Valentine, AOS Day: stolen hearts are one thing, but the stolen jewelry is not fun

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Valentine, AOS Day: stolen hearts are one thing, but the stolen jewelry is not fun -

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Valentine Day, AOS is a tradition back to 496 AD, with its real roots going back to St. Valentine, AOS execution 269 AD to marry couples against the mandate of the Roman emperor. Since then, Valentine's Day, SOA has become a goldmine for retailers. According to the Office of the US Census, sold jewelry stores $ 2.27 billion of goods in February 2011. Although this figure may seem huge, the National Retail Federation expects sales of jewelry to hit $ 4.1 billion this year. The results of the survey show that more than eight out of ten men are supposed to buy jewelry for their significant other this year, the highest amount ever reported their investigation did, leading to the purchase of expensive jewelry lots could easily become lost or stolen.
contribute to, Authe large Spend at is that the Valentine day, AOS is the third most popular time for couples to get engaged, lagging behind only Christmas and New Year. According to a survey conducted by Bride Magazine OSA last year, the average cost of a wedding ring is $ 4,647. In today, difficult economic times AOS that would not be easy to replace, nor would any of the other couples lavish gifts to buy this time of year.
Jewelry is popular with thieves
If you splurge for the holidays, or have a lot of expensive jewelry that already around, it might not be a bad idea to investigate your insurance options. Most burglars look for accessible elements of value that can be easily transported, jewelry making it a prime target since the articles are often ignored or kept in easy to grasp jewelry boxes. The Insurance Information Institute offers the warning that expensive jewelry gifts and others can have a minimum coverage under standard homeowners insurance policies and offers tips on how to properly secure your valuables.

Do not get hooked by phishing tax time!

12:19 PM Add Comment
Do not get hooked by phishing tax time! -

The IRS is not alone in getting your money this time of year. Unfortunately, this is the season for tax fraud schemes, including the perennial favorite, email phishing. Email phishing, for the uninitiated, is a term referring to fraudulent emails that take the look and feel of a legitimate corporate e-mail, trying to trick you into clicking on a link and enter Your personal information. Sophisticated phishers may look exactly like legitimate e-mails if you do not know what to watch, and their links can lead you to the ages that look remarkably like the real thing.
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phishing schemes have been around since the birth of the Internet; they are the latest technological spin on a very old phone scam in which the crooks called unsuspecting citizens apply for social security or credit card numbers. Like the telephone scam, the best way to respond to a phishing e-mail is hanging: delete the email, do not click on anything and spend the rest of your day. If you want to be a good citizen, you can forward the email to phishy phishing@irs.gov~~V.
How serious phishing email this time of year? The IRS puts at the top of their list "Dirty Dozen" tax scams. This means it is incredibly common. You could be the recipient of an adverse tax scam phishing email this year. If you do not receive one and want to know what they look like, Snopes.com, the site of the well-known rumor debunking, are examples of a variety of email phishing tax. (Warning: the site Snopes contextual ads)
How can you say that the email is phishing.? First, ignore any email that claims to be the government. The IRS will never contact you by email or any social media like Facebook or Twitter. This was a policy for many years and is unlikely to change. Therefore, if you receive a communication from the IRS in any other way outside the station, you can assume it's fake.
all tax phishing emails purport to be from the IRS, however. Popular tax preparer H & R Block and Intuit, the makers of the well-known TurboTax tax software, also report issued phony emails supposedly under their name. Click on the links to their safety tips to protect against phishing). In a slightly different twist, guests H & R Block in Tennessee have even been scammed by fake text messages. Just as in an email or a phone call, text claiming to be tax entities should be ignored and reported. Remember, no reputable company other than your mobile operator will contact you by text message. Intuit has an updated list of phishing scams current on their website, so if you use TurboTax and receive e-mails from them, consult this list before responding or clicking on attachments.
To be safe, never click on an attachment from someone you do not know and make sure that all e-mails, even friends, are really of them before clicking. Always, always, think before you click. To use an example from my own e-mail box, is it really likely that your old college friend is stuck in London without money and you chose to apply for a loan? If it looks suspicious, it probably is - and my friend was still in South Carolina
Here is a good rule of thumb :. If you receive an email from your bank, your tax preparer or an online merchant with an urgent request about your account, do not click the link in the email: instead, go directly to the site of the bank or merchant and sign in the way you normally would. If there is an urgent message, it will be listed under your account.

