What Happens if my Credit Cards is Stolen?

Author: Peter Carville

In the U.S., the Fair Credit Billing Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act spell out what you should do if your credit cards are lost or stolen. As soon as you know that your cards are missing, report them to the card issuers. Most issuers have toll-free 24-hour service for this situation. Make note on a calendar when the cards were lost, and when you reported them. You may need this information for future reference.

In the U.S. under federal law, your maximum liability for unauthorized use of your credit card is $50. If you are quick enough to report the loss before the cards are even used, then you aren’t responsible for any of the unauthorized charges. Most people don’t know this, but if the loss is just of your credit card number, but not the physical card, then you also have no liability for unauthorized use.

After losing your cards, look at your next billing statements very carefully. If unauthorized charges show up, contact the card issuer in writing letting them know about the suspicious charge. Be sure to include the date your card was lost or stolen, when you reported it, and when you first noticed the unauthorized charges. Send this to the address your card issuer uses for billing errors, not to the address you send payments.

Though there are cases where there is nothing you could have done to prevent the loss or theft of your credit cards, there are many cases in which you can take steps to minimize the possibility of loss or theft. Only give out your account number over the phone if you yourself made the call for the purpose of making a purchase or reservation. Most banks will never call you and ask you for this information. If you get such a phone call, ask if you can call them right back, then call the bank and describe the situation.

If you’re changing cards, or if your bank sends new ones, cut the old ones up into pieces before disposing of them. Monitor your monthly statements carefully and note any suspicious charges. The card issuer has 60 days in which to investigate reported billing errors. Keep in a separate, safe place the account numbers, expiration dates, and the toll free phone numbers of each card issuer to make it as easy as possible to report a lost or stolen card. It is also a good idea to only carry the cards you need with you.

If you suspect credit card fraud or it has been stolen, there is no need to panic, but you do need to report the loss or theft as soon as possible to minimize your liability for unauthorized charges.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/what-happens-if-my-credit-cards-is-stolen-1140318.html

About the Author:

Peter Carville is a freelance article writer who writes for Financial Facts about the current financial news and the credit crunch.

Obama's First Time Home Buyer Grant Programs to Help New Buyers With Their Down Payment

Author: Bryan Hendersen


Do you know someone who is planning on buying a new home? First time homebuyers may qualify for a government grant that will help them make this big purchase. These grants are free money that can help future homeowners make a down payment on their new home or help them with the closing costs. The money received from these grants does not have to be paid back.

Different government agencies handle first time home buyer grant applications in different ways. Depending on the funds grated in your area, there are different amounts of money available. Search a current grant directory to find out what first time homebuyer grants are available to you. You can also research the process of submitting an application.

After you have been approved for this grant, you may get the money is just one week. Usually the money will be sent directly to you and other times it is credited to your mortgage. This grant is not dependant on a credit check and no collateral is needed, but you will need to prove your home offer has been accepted and that you have negotiated a mortgage. Sometimes the requirements do change, but this is the general process.

The actual terms of the grant also vary. Sometimes it is expected that you will have been the homeowner for at least three years. If you do not keep the home for three years, you might have to repay the grant. A grant directory will help you find the best grant for your particular situation.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/obamas-first-time-home-buyer-grant-programs-to-help-new-buyers-with-their-down-payment-1145563.html

About the Author:

For tips and facts about how you can benefit from Obama's Home Stimulus Plan - or to find out if you qualify, visit our no nonsense home stimulus guide: http://firsttimehomebuyerstimulus.net

2009 Stimulus check informations

Author: Gen Wright


The 2009 stimulus check is known as the 'recovery and reinvestment act of 2009'. The first part of the stimulus check which provides for the public, is for people who are making an income on social security. The other is for military personnel on military pensions and railroad pensions. This stimulus check is 250 dollars quite similar to the stimulus check in 2008. In order to qualify for the 2009 stimulus check, a person needs to be on social security at the end of 2008. In case your social security started at the beginning of this year, you cannot qualify for social security. A person in this circumstance will qualify for the 2010 stimulus check in case there happens to be one.

