Commerce and Insurance

Division of Consumer Affairs Offers Tips on Advance-Fee Loan Scams

NASHVILLE-  “Bad credit? No credit? No problem!” Sound familiar? It should.

Insurance Division to Meet With Murfreesboro Storm Victims

NASHVILLE- The Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance will be setting up a temporary Consumer Insurance Services center in Murfreesboro to help residents affected by recent storms there.

“It is crucial that storm victims with insurance concerns know that they have a resource,” says Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Leslie A. Newman. “The Insurance Division will be on location to help make sure residents’ storms-related insurance issues are being addressed.”

State offers Tennesseans Storms-Related Tips

Review Policy, Contact Your Insurer and Check Contractors Before Hiring  

NASHVILLE – In the wake of the storm activity and tornadoes that devastated Middle Tennessee last Friday, the Department of Commerce and Insurance would like to offer consumers some tips for interacting with insurance companies and for selecting contractors:
 

Division of Consumer Affairs Urges Tennesseans to Be Aware of Phishing Scams

NASHVILLE- “We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity.”

Have you received e-mail with a similar message? It’s a scam called “phishing” – and it involves Internet fraudsters who send spam or pop-up messages to lure personal information (credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords or other sensitive data) from unsuspecting victims.

Insurance Division Stresses Importance of Knowing Coverage

NASHVILLE - The vast majority of Americans don’t know as much about their insurance coverage as they think, according to a recent survey. The Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) is urging Tennesseans to educate themselves.

“Now more than ever, consumers need to be mindful of the impact their insurance decisions can have on their financial future,” said Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Leslie Newman. “By arming themselves with the facts – and improving their ‘Insurance IQ’ – Tennesseans can make sure they are adequately protected, without paying more than they should for that coverage.”

Consumer Affairs Warns Tennesseans to Beware of Stimulus Scams

Fraud Artists use Federal Relief as Ruse to Steal Money, Information

NASHVILLE - As Tennesseans grapple with the effects of the global economic downturn, Internet scam artists are using the guise of federal economic stimulus dollars to try to steal money from unsuspecting people.

“For years, scam artists have used the Internet to steal from people,” says Tennessee Director of Consumer Affairs Mary Clement. “Now, criminals are adopting the pretense of economic stimulus money, the same way they might use a fictional long-lost relative or some other story. It’s a shame that they are using the pretense of something meant to help states recover.”

State Board of Accountancy Offers Advice on Choosing an Accountant this Tax Season

NASHVILLE- Tax season is here, and selecting the right accountant to maintain records or simply file tax returns can be even more critical for consumers and businesses amid the global economic recession.

Before hiring an accountant, you should note that not all accountants are certified public accountants (CPAs). To become a CPA, an accountant must meet criteria, including passing a state-administered exam and attending continued professional education courses.

Fire Marshal Leslie Newman Reminds Tennesseans to Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries This Weekend

NASHVILLE - As clocks move ahead this weekend for daylight saving time, Tennessee State Fire Marshal Leslie A. Newman would like to remind Tennesseans to change their homes’ smoke alarm batteries, as well.

 “ ‘Change your clock, change your battery’ is an easy phrase to remember and practice, when you update your clocks this weekend,” says Newman. “Smoke alarms, even those that are hard-wired, should have their batteries replaced regularly and be tested monthly to ensure you have the protection you need,” Newman says. “Use this time to protect your home and family.”

Division of Consumer Affairs Warns of Foreclosure Scams

NASHVILLE- Are you behind on your mortgage payment? With tough economic times and more consumers seeking help, it’s important to know who you’re doing business with.

There are a variety of scams that target vulnerable homeowners, including promises to restore your credit or keep you in your home. Legitimate help is available but, if you aren’t careful, you could lose money and even your home.

Division of Consumer Affairs and THP Promote Consumer Protection Week

NASHVILLE-The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs and the Tennessee Highway Patrol have joined forces to promote identity theft prevention as part of the 11th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 1-7.

On Saturday, March 7, from 12:00 p.m. until 3 p.m. (local time), Consumer Affairs and the THP are hosting shredding events at 15 locations across the state for citizens to safely shred and dispose of their personal and household records and documents. To protect your identity, please consider taking advantage of this free opportunity at these locations:
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