I write these notes on Mondays, and as of today, we don’t yet know what kind of drama (if any) will occur during the presidential debate set for tonight.
But regardless of all the political posturing, we’re all facing so much emotion these days. From the Terence Crutcher shooting, to the unrest in Charlotte, and all over the American map, it still just seems like our wounds are defining us. There are problems needing to be fixed, and it all seems so big.
Perhaps a place that we can all start would be by taking a look in the mirror. And we can pray/pause/consider a little more deeply. Maybe if we start right there first, we will have a better idea of how we can effectively engage in the absolute best way possible.
Moving on to the tax stuff, there’s a new scam making the rounds, and it involves emailing taxpayers a fake notice requesting information about healthcare coverage. This should be the first red flag: The IRS almost never initiates contact with taxpayers by emailing them and attaching their correspondence to an email.
Here’s an example of the fake notice: https://bit.ly/2cytioK
If you receive this scam email, do not respond and do not open the attachment. Forward the email to phishing@irs.gov and then delete it.
Dealing with this kind of junk is never fun. And recently, I had an experience that you probably have dealt with as well: challenging a bill that is simply incorrect.
It’s a symptom of our modern world, and if you aren’t keeping a close eye on your credit card statements and the bills that come through your mailbox, it might be too late. But there’s a way to go about it that is almost certain to bring results…
Ann Hartz’s Six Steps For Dealing With Errors On Your Credit Card Statements
“Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.” -Abraham Lincoln
Dealing with a billing error can be frustrating. But giving up too quickly will only cost you money. I’ve learned this the hard way, and many of my clients and friends might benefit from what I’ve learned.
So, if you’ve got an erroneous bill to settle, here’s what to do:
1.) Write a polite letter. Control your irritation if you want results. Describe the problem and ask for help. Customer service personnel will be more willing to work with you if you don’t attack them.
2.) Follow the chain of command. Addressing a letter to the CEO of a bank, for example, may only delay a resolution. Start at the bottom, and work your way up until the problem is resolved.
3.) Write within 60 days of receiving the erroneous bill. The Fair Credit Billing Act will protect you only if you follow its limits. That means writing to the company within 60 days after the bill was sent to you.
4.) Give full information. Include your name, address, account number, a brief description of the problem, and copies of the sales slips and other documents that support your claim. Try to keep the letter to a single page.
5.) CC a regulator. If you show that you’re sending a copy of the letter and documents to the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Trade Commission, you signal that you mean business.
6.) Confirm delivery. Send the letter by certified mail with return receipt.
Much of what we do around here at Team Hartz comes down to going to bat on behalf of our clients and making sure that they aren’t getting taken to the cleaners. The above is just a few points from our methodology.
The best advice? Have a professional in your corner.
Warmly,
Ann Hartz
(515) 259-7779
Ann M. Hartz, CPA and Associates