Full Show: How To Protect Your Home From Deed Theft and Are Credit Card Rewards Really Worth It?
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- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- There’s a major issue in the United States and it’s getting worse: People are losing their homes to squatters. It’s really happening and your rights are limited. Can this happen to you? Clark explains the issue, your rights, and the action you need to take. Also, Team Clark often talks about using rewards credit cards, but they aren’t a fit for every wallet. Clark talks about the pros and cons of credit card rewards, and if you should consider avoiding them.
Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the April 8, 2024, episode of The Clark Howard Show.
00:00 - Intro
01:36 - How To Protect Your Home From Deed Theft
11:25 - Ask Clark - Types Insurances in Case One Spouse Dies
15:12 - Ask Clark - Dangers of Personal Checks
17:03 - Are Credit Card Rewards Really Worth It?
22:47 - Ask Clark - Getting a Refund from Priceline
26:13 - Ask Clark - Sign Up Bonus With Bank
27:30 - Ask Clark - Prices of Cars, More Specifically, Vans
Mentioned on the show:
clark.com/squatters
clark.com/cac
clark.com/credit-cards/best-r...
clark.com/credit-cards/clark-...
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So someone breaks into a house via lock pick, drill the lock, break a window is called “burglary”. Then brings their suitcase of cloths in is now called a squatter…wow.
Thanks to Florida getting the ball rolling, let’s hope the rest of the country follows awesome Florida.
A driver's licence has a photo. Why can not the deed have a photo, too, so there is immediately clear who the rightful owner is?
Because that will put the business out of business 😂
Georgia Anti-Squatter Bill has already been passed by State House and Senate and is waiting on the Governor's signature to become law. Don't contact the state congressional reps. Contact the Governor's Office!
Thanks for this. I am in Atlanta.
Gov Kemp just signed this law in Ga.
Ok, just sent an email to my 2 Senators and 1 Representative on the squatting issue. Hope that helps. It is absurd that people think they can just move into someone else's home. Even more absurd that the law will not do anything about it if it happens.
🙌🙌💚
What's really absurd as that the churches have enough space to house 10x as many homeless people and what else is really absurd is there's enough vacant housing in America to house all of the homeless people in North America and on top of that the billionaire waltons have enough money to buy all new housing for all homeless people
The country goes where the leadership takes it. Moving in is how the democrats came into power; just moved in!
Maricopa county in arizona has a email alert that sends message if there is any change to the property deed. It is peace of mind for me.
That is a great service. All should do that.
Many counties do. So glad you're taking advantage of it! This is our #1 tip to prevent title fraud. 🙌
That's good, however if one gets such an alert, isn't it already too late? I've heard of 'title lock' insurance being sold. Could it be the best thing in this situation?
If you receive an email about a change in your deed isn’t that too late?
The squatting problem has its roots in the common law of adverse possession. That was originally meant for situations where a property is truly abandoned for years and someone who needs a home sees that no one is there so they take it over. Common law was 20 years of possession to get title. What we're seeing now is not what adverse possession law had in mind.
This is practiced a lot in Dom. Rep.
I have a small house with a large fenced yard. I drove to town one day last month, and right after I'd left a blue van parked in front of my house.
The next door neighbor saw a man get out of the van and look in towards my home. She asked him what he needed? He asked her, "Who lives here?" My neighbor was suspicious of the man so she just said, "A whole bunch of people live there." The man then got in his van and left. I don't know anyone that drives a blue van. I suspect squatter want a be's were looking for a home to break into. I'm nervous to leave my home, now. It's sad. 😢
The squatting thing is also happening in my area, which is not one of the states you mentioned. I know of 2 people in the last couple of weeks who had squatters break into their vacant properties. They took matters into their own hands to get them out.
That is the correct solution.
YES!!!
Tell people by stating where this is happening. Don’t keep it undercover. It could help others be on alert.
