How to Fight Back Against Identity Theft

Christine Taylor
-
0
How to Fight Back Against Identity Theft

If you’ve become the victim of identity theft, you should review your credit report for fraudulent activity and inform your card issuer as well as the respective authorities. Do not bide your time because every second counts. The main credit bureaus nationwide each provide a free credit report.  

Identity theft is on the rise, and neglecting the issue poses not insignificant threats to your financial status. CheckPeople can help you establish whether you’ve been the victim of identity fraud. 

According to this 2018 identity fraud study, just under 7% of U.S. adults fell victim to this type of theft in 2017. There were almost a million fewer victims one year earlier. 

Cybercriminals’ theft tactics are getting more sophisticated by the minute. Their schemes are becoming more complicated and harder to detect, making identity theft more challenging to prevent. It seems people should start taking identity theft more seriously. Here are some ways to fight back. 

Review Your Credit Report

Scan your report for unfamiliar transactions. Members of Experian CreditWorks or Experian IdentityWorks can view their accounts easily and make any inquiries by phone or online. The other credit bureaus offer similar services. 

Place a Fraud Alert 

Your credit report needs a 90-day alert added to it. If you contact TransUnion, they’ll share the alert with Experian and Equifax and vice versa. This will prompt any creditors or lenders to get in touch with you before opening any additional accounts in your name, effectively preventing scammers from applying for loans or credit cards “on your behalf.” In some cases, it might be necessary to opt for a credit freeze. 

Contact the Watchdog Responsible 

This is the Federal Trade Commission. To report identity theft, file a report at IdentityTheft.org, the FTC’s dedicated identity theft website. The Commission will direct you to the best recovery resources, walk you through your report, and help you create a customized identity theft response plan to help you recover more quickly. 

This report makes it possible for you to prove you’ve suffered from identity theft by documenting it. It will also enable an extension of the alert by seven years. If you need to give anyone else proof of this theft or file a police report, it will help with that as well. You will be issued an identity theft affidavit after filing an identity theft report with the FTC. 

Damage Control 

You need to assess the damage carefully. After any form of identity fraud, the victim must list any personal data. This includes social security numbers, email addresses, and credit card numbers where applicable. You should keep the list as a digital file or on paper for creditors assisting you in an identity theft investigation and for accurate recordkeeping for the benefit of police and other law enforcement representatives. 

Report the Fraud to any Relevant Federal and State Agencies 

The agency you will need to notify depends on the type of identity theft. For example, you need to report Social Security fraud not only to the Federal Trade Commission, but also to the Social Security Administration. Your state’s DMV is to be contacted in cases of driver’s license fraud. Passport fraud must be reported to the Passport Services Department and the U.S. State Department. You need to notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service of mail theft and the IRS and FTC of tax fraud. 

Get in Touch with Financial Institutions and Creditors 

Let your bank and any existing lenders know if someone created a fraudulent account in your name. They will then be able to watch for any red flags signaling further cases of fraud. 

In the wake of a cybersecurity breach, review all your bank account documents. You need to keep doing so up to a few weeks after the event. It’s a good idea to use a credit monitoring service. Inspect your bank statements to make sure there are no further attempts to access your credit information. 

Don’t Underestimate Identity Theft 

An identity thief can use your personal data to apply for a loan in your name or to open a new credit account. This crime can wreak damage on your credit report, making it very difficult for you to get a loan or be approved for a credit card in the future. You may even be denied a job because of it. Reversing this damage can take months and cost tens of thousands of dollars. Fighting back is essential in order to protect your reputation. Having enough knowledge of privacy rights to deal with identity theft will also help you to know if you’re entitled to data breach compensation.

Governor Cooper Signs State-Wide Curfew For All Restaurants, Bars, and Venues

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Governor Cooper Signs State-Wide Curfew For All Restaurants, Bars, and Venues

NC Governor Roy Cooper has just signed a new executive order that implements a state-wide curfew in an attempt to further curb the dramatic rise in new Covid-19 cases across our state.

