The #1 Way Criminals Steal Your Identity

According to a recent Travelers article, thieves prefer low-technology old-fashioned theft.

What does that mean for you? If you, like most people, previously thought that a computer was to blame for identity theft...you were wrong.

According to the date compiled by Travelers' research, the following are the top known causes of identity theft:

78% - burglary and theft of wallet/purse/personal identification/computer
14% - online or data breach
5% - change of address/postal fraud
3% - lost credit card and other miscellaneous causes

In addition, over 75 percent of these cases involve criminals using the information to open new credit card accounts or use the existing credit cards to make charges. Twenty percent will withdraw money from an existing checking, savings and online account, while another 16 percent open utility accounts in the victim's name.

This means that our TRASH and MAILBOXES are prime targets for identity theft! Think about it...how much information is contained in a mailed bank or credit card statement? How about a notice from the MVA that includes your driver's license number? Restoring a stolen identity is time consuming, costly and requires expertise. Most of us do not have this expertise.

Most insurance companies will make sure all the required phone calls are made, all the letters written in order to get your identity back for a nominal fee. The Identity Fraud Expense Coverage is available as an endorsement on a most homeowners, condo and renters policies for as little as $25 annually and offers protection up to $25,000 with no deductible.

Identity theft is the fastest growing white collar job in a America, and you may not be aware that your identity has been stolen until a merchant or collection agency contacts you, seeking payment for a bill you know nothing about. Or, you may be declined for a loan or employment because your credit records show defaults on loans unknown to you.

Contact us today if you are unsure if you and your family are currently protected from this financially devastating scenario.

C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222
www.mdautoinsurance.com

Shiller Fire Memorial Dedication Event

The event was a complete success! The rain did not deter people from attending. We were VERY grateful for all of the people that attended:

Pastor Kristi Kunkle
Delegate John Olszewski, Jr.
Delegate John Olszewski, Jr.
Senator Norman R. Stone
John Hohman, Baltimore County Fire Chief
Dondald P. Hutchinson, Former Baltimore County Executive
The Rayner family
The Kimble family
Kenwood High School JROTC
Firemen from Station 6, Dundalk, Maryland
Policemen from Precinct 12, Dundalk, Maryland
It was a beautiful and heartfelt dedication, and we look forward to the completion of the granite memorial.

The following is only a small clip of the event.



C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222
www.mdautoinsurance.com

Flo and Jinx at the Family Fall Festival

Flo and Jinx, the Independent Agent

Below is a clip of the festivities!




C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222
Tel. 410.282.4416
www.mdautoinsurance.com

Driving Emergencies Happen - Be Prepared!

The first rule of the road is to expect the unexpected. The second rule is to be ready for whatever happens — and that includes emergencies. Here is a list of common emergencies that can happen while you’re driving, and suggestions for how to handle them safely:

1)Tire blows out. Keep a firm grip on the wheel to maintain direction until you slow down; don’t over steer. A blown front tire will pull the vehicle to the blowout side, and a rear blowout will cause the rear end to weave. Never jam on the brakes, or you might cause a spin. Brake smoothly and drive slowly until you can pull safely to the side of the road and change the tire.

2) Headlights go out. Steer as straight as you can until you can brake to a stop. Ease onto the shoulder as far from traffic as possible. Set out flares or place road hazard markers and turn on the emergency flashers if they are still working. Scrape the lead terminal posts on the battery cables and the inside of the connector lugs to make a better connection. If only the headlights are out, the circuit breaker might have opened. It should continue to open and close, giving enough intermittent light so you can get to a service station. If emergency four-way flashers are on another circuit, turn them on for intermittent light.

3)Engine quits. Signal a right turn and try to use the vehicle’s momentum to coast off the road and on to the shoulder. If this is not possible, stay in your lane or as far to the right as possible and pump the brakes to alert drivers in the cars behind you. Turn on your emergency flashers. After coming to a stop, wait for a break in traffic to exit the vehicle. If possible, exit from the side away from traffic flow. Put out flares or reflectors at least 300 feet behind your vehicle. Keep taillights on, raise the engine hood and tie a white cloth to the radio antenna or left door handle as a distress signal. If you are unable to make repairs, flag down a cruising highway patrol car, or use your cell phone to call for assistance.

