Viewpoints Industry Reports on Personal Medical Info Selling

(protect personal medical information)

There has been much in the news lately about big data companies selling personal information about consumers who may have signed up for membership programs, fundraising events and other like situations online. Viewpoints Industry reports on how this can mean the selling of personal medical information.

There are hundred of medical databases for sale to marketers. Personal data brokers and data miners are the top two types of businesses which would buy the names of people on these databases for mere pennies. And unaware consumers who browse online may find their name, address and interests posted in a database for a malady which they do not have. People spend more time online now and are more apt to share health data on a simple registration form. This is where data miners can scoop up personal medical data and sell it to the marketers. Viewpoints Industry TV notes that this is a huge plus for companies that want to pitch products.

While there are federal laws under HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to protect personal health information, it only pertains to information shared with a health provider – not third parties. The best way to protect personal health and medical information is to not share it on any website asking for it. If asked to join a product trial for a health or medical item, ask for all disclosure papers, read carefully and do not sign up if there is something that raises questions about it. It’s your personal medical information. Protect it.


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Viewpoints Industry Reflects on How to Run a Successful Business

Business owners who run successful companies may tell how they were able to overcome the obstacles to get where they are and stay there. Others will keep their secrets to themselves. But those who are most successful have specific mottos and methods of practicing business. Viewpoints Industry reflects on how to run a successful business.

Truett Cathy was the founder of the very successful Chick-fil-A fast food franchise. His method of running the restaurants was pretty simple: they are open for six days a week and closed on Sundays so workers can relax with their families. Every person brought one of these franchises knew this. Some protested saying they needed to be open Sunday in order to make a better profit. But Cathy believed and made it happen – the company as a whole made just as much money six days a week as its competitors made in seven days. According to the company’s website, by early 2013, annual sales topped $5 billion dollars. Viewpoints Industry TV learns that in a book about him, Cathy credits his business success to “setting priorities, being courteous, cautiously expanding a business and not being burdened with debt.” These are a few thoughts about how one very successful businessman made it before passing away in his early 90s. Ask others what makes them successful.


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Viewpoints Industry Offers Tips for First Time Homebuyers

Buying a home for the first time is one of the biggest financial decisions anyone can make. There are many aspects to it that can boggle the most reasonable mind. Viewpoints Industry shares some tips for first time home buyers to help ease minds.

Young people, typically around age 30, are eager to find and buy their first home. Eagerly, they go online and find homes which seem affordable and are just what the buyer wants. But let’s take a look at what one needs to do first before hitting the Internet for that first dream home.

More than three-quarters of prospective home buyers are pre-qualified for a home loan. Yet many of those are not clear on the terms of the loan. Before getting pre-qualified, spend time hammering out a monthly home budget to see what is affordable without  having to scrape by. Find ways to cut back on spending such as eating more meals at home, taking lunch to work and skipping expensive coffee purchases.

How much of a down payment can be put on the home?  Typically, if less is put down, the private mortgage insurance is higher, interest rates are higher and closing costs are higher. Save as much as possible toward the down payment to reduce these fees.

Can one afford the monthly mortgage payment? How much will that be? Mortgage payments are not the same as rent. If the payment is late, fees incur. If one is more than 30 days late, the credit rating of that person takes a huge hit.

Viewpoints Industry also suggests regularly checking credit reports and scores during the lending process. Go online and find the best free resources for this, and to find the best calculators for determining mortgages and loans.


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Viewpoints Industry and the Value of Prepaid Debit Cards

There are different reasons as to why people use a prepaid debit card. Perhaps they wish to avoid using a standard bank or want to deposit a child’s allowance on a card. For some, this is a good option. Viewpoints Industry reviews the value of prepaid debit cards.

 Prepaid debit cards are safer to carry than cash, easier to use and allow a person to use it online when they have no other option. There are no overdraft fees with a prepaid card and everyone is approved. However, some of the cards come with a lot of fees and some of the rather hefty. Take time to research everything about the card before purchasing one and depositing money on it.