Executive Order 181, which goes into effect this coming Friday (12/11), requires all restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and personal care businesses throughout our state to close at 10 pm.

Over the past week, North Carolina’s case count has broken single-day records on three separate times, including over 6,000 cases per day twice. Just a month ago, cases were under 3,000 per day. In recent days, the percent of tests returning positive has increased to over 10%.

“We already have strong safety protocols and capacity limitations in place – including a statewide mask requirement. With this additional action beginning Friday, we hope to get these numbers down,” noted Cooper. “Our new modified Stay At Home order aims to limit gatherings and get people home where they are safer, especially during the holidays. It’s also a reminder that we must be vigilant the rest of the day – wearing a face mask when we are with people we don’t live with, keeping a safe distance from others and washing our hands a lot.”

You can watch Governor Cooper’s entire press conference here:

What do you think about the new executive order? 

New Data: Fewer Renters Looking to Move to Charlotte During Pandemic

Charlotte Stories
-
0
New Data: Fewer Renters Looking to Move to Charlotte During Pandemic
Apartment List just published their quarterly renter migration report, and found that many of the moves taking place during the pandemic may end up being temporary.
Their Q4 Migration report analyzes proprietary data from millions of user searches from July through November to determine where Americans are looking to make their next move. Compared to this time last year, there has been a 30% increase in the share of renters searching for leases of six months or less. The uptick in interest for short-term leases is driven by renters looking to leave expensive coastal metros, as well as those looking to move to mid-sized metros in scenic locales.
Key insights for Charlotte include:
  • 31.7% of those looking for a place to live in Charlotte are searching from outside the metro, compared to 32.5% at this time last year. The most common source of renters looking to move to Charlotte from elsewhere is New York, NY, followed by Columbia, SC and Raleigh, NC.

  • 21.5% of apartment hunters currently living in Charlotte are looking to move elsewhere, compared to 19.9% last year. Raleigh, NC is the most popular destination among these renters.
  • Among those looking to move to Charlotte from elsewhere, 13.7% are searching for a short-term lease, while 16.7% of renters looking to move away from Charlotte want a short-term lease.

Charlotte’s New $95 Million ‘The Line’ Tower Will Include High-End Food Hall and Brewery

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Charlotte’s New $95 Million ‘The Line’ Tower Will Include High-End Food Hall and Brewery

One of the nation’s leading commercial real estate developers is building South End’s new iconic tower.

Atlanta-based Portman Holdings announced this week that their massive $95.6 million 16-story mid-rise on the South End light rail line is now slated to open next year.

The new LEED-certified office and retail complex will be named ‘The Line‘ and will feature 15,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, including Sycamore Brewing and a ground-level food hall concept on the ground floor. The Line will also feature 9 floors of offices, a parking garage, and several rooftop terraces.

“Portman Holdings is pleased to be able to continue creating significant developments in Charlotte, and this time on the exciting Blue Line corridor which is among the most walkable transit-oriented, mixed-use neighborhoods in Charlotte,” noted Portman Holding’s CEO Ambrish Baisiwala.

What do you think about The Line? 

South Carolina Ranked As 2020’s #2 Most Vulnerable State to Identity Theft & Fraud

Charlotte Stories
-
0
South Carolina Ranked As 2020’s #2 Most Vulnerable State to Identity Theft & Fraud

With businesses such as Marriott and Nintendo experiencing data breaches this year but the number of breaches down from 2019, the free credit-monitoring website WalletHub today released its report on 2020’s States Most Vulnerable to Identity Theft & Fraud.

To determine where Americans are most susceptible to such crimes, the site compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 14 key metrics. The data set ranges from identity-theft complaints per capita to the average loss amount due to fraud.

South Carolina ranked as the #2 worst state in American for identity theft and fraud and North Carolina ranked #14.