There is a rebate in taxes if you are single which amounts to 400 dollars. In case you are married the amount is 800 dollars. From the month of April 2009, twenty dollars a week will be lowered on taxes from the paycheck which amounts to these mentioned totals. This is only for people who are employed. The tax rebate that takes place weekly will be in the 2010 stimulus check as well.

The stimulus check amounting 600 dollars was sent to every woman and man starting in 2008 in the hopes that the check will be used to stimulate the economy that was ailing. Most people looked forward to this check since it provided free money and it was spent mostly in paying bills. People were looking forward to the stimulus check in 2009. During this time corporate companies were going under and the government was bailing out companies with billions of dollars. The President had to sign an 800 billion bailout for the corporate giants and the public began to cry out asking for their stimulus check. It is almost impossible to send the general public a stimulus check while bailing out the corporate companies. A few numbers of people will benefit from a stimulus check in 2009. Working people will receive a tax rebate and an increase of about 13 dollars on their paychecks. People who are unemployed will not have too many benefits from the package.

A mortgage program is in place but not everyone will be eligible for this. If certain requirements are met when purchasing their first home during a specific time period, they will benefit from the mortgage program. For people on retirement incomes a stimulus check will be sent your way. In case a check is not received it is because you were not eligible to receive it.

If a person who was on social security received the 250 dollar stimulus check and in the meantime started working, the money will have to be retuned by April 2010. You will qualify for the 400 dollars rebate in taxes on your paycheck. The country has approximately two million veterans who will soon be receiving a stimulus check of 250 dollars. Some of the other parts included in the stimulus check are a tax credit of 2500 dollars for students. Senior citizens will receive a check of 250 dollars deposited directly into their accounts or by mail. The government is hoping that these seniors will spend their check on the ailing economy.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/2009-stimulus-check-informations-1084271.html

About the Author:

THe information is provided by itaxrebate.com , a website dedicated to financial informations such as the 2009 stimulus check and other economics subject like loan, taxes and stimulus programs. In house articles are written in a clear and simple terminology for everyone to grasp the basics of economics. The stimulus check 2009 campaign is a very popular subject and many articles are featured on itaxrebate.com

Credit Repair Dispute Success

Author: Jim Kemish

Dreams Come True (With a Little Work)

How does your credit report look? If you don’t like what you see credit repair can help. Credit repair offers a viable alternative to living with bad credit. You can turn your credit around. You just need the right attitude and a little technique. If you are tired of waiting for the day your credit will fix itself, get ready for action now. You can make your future look the way you wish. Here are the facts you need to make your credit repair effort produce the results you are dreaming about.

Trust Yourself

It’s time to get serious about fixing your credit report. Let’s start with an attitude adjustment. From now on I want you to question the accuracy of the information that shows up on your credit report. If there is a question in your mind, even the smallest uncertainty, it’s time to give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Credit reports are not perfect. In fact, three-quarters of all credit reports contain mistakes. And here’s a little more encouragement; people with genuine credit problems are even more prone to having reporting errors. Start your credit repair effort by proofreading your reports with a critical eye and get ready to dispute those errors.

The Art of the Dispute

Once you have proofread your credit reports it’s time to write dispute letters to the credit bureaus. These dispute letters are the centerpiece of your credit repair project and must be done thoughtfully. The most important thing to know about the dispute letter is that it must be simple. The clerk at the bureau’s dispute center had to figure out what you are trying to say, so if you want to get the job done just say what you must and nothing more. For example, if you have found an account that does not belong to you, just say that the account is not yours. Credit repair and simplicity go together perfectly.

Don’t Quit

The credit bureaus can be stubborn. There is a fair chance that your first credit repair dispute effort will meet with resistance. If the response you get indicates that the account was verified this is not the end of the road. If you are not happy with the result dispute the offending account again! This time tell them how unhappy you are. The truth is a beautiful thing. Be polite, but be firm. Point out your right to request a proper investigation of the problem. If the issue is causing you stress or financial hardship, tell them so. Keep it simple, but tell it like it is. Determination is required. Your credit repair project will bear fruit.

