Randall Blaum's Blog

Are Credit Card Companies Dealing in Debt?

Face it, we've all been had.  You owe for your house, food, the car, and who knows what else and now you are being asked to pony up over $2300 per person just to bail out liars, cheaters, swindlers, and outright economic traitors.  Welcome to the new America.  Will the last real American turn off the lights and take the flag when you leave?

I know this sounds harsh, but it needs to be.  For years I have been writing and speaking about debt and what it is doing to our country and our own sovereignty.  Now we have to all pay to get back what we had, financial freedom.  Yes, we need the bailout.  Yes it sucks.  Yes it should never have happened.  Having now done my "soapbox" speech, this is also a time to learn and teach others about how NOT to do something (oh, like balancing a budget, not spending more than you have, etc.)

I was on www.abcnews.com this morning and found an article that I am asking you to read.  It so totally ticked me off  to see that people are still being taken advantage of by the credit card companies and it reminded me of why I directed the film, UR Pre-Approved (www.urpreapproved.com) about credit card debt and how to get out of it.  Please, please read the article on ABC News.com and then check your own experience with your credit card issuer and see if you've been played like a fool, too.

The link is: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/PersonalFinance/Story?id=5869126&page=1

Be well and I am yours in financial freedom,

Randall

VISA and MasterCard Telephone Scam Can Happen To YOU!

This is an alert for you to know about a new scam (It happened to people in my extended family) that is sweeping the USA. It is one of the slickest scams I have ever heard of because the scammer provides YOU with all the information, so it sounds very, very legitimate.

Here's how it works...

Your phone at home rings and the caller begins by saying, "This is (name) and I'm calling from the security and fraud department of VISA (or MasterCard). My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA (or MC) which was issued by (name of your bank). Did you purchase an anti-telemarketing device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona?"

When you say, "No," the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297- $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement the credit will be sent to (gives you YOUR address), is that correct?"

You say, "Yes." The caller continues... "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800 number on the back of your card and ask for security. You will need to refer to this control number (gives you a six-digit number). Do you need me to read that to you again?"

HERE'S THE CRITICAL PART OF HOW THIS SCAM WORKS: The caller then says, "I need to verify that you are in possession of your card." They'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are seven numbers; the first four are part of your card number, the next three are the security numbers you sometimes use to make internet purchases and prove that you are actually in possession of the card. The caller will ask you to read the last three numbers to them. After you tell the caller the three numbers (also called a vcode) they'll say, "That's correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and says, "Don't hesitate to call back if you have any questions," and hangs up.

During the scam you actually say very little and they will never ask for your card number or address (they already have it). The extended family member this happened to called VISA back because they did have a question and that's when they found out that they were the victims of the scam and had a $497 charge on their VISA bill made just minutes before.

WARNING: NEVER GIVE YOUR THREE-DIGIT CODE TO ANYONE FOR ANY REASON UNLESS YOU KNOW PROOF POSITIVE THAT THEY ARE LEGIT.

Be well, be safe, and I am yours in financial success,
Randall

0% Beef - 100% Big Mac? I Don't Think So...

I was at McDonald's last night (Only had an ice tea) and a friend of mine ordered a Big Mac, even though she can't eat right now (it's a long story).   Any way, take a look at the photo here and you tell me what you see...

0% Beef.     0% Original.     100% Big Mac. 

I know they only placed a sticker over the box label, but this is indicative of how people think these days.  They just don't care.  I know this to be true in my experience even last night at McDonald's.  How do I know this.  Here goes...
1.  The service personnel barely spoke english
2.  After taking my order the guy turned around and left
3.  The next person who came up totally ignored me
4.  When I got the manager and told her I was being being totally ignored by her staff, she, too ignored me.  What a night and all I wanted was an iced tea.

It's been a while since I was in a McDonald's and I assure you it will be an even longer time (maybe never).  Service is dead.  You know it, I know it, and we all know there's nothing we can do about it.  Okay, let's suppose that's true.  Now what?

No matter what is going on in the world, you still have control over your actions, your thoughts, and your emotions.  If this is the case, and it is, what do you do.  Let's take a look at the McDonald's example from above.  What were my choices....

1.  Get my money back, get ticked off, leave?
2.  Take a photo of the Big Mac box and post it on this blog
3.  Do Nothing

There are probably a hundred other things I could do, but as you now know, I choose the second option.  I have also chosen to not go to McDonald's again.  With that one choice I have impacted the hundreds of thousands of people who read my blog and I have made the choice not to ever put myself in that situation again.  It's my life.  It's my responsibility.  No two ways around it.  The same goes for you.

If you are ever in a situation that you do not like, that "goes against the grain," or is just plain wrong, get out of it and then make sure you understand how you got into it in the first place.  What decisions did you make to put yourself there and what can you do in the future to not experience that situation again.

I could go on here, but I think I have made my point.  Take responsibility for your own actions and decisions and then be prepared to take additional action when the need arises.   

Namaste,

Randall

Credit Card Humor - You Gotta Keep Smiling

This is a clip from Mad TV and they are doing a parody of the Free Credit Report.com commercial.  WARNING:  There is a some adult language in this clip, so please do not share it with anyone under the age of 16.  Even with that, it brings home a good point and it's funny.  So here is Mad TV...