Clickjacking: A New Digital trap for the unwary

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Clickjacking: A New Digital trap for the unwary -

The Internet is a wonderful thing and a tool that many of us do not know that we ever did without. Yet as wonderful as the Internet can be, there are dangers online. Most of us are savvy enough these days to never click a link in an email from an unknown, but unfortunately, as we have wised up, so have the fraudsters. There's new stuff out there that every citizen of this wired age should be aware of.
Clickjacking is one of the newest tricks in Internet directory scammers. First discussed in 08, clickjacking has come into its own with the popularity of social media like Facebook. Clickjacking occurs when a scam artist or other nasty Internet-based places an invisible button or any other element of the user interface on top of a seemingly innocent button on the Web page. In a clickjack attack an unsuspecting Facebook user can click on a web page in search of innocent, thinking the link is fine. In reality, the invisible link, they are actually click can activate a button that can do a number of things, including changing the privacy settings on their Facebook account, set up a fake "like" on their feed Facebook , asking them to submit personal information or even, in the worst case, activating something on their computer as a webcam or a microphone. Not only the immediately affected user, but a fake Facebook "like" can lead many of their friends to click as well. This is annoying as well as potentially dangerous. Clickjacking is so severe that Facebook and Washington State have taken action against alleged clickjackers in recent weeks.
How can you ensure that you are not taken? Always make sure that you use the latest version of your Internet browser selected. The latest version of Firefox can be found here at Mozilla; Internet Explorer at Microsoft and Google Chrome here. You can also consider the browser add-ons such as NoScript, you can download here. As always, however, your best protection against scammers is your own common sense. Check your Facebook privacy settings often and make sure that you are comfortable with how you share. Always be aware of what you are clicking. Remember, all that is promising something for nothing is too good to be true.
If you are concerned about your vulnerability to identity theft, find an insurance agent New England Renaissance Alliance to discuss identity theft insurance. And if you're a business, you may want to learn about Cyberliability insurance.

Protect your bike against bike thieves

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Protect your bike against bike thieves -

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bicycle theft has been a problem as long as there were bicycles. College campuses regularly warn students on the flight and just as regularly, bikes are stolen from the campus in increasing numbers. When I was in college in the late 80s, campus police used a white bicycle fought like bait, leaving unlocked next to various higher education institutions and while waiting to be stolen. school lore said it usually took less than thirty minutes. It was there over twenty years and I'm pretty sure that the schedule has not changed much. A writer spent several months in several cities in the implementation of his bike for theft and chronic fascinating results. In the underworld of America, he reports, there are four major currencies :. Cash, drugs, sex and bicycles

big business

As cycling has become increasingly popular over the last decade, bicycle safety has become. There are three main types of bicycle locks: U-locks, metal locks familiar U-shaped, often made by Kryptonite; cables that are simple to use, but easily circumvented and chains with padlocks, which are effective but cumbersome and takes time to lock and unlock. The Santa Barbara Independent reviews the different types of locks, but sadly admits that if you have to leave your ride on the street, you are better off with a cheap bike. Wired magazine also recently examined a variety of different bicycle locks, valuing them for ease of use, difficulty flying and weight, which is always a consideration with regard to the locks biking. Most high-end locks offer a flight warranty, so be sure to complete the necessary documentation before using your lock.

The Insurance Information Institute has a checklist for keeping your bike safely. They suggest marking your bike, writes the serial number down and taking several photos of him to help police identification. They also recommend registering your bike with the local police and the national bike registry. Bicycle theft is covered by your homeowners or renters insurance, but there is usually a fairly high deductible. If your bike is particularly useful, you may want to speak with your independent insurance agent on a floater policy to keep it covered at all times.

Umbrella insurance policies: not only for the rich

9:15 PM Add Comment
Umbrella insurance policies: not only for the rich -

While you probably have insurance on your house and car - and you do, do you? - You can not be completely covered. If you were the target of a passive pursuit of several million dollars, what would happen when your insurance coverage was exhausted? Could you lose your home and all your possessions? The answer to the last question, unfortunately, is yes and that is the point of umbrella insurance policies - they blow after traditional insurance policies have been exhausted. An umbrella insurance policy helps protect you from being completely erased even if you are sued for a car accident or an accident at your home that costs more than your liability insurance company is willing to pay.
Traditionally, these were the choices individuals and wealthy families, but the umbrella policies are growing in popularity and consumers are increasingly purchased by the middle class. In this litigious society, a dog nip of the family or a fall on the family trampoline can lead to enormous liability lawsuits, which can quickly deplete even complete insurance policies.
Who should have an umbrella coverage? Some experts recommend that anyone with dogs, teenage drivers in the family or a high risk of further attractive recreational facilities like swimming pools, trampolines or ATV should consider an umbrella policy. This worksheet handy Smart Money (PDF) can help you determine if a comprehensive policy is right for you. We recommend that you talk to your independent insurance agent as part of your total coverage requirements, which should be reassessed periodically. Your agent can help you assess if-we would be such a policy good for you and can find the insurance policy, if applicable. Sometimes you can even cover the cost of an umbrella policy simply by increasing the deductible on your home or auto policy.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the coordination of policies are usually sold in $ 1 million increments, and the average cost between $ 150 to $ 300 per year for the first $ 1 million in additional coverage. The next million usually costs about $ 75 a year and about $ 50 million each for the continuation. Most insurance companies will not write one unless you already carry insurance of about $ 250,000 on your auto insurance policy and 300 000 $ liability insurance on your homeowners policy responsibility.
Just as knowing that you always have an umbrella in the car on a rainy day, an umbrella insurance policy can give you peace of mind. In this uncertain world, this might be worth a few hundred dollars per year.

