Gary Stapp Weblog

CREDIT CARDS AND YOUR YOUR RIGHTS 12-20-09

Did the banks raise your interest to 15% or 25 or even 30%??? Do you realize that you don't have to stand for that. All card companies must notify you that they are raising your interest, and give you an opportunity to "opt out" of agreeing to their raise. You have probably already been notified and most of you had until July 1st to say no (read your individual letter). Here's the deal .... you need  to call or write your card holder. If you call, get a name and write it down along with the time and date. Just say "I'm rejecting your rate increase". Try and get them to verify your rejection in writing. They can't raise your rates if you don't agree to it. Being silent means you accept, or if you use the card for anything after opting out it will be considered agreeing to the new terms. Not only must you not use the card again but if you're late on a payment, it's breaking the terms of the original agreement and thus the new agreement comes into effect automatically. They'll also take your high balances away so you don't have any more credit to use. Some of you have been raised to 25% and 30%. Why stand for that,  just "opt out" and don't use the card(s). Believe me, it won't be long before these banks will start lowering rates again and fighting each other for credit card business. Just like they have always done in the past. It's called GREED .

Believe me, no one is any greedier than the banks. So stand up for your rights. They'll come back begging for your business with lower rates and special deals sooner than you think. Here's a couple more things ..... if you start paying bills with your credit cards (a sure sign you're in financial difficulty) they'll cut your available credit down and take it away. If you think you are going to need those funds to live on ..... take them all to max "the same day" and then "opt out". Beat them to the punch. Do I sound mad? You betterbelieve it. Considering President Obama and the rest of the politicians bailed out these banks with $3400 worth of funds from every man, woman and child in this country. Then the banks tighten the screws on-us for more money. What a world ..... the greedy just keep getting richer at our expense.

WANT TO SUPPORT AMERICA

"I'LL BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THIS"

Read the bar-code on what you are buying. From the department store to the grocery store The first 3

numbers of the bar-code will tell you where it's made. Anything starting with 000--- to 099--- is made in the USA or Canada. 300--- to 379--- is from France, 400--- to 449--- from Germany, 470--- to 479--- from Taiwan, 490--- to 499--- Japan, and 690--- to 692--- is made in China. It's our right to know where things come from, but since US and Chinese businessmen, and government officials, know people do not prefer products "made in China" because of the "black hearted goods", they prefer not to inform us. Remember, if you want to buy American and support American jobs look for the "0" on the start of the bar-code.

 W-D 40 USES - BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Restores and cleans chalkboards, removes lipstick stains, removes stains from stainless steel sinks, removes tomato stains from clothing, keeps glass or plastic shower doors free of water spots, removes sticky label glue from jars, removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor, removes bug guts from cars easily, keeps rust from forming on tools, keeps bathroom mirrors from fogging, removes splattered grease from stoves, removes all traces of duct tape, removes crayon from walls and ... believe it or not ... people spray it on their arms, hands and knees to relieve arthritis pain and you can even spray some on your fishing lures and bait, you'll catch more fish. It's made with fish oil ans was created in 1953 as a "water displacement" compound and lubricant for protecting Atlas missile parts. But as you can see, no one should ever be without a can.

*** FREE TAX HELP ***

Here are several agencies that will help you with your tax return for free .... United Way of King County has 14 locations offering help in many languages. See "goto.seattlepi.com/r1235". To find an AARP tax aide near you call 888-227-7669. For the "Seattle University Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program" also visit .... "goto.seattlepi.com/r1250". In King County you can call the "King County ACORN Working Families Prosperity Center" at 206-723-5845 from 5-9 p.m., Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. and also Saturdays. They are located at 134 S.W. 153rd St. in Burien. Also try Bellevue "Hope Link" at 14812 Main St.

Have you ever noticed that when you put the two words "THE" and "IRS" together it spells "THEIRS"