Just about 2 weeks ago a newscast clip posted on UA-cam showed a young woman being taken away in handcuffs by police because she tried to change the locks on her own home in which squatters had moved in and changed the original locks. When the squatters changed the original locks the police showed up and did nothing. They just claimed that it was a "civil matter". When the homeowner later attempts to change the locks on her own home it is a criminal matter. The squatters have more rights than the homeowners.
This is truly horrifying
Was that in Cali ?
@@davidpowell3347 It was in New York. Had the Good Morning America news crew filming at the home when the homeowner was arrested.
Wow..just wow..that is going on in America?!
The evilness of this leadership has spread like fire. The people in the US are now victims of all circumstances. Not “One Nation Under God” any longer.
I didn't hear anything about protecting your deed ???????
Financial planning is like navigation. If you know where you are and where you want to go, navigation isn't such a great problem. It's when you don't know the two points that it's difficult
Having an investment advisor is the best way to go about the stock market right now. I was going solo, but it wasn't working. I've been in touch with an advisor for a while now, and just last year, I made over 80% capital growth minus dividends.
Finding yourself a good broker is as same as finding a good wife, which you go less stress, you get just enough with so much little effort at things
Merchants are now passing along the 3 or 3.5% credit card processing fee unless you pay CASH or CHECK.
We had a restaurant to surcharge us 3% on our debit card which I understand is illegal...
@@karolynann4106 Thanks, do you happen to have a souce I can reference?
After Florida signed the new anti-squatters law *with criminal penalties,* squatting will stop happening as the criminal community learns that *squatting doesn’t pay* in Florida.
As an actual homeless person I would like to tell you that squatting does pay and the penalty is free rent and food in the jail which cost 3 times as much as straight up full welfare😊
It will slow it but they still will do it. But his example that person should be arrested since the property wasn't vacant.
Instead of 30k to 40k for a flimsy van, I just bought 2006-2006 Chevy suburban w/ 140K miles all the options dvd entertainment leather for 5000$. $28,000 Savings on lower insurance cost$ + purchase savings buys a lot of gasoline
I use reward credit cards but I don’t make any purchases with a credit card that I couldn’t pay for there with cash
As it should be. I also pay off my cc in full every month
This is how you do it! 👏👏👏
Has anyone filled out the census form? They made a point of asking if you know of any vacant properties around you. I thought it was a weird question. And they asked it twice; wonder why….
My sister in law is having problems with squatters living in her trailer. She has not had any resolution with the court or the Sheriff. She is still fighting it. Here in Northern California.
Oh no! Hope she gets resolution soon. 💚
Newsom would never sign a bill removing squatters' rights.
The squatter problem only happens in America because of their laws. They should try squatting in a black person's house and see what happens
That's absurd that people can just move in your home...isn't that "breaking and entering?"
Yes and trespassing. Many cops don't know or undetstand the laws.
I'm confused about this deed theft. Seems to me that even if you're the victim of this (i.e., you're the legitimate owner of the property), once you prove that the deed xfer is fraudulent (which should be relatively easy to do even without a lawyer), it should be game over for the fraudster and for whomever thought they were purchasing your property. I'm not seeing how anyone could hold you responsible and take your property once it becomes obvious to everyone that deed fraud is involved. Based on this, why would you need to pay for "deed insurance" or "deed monitoring"?
Because fear creates business. In the US, selling fear is a very successful business. But they never say what you should do if someone steals all those gold bricks they are now selling people. They are the crooks that will break into the home and steal them 😂.
Good catch Clark on telling the caller that getting a Credit check for a vehicle during the same time as trying to qualify for a loan for a home was going to be a conflict in reduction of Credit Score.
Thank you for the squatters warning! I hadn't heard of it. I sent email to my Senator in TN, and he said there is a bill in Congress for it now. I also sent one to my U.S. Senator, but haven't heard from her yet...
🙌🙌💚
Better start looking into UA-cam for up to date happenings.
I didn't hear anything about how to specifically protect my deed from fraudsters. Any suggestions?
Check this month’s edition of the AARP newsletter covering multiple fraud topics.
