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We've
got several topics we're going to hit on with you this morning and right
outta the blocks, you're warning consumers about seeking tax advice from the
IRS? What's wrong with this
picture?
BFD: IRS
centers established to help people prepare their tax returns gave incorrect
answers - or no answer at all - to 43 percent of the questions asked by
Treasury Department investigators posing as taxpayers.
The
investigators concluded that half a million taxpayers may have been given
wrong information between July and December 2002. Read
the entire story here.
Bottom
line? The IRS hopes to improve its track record and
answer 80 percent of the questions correctly this year, and 85 percent
correctly next year. People
who believe they were given bad advice that brought about an IRS audit can
appeal through the IRS' appeal division or the federal court system.
Question
2: There was
a story last week about a janitor that lost his job because of some
information reported on his credit report...what happened?
And could it happen to anyone?
BFD:
A judge revoked the security clearance of a janitor at defense
contractor Lockheed Martin because of a Defense Department policy that flags
workers in financial trouble. Defense
Department policy states that people in financial trouble may be tempted to
sell military secrets to escape debt.
Read
the entire story here.
Question
3: You've got
a warning for people that store or track all of their financial information on
their computers, especially older consumers.
What's the deal, Ben?
BFD: We
protect our passwords and PINs because we've seen too many cases
involving stolen or compromised passwords and PINs that have financially
damaged private citizens and huge corporations alike. But there was a
recent story about a new problem facing more and more family members.
Financial data locked away in password-protected computers! Read
the entire story here.
Ben's
6 Financial Password Safety Tips
1.
Create your master list of passwords and lock it away in your safe
deposit box. Don't have a safe
deposit box? Leave the list with the lawyer who drafted your Will.
2. Tell your
executor and/or spouse the password.
3. Write the
list on a sheet of paper and place it in a folder with your Will and power of
attorney
4. Don't include
the password in the actual text of a Will, because when the Will is entered in
probate, it becomes a public document. Your password will be out there for the
world to see.
5. Don't try to
avoid the problem by using an obvious password, such as your birth date,
child's birth date, or pet name. Oh
yeah, one of the most common passwords many people often use is
"password," so you'd better do better than that, too.
6.
Duh! Don't keep your password list in your computer.
Interest rates
are bumping up fast...and home sales are starting to take off since so many
people are afraid they'll miss these record-low interest rates. Now
really is the time to buy a home...or if you're thinking about getting
divorced, re-finance and take the other spouse outta the picture once and
for all! Interest rates are still
lower than they were a year ago, so
read what the big shots are saying about the future of those (still)
incredibly-low interest rates. And since we're on the topic
of good timing, what
are you waitin' for? Cash
in and lock in the lowest
rate in decades by re-financing your current mortgage and cut 10
to 15 years off your term! It's easy
to get educated about the process first...and the price is
right! (Free!)
Everything you need to know can be found on-line; get your own copy of Bens'
2003 Home Buyer's Guide by clicking here.
Now that you're motivated to buy a house,
or trade-up from your current home...how
would you like to get some cash back on your next home purchase
(or sale)? (I'll
show you how.) Click here.....
Okay, so you're about to move;
it's time to go down your "things to do" checklist:
Moved your phone service and utilities? [Check!]
Put in your change of address on your mail? [Check!!]
Have all of your belongings held hostage by some rogue movers? [Check...not!!!]
Do your homework (first) and
choose the right moving company! Ben's
Moving Tips will save you time, money and lots-o-heartache.....
If you do decide to cut the cable,
or hook-up with satellite TV, the choice really is
simple: First off, it's probably not as expensive as
you might think...and those satellite
TV installers ["great service or else"] put
the cable guy to shame. Here's
Ben's easy pick.....
In
the market for a new set of wheels? Don't be seduced by
radio-commercial claims by car leasing companies that want to
get you hooked, wear you down and beat the daylights out of
you! Check out Ben's free
Smart Car Seminar automotive acquisition tips right
here!
Here's
the first and last automobile leasing company you'll ever need
to deal with, no matter where you live: Ben's no-brainer
choice is Manufacturers
Auto Leasing: They have loyal clients across the
entire state of Texas and around the nation. Why?
Because they'll take care of you better than anyone else
out there!
By
the way: If you're facing one of those upside-down
scenarios (car business term meaning you're financially
buried), or maybe you simply want to bail on your current
vehicle and need someone to get creative on your behalf, Manufacturers
Auto Leasing is
the best in the business.
Period.
Time to get
off your butt and start making travel plans for the
Thanksgiving holiday weekend! (You're on the clock and
it's now 88 days
away): Stretch
your travel budget and get your Thanksgiving
or Christmas-time travel planning handled now. Check
out Ben's no-brainer choice for hotel room or condo
deals: www.hotels.com.
Still looking for a cool birthday
(or other special occasion) gift that'll keep on giving, all
year long?
Then give 'em a subscription to the Dose
of Dover...the
most reliable source of insights and no s*** ideas available on
the planet. (You can afford it...it's free!)
Time to share the wealth! Sign-up
for a subscription to the weekly Dose of Dover
Newsletter right
here!
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