A Warning On Identity Theft - Via Your Cell Phone

Just one of those forwards I received from a friend today regarding identity theft using your lost cell phone.  A very clever way of stealing your money so be careful:

This lady has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile
phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag which contained her
mobile, Credit card, purse…etc…. Was stolen. 20 minutes later when
she called her Husband, from a pay phone telling him what had happened,
hubby says “I just received your text asking about our Pin number and I
replied a little while ago.”

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the
money was already withdrawn. The pickpocket had actually used the stolen
cell phone to text “hubby” in the contact list and got hold of the pin
number.. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from the bank
account.

Moral of the lesson:

 

*       Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in
your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby,
sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc….
*       And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked thru
texts, CONFIRM by calling back.
*        Also, when you’re being texted by friends or family to meet
them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came
from them. If you don’t reach them, be very careful about going places
to meet “family and friends” who text you.
*       Texting puts a whole new meaning on vulnerability.

Feel free to pass this on…

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Lowering Your Property Tax Bill

I learned something new from my new tax guy today. I guess it’s a good thing that we switched. We felt that our old tax lady was overcharging us so we decided to try someone new.

Our first visit was amazing. Although it was a rather short visit, we left his office feeling like he was going to take care of us. Whether he really was going to take care of us is another story. The feeling that he was going to take care of us was good enough.

Anyways, I want to share a little bit of advice that he gave us that our old tax lady never talked to us about: Our property tax bill.

I never really thought about going the extra mile in trying to lower our property tax bill. Living in California, we expect our property taxes to be on the higher end. But given the current housing condition, saving money on our property taxes could sure help us.

So here’s the tip. Is your property value less than the assessed value? You can request for your house to be reassessed so your property tax against that property can be adjusted to its market value. Go to your county’s assessor’s website and download the Decline-In-Value Reassessment Application and mail in the completed form.

Homes in the Los Angeles County that were purchased between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2007 will be reviewed by the assessor’s office due to the recent decline in home values so an application will not be necessary. Homes purchased outside of those dates, however, will need an application if you feel that the value of the home is less than the assessed value on your tax bill.

Be sure you contact your county assessor’s office for more information.

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Who Else Wants a Free Lullaby CD?

I’m hosting a giveaway on my new parenting tips site.

Share your tips on how you soothe your baby to sleep for a chance to win the One Dozen Baby Lullabies CD.

Click here or visit http://gagazine.com/one-dozen-baby-lullabies/ for details.

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An Update to Gagazine.com

An update to Gagazine.com

In an earlier post, I stated that we were holding monthly writing contests and the winner will be awarded a $100 gift card to Babies R Us. We decided to not to run this contest. We are still holding weekly drawings, but you have to be an active blogger to win.

In addition, we have implemented a referral program. In your blog, there is a referral link that you can forward to your friends and family. If they sign up under you, become an active blogger, and is randomly picked to be the week’s winner, you will also win the $10! If you are interested in creating your own blog, here is my referral link: http://gagazine.com/join/?refer=8

You might ask yourself why you should create a blog, right?

Not only is the blogging platorm the only service we are providing. In the future, we will be holding a “Cute Kid’s Contest.” More details to come on this. It’s going to be exciting so come back for more details!

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