DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER

ISSN 1538-6740
July 14, 2004 Issue 78

Tools for financial success! A Free Email Newsletter from DebtSmart Online and Press One Publishing.

Publisher: Scott Bilker

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IN THIS ISSUE

	Cool Quote
	Letter from the Publisher
	Survey #1: Thinking About Offering Personal Consultations
	Survey #2: HTML and TEXT Newsletter Formats
	Settling Debts
	Book Review by Scott Bilker of Johnny May's Guide to Preventing Identity Theft
	"Debtsmart.com--A Great Personal Finance Site"
	DebtSmart Help Center
	DebtSmart® Resources
	Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Disclaimer Information

COOL QUOTE 

"You can't really have a happy life without having a healthy financial life." 
--Scott Bilker

Quotes from all previous newsletters

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

This issue I need to ask for your help. Help in making sure that the email newsletter is arriving to you okay. The test for the email newsletter is the reason why you received two email issues this week.

Additionally, I'd like your thoughts about a new service I'm thinking about offering. Please do me a favor and complete both surveys in this issue--thanks!

Also in this issue is my article about settling debts plus a book review of "Johnny May's Guide to Preventing Identity Theft."

Regards, 
Scott

SURVEY #1: 
THINKING ABOUT OFFERING PERSONAL  PHONE CONSULTATIONS

DebtSmart.com is here to help people save money on their debts. Each day I receive dozens of email questions from readers with specific situations.

Over the years many people have asked if I could work with them personally, but I have not done this, instead opting to work solely through the web site. Still, many have been persistent saying that they'd be willing to pay for the service.

Please take this survey and let me know your opinion--thanks!

Take Survey #1 Now

SURVEY #2: 
HTML AND TEXT NEWSLETTER FORMATS

The last issue of the DebtSmart Email Newsletter was delivered to you in HTML format (as a web page with pictures and hyperlinks). This issue has been delivered in both the TEXT and HTML formats.

Some people may be experiencing problems with one or the other formats. I need your help to make sure that you're getting the email newsletter delivered in a manner that you find easy to read.

Take Survey #2 Now

SETTLING DEBTS 
by Scott Bilker

Scott, 
My ex-husband has a friend who works with delinquent accounts at a credit card company. She told him that if he let his account go into delinquency that in about six months he'd be able to "settle" it for 40 percent of what he owed. I believe that part of it however, she also told him that it would NOT reflect badly on his credit report. That it would merely be noted as "settled" and that no creditor would see that unfavorably. I can't believe this is true and I am afraid my ex is going to very sadly surprised when he goes to by a house in a year. So before he goes ahead with this crazy scheme could you please confirm that what this person told him is true? Rebecca

Finish Reading Article

JOHNNY MAY'S GUIDE TO PREVENTING IDENTITY THEFT 
Book review by Scott Bilker

Johnny May's new book, from start to finish, is the definitive guide to identity theft! Johnny has done a great job explaining, in easy-to-understand language, how to recognize and prevent this growing crime with 27.3 million victims in the last five years.

What motivates the identity thief? Money certainly, however, revenge is another reason to worry. Needing a fresh start with their credit can also be the incentive for many identity thieves who create that start at our expense.

Johnny is an expert in all areas of security. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Security Administration from the University of Detroit-Mercy. He spends most of his time teaching people and companies how to protect themselves and what to do if they become victims.

Johnny provides many tips for individuals and businesses to guard important information used in identity theft, not only for using technology, but also in the real world. For example, Johnny advises that "Tip 18. To avoid pickpockets, men should carry wallets in a front pocket. Another idea is to place a rubber band around the wallet so it will rub against the cloth, providing an alert that a crime is in progress. You can also place your wallet in your pocket sideways, making it more difficult to get the wallet out of your pocket."

I also found the cases included in chapter 9 to be quite interesting. Reading the one-paragraph descriptions of these incidents will help you become more focused on preventing ID theft. For example, "A 34-year-old surgeon had her purse stolen from a locked desk at the hospital where she was employed. She quickly canceled her credit cards and checks. About two years later she received a phone call from a collection agency about an overdue account of $3,500 from an out-of-state jewelry store. A copy of her credit report revealed that almost $30,000 worth of jewelry, roaming cell phone charges, and department store charges had been made in her name."

Today's criminals are after much more than the cash in your wallet! I would urge everyone to read this book and put Johnny's advice to work right away!

Read more about Johnny's book

"DEBTSMART.COM--A GREAT PERSONAL FINANCE SITE"

"Money magazine reported that Scott Bilker boasts a portfolio of 80 credit cards and a FICSO score of 794. His rules: (1) Banks are at your mercy and are competing for your business.; (2) You need plenty of credit options to wrangle the best deals.; (3) Always bargain for better rates.; (4) Never overspend.

Scott is really an expert and consumer advocate. He wrote books and maintains a great web site DebtSmart.com, which talks about credit card tricks and the best consumer practices. Actually, this web site is a vivid personal finance bible by itself. I highly recommend the following sections especially:

Articles: A full collection of personal finance articles, categorized by topics.

Household Math Problems: A number of questions regarding real- world personal finance decisions. Bilker professionally explains the underlying math in great details.

Quizzes and Tests: A few online tests about your personal finance shrewdness." 
--MM, webmaster of pfblog.com

Read more about Scott's books

DEBTSMART HELP CENTER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

Helping you with your debt is very important to me personally! If you've been reading my articles, you know that I always encourage self-help as a first step. However, being buried in debt can be very overwhelming, which is why you may want to explore other options.

One of those options is professional, ongoing help with credit counselors. I've started to personally check out certain companies so I can recommend the ones that are worth considering!

If you would like to speak with a representative from a...

Read More at the DebtSmart Help Center

DEBTSMART® RESOURCES

DebtSmart® Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online

How to use DebtSmart® articles FREE in your e-zine or on your web site

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The author(s), Press One Publishing, and DebtSmart.com shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained in this email newsletter and/or at the DebtSmart.com web site. The information, methods and techniques described may not work for you and no recommendation is made to follow the same course of action. Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of all content contained herein. However, there may be mistakes; typographical, mathematical, or in content. This email newsletter and the DebtSmart.com web site have been created for your entertainment only. You must always seek the proper professional advice before taking any financial or legal action. You have been warned.

Copyright © 2004 Press One Publishing. All rights reserved. Please do not reprint, or host on your web site, without explicit permission. However, if you found this newsletter helpful, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you, to e-mail it to a business associate or a friend. Thank you.