Protect Yourself From Fraud

Credit card fraud and identity theft seem to be afflicting individuals and companies alike throughout the world. Here are few easy steps to help protect you.

  • Photocopy credit cards and other important documents that you keep in your wallet. Use the copies to notify your bank and credit card companies if your wallet is lost or stolen. Then cancel the cards and put a hold on all charges.
  • Always review your bank and credit card statements to make sure the charges are legitimate. Notify issuers immediately of any unauthorized entries. Then consider changing your account number or canceling the card.
  • Shred statements or receipts before disposing of them.
  • Never give personal information to an unsolicited caller. Scammers can falsify names and numbers that appear on your caller ID. Look up the company's number to make sure it's legitimate; then call back if you wish.
  • Don't open e-mail attachments from unknown parties, and don't respond to unsolicited e-mail requests for personal information.
  • Avoid writing down your PIN or passwords, and shield the numbers when using ATMs or similar machines. Even if nobody is nearby, thieves may have affixed hidden cameras.
  • Protect your computer with a firewall, anti-virus software, and an anti-spyware program and update them.
  • The IRS does not use e-mail to contact you. Do not open or respond to such e-mails.

Facts on the Workforce

Here are some new facts regarding the job front.

  • Soon women will make up the majority of the workforce for the first time in history. In June 2009 women held 49.83% of the country's 132 million jobs.
  • The Labor Department reports that in the first five months of 2009, 5.3% or some 7.6 million workers held more than one job.
  • How old is the workforce? By 2016, 22.7% of the workforce will be aged 55 and older according to the Pew Research Center.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that between 2000 and 2008, the number of workers aged 65 to 69 rose 25%. Workers in the 70 to 74 age group increased 32%, those in the 75 to 79 age group increased 38%, and those 80 and older increased 67%. It's clear that as people live longer, their attitudes toward retirement are changing.