go to www.idtheft.gov and report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Or, you can call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261. That website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you deter, detect and defend against identity theft.
Online transactions are a great way for thieves to get your personal information. Take the following precautions to protect yourself from online thieves:
Identity Theft and your Social Security #- from the SS Administration: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10064.pdf
One way to protect yourself from identity theft is to opt out of mailings, e-mails and telephone offers. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) to opt-out of receiving pre-screened credit card offers. All three major credit bureaus use this same toll free number.
Remove your name from many national direct email lists through the Direct Marketing Association website or write to:
Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY11735-9008
Opt-out of national telephone marketers through the Direct Marketing Association (telephone preference) website or write to:
Direct Marketing Association Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY11735-9014
Consumers can obtain free copies of their credit reports annually, one from each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. You can contact the credit bureaus directly for a copy of your report:
To order a free copy of your credit report from the three credit bureaus, visit annualcreditreport.com.
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag – of a state, community, society or Scout unit – the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag’s union should be farthest from the building. http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor – to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
More on Raising & Lowering the Flag, Displaying the Flag Indoors, Parading and Saluting the Flag, the Flag in Mourning, the Pledge of Allegiance
Unsure whether your policy has coverage? Ask us!
Slightly more than half of U.S. businesses — 51.6 percent — were home-based, according to the 2007 Survey of Business Owners (SBO), conducted by the U.S. Census. Only 6.9 percent of these home-based respondent businesses had $250,000 or more in sales and receipts, while 57.1 percent brought in less than $25,000. (For further information see the U.S. Census release.)
Whether you’re doing medical billing, building birdhouses in your garage, running a day care center, auctioning art on eBay or any one of the myriad of other types of businesses people run from their homes, you may not have adequate insurance.
Many people think their homeowners policy is all they need. But a typical homeowners policy may not provide enough coverage. The usual limit is $2,500 for your business equipment while at home and $250 when it’s off the premises.
Most homeowners policies specifically exclude business liabilities. Even though your at-home business may involve only yourself working just part time, you could still have liability risk. For example, someone may come to your home for a business purpose–such as delivering materials–and sustain an injury on your premises for which they believe you are responsible. Your homeowners policy would probably not cover the damages.
Have you filed an insurance claim?
Take a boating safety class
Ensure the boat is safe
Ensure the people are safe
Ensure the waters are safe
Personal Water Craft
Our Environment -The natural beauty of our waters attracts many people to boating. Yet some boaters still dump their garbage into the water. Here’s what you can do to help:
Let’s make sure… just in case something’s changed since we last talked. Call us so we can review together the possible ways you might save.
Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with family and friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year round. So whether the snow is blowing or the sun is shining brightly, it’s important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness. Use these simple guidelines for grilling food safely.
Last year, 43 children died from heatstroke because they were unattended in cars. So far this year, there have been zero deaths. As the weather starts to warm up, Safe Kids and the General Motors Foundation are teaming up to help families avoid these preventable tragedies. Cars heat up faster than you think so please never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. Help us spread the word by sharing this message with your family, friends and neighbors. Learn more about how to prevent heatstroke.
Could It Happen To Your Child? (video)- http://www.safekids.org/video/heatstroke-could-it-happen-your-child
Safety Tips: http://www.safekids.org/tip/heatstroke-safety-tips
A Simulation of Rapid and Extreme Car Heating from Direct Sunlight – http://www.safekids.org/video/simulation-rapid-and-extreme-car-heating-direct-sunlight
■■ Grill fires on residential properties result in an estimated average of 10 deaths, 100 injuries, and $37 million in property loss each year.
■■ Almost half (49 percent) of grill fires on residential properties occur from 5 to 8 p.m.
■■ Thirty-two percent of grill fires on residential properties start on patios, terraces, screened-in porches, or courtyards, while an additional 24 percent start on exterior balconies and unenclosed porches.
■■ Roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns.
Check out some grill safety tips! http://ow.ly/wfz1o
Annual Review- Use these questions to help you and your Agent review your coverage:
Discounts- Are you getting all the discounts you qualify for? Let’s make sure… just in case something’s changed since we last talked. Call us so we can review together the possible ways you might save.