I had a reader ask a question about Debix and other identity protection companies so I thought I would say a little about them.

Identity theft occurs when someone gets a hold of your personal information and then tries to use that information in a fraudulent way to open up accounts with your information so that they can benefit (i.e. opening up a credit card and charging things too it, etc.). To help minimize the risk (almost impossible to prevent), there are companies like Debix, Life Lock, Identity Guard, and others, who monitor the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) for changes in your accounts. Some of these companies will also check out known “black market” sites to see if your information is being hawked (sold).

I cannot speak for the other companies, but what Debix does is if they see any new financial accounts opened with your data at any of the three bureaus, then you are contacted immediately. So for instance, a few weeks ago my wife opened up a new store account (with my knowledge and approval!). As soon as that information hits at least one of the three credit agencies, we received phone calls asking us if this was legitimate. They have our home and cell phone numbers, there is a pre-recorded voice key message (that we set up) so that we know that this is really Debix, and we enter a pin number and let them know if this new activity was initiated by us or not. If it was, everything is good. If not, then we talk live with a Debix individual who gathers information, then they set up an on call investigation team with licensed private investigators, and they call appropriate law enforcement agencies while the case is still “hot”.

What I like about this service and why I feel that it is worth the money is that someone is monitoring my information continually, something I cannot do myself, nor do I have the time or inclination to do so. Also, if my identity is stolen, there is identity theft insurance and recovery services. A team of investigators will work on my behalf to clear things up. They do all the leg work including contacting law enforcement, etc. Plus I will not be liable for any of the charges or expenses.

I look at this as insurance, and to me it is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

 

P.S. I don’t get any remuneration for talking about Debix or the other companies I mentioned in this article.

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Money is a huge motivator. Sometimes for good, often times for not. As a Christian, there may be times when we need to stand up for what we believe, and the results could bring negative financial consequences upon us or others. An example can be found in Acts chapter 19. Paul is preaching in a city named Ephesus and some of the people are not happy:

²³ About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. ²⁴ A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. ²⁶ And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. ²⁷ There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

These men were in danger of losing their business and suffering a major financial setback. And this motivates them to oppose Paul and Christianity. I have had this happen to me before where a  biblical and ethical stand was met with opposition from those higher up in the company because the right decision would cost more money.

What will you do when confronted with a choice between money and your values?

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I use Debix to help protect me and my family against identity theft. Every year about this time they do a public records scan to see if there is any evidence of misuse of our children’s social security numbers. We are willing to pay extra for this service because our three children are adopted and we know of at least four other people outside our family who know their social security numbers – and one of these people is in prison for theft and another individual is not what you would call an upstanding citizen either!

This past week I received a phone call from Debix that after performing their scan they found suspicious activity regarding my youngest daughter’s social security number. In order for them to investigate further I had to send them documents:

•  copy of child’s social security number

•  copy of birth certificate

• copy of my driver’s license (verify my identity)

• copy of a utility bill  (verify my identity)

So I have faxed the information (people still use faxes!), and am now waiting to hear the results from their further investigation. Hopefully it is just a false positive and everything is okay. But either way we are protected and we have the Debix team on our side to do the leg work and paperwork to help clear up the matter if necessary.

So if you have children this is something to think about. My understanding from talking with knowledgeable individuals is that child identity theft is on the rise.

 

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I have performed two funerals for families in the past two weeks. Always a hard event and very emotional. One thing that can help during this time is if the deceased has preplanned his funeral and express their wishes and desires. This helps to ease the burden on the family. I have seen the difficulty and hardship on families as they try to plan a funeral and make big financial decisions all while under stress and grief.

Now I am not saying that you should pre-pay for your funeral, but you can pre-plan, or as some individuals in the  funeral business call it “pre-need”.  You can have this document left with your other important documents (will, medical instructions, etc.), with a lawyer or trusted family member, or you can even have it on file with the funeral home if you know which business you would like to perform this service for you.

Some basic things you can include:

• Cremation or burial (and location of burial or ashes)

• Open or closed casket (even if cremated—sometimes cremation takes place after a viewing service and you just rent a casket)

• Type of urn or casket (how much do you want them to spend?)

• Who to perform the service

• Service held at a Church or a Funeral Home

• Scripture or poetry or songs to be sung

• Donation of organs, etc. (this should also be on other documents that you leave behind)

• Tombstone? Inscription? Type of burial vault?

There are other things you can add but this list would be a start. Not something we like to think about, but something that will be helpful, appreciated, and one more way to show love toward your family and friends.

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In the past two weeks I have performed two funerals for families. Funerals are a time to reflect and think. One of the questions that popped into my mind is – “How do I want to be remembered?”

