SIX BENEFITS OF EARNING A DEGREE ONLINE

Education

Online education, another name for distance learning. The culture of using technology for learning was introduced decades ago that eventually transformed the entire methodology of education. Traditional classrooms dramatically shifted to online classes and e-lectures. E-books and e-journals have replaced books. Technological advancement blessed the education system with the concept of online education that is now a basic need of the students. Since the advent of online degree programs, demand has been increasing.  If we talk about the statistics, a global survey claims that more than six million students take online courses. Surprisingly, another survey validates the claim that more than three million students enrolled in online degree programs in 2018. In this discussion, we will be advocating some of the value-added benefits of choosing online degree programs over the traditional education system. 

1. Global Accreditation Of The Institute: 

Global recognition and accreditation are one of the essential key factor students look upon when they are selecting the institute to continue their education. One of the most significant differences between online degree programs and conventional degree programs is the level of accreditation. Even though conventional institutes are recognized, but the local authorities mostly recognize them. In contrast, the institutes that offer online degree programs have the affiliation of the global authorities that becomes a value-added benefit. This worldwide recognition and accreditation improves the weightage of the degree earned and eventually helps the student to prosper more rapidly. It is often seen that the resumes are rejected based on non-accredited degree programs. Considering the example of an MBA (Masters in Business Administration) accreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is deemed to be the most authentic and significant accreditation. 

2. Networking Opportunities And Exposure:

Generally, on-campus degree programs offer several local conferences to expose their students to innovation. The notable difference here is that apart from regional meetings and networking opportunities, it is the right of the student to know and understand the global perspective. Online bachelor’s degree programs overrule this aspect as the students are not only exposed to local seminars and conferences; they also have the opportunity to do networking on an international level. Students enrolled in online degree programs have access to international academic events that enrich their careers. Somehow, the conventional education system slightly offers a lower number of opportunities to students, which reduces the chances of professional and personal growth. Institute offering online degree programs also bless their students with access to globally available digital libraries, which help them to access e-books and research journals that enhance learning opportunities.

3. Quality Of Education And Faculty: 

When we talk about online degree programs, people have a misconception that online classes and modules are conducted by using e-lectures only. Answer to the myth is that online degree programs are also conducted under the supervision of highly qualified professors and associate professors similar to an on-campus class. Many of the professors taking classes in conventional institutes offer online degree programs, which eventually becomes a strong point to defend online degree programs. The presentable advantage here is the quality of education delivered by the professor. The conventional setting has a certain number of students, which means the teacher cannot focus on every student. Still, a digital platform individual attention can be given, that enhances the quality of education. Another impact of creating an advantage is the availability of recorded lectures. If you miss out on any concept or a theory, you can simply play the recording of the lecture and understand the concept. It is as simple as you are watching an academic tutorial, which can be replayed as many times as you want. 

4. Money Matters: 

It has been observed that education on digital platforms is way more cost-effective than on-campus education. Expenses that have to be done on commute, books, hostel, and other institutional affairs can be saved as the online programs offer a wide range of low-cost options. This cost-saving approach is planted with the ideology of saving time of the student that he has to spend earning for completing education. Scholarships are offered to students to encourage participation in such programs that helps to reduce the overall cost of tuition. Hence, another value-added benefit of earning an online degree is a cost-effective education. 

5. Flexible Scheduling And Self Paced Education: 

Among several advantages, this is the best part of online learning. Whenever you enroll in the bachelor’s program, there are multiple time options from which you can pick and choose according to your feasibility. Whatever time slot suits you, you can get yourself enrolled. It is not like the conventional on-campus education that you have to attend class at the same time every week. It is more likely to be self-paced that helps the student to grab knowledge and information with ease. Being a morning person gives you the option to study in the morning before your work hours. If you are more comfortable studying at night, lectures and recordings are available online that can be accessed on the convenient time slots. 

6. Professional Growth And Online Education: 

It is a pretty common thing that on-campus classes consume most of your time. A full-time job is not possible if you are enrolled in a regular degree program. However, either you have to lose your job, or your education will be hampered. On the other hand, online degree programs push your professional career without hampering your job and professional life. Hence, professional growth and education are possible simultaneously only if you are convinced to get enrolled in an online education system. 

Conclusion: 

Apart from these benefits, there is a whole list of advantages that are sufficient enough to convince students to choose online degrees over on-campus education. But if you are confused about whether an online bachelor’s or master’s degree is good for you or not, then you can evaluate your surrounding issues like working hours, family time, and others. Students looking forward to international standard education can equip themselves with the globally accredited degrees. As a concluding point, students enrolled in online degree programs complete not only their coursework but also gain global experience.  

