Why You Should Never Use Your Debit Card

Scammers are everywhere, and debit cards leave your business exposed. . . .

Skimmers are a popular way for thieves to steal card numbers from gas pumps, ATMs and other machines that accept credit and debit cards. The skimmer is slipped into the card reader slot and once connected, it can not only steal the card number but also PINs and zip codes as they're entered. They're pretty tough to detect, and once a number and PIN is stolen it can be used to create counterfeit cards, make purchases over the phone and carry out other forms of identity theft, like setting up other accounts or loans in your name. . . .

The reason why Abagnale and most IT experts I know avoid debit cards deals with cash flow. If a fraudster can compromise a debit card, that person can access your cash. He or she can drain you and your company's bank account. And then you're stuck chasing. If a criminal makes unauthorized use of your credit card, your cash is still in your account.

In either case, according to the Federal Trade Commission, your liability would be no more than $500 — and more than likely considerably less — depending on when you report the theft. . . .

Read the full article from Entrepreneur magazine here: https://apple.news/Am9EeoNQVTteiFykHKUvs9g

The author of this piece says "almost never" -- I will go further and say that should be "never" for consumers.

That is, unless you are a professional auto rebuilder, stay far away from salvage title/rebuilt title cars and trucks, period. 

They will be nothing but grief for you.

Why You Should Almost Never Buy a Salvage or Rebuilt Title Car
While a salvage or rebuilt title doesn’t necessarily mean the car is a death trap, the bad usually outweighs the good.

It may be tempting to buy a car with a rebuilt title because of its low price point, but what’s tricky is you don’t always know the extent of the damage that gave it a salvage title to begin with. 


“It’s very hard to determine if a car is back to pre-accident condition,” says Jack Gillis, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America. “I recommend just staying away from those types of vehicles.” 

Sometimes a rebuilt car can look shiny and new on the outside, but still have some serious internal problems. Flood damage is a prime example of this. Cars that have been damaged in a flood are especially dangerous to drive because it can take months or even years before the water corrodes the electric and mechanical systems. You should always ask an experienced mechanic to inspect a rebuilt car before deciding to make the purchase, but even then, it’s a risky move. 

“If a vehicle was in a flood, you can’t fix it. It’s not rebuildable. If it was wrecked so badly that it was salvaged, chances are the frame or unit body was compromised,” says Shahan. “So if you’re in a subsequent collision, it’s not going to give you anywhere near the same protection that you would’ve gotten if it was an undamaged car.” . . .

Much more at link here.

Please Help Consumers Like You --
Check Your Credit Report for Errors and Let Consumer Reports Know What You Find

Dear friends and allies,

The National Consumer Law Center is partnering with Consumer Reports to finally hold powerful credit reporting agencies accountable for errors, and we need your help.


At least one in four of us probably has an error in our credit report. And the COVID-19 financial crisis has made that bad situation even worse. So what’s the big deal about a little mistake on your credit report? It can cost you serious money. Getting a credit card, renting or buying a home — even landing a new job — can all hinge on the accuracy of your credit report.


Can you check your credit report for errors, and let Consumer Reports know what you find? 

You’ll be a key part of a groundbreaking Consumer Reports’ people-powered research project, where thousands of consumers like you use their credit report to finally hold these powerful credit agencies accountable!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Check Your Credit Report


 We’ve made it super easy for you to do. Click the link and you’ll be taken to a page where we show you how to check your credit report for FREE. When you do, be on the lookout for basic mistakes such as a name misspelling or wrong address, to bigger mistakes like late payments that weren’t late, or even someone else’s debt on your account.
Checking your credit report is critical for your financial future. In one case, a couple almost lost out on a home mortgage because the husband’s birth date was off by one digit. Another consumer told us a ticket he got while driving a rental car was sent to the wrong address, causing it to go into collections and knocking 80 points off his excellent credit score.


Checking your report also will help us reform how the major credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — do business. Already we know that people with monthly student loans postponed under the COVID-relief package are seeing missed payments on their credit reports, a clear violation of the law. Yet it’s almost impossible for them to get those damaging delinquent payments removed.


Check your credit report for FREE here. It will help you, and help us, make sure no one’s finances are wrecked by the credit agencies mistakes!


The more people who tell us what problems they find, the better armed we are to take on the credit bureaus. Please share this with friends and family so they get the reminder to check their credit reports, too!

Chi Chi Wu
Staff Attorney
National Consumer Law Center

State issues grace period order for insurance deadlines

Salem – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services issued a temporary emergency order today in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. It requires all insurance companies to extend grace periods for premium payments, postpone policy cancellations and nonrenewals, and extend deadlines for reporting claims.

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused widespread business closures, job losses, and social distancing measures. This severe disruption to business in the state includes some Oregonians’ ability to make insurance premium payments, report claims, and communicate with their insurance companies.

“During this crisis, we must all do our best to help Oregonians focus on staying healthy, care for their families, and prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner. “Many of our insurers have already stepped up and done the right thing. This order will ensure every Oregonian who needs it has relief from these insurance policy terms, giving them a measure of security and stability.”

Insurance companies must take steps immediately to do the following until the order is no longer in effect:

• Institute a grace period for premium payments on all insurance policies issued in the state
• Suspend all cancellations and nonrenewals for active insurance policies
• Extend all deadlines for consumers to report claims and communicate about claims
• Provide consumers the ability to make premium payments and report claims while maintaining safe social distancing standards

The order is effective immediately, and will be in force through at least April 23. If necessary, the department may extend the duration of this temporary order.

If Oregonians have questions or concerns about their insurance company or agent, they can contact the department’s advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll free) or visit dfr.oregon.gov for more information or to file a complaint.

For insurance and financial services information related to COVID-19, visit the department’s website:
https://dfr.oregon.gov/insure/health/understand/Pages/coronavirus.aspx.