States With the Most Identity Theft & Fraud

Overall Rank*  State Total Score  ‘Identity Theft’ Rank  ‘Fraud’ Rank  ‘Policy’ Rank 
1 Florida 72.33 1 8 32
2 South Carolina 70.43 2 15 16
3 Delaware 70.02 15 1 32
4 Nevada 67.15 13 2 22
5 New Jersey 65.34 6 23 3
6 California 65.02 5 19 41
7 New York 65.00 9 5 41
8 Georgia 63.17 4 30 41
9 Arkansas 60.77 3 47 48
10 District of Columbia 60.64 22 4 1
11 Pennsylvania 60.02 12 22 3
12 Maryland 59.15 11 16 37
13 Utah 58.84 10 21 41
14 North Carolina 58.66 14 17 14
15 Louisiana 57.60 7 48 41
16 Texas 57.57 8 44 41
17 Nebraska 57.42 21 13 3
18 Mississippi 56.76 16 26 3
19 Alabama 56.25 19 25 16
20 Iowa 53.00 17 32 37
21 Tennessee 52.55 20 35 22
22 Illinois 52.14 18 33 48
23 Massachusetts 51.93 23 36 3
24 South Dakota 51.20 27 20 3
25 Minnesota 50.99 31 6 16
26 Virginia 50.32 26 12 51
27 Oregon 50.13 44 3 37
28 Missouri 49.88 25 34 3
29 Ohio 48.76 24 45 16
30 Vermont 48.32 37 10 22
31 Arizona 47.40 28 18 48
32 Colorado 46.89 40 11 22
33 Hawaii 46.30 33 24 28
34 Wisconsin 45.60 35 28 14
35 Washington 45.05 39 14 37
36 Connecticut 44.37 32 29 32
37 Indiana 43.70 29 40 32
38 Rhode Island 43.65 30 38 32
39 Oklahoma 41.93 34 50 16
40 North Dakota 41.76 51 7 3
41 New Hampshire 41.55 49 9 16
42 Montana 41.49 36 37 41
43 West Virginia 40.77 41 46 1
44 Maine 40.52 47 27 3
45 New Mexico 39.06 43 39 22
46 Alaska 38.81 46 31 28
47 Kentucky 38.69 42 41 22
48 Idaho 37.72 48 42 3
49 Kansas 36.94 45 43 28
50 Michigan 36.62 38 51 28
51 Wyoming 34.73 50 49 3

*No. 1 = Most Vulnerable

Eastern NC BBQ Officially Ruled Healthier Than Western NC BBQ

Steve
-
0
Eastern NC BBQ Officially Ruled Healthier Than Western NC BBQ

While the debate rages on in regards to the best tasting type of BBQ, some people also want to know, which style is the healthiest?

Insurance company Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina decided to run the numbers to determine if you should eat Eastern or Western Carolina bbq, if the taste wasn’t a factor.

They found that traditional Western Carolina sauce uses more calories and fat than Eastern Carolina with the addition of butter and brown sugar, but they found there was an even bigger determining factor besides the sauces.

According to the report, the type of meat used in each bbq variety was the largest factor when it comes to health differences of the two classic recipes;

“Down east, the whole pig is used (“every part of the pig except the squeal”); white meat and dark meat. Lexington style features only the pork shoulder which is 100% dark meat- it’s rich, moist, and contains more fat than eastern style barbecue. That ramps up both the flavor and the calories — dark meat contains roughly 13% more calories from fat than white meat (66 calories per ounce vs 75 calories per ounce). If a plain pulled pork serving of 3oz is 198 calories, the same portion with dark meat would be 225 calories. Sadly, that tips the scales in the favor of Eastern BBQ considerably.

If you’re planning the type of barbecue you eat around your health, then we recommend eastern style barbecue. The lighter sauce mix and the addition of white meat is better for your overall heart and cholesterol health.”

