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Personal Finance Expert Howard S. Dvorking Releases New Book

FORT LAUDERDALE, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, millions of Americans sink further into debt, and the sad truth is that most Americans have been conditioned to believe that debt is a normal part of life. According to the Federal Reserve, roughly 43% of families spend more than they earn and almost half make only minimum payments on outstanding balances.

"Credit Hell: How to Dig Out of Debt" (Wiley; April 2005; $19.95; 0471737534; Paper) by nationally known financial expert Howard S. Dvorkin walks readers through the "getting-out-of-debt" process, from assessing the state of finances and developing a budget, to negotiating with creditors, consolidating debts, and rebuilding finances after money troubles are over. Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, this accessible guide will help readers to:

* Understand the deep-seated attitude that controls their money habits
* Analyze where their money goes and what their total assets are
* Change habits and find the money to save
* Deal with important debts like your mortgage and car loans and any taxes you may owe to the IRS
* Recognize when bankruptcy may be the best option

Step by step and dollar by dollar, "Credit Hell" empowers readers to manage money by freeing themselves from debt, creating a livable budget, and restoring credit so they are free to build equity and wealth.

About the Author
Howard S. Dvorkin is one of the most successful individual debt management and credit counseling advisors in the country and has been advising clients for nearly 15 years. He is the founder of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services, Inc., a leader in the nonprofit debt-counseling arena. He is a certified public accountant, a certified credit counselor, and a noted financial expert on consumer credit, personal financial planning, and tax strategies. As an expert who examines consumer credit trends, causes and effects of financial overextension, Dvorkin has contributed to numerous print publications and broadcast outlets including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Family Circle, Consumer Reports, the American Banker, Investor's Business Daily, and CBS Nightly News with Dan Rather, among others.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Howard S. Dvorkin
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=22415

Consumer Alert: Child identity theft

(National) May 10, 2005 - Imagine a child with more than a dozen credit cards and thousands of dollars in debt. Shiloh Pucket is only ten years old, and her credit has already been ruined. The person responsible? Her mother.

Cindy Pucket stole her daughter's identity, she claims, "It was a means of necessity. We needed help."

Linda Foley at the Identity Theft Resource Center said, "Child identity theft is one of the most vicious crimes I can think of."

Children are the latest victims of identity theft. More than half a million kids have their identities stolen each year. But it's not always a relative to blame. The crook can be a complete stranger who gets your child's social security number and starts applying for credit.

Robert Siciliano is an identity theft expert, "Once they have that number, they can go and open up accounts." Children are a big target because they have unblemished credit and the crime can go unnoticed for years. "And that entire credit report has probably been ruined," adds Foley.

Parents, there are ways to protect your kids. First, when you apply for your child's social security number, make sure the card arrives in the mail. Once you have the card, put it in a safe place, don't carry it in your wallet, it's simply an open invitation to theft. Also, do not put their social security numbers on non-essential forms like daycare or camp applications.

"Even if a school asks for your child's social security number," says Foley, "The reality is they have to provide an education for them whether you give it or not."

And keep an eye on their credit report. Any activity is a red flag.

"It's important that parents not only check their own credit reports every four to six months, but they should also check that of their child, their spouses, even their parents," says Siciliano.

Shiloh's mom spent six months in jail, but other credit crooks are still out there, waiting to prey on innocent children.

Reported by Judi Gatson