Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Debbi's Frugal Forum May 13, 2012

As everyone should know a couple of months ago a few credit card services had reportedly been hacked. That means that as many as 10 million customers are at risk. They might not being using your information now but you need to be aware of all activity on your cards. Credit card companies are not putting your account numbers on your bills anymore trying to stop thieves from stealing the number from your mail. One task you should do is take a copy of the front and back of each card in your wallet so you have all the information needed if they do get stolen or lost. Do not carry your social security with you and do not give it to anyone unless they have a legitimate reason for needing it. Make sure you properly discard hard copy documents containing personal information. If you do have your identity stolen the first step is to notify your bank and any other accounts that someone may use fraudulently. File a report with your local police and report the event to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-ID-THEFT. Contact all three major credit bureaus to request a credit report, and have a fraud alert or a credit freeze placed on your credit reports to prevent accounts from being opened without your permission.
Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
To order your report: 1-800-685-1111
To report fraud: 1-800-525-6285
TDD: 800-255-0056
TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
Email: fvad@transunion.com
To order your report: 1-800-888-4213
To report fraud: 1-800-680-7289
TDD: 877-553-7803
Experian (formerly TRW)
P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013
To order your report: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
To report fraud: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TDD: 800-972-0322
To put a freeze on your credit report, send a written request by certified mail to the credit bureaus with proper identification, and with the required fee. After receiving the request, the credit bureau must place a freeze within 10 business days of receiving your request and send you a password or PIN to use for making changes to the security freeze.
Tips to safeguard your identity:
· Remove your name from pre-screened credit offers at www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-567-8688
· Add your telephone number to the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
· Remove your name from Individual Direct Mail Association Member mailing lists at www.dmachoice.org
· Place an alert on your credit file if you believe you may be a victim of identity theft. Call 1-800-525-6285 or visit www.fraudalerts.equifax.com
· Request your free credit reports
· Check your Social Security Statement of earnings and benefits each year to make sure no one is using your social security number for employment. Visit www.ssa.gov/mystatement to request a copy.
· Avoid using unsecured mailboxes. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox. If you can’t pick up your mail, contact the US Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 or www.usps.gov to request a vacation hold.
· Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
· Request an identity theft victim kit from the Attorney General by calling 1-800-804-7556 or download kit online www.ag.ky.gov/idtheft
Sign up for WalkIt with GolfDigest and Humana to receive a free pedometer. They are offering prizes throughout the year along with a trip for two to The Humana Challenge Golf Tournament. http://www.golfdigest.com/walkit/
Purchase a $25 eGift Card to CVS and you will receive a $5 eGift Card for you for FREE. https://cvs.cashstar.com/gift-card/buy/
Today you can purchase a $50 eGift Card to GAP, Old Navy, or Banana Republic and get a $10 promotional card for yourself. https://gap.cashstar.com/gift-card/buy/?tid=goaff3278587&ap=2&siteID=goafcid297
Spend $50 on P&G products, get $10 back with mail-in-rebate, and P&G will donate $10 to United States Olympic Committee. http://www.pgbeautyolympics.com/OlympicRebate.pdf
Use promotional code 10Free to get 10 free 5x8 or 4x7 flat Graduation Invites and Announcements or get 50% off your entire graduation order with promotional code GRAD50 at InkGarden. Good until May 31. You do need to pay shipping. http://www.inkgarden.com/Content.aspx?Page=Graduation+--+10+Free+-+Media+Whiz&PK=b53baa0c-0d18-475c-badd-01a19bc5eaeb
Purchase three specially marked boxes of Pillsbury Toaster Strudel to receive a $5 online rebate. www.pillsbury.com/grocerycash
Today only treat Mom to a free sandwich at participating Penn Stations when you purchase a sandwich for yourself. http://www.penn-station.com/rewards.php
Redbox is giving daily discounts every day until May 22 just text the word DEALS to 727272 every day for the new discount
Grab a free Redbox when you enter promotional code MAY13 at checkout.
Free subscription to TEENVOGUE
CVS Deals:
Buy one Venus Razor for $8.99 receive $4 extracare bucks use $2 Sunday paper coupon making the final price $2.99
Buy $25 worth of any Playtex, Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat or Schick products receive $10 extracare bucks use $4 Schick Sunday paper coupon plus $1 Hawaiian Tropic Sunday paper coupon making this a great deal (good time to get two Sunday paper for extra coupons)
Buy Align Probiotic Supplements for $28.99 receive $5 extracare bucks use $3 Sunday paper coupon making the final price $20.99
Rite Aid Deals:
Buy two Pantene shampoo or conditioners for $7 receive $2 +UPs rewards use $3 Sunday paper coupon making each only $1
Buy three boxes of Kellogg’s cereal for $6 receive $2+UPs rewards use $1 Sunday paper coupon making each box only $1

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