" Avoid impulse shopping on your credit card. " Use credit for money emergency only. " Seek credit counseling as soon you see financial problems on the horizon. Title: How To Avoid Credit-Related Scams Word Count: 512 Summary: With foreclosures at record highs, and credit card defaults soaring, be aware of scam artists and their claims of quick fixes. Keywords: credit, consumers, scams, repair, services, companies, information, consumer, credit repair, credit report, repair services, credit repair services, Article Body: In recent years, our televisions and email in-boxes have been inundated with advertisements from companies promising to help consumers improve their credit. Many of these companies offer a quick fix for people who have a high-rate of debt or bad credit, and the promises made often seem to good to be true. Many offer extended lines of credit, immediate debt relief and easy access to cash. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that many of these offers are too good to be true, and consumers must read carefully to be aware of possible scams and protect themselves from compounding their money troubles. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cautions consumers against many forms of credit scams that consumers face today. Two of the most prevalent scams against consumers include offers for advance-fee loans and credit repair services. Advance-fee loan scams often target consumers with credit problems or consumers who have difficulty getting credit. In exchange for an up-front fee, these companies guarantee that applicants get the credit they want - usually a credit card or personal loan. Below are some points to keep in mind before responding to ads that promise easy credit regardless of credit history: Most legitimate lenders will not "guarantee" a loan or credit card before a formal application process is followed, especially if the applicant has bad credit or a bankruptcy. It is an accepted and common practice for reputable lenders to require payment for a credit report or appraisal. A processing or application fee is also an accepted practice. Never give a credit card account number, bank account information or Social Security number out over the telephone unless the company is familiar and it is explained clearly why the information is necessary. Credit repair scams are some of the most common credit scams today. They are in ads in newspapers, on television and on the Internet. Consumers receive fliers in the mail and calls from telemarketers
piece
is
an
abstract
triptych
that
I
found
while
I
was
in
Atlanta
buying
religious
paintings
The
piece
was
called
Guardian
Angel
and
I
love
it
My
patrons
fell
in
love
with
it
as
well
They
have
asked
me
to
track
down
the
artist
and
see
if
he
has
anymore
religious
paintings
available
The
only
religious
paintings
that
I
actually
do
not
buy
are
ones
that
reflect
the
image
of
Jesus
on
the
cross
I
don’t
have
a
problem
with
them
some
of
them
are
extremely
well
done
and
would
more
than
likely
sell
well
but
my
investors
made
it
very
clear
when
they
financed
the
gallery
that
I
would
not
put
that
image
into
it
PPPPP
683
Ajello
Candles
The
motto
of
the
Ajello
Candle
Company
is
“It’s
better
to
light
a
candle
than
to
curse
the
darkness”
This
candle
making
company
has
been
in
business
since
1775
The
business
has
been
family
owned
for
seven
generations
The
candles
from
Ajello’s
are
well
known
for
their
beauty
and
quality
While
they
make
more
candles
now
than
in
1775
their
dedication
to
quality
and
to
customers
has
never
changed
The
Ajello
Candle
Company
was
founded
by
Rafael
Ajello
an
Italian
painter
He
was
also
a
beekeeper
so
he
tried
his
hand
at
using
bees
wax
to
create
candles
He
worked
hard
to
create
a
formula
that
worked
well
The
formula
combined
with
his
outstanding
artistic
ability
lead
to
the
birth
of
the
Ajello
Candle
Company
In
1785
the
company
earned
the
honor
of
creating
all
the
candles
for
the
Vatican
He
and
his
wife
ran
the
business
keeping
their
children
involved
in
the
processes
from
an
early
age
As
time
went
on
their
children
and
grandchildren
kept
the
business
running
as
well
as
passed
the
family
business
on
to
their
children
By
1862
the
company
had
established
itself
as
a
leader
among
the
candle
making
industry
They
had
also
added
perfumes
and
many
.
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