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These Coronavirus Short Term Rentals Guidelines are Important for Health Workers

Home Repair

A mere six months ago no one could have anticipated what a small virus outbreak in Wuhan China would do to the world. During that time we have seen the virus spread to every nation, cause hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions have contracted it and gotten ill.

The coronavirus has proven to be very communicable and deadly. These two factors have caused economies on every continent to shut down some or all of their activities leading to a worldwide recession and predictions of economic calamity for an extended period of time.

Countries around the world have had to move resources wherever there are virus hotspots in their countries, causing health workers and other first line responders to have to pack up and move out of their home cities. When they move to these hot zones they must have accommodations that fit their specific needs based on key guidelines. 

For the majority of those healthcare workers who respond to the coronavirus short term rentals are the best option for accommodations. But these rentals must meet a strict criteria for protecting the health and wellbeing of the healthcare workers.

How to Select the Ideal Accommodations for Short Terms Stays During the Coronavirus Outbreak

If you are in need of accommodations while working in the New York area as a health worker during the coronavirus outbreak, you should select quality corporate housing like SoBeNY. They have facilities that meet the highest standards for comfort, security and safety. Their corporate housing is ideal and provides a relaxing and clean space for you to come back to after long shifts in stressful conditions. Additionally, their housing adheres to and even exceeds the guidelines set by the CDC and WHO for businesses operating during the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working closely with governments and businesses to ensure that standardized guidelines and procedures are enforced by any businesses who are serving customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The guidelines include standards for hygiene and the procedures detail how companies like short-term rentals should treat their customers and their premises. Some of the standards and procedures include:

  • All businesses providing accommodations must conduct top-to-bottom cleaning and disinfecting of all of our properties using Tier 1 antimicrobial and antiviral products.
  • All businesses providing accommodations must conduct continual training of staff members in enhanced novel coronavirus awareness.
  • All businesses providing accommodations must ensure all of our staff members are practicing frequent proper hand washing guidelines.
  • All businesses providing accommodations must also provide the necessary resources for our staff to practice social distancing, including facilitating work-from-home measures where feasible.

Additionally the best short term rental accommodations like SoBeNY enhance and maintain their ventilation systems within all of their properties to ensure optimal airflow. Good airflow will cause clean air to be circulated and minimize transmission of the coronavirus.

If you are a health worker in need of short term accommodations in the New York area, select a company that takes your health, safety and care seriously. 

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How Sage EDI Can Help Your Business

Freedom Channel

You may be using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) within your business already but there is an option for you to integrate it with Sage?  Sage EDI is already very well known I the industry and it can bring many benefits if you were to choose to introduce it into your company. Sage Edi is and can contribute hugely to the success of your business but first you may want to take the time to understand exactly what it is.

 Electronic Data Interchange integration with Sage allows for automation and exchange of business documents between companies in an electronic format. It will allow for all information to be available to your employees across all departments and it replaces traditional paper forms and email exchanges of documents by integrating your accounts software. By doing this it speeds up the ordering process and also reduces the margin for human errors or mistakes that could happen when doing things manually. EDI has been adapted by a wide range of large companies, they use EDI as part of their terms of trading and when they deal with their suppliers, they require that they too are EDI compliant. EDI is not restricted to retail businesses either, it can be adapted by various companies in the industry sectors, from high tech, automotive and financial companies. Many suppliers to the larger companies are smaller in comparison and they would use a sage account, this is why it is beneficial to your company to have a secure and reliable solution such as Sage EDI. 

For your business to continue to grow and develop you want to have margins for profitability, u;timately its profit that can expand the company. This is one of the many benefits to your business if you choose to integrate Sage with EDI, it will help with a substantial reduction in costs. This is due to the fact that by using electronic data there is no more need for storing papers, filing and postage. It also means that your company will run more efficiently so shipping charges and return costs for incorrect orders will be eliminated. It will also speed up business process and reduces transaction errors, these errors are usually made when data has to be re-keyed into another system but all data is contained on the same software. Your company will experience shortened delivery time with goods and lead times are also shortened with product delivery and enhancements. Accounts integration also helps on a strategic level because it offers real-time analysis of transactions and it can help corporate responsibility by reding your carbon footprint. Most importantly it can bring companies together and allow them to work more closely together. To be able to run and expand your business venture then you are left in no doubt that integrating Sage with Edi is the best step forward to help with expansion and growth of your business, to help with saving money and ultimately making things far easier for yourself and your employees. 

