accepting credit cards PAY DAY LOANS - WHAT IS THE COST? Several sources, including a consumer report by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and the CFA (Consumer Federation of America) state that usual the usual APR is between 350 - 650% with some as high as 780%. A loan of $100 ranges in cost between $15 - $30. If the loan is not repaid by the pay date then it can be renewed with another fee due at each renewal. A loan of $100 can cost $60 in fees after 3 renewals. PAY DAY LOANS - WHO BENEFITS? Based on the warnings issued by federal and consumer organizations it is clear that using pay day loans or cash advances from these businesses can often lead to more debt and problems. Some sites were reported to automatically roll over the loan and only withdraw the renewal fee on the pay date. Other sites surveyed by the CFA required customers to agree in contract to not participate in class action suits or to file for bankruptcy. For those who are having debt problems it is recommended to seek no- or low-cost credit counseling from a local non-profit organization. These organizations can help with reducing current interest charges and lowering monthly payments. If the problem is budget, you should look to a financial planner who can help you to manage the money you do have and avoid using credit at all. The Saga of a Mortgage Lender When the going gets tough and the tough just keeps on going, mortgage lenders may seem like godsend angels at your doorstep. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, more and more people are getting deeper into debt. As a result, many people are seeking alternatives for dealing with their financial problems, and ways they can minimize and consolidate their expenses. One way to do this is by securing a mortgage. Basically, a mortgage is a legal record or document designed to protect the mortgage lender against delay of payment or the debtor's refusal to pay the debt. A mortgage lender can be any financial institution or even an individual who has the capacity to lend money to the borrower. There are, actually, various types of mortgage lenders. The key in selecting a mortgage is to choose the right one that fits your needs. Look for a mortgage that has the capacity to lend you the right amount of money at a reasonable rate of interest. The most common and well-known mortgage lender is the bank. You can opt to choose the bank as your mortgage lender for reliability, convenience, and nippy approval on loans. Banks generally work faster in processing your loans as compared to other mortgage lenders. Banks are also a one-stop center for all your lending needs. You can also secure a mortgage through a mortgage broker. A mortgage broker is a type of mortgage lender that usually acts as a middleman and finds the appropriate loan that best fits your needs. Finally, you may want to consider credit unions and thrifts as other types of lending institutions where mortgages can be secured. Whatever type of mortgage lender you choose; your credit history will have a definite influence on the placement of a mortgage and availability of money. Whichever form of mortgage you choose, be sure to do your homework before making a final decision. Get recommendations from friends or relatives who know reliable mortgage lenders. As a final step in the process, be sure to check the mortgage lender's credentials so you can be certain that your financial transactions will be secure and dependable. You really have to pay more attention on these things. After all, it's your money that's at stake if things will not go on smoothly. So, it would be better to be sure with your mortgage lender even if it means you're the one who is asking for favor. Strategies To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft Identity theft is a serious crime that is growing each year. If you're a victim of identity theft you may spend months, even years, trying to repair a ruined credit history. A seriously damaged credit report can compromise your chances of getting a new job, a bank loan, insurance or even rental housing. It's even possible to be arrested for a crime you didn't commit if someone else has used your identity to break the law. Unfortunately, many of the methods that thieves use to steal identities are beyond your control to guard against. Although it's rare, even store clerks have been known to use their position to pass along information to identity thieves. There are some measures you can take, however, that will make it harder for a thief to steal your identity. Protect Your Credit Card Number When Making Purchases After you make a purchase and your credit or debit card has been swiped through a credit card terminal, check to make sure that the printed receipt hides all but the last 4 digits of your credit card account number (usually there will be Xs in place of the first 12 digits). Some terminals still print receipts that show all 16 digits of an account number, and may even include the expiration date as well. After your card is swiped, you're permitted by law to hide the first 12 digits of your account number on the copy of the receipt that the vendor keeps. Use any marking pen that will do the job. When you go to a restaurant, it's especially important to make sure that the first 12 digits of your credit card number are hidden on your receipt. You might be in the habit of signing it and then leaving the restaurant's copy on the table after your meal. An identity thief can easily steal the signed receipt before the waitperson comes back around to pick it up from the table. Don't take any chances. Do You Really Need To Give Your Social Security Number? Another important way that you can guard against identity theft is to avoid giving out your social security number unless it's absolutely required. Although you need to share your social security number when you apply for credit or for a bank account, sometimes a store or an organization will want to use it as an ID number, simply to identify you within their system. This is a common practice even though the law says that social security numbers aren't to be used as ID numbers. In these situations, use your judgment. There's usually an alternative if you ask. Destroy Documents That Contain Sensitive Personal Information Buy a paper shredder and use it to destroy documents you're throwing away which contain personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and dates of birth. This is important to do both at home and at work. Identity thieves aren't above going through someone's trash to find valuable personal information that can help them obtain credit in your name. If The Worst Happens If you do become a victim of identity theft, take the following steps immediately: * Contact your credit card companies, close your accounts and ask to have new cards issued to you. * Place a fraud alert on your file with any one of the three major credit bureaus. The other two will be notified automatically. * File a police report. You may need it to show to creditors as proof of the crime. * File a complaint with the FTC, which maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for their investigations. Practicing Realistic Spending Get out of debt and stay out of debt, are words to live by for Editor Lisa Laskey and her family. "By the time I met the man who would become my future husband, I was in more debt than I could handle. After a few years together, my husband's thrifty ways and his parent's great financial modeling helped me learn the importance of living within our means and not planning to pay it off "next month." This may sound unexciting and not spontaneous to some, but it has gotten us through many lean years and insures that we will enjoy the extra income of the non-so-lean years."