) ____ Write as few checks as possible (so criminal won't be able to get your account #, create checks and write checks on your account) ____ Draw line after the payee - so crooks can't write in additional letters to make themselves the payee ____ Take outgoing mail with checks in them directly to the PO or a public mailbox, vice leaving in your mailbox ____ Check bank statements immediately for unauthorized checks If you notice unauthorized checks: ____ Notify bank immediately ____ Consider having payments made automatically from your checking account (mortgage, car, estimated taxes, college savings, insurance, 401K, IRA, etc) ____ Ensure you keep sufficient funds in the account to cover automatic payments Consider opening an online banking account, e.g.: 
For more info on finances: newbiesmoneyguide.com Back to Top INSURANCE Also see: DAMAGE, FINANCES If you have questions about insurance: ____ Contact the Insurance Information Institute at (800) 942-4242 HEALTH INSURANCE: If your insurer denies a claim: ____ Seriously consider appealling - most people don't appeal even though many appeals are at least partially successful LIABILITY INSURANCE: ____ Consider obtaining if you own real estate and/or a business LIFE INSURANCE: Before obtaining: ____ Be aware that: - You probably don't need life insurance if there is no one who depends on you - Children usually don't need life insurance - Your first priority should be to obtain some basic term life insurance - to provide your family with funds if you die - Whole life and universal life insurance policies are life insurance policies mixed with an investment package - these usually cost you quite a bit up front and don't provide any substantial payoff for many years PROPERTY INSURANCE: If your property sustains damage: ____ Consider not filing a claim if the damage is minimal, especially if you have a significant deductible - some insurance companies drop policy holders who file several claims within a short period, even if the amounts are small For more info: ____ Click on tips Back to Top INVESTMENTS Also see: BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, FINANCES Before investing: ____ Pay off consumer loans (car, etc.) Investing: ____ Keep no more than a percentage approx. equal to your age in fixed-income investments ____ Try to invest only in socially-conscious stocks and mutual funds ____ Don't invest in anything you don't understand ____ Don't invest in anything quickly ____ Don't hold onto an investment for sentimental reasons If you consider yourself an aggressive investor: ____ Invest a percentage of your investments in stock funds which is equal to 120 less your age; invest the rest in bonds If you consider yourself a moderately aggressive investor: ____ Invest a percentage of your investments in stock funds which is equal to 110 less your age; invest the rest in bonds If you consider yourself a conservative investor: ____ Invest a percentage of your investments in stock funds which is equal to 100 less your age; invest the rest in bonds If you're considering investing in real estate: ____ Avoid paying more than approx. seven times the projected annual rental income for the property If you suspect fraud: ____ Contact the National Fraud Information Center at (800) 876-7060 Back to Top JOBS Also see: BUSINESSES, DESK, OFFICE, WORK, WORKPLACE LOOKING FOR A JOB: Determining what types of jobs you're looking for: ___ Consider trying to find a job-sharing position FINDING A POTENTIAL JOB: When you talk to contacts: ___ Ask for their business card TAKING A JOB: Before agreeing to take a job: ___ Does employer offer adoption benefits? AFTER TAKING A NEW JOB: ___ Advise your child's school of your new work phone number BEING FIRED: ____ Don't automatically accept the company's first offer(s) regarding severance pay, benefits, etc. ____ Ask for, or demand, a meeting to discuss terms of your termination (- most employees will agree to a meeting to help avoid possible litigation), and, at that meeting: - Explain your financial obligations (mortgage, kids in college, etc) and your probable difficulty in getting another job - Request the standard severance pay (approx. 4 weeks pay for each year of service) - Try to get severance pay paid out over a period of time vice a lump sum payment to help you keep insurance, retirement and medical benefits in place, etc. - Consider requesting additional severance pay if you don't have a new job within a specified amount of time Back to Top SCAMS Also see: COMPLAINTS, MAIL, RIP-OFFS, TELEPHONE (Receiving calls), VISITORS If you are offered an opportunity, especially one that seems too good to be true: ____ Be aware that once you start going along with a con artist, it's very difficult to keep from being scammed ____ Beware of con artists (confidence games) (e.g., driveway repair, reps from utility company, water pressure problems, requests for change for a large domination bill, requests to borrow an article, well dressed, fix roof, for next to nothing using leftover materials from another job, patch leaky boiler, ? ____ Be aware that most con artists: - Work in teams (usually in pairs) - Often use any excuse to get into your home - Try to intimidate you - Are able to gain your confidence - Try to fast talk you into agreeing - Talk you into a corner - Try to keep you from thinking - Can be very charming and very convincing - Seem like nice guys - Are talkative - Exploit loneliness, disabilities, charities, infirmities, your willingness to help, and/or your desire to get something for nothing - Know how to exploit your weaknesses - Can make even the craziest proposition sound plausible - Live off of their wit and their looks - Are usually well-dressed - Are everywhere - Prey on elderly ____ Be very wary of anyone who: - Claims to be a bank examiner - Claims to have won a lottery - Asks you to withdraw money from your bank account ____ Be very wary whenever something unusual happens, e.g., something which distracts you If someone offers you a home equity loan unsolicited: ____ Review Consumers Union If you believe you are the target of a scam: ____ Contact the police - they may be able to confirm that you're being targeted by a scam and you may be helping to prevent others from losing money to criminals Back to Top TELEMARKETERS Also see: SCAMS, TELEPHONES When telemarketers call: ____ Request that they put your name on their "no call" list ____ Request that your name not be shared with other telemarketers If the same telemarketers keep calling: ____ Document the calls, including date and time - companies can face fines If you're tempted to give money to a telemarketer, e.g., for a charity: ____ Request that they send you written information ____ Contact the charity directly to verify that the telemarketer actually represents them ____ Never give them your credit card number ____ Never give cash If you've lost money to a dishonest telemarketer: ____ Be aware that some dishonest telemarketers promise to help people recoup money lost to telemarketers If you don't want telemarketers to call you: ____ Write to the Telephone Preference Service, c/o Direct Marketing Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014 and request that your name be removed from national call lists Back to Top
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