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The new U.S. ¡§Credit CARD Act¡¨ gives consumers new rights and protections with their credit cards. It takes effect on February 22, 2010. Here are some of your new rights, and changes you can expect from credit card companies:
ƒò Limits on interest rate increases. Under the new Credit CARD Act: Credit card companies must give you 45 days¡¦ notice of any significant changes in your credit card terms. The interest rate on a new credit card cannot be increased in the first 12 months that you have the card. It is illegal for the card issuer to increase the interest rate retroactively unless you are 60 days late on a payment. If your interest rate (APR) is increased because of a late payment on your card, then, after 6 months of you paying on time, the APR must return to the prior lower rate. Companies no longer can raise your interest rate if you are late paying on another company¡¦s bill or payment.
ƒò More credit card billing information. Your monthly credit card bill will include information about how long it will take to pay off your balance if you only make the minimum payments. It will also state the amount you would need to pay each month in order to pay off your balance in three years. All bills must be sent to you at least 21 days before the due date. The bills also must have a phone number and Internet address with information on how you can make payments.
ƒò New protections for underage consumers. If you are under age 21, you must prove you are financially independent in order to open a credit card account, or you will need a co-signer who is over 21 and is willing to be liable for your debts. No more ¡§freebies¡¨ ¡V companies cannot offer ¡§free¡¨ items to students to get them to sign up for a card on or around campus, or at a college-sponsored event.
Manage your credit cards carefully to avoid expensive credit card debt. Pay on time and pay the full balance each month if possible. Most credit card companies will not impose a finance charge (except on cash advances) if you pay in full before the due-date on your bill. Avoid ¡§maxing-out¡¨ on cards or paying only the minimum amount due. Go to www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/wyntk/creditcardrules.htm for more information about credit card protections.
To file a complaint or get more information, contact the Iowa Attorney General¡¦s Consumer Protection Division, Hoover Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. Call 515-281- 5926, or call toll-free to 888-777-4590. The web site is www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov (click on "protecting consumers.")
Avoid Rapid Tax-Refund Loans - 2010-01-26
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A very costly way to gain just a few days on tax refunds
It’s tax season, and tax preparers may invite you to get a “Refund Anticipation Loan” or “RAL” – a loan borrowed against your expected tax refund. Such a loan may come a few days faster than a refund – but you pay extremely high fees to borrow your own money.
A “Refund Anticipation Loan” is a very short-term LOAN, arranged by a tax preparer and secured by your expected tax refund. You pay finance charges and tax-preparation fees. The loan is repaid when the IRS sends your full refund to the lending bank.
Refund anticipation loans are EXPENSIVE. According to a 2009 report by the Consumer Federation of America and the National Consumer Law Center, consumers paid over $833 million in loan fees on RALs in 2007. The average loan costs include a $34 to $130 loan fee and administrative or application fees that can range from $25 to hundreds of dollars. With all costs and fees, the APR (annual percentage rate) for RALs varies from 50 o 1300 That’s a bad bargain for an “advance” of just a few days.
Refund anticipation loans encourage FRAUD. A 2008 IRS study found that RAL filings were 27 o 36 ore likely to be non-compliant than were returns without a loan.
Consumers need to ask tough questions:
• “How much will I pay for the loan?” The typical RAL finance charge for a $3,000 refund is $62-$110, or a 77 40 PR. Those costs can double or triple with additional fees for tax preparation, electronic filing, or check-cashing.
• “What does the fee buy me?” An RAL gets your refund to you in 1-4 days, compared to just 7-10 days for an ordinary electronic refund deposit to your bank.
Beware also of “pay stub RALs”. Pay stub RALs are based on a taxpayer’s estimated tax refund as indicated on his or her latest pay stub. They are offered before a taxpayer receives a W-2 form. The estimated amount, however, may be incorrect and the taxpayer will have to pay the full amount, whether or not the refund is large enough to cover all costs and fees. Pay stub RALs charge high fees just like other RALs.
IRS data shows that nearly one in fifteen taxpayers took out an RAL in 2007. Two-thirds of these were low-income workers or Earned Income Tax Credit recipients (EITC) who can receive free tax assistance. In February, a list of “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” and “Tax Counseling for the Elderly” sites in Iowa will be available at www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov. For more information, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. Call 515-281-5926, or 888-777-4590 toll-free.
Beware of “Foreclosure Rescue Scams” - 2010-01-22
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If you need help: Call the free Iowa Mortgage Help Hotline at 877-622-4866.
Scam-artists are trying to cheat Iowans who are caught up in the nationwide foreclosure crisis. Mortgage foreclosure “rescue” schemes ask you to pay hundreds of dollars up-front for so-called assistance or “rescue” from foreclosure – but they just take your money and do little or nothing to help. The scam puts you in a deeper financial hole, does nothing to save your home, and diverts you from getting real help.
The Attorney General’s Office has received scores of complaints from families who were conned into paying $1000 to $1500 or more to companies that promised to help them obtain a loan modification and avoid foreclosure, but then the con-artists did little or nothing to help.
Warning signs of foreclosure “rescue” scams: Beware of Internet ads promising loan modifications. Beware if someone contacts you, claims they can help, and asks you to pay for their help. They might contact you by phone, mail, or e-mail, or even might come to your door, because information about people facing foreclosure is included in public court records. Beware if someone claims to have a “special relationship” with your lender or “servicer” (they don’t!) Beware if they tell you not to talk to your lender or servicer directly (that’s just what you should be doing.) Beware if they ask for payment “up-front” (it’s illegal in Iowa to charge any fee until all services under the contract are provided.) No legitimate company will ask you to pay hundreds of dollars in advance to help save your home.
If you have been cheated by a “rescue scam,” contact the Iowa AG’s Office.
Get help you can trust, if you are facing foreclosure or having trouble making payments: Call the Iowa Mortgage Help Hotline at 877-622-4866. The Hotline is sponsored by the AG’s Office and the Iowa Finance Authority. It offers free, confidential help from trained counselors. This free service could save your home.
Don’t delay. Don’t feel overwhelmed or ashamed. The earlier you get true assistance, and the earlier you are in contact with your lender, the more likely you can save your home. Call the free Iowa Mortgage Help Hotline at 877-622-4866.
For most of us, our homes are our most important possession. If you are facing difficulty making payments, or facing the threat of foreclosure, take steps now to save your home – but don’t fall for “mortgage rescue” loan-modification schemes that will only make your situation worse!
For more information or to file a complaint, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Div., 1305 E. Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50319. Call 515-281-5926, or toll-free at 888-777-4590. The web site is www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov.
Living Well Workshops - 2009-10-08
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Living Well Workshop is energizing people with ongoing health conditions
Developed at Stanford University, the Workshop has been offered at hundreds of locations throughout the United States. It helps participants with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease, anxiety and others to:
· Find better ways of dealing with pain and fatigue
· Discover easy exercises to help improve or maintain strength and energy
· Learn the appropriate use of medications
· Improve nutrition
· Talk effectively with family, friends and health professionals
· Understand new treatment choices
· Feel better about life
Taught by specially trained volunteer leaders, some who have health conditions themselves, the program covers a new topic each week and provides opportunities for interaction and group problem solving.
The workshop will be offered for 2 hours, one day a week for a six weeks. The exact date and time will be decided after enrollment is filled.
For more information or to enroll in the Living Well Workshop, call 563-382-4662 and ask for Cheryl or Karen.
Choosing Home Care - 2009-04-27
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Please check our Links Page for the link to Help Us Choose Home and learn more about Home Care in today's world of health. It is an important part of our nation's health care system and needs your support.
Preparedness Kit and Plan Urged for Every Iowa Household - 2008-09-15
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In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Month, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Winneshiek County Public Health encourages all Iowans to prepare for disasters that could strike in the future. Severe weather, terrorist attacks and disease outbreaks are all possible and each Iowan should be prepared for the unexpected. “Every household in Iowa needs to be prepared for public health disasters,” said IDPH Director Tom Newton. “The severe weather events Iowa experienced this summer should serve as a reminder to all Iowans to take responsibility and be a part of the preparedness efforts.” Launched in 2005, the Protect Iowa Health emergency preparedness campaign encourages Iowans to make a kit, make a plan and just simply be prepared for any kind of emergency. Make a Kit • During or after an emergency, you won’t have time to search for supplies. An emergency supply kit contains the basic items needed during a public health emergency. This should be prepared in advance! • Keep the kit where you can reach it quickly in case of an emergency. Place the kit in an easy-to-carry container like a trash container, backpack or duffel bag. • Review the contents of your kit periodically to make sure food and water are fresh and prescription medicines are up-to-date. Store the kit in a place known to all household members. Make a Plan • In an emergency, communications may be difficult, if not impossible. When a disaster strikes, some family members may be at work, others at school, church or home. To keep in touch with your loved ones, designate a primary meeting place in your immediate area and a secondary place outside your neighborhood or town. • Designate an emergency contact, preferably someone out of town or state – it may be easier to make a long distance call across the country than to call across town. Make sure each family member knows the contact number. • If you have loved ones or neighbors that are elderly or disabled and may need assistance, offer to include them in your emergency plans. For more information on what to put in your preparedness kit, how to make a communications plan or to order a free guidebook, visit www.protectiowahealth.org . You may also contact Winneshiek County Public Health at 563-382-4662.
