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5 Ways To Avoid Scams And Not Be A Victim As An Elder

For easier, longer-lasting self-improvement, consider adopting these seven ways to beef up your defenses against various scams like estate scam which can be protected for you by firms like barr & young attorneys for instance that are expected to continue popping up this year.

  1. Make A Backup Of Your Computer Files

Last year there was a news of ransomware, a type of malware that hijacks computers and makes files unreadable. With more than 100 new types of ransomware, attacks have tripled compared to 2015 levels, and the average ransom demand to recover hijacked data has more than tripled., This year, experts predict the worst ransomware attacks.

You can buy a USB to store essential data on your computer. So, if you are (or when you are) a victim of ransomware, you will have external copies of your files and will not be tempted to pay. Just make sure to physically disconnect the device from your computer after performing the backup; otherwise, the ransomware could infect you. A secure cloud service works too.

  1. Watch Your Mail

In the coming weeks, identity thieves will have the opportunity (which they only have once a year) to steal confidential data, including Social Security numbers, by stealing tax documents such as employers’ W-2s from mailboxes. Banks and financial entities. If you or a neighbor can’t get the mail out quickly, consider getting a locked mailbox or holding your mail at the post office for pickup. A free USPS service called Informed Delivery sends recipients a digital image of the letter-size envelopes that arrive to monitor expected tax documents. If you don’t receive the expected tax documents in mid-February, call the sender to ask why.

  1. Keep An Eye On Your Existing Accounts

A security freeze on your credit report prevents scammers from opening new financial accounts in your name. But a freeze can’t prevent someone from accessing your existing bank, credit card, and retirement savings accounts. That is up to you. The easiest way? Set up free alerts with your financial institution so that they notify you when a transaction occurs. If you don’t want to be contacted for every action, consider requesting a “card not present” alert for credit cards, so you know when charges are being made over the phone or online; You can also ask the bank to notify you when withdrawals are made from your accounts. Even with alerts, take a few minutes (ideally every day) to review your financial accounts online or peruse email statements and quickly report problems.

  1. Set Better Passwords

You already know that you must use a different password for each account, each of at least eight characters and a mixture of different letters, symbols, and numbers. Do you follow this advice? Probably not. A password manager can create, recover, and track passwords for all of your accounts and protect PINs, credit card CVV codes, and other vital information. You need to set only an original and memorable master password. Some password managers are free, but you have to pay up to 50 a year for features like two-factor authentication, storing passwords in the cloud, and using multiple devices. In the case of any fraud like in estate planning, firms like barr & young attorneys can help with the situation

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