...is this couple LDS??

http://www.sltrib.com/news/2222582-155/draper-man-indicted-for-24m-missing

Usually articles about LDS white collar crime will mention the perpetrator having taking advantage of church members via ward or stake connections.

In the wake of the Bernie Madoff scandal, a local investment advisor and radio commentator was asked about ways that you can protect yourself from fraud. One thing that he mentioned that really stuck with me is that you should *always* write your checks directly to the company issuing the stocks or the mutual fund, and not to your advisory firm. I would never trust any one individual with managing my money. There is just too much potential for abuse.

That makes a hell of a lot of sense. Too bad no one uses checks anymore.

I do! I feel that checks are more secure than debit cards. Plus, I like the float that you often get between when you write a check and when it is cashed. But it's true that cashiers sometimes look at me like I'm a dinosaur.

I do too.

FWIW my mechanic prefers to take checks from people he knows. He doesn't have to absorb the debit fee of 3%.

the "float"??? is usually no longer. Walmart, Target, even Dominos and Pizza Hut electronically process the checks. The money is taken out immediately. It used to be that you could write a check on Thurs. evening knowing that you'd have direct deposit; but now since it's electronically withdrawn it's immediate. That's why Walmart hands you back the check that you just wrote.

It depends on the business. My mechanic takes about a week and a half to cash the check. Verizon can take a week or more.

Yes. They are LDS. No one in Utard is going to give their retirement savings to a gentile. Only trusted ward members get to fleece the flock.

Only work with a financial advisor who uses a custodian. Never write a check (or ACH) to the financial advisor or his company. The custodian's job is to be sure the assets cannot be misappropriated by the advisor.

JAR