Jacky Kennedy Sisson, Surrey’s Personal Finance Manager.
Jksisson@surreyservices.org

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Here is some helpful advice:

When an incorrect bill is received

If a bill seems incorrect, call the company right away to have it fixed. Ignoring the bill and not paying it will only result in possible collection notices. The longer the bill is wrong, the harder it is to fix. Pay special attention to medical bills and review them to make sure that Medicare and any supplemental insurance have made payments. Often the bills are not submitted to the correct insurance company, which results in unpaid bills.

When a collection notice is received

Check to make sure that the debt listed on the collection notice is legitimate. Also check that the statute of limitations has not passed. Sometimes debt collection companies will send notices for old debt. If the debtor makes any kind of payment or acknowledges the debt, then the clock will start over and the company will pursue collection.

If the debt is a medical bill that should have been paid by insurance and it is within a year of the date of service, the bill can still be submitted to insurance for payment.

Take care in deciding what to say or write to a debt collector. Their sole purpose is to get a payment, and information will be used for that purpose. Don’t say that you will pay if you have no intention of doing so. Also, don’t give out any more contact or personal information than the collector has already obtained.

Watch out for fraudulent debt collection calls

Never provide your credit card, bank account number, debit card, social security number or Medicare number to anyone over the telephone.

There are many fraudulent phone scams that use scare tactics to extort money from innocent victims. A sure tip off that you’re being targeted is if the callers voice is an automated machine or threatens you with arrest if the “debt” is not paid immediately.

If you need help sorting out bills and budgeting payments, contact Jacky Kennedy Sisson, Surrey’s Personal Finance Manager at 610-647-9840.

The post The Facts on Debt Collection appeared first on Surrey Home Care.

Have at least one credit card

The trick is to use that credit card but pay off the full balance each month. That way, you’re charging only what you can afford.

Make sure the credit card is in your name

Spouses who never signed for loans and never had credit cards in their names may not have a credit history. This becomes an issue following death of the spouse or divorce. That’s because married couples don’t build credit together. Everyone should have a credit card in their own name to build credit themselves.

Guard your cards

Make sure you keep your credit cards in a safe place. Someone doesn’t need to have the actual card to make on-line purchases. Cell phones have made it easy to steal card numbers by taking a photo of the front and back without taking the physical card.

Refuse to co-sign

Do not put your finances at risk by co-signing a loan or other form of borrowing. Perhaps it’s true that your grandson is having a hard time building credit as an unemployed 22-year-old. But co-signing on any loan, even for family or friends, puts you at risk.

Be vigilant for ID theft

Identity theft can happen to anyone at any age, but we older adults are particularly vulnerable. Monitor your credit report for accuracy and your credit score.

If you would like help setting up a system to streamline payments, track expenses or review your credit reports Surrey’s Personal Finance Manager can help. Call 610-647-9840 to find out about this fee-based service can help.

Jacky is Surrey’s Personal Finance Manager. She is an active member of the American Association of Daily Money Managers.

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One way to control these types of offers is to visit www.optoutprescreen.com  Opting out of prescreened card offers makes it less likely that an ID thief will intercept them and take out credit in your name.

You can opt out for five years electronically or by calling 888-567-8688. Better yet, you can mail in a form to block pre-screened offers permanently. You may still receive offers from companies you currently do business with such as your bank or mortgage lender.

Jacky Kennedy Sisson is Surrey’s Personal Finance Manager.

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Surrey March 2019 Newsletter

The post Surrey March Newsletter 2019 appeared first on Surrey Home Care.

Marie Keely and Theresa with a raffle prize at the meeting held in 2016.

Surrey Home Care offers an array of services to help keep older adults safe and engaged in their homes including: medical procedure transportation, geriatric care management, RN care management, live in care, personal care, social companions, cleaners and personal finance management.

The post Surrey Announces Caregiver Recognition and Training Lunch appeared first on Surrey Home Care.