To protect your deed from fraudsters trying to reclaim the home back from before you purchased it, you need Owner's Title Insurance. Here's more information: clark.com/insurance/owners-title-insurance/
Here are ways to protect your deed from future fraudsters:
* If your county offers it, sign up for their FREE notification system. As the property owner of record, you’ll be notified when someone attempts an action against your title, such as taking out a loan.
* Make sure your credit is frozen so that no one can take out a loan against your title.
* Pay attention to your mail. If you start getting weird mail from lenders or frequent mail addressed to someone who doesn't live in your home, there may be fraudulent activities happening. Contact your county, if you suspect anything.
Hope this helps! 💚
I baby sat years ago for a family of 6 who moved into an empty house because they found out the owner lived in Florida they were in Illinois. They lived there for a long time.Crazy
I subscribe to the 2 “universal” squatter laws…the first one is called “Smith” and the second one is called “Wesson.” 😊
If they go into assisted living, they are to be forced to sell the home and have less than $2000 to their name, while they are being charged $12,000 a month till alll their assets are liquidated.
This happened to someone i know and the squatters were arrested for trespassing..that simple. Law is crystal clear.
Drive your car until it gets totalled. Insurance will pay a lot more for car if
your car is older than 20. Happened to me.
So when will the large corporations that are buying up single family homes create a lobby to change the current laws on squatting? Thank you for talking about this issue.
I have found the Better Business Bureau has no authority nor ability to get anything fixed. They make a phone call to the merchant, and part of their conversation with the merchant is to convince the merchant to pay for "membership" and the BBB is not able twist arms to get satisfaction for the consumer. Please - show me where I am incorrect. Better IMHO to write a complaint to the FTC or the FCC or some government (both state & federal) entity. PLUS - you can call your member of the House of Representatives in your state and federal government. Please - am I incorrect?
They for long decades been a NOTHINGBURGER
Anything for the honest law abiding citizens here in California the state will vote opposite 😡I won’t waste my time
The squatter problem is really not difficult . It's illegal to trespass on property that is not your own . You can easily find the owner of a property online so police should look this up before they go to a trespassing call . The other part is documentation of a rental agreement that is fraudulent . I think rental agreements may need to be filed with a government agency as like a deed . This is not a law problem . It's a documentation problem . There can be a small rental tax to cover any governmental documentation needed .
Good points!
This squatter problem has gone beyond insane.
Yeah, it's so asinine when it comes to squatters. If they steal your TV, it's a crime. If they steal your house, it's a "civil matter." What the heck happened to common sense and logic?!
Watched a news segment about 2 weeks ago where a young woman was arrested trying to have the locks changed on her own home while some squatters were away and the squatters returned to the home before the locks were changed and the squatters called the police. Previously when the squatters changed the original locks while the homeowner was away and the homeowner called the police to the property the police stated there was nothing they could do, it was a civil matter. When the homeowner does it on their own home it is an arrestable crime per the same police department. The police department involved in that situation is totally ridiculous and not using any common sense.
Clark that is so true about the Rewards card. Mine has a very high interest rate and this month i didn't make any purchases and 70.00 was added as interest which took me over my limit. This was the worst advice i could have listened to from the customer rep at the credit union. This card has become a nightmare. I just pulled it from my wallet and put it through my shredder.
Fools Gold for sure.
CLOSE THE BORDERS ......!!!!!
My oldest is driving our old 2001 Toyota minivan. Workhorse for sure! 👏🏻
💪💪💚
I have 4 CC with rewards. They are on auto pay off every month. never carry a balance. Also just opened a new checking and savings acct with rewards that pay you $900.00 in 90 days after opening with a few things you must do like Direct deposit into checking and carry 15k in the savings for the 90 days. Easy to do for a $900.00 pay off in 90 days. I usually benifit about $800 to $1000.00 cash a year on the CC perks and never carry a balance. There are benifits in them if you use them correctly. Sometimes i am getting 5 to 6 % back.
Apparently Florida just passed some kind of anti squatter law.