Western bbq, however, is still slightly healthier than South Carolina’s traditional mustard-based bbq, since their traditional recipe still calls for the whole pig to be used, while adding honey, brown sugar, and mustard to their sauce – a result of the region’s German heritage;

What’s your favorite type of Carolina BBQ? 

Can CBD Help You Fall Asleep at Night?

Roddy B
-
0
Can CBD Help You Fall Asleep at Night?

America is facing a number of growing health conditions these days, but many people forget that insomnia is one of the most common. The fact is that far too many American adults do not get enough sleep at night. Whether that’s due to having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, insomnia is a problem that’s only getting worse. 

When people do not get enough sleep, they end up feeling anxious, groggy, and irritable the next day. Lack of sleep can even cause headaches. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to address sleep issues, even when they seem like such a common problem. In fact, sleeplessness is a widespread health problem that we must address simple because it has grown into such a common issue.

Sleep is a very personal thing, and lack of sleep can be caused by a range of associated health issues. We address sleeplessness individually on a case-by-case basis, because everybody is unique. 

First, it is important to take a closer look at one’s personal sleep hygiene. It is vital to understand that there are inadvertent mistakes that people make that might prevent them from being able to fall asleep at night. For example, many people have a habit of watching TV or flipping through their smart phones before bed. What they might not realize is that screens emit blue light. Studies prove that blue light stimulates the brain, resulting in people having difficulty falling asleep. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid blue light and screens before bedtime.

Another common mistake that people make with respect to their sleep habits involves caffeine. When people wake up feeling tired, they may reach for a cup of coffee to help them feel more energized. This habit may result in a second, third, or even fourth cup of coffee that are being consumed until late in the afternoon. However, caffeine – especially when ingested later during the day – may lead to keeping its consumer awake when they attempt to fall asleep at night. 

For that reason, one should avoid caffeine in the afternoon. Adopting this new caffeine-free afternoon routine can help people fall asleep more easily. For people struggling to sleep, making simple changes like eliminating afternoon caffeine consumption is a small price to pay for a good night’s sleep.

Another option that could be helpful for individuals who are having trouble falling asleep involves natural supplements like CBD capsules.* Throughout the past few years, a lot of research has been done regarding CBD. This is due to society’s changing perception of CBD, which allows for new research into the plant-based compound. 

Rather than depending on unhealthy sleep aids with serious potential side effects, CBD has emerged as a reasonable alternative to try. Studies show that CBD not only helps people fall asleep but also enables them to stay asleep. This leaves them feeling refreshed and recovered in the morning. Anyone interested in learning more about CBD with regard to sleeping problems should schedule an appointment with their doctor or other healthcare professional.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Is online bingo better than visiting a bingo hall?

Shane Potter
-
0
Is online bingo better than visiting a bingo hall?

When people think of gambling, it is rare for someone in this day and age to describe a casino lined with slot machines, or wings dedicated to table games. It would no longer be described by the hum of people standing around a roulette table. Gambling these days is characterized by the various games available on online casinos, which site has more and which pays the most. Through the advancements in technology every game that is available in physical casinos is now available online. All of these games have undergone improvements and are made by the best online casino game developers. Amongst these games is a game that has been around since the 16th century: bingo. The game itself and all the rules are very much the same, but it is now available online, with hundreds of new bingo sites appearing each year. It offers many benefits that could make it considerably better than visiting a bingo hall.

Automated process

In a physical game of bingo, a caller would call out numbers that are randomly drawn and participants would dab out those numbers. This requires you to be constantly looking down at your bingo card and back up to the caller. However, with online bingo, this is no longer necessary as the process is automated, so any numbers you have will be dabbed for you. In addition to this, some sites allow you to pre-purchase tickets, so even if you don’t attend the game/s, or if you haven’t been on the site for a while, your winnings will be kept for you as the game continues with or without you. You are also not limited to only one ticket, and most sites allow you to purchase up to 100. This is perfect for those who are really busy, or if some situations require attention, because it means you will never miss a game. 