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Looking at Having a Liquid Facelift

Health & Fitness

A full surgical facelift is something that you may find very daunting and may not quite be ready to take the plunge. There is a non-surgical option that may be better for you, a Liquid Facelift. This is not heard of as much as a full facelift but it certainly comes with some great benefits, especially because it does not involve any surgery. 

A liquid facelift involves injecting dermal fillers into the skin to plump up the skin. The connective tissues in your skin break down as you age. You might also lose fat in your face, which can lead to your face looking gaunt. Many people feel that this makes them look older, and they look for a procedure that will reverse this effect. Fillers work by literally filling up space in the layers of the skin. This plumps it up to reduce the appearance of wrinkled and sagging skin. It differs from a surgical facelift in that it doesn’t involve cutting into the skin. The goal of a liquid facelift is to reduce sagging and wrinkles, this is more suitable for a person with few or smaller wrinkles, this is when it will have the best effect. If you have more obvious or deeper lines and want a more dramatic effect then it would be worth considering a surgical facelift. A Liquid Facelift can also plump up lips, reduce the hollow areas under your eyes, fill your cheeks if they look gaunt, tighten wrinkles around your lips, eyes, and forehead and reduce the appearance of scars.  

The Procedure for a Liquid Facelift

After you find a dermatologist who can do the procedure, you’ll talk to them about your desired results. They’ll examine your skin and face and talk to you about the procedure. At the beginning of the procedure, the doctor may provide a local anesthetic to numb the area that will be injected. They will then inject your face; the injections can sting a little. The injections usually take a few minutes each, and all of the injections can be done in one single session. The entire session usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes.

After a liquid facelift

You should be able to go back to work the next day. However, you might want to take a little time off if the bruising is bad. Your dermatologist will advise you on skincare after your fillers and they may advise you to ice your face immediately after the procedure to reduce swelling. You will probably be advised to avoid strenuous exercise for the next day and to avoid the sun and tanning beds. Unless your dermatologist advised you to massage your face, avoid touching the injected areas for at least three days. The results should be immediate, depending on the kind of filler used, the results last anywhere between 6 and 24 months. After this point, you might need to get more fillers to maintain your appearance. Speak to your dermatologist about how long your fillers will last, and when you’ll need to schedule another procedure.

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Reasons to Hire a Limousine Bus

Entertainment

Hiring a Limousine Bus is something that you might want to do when travelling or partying with a larger group of friends. There are many reasons why you want to hire a Limousine Bus, such as a hen or stag party, a birthday celebration, prom night or basically just any excuse to want to get together with your friends. 

When you want to do something a little bit different to make your evening extra special then there is no better way to do this than to enjoy an evening in the Limousine Bus. You will be able to decorate the bus for whatever occasion it is that you wish to celebrate, adding banners, balloons or any other items that will add to creating an amazing party atmosphere. As soon as your group of friends’ step foot on the Limousine Bus they will be ready to feel the party vibes.

 Using the Limousine Bus will mean that you will get to party in luxury, enjoy the music playing with plenty of space for every member of the party. You will be able to arrange for pick up and drop off points for each of your guests or collectively if you wish to be picked up from the same address. You just provide the details and you can be sure that your driver will do the rest and will leave your night hassle free so that you too can get fully involved in the party. Your driver will be very familiar with the roads and routes to any destination so you will arrive safely with a well planned out journey. When organizing a night out or celebration you can guarantee that one of your friends will always turn up late but by hiring a Limousine Bus there are no excuses to be late because the driver will be at your desired destination with plenty of time to spare and your whole group of friends will be together on the bus partying the night away.

Hiring a Limousine Bus for your party evening will always be made a night to remember, so much so that once you have experienced it you will probably want to organize more events just to have a reason to hire the Limousine Bus again. It is a great way of celebrating in style but sitting back and letting someone else do the work. All you would have to do is arrange the decorations and leave the rest to the driver. You may want to arrange a playlist for the party as the limousine bus comes with surround sound and flashing lights. A playlist with all your favorite songs, bringing back memories of your youth or growing up with your friends, all the songs that make you want to dance the night away. You would want to make the most of your experience by using the facilities that come with the Limousine Bus, it is an experience you will not forget in a hurry. 