Deb here. You are correct about keeping minivans for a long time. Our Kia is a 2008 and still runs great.
Love it!
Clark...how do they know a home is owned free and clear?
If there is a squatter in my house I will be in there with them sharing life together. They will have to call the cops on me, but guess what I own the place!
Regarding adverse possession as mentioned by another commenter…you would be wise to check the adverse possession laws of your state. Dont go by someone saying the time required for adverse property takeover is 20 years. In my state, there is an additional scenario where someone might be able to take possession of all or a portion of your property in an adverse possession claim in a much shorter span of time. Know the property laws where you live.
I would assume most of Clark'slisteners pay off their credit card balances in full every month.
If you homestead your home it cannot be stolen from you under any circumstance.
I always go after those offers of “Get $200 or $300”…
meet the minimum requirement…then I close those accounts.
Easy money 😊
You’re hurting your credit score each time you close an account. Lower score, you pay more for things like insurance.
Don’t close those accounts, put a freeze on them….preserve your credit score.
@@lynnohl2526 that is incorrect. If you make it a practice to pay off all of your credit cards, leaving a zero balance, the debt to credit ratio change is minimal. I've done this for decades and my credit score is still above 800.
How about upgrade to a lock that will have to be opened by code? Near impossible to guess it, and you would be locked out. So even if they broke in via window, they would be a burglar, and you could still get in.
Some squatters have been calling professional locksmiths to replace all the locks while the homeowner is still away on vacation. The homeowner comes back from vacation and cannot get inside their own property with people living inside. Most people can easily replace a busted windowpane, from a visit to Lowes or Home Depot so the evidence of a break-in is gone.
Thank you Team Clark.
Thanks for a great learning video. Carry On!
Good info.
#BonusTerm - "Astronomer’s note" - Same idea as a “doctor’s note” - a *totally legit* reason to skip work… to watch an eclipse ! :) #TeamClarkRocks
💚 #bonusterm
No mention of the Pacifica mini van? Dodge invented the mini van and it still sells very well and is the only one to offer stow in go seats. Thanks. Tom
Still driving my 2011 Toyota Sienna I bought new. Love it. When I saw prices of new ones, I'm hoping I die before the van does...or at least bury me in it one day!
Ha! Love it! 💚
Nope, Clark didn’t answer the question about buying a used vs new mini-van. I needed to know this too because I’m in the market for a Toyota Sienna.
Circumstances have led me to believe that a veterinarian found out the credit limit on my card. I got out of there. Pre auth then cancel is a thing, as is a good relationship with your merchant account manager. Then they know how to drain you.
Thanks Clark & team!!
Dude u still work at Clark coward joint. Stop the B.S already. For Pete sake.😅
Needed information
Clark I paid my credit cards off every month.😂
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a anti-squatter law. He’s a take action governor. I heard two horrible squatter stories that happened in New York. One homeowner was murdered when she confronted the squatters the other homeowner was arrested when she tried to remove the squatters. So crazy!
The merchant pays the credit card company a processing fee so even if the consumer pays off the monthly bill in full the credit card company is still making money on the transaction. Right?
Correct
I would think that trespass laws and breaking and entering laws should give the police authority to deal with these people. You can bet that if it was the police chief's house the squatters would be immediately kicked out.
Buy term and invest the difference.
If they security cameras or alarm system this wouldn’t happen because you call the police when they are breaking in and get arrested!
What is an HSA
An HSA is great. I have enough in money in my HSA that my annual medical deductible is covered by my investment income in the HSA.
When is Governor Kemp going to sign that bill?!
My credit union pays only 4% on money markets while Vanguard and Fidelity pays nearly 5%. What gives?
My credit union has great cd rates but money market is crap at .15
It is my backup financial institution, so I keep 1000 there for emergency’s and just add to next cd that matures
They can pay zero if they want. You’re the one who’s putting your money there 🤦🏻♂️
Speaking of checks sent in the mail - I just had to send a substantial check to the US Treasury for the income tax I owed! I wasn't given another option by my taxman!
