Identity theft again leads list of reports filed by consumers.

Federal Trade Commission

By an overwhelming count, Identity Theft was the leader in the number of consumer fraud-related complaints last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

For the eighth year in a row, Identity Theft was the number one consumer complaint in the annual Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Report: Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data, January-December 2007.

Of the 813,899 total fraud-connected complaints received last year, 258,427, or 32%, related to Identity Theft. A distant second was “Shop-at-Home/Catalog Sales” with 8% of the complaints filed.

The FTC report found that credit card fraud was the most common form of reported Identity Theft at 23%, followed by utilities fraud at 18%, employment fraud at 14%, and bank fraud at 13%.

More than $1.2 billion of fraud losses were reported by consumers, with the median loss at $349 per person.

Here is the top ten list of consumer complaints and percentages of total complaints reported:

1. Identity Theft, 32%
2. Shop-at-Home/Catalog Sales, 8%
3. Internet Services, 5%
4. Foreign Money Offers, 4%
5. Prizes/Sweepstakes and Lotteries, 4%
6. Computer Equipment and Software, 3%
7. Internet Auctions, 3%
8. Health Care Claims, 2%
9. Travel, Vacations, and Timeshares, 2%
10. Advance-Fee Loans, and Credit Protection/Repair, 2%

The FTC collects consumer fraud complaints from more than 125 other organizations. The complaints are made available to more than 1,600 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

To file a complaint, call 1-877-382-4357.

This article and hundreds more can be found in the “Member Library” at the NEA Member Benefits Web Site at www.neamb.com.

From the Nolo Rights & Disputes Center

Record the condition of the property to make sure your security deposit will be there when you expect it.

During the exhausting process of moving into a new apartment, the last thing on your mind is moving-out day. But since your landlord is probably holding a sizable chunk of your money in the form of a security deposit, it's risky not to prepare for the end of your tenancy right from the beginning. Before you start unpacking dishes and hanging prints on the walls, take a few simple steps to avoid the misunderstandings and disagreements that have made disputes over security deposits legendary.

Look Under the Hood

Give your unit a thorough inspection before you move in. (Better yet, do it before you sign the lease!) It's best to inspect the premises before you move in; it will be easier to spot problems while the place is bare. Don't neglect to check out things that might not be readily apparent, such as water pressure and sink drainage in the kitchen and bathrooms, the operation of appliances, the appearance of floors and walls, and the condition of the pads under the carpet.

Use a Move-In Checklist

Make a detailed inventory of what you find. The best way to do this is with a good checklist. The more you record about the unit when you move in, the better position you'll be in when moving out to show that certain problems already existed before you moved into the unit.

In some states (see list), landlords are required to give new tenants a written statement on the condition of the unit at move-in time, including a comprehensive list of existing damage. In other states, many landlords provide a checklist to new tenants, but some do not. You can write up a checklist yourself.

Ideally, you and your landlord should fill out the checklist together to prevent any disputes or disagreements. Otherwise, it's smart to bring along a roommate or a friend so that there's at least one other witness to the condition of the unit at move-in time. If you spot problems, describe specifically what is wrong. Rather than simply noting "damage to carpet," for example, state "cigarette burns, frayed edges in carpet next to picture window." The more detailed you are, the clearer it is that you're not responsible for those damages. You and your landlord should both sign the checklist after completing it. Make a copy so that each of you has one.

At the end of your tenancy, you'll make another inspection of the same items, noting their condition at move-out time. If items that were okay at move-in are now damaged, your landlord may hold you responsible for fixing them. But you'll be protected from being billed for damage that existed before you moved in.

Take Pictures

Besides completing a checklist, you may also want to document the condition of your unit with photographs or video. If you take photos, have doubles of them developed immediately (or print your digitals), write the date they were taken on the backs, and send your landlord a set as soon as you get them back. That way your landlord won't be able to claim that the photos were taken later than they actually were.

If you can, use a camera that automatically date-stamps each photo. If you videotape the premises, clearly state the date and time while you are taping, make a copy and send it to your landlord right away. Repeat this process when moving out.

Getting Your Security Deposit Back

If, despite your efforts, your landlord tries to hold on to some or all of your security deposit when you move, read Get Back Your Security Deposit.

Click here for related information and products from Nolo.

Copyright 2006 Nolo

This article, and hundreds more, can be found on the NEA Member Benefits web site in the “Member Library” section: www.neamb.com/consumer_articles.jsp

Take advantage of low rates with group coverage from your Association. NEA members can obtain renters insurance through two NEA-sponsored programs: NEA Homeowners® Insurance underwritten by Horace Mann Insurance Companies and NEA Members Auto & Home Insurance Program® underwritten by California Casualty Management Company. Both programs offer special features for NEA members and their families, at affordable group rates. To learn about these programs and get a rate quote online visit: www.neamb.com. These two programs can be found under Casualty Insurance in the Insurance Programs section.

From Nolo.com

If you want to keep your spending under control, it's essential that you make a budget. A budget allows you to get a handle on the flow of your money -- how much is coming in and where it goes out. With that information in hand, you can make intelligent choices about how to spend.

Keep Track of Your Daily Expenses

The first step in making a realistic budget is figuring out where your money goes. To keep track, you should make an expense record. You may be tempted to turn to a computer program, such as Intuit's Quicken, to keep track of your expenses. That may seem like an easy way to approach the task, but most of these programs have a significant shortcoming -- you don't record your cash outlays. Computer programs have you analyze your expenses paid primarily by check or credit card, and overlook the most obvious source of payment -- cash.

Rather than relying on a computer program, you can keep track of your expenses in an extremely low-tech but comprehensive way: with some paper and a pen. Here's how:

1. Take out eight sheets of paper. You will use one sheet per week, meaning you will record your expenses for two months. By doing this, you'll avoid creating a budget based on a week or a month of unusually high or low expenses.
2. Select a Sunday to begin recording your expenses.
3. Record that Sunday's date in the blank at the top of one sheet of paper.
4. Carry that sheet with you at all times.
5. Record every expense you pay for by cash or cash equivalent -- check, ATM or debit card or automatic bank withdrawal. Don't record credit card charges, as your goal is to get a picture of where your cash goes. When you make a payment on a credit card bill, however, list the items paid for.
6. At the end of the week, put away the sheet and take out another. Go back to Step 3.
7. At the end of the eight weeks, list seasonal, annual, semi-annual or quarterly expenses you incur but did not pay during your two-month recording period. The most common are property taxes, car registration, magazine subscriptions, tax preparation fees, insurance payments, and seasonal expenses such as summer camp fees or holiday gifts.

Total Up Your Income

Your expenditures account for only half of the picture. You also need to add up your monthly income.