A Final Technique

If you dispute the item a second time and are still frustrated by the results there is another credit repair technique you can use to get the job done. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that the credit bureaus provide you with information about their dispute procedure upon request. So, if the erroneous account has been verified and you would like to take your dispute one step further, ask the credit bureau to tell you how and with whom they verified the information. They must respond to this procedure request within 15 days. Once you have the information you can re-focus your credit repair effort on the creditor.

Get a Little Help

If you are too busy to make the effort, don’t fret! And more important, don’t put off this important project. If it is more than you can handle, just hire a professional credit repair service to do the job. They will review your credit reports, help you identify the errors that are causing harm, and run the entire dispute process on your behalf. Professional credit repair services are affordable and efficient. And you credit is too important to ignore. You can do it yourself, or hire a professional. If you take action you will succeed. Good luck!

Copyright © 2008 James W. Kemish. All Content. All Rights Reserved.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/credit-repair-dispute-success-1087330.html

About the Author:

Jim Kemish is the president and founder of Sky Blue Credit Repair, a leading credit repair service. Sky Blue Credit has been dedicated to providing intelligent customized credit solutions since 1989. Jim is a graduate of New York University and holds a degree in economics.

Leading in Times of Crisis

Author: Ryan Scholz

We are in the midst of a financial and business crisis. It is unclear how deep and long the recession will be. People at all levels of an organization are apprehensive about the future. It is in times of crisis that true leadership surfaces.



There are several things that I think are essential for leaders to do in times of crisis and I want to share them with you. The first things leaders need to do is be visible and engaged during the crisis. The worst thing that a leader can do is hide and withdraw. As General George S. Patton said, "It is almost impossible to remain both aloof and effective". Often we don't give people enough credit for being able to handle the truth. If leaders don't tell people the truth during a crisis, how can they expect people to believe them at other times. Leaders such as Rudolph Guiliani after 9/11, Winston Churchill during World War Two, and Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, all left the comfort and safety of their offices to visit the scene of the crisis and to lead from the front not the rear. Leaders cannot isolate themselves from the crisis, but rather immerse themselves in the middle of it. People need face-to-face contact more than ever from leaders during these times.



Secondly, while facing the sobering facts of the current situation, leaders need to convey faith and optimism that things will improve and the company can get through the crisis. Throughout the early days of the Battle of Britain, Churchill constantly conveyed a vision of victory. He believed in his heart that Britain would survive and this was constantly communicated to the British population. On June 4, 1940 Churchill delivered a speech to the House of Commons right after the Germans had bombed Paris and the evacuation at Dunkirk. In what seemed to be a hopeless situation, Churchill delivered an optimistic and powerful speech.



"We shall fight to the end, ... we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the sea, armed and guarded by the British fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and liberation of the old."



In times of crisis, employees don't want just to hear how bad things are, but also words and actions that make them believe that leaders of the company have the competence and conviction to overcome the current situation. Vision driven organizations will always have an advantage over visionless organizations when crisis hits.



The third thing that leaders can do in a crisis is not to deal with it alone. Wise leaders seek counsel and advice from others they trust. They involve others as much as possible in helping them deal with the crisis. They find a group with complimentary skills and talents to help minimize "blind spots" in their own thinking.



In his book on leadership, Guiliani makes the point that the events of 9/11 did not make him a leader, but rather the years spent developing his leadership skills prepared him to deal with the crisis. So in today's environment, effective leaders communicate, give hope, and seek the help of others.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/leading-in-times-of-crisis-1090066.html

About the Author:

Ryan Scholz works with leaders whose success is dependent on getting commitment and high performance from others. He is author of Turning Potential into Action: Eight Principles for Creating a Highly Engaged Work Place. For more information, visit his web site at www.lead-strat-assoc.com.