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IN THIS ISSUE #145 |
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Publisher:
Scott Bilker |
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Editor:
Larissa S. Bilker |
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Assistant
Editor: Denise Troy |
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ISSN
1538-6740 |
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The ten states with
the highest rates of identity fraud are: (1) New
York; (2) California; (3) Nevada; (4) Arizona;
(5) Illinois; (6) Hawaii; (7) Oregon; (8)
Michigan; (9) Washington; (10) Texas
The ten states with
the lowest rates of identity fraud are: (1)
Wyoming; (2) Vermont; (3) Montana; (4) North
Dakota; (5) New Hampshire; (6) Ohio; (7) Maine;
(8) Iowa; (9) West Virginia; (10) South Dakota
When examined at
a 3-digit zip code level, the ten metropolitan
areas with the highest identity fraud rates are:
(1) New York, NY; (2) Detroit, MI; (3) Los
Angeles, CA; (4) Little Rock, AR; (5)
Greenville, MS; (6) Atlanta, GA; (7) Phoenix,
AZ; (8) Portland, OR; (9) Dallas, TX; (10)
Springfield, IL |
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Credit Secrets Bible |
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Raise your credit score! Learn how
to fight back against those who are making your life
difficult--and holding you back! |
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Letter from the Publisher
by Scott Bilker
Hi,
Okay, so do you watch American Idol? I
do. Great show!
There are certainly benefits to being on
the show, but there can be downsides to instant fame. Diana DeGarmo, unfortunately, found
this out when her identity was stolen! Yes, it can happen to anyone. However, when you
go from regular human to celebrity in one season, you may be caught off
guard.
In DeGarmo's case, it wasn't that bad. The
thief was captured, and the incident didn't appear to damage her credit
rating. Just remember to always be on alert. This can happen to you! You
can read more details about Diana's story
here.
In marketing it's said that you shouldn't
ask, "who do you know" but instead, "who do you know who knows." You
will find that you're only a few people away from anyone. So basically,
everyone has a story about knowing someone.
Here are my two stories about American
Idol...
If you've been watching this season, then
you have seen
Antonella Barba.
She's my dentist's (Dr. Cannis')
associate's daughter (Dr. Valerie Barba). Small world. I think Antonella
looks just like her mother--see
for yourself.
Okay, here's one more. My Aunt Judy
(Garcia), a music teacher--now retired, was Tamyra Gray's sole music
teacher. Tamyra was an American Idol finalist (4th) from Season 1.
Tamyra mentions this in
her bio, "Her first music mentor at Watkins Mill Elementary School
was her chorus teacher Mrs. Garcia. 'She taught me how to breathe, and
taught me the foundations. That's the only structured training that I've
ever had,' adds Tamyra."
Best,
Scott
Where did that fee come from?
by Scott BilkerHowdy Scott:
I am writing to you about a unique
situation that occurred about two weeks ago, and I was wondering if
anyone else you know of, and/or subscribes to your newsletter, might have
had this happen to them.
I currently carry a VISA card from
Compass Bank, which is based in the southeastern portion of the US. I
have had the card for a number of years and rarely carry any sort of a
continuing balance.
I decided I wanted to payoff the balance,
which at the time was approximately $48.03. I had not received my
statement yet, so I went ahead, typed up a letter, enclosed a check for
the balance-in-full, and mailed it off to Compass Bankcard's payment
address in Decatur, AL.
When I checked the Compass Bank website 10
days later, I noticed that the outstanding balance on the card was
$1.00. The first thought that came to my head was that I misfigured the
amount of the payment for balance-in-full. Upon further examination, the
dollar had been billed to my account as a payment processing fee.
I immediately contacted Compass customer
service and asked them exactly what the fee was for. The representative
told me that, since I had not enclosed the remittance portion of my
statement, there was an added $1.00 fee for processing the payment. I
told the rep I was ready to close the account, since I considered this a
money grab. She went ahead and waived the fee. I asked her to pass along
a message to her supervisor that there should never be a transaction fee
for processing a payment.
Any thoughts?
John
The Twin Cities of Minnesota
Finish Reading Article
"That's $107.00 a month saving for 4 months!"
"Your books arrived and I didn't even get to
read them all before I called my first credit card company. I just
briefly glanced at the variety of scripts under calling credit card
companies and then I called. I mentioned to the first operator that I
received an offer for 5.9% and that I would like to have my interest
rate lowered. She came back with 'the only special I have right now is
0% for 4 months.' I said, 'I'll take it.' That's $107.00 a month saving
for 4 months!
