(StatePoint)

While we are all taught to use good manners when answering the telephone, not everyone who calls you necessarily has good intentions.  According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a recent spate of lottery scams or advance fee frauds originating in Jamaica are targeting seniors and other Americans by telephone. While the Jamaican and U.S. governments have teamed to tighten laws and combat the problem, it’s important to guard against becoming the next victim. Knowing the difference between legitimate telemarketers and scammers is crucial.

Protect yourself by taking the following precautions:

• Never pay money to collect supposed sweepstakes winnings. Legitimate operations won’t require you to pay to collect winnings.  It’s against U.S. law to play foreign lotteries. If you get a call saying you’ve won one, it’s probably a scam.

• Never wire money to anyone you don’t know.

• Ignore unsolicited calls from anyone, even charities and companies with whom you already do business.  You have no way to confirm the caller is legitimate. Even caller ID can be faked. When in doubt, just hang up.

• Place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. It’s fast and free. Visit www.DoNotCall.gov or add your number to the registry by calling 888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register.

• Check unfamiliar area codes before returning calls. Be aware that there are many three digit area codes that connect callers to international telephone numbers.

• If you don’t make international calls, ask your telephone provider to block incoming and outgoing international calls.  

• Never provide anyone with personal information, such as bank accounts, pin numbers or Social Security numbers.

• Prevent criminals from accessing your money. Contact your bank, brokerages, as well as the Social Security Administration to add a password to your accounts.

• If callers insist on speaking with you, tell them you’ll call them directly. Don’t take a number offered by a potential fraudster. You’re safer looking up the number independently.

• Scammers often create false deadlines. If you feel pressured, hang up. You’ve spent a lifetime earning your money. You deserve time to choose how to spend it.

• Help others from falling victim to scammers by warning friends and family. If you’ve received a call, mail or email you think might be from a scammer, report it to the Federal Trade Commission by calling at 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357) or contact local authorities.

“The Jamaican Government is resolved to successfully combat this scourge. We have put in place both legislative and operational measures that will ensure that persons who prey on vulnerable seniors are held accountable,” said. Jamaica’s Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, who is working with U.S. officials to stop new Jamaican lottery scams. You don’t have to live in fear to avoid being a victim. By becoming informed of the latest tactics used by scammers to defraud consumers, you can protect yourself and your finances.

(StatePoint)

Spring is a time of rejuvenation and fresh starts. And while spring cleaning closets, the garage and basement requires good old-fashioned work, new tools can help take the fuss out of sprucing up finances.

Review

Start by getting a complete view of your finances. Consider using a free online tool, such as Mint.com, to see all your financial accounts in one place. You can use the site to establish a budget, as it automatically categorizes your spending, making it easier to ensure you stick with your plan. Set yourself up for success. If you’re prone to go over your budget or miss important bill payments, sign up for email or text alerts about large purchases, late fees and bounced checks. By establishing clear goals and tracking your spending on-the-go from your phone or tablet, you’ll be more likely to save for the things you want in life and avoid debt. De-clutter Your online banking information can get cluttered in much the same way as your paperwork. Eliminate the “eMess” by tracking and managing all your account information in one place. For example, Quicken software lets you see your full financial picture in the form of charts and graphs. Learn where you stand and get motivated visually to meet your goals. More information can be found at www.Quicken.Intuit.com.

Save

Saving money doesn’t have to mean forfeiting your social life or creature comforts. Many theaters, museums, zoos and parks offer special discount days such as standing room only or pay-what-you-can nights. Some even offer free admission on certain days of the month. Or simply let the great outdoors be your entertainment. Take a hike, make a picnic, or host a backyard barbecue. Forgo the fancy gym membership and dust off those running shoes and bike, working out the old-fashioned way. Raining? Check out community centers in your area – some may be free, or charge only minimal fees.

Refinance

Do you want to pay off high-interest debt? You can do so wisely by refinancing with more competitive rates. Newer alternatives can eliminate the costs associated with traditional bank lending. If you have good-to-excellent credit, consider applying for an unsecured personal loan for up to $35,000 on a site like Lending Club, a leading platform for investing in and obtaining personal loans. Hundreds of people across the country can invest in your loan, which means a streamlined process and lower rates for you. More information can be found at www.LendingClub.com. If the onset of spring is your cue to organize your finances, let new tools help you do so with ease. 

(StatePoint)

In an age of economic uncertainty, being indispensable at work is crucial to job security. And while developing specific professional skills is important, some experts say that there are intangible factors that are even more important for your long-term success. “If you’re interesting, people will remember you and want to work with you. You’ll get the call back; you’ll make the sale. And you’ll be better able to think your way out of trouble and into new territories,” says Jessica Hagy, author and illustrator of the new book, “How to Be Interesting (in 10 Simple Steps.)”

Hagy says that in today’s fast-paced world, there are steps you can take to avoid blending into the hum of the background: 

• Go exploring: Explore ideas, places and opinions. The inside of the echo chamber is where all the boring people hang out.

• Chat: Don’t just keep your head down. Gain new perspectives by talking to everybody -- not just those who do what you do. No one has seen exactly what you have or has the same exact feelings as you. Find out why.

• Leave your comfort zone: Expose yourself to risk and wild ideas. It’s the only way to grow. If you’re not courageous, you’re going to be hanging around the water-cooler, talking about the guy who actually is.

• Offer to help: Seek out people who need your help. Know what you can do and tell people you’re willing to do it. They will remember you and talents. This is how people begin to fall in love with your work.

• Overstep your bounds: Just because it’s not in your job description doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Only you can really decide what league you really belong in. Get over your fears of making waves. Friction is a good thing.

• Be a link: Don’t just tell. Don’t just listen. Make introductions. Pass on what you know. Be the fulcrum upon which your organization turns.

• Have hobbies: Outside of work, read, study, and sign up for classes. Learn new things. You never know when you’ll need random knowledge or skills. • Find a niche: The smaller the niche, the less room there is for copycats. If you want to be interesting, work with specifics, not generics.

• Leave the ego at home: If your arrogance is more obvious than your expertise, you are someone other people avoid.

More tips and information from Hagy can be found at www.How2BeInteresting.tumblr.com/. Becoming great at your specific job description will only get you so far at work. If you want to become an indispensable member of the team, find a way to stand out positively.