Judy Schneider

Holidays and increase in Internet Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

The Holiday's are quickly approaching and shopping online has become a must for many who are looking for those great deals. Internet Scams are also on the rise, Whatcom County, WA is not the only area affected, but we have also seem an increase in these online scams. Protect yourself be using caution when shopping for those great deals. Internet Scams can leave you vulnerable for many years to come.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it usualy is.
• Be Careful of those websites that only allow you to contact the seller through their site. This is not for consumer protection. It keeps you from knowing anything about the merchant.
• Never give personal information to anyone on the Internet, address, or Social Security numbers etc..
• Really be careful of out of the Country merchants. There is not much you can do to figure out who these people are.
• Make sure you know exactly what you are buying and from who. ( Google their information) call other phone numbers and check out who they are.
• If you are not sure how to do this ask someone you know for help.
• Trust and listen to your instincts. These Internet scammers are constantly Changing Names, phone Numbers and email addresses.
• Many of them are using names and identities of people they have scammed before.
• If you are a victim of an Internet scam, report it as soon as possible, first to your local police dept. them to the international web site. www.ic3.gov do not let these people go unreported it is your duty.

Wishing Everyone a safe, Happy and Scam Free Holiday Season!

Holidays and increase in Internet Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

Craigslist Rental Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

Craigslist Rental Scams are not a new thing. This has been going on for a while. It has not been a common thing here in Whatcom County, WA, until now. This past week it has been happening more in Whatcom County, WA.

Homes that are listed for sale in Whatcom County, WA have been showing up on Craigslist as rentals. They are copying and pasting the pictures and attaching false contact information!

Please, if you are looking for rental Homes on Craigslist, Be Careful! Do not send any Personal information or money to anyone you can not meet in person! If it sounds to good to be true it is. Many people have sent hundreds of dollars in deposit and rent money. You should never rent any home without seeing it first. Sometimes the home has been rented to several people and it was never for rent in the first place. These people are then angry with no where to go!

You must be very careful. You do not know who you are contacting on Craigslist. You also have no idea if they are, who they say they are. Please, Everyone help to spread the word!

Real Estate agents check Craigslist and flag all listing of yours that get posted and report to the local police depatment.

Those renters that have been victims can do the same!

If you are a victim of this Scam in Whatcom County, WA. Please call the Bellingham Poice department at 360-778-8800 There has bee a report filed. Case # 09B42322 filed 11/11/09. Protect yourself!

You can also report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov

Craigslist Rental Scams - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

Scam Alert Please Read - Bellingham WA- Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

Scam Alert!!

I have a Home listed for Sale. I do not do property Management and my listing is showing up all over Craigs list as a rental. This was NOT posted by me or the Seller! Anyone that responds to this add is then contacted by email by a man saying he is the owner he uses a Yahoo email address. He also uses a phone number that is out of the country.

He goes on to say that he and his wife have relocated to Africa. I assure you I have never even been to Africa. Please do not give this person any of your personal information or send him any money. This Home is not for rent in Bellingham, WA. it is for Sale! It is a Scam, He wants you to send him the deposit money! I do not use Yahoo email or live in Africa. He has already contacted several people. The listing has already been Red flagged on craigs list too! I have talked to a few people already tonight that have already sent him information. Be Careful!

Thank You also to Active Rain. The people who contacted me today told me they found my phone number because they googled my name and found my Blog on Actiive Rain. Thank You to all of these wonderful people who called me to let me know.

If you are a victim of this Scam in Whatcom County, WA. Please call the Bellingham Poice department at 360-778-8800 There has bee a report filed. Case # 09B42322 filed 11/11/09. Protect yourself!

You can also report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov

Scam Alert!!

Scam Alert Please Read - Bellingham WA- Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

Tax Credit Extended - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

The Tax Credit has officially been extended through April 30 th 2010. This is wonderful news for first time home buyers. This time The Tax Credit also applies to current home owners. This new Tax Credit is Extended through April 30th 2010. The purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close. The Cost limitation on the new home is below $800,000. These new guidelines will make it much easier to qualify for the Tax Credit.

• First Time Home Buyers - Tax creditamount $8,000, (Married filing separate is $4,000.)

• Current Homeowner Amount of Credit - $6500 ($3250 married filing separate)

The New income limits are effective November 7th 2009 and are $125,000 - single, $225,000 - married, Additional $20,000 phase out

This is a wonderful thing for home buyers and sellers right now! This makes it a wonderful time along with current interest rates to buy a home.

If you or someone you know is interested in Real Estate for Sale in Whatcom County, WA, feel free to call or email me. I would be honored to help you find what you are looking for!

Judy Schneider - 360-224-9047 - Exit Realty Associates

Tax Credit Extended - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

Heath Care in Bellingham, WA - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale

I was talking to a man today, with a story to tell today. His story really made me think about Health Care not only in Whatcom County, WA but in our Country! It made me want to call about every doctors bill I receive in the mail. All those little codes they charge for and how easily they can be misunderstood.

This man recently went to the doctor for back pain. He was hurt on the job and scheduled an appointment with a doctor here in Bellingham, WA. He went to the appointment and received treatment for his back and attended the therapy that was prescribed by the doctor. He is now feeling much better.

Then today a month later receives a bill in the mail, for $55.00. He is confused and calls the doctors billing office. They tell him that this is the ammount that is not covered, and that he needs to pay it! He asks what it is for. There is only a code, and he wanted to know what it means! The lady on the phone told him that it was for a quit smoking consultation that the doctor gave him.

This man was very confused, he told the lady on the phone that he went to the doctor for his back. He said the doctor asked him if he smokes and he answered yes. Then the doctor told him he needed to buy lolly pops instead. The man was furious, and told the lady on the phone that doesn't understand how that could be called a consultation. The lady on the phone then gives him an address and name of another person and tells him to file a complaint!

I found this story to interesting to not share. Can you imagine how many people are paying these little bills not even understanding what all of these codes mean. I can not understand where this doctors ethics are. Is business really that bad for a doctor that they would have to bill someone for this kind of advise. It was not even the advise that this patient was there to discuss, he simply answered her question. Does this encourage people to be honest with their doctors?

I just don't get it! How many of us are being billed during these tough times for services we are not given. I know it is not all doctors. Most doctors in our area care more about thier patients. I just can't believe that some will try tactics of this kind!

Heath Care in Bellingham, WA - Whatcom County Real Estate for Sale