The advantages of an independent insurance agent

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The advantages of an independent insurance agent -

In this era of the Internet immediate access to wholesale prices and discount goods, many consumers may be tempted to buy insurance the same way they buy music immediately downloaded from the source. While some purchases, it may be wise to reduce middlemen, so to speak, insurance is not the same as a new mattress or DVD. Want to go to a lawyer during the real estate closing? What if you had been unfairly arrested? Expert advice is important and your independent insurance agent can provide that, along with a layer of protection that you can not get any other way. We talked about the value of local insurance agents, independent before, but it always helps to rethink
Most people realize that insurance can be purchased in three distinct ways :.

  • Directly from an agent of the insurance company
  • Internet agent or phone, which may represent several different companies
  • through an independent insurance agent in your community.

Buying directly from an insurance company means that you are not getting any comparison to other policies that might serve you better. It is not in the best interest of the company to refer you to another company, after all.
Internet and telephone agents can represent several different companies, but they are not members of your community. This not only means that they simply can not be aware of the conditions and specific national and local laws, it also means they are not as responsible as anyone you can visit at any time. If you buy insurance directly, you are also directly responsible for the level of coverage you can or can not have. This may mean that you are not covered when it counts, because nobody can be an expert in all areas.
A local independent insurance agent is an expert and your representative. They are licensed professionals who know the local conditions closely. They may recommend coverage that will keep you, your family and your property safe. It is in their interest to keep you happy and they can tour several different companies to find the policy you best. When your life changes, they can help you change your insurance policies to suit your new circumstances. Your agent knows you and recommend policies that suit your lifestyle. Too often, people buy price and sometimes unknowingly sacrificing coverage, a point to this writer Insurance Agents the fact magazine. What is the quality to save a few dollars if you risk a loss that cost you thousands?
Your insurance agent can also help when you need to file a claim. They act as your agent and not to the company. This can offer a lot of peace of mind at a time when you may need it most.
Do not have an agent? Here is a list of New England independent insurance agencies.

What if you buy a lemon

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What if you buy a lemon -

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"Lemon" is the generally accepted term for a defective car or a car with recurring problems mechanical which interfere with the use. While many experts say that the quality standards of modern automotive industry make it less likely that you buy a new lemon, it is certainly not out of the question. Edmunds has a good article on what to do if you think you have been stuck with a lemon.
Consumers are lucky today with wealth or resources online. First, research can and must start in the buying process because the problem prevention is always better than dealing with them after the fact. Buyers can search car reviews, dealers, consumer complaints. For used cars, buyers should make a VINCheck and historical research vehicle and in the case of used cars. (See our article on avoiding floods damaged cars).
If problems occur after the purchase, the warranty and the dealer is the first place to turn. Document your attempts to have fixed things, including the costs and time-out pocket involved. If the problem persists, it is much easier to research things online today to see if your problem is common and check with the manufacturers. There are also a variety of ways to learn about vehicle recalls. But if all else fails, most states offer some type of resort to consumption in what is known as "lemon laws."
State laws vary as to whether they cover both new and used cars, and most require that the car was purchased in this state and with a guarantee. Cars that are bought under an "as is" agreement would not usually covered. In addition, states have various trigger problems before remedies would kick in: the buyer should have tried to solve the problem in various ways before being eligible to consumer protection. According to Edmunds

State laws vary on what constitutes a "persistent" problem or the number "reasonable" attempts to repair that you get over the border on the territory of lemon. In Connecticut and New York, for example, four repair attempts is the state standard for "reasonable", according to Connecticut attorney Sergei Lemberg, whose site, Lemon Justice, can help determine if you have a lemon. But in Massachusetts, the law requires three attempts to repair the same problem in the first 15,000 miles -. And one last attempt to get the manufacturer to cope with failure after

Here are links to state lemon laws for New England.
Connecticut Lemon Law Program
Maine Lemon Law and state arbitration
Massachusetts lemon laws of
New Hampshire lemon laws
Rhode Island Lemon Law
Lemon law Vermont