| In This Issue
From The Budget Coach
Featured Tips & Information:
-- The Real Cost of Gas – Your Identity?!
Inspiration For The Month
Your Question for the Month
Spe*cial Offer of the Month
Recommended Resources
Contact/General & Unsubscribe Information
From The Budget Coach
Welcome to my "Common Cents Budgeting Tips" Newsletter.
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Have a fulfilling and prosperous day!
To Your Success,
Tips & Information
The Real Cost of Gas – Your Identity?!
The Morning Call
I just had an early morning solicitation call that helped me realize one of the many ways our identity information is probably being captured. It almost feels like the “phishing” we are experiencing with our emails. Actually, now that I think of it, I almost never receive any solicitation calls after signing up for every blocking program I can. So how they got through, is another issue.
The call started off simple enough – I was going to be sent a $15 credit for gasoline. That’s right – use the emotional appeal by bringing up a chance to get something “fr^ee” and tie it in with a trigger topic – gasoline prices. Here in the Bay Area we were reaching close to $3.00 a gallon, so I was listening.
Reeling Me In
Next, add the “opportunity” to have an accident policy for 30 days for “fr*e” and then you will only be charged $9.95 a month after that. “You can always call to cancel or write cancel on the form and send it back”. Here we go, another great ploy – lure me in to something that will automatically generate a simple monthly charge on my card for my convenience. I have to take action to stop this charge, instead of taking action to initiate the charge. The company is betting I will be so busy with life in general and forget to cancel this policy.
I could tell I was already feeling the pull of being sucked in – I always like the idea of something fr^ee. $15 for gas, why not? Plus, I knew I would actually make it a point to cancel the policy right away. I’ve got that game down.
However, how many thousands of Americans will take the time to even notice this extra $9.95 on their credit card statement? How many will then take the time to cancel this policy? For just this reason, and because of the numerous details we are now having to track in our lives, I had added the “Online and Mail Order Purchase Record” worksheet in The Budget Kit years ago. This form gives you a place to note the cancellation phone number, the dates you ordered and received the item, plus much more.
What about the Value of My Time?
So far I was having no problem with this call. Yet if I were to really think about this scenario, I would be considering the value of my time and the time it was taking to listen to this offer. My time is worth much more than the measly $15 savings. Fascinating how we can forget the value of our time when we think we are getting a bargain. Although, I will say I am always curious to hear the approach, so I can be more aware of the latest “deals” and then caution clients and readers like you.
The next step was verifying my information. They already had my name with a phonetic misspelling for my last name. Had my home address which I rarely give out – other than for shipping purposes. This address had a major phonetic misspelling as well, but had all the correct specifics as far as the numbers. By this time I was getting very suspicious about how they obtained this sketchy information and I then started asking more questions about the program. Basically it was a Mastercard promotion – no mention of a specific Mastercard. The amount of accident coverage was marginal.
Caution Ahead!
The next question she asked raised a red flag in my mind, totally pulled me out of my lulled mindset and got my attention right away to what was really happening. They wanted my birth date and where I was born. No one every asks where I was born – other than one of the password protection questions on websites. Suddenly I realized what was happening in this “phishing” expedition and said I was no longer interested in this offer. Unfortunately they now had more accurate identification information. But fortunately, they did not have any more personal identification information...yet. I realize all of this information is already out there in cyberspace.
Back to the Future
Welcome to the new millennium. This is now part of our daily life. I can remember a friend of mine in Albuquerque back in the early 90’s who refused to ever give out her social security number. Looking back, I realize how far ahead of our time she was. She knew what was coming. No matter what hassle or resistance she encountered when dealing with the university, the doctor, the government agency, she would insist and persist that they did not need this information and she would never give it out.
I also remember in the 1980s when my husband did background security clearance investigations for the government, he would tell me stories about people who had taken on false identities. The stories were shocking to me. How could they get away with that?
Fast forward ten to twenty years and sure enough, look at the current trend of growing identity theft issues. So now, what to do?
Pay Attention
- Pay attention to all the charges on your credit card statements and check for accuracy.
- Pay attention to what information you are writing down on applications, entry forms, and mailing lists.
- Pay attention to those solicitation calls if you are considering the free trip offer, or the discounted merchandise. What questions are they asking you?
- Pay attention to those Convenience Checks that show up in your credit card statement. Shred – don’t toss! My friend dealt with a $20,000 false charge and months of hassle because of a reckless toss.
- Pay attention to what you have in your wallet – never carry your social security card around with you.
For more suggestions and information, see the resources listed below.
Now here’s the leap…above all pay attention to how you are managing your inner and your outer identity. Take appropriate steps for carefully managing your outer financial affairs, and then get back to focusing on your true self and the business of finding balance and joy in your life.
Now you know where my focus is these days.
Have a great month and be sure to be in touch!
Please let me know how you liked today’s information and feel free to share it with others.
Thank you so much for being part of my online “family”.
Have a very abundant and fulfilling 2005.
For more information, feel free to contact me at
judycents@moneytracker.com
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