On a blank sheet of paper, list the jobs for which you receive a salary or wages. Then, list all self-employment for which you receive income, including farm income and sales commissions. Finally, list other sources of income, such as the following:

• bonus pay
• dividends and interest
• alimony or child support
• pension or retirement income
• public assistance

Next to each source of income, list the net (after deductions) amount you receive each pay period. If you don't receive the same amount each period, average the last 12.

Next to each net amount, enter the period covered by the payment -- such as weekly, twice monthly (24 times a year), every other week (26 times a year), monthly, quarterly or annually.

Finally, multiply or divide the pay period into the net amount to determine the monthly amount. For example, if you are paid twice a month, multiply the net amount by two. If you are paid every other week, multiply the amount by 26 (for the annual amount) and divide by 12. (The shortcut is to multiply by 2.167.)

When you are done, total up all the amounts. This is your total average monthly income.

Make Your Budget

After you've kept track of your expenses and income for a couple of months, you're ready to create a budget. Your twin goals in making a budget are to control your impulses to overspend and to help you start saving money. Follow these steps:

1. On a blank piece of paper, write down categories into which your expenses fall. (See the list below for suggested categories.) Also, total up your two months' (or estimated seasonal, annual, semi-annual or quarterly) expenses for the categories you create.
2. Starting on a second piece of paper, list your categories of expenses down the left side of the page. Use as many sheets as you need to list all categories. These are your budget sheets.
3. On the sheets containing your list of categories, make 13 columns. Label the first one "projected" and the remaining 12 with the months of the year. Unless today is the first of the month, start with next month.
4. Using your total actual expenses for the two months you tracked and your estimated seasonal, annual, semi-annual or quarterly expenses, project your monthly expenses for the categories you've listed. To find your projected monthly expenses, divide your actual two months' expenses by two, divide your total seasonal or annual expenses by 12, divide your semi-annual expenses by six and divide your quarterly expenses by four. After you've divided up your seasonal or annual expenses, you might want to include only the major expenses -- such as quarterly loan payments or tax bills -- in your monthly budget projections. Just make a note of when smaller expenses, such as magazine subscriptions, are due so you can adjust your budget for that month. These temporary adjustments make more sense than trying to save $1.23 each month so you can pay for your magazine subscription once a year.
5. Enter your projected monthly expenses into the "projected" column of your budget sheets.
6. Add up all projected monthly expenses and enter the total into a "Total Expenses" category at the bottom of the projected column.
7. Enter your projected monthly income below your total projected expenses.
8. Figure out the difference.

If your expenses exceed your income, you will have to cut expenses or increase your income. One way to do this is to make more money -- but let's assume that you are not likely to get a substantial raise, find a new (higher-paying) job, take on a second job or make significant money by selling assets. This means you must decrease your expenses without depriving yourself of items or services you truly need. Review your expenses with any eye toward reducing. Rather than looking to cut out categories completely, look for categories you can comfortably reduce slightly. For example, let's say you need to cut $175 from your budget. You had also planned on spending $75 a month to eat out dinner, but are willing to decrease that to $25, thereby saving $50. Keep looking for categories in which you can make similar, small adjustments.

Staying on Track

Don't think of your budget as etched in stone. If you do, and you spend more on an item than you've budgeted, you'll only find yourself frustrated. Use your budget as a guide. If you constantly overspend in an area, you need to change the projected amount for that category -- without berating yourself. Keep in mind that a budget is designed to help you recognize what you can afford; it's not just an exercise in filling in the "correct" numbers. Check your figures periodically to keep an eye on how you're doing. If you never have enough money to make ends meet -- you're using credit cards and not paying the balance in full each month -- it's time to adjust some more.

If you continually come up short, you may need to consider some larger changes. For example, you might sell your newer car for an older used car to free yourself from car payments. As you make adjustments to your budget, give careful thought to your priorities. Everyone has different ideas about what luxury is, and different feelings about what they're willing to give up and what they just can't live without. Think about what you value, and be honest with yourself.

You may have to sacrifice some things that feel important to you, but don't expect to stick to your budget if you've taken away funds for almost everything beyond food, shelter and bills for your mundane necessities. Try making a list of things you feel you can't live without, and whittle your other expenses down to accommodate them. For example, you may decide to give up most of your magazine and newspaper subscriptions because you know you'd go nuts if you couldn't go to the movies once a week. If you make room for at least some of the things you love most, you're much more likely to succeed at your plan.

Home
rent/mortgage
property taxes
insurance (renter's or homeowner's)
homeowner's association dues
telephone
gas & electric
water & sewer
cable TV
garbage
household supplies
house wares
furniture & appliances
cleaning
yard or pool care
maintenance & repairs

Food
groceries
breakfast out
lunch out
dinner out
coffee/tea
snacks

Wearing Apparel
clothing & accessories
laundry, dry cleaning & mending

Self Care
toiletries & cosmetics
haircuts
massage
health club membership
donations

Health Care
insurance
medications
vitamins
doctors
dentist
eye care
therapy

Transportation
insurance
road service club
registration
gasoline
maintenance & repairs
car wash
parking & tolls
public transit & cabs
parking tickets

Entertainment
music
movies & video rentals
concerts, theater & ballet
museums
sporting events
hobbies & lessons
club dues or membership
film development
books, magazines & newspapers
software

Dependent Care
child care
clothing
allowance
school expenses
toys & entertainment

Pet Care
grooming
vet
food, toys & supplies

Education
tuition or loan payments
books & supplies

Travel

Gifts & Cards
holidays
birthdays & anniversaries
weddings & showers

Personal Business
supplies
photocopying
postage
bank & credit card fees
lawyer
accountant

Taxes

Insurance

Savings & Investments

© Copyright 2004 Nolo

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Do your homework before signing any deal.

Federal Trade Commission

The thought of owning a vacation home may sound appealing, but the year-round responsibility that comes with the second home may not be so attractive. Purchasing a timeshare or vacation interval plan may be an alternative, but it's a good idea to ask a lot of questions before signing the deal.

For those who want to own a place for vacations and don't want the responsibility — and expense — of owning a second home, there are two basic vacation ownership options available: timeshares and vacation interval plans. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urges you to do some homework before entering into any kind of agreement to purchase one of those plans.

First, you should know that the value of these options is in their use as a vacation destination, not as an investment.

Because so many timeshares and vacation interval plans are available, the resale value of yours is apt to be a good deal lower than what you paid. Both a timeshare and a vacation interval plan require you to pay an initial purchase price and periodic maintenance fees. The initial purchase price may be made all at once or over time; periodic maintenance fees are likely to increase every year.

The FTC offers a look at different plans:

Deeded Timeshare Ownership

In a timeshare, you either own your vacation unit for the rest of your life, for the number of years spelled out in your purchase contract, or until you sell it. Your interest is legally considered real property. You purchase the right to use a specific unit at a specific time every year, and you may rent, sell, exchange, or bequeath your specific timeshare unit. You and the other timeshare owners collectively own the resort.

