She Told Me She Was a Princess - And That Most of the Money Was Mine

Over a period, Rose Khalifa and I have almost become friends. She writes often - e-mails that set out the same long, sad, story with the same hook on the end of it that is supposed to hook me into giving her the number of my bank account.

I was, though, a bit surprised to find messages from Rose turning up on my Naymz account - but I think I was being just a tad naïve there. After all, Russian tarts proposition me on Twitter all the time, and I don't know them either.

I think it was inevitable really that the Rose Khalifa's and the tarts of this world would eventually seize upon things like Naymz, or LinkedIn - or Facebook - and try to use them to their own advantage, but I can't find in my heart to be angry with any of them.

I do, though, get very angry with people who try to use social media outlets to push out subtler, much more tempting, and even less realistic hooks.

There was a discussion today posted on LinkedIn by a so called 'Independant Financial Services Professional'. It offered mortgage loan help and unsecured lines of credit to people with bad credit records. Oh - and you can apparently get help there to clear your criminal records as well.

Really? Well. I shall put my next loose tooth under my pillow and wait for the Tooth Fairy to bring me my sixpence... And no, I'm not giving you the link.

Geoff - http://www.metlissbarfield.com

Improve Your Credit Status - Register to Vote

Registering to vote doesn't only mean that you can register approval or disapproval for a particular Party, or have your say about which Party will be running the country after the upcoming election.

Being on the Electoral Roll improves your credit status. In fact, if you are not on the Electoral Roll, you might find it difficult to get any form of credit, simply because Credit Reference Agencies use the Electoral Roll to verify a person's identity.

There are a number of factors that contribute to a person's credit score, and determine whether or not that person is 'creditworthy'. However, credit and ID fraud remains a major problem, so lenders place considerable importance on Electoral Roll data to verify identity.

Whether you intend to vote in the upcoming election or not, make sure that you register to vote. Your name on the Electoral Roll is a fast and easy way of giving your credit score a boost, and could make it a lot easier to get a mortgage, a loan, a credit card, or insurance.

Geoff - http://www.metlissbarfield.com

Beware of Credit Debt Solutions That Involve Paying Out Money

I think we've all warned people about going down this route before, but I think it's worth reiterating what one or the other of us has already said - if only because my own inbox is once again full of e-mails talking about 'debt settlement programs'.

The latest one - which I received today - does actually carry a 'health warning' in that it clearly states that "Debt elimination programs are not cheap and choosing the wrong option could serve to exacerbate financial difficulties later on."

Actually, 'choosing the wrong option' when you are looking to get yourself out of that kind of a hole is approaching the sort of organisation they are advertising in the first place.

If you have problems keeping up with your credit card payments - or any other of your bills - go to a recognised Charity for help. You should defintely NOT be paying for help to get out of trouble.

If you need to find reputable - and free - advice and assistance, go to Talk About Debt where you'll be able to find out which Charity to call first, learn which seven mistakes you must not make if you want to get safely out of debt, and (perhaps!) win £250 by writing (in confidence) about your own debt experience.

You'll also see a whole list of statistics - all of which make it clear that you are not alone with your problem, and that it's sensible to get help immediately rather than waiting and hoping that things will improve.

Geoff - http://www.metlissbarfield.com/