The money loaded on prepaid cards tripled between 2008 and 2012 as reported by Mercator Advisory Group, and the total is expected to more than double by the end of next year. Only 32% of the people who bought and used a prepaid card last year actually spent time reviewing the fees for it, according to a 2014 Pew study.

Fortunately, CardHub.com offers a guide for the top prepaid cards and their fees so possible users can find the best option. Having used a prepaid card for several years, this writer can vouch for their usefulness. Viewpoints Industry encourages readers to do the homework on prepaid cards to determine their value for your use. Not all cards are equal. Some are better than others. Follow the CardHub link above to find the prepaid card with the best terms.

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Viewpoints Industry Shares How to Get Rid of Telemarketers

Remember the national Do Not Call list? The list most people entered their land line and cell phone numbers on to not be bothered by telemarketers?  We know it is hard to believe but telemarketers keep calling anyway. Viewpoints Industry shares tips on how to get rid of them.

A recent consumer report from ABC News led us to the website of a company called Privacy Star which lists all the phone numberstelemarketers are using now. The once well-known 800 and 866 numbers are gone and standard area codes are in. We also learned there are ways to get rid of telemarketing calls as well as making some money off of those who ignore the list. The key to the list which is linked above is to know that the numbers on the top of the list are used more frequently than those closer to the bottom. The list is updated hourly.

Viewpoints Industry finds one of the easiest ways to block telemarketing calls is to manually block the number on a smart phone or on a cell provider’s web site. This might prevent the call from coming through. If the phone number is new, register it on the do not call list. If calls still come in, it is possible to sue the telemarketer for $500 per call. One can also join a class action lawsuit or file one alone. Since telemarketers call more than once, the possibility of winning more than $500 is likely. Good luck.

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Viewpoints Industry Sheds Light on Auto Insurance Discounts

The cost of owning a car or other vehicle keeps rising every year. From gas to maintenance to safety, where can the consumer catch a break? Viewpoints Industry suggests looking for discounts that the auto insurer may not know about and are worth asking for when it is time to renew.

Instead of living with the rate the auto insurer gives, start asking for the discounts which might be available and check regularly to be sure they are being given. Many people choose the auto pay option when renewing insurance plans. But do a little research on available discounts first and then call the agent to get them.

Daytime running lights – Auto makers General Motors, Toyota , Volvo, Mercedes-Benz or Subaru already have this option on newer cars. If your car has daytime running lights, be sure to mention this to the agent before renewal to request this discount.

Alumni discount -- Almost half of the nation’s insurers offer some type of discount if you or a spouse belongs to an alumni association, fraternities, sororities, or professional organizations. If you belong to one or more, ask if a discount is offered.

Anti-theft devices, anti lock breaks, military service, safe driving record, kids of driving age with excellent grades – these are some of the other discounts one can take advantage of. Viewpoints Industry TV also knows that it pays to have a good credit score since that is the one item most likely to reduce the rate in the first place.

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Viewpoints Industry -- Prevent Cancer – Get Up and Move at Work

People who spend a great portion of their day are a little more likely to develop certain types of cancer than those who are more active. Viewpoints Industry reviews why it is imperative we get up and move at work.

When we are sedentary all day long, sitting at a desk, behind a steering wheel or some other job which requires no real movement, we are taking risks with our bodies and eventually our lives. Sitting all day often results in poor blood circulation, high blood pressure, stiff muscles and joints and can be a precursor for colon or endometrial cancer. So get up move.

There are many ways to get extra movement into the work day:

Take one fifteen minute break at mid-morning and one in mid-afternoon to walk outside or walk around the floor. Bend knees and elbows and bend the head down to relieve any stress.

If a one hour lunch break is given, take half of it and go for a walk.

When allowed, get up and walk to someone’s office rather than call or email.

Take the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator if possible.

Break the day up with short bits of light activity. It also helps the eyes when they are strained.

