Monday, March 26, 2012

Mortgage Market Guide Vol. 10 Issue 13

Last Week in Review: Several housing-related reports were released last week, but did they show an improvement in the housing market?

The song remains the same. The title of that Led Zeppelin song is a great description for some of the things we're seeing lately in the Bond market. Read on for details, and what they mean for home loan rates.

First, several housing-related reports were released last week - and they show that the housing market continues to remain weak. Both Housing Starts and Building Permits came in meeting expectations. Existing Home Sales fell 0.9% in February to 4.59 million units (though that was nearly inline with expectations), while New Home Sales fell 1.6% in February, which was below expectations.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from these reports is that they could cause the Fed to do another round of Bond buying (Quantitative Easing or QE3) under the guise of helping housing. The housing market remains fragile, and it can't absorb an uptick in rates just yet. It will be important to see if there are any rumors of QE3 in the coming days and weeks. Rest assured that the Fed has noticed the uptick in home loan rates and subsequent fall off in loan origination activity. This could certainly lead to another round of Bond buying, and as home loan rates are tied to Mortgage Bonds, as Bonds improve so will home loan rates.

Another thing that could help Bonds and home loan rates is renewed emphasis on safe haven trading. While global economic news has taken on a bit of a brighter tone lately, causing investors to move some of their money out of the safety of our Bonds, it's important to keep in mind that the debt crisis in Europe is far from over. Just last week, it was reported that Portugal's economy is set to contract by 3.3%, and it seems that it will be nearly impossible for Portugal to meet the tighter fiscal union rules and annual budget deficit targets. Also, Europe's Services and Manufacturing numbers contracted more than forecast...confirming that the region is moving into a recession.

It is important to note that while Stocks saw some declines last week, Bonds were unable to build any positive momentum. This is eye-opening and doesn't bode well for further price appreciation in Bonds. Whether the potential for QE3 or future safe haven trading helps Bonds and home loan rates in the future remains to be seen.

The bottom line is that home loan rates still remain near historic lows and now continues to be a great time to purchase or refinance a home. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients. 


Forecast for the Week: A busy week is ahead, with news on the state of the economy, inflation, consumer confidence and more. 

As you can see in the chart below, Bonds have been on a "Down Escalator" trend of late...and this trend is not friendly to home loan rates. I'll be watching closely to see if Bonds can "step off" this escalator and change course.

Chart: Fannie Mae 3.5% Mortgage Bond (Friday Mar 23, 2012)

















After last week's quiet economic release calendar, this week's calendar heats up.
  • Pending Home Sales will be delivered on Monday and comes after last week's so-so reports on the housing sector.
  • Consumer Confidence and Consumer Sentiment will be released on Tuesday and Friday, respectively. The data will be closely watched to gauge how the consumer is holding up as economic news has been on the positive side.
  • Wednesday brings the Durable Goods Report, which measures big ticket items that last for an extended time.
  • Initial Weekly Jobless Claims will be released on Thursday. Jobless claims fell to the lowest level since February of 2008 last week as the sector continues to breathe life into the economy.
  • Also on Thursday, the final read for Gross Domestic Product for the 4th quarter of 2011 will be released. In order for the U.S. economy to strengthen, we will have to see sustained growth in the form of the GDP.
  • Friday brings a bunch of reports, including Personal Income and Spending, as well as the Chicago Manufacturing Report.
  • We'll also see the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures on Friday. This report provides insight into where inflation is at, so the data will be key to the Bond markets. As we know, higher inflation pushes Bond prices lower due to purchasing power loss that is associated with rising consumer prices. And, lower Bond prices can be bad news for home loan rates.
Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result. The chart above shows Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), which are the type of Bond that home loan rates are based on.

When you see these Bond prices moving higher, it means home loan rates are improving - and when they are moving lower, home loan rates are getting worse.

To go one step further - a red "candle" means that MBS worsened during the day, while a green "candle" means MBS improved during the day. Depending on how dramatic the changes were on any given day, this can cause rate changes throughout the day, as well as on the rate sheets we start with each morning. 


View: The IRS is warning people about a new tax scam. Be sure to share the below information with your colleagues, clients, and friends. 

IRS Warns of New Tax Scam


Senior citizens are the target of a phony refund scheme. By Cameron Huddleston, Kiplinger.com.