4)Accelerator sticks. If a quick stop is necessary, turn off the ignition and brake to a stop. Your power assist will go off, so steering and braking will require effort. If there is a positive connection between the pedal and throttle linkage, try lifting the pedal with your toe. Don’t lean down to do it by hand.

5) Vehicle skids. DON’T OVER STEER AND DON’T HIT THE BRAKES. Take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction of the skid until the rear wheels regain traction. Then straighten the wheels. Never jam on the brakes when the skid begins. To stop quickly without skidding to one side, rapidly jab and release the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes in your vehicle, keep your foot on the brake. Maintain firm and continuous pressure on the brake while steering.

6) Brakes fail. If the brakes offer any resistance at all, pump rapidly. This might build up enough hydraulic pressure to slow down the car. If the road ahead is clear, coast in drive and then use the parking brake. Use your horn. If it’s nighttime, flash your lights to warn other motorists and pedestrians that you’re out of control. If you’re on a steep downward grade look for something to sideswipe like roadside hedges, a snow bank, a guardrail or parked cars. If your system light indicates a brake failure, either the front or rear of your brake system is not functioning properly. If this occurs but the brakes seem to be working, proceed at a reduced speed to the nearest repair facility and have the condition checked.

7) You’re on a head-on collision course. Brake hard and steer for the right shoulder. If time permits, blow the horn. If necessary, drive on to open ground or into a ditch on the right. Don’t try to swerve to the left of the oncoming car, because the driver of that car may recover and instinctively steer back into the correct lane, and hit you straight on.


When you’re in a driving emergency situation, it’s difficult to think clearly about how to handle the challenge. By familiarizing yourself with these safety suggestions beforehand, and discussing them with other drivers in your family, you’ll increase your — and their — chances of safely coming out of a driving emergency.

C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222
www.mdautoinsurance.com

Autumn 2009 Trivia Question & Answer

Thank you to all who participated in our Autumn 2009 newsletter trivia question!

The question was:
What year was the first commercial microwave introduced?

The answer:
b) 1954

The first commercial microwave was the Raytheon 1611 Radarange model in 1954. It used 1600 watts and sold for $2000 to $3000. In 1947, the company built the Radarange, the first microwave oven in the world. It was almost 1.8 m (6ft) tall, weighed 750lb and cost about $5000 each. It consumed 3 kilowatts, about three times as much as today's microwave ovens, and was water-cooled. In 1967, Raytheon acquired Amana introduced the first countertop, domestic 100-volt microwave oven, which cost $495 and was smaller, safer and more reliable than the previous models.


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Sources:
Raytheon: Technology Leadership & History
Wikipedia: Microwave Oven
U.S. Department of Labor: Microwave Regression Model


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C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222
Tel. (410) 282-4416
www.mdautoinsurance.com

Shiller Fire Memorial


Anniversaries come and go for many different reasons. Some of these anniversaries don’t get the recognition they deserve.

This Wednesday, October 22, 2009 marked the 25th Anniversary of The Shillers Furniture Store fire (currently Gavigan’s Furniture) located on Holabird Avenue in Dundalk. This inferno took many hours to get under control and eventually the entire building collapsed. The ensuing five-alarm inferno wreaked $4 million in damage. In the early hours of the morning a roll call was taken and the lives of three brave firefighters had been lost.

Presently, there is no memorial at the site commemorating their brave efforts.

On November 11th, 2009 at 6pm we will be holding a memorial for family, friends, and the community that were so tragically affected by this fire. We are asking for donations in any amount to help this great cause. A memorial stone and bronze plaque will be placed at Holabird Ave and Randolph Ave surrounded by a perpetual garden. If you would like to contribute to this, please go to our Forms Page and download the donation form. You may mail your donation to our office.

More information is to follow for this event.



For more information on the Shiller Fire, please visit the following:

Dundalk Eagle

WBAL TV 11 - YouTube video

WJZ

C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222
Tel. (410) 282-4416
www.mdautoinsurance.com

C&E at Dundalk's Family Fall Festival

3rd Annual Dundalk Family Fall Festival


Veteran's Park, Dundalk, Maryland


LOOK OUT FOR THE FLO'S!!!

