On November 5, 2013, we hosted a client event devoted to wealth protection strategies. An abundance of information was presented during this presentation, held at Venetian Golf & River Club. As a courtesy to those who could not attend, the following information is a summary of what was discussed.
Speakers:
Hostess: Erin E. Tackett, Tackett Wealth Management
Main Presenter: Bret R. Tackett, MS, CFP, Tackett Wealth Management
Guest Speaker: Captain Tom Mattmuller, Venice Police Department
Guest Speaker: Detective Andy Leisenring, Venice Police Department
Guest Speaker: Robert Foster, On-Site Computer Repair
Introduction: Defining Wealth Protection
Bret explained that wealth protection is a very broad financial subject and can apply to many different facets of life. He feels four key areas should be part of a smart wealth protection plan.
- Protecting yourself and loved ones
- Protecting your confidential information (technology risks)
- Protecting your financial assets
- Protecting your property/home
We’ve covered protecting financial asssets (#3 above) in private meetings and previous client events, so for the sake of time, this presentation focuses more on the other 3 key areas.
Protecting Yourself, Your Loved Ones, and Your Home
Some of the most common crimes can often be easily remedied. Here are few quick tips that were shared by guest speakers, Captain Tom Mattmuller and Detective Andy Leisenring:
- Be sure your house is well lit at night. Consider motion sensor lighting. The most effective tool for protecting your home is good lighting.
- Don’t have a spare key hidden outside your home.
- Add a locking bar from the hardware store to your sliding glass doors.
- If you have an alarm system installed, be sure it has sensors that will sound if the glass on a window or slider is broken.
- Plant thorny shrubs like bougainvillea in front of windows.
- Don’t place empty boxes after purchasing technology in the front driveway
The most effective tool for protecting your home is good lighting.
Bret also suggests ascertaining background information (full names, phone numbers, address, etc.) on anyone who has access to your home, such as maids, gardeners, etc. Vet anyone with access and check references. Get recommendations from people you trust. Take pictures and/or video of home inventories, and make sure they’re up-to-date. Store the information away from your home, in a safe-deposit box, for example. If you like dogs, consider buying one. Often times the mere presence of a dog can prevent break-ins. Not to mentione, they can be wonderful companions.
Protecting Your Confidential Information
Captain Mattmuller and Detective Leisenring provided the following tips against fraud:
- Don’t use your mailbox for outgoing mail; drop it in a US Postal drop box or at the post office.
- No matter how much someone knows about you when they call, don’t provide personal information. Call the person back at the company’s publicly listed number and ask for the department or person that called you.
- Whenever you have the option to use your credit card over a debit or check card, use the credit option. Credit card companies have systems and protections in place to protect you against fraud that debit, cash and check options don’t.
- Current scams in this area: a loved one being in jail needs bail, and a distant relative calls needing cash.
Locking The Gate: 5 Simple Tech Tips To Protect Your Information
Bret presented 5 ways to vastly improve data security and protect yourself from technological threats. The 5 major discussion points were as follows:
1. Encrypt Your Hard Drives
2. Use Complex, Diverse Passwords:
3. Implement 2-Factor Authentication:
4. Don’t Email Sensitive Information:
5. Properly Secure Your Wireless Network:
Due to the elaborate nature of the information, a separate post has been created with much more detail. → More Info
