Handy Resources

Investment Fraud

Americans lose more than a billion dollars annually to fraudulent investments, identification theft, and cyber-hoaxes. Distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent promotions in cyberspace.

Online Investment Fraud ... by Internet Fraud Watch

Online Investment Fraud ... by Fiancial Industry Regulatory Authority

Online Investment Fraud ... by NASAA

Online Investment Fraud ... by SEC

Online Investment Fraud ... by FTC

Online Investment Fraud ... by CFTC

Online Investment Fraud ... by CFTC

Beware of websites selling trading systems and advisory services that guarantee high profits with minimal risks. Here are REAL CASE STUDIES taken on by the CFTC.

To help you spot suspicious operations, the CFTC offers lots of reports about risk and investment frauds.

Identification Theft

This is the fastest growing crime in the U.S.! Vandals take over your financial accounts, apply for loans that you become responsible for, apply for and deplete your Social Security (SS) benefits. Vandals target your utility bills, credit cards and credit reports. They replicate your driver's license, SS card, credit cards and checkbook.

Identity Theft may cause victims to ...

• get blacklisted on credit databases
• accrue a criminal record without their knowledge
• be denied utility or phone services, denied ability to buy a car
• be denied loans
• lose their jobs, be denied security clearance
• work to "clear their name" for the rest of their lives

WHAT TO DO ...

Check your SS statement once per year!

• Social Security Fraud Hotline

Check your credit reports once per year!

• EQUIFAX
• EXPERIAN
• Trans-Union

Report stolen checks immediately! Call these check guarantee companies. They can flag your file so that counterfeit checks will be refused.

• CheckRite 800-766-2748
• ChexSystems 800-428-9623
• CrossCheck 707-586-0551
• Equifax 800-437-5120
• Intnl. Check 800-526-5380
• SCAN 800-262-7771

Hoaxes and Rumors

Sincere sounding hoaxes and rumors can detract from your productivity, especially when such "alerts" concern computer viruses, a new IRS capital gains tax, ... you get the idea. These sites will help you get to the truth so you get get on with your work.

• NonProfit.net -- "Don't spead that hoax!"
• Snopes -- "Rumor has it ..."
• This is True -- "This is true ..."
• Virus myths -- Truth about computer security hysteria.

Travel

These sites give airline schedules online, sorted by price.

• Orbitz
• Travelocity
• Expedia

• HotWire

  If your time of day is a little flexible, this web service will tell you the best price, for which you have 1 hour to decide to buy. Only AFTER you buy, do you find out the airlines and actual flight times. The smart strategy is to not accept right away, but instead see if you can get a cheaper flight using PRICELINE (provided below). If that fails, you can always accept the offer from Hotwire.

• PriceLine

  You place a bid for a flight to your destination on a certain travel date. If your bid is accepted, you are charged for the tickets and THEN you are told airline and travel time. No refunds.





These sites are great for designing your own vacation.

• Fodors ... Packaged tours and trips
• Travel Channel ... Get new ideas and travel tips























































Online Bookstores







• Trader Planet -- eBooks
• Add All -- Book Search and Price Comparison
• Barnes and Noble
• Amazon.com
• Secong Hand Books -- SAVE!! Find what you want as a second-hand book.





















































Investor Education Web Sites










Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Federal Consumer Information Center

Institute for Financial Markets

Investment Company Institute Education Foundation

North American Securities Administrators Association

Path to Investing

SEC Office of Investor Education and Assistance

U.S. Consumer Gateway




























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