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Looking For Tutors Near Me

Education

If schooling and learning is something that just isn’t enjoyable to you and you feel like you have the constant reminder of your all important SAT’s coming up, then a good option for you to consider would be to look for Tutors Near Me. You may wonder what a tutor can do for you that your current teacher can’t or maybe you really just don’t seem to have that desire to want to learn. Finding and working alongside a tutor could really change your attitude towards studying and learning and it could really help get you fully prepared for your SAT’s and looking at the options for your future. 

An important part of working with a tutor is that you are able to form and build a good rapport so that not only can you get the best out of your one to one time but also that your tutor can enjoy helping you to feel confident with your learning. Learning doesn’t seem to come naturally to everyone and sometimes you may feel that you are putting in lots of effort but it doesn’t seem to be making much difference when it comes to practice exams and you can’t quite reach that qualifying grade. Working with a tutor means that you will be outside of the classroom environment, you will be in a setting that you feel more comfortable and relaxed in and you will be free from noise and distractions that you would normally have in the classroom. Your tutor would also ensure that they challenge your abilities and provide tasks that are required to push you to reach your full potential. Don’t worry if at first it all seems a bit overwhelming, stick with it and try hard to put your full effort in and you can be sure that with the guidance from your tutor you will begin to take in and retain the needed learning and knowledge in preparation for your exams.

Your tutor will be sure to work alongside any areas of weakness and they will get to know the strengths that you have and need to use to overcome those weaknesses. Self-confidence can have a huge impact on performance during exams because the exam setting can be a very anxious time and all the learning you have done can get lost among all the thoughts and fears of sitting the exam. Your tutor will work with you to build the confidence that you need and they will be patient enough to work with you over and over again until you feel sure enough that you understand a subject or topic as much as possible. By repeating a particular topic or subject, it helps the tutor to see how much you have grasped what they have been teaching you. Be sure to make the most of your time that you are able to spend with your tutor because they aren’t able to sit the exam with you, they will just ensure that you are fully prepared.

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Menos Hiras – Should Liverpool be Awarded The League?

Sports

The Premier League season has been left in limbo since the global pandemic of CoVid-19 hit our shores and that has left a million questions up in the air as to what the league will do. Menos Hiras and I have been locked in deep debate about this for some weeks, and we have very differing opinions on both what should happen and indeed what will happen. Assuming that the league won’t finished and that the head honchos take the decision to write the season off and commence the 20/21 season straight away in August ( assuming this is possible), the question that would remain is whether or not Liverpool should be given the league.

Let’s have a look at both sides of the argument.

The Case That They Should

Menos firmly believe that the Reds should be given the Premier League title based on the fact that they are simply so far ahead of everyone else. In fact there was actually a chance prior to the season being suspended that Liverpool could have won the league without even kicking another ball, should Man City have dropped points against West Ham. Menos reckons it is absurd for them not to be given the trophy, it may have been mathematically possible but the likelihood of anyone catching Liverpool was out of this world.

The Case That They Shouldn’t

I honestly don’t believe that Liverpool should be handed the trophy unless the season is finished. I take the point that the chances of Man City making up the 25 gap lead are absurdly high, although we could argue that gap is 22 points given that City have a game in hand, but as long as this is possible, we have to take it seriously, as improbable as it may be. I think if we are going to take a decision like this then we can’t consider the details around how far ahead Liverpool are, we have to think of this as a rule which may be applied in the future. Imagine Liverpool were just 1 point ahead and City had a game in hand which was against bottom of the table Norwich, would we still be assuming that the title should go to Liverpool? In this case there would be far more fans saying that the title most certainly should not be handed to the Reds.

For me I think the season has to be finished, by hook or by crook, failure to do so will have a lasting impact for years to come, not just on the Premier League but on the Football League as a whole. After all if you gave the title to Liverpool, you’d surely have to relegate the bottom 3, with seems harsh if they have a chance of staying up. Alternatively the idea of gifting Liverpool the title because they are 25 points clear and then choosing to not relegate teams, as many have suggested, would be a terrible plan if someone was 25 points behind at the bottom.

Finish the season properly and let’s move on.

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Harris Scott Kreichman – Conference Call Ideas For The Family

Entertainment

Given that much of the world is in lockdown right now over the CoVid-19 pandemic we have seen a huge rise in people using conference calling to stay in touch with family I was introduced to this by my colleague Harris Scott Kreichman who was kind enough to invite me to a chat with his family and it was a real hoot. Hopefully after all of this pandemic situation has passed us by we can still maintain this level of contact with our friends and family who we may may not live near, and here are some great ideas for what you can do during the chat.