Unless you've bought the timeshare outright for cash, you are responsible for paying the monthly mortgage. Regardless of how you bought the timeshare, you also are responsible for paying an annual maintenance fee; property taxes may be extra. Owners share in the use and upkeep of the units and of the common grounds of the resort property. A homeowners' association usually handles management of the resort. Timeshare owners elect officers and control the expenses, the upkeep of the resort property, and the selection of the resort management company.

“Right to Use” Vacation Interval Option

In this option, a developer owns the resort, which is made up of condominiums or units. Each condominium or unit is divided into “intervals” — either by weeks or the equivalent in points. You purchase the right to use an interval at the resort for a specific number of years — typically between 10 and 50 years.

The interest you own is legally considered personal property. The specific unit you use at the resort may not be the same each year. In addition to the price for the right to use an interval, you pay an annual maintenance fee that is likely to increase each year.

Within the “right to use” option, several plans can affect your ability to use a unit:

Fixed or Floating Time. In a fixed time option, you purchase the unit for use during a specific week of the year. In a floating time option, you use the unit within a certain season of the year, reserving the time you want in advance; confirmation typically is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fractional Ownership. Rather than an annual week, you buy a large share of vacation ownership time, usually up to 26 weeks.

Biennial Ownership. You use a resort unit every other year.

Lock off or Lock out. You occupy a portion of the unit and offer the remaining space for rental or exchange. These units typically have two to three bedrooms and baths.

Points-based Vacation Plans. You purchase a certain number of points, and exchange them for the right to use an interval at one or more resorts. In a points-based vacation plan (sometimes called a vacation club), the number of points you need to use an interval varies according to the length of the stay, size of the unit, location of the resort, and when you want to use it.

Before You Buy

In calculating the total cost of a timeshare or vacation plan, include mortgage payments and expenses, like travel costs, annual maintenance fees, taxes, closing costs, broker commissions, and finance charges. Maintenance fees can rise at rates that equal or exceed inflation, so ask whether your plan has a fee cap. You must pay fees and taxes, regardless of whether you use the unit.

To help evaluate the purchase, compare these costs with the cost of renting similar accommodations with similar amenities in the same location for the same time period. If you determine that purchasing a timeshare or vacation plan makes sense, comparison shopping is your next step. Here are things to do, says the FTC:

• Evaluate the location and quality of the resort, as well as the availability of units. Visit the facilities and talk to current timeshare or vacation plan owners about their experiences. Local real estate agents also can be good sources of information. Check for complaints about the resort developer and management company with the state Attorney General, and local Better Business Bureau and consumer protection officials.
• Research the track record of the seller, developer, and management company before you buy. Ask for a copy of the current maintenance budget for the property. Investigate the policies on management, repair, and replacement furnishings, and timetables for promised services.
• Get a handle on all the obligations and benefits of the timeshare or vacation plan purchase. Is everything the salesperson promises written into the contract? If not, walk away from the sale.
• Don't act on impulse or under pressure. Purchase incentives may be offered while you are touring or staying at a resort. While these bonuses may present a good value, the timing of a purchase is your decision. You have the right to get all promises and representations in writing, as well as a public offering statement and other relevant documents.
• Study the paperwork outside of the presentation environment and, if possible, ask someone who is knowledgeable about contracts and real estate to review it before you make a decision.
• Get the name and phone number of someone at the company who can answer your questions — before, during, and after the sales presentation, and after your purchase.
• Ask about your ability to cancel the contract, sometimes referred to as a “right of rescission.” Many states — and maybe your contract — give you a right of rescission, but the amount of time you have to cancel may vary. State law or your contract also may specify a “cooling-off period” — that is, how long you have to cancel the deal once you've signed the papers. If a right of rescission or a cooling-off period aren't required by law, ask that they be included in your contract.

If, for some reason, you decide to cancel the purchase — either through your contract or state law — cancel it in writing. Send your letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document the seller received it. Keep copies of your letter and any enclosures. You should receive a prompt refund of any monies you paid, as provided by law.

For More Information

To learn more about timeshare and vacation interval ownership, contact the American Resort Development Association. It represents the vacation ownership and resort development industries. ARDA has nearly 1,000 members, ranging from privately held companies to major corporations, in the U.S. and overseas.

American Resort Development Association
1201 15th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 371-6700; Fax: (202) 289-8544
www.arda.org

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

This article and hundreds more can be found in the “Member Library” at the NEA Member Benefits Web Site at www.neamb.com.

Your personal items are at risk without proper coverage.

California Casualty Management Company

If you rent a home, apartment, townhome, or condominium, and you experience a fire or theft, your personal belongings are not covered by your landlord's insurance. That's why you need to understand the value of taking out your own renter's insurance policy.

You are a renter, not a homeowner. You may think the landlord has covered your building and its contents with adequate insurance. Think again. If you rent a home, an apartment, a town home, or condominium and you experience a fire or theft, your belongings are not covered by the insurance taken out by landlord.

For complete protection, renters should purchase renter's insurance. It's the only way to fully protect your personal belongings. This might be important, as well, for parents as they send their children to college or for newly graduated students as they enter their first rental homes.

Renter's insurance covers losses to your personal property from a variety of perils, such as:

• Fire & smoke
• Lightning, hail & windstorms
• Explosions
• Riots
• Vehicles & aircraft
• Vandalism & theft
• Falling objects
• Electrical current damage
• Accidental overflow of water

Renter's insurance does not cover flood damage and – depending where you live – wind damage from hurricanes.

Your renter's policy will also likely provide liability insurance, covering any costs that may arise if you or your family cause harm, or if there is damage from accidents that have occurred in your rental unit.

If you are not sure where to get renter's insurance, check with your insurance company representative. You may save money by purchasing insurance from the same company that has your auto policy.

To further protect yourself and your belongings, take an inventory. Photograph or videotape each room, and be sure to open closed doors and drawers. Keep a list of each belonging and its value. Attach receipts to the list, if possible. Be sure to keep the list and the tape or photographs away from your rented space, in case of a loss.

NEA Member Benefits offers two property insurance programs: NEA Members Auto & Home Insurance Program®, underwritten by California Casualty Management Company*, and NEA Homeowners® Insurance, underwritten by Horace Mann Insurance Companies. Both programs offer special features and rates for NEA members and their families. See “Insurance” at www.neamb.com.

*Not available in all states at this time.

Get ready for the transition to digital broadcasting in 2009.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep their analog television sets working after February 17, 2009, when full-power stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% percent digital broadcasting.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has issued questions and answers on how the transition will work when all full-power TV stations in the United States stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital in February 2009. You will read about how to request TV Converter Box Coupons.

Q. Will my television work after February 17, 2009?

Analog television sets using antennas will not work after February 17, 2009. TV viewers with those sets that are not connected to cable television will need to take action before February 17, 2009, to ensure their sets continue to work.