Bonuses offered by online casinos

Almost every online casino in the world offers welcome bonuses to new players. These bonuses can take the form of free spins for slot games or free money to be used on the site. These bonuses are also offered on sites specifically dedicated to playing bingo. This means that you are able to begin playing without using your own money to purchase tickets, and gives new players an opportunity to learn the game as well as allowing them to decide if they like it. The other benefit of this is that if you are playing on an online casino, you can use the free money to try out other games too, without only limiting yourself to bingo. These bonuses apply to the many kinds of bingo games available such as 30 ball, 80 ball, American or European bingo. 

Can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere

When playing bingo at a bingo hall, you would most likely need to have some knowledge of how the game works before playing. When playing online, this is not the case. Since the process is automated and once the ticket is bought, the game will basically play itself and you will observe. This means that anyone can play the game, even if they haven’t before. Additionally, bingo can be played from the comfort of your own home at any time, meaning that you no longer need to wait for bingo halls to open. It can even be played on your smartphone or tablet which allows you to play on the go, whether it be a quick game while waiting for food at a restaurant or on the bus.  

Playing bingo online has never been easier with benefits such as never having to look at your card, since the sites software automatically dabs the numbers which are called out. You will also never miss another game if you have pre-purchased tickets, as the game continues with or without you, and you will receive your winnings the next time you visit the site. Online casino or bingo site welcome bonuses provide you with an opportunity to begin playing without using your own money, which is perfect if you are new to the game and want to see if it is for you. You are also able to play anywhere at any time using your laptop or smartphone, which allows you to play while on the go.

ArtPop Street Gallery Charlotte Announces Class of 2021 Artists

Charlotte Stories
-
0
ArtPop Street Gallery Charlotte Announces Class of 2021 Artists

ArtPop Street Gallery, a 501(c)(3) organization that gives communities across the country greater access to art, has announced its class of 2021 artists which can be found here. The 20 artists, which include 19 adults and one Senior high school student, represent diverse backgrounds, art expressions, and home communities across the greater Charlotte area.

“We are thrilled to welcome another incredibly talented class into the #ArtPopCLT program,” said Wendy Hickey, Founder and Executive Director of ArtPop Street Gallery. “Now, more than ever, people are turning to the arts during these unprecedented times and we are honored to continue coloring the city with local artwork. None of this would be possible without the generous support of the community, donors and our partners.”

ArtPop Charlotte’s class of 2021 now makes 147 artists who have been juried into #ArtPopCLT since 2014 and includes three 2017 #ArtPopCLT alumnae. The three returning artists are Joanna Henry, Caroline Rust and Kenny Nguyen. Gaston Day School senior, Katherine Heilig, joins the #ArtPopCLT class of 2021 where her artwork will be displayed across the city and she will receive a modest scholarship to pursue an arts degree in college. The class of 2021’s artwork covers a wide range of mediums and subject matters, adding up to a truly diverse and exceptionally talented class.

In addition to the $3.3 million in advertising space, each artist is provided the opportunity to attend Artists U. Artists U is an incubator for changing the working conditions of artists, teaching basic business best practices for artists.

The exhibits are provided through the generosity of Adam Outdoor Advertising, Center City Partners and Awedience Media. The artwork will be displayed on billboards that span across Charlotte area highways, newsstands in Uptown Charlotte and mixed-use development digital displays as wells as digital displays at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

NC Once Again Tops Single-Day Record For New Covid Cases

Charlotte Stories
-
0
NC Once Again Tops Single-Day Record For New Covid Cases

North Carolina has yet again topped its own record for new Covid-19 cases in a single day.

Yesterday, NC Officials reported a total of 6,438 new cases (the second day in a row new cases topped 6,000).

Governor Cooper said that if things don’t slow down, new restrictions could be put in place.

In addition to new cases, the number of North Carolinians undergoing treatment in the hospital also continues to rise:

What else do you think should be done to slow the spread?

1...792793794...1,315Page 793 of 1,315