In the book of Acts chapter nine there is a story about a woman named Tabitha, who just very recently passed away (they were still preparing the body for burial). The first thing that is said of her is that she “was always doing good and helping the poor.” What a testimony! When the friends of Tabitha heard that Peter was in the area, they urged him to come and see her (remember she is dead!). Once there, he went up to see her and there was much crying over Tabitha – the windows were showing all the things that Tabitha had made for them, and Peter could see what a positive impact this person had made on the lives of others.

That is how I would like to be remembered. Generous with my time, my possessions, and doing good and helping others. But to be remembered like that, I have to live like that.

What are we doing today that will be remembered by others? Are we building the reputation that we want for when we are gone?

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I get a publication at work entitled “Church Law & Tax Report“. I know, fun reading for me! In the most recent month’s publication they “highlighted” 59 tax developments that church leaders should know about. 59! Just for 2011 tax changes. Is that crazy or what? No wonder about 2 out of every 3 taxpayers just takes the standard deduction rather than itemize deductions on their return.

Another thing new from the IRS – a smartphone app. It’s called IRS2Go. It allows you to check on the status of your tax refund, and it supposedly gives helpful tax information and tips. So at least they are trying to be helpful .

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It’s now officially Tax Form Season. I know I have been receiving different forms – Local Tax Forms, Federal Mortgage Forms and Interest Forms, etc., just about every day! And yet I will not be getting around to do my taxes until sometime in February. So I make sure I have a place (File cabinet with folder marked Tax Forms) to put all this paperwork so I don’t forget it and I know where it is when I need it.

How do you organize for tax time? Or is it chaos at your place? Getting a bit more organized this year could be as simple as a manila folder or envelope where you can stuff everything. It’s hard enough to do taxes, so any little thing you can do to make it easier, like finding everything you need, is worth the little bit of time and effort.

 

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I don’t know everything. Now I know that doesn’t surprise anyone. But I admit there are times, and maybe you do this too, where I act as if I do. Maybe someone is talking about a subject I know nothing about, but I pretend I do – I smile, nod my head, maybe even say a word or two – because I do not want to appear stupid. And yet that is the stupid thing to do!

In the book of Acts, chapter 9, there is a story about a man I wish I could be more like. We never learn his name, just that he is an important Ethiopian official in charge of all the treasury of the country. A pretty powerful guy! And yet he was humble enough, and smart enough, when asked a question about what he was reading to answer “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” He then invites Phillip, a man of God, up into his chariot to teach him about what he is reading.

I wish I was more like him. If I don’t know something, then just ask! I hope to do more of that this year. And if I can do that, then maybe I will get smarter instead of just pretending to hide my ignorance!

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As I mentioned in a previous post, we switched our cell phone service from Verizon to AT&T. In our area AT&T just has better reception and fewer dropped calls. In our last official bill from Verizon something didn’t look right, and once I checked it wasn’t!

Verizon added a $105 early termination fee to our bill. So I called them up to get it removed. We had been with them since 2004, and we had not upgraded phones for 4 years! The customer service rep listened to my defense, put me on hold, then came back with a “it must have been coded wrong” and reversed the charge. Why is it when companies “code things wrong” it is the customer who always pays, never the company? I am not sure I buy the coded wrong excuse but at least they reversed the charge.

Once again it pays to read over your bills, and then make phone calls to push your case. Another penny saved from taking time to pay attention!

 

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Store Credit Cards: Some people love them, and some hate them. Personally I have a mixed attitude toward them. Currently we have three store cards: Dress Barn, Kohl’s, and Sears (although the Sears can be used elsewhere since it is a Citi MasterCard).

My wife uses the Dress Barn for herself, the Kohl’s mostly for family clothing, and I use the Sears occasionally for tools and hardware. All three gave significant discounts on purchases that day if you signed up, which helped to cut the price tremendously. They also offer discounts throughout the year if you use the card, which can also save some money.

What I don’t like is three more accounts to track and to remember to pay, although they do send emails with statement info which is a reminder, but it is still a hassle. Also, you tend to automatically get a lot of emails from that store. We have opted out of receiving emails except for statements. That means we get fewer emails, but we may miss out on some specials – I can live with that.

Obviously the goal of the store card is to get you to shop at that store and to entice you to buy more. Since we cut out the emails that helps against being enticed, plus we are not really shoppers so we usually only head out when we really need something. If you love to shop then store cards could be a dangerous thing for you! But if used carefully, they can save you some money.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about A Penny Saved? We rely on word of mouth to get new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would truly appreciate it. Store Credit Cards is a post from: A Penny Saved, the best darn personal finance blog around.