These small steps help a great deal in the overall health of everyone. Viewpoints Industry suggests adding activity to your life. Every little bit helps.

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Viewpoints Industry Reviews How to Choose the Best Luggage

Summer is here and we are amped up to hit the road or the skies. Viewpoints Industry shares tips on how to choose the best luggage for your needs.

The little signs that it’s time to replace a suitcase are now flashing like road hazards signs: the handle is coming loose, wheels are falling off, or the fabric is ripping. Why do we dread shopping for new luggage? Perhaps because there is so much to choose from in a variety of price ranges. But it’s not really that hard to find the right piece of luggage. Just keep these points in mind:

What do you need it for? Business or pleasure or both? How much do you usually pack for a four day trip or a two week trip?

Will an overhead bag fit into the airline’s overhead bin? Does it meet the airlines’ size and weight restrictions? Can you life it over your head to place in the overhead bin?

Does a two-wheeled bag move more easily than one with four wheels?

How much interior room does it have?

Is the exterior fabric waterproof and rip proof?

Where do you want to buy your new luggage – in a local store or online?

Viewpoints Industry TV likes to buy new luggage locally because it allows us to test it in the store for both ease in movement, and to see if it’s easy to lift. When buying online, read about 10 reviews for a few items you like before purchasing. Remember to look for a lifetime warranty on luggage pieces if you travel a lot. Choosing the best luggage for your needs does not have to be a chore. Have fun with it.

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Viewpoints Industry on Simple Steps to Protecting Your Privacy

(sign out on social media and other online accounts every time)

It seems like nothing is safe from possible hack attacks these days. Everything from smart phones to brand-name store customer databases are being broken into with personal info stolen. Below are some simple steps to take to protecting your privacy.

Password protect everything you can from smart phones to online accounts. Create strong passwords using a varied number of small and capital letters, numbers and symbols. Viewpoints Industry TV cautions readers to not use the same user name and password on all accounts.

Protect your good name. Add a Google Alert for your name and keep tabs on it. Do a search first to find out what variation of your name is most common on Google. It takes very little time to set up an alert and may prevent someone finding something not too flattering about you before you find it.

Sign out of every account you sign on to on the Internet. This is one of the most easily forgotten things to do. Sign out of social media sites, online financial accounts, email accounts and online retailer accounts. By doing this, you are reducing the opportunity someone else has of gaining personal information about you. And it is imperative to sign out when on a shared computer or a public computer.

Viewpoints Industry also suggests not giving personal information to anyone who asks such as department stores and medical offices. Keep your phone number, SSN, birth date and email private. Because you just don’t know what the person who took it, or overheard you give it, is going to do with it.

Protecting your privacy is essential in today’s digital and electronic world where the most cunning can get and use data that can harm you later. It’s simple and takes very little time to closing and locking the door on data theft.

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Viewpoints Industry TV and How to Stay Cool This Summer

It current weather conditions are telling, this summer promises to be a scorcher across the country. Viewpoints Industry TV shares suggestions on how to stay cool this summer.

Sometimes, just looking at the morning weather forecast is all we need to know that it is going to be another sweltering day. Fortunately, there are ways to stay cool when the mercury keeps going up and up.

Go to the movies for the matinee. Enjoy someone else’s air conditioning and see a movie while there. There is an added bonus that this screening is usually less expensive than the evening screenings. Double coolness.

Take a cool shower and stand under a ceiling fan to cool off and dry. Please be sure the curtains or blinds are closed when doing so.

Put pillowcases in the freezer a little bit before going bed. It is easier to get to sleep when there is something cool under the head.

Viewpoints Industry suggests to eat to for the heat. Make and enjoy cool meals like fun salads, cold pasta dishes and refreshing beverages like cherry lemonade. Drink plenty of water too. Staying hydrated is a great way to cool off.

Finally, do as they do in the South – put a spoon or knife in the freezer. Take it out after an hour or so and press is on pulse points like the neck and wrists. Stay cool and refreshed this summer, readers!

