With the Holidays coming to an end and the New Year beginning, it is important to remain aware of where your personal information may have ended up, especially if you shop, pay bills or conduct other on-line transactions.  Identity theft is a topic that is critical because once you become victimized, it is difficult to clear your name and credit if it becomes compromised.  Perpetrators will steal data such as social security numbers, date of birth, addresses, and bank account information.  If your information is stolen, you may receive correspondence from companies or creditors for debt you weren’t aware of.

Credit card fraud and other financial scams are one of the most reported uses for identity theft.  Some criminals steal credit card information only to make immediate purchases before the card is reported stolen.  One of the bigger problems a victim may face is if other accounts are opened under their name.  They may see bank or credit card transactions against their account that they did not make.  A victim may also see outstanding debt from different accounts that will be in their name and will be their responsibility to pay or start the process of claiming identity theft.  The process of clearing your name and credit can be costly and take an emotional toll on the victim.  Continue reading →

Driver Awareness Tips

The holidays are a great time for family and friends to create many memories together.  Safety when you leave the house and travel is an obvious concern but please remember, safety begins with you.  Every holiday season, from November 1 through December 31, MADD asks you to display a MADD ribbon in a visible location to remind everyone to always designate a non-drinking driver.  That message is especially important when holiday travel, parties and family gatherings put more people on the roads.  https://www.madd.org/the-solution/drunk-driving/tie-one-on-for-safety

Follow these tips to help ensure we all Arrive Alive this holiday season:

Never drive impaired.  Celebrate responsibly and do not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or have taken prescribed drugs that cause impairment.  Plan ahead and find a safe way home every time – designate a driver or use a ride service. Continue reading →

November is military family appreciation month.  During this month, families with members of the military, past and present, are honored and recognized for their commitment and contributions in support of our military and nation.  November 11^th is Veteran’s Day.  Thank a member of the military for serving this country. It is important for them to hear your appreciation, but most of all, it’s respectful.

With the holiday season upon us, we should be thankful for the time that we have to spend with our family and friends.  There are families that are separated because a member is away serving our country in the military or worse, they have sacrificed their life for our country.  In reality, freedom is not free.  It is important to reflect that these families have a difficult time coping with their situation.  We should be thankful for those who make sacrifices and also for our families, friends, and the opportunities we have in this country.

November 25^th is Thanksgiving Day.  It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest of the past year.  It is important to spend time with family and friends.  Remember that there are families that are missing members because of their sacrifice both here and abroad. Continue reading →