The IRS is warning taxpayers to watch out for people promoting a tax refund or nonexistent stimulus payment based on the American Opportunity Tax Credit. This credit is available to taxpayers who have qualified college expenses, but promoters of the new scheme claim they can get a refund based on the credit even for people who aren't enrolled in or paying for college.


Scam artists are targeting senior citizens, members of church congregations and people who have little or no income and normally aren't required to file a return, according to the IRS. Promoters of the scam often charge exorbitant upfront fees to file claims for nonexistent refunds.


The IRS already has stopped thousands of these fraudulent claims and is investigating the source of them. However, the IRS warns taxpayers to be aware of the following to avoid becoming a victim:


-Homemade flyers and brochures implying tax credits are available without proof of eligibility.
-Offers of free money with no documentation required.
-Promises of refunds for "Low Income - No Documents Tax Returns."
-Unfamiliar for-profit tax services selling refund and credit schemes to the membership of local churches.
-Claims for the expired Economic Recovery Credit Program or for economic stimulus payments.
-Unsolicited offers to prepare a return and split the refund.
-Internet solicitations that direct individuals to toll-free numbers and then solicit Social Security numbers.



For more advice on how to avoid becoming a victim, see 5 Way To Avoid Tax Fraud.


Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2012 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Kiplinger.com


Economic Calendar for the Week of March 26 - March 30




















As your mortgage professional, I am sending you the MMG WEEKLY because I am committed to keeping you updated on the economic events that impact interest rates and how they may affect you.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

March Views You Can Use


"I love to mix it up. I love to keep doing different things." - Actor Clive Owen. The economic headlines over the past month have been sending a mixed message - with one report leaning one way and the next report saying something different. Overall, however, things are slowly looking up. The articles below can help you make sense of what's happening...and what you should watch for in the near future.



Mixed News in the Housing Market  


The housing industry received mixed news last month. For example, in a report released in February, Existing Home Sales (which includes sales for single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops) rose in January. That marks three gains in the past four months. In addition, the supply of existing homes on the market came in at its lowest level since April 2006.

However, New Home Sales for January fell slightly to come in at 321,000 units. On the flip side, the number of new homes sold in December was revised upward--from 307,000 to 324,000.

In terms of home loan rates, one of the major topics to watch is the seemingly endless negotiation between Greece, investors, and central bankers. At the end of last month, those parties came to an agreement that will help Greece fund itself through March and into the future. The mixed news, however, is that the country still needs to institute economic reform and austerity measures to provide any real relief to its financial problems in the future. So, any deal with Greece will be very tough to implement and a default could still occur...which makes this an important topic to keep close watch on.

The good news is that despite the mixed news, Bonds and home loan rates remain at historic levels, which means now is still a great time to purchase or refinance a home. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you or someone you know.

What to Watch: Inflation Reports  



Although it isn't much of a factor now, at some point inflation could be front and center with all of the cheap cash that is available currently. 

In fact, Dallas Fed Bank President Richard Fisher recently said that "excessive monetary accommodation might only add a further dosage of angst, fueling fears of inflation." In addition, Minneapolis Fed Bank President Narayana Kocherlakota stated that the easy Fed monetary policy could push inflation to 2.3% next year, which would be above the Fed's comfort zone of 2%.

One of the best ways to monitor inflation is by monitoring the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI). The CPI measures inflation at the consumer level, or rising costs that are passed on to consumers. The PPI, on the other hand, measures inflation at the wholesale level, or costs that producers are experiencing. Both reports are released at the beginning of each month. And, depending on what the data says, they can both impact home loan rates.

That's because any hint of inflation can serve to spook Bond investors--causing both Bonds and home loan rates to worsen, since inflation can reduce the value of fixed investments like Bonds. This is one story to keep a close eye on in the weeks ahead. 

I'll continue monitoring inflation and its impact on the markets. If you have any questions about economic reports and how they impact home loan rates, please call or email me. I'm always happy to explain what's going on and how it impacts the rate you can get based on your unique situation.

5 Low-Cost Home Improvement Projects  



If you're a homeowner, you know that there are always plenty of projects that you want to do around the house. It's easy to find inspiration in magazines or when you visit another friend's house. The tricky part is deciding which projects make sense. By concentrating on certain types of upgrades, you'll not only create a more comfortable living space for yourself, but you'll make your house more sellable if (or when) the time arises.