Q. What are my options so I can continue to get TV reception after February 17, 2009?

Consumers have a variety of options. If you are not sure what to do, take a quick quiz at www.DTVTransition.org. Options include:

• Keeping your existing analog TV and purchasing a TV converter box.
• Connecting to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
• Purchasing a television with a built-in digital tuner.

Q. What is a converter box?

A converter box is a new product available in early 2008 that plugs into your analog TV and, along with your antenna, will keep your analog set working after February 17, 2009. It is a one-time purchase and is expected to cost between $50 and $70.

Q. Where can I purchase a converter box?

TV converter boxes are expected to be available in early 2008 at retailers where you would normally buy consumer electronics products. Before shopping for your converter box, you may want to call ahead to make sure retailers have converter boxes available.

Q. What is the TV Converter Box Coupon Program?

Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.

Q. How do I get the coupons?

Between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, consumers can apply for up to two $40 coupons per household by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), by going online at www.dtv2009.gov, or by mailing an application to TV Converter Box Coupon Program, P.O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000. Coupons will be mailed to requesters.

Q. How long are coupons active?

Coupons expire 90 days after they are mailed. Each coupon has an expiration date on it. Note: The last day to apply for the coupons is March 31, 2009, or until supplies are exhausted.

Q. Does someone have to come into my home to install the converter box?

No, you should be able to install the box using instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Q. How big is a converter box?

It’s about the size of a paperback book.

This article, and hundreds more, can be found in the “Member Library” section on the NEA Member Benefits Web Site at www.neamb.com.

Newer autos have a monitoring system as a safety feature.

California Casualty Management Company

Do you own a car made after 2002? If so, chances are good that it has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) included as part of the auto's list of safety features. With all 2008 models, these systems are not an option anymore; they are now mandated by the federal government.

If you drive an automobile made after 2002, you likely have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) as part of the vehicle's operating system. For 2008 vehicles (cars, vans, or light trucks) these systems are no longer an option — they are now a federal government mandated safety item.

Vehicles with TPMS can save lives and fuel, but the systems need to be maintained, according to the Car Care Council.

This system constantly monitors your car's tire pressure and alerts you if it falls below a preset limit. You can make sure tire pressure stays within the safety limits and you are immediately made aware of a drop in pressure below that limit.

This is important because accurate tire inflation keeps you in control. TPMS is a good idea for both safety and economics, because with properly inflated tires, your steering, brakes and suspension can do their job properly to keep you in control. It also prevents your tires from wearing out prematurely and you will get better gas mileage.

TPMS also offers an extra benefit for cars with “run flat” tires. These tires are built so well that a pressure drop could go unnoticed. TPMS can help prevent tire damage or a serious accident.

Either the TPMS or your tires will have to be serviced at some point, and certain parts will have to be replaced. This is particularly true if you have had a flat, or a slow leak repair; or if you switch to snow tires, change wheels or upgrade to custom tires or rims. If the sensor fails or is damaged during tire removal or mounting, it will need to be replaced.

That means your repair shop must understand the system and have the right equipment and parts to do the job. Standard tire valve service will not work on TPMS-equipped tires and should not be used. So, it is important that your technician knows that your vehicle has TPMS and has been trained to work on these systems.

Your repair shop should check the TPMS to make sure it is working properly before returning the car to you. It is against the law to disable TPMS. Always consult your owner's manual for vehicle- specific information.

NEA offers automobile insurance to its members through California Casualty Management Company*. Tailored for educators, the NEA Members Auto & Home Insurance Program® combines special rates and excellent coverage. To learn about policy features and get a free online rate quote with no obligation, click here: http://www.neamb.com/aplus.html.

* Not available in all states at this time.

Is your estate plan in good shape? Here's what to consider.

From the Nolo Wills & Estate Planning Center

Most Americans haven't made even a simple will, to say nothing of a more comprehensive plan to avoid probate or save on estate taxes. No surprise there -- we all have things we'd rather do.

The good news is that depending on your age, health, wealth and innate level of caution, you may not need to do much at all in the way of estate planning. And even if you do decide you need a will or a trust, you probably won't need a lawyer. Especially if you aren't dripping with Picassos or fat investment accounts, it is easy and safe to prepare most basic estate planning documents yourself. Just learn what you're doing by using good self-help materials.

We've sorted our tips into broad categories of family situation and age. But keep in mind that age is an imprecise proxy for life expectancy, which is affected by all sorts of other factors -- heavy smoking while participating in extreme sports and driving a motorcycle, for example. It's up to you to add or subtract a few years, based on your health and lifestyle.

You're 25 and Single

What are you doing reading about estate planning? You're supposed to be dancing until dawn. But you might as well keep reading; this won't take long.

At your age, there's not much point in putting a lot of energy into estate planning. Unless your lifestyle is unusually risky or you have a serious illness, you're very unlikely to die for a long, long time.

If you're an uncommonly rich 25-year-old, though, write a will. (Bricks can fall on anyone.) That way you can leave your possessions to any recipient you choose -- your boyfriend, your favorite cause, the nephew who thinks you're cool. If you don't write a will, whatever you leave behind will probably go to your parents. Think about it.

You're Paired Up, But Not Married

If you've got a life partner but no marriage certificate, a will is almost a must-have document. Without a will, state law will dictate where your property goes after your death, and unmarried partners get nothing. (The only exceptions are California, Hawaii, Maine, and Vermont, where surviving registered domestic partners can inherit just like surviving spouses.) Instead, your closest relatives will inherit everything.

Another option to make sure that your partner isn't left out in the cold after your death is to own big-ticket items, such as houses and cars, together in "joint tenancy" with right of survivorship. Then, when one of you dies, the survivor will automatically own 100% of the property.

You Have Young Children

Having children complicates life -- but then, you already know that. Estate planning is no exception. Here's what to think about.

First, write a will. Nothing fancy, just a document that leaves your property to whomever you choose and names a guardian for your children. The guardian will take over if both you and the other parent are unavailable. That's an unlikely situation, but one that's worth addressing just in case. If you fail to name a guardian, a court will appoint someone, possibly one of your parents.

The other big reason to write a will is that if you don't, some of your property may go not to your spouse, but directly to your children. The problem with the children inheriting directly is that the surviving parent may need to get court permission to spend or invest the money -- a waste of time and money in most families.

Second, think about buying life insurance to replace your earnings if that damn brick chooses you. Term life insurance is relatively cheap, especially if you're young and don't smoke. You can shop for the best bargain online, by consulting free services that compare the rates of lots of companies.

You're Middle-Aged and Know the Names of at Least Three Mutual Funds

If you've made it to a comfortable time in life -- you've accumulated some material wealth and enough wisdom to know that other things matter, too -- you will probably want to take some time to reflect on what you will eventually leave behind.

