Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season!

Scam Artists Create Phony Regulators to Bamboozle
The BBB warns investors to beware of bogus investment-related “regulatory” Web sites being used by scam artists to lend legitimacy to their ploys. Some operate through fake Internet pages set up to look like the official Web sites of regulatory agencies and compliance commissions and others contact their victims through the mail or by phone. In each case, the investor is led to believe that they are dealing with a legitimate domestic or international regulator who is vouching for a particular investment business, stock or broker.

You Can Choose Direct Deposit for Federal Benefit Payments
If you or a loved one receives a Social Security, SSI or other federal benefit by check, consider switching to direct deposit. It is safer and easier, and it gives you more control over your money.

Do kids gamble? The National Research Council (NRC) suggests that not only do most adolescents gamble, but also that they’ve gambled recently.

There are only 11 more shopping days before Christmas. If you’re shopping online for your gifts, you’d better get busy if you want them to arrive on time. While you may be in a rush, you also want to play it safe.

Do Small Businesses Need an “Image”?
It is common wisdom that large corporations benefit from a strong “brand.” They spend enormous resources developing just the right image.

Tax Deductions for Charitable Contributions
One of the benefits of supporting a worthwhile cause is the ability to take a federal income tax deduction in some cases.