CARIBBEAN TODAY SLO c n i December 2009 -usw^caribbeantodj..c.. Direct deposit improves Social Security service Hurricane season ended recently in the United States. But in some areas, it's wildfire season. As you prepare for the threat of a natural disaster in your community, put signing up for direct deposit at the top of your "to do" list. Doing so can eliminate the delay or non-delivery of your monthly payment if a disaster forces you from your home. It is still is the best way to get benefit payments for people who have a bank account. Here's why: Safe Your money is deposited directly into your account at your bank or other financial institution. Because it's transferred electronically, there's no risk of your check being lost or stolen. Quick You'll get your payment faster when it's deposited directly and it is immediately available to you once it's deposited. Convenient No more standing in line at the bank to cash your check, or leaving your house when the weather is bad. For those who don't have a bank account, there's Direct Express. With Direct Express, we automatically deposit benefit payments to a person's Direct Express card account. The card can be used to make purchases, pay bills or get cash at thousands of locations, and most services are free. To learn more or to sign up for Direct Express, visit www.fms.treas.gov/direct- expresscard. To learn more about Direct Deposit of your benefit payments, and to sign up, visit our website at www.socialse- curity.gov/deposit. You also can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). To learn more informa- tion about Direct Express, visit www.fms.treas.gov/direct- expresscard. In the unfortunate event that you are displaced by a natural disaster, your benefits do not have to be. Your pay- ments will be safe and secure, and arrive on time to your account with Direct Deposit or Direct Express. - Social Security Administration 0 Students get 'Miss Lou' scholarship from Florida Over $5,000 was raised from the fourth annual tribute and scholarship fundraiser held last month at the Holy Family Episcopal Church in North Miami, Florida to honor the life and legacy of the late Jamaican cultural icon Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverley. Proceeds from this event will be used to support the Louise Bennett-Coverley Scholarship Fund that was started following Miss Lou's death of in July 2006. The scholarship is tenable at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica. So far, the scholarship has benefited four Don't pay for the holidays all year long, shoppers warned (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7) people knew how to party on a budget. Consider a pot-luck party this year where guests each bring a dish. Or cut your tab at the grocery store by signing up to receive online newsletters from brands you like, buy store brands that are often made by name brand companies, and combine coupons with buy-one-get-one and sale offers. It's in the cards: People spend up to 30 percent more when paying with credit cards rather than cash. Pay with cash, debit cards or checks whenever possible. If you use credit cards, chose a low rate credit card instead of high interest rate department store cards, and avoid department store credit cards offering a one-time discount. Protect your identity: Crowded stores increase the risk of pickpockets and purse snatchers. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse but do keep copies (both front and back) of all of the credit cards and ID (including your driver's license) that you carry with you to enable swift action in the event of loss or theft. The art of re-gifting: It's important to remember giving a gift that you received but never used is still a gift, and there is no reason to spoil the moment by confessing you didn't buy it. Be sure the gift is clean and presentable, change the wrapping paper and, most importantly, keep track of who gave the gift to you originally. The tipping point: Many workers rely on receiving tips in order to pay for their holi- day season. As always, tipping is a personal issue and depen- dant on the service received. Several online resources offer a guide to what is appropriate. If you can't find the extra money in your budget this year, show your appreciation with a home- made gift or baked good. Don't take a financial hol- iday: Open your credit card bills as soon as they arrive and verify all the transactions are correct. You have 60 days to challenge errors, and be sure to keep copies of all the corre- spondence. Most importantly, if you are faced with over- whelming debt, seek profes- sional advice from an accred- ited credit counselor who can help get you back on track. 