EMERGENCY PANTRY LIST - 2007-03-29
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Baking mixes (pie crust mix +canned pie filling=cobbler) Baking powder Baking soda Barley Beans—dry Bottled drinks and juices Brown sugar Boullion, concentrated broth Candy Canned beans Canned broth Canned chili Canned ready-to-eat meats (chicken, tuna, salmon, SPAM) Canned tomato products Canned fruit Canned milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk Canned pie filling Canned pumpkin Canned soups Canned stew Canned vegetables Canned dry drink mixes Cheese dips Cheese soups Chocolate chips Coffee filters (to strain silt from water) Cornstarch Corn meal crackers Cream of Wheat Crisco Dried eggs Dried fruit Dried soups Cocoa Electrolyte drinks (Gatorade) Flour Granola bars Hard candy Honey Instant coffee (for the die-hards) Instant mashed potatoes Jarred or canned spaghetti sauce Jellies and jams Jerky Ketchup Kool Aid Packages of dry pasta Marshmallows Mayo packets (if really necessary) Nuts Oatmeal Oil (can freeze) Pancake mix—one step, and other mixes that already have eggs in them Peanut butter Powdered sugar Power bars Powdered milk Raisins Ramen noodles Ravioli or other canned pasta Butter or margarine(can keep frozen) Rice Salt and pepper Spices and herbs your family likes Stovetop dressing mixes Sugar Summer sausage Syrups Tea Trail mix Vanilla Velveeta (can freeze) Vienna sausage Yeast
Consider baby and pet needs: Pet food Baby food Formula Diapers wipes
OTHER SUPPLIES/MISCELLANEOUS - 2007-03-29
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Manual can opener Paper plates Plastic utensils Flashlights Batteries Emergency radio Candles Matches Garbage bags Toilet paper Kleenex Portable heater Scissors Non-electric clock or watch Bleach Mop and bucket Paper Pens Waterproof marker Vehicles full of fuel Photocopies of important documents (birth certificates, driver’s license, etc)
MEDICINE KIT - 2007-03-29
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Thermometer Hand sanitizer Insect repellant Sunscreen Shaving supplies Nail clippers Shampoos Toothpaste, floss, mouthwash Soap Tampons Band-aids Masks Gowns Vitamins Anti-diarrheal Pain relievers (Tylenol, ibuprofen, aspirin) Children’s pain relievers Benadryl—adult and children Antibiotic ointment Cortisone cream Rubbing alcohol Peroxide Birth control (condoms, birth control pills, etc) Prescription medications
WINNESHIEK COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO BE PREPARED - 2007-03-29
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Winneshiek County Public Health encourages every family to be prepared for any type of public health threat.
What is a public health threat? It can be anything from a tornado or snowstorm to extreme heat or cold to an outbreak of shigella or meningitis or an influenza pandemic.
How can you prepare? Just before a snowstorm do find yourself at the grocery store stocking up on just about anything? Some of that cannot be avoided but, there are things you can do to get prepared and stay prepared. These things include: • Having enough non-perishable foods on hand for everyone in your house for 3-5 days. This means having canned vegetables, fruit and meat. It also means bread, crackers, and cereal. It includes snacks such as granola bars. If you store the foods, be sure to rotate them and then restock. • Have a hand can opener. If there’s no electricity, it will be difficult to open a can. • Have enough water (bottled or stored) on hand for each person to drink 1 gallon of water per day for 3-5 days. Remember that if the electricity goes off, the well doesn’t work, this is especially true for rural residents. • Have first aid kit. Be sure to include pain and fever reducing medication (such as Tylenol or Motrin, for example) for both adults and children, if they live in the house. Keep antibiotic ointment, allergy medication and bandaids available. • Be sure to have enough prescription medication available. This is especially important for diabetics who depend on insulin or those persons with breathing problems and use inhalers or nebulizers. • Keep a flashlight and batteries available. Have either a crank radio or batteries for a radio. • Consider children and pets. What are some of their needs? Do you need diapers, wipes, formula, water for mixing formula, pet food, water for the animals? • Personal hygiene items. This would include sanitary napkins and tampons, contact solution, birth control pills. • Keep a list of important phone numbers available and either a cell phone or phone card. • In the event you would need to evacuate for safety reasons, small amounts of cash, and important personal documents such as health records.
The following lists are good starting places to begin making your preparedness kit.
Where can I find these items? The items on the lists can be found in most grocery or discount stores. Many hardwares stores also stock these supplies.
I live on a fixed income. How can I purchase all this? Most people do live from paycheck to paycheck. Can you afford to take just $10 from each paycheck to set aside for an emergency fund? Many of the items listed may be things you already have in your pantry and as part of your household. Use them and just remember to re-stock.
Why should I make a preparedness kit? In the likely event there is a public health threat, you may not be able to get help and help may not be able to get to you. It is better to be somewhat prepared with some things. In certain events such as a tornado, Winneshiek County may need to work with what we’ve already got before others can come to help us. It could take 48-72 hours or longer for help from others to arrive.