But given that you may well live another 30 or 40 years, there is no need to obsess about it. Chances are your conclusions will be different in ten or 20 years, and your estate plan will change accordingly.

To save your family the cost (and hassles) of probate court proceedings after your death, think about creating a revocable living trust. It's hardly more trouble than writing a will, and lets everything go directly to your heirs after your death without taking a circuitous and expensive detour through probate court.

While you're alive, the trust has no effect, and you can revoke it or change its terms at any time. But after your death, trust property can be transferred quickly, according to the directions you left in the trust document.

There are other, even easier ways to avoid probate: You can turn any bank account into a "payable-on-death" account simply by signing a form (the bank will supply it) and naming someone to inherit whatever funds are in the account at your death. You can do the same thing, in almost every state, with securities.

If you have enough property to worry about federal estate taxes, think about tax avoidance as well. Currently, estates worth more than $2 million are taxed; that amount is scheduled to increase in future years. If estate tax does take a bite, it can be a big one; the marginal rate tops out at 46% for the largest estates.

One way to reduce these taxes is to give away property before your death. After all, if you don't own it, it can't be taxed. Gifts larger than $12,000 per year per recipient are subject to gift tax, at the same rate as estate tax. Still, an annual gift-giving plan can reduce the size of even a big estate, especially if you have a covey of kids and grandkids. Gifts to your spouse (as long as he or she is a U.S. citizen), direct payment of tuition or medical bills and gifts to a tax-exempt organization are exempt from gift tax.

Another way to cut taxes is with trusts. Many older couples use an AB trust to leave property to each other for life, and then to their children. The surviving spouse can spend trust income and, in some circumstances, principal. An AB trust can shield up to twice the exempt amount from estate tax.

Charitable trusts, which involve making a gift to a charity and getting some payments back, can also save on both estate and income tax. There are many other complex trusts; learn about them on your own and then have an experienced estate planning lawyer draw up the documents you want.

You're Elderly or Ill

Now is the time to take concrete steps to establish an estate plan, pronto. First, the basics: Consider a probate-avoidance living trust and, if you're concerned about estate taxes, a tax-saving trust. (These devices are discussed just above.) Write a will, or update an old one.

Then, although no one wants to do it, take a minute to think about the possibility that at some time, you might become unable to handle day-to-day financial matters or make healthcare decisions. If you don't do anything to prepare for this unpleasant possibility, a judge may have to appoint someone to make these decisions for you. No one wants a court's intervention in such personal matters, but someone must have legal authority to act on your behalf.

You can choose that person yourself, and give him or her legal authority to act for you, by creating documents called durable powers of attorney. You'll need one for your financial matters and one for healthcare. You choose someone to act for you (called your agent or attorney-in-fact) and spell out his or her authority. You can even state that the document won't have any effect unless and until you become incapacitated. Once signed and notarized, it's legally valid, and your mind can be at ease.

Click here for related information and products from Nolo

Copyright 2006 Nolo

This article, and hundreds more, can be found on the NEA Member Benefits web site in the "Member Library" section: www.neamb.com/consumer_articles.jsp

Created for NEA members and their families, the NEA Member Benefits website informs, assists, and keeps you up-to-date. Each month you'll find exclusive members-only offerings and giveaways. You’ll also find valuable interactive tools to help you plan for retirement. Now, you can check your balances, get rate quotes, and apply online for many NEA sponsored products including: credit cards, personal loans, life insurance, auto and homeowners insurance. Visit www.neamb.com today and take full advantage of your Association membership.

What to do if you discover an error in your tax return.

Internal Revenue Service

Oops. You have discovered an error after your 2007 tax return has been filed, or maybe you need to adjust your return to include certain non-taxable benefits to reach the $3,000 income level to qualify for an economic stimulus payment. What should you do?

You have mailed in your 2007 tax return on time, but now you realize there was an error or you did not include certain non-taxable benefits, especially in view of the income level needed to qualify for an economic stimulus payment. What is the next step? You may need to amend your return.

The IRS usually corrects math errors or requests missing forms – such as W-2s or schedules – when processing an original return. In these instances, do not amend your return. However, you should file an amended return if any of the following were reported incorrectly:

• Your filing status
• Your dependents
• Your total income
• Your deductions or credits

Generally, qualifying for an economic stimulus payment is based on the information from your original 2007 federal tax return. However, on an amended return, the only items that will affect the economic stimulus payment are certain non-taxable benefits not included on the original return. This must be the only reason you were not eligible for the economic stimulus payment on the original return.

Use Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct a previously filed Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ or electronically-filed return. Be sure to enter the year of the return you are amending at the top of Form 1040X. If you are amending more than one tax return, prepare a 1040X for each return and mail them in separate envelopes to the IRS processing center for the area in which you live. The 1040X instructions list the addresses for the centers.

The Form 1040X has three columns. Column A is used to show original or adjusted figures from the original return. Column C is used to show the corrected figures. The difference between the figures in Columns A and C is shown in Column B. There is an area on the back of the form where you are required to explain the specific changes being made on the return and the reason for each change.

If the changes involve another schedule or form, attach it to the 1040X. For example, if you are filing a 1040X because you have a qualifying child and now want to claim the Earned Income Credit, you must attach a Form 1040 Schedule EIC to show the qualifying person's name, year of birth and Social Security number.

If you are filing to claim an additional refund, wait until you have received your original refund before filing Form 1040X. You may cash that check while waiting for any additional refund. If you owe additional tax for 2007, you should file Form 1040X and pay the tax by the April due date to avoid any penalty and interest.

Generally, you must file Form 1040X within three years from the date you filed your original return or within two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, to claim a refund.

Form 1040X and instructions are available at IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Remember that the genuine IRS Web Site URL ends in “.gov”. Don't be confused by “IRS” Internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is www.irs.gov.

Links:

• Frequently Asked Questions: Amended Returns & Form 1040X
• Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return ( PDF, 110K)
• Form 1040X Instructions ( PDF, 45K)
• Tax Topic 308 — Amended Returns

This article, and hundreds more, can be found on the NEA Member Benefits Web Site in the “Member Library” section: www.neamb.com/consumer_articles.jsp

California Casualty Management Company

Auto accidents happen, and when they do they can be costly, in terms of damage to property, lives and livelihoods. According to the National Safety Council, the total cost of unintentional injuries caused by auto accidents topped $478 billion. Figure in lost quality of life and the numbers rise to more than $1 billion.

While those numbers may suggest that accidents are a frequent occurrence, the opposite is true. In fact, many people just don't know what to do when they're in an accident.

If you are involved in an auto accident, you should make sure you exchange key pieces of information with all involved parties. Take down the name, address, driver's license number and insurance information of the driver of the other car. Stay at the scene until police have come and taken statements. Make sure the police officer records your version of what happened, and make a note of the officer's name. And contact your auto insurance company as promptly as possible.

