GOOD HABIT TO ACQUIRE

For a number of years now, (a yearly habit I don't mind doing for peace of mind!) I request both my own and my husband's credit report.  I was a victim of ID theft years ago, way before people even knew such a thing existed or that you can request from one of three credit institutions a free copy of your credit report.  ID Theft is on the rise and this report is one sure way to see if your ID has been compromised!  For years now, I have told family and friends to utilize this service.

The Fair Trade Commission suggests that to deter-defect-defend your financial accounts, you should routinely monitor your accounts and billing statements and request, free of charge, your credit report.  It lists your loans, charge accounts, all financial activities over the years.  

Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created by the three major nationwide consumer reporting companies---Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, to order your free credit report each year.  Its fast, easy and you may have the option to receive it in the mail (call the number above) or access the internet and after answering a series of inquiries to assure, that it is YOU, you can have the option to review it or print it for your records. 

National Do Not Call Registry

As a reminder, for those ohana who have not as yet placed their telephones (home land lines or cell phones) on the National Do Not Call Registry...here is the info from the Federal Trade Commision's Website's Registry, found at http://ftc.gov

"The Federal government created the national registry to make it easier and more efficient for you to stop getting telemarketing calls you don’t want. You can register online at WWW.DONOTCALL.GOV or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register. Registration is free."

"The Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and the states are enforcing the National Do Not Call Registry. Placing your number on the registry will stop most, but not all, telemarketing calls."

Remember to call from the land line or cell phone, you are registering to be placed on the Do Not Call Registry!