http://publicrecords.netronline.com/ an online portal that will direct you to any county's online records (if that county stores information online). The most utilized function is the ability to find each county's property appraiser/tax assessor's website. Use this to find out what the taxes will be on a property without having to wait for the title company to provide it. It is also useful when you need to find deeds to evidence chain of title, death certificates, liens, satisfactions, etc.
Reduce TelemarketingNational Do Not Call Registry: (888) 382-1222 or
www.donotcall.govIf called by a company you do business with, ask to be on its internal Do Not Call list.
Opt Out of Pre-approved Credit Card Offers
(888) 5-OPT-OUT / (888) 567-8688 or opt out online at www.optoutprescreen.com Receive Your Credit Report for Free Once a Year Consumers can get a free copy of their credit report annually. The three credit bureaus are: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order your free reports, go to
http://www.annualcreditreport.com where you can order your reports directly or download the
Annual Credit Report Request form to mail in your request. You can also call (877) 322-8228.
For more information, see the Federal Trade Commission's Facts for Consumers at
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.shtm.
Tip: To monitor your credit reports year round, get a copy of one report every four months. Reduce Junk MailWrite to the
Mail Preference Service. Send a $1 check or money order. Include the name(s) and address of household members who do not want to receive junk mail. Tell them to put you on the opt-out list.
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 643
Carmel NY 10512
(Or use our
form letter)
Or opt-out online: http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing There is a $1 fee, payable by credit card.
Abacus compiles a cooperative data base of catalog and publishing companies' customers. To opt-out of the Abacus database, write to Abacus, P.O. Box 1478, Broomfield, CO 80038 or email
optout@abacus-direct.com. Include full name and current address (and previous address if you have recently moved).
Protect Your Financial Privacy
Read privacy notices of your bank, credit card, insurance, and investment companies.Financial companies are required by law to mail the privacy notice to you once a year.
Take advantage of any opt-out opportunities regarding the sale/sharing of customer data.
Safeguard Your Social Security Number (SSN)
Remove SSN card and other documents containing SSN from your wallet.
Ask why the SSN is required. Ask them to explain their authority for requiring it. Request a copy of their SSN policy. Ask if you can give another identifier instead, like driver's license number.
Be Aware of Your Rights Regarding Medical Records Federal law gives you the right to access your medical records. Health care providers must give you a copy of their privacy notice. This includes doctors, pharmacies, dentists, etc.
You can get a free copy of your Medical Information Bureau report once a year.
Phone: (866) 692-6901 (TTY: (866) 346-3642 for hearing impaired)
Web:
www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html Be Aware of CLUE, the Insurance Industry Database of Property Loss ClaimsYou can get a free copy of your CLUE Report once a year which contains your homeowner's or automobile insurance claims history. To get a free copy of your CLUE Report from ChoicePoint:
Phone: (866) 312-8076
Web:
www.choicetrust.com (click on "CLUE Reports")
Prevent Tax Assessor Public Records from Being Used for MarketingAcxiom: Opt-Out Hotline (877) 774-2094, or e-mail
optout@acxiom.com.
Block your Phone Number from Showing on Caller ID
Complete call blocking (or 'per line' blocking): Your number will not show on Caller ID if you have indicated this option with your local phone carrier. Dial *82 (1182 from a rotary phone) to unblock your number to place a call to numbers that do not accept blocked calls or to disclose your phone number.
Selective call blocking (or 'per call' blocking): Dial *67 (or 1167) for a rotary phone before each call.