Tag Archives: fraud

Other Adoption Loss Scenarios

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My last blogs, What is Adoption Loss? and and Legal-Risk Placements, talk about the disappointment and grief that ensue when a planned adoption does not happen and describe some situations when this might occur. Other situations of adoption loss can occur when a child whose birthmother who had arranged to place with specific parents literally dies before or after the birth. A famous, thankfully rare, situation was the crash of a jumbo jet carrying several hundred Vietnamese children to the United States for adoption during Operation Babylift just before the fall of Saigon in 1975. A baby may be born … Continue reading →

Advice on Letters for Credit Disputes

When you have a charge on your statement that is incorrect, it is important to document your interactions. Often this documentation is in the form of a letter to either a merchant or your credit card company. It is important that this letter follow some basic rules for your protection. While there are laws to protect the misuse of your credit card, there are also some rules you have to follow to ensure the laws protect you. In order to utilize the protection of the Fair Credit Billing Act, you must contact the merchant directly who placed the incorrect charge. … Continue reading →

Check that Bill

Are you checking that bill and checking it twice? Whether it is your phone bill or credit card statement, it is critical you spend a little time verifying each debit and credit. Understanding how you are billed and what exactly is on your statements cannot only help you find errors; it can help you prevent scams and identity theft as well. It surprises some to think that scams can even occur on everyday expenses such as your home phone bill. Unfortunately they do happen and many consumers pay these expenses completely unknowingly. Really, before you ever pay any bill or … Continue reading →

Credit Card Scammers on the Horizon

Just when you thought you were safe we hear about a new credit card scam out there. If you ever needed a reason to cut up your cards and just say no, now is the time. I still use a card for a few items. I like to use it when I purchase from the internet – but it also opens me up for scammers. If you are using a card, be careful, the scammers are getting smarter and cleverer and just downright nasty. Here’s how it works: A person calls you on the phone and identifies themselves as a … Continue reading →

A Warning To Oprah Fans

If you are an Oprah fan and are currently trying to get tickets to see the queen of talk in person, be on guard. According to officials, online thieves are using the lure of tickets to “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to rip off the identities of consumers. The scam was exposed after several Oprah fans notified Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, Inc. that they had been ripped off. According to the state Attorney General, the thieves have been sending unsolicited e-mails asking people to send them personal information, verify financial information or wire money to a third party for tickets to the … Continue reading →

Insurance Appraisals

Overstated, over valued and false appraisals contribute to billions of dollars every year in fraudulent personal property claims. Insurance claims fraud is a real problem for both consumers and insurance companies. Insurance companies have become more concerned about the accuracy and competency of, jewelry, fine art and special personal property appraisals. Appraisals for jewelry, fine art, and collectibles should outline the compensation a policy holder will receive in the event of a loss. Appraisals also help the insurance company rate the risk and qualify it for insurance coverage. An insurance appraisal should also: Prove you own and you are in … Continue reading →