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Viewpoints Industry on How to Get What You Pay For

(The number of baby diapers per package is reduced but price stays the same)

Consumers should be aware that some food and product manufacturers are reducing the size, pieces or ounces in packaging and still charging the same price. Viewpoints Industry offers some samples and a few tips about how to get your money’s worth at the grocery store.

The next time you go to the store to stock up, check the item’s package to see if its size was reduced. Chances are it has. A consumer reporter found that the price of a popular juice box maker reduced the number of ounces in the box but still charged the same price as before. The reporter also found that a favorite brand of packaged cookies also reduced the number of items in the package and still charged the same price. The same also applies to a maker of baby diapers. While this may seem unfair to the average consumer, it seems to be occurring more frequently.

Viewpoints Industry TV encourages readers to check the price per ounce on the package. As food and other costs rise, manufacturers are passing them on to the consumer through price hikes and reduction in product size and quantity. And while it may seem like there is nothing a grocery shopper can do about it, we can buy products which have not been altered. If one must buy their favorite brand and the price per ounce is less, write to the manufacturer and lodge a complaint. We always want to be sure we get what we pay for.


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Viewpoints Industry and Why Hackers Want Your Numbers

(Your IP address can be hidden with browsers and software to hide it)

There are eight numbers we all have that hackers can’t wait to get their hands on. This is why it is imperative to be sure these numbers are safe and secure. Viewpoints Industry reviews which numbers they are and how to protect them.

Your phone number. A recent check online for my name yielded my cell phone number. This is why it is essential to unlist a cell or landline number from any directory, resume service or anyplace else that asks for it. Also, be careful when adding a phone number to social media sites which request it for verification. Is it really necessary when an email address works as well?

Dates and zip codes. Do you really want your birth date, children’s birth dates, Social Security Number, zip code, street address listed on the Internet?  These are also numbers that fraudsters want to get their hands on, and can, through the open cracks and seams online. Always go with the theory “less is more”. The less personal information provided the more protected your identity is.

PIN codes. It’s better to use a credit card inside stores and gas stations or at the gas tank since skimmers can easily grab your PIN code. The same suggestion applies to using the card inside where a camera could be hidden and record as you enter your code. This recently happened to a friend when the notified her that there was a breach.

IP address. While it can be somewhat easy for hackers to find it, there are ways to protect it. Unplug your wireless router, wait ten minutes and plug it back in. Your IP address changes every time you do that. There are also browsers which can hide the IP address. Find, download, install and use one.

Viewpoints Industry TV pinpoints these other numbers which can wreck personal financial data and your life: drivers license number, passport ID number, and health insurance policy numbers. Always monitor all financial, credit and health statements to be sure it is accurate. Report any discrepancies. Ask credit card companies and banks if they offer any ID theft products and take advantage of them. It pays to be vigilant when it comes to your personal and financial life.

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Viewpoints Industry with Tips for Buying a Car

How many readers are driving an older car that will soon need to be replaced with a newer model? If that’s you, Viewpoints Industry has some tips that might make this nerve-wracking time a little easier.

While a new car lease might seem the way to go, consider buying a used car. Forget the old adage that you’re buying someone else’s problems. Most reputable previously-owned car dealers run their inventory through testing before certifying it and putting it on the lot. Also, used cars are made better than the newer models. (Think about all those GMC and Ford recalls in effect now.) And a used car costs less.

Think about your needs and what you liked about your old car. Do you like the idea of a sedan with a trunk or do you like a little sporty vehicle with very little storage space? Do you use your car to commute to work or do you intend to take longer road trips in it? These are personal preferences that no salesman can talk you out of.

ViewpointsIndustry TV suggests to visit your bank or credit union first to see if you can get a car loan. Then when you walk into the dealership or a car lot, you have some room to negotiate. And do negotiate. Never accept the first offer. Always stay true to what your budget allows and don’t let the salesperson sway you into a deal you cannot afford. Good luck!

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