Not sure what you mean when you say you “weren’t given another option” than mailing a check. If you owe federal income tax you can easily pay online. That’s been the case for years.
@@dondgc2298Thank you for that information - I guess because in past years, I either owed nothing or got a refund, I wasn't aware of being able to pay it online. I'll remember for next time!
@@NancyW726 it’s much easier and you get an immediate confirmation. Which I feel better about than sending a check off in the mail.
>> BUILD THAT WALL...!!!
and don't vote for radiclibs.
Just rather use my 3% cash back credit card then game playing reward that gave me runaround. If I had a squater my bookie has connections with two big mean take no crap bikers. Might cost me over a grand to have them remove nogoodnic free loaders but would save six months or more and time wasted going downtown several times.
I help do that for a guy who owns 2 large buildings with commercial store fronts and multiple apartments on 2nd and 3rd floors , and a dozen other places
When guys show up wearing 8 inch barrel revolvers in shoulder holsters under their jacket and another on the hip, they get the message. Yes I have permit.
The "CC reward game" is never worth it.
Sure it is
I've made over $10,000 in the last 30 years on CC rewards and never spent a penny in interest or fees.
@@jimfarmer7811 I probably only started really playing the rewards game about 15 years ago, but easily have made $7500/8000 in that time. Not a big traveler so not worried about airline points or hotel points. I use my points to redeem for gift cards., Mostly gas cards, as I accumulate points, I cash them in for 25 and $50 gift cards for BP, Exxon, shell, and sheetz. Once in a while, I will get a restaurant one or Lowes.
As you stated, never once have I paid one penny in fees or interest to me it’s free money for things I would’ve bought anyway
@@jimfarmer7811 Always a bad game
Th e y break in to gain access thats a crime
I would be in jail
Obviously NO! Do NOT play the ridiculously stupid direct deposit hoop game.
The squatting era is indicative of the wealth disparity in this country. It pains me to see Real Estate sitting empty while elderly, widows and mothers with children live on the street. Homes and rentals have become unaffordable due to corporate acquisitions and the spread of short term vacation rentals. While I'm not opposed to passing clarifying legislation, we need to address the causes.
But not by stealing someone else's property.... period.
These are criminals. No needy people. You sir are clueless!
What’s your solution? More government?
I could see some leeway for the situation of a homeless person or a family moving into an abandoned "shack" in rough shape that hasn't been occupied for many years and is cheaper to simply demolish and start from new construction. Then the owner happens to visit his property / lot months or a year later and is outraged to see a person or family inside and wants to immediately kick them out onto the street. That sounds rough. That is not the situation of so-called squatting that people want to stop now.
FJB
Cheques are obsolete.
Some banks and credit unions still send paper CHECKS to businesses that I pay online because the business, specifically in this case my county water department, does not accept electronic payments.
Move in. Risk meeting Jesus very quickly, son.
You should be pushing no credit card use period....
I respectfully disagree. I have always had a credit card that is paid completely each month. I enjoy the airline rewards and purchase protections.
It should be harder to get a credit card or if a person has a credit card, it should be closed the moment the limit is reached and a mandatory three year cooling off period before reinstated. Then irresponsibility will be weeded out.
This isn't the Dave Ramsey show.
We believe that a good credit score is vital. It determines things like what you pay for insurance and what interest rates you get for home and auto. We encourage responsible use of credit cards to achieve this, but also encourage no credit cards for people who can't use them responsibly (i.e. paying off the balance entirely each month). 💚
Did Clark just suggest that his listeners lie?😳 call the hotel to say you want the general managers name to say you have a good comment about an employee? Just checking😂
🫢 Maybe throw in a compliment too - although the rep couldn't resolve the issue, they were nice. 🤷♂😂💚
Ha! As a former front office manager of a well known hotel chain, he is spot on in his suggestion. The GM has a lot of latitude in working with current and future customers.
I CUT UP ALL MY CREDIT CARDS, NEVER HELP THE BANKSTERS!!!!!