C & E Insurance will be out and about in The Dundalk Renaissance Corporation's Third Annual Family Fall Festival on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Veterans Park (between Dundalk Avenue and Shipping Place).



You'll know where we are...in the spirit of Halloween,
we will be dressed like

Flo

Enjoy Main Street Trick-or-Treat, Pet Costume Contest, Food Vendors, and Games! For more information visit www.dundalkusa.org or call the DRC office at 410-282-0261.



Event Info
October 31, 2009
10am - 4pm
Veteran's Park, between Dundalk Avenue and Shipping Place
Notes: Come dressed like Flo and we will give you a FREE GAS CARD!!!


C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222
www.mdautoinsurance.com

Back to School Safety Reminders!

It's that time again! It's the end of summer and you're more than happy to get your kids in a routine again. Back to school time means new clothes, new friends, and the dreaded never-ending school supplies shopping list. It can also mean safety hazards for distracted children to and from school. Please read the following to help you get back in the swing of things. We hope you enjoy the "snack" portion of our post! There is no charge in passing this informative e-newsletter along to other parents! :)
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Pedestrian Safety
It's estimated that 24 million students nationwide start their school day with a trip on the school bus. Children are the most common pedestrians and also the group that is most at risk for pedestrian-related injury and death. Whether they walk, ride the bus or travel by car, teach your kids these few tips to ensure they get to and from school safely. Remember, children under the age of 10 should not cross the street alone.

• Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus
• Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack and never reach under the school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it
• Line up facing the bus, not along side it
• Move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic after getting off the bus
• Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street and walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you
• Cross the street at corners using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Never run out between parked cars or in the middle of the block

FOR PARENTS OF TEENS: Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. You may want to limit the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone

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Smart Snacks for Kids
Snacking is smart when kids are hungry and need fuel to get through a long stretch between meals. Smart snacks give kids important nutrients, too. The snack suggestions below are nutritious and taste great.*

• Cup or tube of low-fat fruit yogurt
• Bowl of cereal (preferably whole grain)-hot or cold
• Cheese stick
• Handful of peanuts, almonds or trail mix
• Frozen fruit bar
• Any fresh fruit such as grapes, an apple, banana or orange
• Any dried fruit such as raisins, apricots or cranberries
• Easy-to-eat veggies such as celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and cut-up green peppers
• Graham crackers
• Cereal bar or granola bar
• Pudding cup
• Fruit cup (in water or juice) or applesauce
• Whole-wheat crackers smeared with peanut butter
• Salsa and baked tortilla chips
• Hummus (chickpea dip) and pita bread
• Microwave popcorn (light)
• Cold piece of roast chicken or slice of pizza
  

*To decrease choking risk, keep the following foods from children until 4 years of age: Hot dogs, nuts and seeds, chunks of meat or cheese, whole grapes, hard, gooey, or sticky candy, popcorn, chunks of peanut butter, raw vegetables, raisins, and chewing gum.

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Backpack Safety

We see it all the time: children hunched over by the weight of their backpacks with heavy school books. To make sure your child is carrying the correct weight on her back, follow these tips:

• Pack light. A backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of a child's body weight.
• Organize the backpack so that the heaviest items are closest to the center of the back.
• Choose a pack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
• Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and may increase curvature of the spine.

For more information, please visit Pediatric Views from Children's Hospital Boston and read their October 2006 article.

brought to you by
C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222
http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/

Car insurance lingo clarified!

We would like to pass this information on to you on behalf of Progressive insurance, one of the many quality insurance companies we represent. Although we have this information on our website, we encourage you to visit Progressive's site for a quick overview of auto insurance lingo.

We know that insurance terms can be a bit confusing to understand, so we found a simple explanation from Progressive. Here, Progressive clarifies the differences between Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, and Medical Coverages.

Remember, if you find yourself in need of an independent agent, you may always visit your friendly insurance agents in Dundalk. Please tune in to learn about what the advantages are in having an independent agent at your side.


C & E Insurance and Financial Services
7324 Holabird Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21222
Phone: 410.282.4416
Fax: 410.282.1770
http://www.mdautoinsurance.com/