NEWS YOU CAN USE | Don’t fall prey to identity thieves over the holidays

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Holidays bring out the best and the worst in people, with scams multiplying faster than pine needles under your tree. The Better Business Bureau put together a list of scams targeting people over the holidays – here ways to avoid identity theft when shopping in stores or on line and how to avoid getting caught in phishing scams: 
Identity theft claimed 10 million victims in 2008, a 22 percent increase over 2007, according to a report from Javelin Strategy and Research.  The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that the holiday season provides many new opportunities for identity thieves to ply their trade and offers the following advice on how to keep your identity safe and secure both online and off. “Identity theft can happen to you whether you’re shopping online or shopping at the mall, making it critical that we all take specific steps to fight both low and high-tech ID thieves,” said Dana Badgerow, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota.  “Having your credit card numbers stolen or your computer maliciously hacked will put a damper on anyone’s holiday cheer.” The BBB recommends taking the following steps to fight identity theft this holiday season: Online Shopping TipsForty-four percent of holiday shoppers make purchases online and every year scammers devise online schemes to trick them into divulging personal information such as credit card numbers.  The BBB recommends that online shoppers:
• Confirm the legitimacy of all “trust marks.”  You can confirm that certification from organizations such as the BBB, Versign or TRUSTe is legitimate by clicking on the seal.  A legitimate seal will direct you to the certifying organization’s Web site. • Make online purchases with a credit card.  If the credit card number lands in the hands of ID thieves, remember your Fair Credit Billing Act protection which allows you to dispute the charges with your credit card company. Continue Reading

Don’t get ripped off when buying electronics online

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Holidays bring out the best and the worst in people, with scams multiplying faster than pine needles under your tree. The Better Business Bureau put together a list of scams targeting people over the holidays – here are five red flags of a scam site selling electronics online:This holiday season, everyone will be on the hunt for the best deals.  The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns online shoppers that some deals online for electronics are too good to be true.  The BBB is advising holiday shoppers to keep an eye out for five red flags of unscrupulous consumer electronics stores. Shoppers are increasingly heading to the Internet to look for deals.  According to a survey from Burst Media, 85.3 percent of respondents will shop online this holiday season.  Because of the economy, holiday spending is expected to drop slightly this year from 2008, and some industry experts predict that retailers will make deep price cuts, particularly on electronics, to lure in shoppers.  Unfortunately, not all Web sites promising rock bottom discounts on electronics are legitimate and consumers need to do their research when shopping online or they risk getting ripped off by a scammer’s online store. “Despite the economy, consumer electronics are still expected to be on many holiday shopping lists,” said Dana Badgerow, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota.  “Everyone will be looking for the best deals this year and scammers know that they can take advantage of that by using low prices to lure in victims.” The BBB recommends consumers look for the following red flags when identifying suspect electronics Web sites:• The prices for items are too good to be true. Everyone is looking for a bargain on electronics and scammers use tantalizingly low prices to lure victims in. If the prices for items are well below those of trusted competitors, it’s a sign to walk away.• Spelling and grammatical errors abound. Some phony electronics Web sites are created by scammers overseas. Continue Reading

Is it Possible to Stop the Yellow Pages?

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While unpacking three years ago, I realized, sadly, that I had moved approximately 10 pounds of smudgy Yellow Pages from Chicago to Minneapolis. But I just felt bad tossing them out – such a waste. 
I got over it immediately when 10 new pounds showed up at my front door here. Year after year the only time I look in, look at or look for the Yellow Pages is when I replace them with the new ones. So I jumped at the chance to find out if there was some way to stop them from coming all together.  

Let your fingers do the walking
Here are the numbers that should work to opt out of receiving the Yellow Pages – at least from these three companies. Continue Reading

Warm clothes for kids: You can help!

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UPDATED 12/11/09 Minnesota is legendary for its brutal winters. Perhaps you’ve heard the running joke about Minnesota’s four seasons: not winter, almost winter, winter and still winter. What is not a joke is that thousands of people are in need of basic winter supplies, most urgent of these are warm hats, socks, coats and other winter clothing.   St. Paul teacher Bob Cudahy wrote in St. Paul’s E-Democracy Forum that a number of his students come to school without adequate winter clothing: “I had students show up today wearing tennis shoes and no socks. Continue Reading

Broken holiday lights? Hold that trash can lid!

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Snyders Drug Stores have teamed up with Xcel Energy and WCCO to sponsor a recycling program for those strings of holiday lights that no longer work. So instead of throwing them away, you can take them to participating Snyders Drug Stores to be recycled. In addition to keeping them out of the landfills, you are also providing employment training and job opportunities for adults with disabilities—and you get a $5 coupon valid towards a $20 purchase. Check the Snyders Web site to see a list of participating stores. Continue Reading

“Fare for All Express” offers special holiday grocery package

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You can save more than 30 percent on a special holiday grocery package available for $25 from Fare for All Express. The holiday grocery packages will be available for sale Friday, December 4 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the United Labor Centre, 312 Central Ave., Minneapolis. The packages will include: one family-sized frozen ham; one package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts; one other meat item for holiday entertaining; two packages of frozen vegetables; one loaf of bread; one frozen peach pie. Regular Fare for All Express grocery packages also will be available for purchase, including fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and frozen meats.See more about Fare for All on “Voices of Experience” on the MN Retirees Council, AFL-CIO, YouTube channel. Fare for All Express is a program of the Emergency Foodshelf Network. Continue Reading

Mystery shopping scams – an expensive way to shop

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A chef by trade, the St. Paul man (who asked to remain anonymous) started cooking in an on-the-job training program when he was 13 years old. After nearly 31 years as a chef, the 45-year-old North End resident was unemployed last summer and spent hours on the computer every day looking for and applying for jobs. One day a pop-up ad from a company called Retail Oversight Inc. appeared on the screen. The company, with an address in Emory, Alabama, promised applicants $300-$1000 a week as a secret shopper. Continue Reading

NEWS YOU CAN USE | Click for food shelves!

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My friend Ken writes “I know that food shelves are really hurting this year,” and then passes along a painless way to send donations:KARE 11 & Land O’Lakes are donating $1 for every person who clicks on their web site.   Go to the website listed below and on the right side of the screen (at the top) there is the green area where it says:   You Click, We Donate.   It’s that easy. Please pass to all of your friends.Thanks, Ken!     Continue Reading

Condoleezza Rice: Meet the F.B.I.

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The following letter was submitted to the F.B.I. this morning. It describes some of the evidence for a conspiracy to commit torture charge against Condoleezza Rice. The evidence includes a video in which Ms. Rice comes oh-so-close to making a complete confession. Any prosecutor would relish going into court with the evidence provided in the document below. Continue Reading