Bingo

You don’t have to be in the same room as each other to play bingo and this makes for a really fun idea to play with the family. Online you can find ready made bingo cards as well as virtual bingo machines which will give you randomly numbered balls. All you need is someone with a little bit of humor about them to call out the numbers and then all people need to do is mark the numbers as they go, and shout nice and loud when that House comes in.

Pub Quiz

There is no reason why you can’t complete a pub quiz with the family as well, albeit without the pub! There are two ways in which you can do this, the first is that you have a dedicated quizmaster who asks the questions, alternatively you can ask each group or person to ask the questions. If you like you can think up the questions on your own, alternatively you can download them from the internet, where you will find an enormous range of quiz questions about a range of topics. Remember that if you are going to take it in turns to ask questions that you must ensure each round is worth the same points so that nobody is at a disadvantage.

Board Games

There are a whole host of board games which you can still play, despite the fact that you are not together with your family .Take a game such as Monopoly for example, all you need to do is have one person or group with the board and the money divided up, and then roll the dice for each member who will then decide on how to proceed. This requires quite a bit from the person with the board but it can still be a great deal of fun. You can also play some card games such as poker, which are ideal for this scenario. Naturally you are going to have to put your faith in the fact that everyone is honest and assuming that they are, you can have a g great time playing cards with the family.

Charades is also a great idea and a lot of fun!

Just because you aren’t together does not mean that you cannot enjoy a fun game with the family.

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How to keep your kids busy during lockdown?

Love

More than 120 countries across the world are facing lockdown, with over 1.25 billion children and youngsters staying at home. All pre-primary, primary and higher education institutions have closed down under the growing fear of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is indeed a troubling and stressful time for little ones. They have lost their regular routines and playtime, while parents are trying hard to manage the stress. As a parent, it can be tough to handle household chores, job responsibilities, and keep your children entertained. It is even more challenging to overcome the pressing urge to scream at their nagging demands. However, as adults, we have a firmer grasp on the ongoing situation and better stress-managing mechanisms. 

In fact, we can use this time to build our familial bonds and carve out amazing parent-child relationships. Earlier, you were dividing your time with your children between teachers, friends, and other activities. Now that you have all that time to yourself, think about using it productively. There are countless activities to keep your little ones busy and happy during the lockdown. 

We’ve compiled a list of fun activities that you will enjoy as much as your kids. 

Here, take a look:

Cooking

Cooking is not only an essential life-skill, but it is also a self-rewarding activity that inspires creativity. All children find the art of cooking and baking exciting, mainly because they are often distrusted to handle utensils. This activity will not only keep them busy, but it will allow them to discover their hidden talents and passions. 

You can set themes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and create elaborate meal plans. Your children will become your little helpers, and before you know it, you will be dividing your kitchen chores efficiently. Teach them how to put together their favorite recipes, such as Mac n Cheese, pizzas, pastas, and whatever else they love. 

Baking is even easier and indulgent. Who doesn’t like whipping cream and mixing decadent layers of chocolate? 

Online Resources

While older children are using technology to make up for their education loss by taking online high school classes, young ones can stay entertained by watching informative videos. The online realm is brimming with countless resources to educate your children in a fun and interactive manner. You can pick out online story-telling sessions and introduce them to amazing classics, narrated by captivating readers. 

You can improve their knowledge of geography and history, and even introduce them to the fascinating subject of world affairs. Online resources include a wide array of topics and materials, and you can download comprehensive lesson plans, books, and much more. 

Arts & Crafts

Arts and crafts are the most remarkable way to get your child gleaming with excitement and joy. Kids adore all activities that involve paints and crafts. It is an ideal activity to keep them busy and immersed in creativity. You can indulge in painting with watercolors, or order some coloring books and let them color their hearts out. 

You can also download coloring pages and art guides online and introduce new activities each day. You can hold a mini science exhibition at home and help them create volcanos and solar systems. It is a fabulous idea to get artsy and sneak in some veiled educative strategies. The objective is to let them channel their inner artist and get creative. Besides, art is a wonderful strategy to bust off stress and anxiety and release happy hormones. 

Create a Den 

Children crave their own space and personalization much more than adults. It gives them a sense of self-confidence, boosts their self-esteem, and allows them to develop strength. You can help your child carve out some space and create a den. 

