Hot Tips on How You Can Initiate a Credit Freeze

Here’s some great information supplied by the Federal Trade Commission on credit freezes. If you have to place one on your account at the credit bureaus, it important to know that credit freeze laws vary by state along with different fee schedules by bureau.

Many states have laws that let consumers “freeze” their credit – in other words, letting a consumer restrict access to his or her credit report.

Ready for Social Security Benefits? Here’s What You Need to Do

Here are some key points to know when you are eligible for social security benefits as outlined by the U.S. Social Security Administration.

You can apply for retirement benefits online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov or you can call the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. Or you can make an appointment to visit any Social Security office to apply in person.

Depending on your circumstances, you will need some or all of the documents listed below. But do not delay applying for benefits because you do not have all the information.

The Worried Workplace

According to a recent survey conducted by ComPsych, more than half of U.S. workers said their work atmosphere felt worried due to the economy. Of respondents, 16 percent described their workplace as “panicky.”

“Workers are shouldering more work due to layoffs, and finding it difficult not to be distracted by future uncertainties,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych. “We have seen a record number of calls for on-site counselors due to layoffs as well as requests for ongoing stress management counseling.”

Q. What Will 10,000 New People a Day/Every Day for the Next 20 Years Have in Common?

A. The Baby Boomers start to become eligible for social security benefits. Last year, the oldest of the 79 million baby boomers born from 1946 through 1964 turned 62 and became eligible.

The Social Security Administration is hoping that most of the boomers will apply online, which takes less than 15 minutes. However, we all know that there are millions and millions who won’t or can’t take advantage of that technology. “We just don’t have the infrastructure to handle that workload in the traditional fashion”, said Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue.

FTC Warns Consumers About Economic Stimulus Scams

The FTC is warning consumers that they could get stung by an economic stimulus scam.  The scams come in different forms.

Right now, on the Web and in e-mail, scammers are telling consumers they can help them qualify for a payment from President Obama’s economic stimulus package.  All they have to do is provide a little information or a small payment.

Grief on Top of Grief

The families of recently lost relatives thought the phone call they received was genuine. The callers said the states’ Vital Records Division needed personal information on the deceased for the death certificate. Well you guessed it – another technique to steal personal identities and in this case, the identities of the deceased.

“Our office has gotten phone calls from people who recently lost loved ones, saying they’re calling us back because we supposedly called them to request personal information such as a deceased’s birth date, address and Social Security number,” says Corey Ealy, director of Vital Records for the Indiana State Department of Health. “But we never call citizens to collect information for death certificates. We are receivers of this information, not solicitors of it.”