Things You Should Know RSS Feed

Last Updated: May 15, 2008 - 11:23:27 AM

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Insurance Related Press Releases
Having a Yard Sale? Make Sure You Have Enough Insurance Coverage
A yard sale is a great way to clean out your home, make a little money and do some good for the environment by providing a second life for your possessions. But your enterprise could get expensive if someone gets hurt on your property and decides to sue, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
May 15, 2008 - 11:16:39 AM

Announcements
Energy Saving Tips for Consumers:U.S. Department of Energy Launches Website
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today launched a new internet feature which provides tips to consumers on how to make everyday Earth Day by making smart energy choices to save money while protecting the environment. 
Apr 22, 2008 - 11:56:14 AM

Community Alerts
E-Mailed Grand Jury Summons May Harm Computers
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is alerting computer users about a spam e-mail that contains a fraudulent court subpoena. The bogus e-mail attempts to notify recipients that they are commanded to appear and testify before a Grand Jury.
Apr 20, 2008 - 7:53:47 PM

Announcements
Phony Investment Solicitations: SEC Launches New Offense to Alert Investors
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the launch of its latest offensive targeting online boiler rooms, cold calls, and other potentially fraudulent financial solicitations circulating to unsuspecting investors. Such solicitations often use phony claims of SEC registration, false U.S. addresses, or endorsements from make-believe government agencies or international organizations to make their investment opportunities appear more credible. Some also falsely claim to be affiliated with established brokerage firms.
Apr 17, 2008 - 9:29:11 AM

Announcements
Phishing Scams: FTC Releases New Videos
The Federal Trade Commission has released three 60-second videos to help alert consumers to phishing scams. Phishing uses deceptive spam to trick consumers into divulging sensitive or personal information, including credit card numbers and other financial data, through an email or a link to a “copycat” site. The goal of the videos is to offer practical, useful, and memorable messages.
Apr 3, 2008 - 2:07:23 PM

FEMA Announcements
Ten Misconceptions That Can Hinder Disaster Aid
Don't let half-truths and rumors cause you to miss out on the federal disaster assistance made available for those devastated by the severe storms and tornadoes that hit Georgia recently. Federal and state officials agree the last thing people need after suffering losses is misinformation. The following adds clarification for some common misconceptions about disaster assistance:
Apr 3, 2008 - 1:59:54 PM

Announcements
Prepaid Calling Scam: FTC Asks Court to Halt Prepaid Calling Card Scam; Alleges Consumers Receive Fewer Calling Minutes Than Advertised and Pay Hidden Fees
The Federal Trade Commission has asked a U.S. district court judge to order a halt to the alleged illegal practices of CTA, a major distributor of prepaid calling cards across the country. In the last quarter of 2007 alone, CTA’s revenue from the sale of cards exceeded $28 million. The FTC charges that CTA misrepresents the number of calling minutes consumers get, fails to disclose that consumers’ cards will be charged whether or not the calls go through, and charges hidden fees.
Mar 30, 2008 - 12:08:13 AM

Travel Warnings
Planning a Winter Getaway? Insurance Is Available in the Event of a Disaster
Before sailing off on a cruise or hitting the slopes, make sure that you have adequate insurance to protect your financial investment in a pre-paid vacation, said the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Feb 14, 2008 - 3:07:02 PM

Announcements
Digital TV Transition: What You Should Know

By now, you've probably heard that on February 17, 2009, television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting . Last week, the Consumer Electronics Association reported that half of American households had purchased a digital TV to date. However, if you’re one of the more than 14 million households that rely on analog, over-the-air signals to watch TV you’ll need to take action before February 2009.

IRS Tax Tips
Tax Packages Arrive in Mail; IRS Reminds Taxpayers to e-file and Watch for Tax Law Changes
With millions of tax packages beginning to arrive in mailboxes this week, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to watch for commonly overlooked tax credits and late tax law changes that could affect their tax returns.
Jan 2, 2008 - 10:40:06 AM

Announcements
New DVDs to Help Educate Older Drivers and Their Families
It's very difficult to tell someone - anyone - that their driving isn't what it used to be. These videos will offer advice on how to approach the subject - especially with a parent - and offer tips to those drivers whose abilities may have been better in the past.
Dec 26, 2007 - 7:08:37 PM