0 Givers, beware holiday scam artists (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7) solicit via the telephone. Ask the solicitor for the charity's mailing address so that you can send them a check direct- ly. When in doubt, call the charity yourself and ask them if they're aware of the solicita- tions being done in their name. Know your charity Many more organizations push for donations during the holidays. Research your charity before making the decision to donate. If they offer you very little information, they may not be legitimate. A legitimate charity will give you informa- tion describing its mission, how donations are distributed and proof that your contribu- tion is tax deductible. DONATION USE How is your donation used? One of the most important things to consider when making a charitable contribution is how much of your money actually goes to the charitable cause. Most charities are required to regis- ter and file annual reports showing how donations are used. You can ask how to find this information at your state or local consumer protection agency. Contribution collectors - Individuals who go door-to- door or position lth im,1S in high traffic areas should be carrying proper credentials and identification. These indi- viduals should be knowledge- able about the organization and be able to provide you with informative materials about the charity. Ask for written information and the solicitor's identification to val- idate the organization. For security and tax record pur- poses, it's important to pay by check when giving a contribu- tion and write the charity's official name on the check. Mail scams Holiday greetings may not the only thing crowding your mailbox. This time of year, watch for appeals for donations. If you do not recognize the name of a particular charity, you can check out their legitimacy as well as their efficiency with your money at the BBB Wise Giving Alliance website, www.give.org. Email scams Be skepti- cal of emails seeking charita- ble contributions. Many unso- licited messages received through email are fraudulent. Do not respond to these e- mails as many of them ask you to send money to an off- shore bank account. Additionally, a fraudulent charity email may have an attachment, offering you more information. Be aware, as many times these attachments contain viruses. It is always important that any charity- related email include a link to an authorized website. You should also be skeptical of any charity email or website that requires you to enter you social security number. Promised prizes Be cau- tious of guaranteed sweep- stakes winnings in exchange for your contribution. This may not be the type of holi- day gift you are looking for. Fraudulent sweepstake mail- ers encourage consumers to return the apparent 'winning' entry along with a donation to the charity named in the pro- motion. The wording in the mailer makes it seem like the recipient is already a winner. Be skeptical if a solicitor thanks you for a contribution you don't remember giving. Other options Instead of donating money to a charity, consider volunteering your time. Contributing your per- sonal time to help others can mean much more than simply writing a check. You can also donate toys, clothing or non- perishable food and make it part of your holiday tradition. Adamant demands - Refuse any high-pressure requests for your contribution. Legitimate charities usually don't require people to give at a moment's notice. An estab- lished charity will still be will- ing to accept your donation, even if you take some time to research first. 0 students pursuing studies in song, dance and drama at the institution. Two students Sodanne Brown and Omar Forbes - both pursuing studies in per- forming arts at Edna Manley were selected as recipients of the 2009-2010 scholarships. This year, a decision was made to award an additional scholarship to a student of Jamaican descent pursuing studies in performing arts at the New World School of the Arts in Miami. Details are currently being finalized with the school's administration, according to Norma Darby, founder of the scholarship fund. In an effort to continue Miss Lou's legacy, the scholar- ship was extended to Jamaican diaspora in the United States to give those students an opportunity to engage their culture and heritage. - JIS Street Address: 9020 SW 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33157 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6010 Miami, FL 33116-6010. Telephone: (305) 238-2868 (305) 253-6029 Fax: (305) 252-7843 Toll-Free Fax: 1-866-290-4550 1-800-605-7516 Jamaica: 654-7282 E-mail: editor@caribbeantoday.com Send ads to: ct ads@bellsouth.net Vol. 20, Number 12* NOV. 2009 PETER A WEBLEY Publisher GORDON WILLIAMS Managing Editor SABRINA HOPKINS Graphic Artist DOROTHY CHIN Account Executive SHARON LEE Account Executive CARMEN CHANG Account Executive JACQUELINE RUBIANO Accounting Manager Caribbean Media Source Media Representatives Opinions expressed by editors and writers are not necessarily those of thepublisher. Caribbean Today, an independent news magazine, is published every month by Caribbean Publishing & Services, Inc. Caribbean Today is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photos. To guarantee return, please include a self- addressed stamped envelope. Articles appearing in Caribbean Today may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor.