The Sentinel

How to avoid fraudsters when you are in financial distress

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StatePoint - Although fraudsters will prey on anyone, many tactics specifically target those facing financial hardship in the wake of a natural disaster.

To help you avoid becoming a victim when you’re most vulnerable, Freddie Mac is providing these tips and insights:

Watch Out for Common Disaster-Related Scams

As the intensity of severe weather events increases, understanding common disaster-related scams can help you avoid them. These include:

High-Interest Loans for Repairs: In this scam, someone may offer to loan you money for home repairs, often at a high interest rate, while you wait for your insurance money. In return, they ask for a post-dated check, your auto title or your tax refund. Although this may provide short-term relief, it’s an example of predatory lending because the high interest rates could end up costing you more in the long term. Read any contract before signing it, and make sure you understand the total cost of the loan, including its terms and fees.

Repair Contractor Prepayment: In this scam, your home repair contractor may ask you to sign a “direction to pay form” that allows your insurance company to pay the contractor directly, even before the repair work is completed. This can leave you vulnerable to incomplete or poor quality work. To avoid this scam, read your contract carefully and do not authorize the full payment amount until you are satisfied with the final product.

Requests for Financial Information: In this scam, a person claiming to be a government employee or disaster relief professional may request financial information, saying they need it to help you recover from a crisis. Protect yourself by never giving anyone your personally identifiable information by phone, email, text or in person without confirming their identity. For example, ask for identification and independently call the entity the person claims to work for.

If You’re Struggling to Pay Your Mortgage, Beware of Fraudsters

If you’re struggling to pay your mortgage after a natural disaster or due to other circumstances and you are facing foreclosure, be on the lookout for two common types of fraud.

Foreclosure Rescue Fraud: In such a scheme, someone may falsely promise to be able to save your home from foreclosure. The fraudster will commonly:

Require you to sign the title to your home over to them.
Ask you to sign unfamiliar documents.
Ask you to share personal information.
Charge you rent to stay in your home.
Offer to pay your delinquent mortgage by purchasing your home.
Promise that you can repurchase your home when your financial situation improves.

Fraudsters orchestrating these schemes pose as professionals and promise to stop foreclosure, often at a high price. However, they don’t deliver on their promises. As a result, you could lose the title to your home and be at risk of foreclosure.

Loan Modification Scams: Loan modification scams may operate similarly to foreclosure rescue fraud. In these scams, fraudsters collect an upfront fee and promise to work with your loan servicer on your behalf. They claim that they can obtain a loan modification that reduces your payments.

If someone other than your loan servicer (the company listed on your mortgage statement) offers you mortgage assistance, don’t provide your information.

If you are struggling with your mortgage payment, contact your lender, a certified HUD housing counselor or a housing finance agency. These trustworthy resources can present you with real options to help avoid foreclosure.

Unfortunately, fraudsters have made it their business to prey on pain. With the right knowledge, you can help ensure that no one takes advantage of you when you’re down on your luck.

Make the most of your morning hours for more productive days

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Family Features - From a regenerative bath to that first cup of coffee, early morning rituals have the power to heal, restore and fuel. They can leave you feeling accomplished, empowered and ready to take on the day. How you spend your hours from 5-9 each day can ensure you're well prepared to tackle whatever your 9-5 throws your way.

Establishing a well-planned and consistent routine removes the guesswork and makes it easy to accomplish more during these essential hours that set the stage for the day ahead. Get a jumpstart on your day with these tips to make the most of your morning routine.

Set Personal Goals

Just as no two people are exactly alike, your morning routine should reflect your unique needs. Some people need these early hours to ease out of sleep and gradually work toward a busy day while others jump out of bed ready to set the day in motion. Decide what you can realistically accomplish in your waking hours before you hit the office or school drop-off line and plan a sequence that makes sense for you and your family. When you have a steady routine in place, it's typically easier to keep up with habits like early morning workouts, and on days when your energy is lagging, you can shift into autopilot and still get everything done.

Create a Rejuvenating Space

No matter your 5-9 routine, the bathroom is central to it. You can start the day with a more positive outlook when you get ready in a space that's equal parts functional and beautiful. With stunning design, innovative features that make life easier, environmentally conscious performance and do-it-yourself installation ease, the Aspirations Collection from American Standard provides a full suite of bathroom products to start your day right.

This collection gives you plenty of reason to consider upgrades, whether coordinating a full bathroom and accessories or installing just one or two elements like a unique faucet. Choose one with a pull-out, swivel spout to quickly clean those hard-to-reach corners or a touchless option for hands-free convenience. Find the right sink to match with four different stylish options that lend a personal design while streamlining morning routines for you and your family. Awaken your senses with a four-function showerhead and keep all your bathing essentials organized with a clever shelving wall panel. Reflecting nearly 150 years of quality craftsmanship, design and reliability, each piece within the collection delivers big on style and performance.

Practice Good Sleep Habits

The way you end each day influences how you start the next one. Going to bed on time, avoiding screen time before you turn out the lights and creating a comfortable sleep environment are all keys to restful sleep. However, managing your sleep doesn't end once you reach dreamland; your wake-up routine is also an essential aspect of a healthy sleep schedule. One of the biggest detriments to quality sleep is hitting snooze to delay your day. Just a few more minutes easily becomes 20, 30 or more and none of that time is quality rest, so you're not really gaining anything.

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Ensure You're Well-Equipped

Few things can sidetrack a good morning routine like discovering an empty bottle of shampoo or an empty can of shaving cream. Make a habit of regularly taking inventory of your morning supplies. Watch for sales so you can keep backups on hand to ensure you'll always have your favorite toiletry items ready to help you feel refreshed and ready to go.

Make Time for Breakfast

Countless studies affirm the importance of a well-rounded breakfast. Researchers have found good nutrition provides fuel to help give you energy, promote clearer thinking and problem solving, improve mood and memory, and more. If you can't stomach a full meal, look for alternatives to give your system a morning boost, such as a protein-rich smoothie early and a more substantial snack later in the morning.

Enjoy a Mindful Moment

Making time to relax or do something you enjoy can set a positive tone for the day. You might savor a few quiet moments over a cup of coffee or spend quality time with a pet. Early morning light and nature sounds can provide calming background for meditation, or you might simply use the time to organize your to-do list so you feel better prepared to tackle the day.

Take Time to Tidy Up

When it's time to put the workday behind you, it can be easier to make the mental shift from work mode to life mode when there's not a list full of chores awaiting you at home. As part of your morning routine, make your bed, clean your vanity countertop and complete other small chores to make your evening load lighter.