Now, this den can be as creative as you want it to be. It can be a little space marked with cardboard, or you can put together a makeshift shed. You can even create a fortress with pillows and floor cushions. If you are handy with wood and tools, making them a treehouse will be an absolutely lovely idea.

Once the den has been created, allow them to decorate their space and personalize their territory. Inspire them with ideas but let them take the lead in the decorations. This endeavor will keep them busy for days! 

Reading

The ongoing lockdown is a great idea to encourage our kids to develop the mindful habit of reading. As a parent, you must not cajole kids into reading or scolding them for not reading. You can encourage through passive strategies that do not come out as outright commands. 

For instance, find out their tastes and reading habits and strategize accordingly. The first step is to supply them with books that meet their interests. Fantasy and classics are always a great idea, such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Matilda, and The Wimpy Kid.

Another remarkable thing that you can do as a parent is to create a cozy reading nook. You can start by demarcating space and giving it a comfortable appearance that radiates warmth. Set up some bookshelves and add their favorite books. You can always hang up some inspirational reading quotes that encourage the message by you having to say it. This reading nook will inspire them to curl up and read their favorite book. 

Conclusion:

There are countless other activities that can engage your kids during the lockdown. For instance, pebble art, gardening, dinner dates, treasure hunts, bug hunting, board games, LEGO challenges, and much more. 

However, as a parent, you need to keep yourself busy and immersed too. If you are stressed and worried, these negative emotions will surely reflect on your children. It can be difficult not to lose your cool when the kids are overly demanding, while you’re occupied with house chores. We would recommend that instead of focusing too much on cleaning, cooking, and perfection, you should indulge with your kids. Show them all your favorite childhood movies and relive your childhood through your little ones.

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What We Can Learn from National Consumer Protection Week

Business Freedom Channel

Did you know there’s a National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) every year? In 2020, it took place during the first week in March. If you missed it, don’t sweat it. The great thing about this event — powered by the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general offices and community partner organizations — is its principles hold true year round.

As the FTC writes, “NCPW is a time to help people understand their consumer rights and make well-informed decisions about their money.”

We can all benefit from brushing up on our knowledge on topics like dealing with debt collectors, avoiding financial scams and bouncing back from identity theft.

Debt Collection: Know Your Rights

Many Americans will fall behind on a debt repayment at some point, so it’s crucial to know your rights when it comes to dealing with debt collectors. If a number pops up on your screen that’s almost certainly a debt collector, what should you do?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises taking these steps:

  • Find out who you’re talking to, the name/address/phone number of the collection agency and the name of the original creditor.
  • Ask the debt collector for the amount owed, the name of the creditor and how you can dispute or verify the debt as your own.
  • Request a formal written verification of the debt before agreeing to pay.
  • Keep records of all communications you have with collectors.

It’s also important to remember debt collectors must follow certain rules when communicating. They cannot harass you, use profanity, make false threats of harm or call you early in the morning or late in the evening.

Avoiding Common Financial Scams

Another pillar of protection is avoiding common financial swindles such as:

  • IRS scams: A fraudster will impersonate an IRS representative, claiming you owe back taxes and threatening to take immediate action if you don’t pay.
  • Bank scams: A scammer will email you and ask for your login information or pretend to be a bank representative calling for your account information.
  • Investing scams: Scammers encourage unsuspecting buyers to invest in certain falsely inflated stocks or operate a “Ponzi” scheme in which they use one client’s money to pay another client rather than actually investing the funds.
  • Credit card scams: A fraudster may call and say they’re a credit card representative investigating a suspicious charge, then ask you to verify your account information.
  • Debt relief scams: Scammers try to take advantage of consumers in debt by promising to eliminate their debts “for pennies on the dollar.” Keep in mind legitimate settlement companies like Freedom Debt Relief will never ask for any payments up front until after they’ve resolved debts; scammers often illegally charge fees right off the bat.

Scams come in all shapes and sizes, which is why it’s important to thoroughly vet every offer and every communication you receive about your finances. A little due diligence up front can spare you a major headache down the line.

What to Do About Identity Theft

Nobody thinks identity theft will happen to them — until it does. In 2018, 14.4 million people became the victims of identity fraud with a median loss of $375 per case.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, you’ll want to take actions like:

  • Freezing your credit
  • Placing a fraud alert on your credit reports
  • Strengthening the security on all your financial accounts
  • Filing a report with the FTC
  • Notifying the IRS
  • Monitoring your accounts for unauthorized activity

While National Consumer Protection Week is just one week per year, we can apply its core principles to protect our finances all year round.

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