Announcements
How to Prepare for Flash Floods and Debris Flows After Wildfires
Once the smoke clears from a wildfire, the danger is not over. Other hazards, such as flash floods and debris flows, now become the concern. Watch a video of the Christmas Day, 2003, debris flow in Devore, Calif., taken by local citizen Bishop Howard Davis by visiting....
Dec 19, 2007 - 6:52:28 AM

Things You Should Know
Are Tattoos Safe? Think Before You Ink

As the popularity of tattoos continues to grow, so does the concern about potential risks. Some risks, such as the spread of infections through the use of unsterilized needles, have long been known. But what isn't clear is the safety of tattoo inks. Permanent tattoos are made by using needles to inject colored ink below the skin's surface. Permanent make-up is considered a permanent tattoo that mimics the results of cosmetic products such as an eyebrow pencil, lip liner, eyeliner, or blush.

Things You Should Know
Tis the Season...For Holiday Place Names, That Is!
Are national holidays a time or a place? For many, the holidays represent family gatherings with delicious edibles, but for people who live in Christmas, Ariz., Mistletoe, Ky., Candle, Alaska, or Santa Claus, Ind., it is also a place called home. This year, learn about holiday place names by using the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Dec 18, 2007 - 7:02:46 AM

Things You Should Know
A Kiss is Just a Kiss: Mistletoe is So Much More
This Christmas when you pucker up under the mistletoe, consider this: while festive and fun, mistletoe also provides essential food, cover and nesting sites for an amazing number of birds, butterflies and mammals in the United States
Dec 18, 2007 - 6:53:21 AM

Consumer Tools
Renting a Car for the Holidays? The I.I.I. Provides Rental Car Insurance Tips
With so many people planning to visit family and friends over the holidays, there are likely to be long lines at rental car companies across the country. Properly insuring a rental car can be tricky. Unfortunately, many consumers don’t even think about car rental insurance until they get to the counter, which can result in costly mistakes, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Nov 26, 2007 - 11:00:15 AM

Community Alerts
Gift Cards: OCC Reminds Consumers to Read Gift Cards’ Fine Print
Gift cards can have expiration dates, fees, and other terms that can reduce their value. Other terms may limit where cards can be used or explain handling complaints and lost or stolen cards.
Nov 21, 2007 - 7:38:02 PM

Housing and Mortgage News
Ten Tips For Homebuyers - What you should know before buying a home
Banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers make home loans; mortgage brokers process them. The lenders will take an application, process the loan documents, and see the loan through to the funding stage.
Aug 2, 2007 - 7:14:12 AM

Things You Should Know
How to Place International Long Distance Calls
Did you know that the number of international long distance calls from the United States has skyrocketed from only about 200 million a year to more than 6.2 billion per year over the past 20 years?
Jul 17, 2007 - 7:11:54 AM

Things You Should Know
How to Locate a U.S.Citizen or Relative Overseas
U.S. embassies and consulates help to locate U.S. citizens overseas when relatives or friends are concerned about their welfare or need to notify them of emergencies at home. The Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad handle over 200,000 welfare and whereabouts inquiries a year.
Jul 17, 2007 - 7:05:50 AM

Announcements
Free Busines Search by Voice - Free Google 411
Connect to the business directly, free of charge with GoogleNo need to write down a note or memorize long phone numbers.
Jul 10, 2007 - 12:50:53 PM

Health News | Health Resources
Liposuction Fact Sheet
Wanting to change your body is normal, but if you’re considering liposuction, the surgery that removes fat from the body, it’s important to have all the facts. Learn more with Liposuction , a free factsheet from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health
Jun 25, 2007 - 6:59:30 AM

Things You Should Know
Buying the Right TV - What Every Consumer Should Know
The DTV transition refers to the switch from analog to digital television.   Digital technology will provide improved picture quality and sound quality like that experienced at the movies.   Congress set the deadline of February 17, 2009 for the DTV transition.   This means that on that date all U.S. television stations will stop broadcasting in analog format as they do now, and will transmit only in digital instead.
Jun 7, 2007 - 7:22:54 AM

Community Alerts
Securities Fraud Alert: The FBI reports

The nation's economy is increasingly dependent on the success and integrity of the securities and commodities markets. As a result, the FBI diligently investigates criminal activity in the markets and against investors whenever it arises.

Housing and Mortgage News
Buying a Home? Home Buying Basics
Have you finally decided you’d like to take the leap and become a homeowner? Although it may seem overwhelming at first, buying a home is a process you’ll negotiate successfully as long as you know the steps to take and are informed about the choices you face along the way.
May 17, 2007 - 7:10:54 AM