Scam Proofing Your Life

Last year an AARP book by Sid Kirchheimer, author of the AARP Bulletin “Scam Alert” hit the stands in paperback and, to all accounts, met with instant success. “Scam Proof Your Life: 377 Smart Ways To Protect You & Your Family From Ripoffs, Bogus Deals & Other Consumer Headaches” is overflowing with tips covering everything from medical care to mortgages and from credit cards to travel. If you want to stop telemarketers, combat identity theft, or determine the best time to buy a new car, this book may be for you.

Interested readers can check www.amazon.com for more background or to place an order. For those who would like only a summary, here are some tips.

Buying A Car. The best time to buy a new car according to a Dodge Dealership near me is the last weekend of the month – either the first thing Saturday morning or just before the dealership closes on Sunday. The time to buy, he noted, is not the same as the time to shop. Shopping should take place in advance but, at the end of the month, quotas need to be met. Some dealerships offer special bonuses for the first sale on Saturday at the end of the month. On Sunday, there is another push to close. As to used cars, Kirchheimer recommends that prospective buyers not even consider purchase until they first obtain a Carfax report that traces the history of the vehicle through its VIN, Vehicle Identification Number. Check with the dealer or  www.carfax.com.

Some of the author’s recommendations to spot a “lemon” are almost humorous. When meeting with a private seller, you should inspect the car first thing in the morning and arrive at least 15 minutes early to avoid “prepping” the car to hide problems. A friend should stand off to the side when you start the car to check the tailpipe for types of smoke. Other useful recommendations to detect noise and wear follow this line of thought.

Buying and Selling Homes. With current problems in real estate, any advice especially for sellers is welcome news. Before buyers shop for mortgage rates, Kirchheimer advises they should obtain their FICO score. The higher the FICO score, the more likely that the buyer will obtain a suitable mortgage rate. FICO scores run from 300 to 850 and are intended to demonstrate creditworthiness based on history. A score over 750 is considered “Grade A”. Scores in the 600’s and early 700’s are acceptable for borrowing. To learn your FICO score, check www.myfico.com. There is a charge.

For sellers, Kirchheimer includes in his suggestions “Renovate to stay, not to sell” and “get the right recommendations” for contractors. He also provides benchmarks as to when may be the right time to lower the price.

Medications. Medication errors and unforeseen complications from taking the right drug result in thousands of deaths a year. Kirchheimer summarizes common medical abbreviations that can cause confusion and also recommends that patients keep a record of all medications they take – especially when they are hospitalized when mixups and new drugs are more likely. He also suggests that questions be asked. Here are some. “What is the medicine for? What specifically does it do? What is its brand name? Its generic name? What is the drug’s expected result? When should that occur?  Are there alternative drugs to this choice? If so, why prescribe this one? When should I take it? Does ‘four doses daily’ mean taking it every six hours, or four times during waking hours? How should I take it? For how long? What should I do if I miss a dose? What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur? What does this drug interact with? What food, drink, or activities should I avoid—and when? Does light, heat, or humidity affect its safety? If so, how should I store it?”

I might add that adult children and caregivers should keep this information for those persons too ill or disabled to do it themselves and that knowledge of drug interactions, especially for seniors who may be taking a dozen or more medications at the same time may be critical.

Common Scams. Kirchheimer cites a “Dirty Dozen” of common scams including the pitch “You are guaranteed a loan but must pay an up-front fee.” Another is the phony charity with telephone solicitors who ask for social security and credit card numbers. “Work at home ‘opportunities’” are another source of difficulty.  In short, the buyer must still beware. This book should help.

About the Author Janet Colliton

Esquire, Colliton Law Associates, P.C. Janet Colliton has practiced law for over 38 years, 37 of them in Chester County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Her practice, Colliton Law Associates, PC, is limited to elder law, Medicaid, including advice, applications and appeals, and other benefits planning including Veterans benefits, life care and special needs planning, guardianships, retirement, and estate planning and administration.

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