1.	The next time you order cheques, have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your cheque book, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your cheques.
2.	When you are writing cheques to pay your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the memo line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your cheque as it passes through all the processing channels won't have access to it.
3.	If you have a post office box, use that instead of your home address. Never have your Social Insurance Number printed on your cheques. You can add it later if it is necessary (i.e. when you pay your income tax bill).
4.	Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of each licence, credit card, health card, gas card and ATM card. Then photocopy your passport. On the same paper, write down the phone numbers that you would have to call to cancel the cards. Entrust this information to someone whom you can reach easily while you travel.

Is the air quality inside your home up to snuff? Floors, carpets and upholstery can be major sources of bacteria, mould spores and allergies.

You may be concerned with losing money on heating or cooling costs, but a sealed house isn't always best – you need fresh air, too! Bad indoor air quality caused by high levels of humidity can cause non-allergic reactions such as headaches and allergic reactions, such as asthma.

Here are some ways to improve the air quality in your home:

• Buy a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity (it should be at 30-50%)
• Regularly clean and disinfect humidifiers and air-conditioners
• Keep your home as clean and dust-free as possible
• Get rid of mouldy surfaces by combining one cup of bleach with one gallon of water

Source: Health Canada

This latest scam involves the misuse of the W8-BEN form (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding). The W8-BEN form is filed with a U.S.-based financial institution when a non U.S. resident (such as a Canadian snowbird) earns interest on deposits or investments held by that financial institution.

The bogus W8-BEN form does not resemble the authentic form. Of course, only a trained eye would notice the difference. Keep in mind that the bogus form requires personal identity questions, such as mother's maiden name, passport number, bank account numbers and arrival/departure travel dates. The legitimate W8-BEN form does NOT contain these questions. The bogus form also contains a fax number to which the individual is directed to return the completed form.

To avoid this scam, do not complete any form requesting personal or financial information without first checking with your U.S. financial institution. Make every effort to complete and return such forms to your financial institution IN PERSON rather than by fax or e-mail.

The CSA has notified PhoneBusters of this scam. PhoneBusters advises that CSA members who receive the illegitimate form do not need to contact their office UNLESS they have inadvertently returned the completed bogus form and are therefore now at risk.