My second call I was transferred to the
'Account Specialist' (it helped knowing from the scripts in your book
this could happen!). This gentleman was a very fast, smooth talker. I
told him about the 5.9% offer and he came back with yes I paid promptly,
on time, but I hadn't used the account often enough so I only got 2 out
of 3--not enough to get the interest lowered. He did offer to reimburse
the annual fee of $49.00, which I did take. He said I would now be
included for upcoming special offers. Not bad for a 1/2 hours work!
Thanks Scott. I look forward to reading
the rest of the books for more great ideas."
—Judy Davidson, Ontario
Read about special offer for all three of Scott Bilker's best-selling books
Credit Secrets Bible
I've been reviewing this program, The
Credit Secrets Bible, and I am confident at this point, that the
information is good. Better than good actually! The author recommends
specific details about improving your credit score. I have learned some
new techniques that I'm testing right now, so I'm sure there is something
here for everyone!
I highly recommend you pick up a copy of
this info! They even threw in audio bonuses and much more!
Here is some of their info:
The Credit Secrets Bible contains
more step-by-step, easy-to-learn, easy-to-use insider consumer credit
secrets than any other home study course on the market. In fact, the
information in the Credit Secrets Bible is so powerful, we have to
disclose to you upfront that it is sold for informational purposes only.
If you don't already know, I'll be the
first to tell you... banks, finance companies, bill collectors and
credit card companies are some of the BIGGEST crooks in the world. If
you don't know the secrets contained in the Credit Secrets Bible,
you will pay tens of thousands of hard-earned dollars in extra bills,
interest and fees, etc. Your money will be wasted (down the drain) for no
reason other than you don't own the Credit Secrets Bible home study
course.
Banks and other institutions who take
your money, ruin your credit or deny you the money you need are very
powerful. They make a business out of hurting people like you to make
more money for themselves. And, the more they hurt you financially, the
more powerful they become. But they won't be able to hurt you anymore!
With the Credit Secrets Bible, I'll show you how to stop them dead
in their tracks!
Click here to learn more about the Credit Secrets
Bible
Household Math™: Fast Pay Mortgage
by Scott
BilkerYou have a $100,000 mortgage
at 6% APR for 15 years. How many extra monthly payments must you send
each year to be able to pay off this loan in exactly 5 years? Note: All
the extra payments are sent along with the year's last monthly payment.
Answer this problem
Stop Debt Collectors Cold!
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Stop Debt Collectors Cold! Plus, for a
limited time, 4 bonus reports: |
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--> How to Get Collection
Accounts Off Your Credit Report |
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--> How to Avoid Losing Your Home
In A Foreclosure |
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--> What to Do if You Are Behind
on Your Car Payments |
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--> Confidential Interview With A
Former Debt Collector |
Read about stopping debt collectors
Cleaning House: Improving and Removing Debt
by Damien
DelRussoOver the last year or so,
I did a bit of financial reorganization. Without getting too far into
the details, I'd like to recount the steps, as one or more may be
helpful for others.
First, let me stipulate that I had lots
and lots of debt. Suffice it to say that the amount far exceeded the
value of my assets. My debts consisted of student loans, credit cards, a
car loan, personal loans and a house loan.
First, whatever the reasons for getting
into debt, the goal should be to minimize the cost. Over both the short
and long term, that means eliminating fees, lowering APRs, and
eventually eliminating the debts.
Finish Reading Article
More credit, more options!
Credit options are your weapon
against the banks! The key to success is using your credit lines
to save money--not to go crazy spending!
The Credit Repair Kit plus bonus
CD!
by Joe Sainz
What do you
think of when you hear the words "credit
repair"? I think of scam! That's because
many companies have made promises to
"fix" people's credit but then simply stole
their money. However, there are still
reputable sources for people to learn
how to straighten out their credit
reports.
Your
credit report is your financial résumé
and everyone, from lenders to insurance
agents, reviews it. It's vital that there
are no mistakes shown, and if there are,
that they're removed!
There are
many books on the subject, but my
personal favorite is The Credit
Repair Kit. That's because Joe
Sainz offers great practical advice for
correcting errors. Plus, he includes a
Credit Booster CD-ROM with the
book!
If you're
having trouble getting the rates you
deserve because of your credit report,
then you must read this book!
Read more
about The Credit Repair Kit plus bonus
CD...
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