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Refunds Totaling $1.5 Billion; File Early!

February 13, 2012 By

Almost $ 1.5 billion is the amount criminals committing identity theft sought in fraudulent tax returns in 2011 according to Michelle Singletary of The Washington Post. Tax identity theft is on the rise and criminals try to file early using stolen Social Security numbers or other personal identifiable information. So you may want to file early. Don’t forget, the IRS will never initiate contact with you via email to ask for any personal or financial information. If you think you may have been a victim of this type of identity theft, contact the IRS at 800-908-4490.

David Newton’s Posts – The 919 Business Network – Local Business Networking

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Handling 4 of Forbes Magazine’s Top 10 Risks to Businesses

January 15, 2010 By

“Did You Know”

Forbes Magazine asserts that 4 of the top 10 risks to businesses are:

>Law Suits
>Regulatory
>Idea Rip-offs
>Operational Hiccups

Law suits can be due to compromised data, faulty products, and hazardous working conditions among others.
Data theft is rising at an alarming rate and the government estimates next year about 60% of Americans will have experience it in some fashion.
Most business owners know one bad accident at your business has the potential to put you out of business.

The government makes changes to regulatory laws frequently and businesses have to stay abreast of these changes or face stiff penalties. When the changes to the IFRS finally occur, businesses will need to know and comply. It can be a timely and costly chore to investigate and research laws and even more complicated to understand.

Intellectual property can be very important to many businesses and sometimes mark a company’s success or failure. Businesses need help with patent attorneys, copyright laws, property laws, and resources as well as techniques to safeguard against security threats.

Operational hiccups can best be reduced by obtaining qualified employees and making sure proper procedures are practiced daily. It can be a struggle to recruit and retain good employees and many prospects are looking for more than just money.

There is a company that offers solutions to these and other problems facing business owners. For more information please contact David at SmallBizandGroupBenefits@yahoo.com.
David Newton’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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One Thousand Sales Leads for the Price of a Library Card

January 13, 2010 By

I’d like to share information on a sales tool that has been a tremendous help to me. It’s called “Reference USA”. Many of you may already know and use them, but lately, I have talked to many who have not.

No matter if you need info for direct marketing, telemarketing, market research, sales lead generation, sales planning or customer analysis, “Reference USA” can assist by providing addresses, phone numbers, business type, credit rating, years in business, business expenditures, executives, and much more. You can search by using one or all of the many parameters provided; therefore, you can make a search as broad or specific as desired.

What you will not believe is it only cost you the price of a library card to use. Hopefully, your local library carries it on their website and you can access it through the same. I am going to create instructions ready to send by email, so if you would like it, simply send an email and I will be happy to get it to you. Good luck with your business. SmallbizandGroupBenefits@yahoo.com
David Newton’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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8 Ways to Protect Against Identity Theft While Traveling

January 9, 2010 By

The investigators of Kroll Management, the leading risk management firm in the world,
offer some tips on how to protect you and your kids from identity theft while on vacation.

1. Don’t announce travel plans on social networks. Also, immediately delete any reference to your plans by your friends. Criminals can become aware of your plans and make plans to rob your home and also take personally identifiable information(PII). You should wait until you return to talk about your trip.

2. Put a hold on your mail and newspapers for obvious reasons.

3. Only bring the credit cards and other PII you need. Make copies of both sides of drivers license and other PII so you have a record of them and store those in a safe place. Leave your social security card at home.

4. Make sure electronic devices are travel ready with security software and strong passwords. Remove any PII files.

5. Never leave sensitive information in rental cars or unattended hotel rooms. Don’t hide PII in your room, but use room safes or hotel safes.

6. Avoid pretexting calls. Social networking calls are on the rise and you should never give any personal info to anyone unless you are certain you know who they are.

7. Avoid using Wi Fi hot spots. Your information could possibly be stolen. Use WPA whenever possible.

8. They don’t advocate using credit cards in general; however, from an identity theft stand point, credit cards are the safest form of payment.

These tips will help you avoid identity theft while traveling. Still, you can protect you and your kids with an Identity Theft Plan from PrePaid Legal. With this plan, if you become a victim of any of the 5 forms of identity theft, Kroll Management will restore your identity for you. For more information contact David at 919-302-8849, davidnewton@legalshieldraleighnc.com or www.legalshield.com/hub/newtonde. Happy Motoring.

