5 MUST-KNOW TIPS FOR BEST HANDLING A TRAFFIC STOP

Stories of altercations between police and detained citizens captured on police dashboard or body cameras have become all too commonplace in recent years. In fact, The Guardian now maintains an ongoing tally of the number of people killed by police in the U.S. – a number that has reached 948 on the date of this article’s writing.

Just last week, a car chase in Mesquite, TXescalated into an altercation in which police shot an armed man who refused to pull over for a traffic stop. While many factors drive the escalation of these police interactions, a common theme behind many of them is poor communication.

Keep Calm So You Can Carry On

Being pulled over by the police can be a nerve-racking experience,” says Jeff Bell, CEO of LegalShield. “It is clear is the best approach in a situation where you are stopped by a police officer is to keep calm and be courteous.”

Understanding traffic laws vary by state and province, here are five tips to help you properly handle a traffic stop.

1. Pull safely off the road, turn your interior light on at night, keep your hands on the steering wheel, be polite and cooperative with the police officer, and address the officer as "sir" or "ma'am.” A strong example of this can be seen in the recent tragedy involving Sandra Bland, who committed suicide after being arrested for her behavior during a routine traffic stop. The Washington Post cites several police officers and others commenting on this altercation, which many believe could have been avoided simply by a more civil discourse between Bland and the officer.

2. Comply with the officer's requests for your name, driver's license, registration, and insurance information. However, as ACLU lawyer Jason Williamson writes for Time, “you’re not required to give a statement beyond that. You can simply say, ‘I choose not to answer that question’.”

3. Do not exit the vehicle unless you are directed to do so by the officer. Referencing the story about Ms. Bland, Former NYPD detective Harry Houck recently told CNN that it is best for people to "do whatever (a police officer) says and then deal with it later."

4. Do not consent to a search of your car. If the officer searches despite your objection, remember to stay calm, tell the officer that you object to the search, but do not physically resist the search.

5. Call your attorney as you are able to do so.

To learn more about how a LegalShield membership can help you to understand the laws in your state, click here

8 CRITICAL LEGAL TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS

Homeowners face unique legal issues involving insurance, homeowner associations, warranties, mortgages and more. The following tips are designed to help you plan for potential problems in the future and handle unexpected events when they occur. If you have questions, contact your LegalShield provider law firm and speak with an attorney.

Insurance – Having an adequate homeowner's insurance policy is extremely important. Buying a policy because it is the most affordable may be a recipe for disaster. Make sure your policy covers natural disasters common to where you live. You should review your policy yearly to make sure your losses will be covered in the event of a disaster.

Important Information – Keep important information, such as insurance documents, warranties, deeds and wills in a safe location where they will not be lost or destroyed.

Homeowner Associations (HOA) – If you own a home or are considering the purchase of a home that is governed by an HOA it is vital that you understand the association’s bylaws. HOA bylaws often restrict modifications you can make to the property and regulate the property’s appearance. You may be fined for failing to adhere to your HOA’s bylaws. If you need assistance reviewing HOA bylaws contact your LegalShield provider law firm.

Hiring a Contractor – Repairs and renovations are an inevitable part of homeownership. When you hire a contractor, avoid taking the lowest bid without considering other important factors. Check the contractor’s references and confirm that he or she is licensed and insured. Ask for a detailed written estimate of the cost and scope of the work before agreeing to anything. Your LegalShield provider law firm can help review a contractor’s agreement before you sign.

Home & Appliance Warranties – Home and appliance warranties are only as good as their fine print. Before signing up for a warranty have your LegalShield provider law firm review the terms carefully for exclusions and hidden costs.

Neighborhood Disputes – Disputes between neighbors over property lines, dangerous trees, animals and other disturbances can quickly spiral out of control. Before taking matters into your own hands call your LegalShield provider law firm and discuss your concerns with an attorney who understands the local laws.

Mortgage Scams – The mortgage crisis led to a booming industry in mortgage relief scams. Be wary of forensic mortgage audits, loan modification guarantees and class action mortgage relief. Scammers use direct mail and phone calls to solicit victims with special refinancing offers. Do not sign any agreements or make any payments before speaking with your LegalShield provider law firm.

Renting – Before you consider renting your property make sure your mortgage allows the space to be used as a non-primary residence. Many homeowners’ insurance policies exclude renters. Review the terms of your mortgage and insurance carefully. Your LegalShield provider law firm may also help review any lease or roommate agreements before they are signed.

SPRING CLEANING TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR WORTH

Does the warmer weather have you thinking about cleaning out the cobwebs of winter?

The start of the Spring season is a nice time to not only clear out any clutter from your home, but also freshen up your finances and maybe free up a few extra dollars in the process.

Here are some tips for financial Spring cleaning:

1) Get rid of financial disorder by tossing out unneeded paperwork and canceling services (like cable) if they no longer fits your lifestyle. Here’s a list of records you should file away and how long to keep them.

2) Organize for next year’s taxes by creating a folder or a computer file to record charitable deductions or other receipts for use in 2011.

3) Review your credit card statements and credit report since accuracy on both is important to your present and future financial well being.

4) Are the beneficiaries up to date on your Will and other financial documents? Life changes over the years and the people you named when the accounts were open may not be your choices anymore.

5) Revisit your insurance policies to verify the coverage is just right to adequately cover your current home, vehicle(s) and other property.

6) Clean house by honestly looking at your financial situation. How does your bank account look? Bad financial habits and poor decisions are probably not working in your
favor, so make the changes that can help create better financial opportunities for you as you build your Pre-Paid Legal business.

