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 Identity Theft Prevention Tip Refresher
Though consumer awareness of identity theft is growing, it is still a major concern as the crime is becoming increasingly prevalent. Here is a reminder on how consumers can help prevent having their personal information appropriated for illegal use. Taking these steps can help avoid the costly and time-consuming consequences of identity theft.
- Above all protect your Social Security number. It is the key to your credit report and banking accounts and is the prime target of criminals. Do not print your Social Security number on your checks.
- Monitor your credit report. It contains your SSN, present and prior employers, a listing of all account numbers, including those that have been closed, and your overall credit score. After applying for a loan, credit card, rental or anything else that requires a credit report, request that your SSN on the application be truncated or completely obliterated and your original credit report be shredded before your eyes or returned to you once a decision has been made. A lender or rental manager needs to retain only your name and credit score to justify a decision.
- Remove your name from the marketing lists of the three credit reporting bureaus to reduce the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive.
Trans Union - Phone: 800-680-7289
P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19016-1000. www.transunion.com
Experian (formerly TRW) - Phone: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013. www.experian.com
Equifax - Phone: 800-525-6285
P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348. www.equifax.com
- Personal information is often obtained through thieves sifting through trash or dumpsters. Shred all old bank and credit statements and "junk mail" credit card offers before throwing them away.
- Never give your credit card number or personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and trust that business. Add your Number to the National Do Not Call Registry to remove your name from telemarketers' lists. http://www.ftc.gov/donotcall/
- Do not carry extra credit cards or other important identity documents except when needed.
- Deposit mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes. Do not mail bill payments and checks from home. They can be stolen from your mailbox and washed clean in chemicals.
- Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends
- Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy your license and credit cards so you have all the account numbers, expiration dates and phone numbers if your wallet or purse is stolen.
- Examine the charges on your credit card statements before paying them.
- Cancel unused credit card accounts.
If you are the victim of Identity theft visit the California Attorney General's Site for a comprehensive list of instructions. http://caag.state.ca.us/idtheft/tips.htm
Medicare Deadline Approaches
The deadline for Medicare recipients to sign up for the prescription drug plan is May 15th.
California Medicare recipients can choose from about four dozen plans with varying co-payments, premiums and covered medications.
If you miss the May 15 deadline, you'll have to pay a penalty for each month you delay. The penalty is 1 percent of an average monthly premium. Waiting until the next sign-up period in November permanently raises your monthly premium by 7 percent; waiting four years results in a 48 percent penalty.
For more information on Federal or California Medicare coverage please call or visit the following.
http://www.medicare.gov/ (800) MEDICARE federal government hotline
http://www.calmedicare.org/ Call (800) 434-0222 California's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
Patients’ Rights need to be put ahead of record insurance industry profits.
Click here to read more…
Local law firm celebrates
70 years of trial advocacy
Joe Stevenson, a reporter with The Bakersfield Californian writes about our law firm. Click here to read article.
GROUP LAW SERVICE
Over 35 years ago, Chain-Younger pioneered Group Law Service to provide quality legal help for working people. Members of Group Law Service, and their immediate family, are entitled to free initial consultations, free notarized signatures (limit 3 per day) and reduced legal fees on most cases. We represent approximately 180,000 group members. If you would like to become a member of Group Law Service, click here.
You can visit Chain-Younger Websites for additional information regarding:
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