1. The Front Door
Repainting or replacing the front door will dramatically improve the exterior appearance of your home. It will enhance an area that everyone sees, no matter if they're driving by or walking up. Upgrading the hardware on the door is also a nice touch. And, if you're experiencing warm weather in your area, this may be a project that you can tackle this weekend.


2. Plant the Seed
Foliage on the outside of the home carries many benefits. Among them are the addition of color and vitality to the landscaping. If the weather in your area isn't conducive for gardening at the present time, concentrate instead on acquiring potted plants for your porch or walkway. As the weather warms up, think about potential projects for the front and back yards.


3. Fix the Fixtures
While upgrading bathrooms is a sound investment in terms of increasing your home's value, a remodel may not be part of this year's budget. That said, don't ignore your bathrooms altogether. Fixtures such as faucets, towel racks, lights and showerheads have the ability to spruce up both the look and functionality. Throw in newly painted walls and some decorative accents and your bathroom will feel brand new.


4. Fawn Over Flooring
New flooring is major "bang for your buck" when it comes to increasing a home's value. But, once again, is there money in the budget to do it? If the answer is no, opt instead for having your carpets and hardwood floors professionally cleaned by a quality and reputable company.


5. Don't Forget the Garage
The garage is a part of the home that is often neglected. If this sounds familiar, you may want to think about organizing the interior. Any items that are no longer in use can be sold in a true "garage sale." These proceeds can go toward either repainting or replacing the garage door. Don't laugh. It's an inexpensive yet effective way to spruce up your garage's exterior.


Remember, improving and updating your home doesn't have to be an expensive proposition. Just look for low-cost ways to create the brightest and most comfortable space possible.

Q&A: Impact of Oil Prices?  



QUESTION: How do oil prices impact the economy? 

ANSWER: On the one hand, high oil prices can be very detrimental to the fragile U.S. economy, as consumers have to put more money into their gas tanks--which means they have less to spend elsewhere. High oil prices are also inflationary since the added shipping and material costs apply upward price pressures on Producer or Wholesale goods that either have to be absorbed by the producer (thus hurting profits and the ability to expand or hire) or passed on to the consumer...a la a rise in consumer inflation.

On the other hand, high oil prices could actually be good news for home loan rates, as the dampening effect on economic growth produces a sluggish economic environment in which Bonds (including Mortgage Bonds, to which home loan rates are tied) thrive.

If you have any questions that I can help with at this time, please call or email today. It will only take a few moments to discuss what's going in the markets and how it impacts your unique goals and situation.

Mortgage Market Guide Vol. 10 Issue 12

Last Week in Review: It was a tough week for Bonds and home loan rates. Find out why

Don't fight the Fed. The markets certainly felt the truth of that sentiment last week, after the Fed released its Policy Statement from their regularly scheduled meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee. Read on to learn how this and all the news of the week impacted Bonds and home loan rates.

Last week's Fed Statement was not a glowing endorsement of the economy, but they did admit that things are improving in most areas except housing, which remains "depressed." While improvement in our economy is good, should this trend continue home loan rates could edge higher. Why? Because Stocks often benefit in strong economic times at the expense of Bonds (including Mortgage Bonds, which home loan rates are based on).

The Fed did acknowledge that inflation could increase in the near-term due to higher energy prices - and higher inflation is never good news for Bonds as inflation hurts the return of a fixed investment. And we did see a hint of this last week as the Consumer Price Index rose a bit in February (though the wholesale-measuring Producer Price Index was tame). If hints of inflation pick up in the weeks or months ahead, this could hurt Bonds and home loan rates.

But there was more salt in the wound from the Fed's Statement for Bonds and home loan rates. Not only did the Fed fail to mention anything about another round of Bond buying (called Quantitative Easing or QE3), but there was word that out of 19 banks, all but four passed an important stress test. While that's good news for the financial system and the economy, it did help Stocks at the expense of Bonds.

Another important point to note: Things have been quiet in Europe and this has lifted the safe haven trade, thereby further applying selling pressure on Bonds. That's not to say that Bonds and home loan rates won't be seen as a safe haven for trading in the future, as the uncertainty in Europe is far from over. In addition, the issues with Israel and Iran aren't going to just disappear, and those issues may lead investors back into the safety of Bonds in the near future.

