Don't Get Scammed! Protect Yourself.

As the weekend draws to an end, many of us begin to prepare for the new week in business - which is what I'm doing right now. However, I wanted to take a few minutes to address some issues I have been experiencing in the wonderful world of finance. If you follow my tweets, you are probably aware of the fact that a few people have been attempting to scam my family.

Without going into a long, angry rant, I'd just like to list a few pointers and thank the good Lord we did our research before giving anyone our personal information! That being said, not everyone is as fortunate. Obviously, or these companies - these shady scammers wouldn't be in business.

I want to help people. I do not have an "agenda" or ulterior motive.
Follow these simple steps to avoid a potentially catastrophic financial problem:

1. Do not give out any information over the phone. Tell the caller you will check with your agent, attorney, etc to verify their information before you give out yours! I would advise you to say this even if you don't have a lawyer or real estate agent!

2. Google them. Type in key words along with the company's name in the Google search box. Use words like "warning (Whatever) Mortgage Company" or "stay away from", "fraud", etc.

3. Check them out on the Better Business Bureau's website.

4. Research the company or even the person's name on US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
. It can be a little tricky to navigate, so here's HUD's site map.

5. Check out your State's Department of Real Estate (DRE). For example, here's California's DRE. Spend a little time navigating around. You can also view current Disciplinary Action Reports involving specific real estate companies, agents and lenders, etc.

6. Last, but not least, ask around! Word of mouth is still of the upmost importance.


Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. Your feedback and comments are equally important.

And...even though it's annoying...sorry...I gotta write a disclaimer, here:

I am not a licensed real estate agent, financial advisor or attorney. I don't accept any compensation for my advice, which is only being given in hopes of helping other individuals and families. I am not making any legal claims and if others do take my advice, I am not responsible for whatever the outcome may be. I also propose that this disclaimer be effective for any and all blogs I post.

Okay, got that out of the way. Thanks for reading and if I've helped one person, then "Mission Accomplished". ;)


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The Night Owl

We've all done it. But do we admit it? You know, sitting in the dark, the faint sound of Barney playing on PBS Sprout (even though the kiddos are asleep). The only other audible sound is your fingers tippity-tap-tip-tapping away on the keys of your handy-dandy laptop, which is usually anything but! You tell yourself you need to get to bed -- because there's no such thing as "catching up on sleep". Still, your mind is full of all the to-do lists. Back in the day, people used to keep a little notepad on their nightstand and jot the things down they needed to remember when the new day dawned.

Now, we have everything we need at our fingertips. Netbooks, Desktops, Laptops, Smartphones, Tabs, even Holograms!

But let me just pose this question: Is this a good thing?

I will be the first to say I love Twitter, Facebook and all things Social Media. However, could these tools actually be harmful? I'm sure there's a medical study out there somewhere proving my little musing is sorta-kinda accurate.

This is where we need to tell ourselves to "Step Away From The Smartphone"!

Really.

I didn't make a New Year's Resolution, but maybe it should be to spend a little less time hitting the snooze button --hitting less "buttons" for that matter and actually spend more time snoozing. Shouldn't we all?

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