Identity Theft at the Pump - Robbed Twice

22 May 2007 - Madison, Wisconsin

It's bad enough we're paying over $3.50 per gallon for gas (and Exxon's profits are up 50%), but we're being robbed at the pump in other ways - Identity Theft! Things are getting ugly.

Our friend Scott Bilker (http://www.debtsmart.com/index.html) had this posted on his website. It's from from Sheriff Ken Jenne of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (Florida) and it's an eye-opener.

Scott is dedicated to helping people control their credit card and consumer debt and has written three books on the subject. He also posts articles and news daily and is worth a periodic visit. We've had him twice on our weekly radio show - Your Home-Your Money - and he's been all over TV and radio and in print. His is one credible son of a gun.

Check out this slick crime spree going on in Florida - and probably elsewhere. Gone in Four Seconds. Four seconds! Imagine the time it takes to regain your security and identity AFTER the crime.

Identity Theft takes many forms now - you just saw the "direct" approach. Consumers from Florida to Wisconsin, and all over the U.S., need to be diligent to avoid being a victim. Even getting gas! Four seconds of prevention is worth months of cure!

As Sergeant Phil Esterhaus on Hill Street Blues used to say, " Hey, let's be careful out there."

Art Blanchet

Bill Quigley

http://www.YourHome-YourMoney.com/archives

Will "Older Adults" Benefit from Florida's No Property Tax Proposal?

19 April 2007

I'm not trying to whip a dead horse.

Life can throw a few curve-balls at you - some of which open eyes to a different viewpoint, a different paradigm. I think my mind's been in Florida a bit lately, especially with reports coming in about my wife's uncle who is in the hospital down there. I guess you mix that with David Podgursky's blog and an event that happened a few minutes ago, and for me, an idea akin to an epiphany moved to the surface of my mind.

The catalyst to the new viewpoint came from a very simple comment from Michael Fooladi, who comments in my Would You Trade SALES TAX for PROPERTY TAX? blog. Michael simply wrote, "Absolutely. Raise the sales tax and do away with property taxes." I then thought of the "old timers."

Wouldn't it be something if our Older Adults (the PC form of Senior Citizens) - which are our current Moms and Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas right now (and will be us some day) could actually LIVE on their social security, savings, and retirement funds!? With NO Property Tax they could even truly OWN their homes. Completely! Currently, if they don't pay property tax, they could lose them. But imagine a situation with 100% ownership, no property tax, and maybe even no insurance! Full ownership. What a novel idea!

If the burden were switched to Sales Tax, the older adults - who are in their low consumption years - would really get a break. Would this turn Florida into a gigantic retirement home (insert pun here) filled with semi-destitute retirees? I doubt it - real estate prices a too high for that to happen. There would be changes, but I don't think insurmountable ones.

The more well-heeled retirees could throw more money (and sales taxes) into the economy as they'd have more to spend. And the wealth from inheritances - which could be greater - could churn the economy, too. It'd mean less financial burden on the middle-aged children who sometimes supplement their parents living, so again more money for other things.

Of course I'm thinking ideally here for one segment of society. But our aging citizenry - many of whom have given to society for decades and decades - could really benefit from my simplistic observation. After paying for school and government for 50 to 70 years, might someone say, "Stop. Thanks - you've done your part." at some point?

It is quickly becoming nothing short of a crime to grow old in America. Does Florida have a solution, even if only as a side effect?

Art Blanchet

Bill Quigley

Your Home-Your Money.com Mortgage Talk Radio

Florida Residents Might Trade PROPERTY TAXES for SALES TAXES

12 April 2007

With the April 17th Federal Income Tax deadline looming as a reminder, "taxes" in all forms moves to the forefront of our minds. Property tax in particular is becoming a major issue in Florida (although I think insurance should). No one is certain as how to get rising taxes under control - the massive real estate appreciation of the first five years of this century didn't help a bit -

I received this email today from a "Doris". I do not know who Doris is, but she has a message.

The web address "Doris" provided in her message (below)linked to a website entitled No More Property Tax, which states it is sponsored by the Republican Party of Florida. I Googled "nomorepropertytax" and many news articles and blogs showed up - 133 in 0.26 seconds (slow for Google). It appears this movement - which is essentially will raise sales tax to 8.5% while essentially eliminating property taxes for full-time residents and reducing it for 2nd homes.

There are skeptics on both sides of the equation. While in Florida in February, I read a newspaper article that said Florida would have to raise sales taxes to 13.8% to eliminate property taxes. I suppose the elimination for residents coupled with the reduction for non-residents resulted in the 8.5% number.

There is more to this than just swapping numbers. A few questions are posted at the end of this blog entry for consideration.

Here's is Doris's email and the link to No More Property Tax dot-com:

If you haven't already heard, the Florida State government is looking to make dramatic reforms in how Florida property taxes are paid (if at all), and this could go into effect by next year. I don't have to tell you the incredible impact that this would have on Florida's real estate market.

Here is a summary of what is being proposed (and we are expecting it to pass:)

- If you own a residence in Florida and are homesteaded (as your primary residence) you would no longer pay property tax. Zero.

- If you have a Florida residence as a second home, or if you have a commercial property, property taxes would be rolled back to 2000-2001
levels.

- Future property tax increases would be limited.

To accomplish this aggressive measure, the State of Florida would increase general sales tax by 2-2.5%.

Those of us who live in Florida are extremely excited about this initiative.

We would like to ask you to add your name to the petition in support of this initiative. Click on link below and register your support.

We are expecting it to pass, however, your voice would be welcomed.

Please forward this email to other property owners you know in Florida.

(Fields marked with * are required)

http://www.nomorepropertytax.com/endorse.php

(end of email)

So, the taxation question exists for YOUR state as well as Florida:

• Would you favor an elimination of property taxes by raising sales taxes?


• What would the consequences be?

Imagine qualifying borrowers and home buyers without property taxes:

• Would the result drive up sales prices again? Would this jeopardize borrowers ?


• How do you think this would affect your state's economy?

Other insights or ideas?

Art Blanchet

Bill Quigley