Air Bag Safety Tips

Air bags -- when used with lap and shoulder safety belts -- have saved many lives and prevented many injuries. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there have been more than 800,000 air bag deployments since they were installed in cars, which saved more than 1,500 lives. In one recent year it is estimated by the NHTSA that as many as 600 lives were saved by deploying air bags.

A study of injuries has shown that many were due to a driver sitting too close to the air bag module, or to passengers riding unbuckled or incorrectly secured.

Here are some air bag safety tips:

• Air bags and children do not mix. The safest place for children up to age 12 to sit is in the rear seat. Air bags could seriously injure or even kill children who are riding in the front seat.
   
• Never place an infant in a rear-facing infant seat in the front passenger's seat.
   
• Short stature adults are also at risk if they position their seat too close to the air bag. There are some models of cars that have pedal adjusters to keep drivers from sitting too close to the air bag module.
   
• Give yourself at least 10 inches between your chest and the air bag.
   
• Make sure the steering wheel (and its air bag) is positioned toward your chest, and not your face.
   

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• Low rates with your NEA member discount.
• Multi-policy discount for Auto & Home coverage.
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Learn about your rights and obligations.

Federal Trade Commission

If you've recently been through a divorce — or are contemplating one — you may want to look closely at issues involving credit. Understanding the different kinds of credit accounts opened during a marriage may help illuminate the potential benefits — and pitfalls — of each.

Credit and Divorce

Mary and Bill recently divorced. Their divorce decree stated that Bill would pay the balances on their three joint credit card accounts. Months later, after Bill neglected to pay off these accounts, all three creditors contacted Mary for payment. She referred them to the divorce decree, insisting that she was not responsible for the accounts. The creditors correctly stated that they were not parties to the decree and that Mary was still legally responsible for paying off the couple's joint accounts. Mary later found out that the late payments appeared on her credit report.

If you've recently been through a divorce — or are contemplating one — you may want to look closely at issues involving credit. Understanding the different kinds of credit accounts opened during a marriage may help illuminate the potential benefits — and pitfalls — of each.

There are two types of credit accounts: individual and joint. You can permit authorized persons to use the account with either. When you apply for credit — whether a charge card or a mortgage loan — you'll be asked to select one type.

Individual or Joint Account

Individual Account: Your income, assets, and credit history are considered by the creditor. Whether you are married or single, you alone are responsible for paying off the debt. The account will appear on your credit report, and may appear on the credit report of any "authorized" user. However, if you live in a community property state (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, or Wisconsin), you and your spouse may be responsible for debts incurred during the marriage, and the individual debts of one spouse may appear on the credit report of the other.

Advantages/Disadvantages: If you're not employed outside the home, work part-time, or have a low—paying job, it may be difficult to demonstrate a strong financial picture without your spouse's income. But if you open an account in your name and are responsible, no one can negatively affect your credit record.

Joint Account: Your income, financial assets, and credit history — and your spouse's — are considerations for a joint account. No matter who handles the household bills, you and your spouse are responsible for seeing that debts are paid. A creditor who reports the credit history of a joint account to credit bureaus must report it in both names (if the account was opened after June 1, 1977).

Advantages/Disadvantages: An application combining the financial resources of two people may present a stronger case to a creditor who is granting a loan or credit card. But because two people applied together for the credit, each is responsible for the debt. This is true even if a divorce decree assigns separate debt obligations to each spouse. Former spouses who run up bills and don't pay them can hurt their ex—partner's credit histories on jointly—held accounts.

Account "Users"

If you open an individual account, you may authorize another person to use it. If you name your spouse as the authorized user, a creditor who reports the credit history to a credit bureau must report it in your spouse's name as well as in yours (if the account was opened after June 1, 1977). A creditor also may report the credit history in the name of any other authorized user.

Advantages/Disadvantages: User accounts often are opened for convenience. They benefit people who might not qualify for credit on their own, such as students or homemakers. While these people may use the account, you — not they — are contractually liable for paying the debt.

If You Divorce

If you're considering divorce or separation, pay special attention to the status of your credit accounts. If you maintain joint accounts during this time, it's important to make regular payments so your credit record won't suffer. As long as there's an outstanding balance on a joint account, you and your spouse are responsible for it.

If you divorce, you may want to close joint accounts or accounts in which your former spouse was an authorized user. Or ask the creditor to convert these accounts to individual accounts.

By law, a creditor cannot close a joint account because of a change in marital status, but can do so at the request of either spouse. A creditor, however, does not have to change joint accounts to individual accounts. The creditor can require you to reapply for credit on an individual basis and then, based on your new application, extend or deny you credit. In the case of a mortgage or home equity loan, a lender is likely to require refinancing to remove a spouse from the obligation.

For More Information

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-;877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-;related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Created for NEA members and their families, the NEA Member Benefits web site informs, assists and keeps you up-to-date on ways to get the best value for your hard—earned money. Each month you'll find exclusive members-only offerings and giveaways. Visit us today at www.neamb.com and take full advantage of your Association membership.

Why you should register your travel plans with the U.S. Department of State.

U.S. Department of State

When planning a trip to an international destination, the U.S. Department of State encourages American citizens to register their travel, a free service available online.

International travel takes special planning, such as making sure you have a valid passport, but there are other steps that can be taken to help you keep in contact with others if an emergency occurs.

The State Department strongly encourages American citizens planning travel abroad to register their trip with the federal government.

Travel registration makes it possible to contact a traveler, the State Department says, in the event of a family emergency in the United States or because of a crisis in the place the traveler is visiting.

Registration is a free service provided by the State Department and is easily accomplished online at travelregistration.state.gov.

After going to the Web Site, you first need to submit a personal I.D. and a password to start the enrollment process.  You will be asked to complete sections dealing with your name, address, date of birth, passport number, itinerary, contacts, and travel information.

(Note: In accordance with the Privacy Act, the Department of State may not release information about those registered without their express written authorization.)

If your family needs to reach you because of emergency, they can pass a message to you through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, which can be contacted from within the United States at 1-888-407-4747 (toll free), and from overseas at 1-202-501-4444.

The Office of Overseas Citizens Services will contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country in which you are traveling in order to pass to the message to you.

The State Department also advises leaving a detailed itinerary and copies of your passport biographical data page with a friend of relative in the U.S.

NEA Member Benefits is pleased to sponsor Collette Vacations, a leading provider of escorted and independent tours, family cruises, and weekend getaway packages. Since 1918, Collette Vacations has taken millions of travelers to all seven continents for memorable vacation experiences.  When you travel with Collette, your vacation will include centrally located hotels; meals that allow you to sample local flavors; activities, sightseeing and entertainment and the services of a professional tour manager.

