George Costanza was just trying to make us all smarter – or – Why you’d better keep an eye on the salsa this Super Bowl Sunday...

A researcher inspired by a famous "Seinfeld" episode has concluded that double dipping is just plain gross. "That's like putting your whole mouth right in the dip!" George Costanza was admonished on the show after he dipped a chip twice at a wake. That's not too far off, says  a Clemson University professor…read more...

Don’t think you’ll be affected by the domino-effect of the subprime-related debacle?  Hmmmmmmm, you might wanna think again, especially since some of the biggest banks in the nation are quietly raising consumer-focused fees to make up for the red ink flowing from the real estate-side of their operations.  Look for higher ATM fees and higher overdraft fees.  By the way: Did you know that as much as 70% of the income derived from consumer-related transactions comes from insufficient funds fees?  Let me put a number on that for you: As much as $40 billion a year.

Speaking of overdrafts...Could your bank be encouraging you to overdraw your checking account?  Ummmmmmm...YES!  I first exposed this practice 9 years ago...suffice it to say that helping consumers to fail and overdraw their checking accounts might sound bad–unless you’re a shareholder in a bank.

It’s a strategy known in banking circles as high-to-low check processing...and here's how it works: If several checks are drawn on the same bank account on the same day, the bank processes the largest check first, increasing the odds that checks presented later will bounce. The end result? Multiple bounced-check fees, a profit center that will generate comfortably-huge profits for banks.  The banks publicly say they process larger checks first because they believe the larger the check, the more important payment it may represent, such a mortgage or car payment.  Aren’t they kind...

IRS-related Scams/Part I: The bad guys are always on call 24/7, and this latest scam making the rounds and riding the coattails of the legitimate news story regarding the economic stimulus package Washington's trying to pass that'll put tax rebate checks into the hands of almost 70 million taxpayers. 

The scammer-side of the story is a reminder that you’ve got to use your head and never give up your personal digits.  From Social Security Numbers to bank account numbers–never give out any sensitive information to anyone contacting you, whether it be by phone, mail or e-mail.  Remember, the scammers have no conscience and no fear and they’re job is to be convincing.  Dover’s Rule?  No exceptions!  Do not let someone convince you to part with this info unless and until you’ve had a chance to confirm the validity of the inquiry...even if they give you phone number to call them back on, in the spirit of verifying their authenticity.

IRS-related Scams/Part II: As silly and far-fetched as this scam sounds, it’s actually happened!  Make sure that when you make your check out to the, make it payable to Internal Revenue Service and not IRS.  Why?  The bad guys have been known to pilfer envelopes addressed to the IRS from mailboxes, fish out checks made to ‘IRS’ and then doctor the payable name from IRS to “MRS. ______ ______.”  It’s actually happened, so you’ve been warned!

IRS-related Scams/Part III: Just as I was about to post this blog entry, I received an e-mail that I’m supposed to be stupid enough/gullible enough to believe originated from our pals at the IRS.

I wish I could actually meet the pinheads who create this crap–and I use the word crap for a reason:  Just look at the screen-shot of the actual e-mail that I’ve pasted in for you...I’ll point out the silly signs that this is phishing garbage:

1.  The IRS doesn’t send e-mail like this!  

2.  Look at their e-mail address!  The IRS’ real address is irs.gov

3.  Look who it’s addressed to: If this is a specific e-mail with specific information about my supposed refund of $680.40, doncha think they’d at least have my name in the header/address to info?

4.  I love the “NOTE: For security reasons...” hype.  I’m shaking already.

5.  Do you think the IRS ever sends any sort of correspondence with a closing salutation of “Regards”?

6.  And finally, my favorite–these people must really have you-know-what for brains: Look at the very bottom of the letter: Since when would the IRS have to “copyright protect” a form or letter?  TOTAL amateurs!  You’ve gotta love it.

Didja like what you just read? E-mail it to someone in need...

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