The bottom line is that even though Bonds and home loan rates worsened last week, rates still remain near historic lows and now continues to be a great time to purchase or refinance a home. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients. 


Forecast for the Week: Housing data dominates the headlines, with news on Existing and New Home Sales, Housing Starts, and Building Permits.

As you can see in the chart below, Bonds and home loan rates worsened due to the upbeat Fed Statement and the improvement in Stocks. I'll be watching the markets closely this week to see what happens.

Chart: Fannie Mae 3.5% Mortgage Bond (Friday Mar 16, 2012)

The economic release calendar is light this week, and housing data dominates the headlines.
  • Housing Starts will be delivered on Tuesday along with its cousin Building Permits.
  • On Wednesday, Existing Home Sales will be delivered, followed by New Home Sales on Friday. 
  • Initial Weekly Jobless Claims will be released on Thursday. Jobless claims continue to hover near the 350,000 level as the labor sector rebounds.
Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result. The chart below shows Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), which are the type of Bond that home loan rates are based on.

When you see these Bond prices moving higher, it means home loan rates are improving - and when they are moving lower, home loan rates are getting worse.

To go one step further - a red "candle" means that MBS worsened during the day, while a green "candle" means MBS improved during the day. Depending on how dramatic the changes were on any given day, this can cause rate changes throughout the day, as well as on the rate sheets we start with each morning.

Economic Calendar for the Week of March 19 - March 23

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Mortgage Market Guide Vol. 10 Issue 11

Last Week in Review: The Jobs Report for February was released - find out if the news was positive or negative for Bonds and home loan rates. 

Survey says? The Jobs Report for February was released...and overall the tone was positive. Here are the details, and what they mean for home loan rates.

On Friday, the Labor Department reported that 227,000 jobs were created in February, with 233,000 private job gains offsetting slower government job losses. Adding to the positive overall tone were upward revisions to both December's and January's job growth readings, which added another 61,000 jobs to what was previously reported.

In addition, the Unemployment Rate held steady at 8.3%. One thing that is important to note is that wage growth continues to lag even the tepid amount of inflation we are seeing right now. And negative earnings growth - compounded with consumers still deleveraging accumulated debt - makes it very hard for the economy to grow at a pace robust enough to significantly lower the unemployment rate. Also, a low Hourly Earnings reading also tells us there is no upward pressure to raise wages, which is sometimes a precursor to more hiring. This mix of news made the report an okay one overall...and since Stocks (not Bonds) usually benefit when there is great news, the "okay" tone actually was good for Bonds and home loan rates.

In news overseas, private investors in Greek debt were coaxed into forgiving more that 100 Billion Euros ($132 Billion) of debt in order to provide another bailout to the country. It's important to understand that this deal does not solve the problems in Greece, but only provides a hefty kick of the can down the road. New problems will emerge once the country has to meet austerity measures along with the "tighter fiscal union" guidelines and metrics set forth by Germany. And as uncertainty overseas continues, our Bonds (including Mortgage Bonds, which home loan rates are tied to) could continue to benefit from safe haven trading.

The bottom line is that now continues to be a great time to purchase or refinance a home, as home loan rates remain near historic lows. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients.


Forecast for the Week: A busy week is ahead, with key reports on inflation, consumer spending, and manufacturing. Plus, the Fed meets. 

Several important economic reports will be released this week, including news on consumer spending, inflation and manufacturing.
  • A very important report that gauges consumer spending is Tuesday's Retail Sales dataConsumer spending makes up almost 70% of Gross Domestic Product, so spending decisions will surely influence the direction of the U.S. economy.
  • In the manufacturing sector, the Empire State Index from New York and Philadelphia Fed Index will both be released on Thursday. In addition, Industrial Production will be delivered on Friday.
  • Inflation data in the form of the Consumer Price Index will be released on Friday and carries a bit more weight than Thursday's Producer Price Index, which measures inflation at the wholesale level.
  • Initial Weekly Jobless Claims will be released on Thursday. The number of people filing for unemployment benefits is at four-year lows.
  • The last bit of data for the week comes Friday with Consumer Sentiment.
In addition to those reports, the Fed's statement will be released Tuesday afternoon after the FOMC meeting. Depending on what the Fed says in that statement, Bonds and home loan rates could be impacted.

Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result.

As discussed above, when it comes to February's Jobs Report, the headline number and some of the sub-components of the Jobs Report were positive. However, overall the report is being viewed as an okay read and one of more modest improvement. I'll be keeping a close eye on this week's economic reports, and what they might mean for home loan rates. 



View: Think Pinterest is just for fun? Think again.

Pinterest…for Business?

Social media has been all the buzz the last few years in the business world. Facebook and Twitter have become important tools for connecting with potential clients…and LinkedIn has turned networking into a virtual reality.

But with all the new social media sites and tools popping up, it's hard to know what new sites to adopt. One site that may seem to fly under the radar as being less focused on business is the social media site Pinterest.

Pinterest is an image-based social network that lets you create a virtual bulletin board. In other words, it's an online "pin board" that lets you organize and share interesting things that you find on the Internet. While that may not sound very business like, the number of hits that the site has been getting may pique your interest.

For example, Pinterest is now one of the top 10 social networking and forum websites. In addition, Pinterest raised $37 million in funding last year and has an unconfirmed valuation of up to $200 million. And Pinterest has been reaching 7 million to 10 million visitors a month in the US alone.

Those stats are drawing more and more people to explore Pinterest as a business tool. And for people who work in the housing and financial industries, Pinterest can actually make a lot of sense. This is especially true when you consider the connection between images and the topics of homes, home improvements, decorating, and so on! After all, people are always looking for ideas and inspiration for their homes. Just imagine how many past clients and potential clients would follow your images related to housing.

That's why so many business people are now starting to use Pinterest as a way to engage with customers…to boost their social media presence by connecting their sites…and to get more out of their online marketing efforts.

It's the perfect way to connect with potential clients in a way that keeps you top-of-mind in a professional yet friendly way. If you're interested in Pinterest for business, take a look at the following links that can help you get started with ideas and tips:
Remember, if a picture is worth a thousand words, think about how many "words" you'll be able to share with potential clients on a site like Pinterest. 

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Mortgage Market Guide Vol. 10 Issue 10

Last Week in Review: Big Ben spoke, but were his words music to the markets’ ears?

Don't fight the Fed. That popular saying last week was especially evident, as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony on Capitol Hill had quite an impact on the markets.

Last week, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke gave his semi-annual testimony in front of the House Financial Services Committee and his assessment of the economy, labor market and housing market was unchanged - highlighting that conditions remain sluggish, uneven and fragile. But the biggest takeaway was that he made no mention of another round of Bond buying or Quantitative Easing (QE3).

This clearly disappointed virtually all the markets as both Bonds and Stocks closed lower the day he spoke. So here's an important question to ask: Is the economy strong enough to keep the Fed from pumping any more money (QE3) into the economy? While the economy has improved on many fronts, it is still fragile and it would not take much for growth to slow...meaning more Fed intervention would be needed. For instance, high oil prices, a worsening situation in Europe or China, and escalating concerns in Iran could all cause our economy to slow.
One thing is for sure - the incoming economic data over the next couple weeks and months will be very important to follow for signs of continued economic improvement or potential slowing. One important factor to note from last week: inflation, as measured by the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE), rose by 0.2% in January, while the year-over-year Core PCE climbed to 1.9% and just beneath the Fed's upper target of 2%. Seeing inflation rise, even though the Fed continues to say it is moderating, is a concern. With Core PCE just beneath the Fed's desired target, upcoming readings will play an important role in how long the Fed continues its accommodative policy and any chance of more easing, QE3.

The most important thing to take away is that home loan rates still remain near historic lows, and now continues to be a great time to purchase or refinance a home. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients.

Forecast for the Week: The Jobs Report for February will be released on Friday; plus news on productivity and the service sector.

As you can see in the chart below, it was a volatile week in the markets, though Bonds and home loan rates were able to rebound late in the week. I'll continue to monitor this situation closely.