David Newton’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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The Major Differences Between a Will and a Trust

January 7, 2010 By

The biggest difference between a will and a trust is a will names beneficiaries while distributing assets and a trust actually holds assets while distributing them. In other words with a will, you own your assets until you die and then they are distributed by someone you have named. However; with a trust, it owns all the assets that have been transferred to the trust immediately while you are living and you have named someone you have entrusted to manage it. You can name yourself as trustee or have a revocable trust and maintain some or all control over the assets and there are different reasons to do these, but we’ll save that for your estate planner. Also, please understand that while it can be very costly and time consuming probate is a court process, not a tax.

Will
-an executor manages the instructions of your will
-beneficiaries receive your assets
-depending upon the value and type of assets, a will may not avoid estate taxes; check with an estate planner in your state
-names a guardian for dependents
-can use a trust to manage distributions
-distributes assets upon your death
-can be contested

Trust
-a trustee manages the assets owned by the trust
-beneficiaries receive the assets or money from the assets as designed by the trustor
-usually no court oversight
-usually avoids probate depending on type of trust and other factors; always check with an estate -planner in your state
-can be used to protect the weak, irresponsible, pets and special needs persons
-a trust is confidential
-can have a no contest clause as a deterrent to lawsuits
-usually have a longer period to contest
-can double federal estate tax exemptions depending upon type of trust

Before I get lots of hate mail, I am not an attorney and this is not meant to be complete, but just to name the differences I found most compelling and informative. You should always check with an estate planner in your state of residency.

The bottom line is to do something. If you don’t leave a will and/or trust, you do leave a very expensive, time consuming, and emotionally troubling ordeal for your relatives. Remember if you don’t take the time to make decisions now, the courts will do it all for you when you’re gone. Even deciding who raises your kids, or who gets your house and money will be left to the courts to decide and they don’t do it for free. If you have any questions or would like to know of a great way to get a will or trust done using an attorney, contact me at 919-302-8849.
David Newton’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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Did You Break the Law Today?

January 7, 2010 By

Many of us who have started small businesses either don’t know that we are or believe we should not be subject to the same laws as big businesses. Regardless as to our belief, we have to be compliant with all regulations and laws pertaining to our perspective industry.

In order to avoid huge fines and penalties, we have to constantly research and adapt our practices. Laws concerning advertising, employment and labor, finance, intellectual property, online businesses, privacy and environment to name a few can be difficult to research and even more difficult to understand.

I am going to just focus on one today. The advertising laws govern all businesses as far as being truthful, backing claims, fairness, and product labeling. But, if your business concerns alcohol, automobiles, computers, internet services, health and fitness products, housing and real estate, or telemarketing, there are even more laws and regulations specific to each of these industries. We are not only expected to know and comply with all these laws and regulations as they exist, but we also must stay informed of the ever-changing requirements.

This must be a time consuming and therefore costly endeavor. Is there another way?
David Newton’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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8 Ways You Are At Risk

January 4, 2010 By

Here are some of the most common ways criminals steal your personally identifiable information.

Lost or stolen wallets and purses
Pilfered mail
Data breaches
Computer viruses
Phishing
Scams
Dumpster diving
Card reading devices

For a compilation of phone numbers and governmental agencies providing free service to the public if you are a victim of many types of identity theft, plus instructions visit www.businessandemployeebenefitsraleighnc.com.
David Newton’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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5 Tips For Handling A Traffic Stop

January 3, 2010 By

Being pulled over by police can be a very scary experience. Often we make simple mistakes that may cause a stop to escalate in severity. Here are a few tips for handling a traffic stop. However; as always, consult with an attorney in your state for specific traffic laws.

1. Pull off the road to a safe spot, turn on your interior light at night, keep your hands on the steering wheel, be polite and cooperative with the officer and address he or she as “sir”or “ma’am”.
2. Comply with the officer’s requests for your name, driver’s license, registration and insurance information.
3. Absolutely, do not exit the vehicle unless you are directed to do so by the officer.
4. Do not consent to a search of your vehicle. If the officer searches your vehicle anyway, stay calm, tell the officer you object to the search and do not physically resist.
5. Call your attorney for consultation on the matter.

If you have LegalShield, you can even call your provider law firm at the beginning of the stop and get advice immediately. For more information on LegalShield and how we can help with this and other legal issues call David Newton at 919-302-8849 or visit www.legalshield.com/hub/newtonde.

David Newton’s Posts – 919 Business Networking – Local Business Owners & Professionals

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