Resources Worth Routing

Helping the Next Generation with Buying a Home

Helping the Next Generation with Buying a Home

The current residential real estate market continues to apply pressure on potential home buyers, with many feeling the constraints of high housing prices and relatively high interest rates for mortgages.  

Tips for Staying Secure Online

Tips for Staying Secure Online

Michael Garcia, Ferguson Wellman's chief technology officer, offers tips for keeping information secure when online.

Five Tips to Mitigate Cybersecurity Breaches

Five Tips to Mitigate Cybersecurity Breaches

Katherine Russell, IACCP®, shares tips to help prevent cybersecurity breaches. Technology support services are one of many offerings from Octavia Group, our family office solution for clients.

Tax Strategies to Help Navigate the American Families Plan Proposal

Tax Strategies to Help Navigate the American Families Plan Proposal

Tax policy is being proposed and revised at a furious pace in Washington. Not knowing if, when and in what form the proposals might turn into law, it may be tempting to ignore the process and wait for the final outcome.

Should Low Interest Rates Alter When to Claim Social Security?

Should Low Interest Rates Alter When to Claim Social Security?

“Where will I generate cash flow in today’s low interest rate environment?” This is a question that many retirees are now facing as they consider how to effectively manage their income in the current era of extremely low interest rates. One answer could be making a strategic decision about when to claim your Social Security benefits.

Applying the Principles of Planning to Emergency Situations

Applying the Principles of Planning to Emergency Situations

News of western wildfires are dominating the headlines. Many of us who thought we were not at risk of being evacuated from our homes now have a heightened awareness of how important it is to plan for the unexpected.

FTC Scam Bingo: Helping Your Technology Stay Healthy

FTC Scam Bingo: Helping Your Technology Stay Healthy

Scams are on the rise during this pandemic. Here are some reminders and resources from the Federal Trade Commission

10 Key Cyber Safety Tips

10 Key Cyber Safety Tips

10 Key Cyber Safety Tips

Protect Yourself from Tax Scams

Protect Yourself from Tax Scams

Each year, the IRS issues its annual “Dirty Dozen.” This is a list of top scams that taxpayers should be aware of, along with information on how to spot, avoid and report them.

A Good View of Long-Term Investing

A Good View of Long-Term Investing

This week, USA TODAY’s Adam Shell announced his retirement as money reporter following Wall Street. On Monday, he shared some parting words for his readers that are good reminders about taking a long-term approach to investing.

A Bump in Social Security Income in 2019

A Bump in Social Security Income in 2019

Next year, individuals will see an increase in their Social Security benefits.

Resources Worth Routing: The GDPR Effect on Your Inbox

Resources Worth Routing: The GDPR Effect on Your Inbox

GDPR became law in the European Union on May 25.

Safeguarding Personal Data Online

Safeguarding Personal Data Online

Last week, we sent a notice to clients regarding the Equifax data breach. To read that information, please click here.

Steps to Take Following the Equifax Breach

Michael 2016-11.jpg

by Michael Garcia
Chief Technology Officer

Equifax, one of three credit reporting agencies in the United States, reported on Thursday that the company experienced a cybersecurity incident potentially impacting approximately 143 million U.S. consumers.

Ferguson Wellman and West Bearing recognize that many of our clients may have questions as a result of the announcement. While it is still early in the process, we would like to share a few thoughts:

  • Equifax has established a website to assist clients in understanding the incident and to allow consumers to determine if they are known to be impacted. The website is www.equifaxecurity2017.com. To determine if you have been impacted, select the, “Potential Impact” link
  • Whether or not you are reported to have been impacted, you may want to consider enrolling in an identity monitoring and credit protection program. While our firm does not endorse any program, here are the names of several offerings rated by Consumer Affairs:

www.creditsesame.com
www.lifelock.com
www.identityguard.com

  • As reported on the website, Equifax is offering complimentary access to an identity theft protection and credit file monitoring product called TrustedID Premier. However, by enrolling in the complimentary program, you may be agreeing to settle grievances through arbitration. There is a link to enroll in the program on the website referenced above 
  • No Ferguson Wellman nor West Bearing clients own Equifax stock (ticker EFX) in portfolios managed by our firm, with the exception of a few clients who transferred the position in from other managers. Not surprisingly, the stock dropped 13.66 percent on Friday following the news

As always, now is an excellent time to use complex and unique passwords for all of your accounts. We recommend:

  • Changing your password immediately if you know of data breach and any like passwords on other sites
  • Create strong passwords everywhere and do not use the same password on different sites
  • Use a password manager to do the heavy lifting of creating strong passwords. Many are free
  • Enable two-step or even multi-step verification if available. Even if your credentials are compromised, they are useless without additional verification
  • Monitor any financial accounts associated with any breach that you believe have been associated with fraud. Your liability may be impacted by how quickly you identify fraudulent activity
  • Be aware of “phishing” attacks that may increase shortly after news of a breach. They may pose as the affected company to trick consumer

Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at mgarcia@fergwell.com
 

Disclosures

The Need for a POA Starts at 18

The Need for a POA Starts at 18

Mark Kralj shares a piece by Financial Advisor magazine regarding the need for a power of attorney at the age of 18.

Unemployment: State by State

Unemployment: State by State

Ralph Cole, CFA, shares Bloomberg data regarding unemployment by state. 

Corporate Tax Inversions

Corporate Tax Inversions

Jason Norris, CFA, shares some insight from CNBC on corporate tax inversions. 

Where We Came From, State by State

Where We Came From, State by State

Liz Olsen shares demographic data from The New York Times. 

Is an All Cash Emergency Fund Strategy Appropriate for All Investors?

Is an All Cash Emergency Fund Strategy Appropriate for All Investors?

Josh Frankel, CRPC, shares views from Journal of Financial Planning regarding emergency funds. 

Understanding Fees

Understanding Fees

Jason Norris, CFA, shares an article from The Wall Street Journal regarding fees.