Chart: Fannie Mae 3.5% Mortgage Bond (Friday Mar 02, 2012)



















Several important economic reports will be released this week, especially Friday's Jobs Report for February.
  • The ISM Services Index will be released on Monday. This report comes after the weaker-than-expected ISM Manufacturing Index last week, so the markets will be watching it closely. After all, the service sector makes up about 70% of the U.S. job market!
  • The private ADP Employment Report will be delivered on Wednesday.
  • Another important report this week will be the Productivity Report on Wednesday. This report measures the number of hours it takes to produce a good in a factory. In the service sector, it is measured based on the revenue generated by an employee divided by one's salary.
  • As usual, Initial Jobless Claims will be released on Thursday. The number of Americans claiming first-time benefits has dropped in the past few months. Will the trend continue? We'll find out Thursday.
  • Last but not least is Friday's closely watched monthly official Jobs Report. January's report showed that 243,000 new jobs were created. This is a blockbuster report that always has the potential to move the markets!
Remember: Weak economic news normally causes money to flow out of Stocks and into Bonds, helping Bonds and home loan rates improve, while strong economic news normally has the opposite result. The chart above shows Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), which are the type of Bond that home loan rates are based on.

When you see these Bond prices moving higher, it means home loan rates are improving - and when they are moving lower, home loan rates are getting worse.

To go one step further - a red "candle" means that MBS worsened during the day, while a green "candle" means MBS improved during the day. Depending on how dramatic the changes were on any given day, this can cause late changes throughout the day, as well as on the rate sheets we start with each morning. 

View: Before you visit another web page, read the important article below about protecting your information online.

Protect Your Passwords, Accounts, Searches and Emails

Search engines make life easier. We've become so accustom to simply typing in a few words and hitting "search" that we don't even realize how much data is being generated with every click…or what that data says about us. Last week, however, this topic was forced front and center.

What Happened Last Week?

Google's new privacy policy went into effect last week. Based on the new policy, all data collected about you - including search queries, sites visited, age, gender and location - will be gathered and assigned to your online identity represented by your Gmail, Google Plus, and YouTube accounts.

Prior to that, information about your Google searches and sites visited was kept separate from Google's other products. The wall between those products has now been removed and more of your information than ever is potentially floating around in cyberspace.

All of this provides a good reason to revisit your privacy settings and your own habits when searching information or conducting business online.

Why Does It Matter?

The history stored in a browser can contain sensitive information, such as your phone number, account numbers, passwords, emails, and so on.

In addition, your search queries can also reveal information about you, including private information like health concerns. In fact, privacy experts have raised concerns about that type of information being gathered in the event that it may be used when you apply for credit, a new job, car or life insurance, and even health care coverage.

Finally, if you work in a business where you help people with private financial matters (such as purchasing a home, improving their credit score, and so on), the need for privacy is even greater.

The Good News Is…

The first piece of good news is that major companies such as Microsoft, Google, and AOL recently agreed to install a do-not-track button in Web browsers to make sure that you can browse the Internet with more privacy. But it'll take a while before this button actually arrives in a browser near you.

The second piece of good news is that you already have a simple step that you can use in the meantime to help keep sensitive information from being recorded.

Tell Your Clients, Business Partners, and Friends…

Most browsers already feature a privacy setting that can be turned on. When you activate the private browsing setting, the actions you take are kept private - which means caches, browser history, forms, passwords and other temporary files are not permanently recorded. Instead, once the window is closed, the data is erased. So you can feel more comfortable working online without worrying that bank balances, emails, or passwords are being captured.

This is especially important if you use a shared computer in a business setting or a public computer (such as a computer at a public library or Internet café).

PCWorld recently provided the following quick instructions for setting your browser to privacy mode:
  • Internet Explorer 9: Ctrl-Shift-P
  • Chrome: Ctrl-Shift-N
  • Firefox: Ctrl-Shift-P
  • Safari: Go to the "Edit" menu and choose "Private Browsing"
But Don't Forget!

Even if you use a privacy setting, you'll need to quit a browser when you're done. That's because the "back" button still works in privacy mode, so someone else could easily click back to previously viewed pages, such as an email or financial account if you step away.

Finally, remind your clients and friends that social media sites may ask for a lot of information, but that doesn't mean you should share it. Phone numbers, your full date of birth, and social security numbers should never be part of your profile.

Following those simple steps can help you feel more comfortable about working online, especially when sensitive information is on the line.