According to Forbes and Financial-Planning.com, in July 2007, Vanguard notified its customers in a form letter that it is requiring them to have the same beneficiaries designated on all IRA accounts of the same type. If a customer doesn’t contact Vanguard, then Vanguard will apply the newest beneficiary form to all IRAs. If two forms were submitted at the same time, Vanguard will treat the one it processed later as newer. Therefore, Vanguard’s policy, not a person’s will, determines who gets the money from an IRA account. The letter that was sent out was labeled "Change in beneficiary policy will help you simplify your planning."

Dear Friends,

This year, I have the honor and pleasure of participating in MDA's Southfield I Lock Up to help "Jerry's Kids®". To reach my goal I need your help!

I'd like to include you or your company on my list of contributors who are helping me reach my goal. Your donation would help MDA continue the important fight against muscular dystrophy. Check out my web page by clicking on the link below. There you'll find all kinds of information about MDA, and be able to make your tax-deductible donation on-line using your credit card.

MDA serves people in our community with neuromuscular disease by providing clinics, support groups, assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, braces and communication devices, and summer camp for kids. MDA also funds research grants to help find treatments and cures for some 43 neuromuscular diseases that affect people of all ages, right here in our community.

I received an email today that warned of an identity theft scam involving calls made under the pretense of notifying individuals that they have been called for jury duty or have not appropriately responded to jury duty notifications.

As is my normal practice, I checked out the email to determine whether it was legitimate or a hoax. I found a press release from the FBI dated August 19, 2005, that warns about this particular scam. The press release follows:

Washington, D.C. - The FBI today is providing a warning to the public against an ongoing scheme involving jury service. The public needs to be aware that individuals identifying themselves as U.S. court employees have been telephonically contacting citizens and advising them that they have been selected for jury duty. These individuals ask to verify names and Social Security numbers, then ask for credit card numbers. If the request is refused, citizens are then threatened with fines.