10 Best Home Security of 2013

ConsumersAdvocate.org has compiled a list of the 10 best home security systems of 2013. They've ranked them using specific criteria in order: Price, Hardware Features, Contract Length, Customer Service Guarantee.

1. FrontPoint Security

• First Year Price- $358.87
• Overview- Extremely High Customer Satisfaction; Better than Free Equipment (after $300. rebate); Online Quote Available
• Monitoring & Contract- Monitoring from $34.99; 3-Year Term

2. Protect America

• First Year Price- $239.88
• Overview- Great for Price Conscious Customers; Home & Apartments
• Monitoring & Contract- $19.99/mo; 3-Year Term

3. SimpliSafe Home Security Systems

• First Year Price- $409.84
• Overview- Inexpensive Monitoring; 60-Day Guarantee; Must Buy Your Own Equipment
• Monitoring & Contract- $19.99/mo; No Contract

4. LifeShield Security

• First Year Price- $459.87
• Overview- Free Kindle w/ Gold Package (34.99/mo); High Quality Wireless Equipment
• Monitoring & Contract- $29.99/mo+ Monitoring; 3-Year Term

5. AlarmRelay

• First Year Price- $342.40
• Overview- Best for the "Do-It-Yourselfer"; Hardware & Monitoring Sold Separately; Long Term Savings
• Monitoring & Contract- Alarm Relay Monitoring $8.95/mo;1-Year Contract 

6. AlarmForce

• First Year Price- $300.
• Overview- Lower Price; Trusted by Fewer Customers; 2-Way Communication
• Monitoring & Contract- $25.00/mo Monitoring; 3-Year Term

7. Xfinity Home

• First Year Price- $558.40
• Overview- High Quality Security System; Inexpensive Monitoring; $199. Instilation Fee Increases Cost
• Monitoring & Contract- $29.99/mo Monitoring; 3-Year Contract

8. Vivint

• First Year Price- $599.88
• Overview- Best High End System; Home Automation & Security; No Entry Level Pricing Available; 
• Monitoring & Contract- $49.99/mo Monitoring; 3-Year Term

9. ADT

• First Year Price- $720.86
• Overview- Most Recognizable Brand in the U.S.; $200. Cash Back Offer; Still Very Costly
• Monitoring & Contract- $35.99/mo for Basic; $49.99/mo for Fully Featured; 3-Year Term

10. Pinnacle Security

• First Year Price- $618.88
• Overview- Pinnacle Security is Full Featured but High Price, Long Contract & Low Ratings with the BBB Earned it a Low Rank
• Monitoring & Contract- $34.99/mo Monitoring; 4-Year Contract 

To view the article which includes links to each security company listed visit http://consumersadvocate.org/security/best-home-security.html?gclid=CNas0_Sj57kCFRDZQgodb2AA1Q

Social Security Scams Lead to Extreme Elder Abuse

A Houston man has been arrested for felony elder abuse according to a July 23, 2013 article in The New York Times.

The article exposes a scam to collect Social Security and Veteran benefits from elder individuals held against their will. Three elderly disabled men ages 50, 74, and 80 were held prisoner for at least one year in a small garage fitted with burglar bars and lacking the benefit of furniture, beds, blankets, or plumbing. Officials said the men were only given scraps of food to eat and were prevented from leaving by force or coercion.

Walter Renard Jones, the 31-year-old grandson of the homeowner, allegedly lured the men to the garage with promises of food, shelter, and care. He was arrested and charged with felony elder abuse, including allegations that he struck one of the men with a cane.

According to the article, neighbors were shocked by the scandal. Many neighbors and relatives were often guests in the house but never went near the converted garage.

A fourth man, who was apparently given more freedom than the others lived both in the converted garage and, at other times, in the home was instrumental  in notifying police of the travesties occurring at this location.

The individuals held captive were taken to the hospital and treated for malnourishment.

Officials from the Houston Police Department stated that this case was one of the most extreme instances of elder abuse and financial exploitation in Texas.

For more information and to read the full article visit http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/24/us/houston-garage-was-prison-for-three-disabled-men.html?_r=0