MTA Today - Fall 2015

4. Keep money and credit cards in a safe place

Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded malls and when
you face major distractions, such as when your children are being
photographed with Santa.

5. Don't leave your ID in your car when shopping

Parking lots are popular spots for identity thieves looking for personal information. Thieves will keep an eye out for exactly when you arrive and strike early, knowing that you are unlikely to return to your car anytime soon.

6. Be wary of people looking over your shoulder

Identity thieves have been known to snap photos, usually using their smartphones, of shoppers' credit cards. That person waiting behind you in line may look like he or she is texting, but without realizing it, you might be offering him or her a glimpse of your credit card information — and the thief is making a photo record.

7. Be sure your charitable donations go to legitimate organizations

Be careful of phishing scams and unofficial websites when making
charitable donations this holiday season. When in doubt, look up
the organization through the Better Business Bureau or through
a respected list of nonprofits before contributing.

8. Never shop through e-mail

E-mail is an easy way for hackers to intercept your personal information.

Often, e-mails targeting shoppers are not legitimate.

9. Check your statements twice

Especially during the holiday season, check your credit card statements to be sure all of your purchases are accurately recorded.

Anything that looks suspicious could be a red flag indicating that your personal data has been compromised.

10. Write “Check Photo ID” on the back of your credit cards

This is just another measure to ensure that no one will use your credit card in a store. Asking the cashier to check the card against your photo ID adds another layer of protection.

Members receive a 10 percent discount and 30 days of free membership when they purchase LifeLock. For more information, click “Benefits” and look for Identity Theft Protection under the Financial category on the mtabenefits.com website.

All program and pricing information was current at the time of publication (November 2015) and is subject to change without notice.

The past two winters have been the coldest in 20 years. That means you’ve been spending more to heat your home. While it’s hard to predict what the approaching winter will bring, Heat USA has some tips on ways to save you money.

First, lower your thermostat 10 degrees at night.
Lowering the temperature 10 degrees for eight
hours can save you 10 percent to 15 percent on
your bill.
Second, make strategic use of your ceiling fans.

You can achieve better air flow throughout your
house and use less heat. Turning on the fan
clockwise at a low setting will gently push the
hot air down, keeping your rooms warmer during
cold months.

Third, inspect your windows and doors. This is where the majority of heat loss occurs. Check around the edges of both windows and doors — even if they are new — for gaps and holes that could cause drafts. Replace worn weatherstripping on doors, and caulk windows to ensure a good seal. These are inexpensive fixes that can save you hundreds of dollars. And don’t overlook electrical outlets. Insulation is not usually placed around them, so you can purchase foam gaskets to put behind wall plates for added warmth.

Last but not least, make sure your heating system
has had its annual cleaning and tune-up to be
certain it’s running efficiently.
Heat USA, MTA’s heating oil program partner,
is the largest heating oil purchasing program
in the United States. It serves more than 80,000
members in 12 states and has more than
175 suppliers.

For 30 years, Heat USA has used the buying power of its membership to negotiate superior terms and conditions from local oil suppliers. By offering to bring significant new business to a supplier, Heat USA is able to secure benefits for its members that they wouldn't be able to negotiate on their own.