|
Think of me as a resource when you are working on stories about money, especially business and consumer credit, identity theft, and fraud.
|
My Credentials
I am a Certified Public Accountant who previously held the top credit designations in Canada, the US, and the UK. I am a recognized authority in the field of credit and have more than 25 years experience in both consumer and commercial credit and collections.
CPA - Certified Public Accountant, Illinois, USA
CCE - National Association of Credit Management, USA
MBA - Southwest University
B.Admin. University of Ottawa
|
I am fluently bilingual (French/English) and am comfortable giving interviews in either language.
I am the author of 4 books that are currently available:
IFRS Simplified, which is a fast and easy to understand overview of the new International Financial Reporting Standards.
Financial Statement Analysis Simplified
Sarbanes-Oxley Simplified, is an easy-to-read explanation of the requirements of the US legislation that makes CEO's & CFO's personally responsible for the accuracy of their company's financial statements.
Credit for Canadians, which explains how the Canadian Credit industry works and shows consumers and small business owners how to fix problems on their credit report, and protect themselves from Identity Theft.
|
I have been on a nation-wide book tour and have been a guest on the following programs:
Television
City TV, "Breakfast Television", Toronto, ON
City TV, "Breakfast Television", Vancouver, BC
CKAL-TV, “The Big Breakfast”, Calgary, Alberta
City TV, "Breakfast Television", Winnipeg, Manitoba
City TV, "Breakfast Television", Victoria, BC
New RO, "Breakfast Show", Ottawa, ON
New RO, "Noon News", Ottawa, ON
Radio
940 News, Montreal, QC
CKLW Windsor, ON
610 News Radio, St Catharines, ON
CKCO-CTV Noon News, Kitchener, ON
570 News Radio, Gary Doyle Show, Kitchener, ON
MOJO Radio, Toronto, ON AM800, Windsor, ON
CFPL 99.9, London, ON
1010 CFRB, News Talk Radio, Toronto, ON
CKWX 1130 Radio, Vancouver, B.C.
CKNW 980 Radio, Sterling Faux Show, Vancouver, B.C.
CKOV 630 Radio, Kelowna, B.C.
CICF 105.7 Radio, Vernon, B.C.
CHSU 99.9 Radio, Kelowna, B.C.
CJMG 97.1 Radio, Penticton, B.C.
CISQ 107.1 Radio, Squamish, B.C.
CISQ 107.1 Radio, Abbotsford, B.C.
CISQ 107.1 Radio, Chiliwack, B.C.
CISW 102.1 Radio, Whistler, B.C.
CFOX 99.3 Radio, Vancouver, B.C.
CKOM 650 Radio, Saskatoon, SK
CFAX 1070 Radio, Victoria, B.C.
CJVI 910 Radio, Vancouver Island, B.C.
CHED 630 Radio, Edmonton, AB
CHQR 770 Radio, Calgary, AB
CKBL 1150 Radio, Kelowna, B.C.
CFOX 99.3 Radio, Vancouver, B.C.
CKDQ 910 Radio, Drumheller, AB
CFKC 95.7 Radio, Trail/Castlegar, B.C.
CKKC 880 Radio, Nelson, B.C.
KBS 102 Radio, Kootenay Lake, B.C.
KBS 1340 Radio, Creston, B.C.
KBS 93.5 Radio, New Denver/Silverton, B.C.
KBS 95.3 Radio, Kaslo, B.C.
KBS 103.1 Radio, Nakusp, B.C.
CFNI 1240 Radio, Port Hardy, B.C.
CKRM 620 Radio, Regina, SK
CKBH 88.5 Radio, Parksville, B.C.
CKDR-6 Radio, Atikokan, ON
CKDR-4 Radio, Ear Falls, ON
CKDR-3 Radio, Hudson, ON
CKDR-1 Radio, Ignace, ON
CKDR-5 Radio, Red Lake, ON
CKDR-2 Radio, Sioux Lookout, ON
CKLU 96.7 Radio, Sudbury, ON
CKGB 750 Radio, Timmins, ON
CJWA Radio, Wawa, ON
CKDR Radio, Dryden, ON
CJOB Radio, Winnipeg, MB
|
Some possible consumer interview topics include:
- Protecting yourself from identity theft (you can't protect yourself 100%, but there are some things you can do to limit your risk)
- Identity theft and seniors (seniors are a targeted group because they generally have some assets and they can be too trusting)
- Youth and credit (the credit card offers start coming in the mail even before the kids finish school and it is too easy to start digging a hole that is difficult to get out of)
- How to fix mistakes on your credit report (it is estimated that up to 40% of credit reports have errors on them, and these mistakes can be costing you money)
- Negotiating with your creditors to reduce your payments (bankruptcy is not always the only option)
- Get collection agencies off your back (know your rights, don't be bullied)
- Privacy legislation in Canada (PIPEDA, what it is, and how it benefits consumers)
Some possible business interview topics include:
- Complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the US (the cost to Canadian companies, why they need to comply)
- Bill 198 in Ontario (what is it and why it is important)
- Privacy legislation (PIPEDA legislation, are companies doing enough to protect consumers personal information)
- The new International Financial Reporting Standards (why are we changing, and who will it affect)
|
Staggering Statistics About Identity Theft
Did you know that:
-
There have been more than 27 million documented cases of identity theft in North America in the last 5 years.
-
Losses to consumers from identity theft are in excess of $5 Billion.
-
Only 1 victim in 5 knew how to limit the damage by notifying the credit bureaus.
-
It takes an average of 16 months to realize that you have been a victim, and an average of 39 months to recover from the theft.
-
Half of identity theft victims have no idea how the thieves got their personal information.
|
Sample Questions about Identity Theft:
What is Identity Theft and how can I protect myself?
Usually, Identity Theft is fraud where someone pretends to be you. They run up credit in your name and you are left with the bill, but sometimes people use false identities when they have been stopped by police and want to avoid giving their own name.
You can’t protect yourself 100% from Identity Theft, but you can reduce the likelihood and the impact of Identity Theft by keeping an eye on what’s on your credit report.
What you are looking for are inquiries. The first step before someone grants credit is to obtain a copy of your credit report. Everyone who gets a copy of your credit report shows up as an inquiry on your credit report. If you see one that you didn’t authorize, check it right away.
Also, look for changes of personal information, especially your address. Thieves may be rerouting your mail so that it does not even come to you.
How do I get my credit report?
There are 2 credit bureaus in Canada. Most people do not realize this. It’s important that you get both credit reports. In Canada we have the right to get our credit reports for free. The credit bureau contact information is on my web site, or you can go directly to the web sites of Equifax (Equifax.ca) and TransUnion (tuc.ca).
|
Why do I have more than one credit report?
Equifax and TransUnion are competitors. They sell information about you to their customers. Because they have different customers, the 2 reports can contain different information so it's important that you get both.
Where do they get the information that is on my credit report?
When you sign a credit application, you give your creditor permission to report to the credit bureau how you pay. Many creditors report every month and others report only if you are late. They also get information form publicly accessible government records such as the courts, land title and lien registries, and bankruptcy listings.
Do I not have a right to privacy?
Yes, in Canada you do.
But? If you read the fine print on credit applications, leases, car deals, and other contracts, you will see that you've waived your right to privacy. In spite of that, there is relatively new legislation in Canada called PIPEDA that restricts how businesses collect, use, and disclose your personal information.
|
|