10 Steps to a Secure and Organized Life – Part 2

This is the second blog post of a two-part series on protecting your family, digital information and personal property.

In our Part 1, we looked at some important ways to protect your digital information and devices.  In Part 2, we will continue the conversation, but also look at ways to protect your family, home, and personal property.

‍

Wifi Security – Virtual Private Network (VPN)

If you are accessing the internet or apps without using a virtual private network (VPN), your activity is visible to others.  If you are using a VPN, you are invisible.  A VPN helps to hide your presence on the internet.  Many people make the mistake of connecting to public Wifi without a VPN, while in the airport or in a coffee shop.  This makes you extremely vulnerable to being hacked.  For example, would you ever put your private information (like passwords or your Social Security Number) on a big sign out in the front yard for all to see?  Of course not, but this is what you are doing if you access a public Wifi without a VPN.  So, a VPN allows internet traffic to flow to your computer/devices through an encrypted connection to the VPN.  It’s safer and protects you.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Select a VPN service such as SAFERNET, ProtonVPN, Private Internet Access VPN, or NordVPN.
• Tip: If you choose not to use a VPN, turn off Wifi and Bluetooth on mobile devices and tablets when taking them in public.  It will provide you with more privacy and protection.

 Resource: PCMag - The Best VPN Services 

‍

Digital Storage Vault & Organizer:

In the unfortunate event something should happen to you, how prepared are your loved ones to handle the situation?  Would there be organization amid the chaos?  Does your spouse know exactly what to do?  Where is the contact information for the CPA, Financial Planner, and Estate Attorney?  Where are the financial statements?  Where is the legal information, such as wills, trusts, directives?  Where is the health information, including medical records, living wills, and Doctors?  Have you organized all your important family affairs, such as letters and wishes for loved ones, funeral wishes, digital assets (online accounts), and when the monthly bills are due?  Let’s face it, most of us have not taken these important steps to ensure our loved ones are prepared, especially during a time of intense emotions.  Thankfully, there are service providers to help you organize all the details of your life in a secure place and make it easier to manage a potentially chaotic situation.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Create an organization and legacy plan with a provider such as FidSafe, Everplans, or My Life & Wishes.

Identity Theft Protection:

• Unfortunately, my own personal identity was stolen in the past.  It was a terrible situation for our family, and my wish is that you never go through a similar crisis.  I have learned that once your personal information is compromised it's incredibly difficult to contain it.  To help secure your identity, here are a few suggestions:
• Freeze your credit to prevent thieves from opening credit accounts in your name.  Freeze credit at the following agencies: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
• Place a freeze on your banking accounts at ChexSystems to protect against unauthorized openings of new bank accounts in your name.
• Place a security freeze on your utility accounts at NCTUE to prevent thieves from opening new utility accounts in your name.
• Manage and opt-out of direct mail catalogs, magazines, and other unwanted commercial email by registering on DMAchoice.  You can also register the deceased and register as a caretaker.
• Opt-out of unsolicited credit card and loan offers at OptOutPrescreen.
• Stop receiving telemarketing calls and submit complaints by registering your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry.
• If you are the victim of identity theft, report it at IdentityTheft.gov.
• Protect your family by signing up for identity theft protection at services such as LifeLock or Identity Guard.
• Protect your children’s credit and Social Security number by placing a credit freeze on their records and enrolling in identity theft protection.

‍

Home Safe

Even if you store important files in a digital vault (such as Everplans), there still are many items that could be maintained in a secure location, preferably a physical home safe.  If you don’t currently have a safe, you might consider one like a Liberty Home Safe.

 Here is a sample list of items to consider storing in your home safe:

• Hard copy of “Instructions in the event of emergency, death, or disability”
• Hard copy of your most critical passwords/passcodes for: Password manager, home safe, home security system, desktops, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, etc.  Your loved ones or your trustees may need this information in the event of an emergency. Of course, they’ll also need to know how to access your safe!
• Original documents:
  • 7 years of income and gift tax returns and documentation
  • Trusts/Wills/Durable and Medical Powers of Attorney/Memorial Instructions/Directive to Physicians/Appointment of Guardian for Minor Children
• Trusted contacts information: Financial Planner, CPA, Estate Attorney, Doctor, Pastor, Therapist, neighbors, etc.
• Medical records and history
•  Insurance records and policies - Life, Health, Disability, Home, Auto, Umbrella, LTC, etc.
• Video inventory of household items for insurance purposes (proof of ownership)
• Mortgage, home equity, vehicle, and other loan agreements and recent statements
• Real and personal property deeds/titles/registrations – real estate, vehicles, boats, ATVs
• Rental (investment) property records
• Homeowner association bylaws
• Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
• Investment statements, bank statements, Treasury Savings Bonds, stock certificates, precious metals, and financial/investment advisory contracts
• Social Security statements (most recent year)
•  Income statement detailing monthly income and expenses
• Statements of periodic bills (utilities, etc.)
• Additional credit cards, check books, check registers, emergency cash
• Receipts for big-ticket purchases
• Warranty information
• External hard drive, local backup, discs, and thumb drives
• Business ownership documents:
  • Articles of incorporation
  •  Employment contracts
  • LLC/Corporate/Partnership agreements
  • Succession, contingency, and disaster recovery plans
  • Leases
  • Bills of sale
• Personal items:
  • Original birth certificates and SSN cards
  • Passports
  • Marriage certificate, divorce decrees, separation papers
  • Community property agreement
  • Death certificates
  • Cemetery plot deed
  • Religious records
  • Voter registration cards
  • Military papers
  • Tangible photos, cameras, and data chips
  • Extra key sets (home/vehicle) and safe deposit box keys
  • Valuables such as jewelry, coins, stamp collections, and keepsakes
  • Firearms/ammunition and gun trust contracts
  • Other

 Other Security Measures

• Anti-Phishing - when you are about to click on a link in a received email, take extra precaution by hovering your mouse over the link.  It will reveal the real URL address.  It should be the same address you are really trying to access.
•  Do you have private or sensitive material to send electronically, but you are concerned about it falling into the wrong hands?  Use an encrypted email service such as ProtonMail.

Would you like to send a private or sensitive text message? Would you like to ensure you are having a secure video chat? Use an encrypted service such as Signal.

‍

The foregoing content reflects the opinions of TwoTen Planning and is subject to change at any time without notice. Content provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice or a recommendation regarding the purchase or sale of any security. There is no guarantee that the statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee or assurance that diversification, strategies based on Nobel prize-winning research, or any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

‍

‍