In addition, the optional "No Worries" Trip Cancellation Waiver gives you the freedom to cancel your trip at any time, right up to the day of departure. Click here for more information: www.neamb.com/discount/collette.jsp.

New home lighting technology can cut energy bills.

U.S. Department of Energy

An average household dedicates about 11 percent of its energy bill to lighting. Using new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 50 to 70 percent.

An average household dedicates about 11 percent of its energy bill to lighting. Using new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 50 to 70 percent.

Advances in lighting controls offer further energy savings by reducing the amount of time lights are on but not being used.

Indoor Lighting Options

Use tube fluorescent and energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in fixtures throughout your home to provide high-quality and high-efficiency lighting. Fluorescent lamps are much more efficient than incandescent (traditional) bulbs and last about 4 to 10 times longer.

Today's CFLs offer brightness and color rendition that is comparable to incandescent lights. Although fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps cost a bit more than incandescent bulbs, they pay for themselves by saving energy over their lifetime. CFL fixtures are now available that feature dimmers and operate much like incandescent devices.

Indoor Lighting Tips

Here are suggestions to save money on indoor lighting:

• Look for the “Energy Star” label when purchasing indoor lights.
  
• Turn off lights in a room you are not using, or consider installing timers, photocells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time that your lights are on.
• Use task lighting. Instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops.
• Consider three-way lamps; they make it easier to keep lighting levels low when a brighter light is not necessary.
• Use 4-foot fluorescent fixtures with reflective backing and electronic ballasts for your workroom, garage, and laundry areas.
• Consider 4-watt mini-fluorescent or electro-luminescent night-lights. Both lights are much more efficient than their incandescent counterparts. The luminescent lights are cool to the touch.
• Use CFLs in your portable table and floor lamps.
• Look for recessed down lights (also called recessed cans) that are rated for contact with insulation and designed specifically for pin-based CFLs.

Outdoor Lighting Tips

Here are suggestions to reduce energy costs in outdoor home lighting:

• Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a motion sensor so they will turn on only at night or when someone is present.
• Turn off decorative outdoor natural gas lamps. For example, the equivalent of eight lamps burning year-round uses as much natural gas as it takes to heat an average-size home during an entire winter.
• Use CFLs because of their long life. If you live in a cold climate, be sure to buy a lamp with a cold-weather ballast since standard CFLs may not work well below 40 degrees.
• Consider high-intensity discharge or low-pressure sodium lights.

This article, and hundreds more, can be found on the NEA Member Benefits Web Site in the “Member Library” section at: www.neamb.com/consumer_articles.jsp

Do Your Homework Before Buying a Car

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

For many people, an auto loan is the second biggest monthly expense after their mortgage or rent. It pays to do some homework before you sign on the dotted line for a new vehicle. Take control of the financing before you take control of the wheel!

For many people, an auto loan is the second biggest monthly expense after their mortgage or rent payments. It pays to do some homework before you sign on the dotted line for a new vehicle. Take control of the financing before you take control of the wheel!

Review your credit report. Find out if your credit report is accurate and up-to-date. Make any changes to make it more current.

Shop for a loan before you visit a dealership or bid for a car over the Internet. After reviewing your credit report to correct errors, ask your bank and several other lenders about their loans and costs so that you are in a better position to get the best possible terms. If you are a homeowner, you could also consider using a home equity loan or line of credit instead of a traditional auto loan, but remember, you could lose your home if you cannot repay the loan.

Know what car dealers are offering in terms of financing by reading their advertisements, making phone calls, or checking the Internet. Many dealers offer discounted loans (such as zero-percent financing) or cash rebates, but not both. "In some situations, it may be better to accept the dealer's rebate and pass up the zero-percent financing in favor of a loan from a bank that does charge interest," said Joni Creamean, a Senior Consumer Affairs Specialist with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Think carefully about how much car you can afford and how much of a loan you need. The dollar amount of your loan largely will be determined by the sales price of the vehicle minus your down payment, any rebates and the value of any trade-in. Don't forget, however, the costs of auto insurance, sales taxes, annual property taxes on the car (if any), and options you may be inclined to buy, such as an extended warranty.

Also, keep in mind that every item you add to your loan instead of paying up front will add to the total cost of the loan because you will pay interest on the amount financed.

Consider getting "pre-qualified" by a lender for a specific loan amount. "This doesn't mean you have been approved for a loan," said Creamean, "but it will help you know approximately how much you can afford to spend on a car and how much it will cost you in finance charges before you get to the dealership."

Consumer advocates also suggest that you not tell the dealer if you've been pre-approved elsewhere for a loan until after you've negotiated the best price on a car. They say that some dealers may be less flexible on the price of the vehicle if it's clear that the dealership won't be earning money on a loan.

Understand the costs and risks of choosing a long repayment period. "A longer loan term will be tempting because it means a lower monthly payment, but that also means a higher total cost overall because you will be paying interest longer," warned Creamean.

For example, a $25,000 loan at a seven percent interest rate for three years will cost $772 a month. Stretching the term to five years will drop the monthly payment to $495 but will increase the total cost of the loan by about $2,000.

Creamean offered another reason to be cautious with a repayment term of five years or more: The aging vehicle's resale value may fall below what you owe on the loan if the terms are spread out too long. "In the later years of the loan, you'll still be making payments on what is an older vehicle that may have a lot of repair and maintenance costs," she said. "And if you decide to sell your car, you may have to come up with extra cash out of your own pocket just to pay off the old loan."

This article, and hundreds more, can be found on the NEA Member Benefits web site in the “Member Library” section: www.neamb.com/consumer_articles.jsp

Scam artists may target individuals expecting tax rebates.

Federal Trade Commission

Consumers expecting a tax rebate should be cautious about scam artists who will try to obtain personal information, leading to identify theft.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is cautioning consumers expecting a tax rebate check from the government that they could be targets of scammers trying to steal their identity. The rebates were part of the economic stimulus package approved by Congress in January.

The fraudulent schemes work like this:

Consumers get a call or an e-mail claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, or some other government agency, citing the need to collect some bit of personal information to process the rebate check.

Individuals may be asked to provide their Social Security number, bank account number, or another piece of personal information that a skillful crook can use to commit identity theft.

E-mails often include a link for a consumer to click – that link may take the consumer to an official-looking, but phony, web site that is simply “phishing” for the consumer's information.

Or, the link may take the consumer to a legitimate Internet site, but the scan artists will install “spyware” or some other form of “malware” (software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's consent).

Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor Social Security collects information about government rebate qualifications by telephone or e-mail. The FTC urges consumers who are contacted by phone or e-mail not to provide any personal information and to report the contact to IRS at phishing@irs.gov or the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

This article, and hundreds more, can be found in the “Member Library” section on the NEA Member Benefits Web Site at www.neamb.com.

The value of collecting health information in one place.

