Statistics about identity theft from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are staggering. In 2004 (the last year available), the number of identity theft victims was close to 10 million. Individual Americans lost more than $5 billion dollars, and businesses lost an unbelievable $47.6 billion dollars. The FTC now says that as many as one in every eight adults and one in every four households has been victimized by identity thieves in the past five years. To make matters even worse, if you end up a victim of identity theft, it can take years to clean up the mess. The FTC defines identity theft as stealing personal information such as your name, credit card number, driver license number, or other personal identifying information to commit fraud. The most common identity thefts occur when thieves use your name to apply for services, for credit cards or loans, to buy merchandise or lease equipment such as cars or apartments, and obtain medical care. They can assume your complete identity and live and work under your name, and even commit serious crimes. A primary goal of hackers and online crooks is to find, uncover, and abuse your personal information, anything that clearly identifies you, such as your name, address, social security number, birth date, family members names or friends names. Used in combination with other private information, like a bank or credit card account number, your stolen information can be used by an identity thief to open a new credit line, access your bank accounts or even apply for official documents like a driver license or passport. The results for you can be devastating, reaching into every transaction you attempt until you clear your name and credit. Due to bad credit reports, victims of identity theft are often rejected for loan applications, credit of any kind, job opportunities, and housing. Your credit can be ruined overnight. You can even be arrested for crimes you didn't commit. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, your first rule is to get the knowledge you need to protect yourself before it happens. The good news is that the chances of online identity theft can be greatly reduced and mostly eliminated by taking the simple, free suggestions as outlined in this new up-to-the-minute book. You will find valuable expertise to evaluate and determine your, your family s, and your business s risks. After evaluating the risks, you are provided a detailed plan so that you can take action for prevention now. We have also outlined a step-by-step program detailing what you can do if you think, or know, that your identity has been stolen. In addition, there are numerous forms and letters that can be used as a template to contact credit agencies, government agencies, credit card companies, banks, and anyone else involved....

It is estimated that five out of ten people turning 67 will use a nursing home at some point in their lives and many will need home care and other related services as well About two-thirds of people in nursing homes have no living relatives. And about 70 percent of all nursing home patients are women. Nursing home costs are estimated to be $75,000 in 2009, which would economically devastate most families. The federal government will not be helping either, unless you are without any assets, Medicare will cover you for a maximum of 100 days, but there are no social security benefits to cover any of these expenses. The only program that can assist you is Medicaid, but the catch is you must qualify. You can protect yourself from Medicaid nursing home costs by taking action now while you still have your health; the key is in the planning, which this new, groundbreaking book will assist you with. On February 8, 2006, President Bush signed a law called the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. This law makes sweeping changes to the ability of seniors to transfer (gift) assets to their children and grandchildren. The information you use must be up to date. You will learn all the LEGAL means to protect your assets: The Federal Spousal Impoverishment Act, Medicaid trusts, including what they are and how to use them, and Medicare supplemental insurance. You also will become knowledgeable about asset protection strategies, annuities, long-term care insurance, wills, assets, settlement costs, executors and trustees, life insurance, living trusts, living wills, durable power of attorney, catastrophic illness, potential long-term care needs, marital deductions, types of trusts, federal and state exemptions, irrevocable life insurance trusts, gift splitting, survivorship deeds, charitable remainder trusts, 529 plans, health care proxies, power of attorney, gift tax issues, generation skipping transfer tax, and tax deferred accounts. In addition, you will learn how to legally and properly transfer assets and how to exempt the value of your principal residence. Through proper planning, much of your assets can be preserved within the family. This new book will guide you through the complex state and federal rules that are required for successful asset and income protection planning. Many books on asset protection indicate that you do not need the services of an attorney, but we highly recommend that you hire an attorney who is well-versed in this area to assist you. What this book will do is explain the complicated issues, terminology, and planning strategies of asset protection to the layperson so that when you meet with a qualified attorney you will be well prepared, versed in the language, and ready to discuss issues and strategies, saving time, legal fees, and ensuring peace of mind. Get started today with the help of this new book....

The procedure of buying a home can be a scary experience. There are a lot of people to deal with, from realtors to attorneys to bankers. There's tons of paperwork with terms and vocabulary that read like a foreign language. In this new book you will find vital information and great strategies that will allow you to find your dream home faster and feel confident about the purchase. You will learn to avoid some of the most prevalent—and potentially dangerous and expensive—mistakes made by first-time home buyers.

According to Money Magazine, "Over the past five years, home values nationally have risen 65 percent while the stock market has fallen." Now is the time to get into the real estate marketplace. With the help of this comprehensive new guide, you will learn how to find the best opportunities, negotiating, financing, budgets, needs and wants, credit reports, home-buying timeline, the process of building a house, manufactured homes, real estate and mortgage glossaries, setting values, home warranties, homeowners insurance, creative financing, buying with little or no money down, closing, moving plans, walk-throughs, closing and settlement inspections, legal contracts, mortgages, what you can afford, deciding which neighborhood to choose, hiring a realtor, which government agencies can help, considerations for veterans, IRA use, hiring an attorney, the offer, calculating monthly payments, and escrow.

This comprehensive resource contains a wealth of modern tips and strategies for financing and closing on a property. The author shows readers how to find out how much theyÂ’re really worth, how to uncover unknown assets, and how to enhance credit ratings within six months, provides information and suggestions on everything from no-down-payment mortgages to finding the right agent. It leads you down the path to home ownership, one step at a time. Though you may be relatively cash-poor or have a less-than-perfect credit rating, you can acquire a mortgage and find the house youÂ’ve always wanted....

This book and companion CD-ROM focus on the issues, situations, and tasks that you face daily in your real estate career - from working with difficult buyers, sellers, and employees to ensuring profitability. Included in this book are hundreds of easy-to-implement tools, contracts, forms, and checklists to help you get your professional life organized, and easier to manage while building your bottom-line! Expertly organized, this unique book takes you step-by-step through the many valuable forms contained in this work which may be easily printed out and customized from the companion CD-ROM....

Citizenship in the United States is the legal status given to a legal member of the country. It involves rights, duties, and privileges and is one of the most coveted gifts that the U.S. government can bestow on a person and the most important immigration benefit that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can grant. The road map outlined in this new book will help foreign nationals apply for citizenship and will lead those seeking citizenship to the fastest and easiest way to do so. With the guidance of this new and up-to-date book you will learn about the application instructions, procedures, required forms, eligibility information, application requirements, waivers, exceptions, special cases, the naturalization process, application forms, immigration forms, certificates of naturalization, and dual citizenship. In addition, you will become knowledgeable about the principles of the U.S. Constitution, favorable disposition toward the United States, the benefits of being a citizen, and the responsibilities of being a citizen. You will be provided with information on the interview, sample test questions and answers, a list of all USCIS offices nationwide, a list of U.S. embassies and consulates, and everything else you will need to know to become a United States citizen in no time at all, including how to pass the citizenship test....