| Didn't pay heat bill? It'll go on your record
Socked with a record $106 million in customer delinquencies, the state's largest provider of natural gas is taking an unusual get-tough step: telling the nation's big credit-rating agencies who pays the bill on time and who does not.The change, which will begin in January for CenterPoint Energy's residential customers, could potentially push down the credit scores of those who owe. Other utilities across the nation grappling with unpaid bills are mulling similar measures.CenterPoint is announcing the changes in radio ads, customer newsletters and an insert in November gas bills. The utility said that the practice can help customers who pay on time -- young people and renters, for example -- who have little or no credit record to establish a reliable history. But some privacy advocates see it as part of a worrisome trend."It's true, this could start to build you a credit score," said Evan Hendricks, author of "Credit Scores & Credit Reports."But they are ignoring the other side: late payments with a thin history will have a devastating impact."The utility said that it's trying to get its statements moved up from the bottom of everyone's stack of bills.
HOW TO DO IT
Here's how to submit a security freeze request to each of the three national credit bureaus. There's no charge for identity theft victims, but you must submit a police report. Experian and Equifax require you to submit your request by certified mail; TransUnion does not. .
Fed sees economy slowing in 2008
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The Federal Reserve said that the decision to cut a key interest rate last month was a "close call," according to minutes from that meeting released Tuesday. But in a new economic outlook, the central bank also lowered its growth target for the economy in 2008, raising hopes that the Fed will cut rates again when it meets in December. The Fed indicated in an addendum to its minutes that it now expects the economy to grow at about a 1.8 percent to 2.5 percent rate next year, down from a forecast in June of 2.5 percent to 2.75 percent growth. "I am surprised that their forecast for next year is as low as it is," said David Resler, chief economist of Nomura Securities International Inc. "The forecast is considerably weaker than it had been and that is the most significant development in this report." And while Resler said he does not think a rate cut at the Fed's next meeting on Dec.
Prince to sue Youtube, eBay over music use
LONDON - U.S. pop star Prince plans to sue YouTube and other major Web sites for unauthorized use of his music in a bid to "reclaim his art on the Internet." The man behind hit songs "Purple Rain," "1999" and "When Doves Cry" said on Thursday that YouTube could not argue that it had no control over which videos users posted on its site. "YouTube ... are clearly able (to) filter porn and pedophile material but appear to choose not to filter out the unauthorized music and film content which is core to their business success," a statement released on his behalf said. .
Casselberry Closes Access To Last Public Lake, Violates Plan For Progress
CASSELBERRY, Fla. -- Casselberry leaders violated their own plan for progress when they voted to close off public access to the last of the city's public lakes. Their vote in August came at the urging of homeowners upset by pollution and noise. But Eyewitness News has obtained a document that shows Casselberry was supposed to do the opposite. The city's planning and zoning commission wrote a letter to commissioners reminding them under the city's plan for the lake it must allow public access through the year 2010. "I guess I benefitted by living on the lake, but I just don't feel right about it," said John Bisset, a homeowner. Lakefront property owners are still allowed access to the water. Local residents have started a petition asking the commissioners to consider re-opening the lake to the rest of the city.
Too trusting = ID theft
CANTON Ruth Minor promised free room and board to anyone who would help her around the house. The elderly woman took out a newspaper ad seeking help. That was a mistake, said Darlyn McDermott, who viewed Minor as her grandmother. Minor was McDermott's childhood nanny. She and Canton police say the woman who took Minor up on her offer stole every penny - and everything else - that Minor had to her name. "Her pictures, her TVs, mementos, knickknacks, furniture, clothing.... everything. Grandma didn't even have a pair of socks left. It was like, if you could take inside a house and shake it upside down like a saltshaker... that's what it was like," McDermott said. SUSPECT CHARGED A suspect has been charged, and her case is pending in the court system. Detective Sgt. John Gabbard brought Ruby Leisgang, 37, back to Canton on Sept.
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