Recognize the warning signs of identity theft

Dear Readers: Identity theft can be devastating to your credit rating! When your personal information is used to commit fraud or other crimes, it can affect your life, too! According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are signs you should be aware of that might signal trouble, such as:

UBills that don’t arrive when expected.

UUnusual credit cards or account statements.

UDenial of credit for unknown reasons.

UCalls or letters about purchases you haven’t made.

To help prevent identity theft, you should:

UShred all financial documents with your personal information.

UOnly give out your Social Security number when absolutely necessary, or ask if some other form of identification can be used.

UNever give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or online unless you know who you’re dealing with.

UDon’t use obvious passwords like your birth date, mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

To be on the safe side, you can receive a free credit report from one of the major consumer reporting companies by visiting www.AnnualCreditReport.com or calling (877) 322-8228. If you’d like, you can write to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

My thanks to the Federal Trade Commission for allowing me to share this information. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I use granular houseplant food that comes in a box with a plastic bag inside. The box gets pretty beaten up over time. So, I cut off the instructions and place them, along with the little bag with the plant food and the measuring spoon, inside a large, sturdy, sealable plastic bag. It stays neat, and no moisture can get into the plant food. A “Green Thumb” Reader from Falls Church, Va.

Dear Heloise: After moving to an apartment with no washer and dryer, I found myself saving up quarters to use at the nearby self-laundry. I discovered that a small, plastic medication bottle was the perfect size to hold about $10 worth of quarters. It is so easy to locate the bottle when it’s time to pop the quarters into the machines. Carol H. from Mission Viejo, Calif.

Dear Heloise: Our family has so many different-size thermal mugs (megasize to small coffee-mug shapes) that it became impossible and clumsy to store them all in my kitchen cupboards. When I wash and dry them, I hang them up by the handles in our utility room, where we exit for work, school or recreation, on a peg hanger. I also keep caps and coats on different hangers to make grabbing them all on the way out so easy. Michelle L., Chanute, Kan.

Dear Heloise: Save those old foil balloons. Deflate and use as a waterproof liner for a basket. They are already round and make for a colorful liner. When watering flowers potted in containers with drain holes, the water won’t leak through the basket. Jan Shearer, Jefferson, Ore.

XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate