Fraud can come in a number of different forms including identity fraud, investment scams, mortgage fraud and title fraud. If someone steals your cell phone you may encounter wireless fraud. Fraud means misrepresenting yourself or some fact about yourself to gain something unlawfully. Read, watch and listen to Think Glink content to learn about the different kinds of fraud and how to protect yourself.
How to Protect Your House and Assets from Cyber Fraud
How to Protect Your House and Assets from Cyber Fraud Q: Your recent article that discusses the increasing number of cyber hacks and perils of online transactions recommended moving as many of your bills online. This sounds like bad advice given the whole point of the article. Could you please elaborate on how doing more [...]
Elder Fraud or Elder Abuse?
Elder fraud or elder abuse? Godson worries his family is trying to steal his godfather's money Q: I'm wondering if someone is trying to steal my godfather's money. It could be a case of elder fraud or elder abuse. Here's what's happening: My godfather was put into assisted living by his family. He has a [...]
How to Protect Yourself From Wire Transfer Fraud
It's heartbreaking when we hear stories of homebuyers falling victim to wire transfer fraud. Here are some ways to protect yourself. Q: Thank you for your article in the Chicago Tribune on wire transfer instruction. Three weeks ago we were given wire instructions by our escrow company and had no reason to believe that they [...]
Pending Home Sales, the Definition of Home Value, Occupancy Fraud & Affordable Housing After College
How is the definition of home value changing for buyers? Is there a reason why pending home sales and existing home sales diverged in April? Get answers to these questions by listening to this week’s Ilyce Glink Show. You can click the audio link below to listen to the full show, or download the podcast via iTunes. On this [...]
Credit Monitoring FAQs: I Received an Alert, What Should I Do?
If you’ve purchased a credit monitoring product to help you stay on top of the information in your credit file, you may at some point receive an alert. When the alert is about a change you’ve recently initiated—a new credit card or mortgage, for example—it may not be a surprise. But when you receive an [...]
Four Tips to Avoiding Vacation Rental Scams
You can do nearly everything online these days, including booking the vacation of your dreams. Whether it’s a long journey around the world or a short trip to a tropical beach, finding a hotel, car and plane ticket can be done with a simple click of your mouse. The Internet has also made it easy [...]
How to Adjust Your Tax Withholding if You Receive a Big Refund
At an IRS tax workshop several years ago, someone asked the speaker if the IRS has a problem with taxpayers who get large refunds. We attendees were surprised to learn that the IRS does look upon large refunds with suspicion. Why? According to a discussion I had with an IRS professional, a refund of $3,000 [...]
How to Avoid Common Mortgage Refinance Scams
Ilyce Glink gives her advice on how to avoid common mortgage refinance scams in today's Real Estate Minute. If you don’t pay your mortgage, it’s much more likely you’ll fall victim to a refinancing scam. When you fall behind on your mortgage payments, your lender files a notice of default. This makes your financial problems [...]
Tax Implications of Transferring Home Ownership
When transferring home ownership, be aware of the tax implications that could cost you a lot of money. Q: My brother wants to transfer ownership of his home into my name and I need to know what the tax implications are for him and me if we do this. He received a settlement from his [...]
Homeowners Insurance: Someone Gets Hurt On Your Property
One of the reasons you have homeowners insurance is to avoid paying out of pocket for extensive property damage. Another reason you’re paying for homeowners insurance is to have an attorney on retainer to defend you should you be sued if someone gets hurt on your property. I would like to share a story about [...]