Federal Citizen Information Center

Your personal health information is a valuable resource to you, your family, and healthcare professionals who provide treatment and care. However, in most cases, a complete record of your personal health information cannot be found in any single location or consistent format.

What Should Be Part of a Personal Health Record?

A Personal Health Record is a collection of important information about your health or the health of someone you are caring for, such as a parent or a child. Information to be included in a PHR should include (but not be limited to):

• Personal identification (including name and birth date)
• People to contact in case of an emergency
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of the physician, dentist, eye doctor, and any other specialists
• Health insurance information
• Living wills, advance directives, or medical power of attorney
• List and dates of significant illnesses, injuries and surgical procedures
• Current medications and dosages
• Allergies or sensitivities to drugs or materials (such as latex)
• Hereditary conditions in the family history
• Important test results
• Organ donor authorization

Storing Information

You are encouraged to begin tracking your health information in whatever format works best for you – even if the choice is paper. However, electronic PHRs may be more efficient than paper, especially since more physicians are moving to electronic health records. There are a few different ways to build and maintain a PHR:

• Gather the information in a file folder.
• Compile the information on a computer disk or in a memory flash device for the USB port.
• Examine Internet-based services that offer secure servers, allowing you to enter and have access to your information. (Some of these are free while others may charge a subscription fee.)

Whatever format you choose, the important thing is to have a single source of personal health information. The health record should always be stored in a secure manner, just as you would store other confidential personal information.

If You Are a Caregiver

If you are a caregiver for someone else, don't assume you automatically have rights to that person's information, even if you are an immediate family member. If you need access to another adult's information, it is important to obtain permission from the patient to access his/her health records, as well as for the patient to authorize healthcare personnel to share health information with you.

This article, and hundreds more, can be found on the NEA Member Benefits web site in the “Member Library” section: http://www.neamb.com/consumer_articles.jsp

How to recognize and avoid fake check scams.

National Consumers League

Fake check scams are clever tricks designed to take your money. You can avoid becoming a victim by recognizing how the scams work and understanding your responsibility for the checks that you deposit in your account.

If someone you don't know wants to pay you by check but wants you to wire some of the money back, beware! It's a fraud that could cost you thousands of dollars.

Tips for recognizing and avoiding those scams:

• There are many variations of the fake check scam. It could start with someone offering to buy something you advertised, pay you to do work at home, give you an “advance” on a sweepstakes you've supposedly won, or pay the first installment on the millions that you'll receive for agreeing to have money in a foreign country transferred to your bank account for safekeeping. Whatever the pitch, the person may sound quite believable.
   
• Fake check scammers hunt for victims. They scan newspaper and online advertisements for people listing items for sale, and check postings on online job sites from people seeking employment. They place their own ads with telephone numbers or e-mail addresses for people to contact them. Moreover, they call or send e-mails or faxes to people randomly, knowing that some will take the bait.
   
• They often claim to be in another country. The scammers say it's too difficult and complicated to send you the money directly from their country, so they will arrange for someone in the U.S. to send you a check.
   
• They tell you to wire money to them after you've deposited the check. If you're selling something, they say they'll pay you by having someone in the U.S. who owes them money send you a check. It will be for more than the sale price; you deposit the check, keep what you are owed, and wire the rest to them. If it's part of a work-at-home scheme, they may claim that you'll be processing checks from their “clients.” You deposit the checks and then wire them the money minus your “pay.” Or, they may send you a check for more than your pay “by mistake” and ask you to wire them the excess. In the sweepstakes and foreign money offer variations of the scam, they tell you to wire them money for taxes, customs, bonding, processing, legal fees, or other expenses that must be paid before you can get the rest of the money.
   
• The checks are fake but they look real. In fact, they look so real that even bank tellers may be fooled. Some are phony cashier's checks, others look like they're from legitimate business accounts. The companies whose names appear may be real, but someone has dummied up the checks without their knowledge.
   
• You don't have to wait long to use the money, but that does not mean the check is good. Under federal law, banks have to make the funds you deposit available quickly – usually within one to five days, depending on the type of check. But, just because you can withdraw the money doesn't mean the check is good, even if it's a cashier's check. It can take weeks for the forgery to be discovered and the check to bounce.
   
• You are responsible for the checks you deposit. That's because you are in the best position to determine the risk – you are the one dealing directly with the person who is arranging for the check to be sent to you. When a check bounces, the bank deducts the amount that was originally credited to your account. If there isn't enough to cover it, the bank may be able to take money from other accounts you have at that institution, or sue you to recover the funds. In some cases, law enforcement authorities could bring charges against the victims because it may look like they were involved in the scam and knew the check was counterfeit.
   

There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire money back. If a stranger wants to pay you for something, insist on a cashier's check for the exact amount, preferably from a local bank or a bank that has a branch in your area.

Report fake check scams to the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch, a service of the nonprofit National Consumers League, at www.fraud.org or 800-876-7060.

This article, and hundreds more, can be found on the NEA Member Benefits web site in the “Member Library” section: www.neamb.com/consumer_articles.jsp ]]>http://www.nea.org/money/pf080414.htmlhttp://www.nea.org/money/pf080414.htmlMon, 14 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMTVisit the National Parks with an Annual Pass

There is a new system to gain entrance to Federal recreational sites.

U.S. Department of the Interior

The Interagency Annual Pass is now available for entrance to national parks. It replaced the Golden Eagle Passport, the National Parks Pass, and the National Parks Pass with the Golden Eagle Hologram.

There's a new way to visit the national parks and Federal recreational sites. It's called the Interagency Annual Pass. Here are some frequently asked questions about the Pass, as prepared by the U.S. Department of the Interior:

Q. What is the “America the Beautiful ─ the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass ” or the “Interagency Annual Pass?”

The Interagency Annual Pass is a convenient and affordable way to access recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies on an annual basis, with 80-100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

(The Interagency Annual Pass replaced the Golden Eagle Passport, National Parks Pass and National Parks Pass with Golden Eagle Hologram.)

Q. What does the Annual Past cost and how long is it valid?

The Annual Pass costs $80 and is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase.

Q. Where is the Annual Pass honored?

The U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the Annual Pass at sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fees are charged. (See below for agency websites.)

Note: The Army Corps of Engineers does not currently issue or honor the Annual Pass.

Q. Where can I find information about Federal recreation lands?

Bureau of Land Management www.blm.gov

Bureau of Reclamation www.usbr.gov

Fish & Wildlife Service www.fws.gov

USDA Forest Service www.fs.fed.us

National Park Service www.nps.gov

Federal Recreation Lands www.recreation.gov

Q. Where can I purchase an Annual Pass?

The Annual Pass can be purchased via phone at 888-ASK-USGS, extension 1 (888-275-8747, extension 1); via e-mail at fedrecpass@usgs.gov; via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass , or at any participating Federal recreation site.