CNN discussed a less-known channel to combat identity theft: security freeze. Residents of California and Texas can ask credit reporting agencies (CRAs) to block access to their credit reports until they contact the CRAs to unlock the files using a personal PIN. According to CNN, only 2,000 Californians and 150 Texans have signed up for this option. CNN attributed it as a result of lack of promotion from the CRAs' end.
Also according to the report, the freeze/unfreeze action will cost consumer $8-$12 per CRA. To be clear, this price level is prohibitive to me; if I need to apply for credit twice a year, it will cost $10 * 2 * 2 * 3 = $120 a year ($10 per action, two actions freeze/unfreeze per credit check, two credit checks per year and three CRAs), or much more than enough to get some commercial credit protection programs (which themselves are costly in the first place). Until the cost can be reduced to $1 or $2 per action, and the process can be streamlined, I don't think many people will try this new service.
Another 0.25% Rate Increase and How It Will Affect You(August 11, 2004)
As many people expected, Fed raised short-term interest rate target again by 25 basis points to 1.50%, and this should push the prime rate to 4.50%, which will subsequently affect many of us who have a variable-rate component in our financial life. Read
Phishing Is Becoming Epidemic(August 10, 2004)
On month ago, I didn't even know "phishing" is a word; Merriam-Webster Online doesn't think it is a word either and proves I was not too ignorant. Nevertheless, we'd better know its existence now so that we can avoid becoming the next victim. Read
Real Credit Card Debt(August 01, 2004)
An interesting discussion from CardWeb on American's real credit card debt: excluding the amount that is paid off every month, each man, woman and child in this country owes $2,027 revolving credit card debt on average, compared to $1,100 for Brits and $675 for Aussies. Read
Gasbates(July 31, 2004)
If you don't have a credit card with rebate on gas purchases yet, take a look at this nice round-up from CardWeb on gas-rebate cards. Don't bother to change shifts to neutral at stop to save a few drops of gas; having 5% cashback on ... Read
Gold Channels of the Personal Finance Blogger's Network
• My Personal Finance Journey (1044 posts): Daily personal finance observation, musing and decisions in a journey toward financial independence by 36 with at least a million dollars. (RSS Feed)
• Canadian Capitalist (174 posts): A record of my personal financial experience in saving, debt management and investing (with emphasis on Canadian content). (RSS Feed)
• Naked Picks (33 posts): Can an average fat boy beat experts in picking stocks? (RSS Feed)
• Free Money Finance (463 posts): Free and simple advice on money and finance designed to maximize your net worth. (RSS Feed)
• Reasoned Investing (198 posts): Long term investing advice, focusing on the reasoned steps everyone can take to invest in their future. (RSS Feed)
• Common Cents (33 posts): A common sense approach to understanding the importance of Personal Finance. (RSS Feed)
Others Channels of the Personal Finance Blogger's Network
• Nathan's Financial Mindset (26 posts): My day by day activities to save for most foreseeable events in the future, retire early, and retire rich. (RSS Feed)
• Prospect (34 posts): Personal finance for today and tomorrow. (RSS Feed)
• Personal Finance Café (9 posts): A forum to discuss personal finance issues including taxes, home ownership, insurance, budgeting, and investing. (RSS Feed)
• Coach Coin (55 posts): Simple Tips & Analysis from a Personal Finance & Success Coach. (RSS Feed)
Featured Sites
• payday loans - Payday Loans No Credit Check can offer you with reasonably-priced loans for you financial requirement.We deals in Payday UK, Payday Loans Australia , payday Loans Canada.
• Protected.co.uk compare over 300 life insurance plans to find the best deal from their providers.
• Search 300 life insurance plans from 12 leading providers.
• Bad Credit Auto Loans are loans for people who have a poor credit history and cannot qualify for an auto loan. If you are able to secure a bad credit auto loan, you should consider it to be a second chance to improve your credit rating by making all auto loan payments on time.
• Car Finance - The Uk's leading online car finance company. Buy any car from any UK dealership. Bad credit not a problem.
• SecuredLoansCentre.co.uk - 3 easy steps to compare over 200 secured loan plans for UK home owners in minutes
• Find a fast personal loan in the UK. Even if you have a bad credit history, arrears or CCJ's, Loansite's top lenders can help you compare loans and find a low APR secured loan, homeowner loan or tenant loan with fast approval in principle.
• Legal Helpers experienced bankruptcy lawyers can help you out of debt. Take advantage of our Free debt consultation. Our bankruptcy lawyers will help you understand your best option to eliminate your debt. Ask about our 100% guarantee.
• Student Loan Consolidation - Need assistance with Student Loan Consolidation? Have a personal education finance advisor assist you with rates as low as 4.5%. -Quick, Easy Online Application w/E-sign!
• Cheap Car Insurance - Provides Cheap Car insurance. Receive an instant quote online
• Fleet Dealer - Ford Fleet trucks and vans, cargo vans, cutaway vans, LCFs, work trucks, commercial trucks, ambulances, tow trucks, police squad vehicles, and other commercial vehicles like box vans, delivery vans, box trucks and dump trucks.
• Bad Credit Auto Loans - Auto loans bad credit, bad credit auto loans, guaranteed credit approval, auto financing, credit lenders, car credit, automobile lenders, bad credit auto loans seattle, auto loans bad credit seattle.
• Ford Dealer - One of the World's largest Ford Dealerships. Over 3,000 cars and trucks to choose from. Mega Volume Dealer. $1,000 price guarantee. Large Special Finance Store. Ford Dealer Seattle. Mustang, Edge, Explorer, F150, f250, fleet, build your own Ford.
• Auto Loans Bad Credit - Bad Credit Auto Loans, auto loans bad credit, guaranteed credit approval, car credit car loans, automobile financing, credit lenders, bad credit auto loans seattle, auto loans bad credit seattle. (Home | Apply | Inventory | Credit Help | Contact Us)
• moneyeverything.com - Find the right credit card to suit you with our guide to the right card in the UK
• airaid.co.uk - Looking for credit cards in the UK? Find the right credit card to suit you with our guide to choosing the right card in the UK
• Bad Credit Loans - find out some tips about improving your credit score and choosing the best bad credit lender.
• Consolidate debt with Bad Credit Personal Loans online or Personal Loans, consolidate Bad Credit Personal Loans or apply for Credit Cards including 0% deals.
• We provide personal loans for debt consolidation, home improvement, bad credit loans at cheap rates in the UK.
• If you are buying a car you may want to search for UK Car Insurance to get a car insurance quote online.
• Accepted.co.uk compare over 100 secured loans to find the best deal from their lenders.
• Accepted.co.uk compare over 100 secured loans to find the best deal from their lenders.
• Sending money to family and friends has never been easy. Use iKobo, secure way to send money worldwide
• Payday loan tips at paydayloanreport.net helps you to defeat cash-checking and payday loan traps.
• online casino - reviews of goldenpalace, casino-on-net, and more. onlinecasinobluebook.com review guide.
• Student Loan Consolidation - the student loan solutions provides students and their families with information and resources to help students get out of default and better manage their student debt.