CREDIT REPAIR SCAMS – HOW TO ACTUALLY REPAIR YOUR CREDIT

If you have a poor credit rating, the promises made by credit repair companies, to provide clean credit histories and access to fresh lines of credit, may seem like a dream come true. Unfortunately, these offers are too good to be true and may leave you in even worse shape than when you started. Here are some of the critical facts you should know about credit repair scams.

Fraudulent credit repair companies often:
Demand payment upfront;
Fail to explain your legal rights;
Instruct you to provide inaccurate information to credit reporting agencies or lenders;
Dispute accurate information on your credit report; and
Tell you not to contact or respond to credit reporting agencies yourself.

Companies offering “new credit identities” often charge a fee for what they call a “credit profile number” or “credit privacy number”. These companies will instruct you to apply for credit using this new number. These numbers are often either stolen Social Security Numbers (SSN) or fraudulently obtained Employer Identification Numbers (EIN). Using a fraudulent SSN or EIN is a federal crime and you could be held responsible. Penalties may include steep fines or possible jail time.

The process of improving your credit score takes time and effort, but it can be done. There are many steps you can take and your LegalShield provider law firm is ready to help. Your provider law firm can help dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. They may also help you negotiate payment or settlement agreements for outstanding debts. Call and talk with an attorney at your LegalShield provider law firm today. Additionally, for IDShield members, you can call a licensed private investigator for help.

The process of improving your credit score takes time and effort, but it can be done. There are many steps you can take and your LegalShield provider law firm is ready to help. Your provider law firm can help dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. They may also help you negotiate payment or settlement agreements for outstanding debts. Call and talk with an attorney at your LegalShield provider law firm today. Additionally, for IDShield members, you can call a licensed private investigator for help.

TAX SCAMS AND MISTAKES YOU CAN’T AFFORD

Common tax scams include everything from identity theft, phony collections to preparer fraud. All may be costly and frustrating. In addition, over 20% of tax filers wait until the last minute to file a return. Hurried last minute tax preparation can lead to costly mistakes and missed deductions. Whether you hire a professional tax service, use software, file online or via mail, it is important to make sure you understand the most common scams and mistakes.

Not recognizing a tax scam until it is too late. Tax scams come in all shapes and sizes. Each year the IRS prepares a “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams. For the fifth year in a row identity theft tops the list. If you fear you may be a victim of identity theft and you have an IDShield membership call (800) 806-3991. If you do not yet have an IDShield membership visitwww.idshield.com to learn more. Click here to find out what else tops the IRS list for 2016. The Canada Revenue Agency also offers resources for detecting tax scams and fraud. Click here to access the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Failing to file and make payment on time. In the U.S. taxes are due on April 18th. In Canada returns are due by April 30th. The IRS does allow a six-month filing extension until October 17th. You must file Form 4868 before the April 18th deadline to request an extension. If you owe money, you will be subject to late fees if the full amount is not paid by April 18th. The Canadian Revenue Agency does not allow for late filing; however, if you cannot make your full payment you can avoid late-filing penalties if you file your return before the April 30th deadline.

Last minute filing mistakes. Many individuals put off filing their taxes until the last minute. The cost of some tax preparation services may increase as filing deadlines approach. Disorganized late filers may pay late fees, miss out on key deductions or make mistakes. Online tax preparation and filing is a great way to complete your return quickly and with time to spare. You may even be eligible for free online filing if you meet certain income requirements (learn more U.S. and Canada).

Failing to secure your tax return and other financial documents. Whether you file online or use a professional you must keep your personal information safe. Tax returns are a goldmine for identity thieves. Never store sensitive information on public computers or transmit financial information through unsecured WiFi. Also, keep paper copies of your return in a safe location.

Claiming a deduction you cannot back up with proper documentation. Underpaying your taxes could subject you to costly fines and penalties. You must be able to show proof of your deductions in the event of an audit. Save copies of your return as well as all of the receipts and other documents you use to prepare your taxes. Keep the documents in a safe and accessible location.

Hiring a dishonest or inept tax professional. There are many wonderful tax professionals who can help you file accurate and timely returns. Tax preparation services can be invaluable to businesses and individuals with complex personal finances. If you decide to utilize a professional tax preparer find someone you can trust and always make sure they sign your return. Taking a little extra time to look into your preparer before you hire them could save you a great deal of trouble. The IRS has a webpage to help you select a preparer and check his or her credentials.

HOW IT WORKS

IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION PLAN

YOUR SHIELD OF PROTECTION

IDShield is the only identity theft protection company armed with a team of Kroll licensed private investigators on call to restore your identity.

IDShield is a comprehensive identity theft protection service that monitors the information that matters, offers unlimited consultation on how to protect your information, and provides complete restoration by licensed private investigators in case your identity is compromised.

Millions of people lose their identities every year. Don't be one of them. Identity theft has been the top consumer complaint filed with the FTC for 15 years straight. Victims are spending an exorbitant amount of time and money dealing with it. The criminals are getting smarter. And they’re not going away. That’s why you need a company that’s more than a website. You need an established institution that understands all the potential threats, how to prevent them and how to restore any damage done.



Sign up for your IDShield 24/7 365 monitoring of all your personal information today. IDShield also helps to restore your identity to it's original status before it was compromised or stolen and used illegally. Get protected now for $9.95 a month for the Individual Plan or $19.95 a month for the Family Plan that covers up to 10 people 2(Adults) and up to 8 dependents. CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up today!