With Tax season finally over, here we mentioned how it seemed to never end…but we digress…
It appears the Cyber Thieves are back at it again, and have a new technique involving Social Security. Here in our Social Cyber Post, we discuss just how they are doing this.
Bottom line, if you see something suspicious, be sure to notify the appropriate agency.
Capital Market Comments
Early Discussions of the Interest Rate Yield Curve – Rates
This is going to be fun …. In the first of a multi-part series here, we discuss the basics of the yield curve.
Bottom line, at its most basic level the yield curve should go upward and outward just as our home made chart below (the starting point for our discussion.)
The last several years marked double digit cyber invasive events through us and our friends and clients at the start of the year, peaking at tax time. Topping out at a new high last year with 12 invasive events.
This year we’re happy to announce that total threats were low single digits.
However, we did hear of a unique new trick from the tricksters worth noting.
The Social Security Trick
This year through our peer study groups we heard of one of the most clever Cyber tactics in recent memory. This Cyber attack involves signing up for your Social Security, but not being you, and depositing your Social Security into someone else’s account.
Bottom line if you receive ANYTHING from the Social Security thanking you for commencing your services for whatever reason, check into it may be fraudulent …. likely is if you have not had any interaction with the Social Security Administration!
Wish the thieves spent as much time working productive as they do destructively … the world would be a better place…… but we digress!
Have a Great Less Social Security Cyber Attacks Day!
This time garners the most important financial forms of the year flowing through the system … of course we are speaking of Tax Forms! (W-2, 1099, etc …..)
Tax Time = Fraudster Time
This week we fielded two and 1/2 possible fraud attempts. We are giving 1/2 to a email that we are not certain was fraud … No Matter.
Keep your guards up!
Last year we had double digit numbers of fraud during this season… the thing is, we did not see fraud until much later in the season. They may be starting earlier this year.
For the record, there has been no money lost on any of our known fraud attempts… we hope this never changes…. Stay Vigilant !
Happy Friday .. Enjoy Your Weekend ! Talk to you next week…
Custody … A simple word that means a lot in investing.
We do not Custody Your $$$
As a firm we do not take custody of client assets. Not that this is a bad thing, but we choose not to custody assets for reasons beyond the importance of this post.
New rules have gone into effect, that we will of course follow, in order for us to continue NOT TAKING CUSTODY of client assets.
Here are the minor changes affecting us:
We can no longer change your address of record for you electronically – we can change via a simple signed document or a quick three way call with our back office team – Just a slight bit slower than the other way – step for steppers!
Dormant Standing Letter of Authorizations (SLOA’s) to wire/link transfer money to other accounts have been removed – We like this as it is a good clean up the wires that may be straggling out there
Annual reminder statement for wires/linking that are on file – Again, Well done… we like this too
Not directly related to the Custody Rule, but worth mentioning is a new mandatory notice when funds are wired- this is sent by our custodian as a safety measure each time a non-recurring wire is completed – Again, thumbs up regulators –
We like all of this, but wanted to let you know in advance, especially on the address change as it may result in slightly slower adjustments … all for our collective safety from cyber predators !
Dad’s 90th Birthday Wishes
Thanks so much for all the wonderful wishes for Dad’s 90th birthday …. Honestly, I was VERY cautious of the announcement … being not directly business related …
One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is getting to experience all of life’s events with YOU guys … yes, good and bad … Sometimes I forget you guys enjoy hearing of ours too !
Thanks Again !
Tennis Tournament – Flu
What’s better than a long weekend with an extra long Tennis Tournament … all the family going to a southern town in Texas … hey, even Chacca the dog?
Multiple players, including the 13 year old are fighting the Flu — Wow has this been a tough year … Contact across the country seem to be in the same situation ..
Let’s get well everyone !
MLK Holiday Monday
In honor of Martin Luther King Day, schools, banks, capital markets and our office will be closed …
Have a nice long weekend and Get Well if you feel any bit under the weather !
Welcome to our Video and Audio Podcast Review of our Q 4 2017 Newsletter. For those on the road or just unable to grab the time to read, our podcast type review gives you the behind the scenes insight to our thoughts, observations and deep views of the entire Newsletter.
Click here for direct link to an electronic version (an early peek-good ole fashion paper versions are on their way to you shortly) and here for our Newsletter page
In a quest for value, it may be appearing overseas with our friends across the pond. Our core article of the newsletter discusses P/E Price Earnings along with the more smoothed CAPE or cyclically adjusted price earnings which is just a 10 year average ratio. With multiple looks at a long awaited possible long term positive trend, the next 3-5 years may be in the corner of our overseas friends.
Tripit our App of the Quarter
After stumbling upon a neat app from a dear friend, “Tripit” makes our app of the quarter. Bet you have no idea just how many different reward programs you are involved … after loading them into our app of the quarter, your life will be easier. Constant price reviews after the purchase along with multiple handy reminders may make this a fun – non financial review and item for you to try out this quarter.
Equifax Update and To Do’s
Our most popular posts on street-cents.com our blog, was the discussion of the Equifax breach. Our theme “Chillax” if our information had not been comprised before, it will eventually. The best defense in this case is an offensive preparation, BEFORE the next breach.
Break In: Yahoo announce after our discussion much more information had been compromised than originally thought …
Not IF, but WHEN our information is compromised …
1 Minute Video Reviews and Screen Shots
With tons of fun and compliments, our half dozen set of 1 minute video’s also make the Newsletter. If you like to talk like I do, full appreciation for just how hard it is to make a 1 Minute video… haha
Here is a link to our 1 Minute Video Page on our Website
Shhhh, we have a secret that we want to tell, but are forbidden for a couple of more weeks. We will only say it is an honor!
Watch for a reminder of our hopefully awesome Saturday Before Thanksgiving-Early November 18 Holiday Party at the Dallas Arboretum from 1-3 pm and free reign of the park until 5! Fun times !!!
Here is our August 2017 Monthly review. If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast format.
Update, it appears the site Equifax set up, after entering some of our individual information to see if our privacy was compromised, defaults to yes for everyone.
The good news was this breach occurred months ago and if we have not had problems yet, at least the aggressive hackers are not using our information.
As mentioned in our post, it is not a matter or if, but when our personal information we be divulged. We need to all act accordingly and protect ourselves to prevent the eventual problems a loss of our information may create.
Real Estate Wire Fraud Issues
Briefly, this important post about Real Estate Wire Fraud is worth noting again. While after the fact, this type of fraud looks easy to detect, in the throws of what is a stressful time (buying a new home or the like) fraudsters are taking advantage of our vulnerabilities.
If there are any last minute changes to your closing, BE SURE to contact the receiving party to confirm they are legitimate.
Capital Market Comments
United States Dollar Talk
With a few “Sky is Falling” US Dollar headlines, we addressed these concerns front and center in this Post and also in our coming newsletter with the chart below from our fellow blogger and former economist Scott Grannis and Bloomberg.
Not only is the Unites States Dollar not undervalued, its still too strong using recent history as a guide!
It is no surprise the creative bad guys sitting behind computer screens somewhere have found another weak spot in the system. The problem with this one is, it is usually of size.
Real Estate Fraud Alert
One of the larger financial transactions many of us make are the purchase of some type of Real Estate. With money, paperwork, and stress sloshing around, it is no wonder the bad guys have squeezed into this arena.
Here is what is going on:
After a hack into the system somewhere-
Email is sent to one of the parties, stating there is an updated wire account number-
In the foray of movement one party fails to verify the new account information-
Bam, the funds are wired and disappear-
How to stop it:
Confirm ANY email change with your opposite party-
Call one last time and check “In Person” with the other party before wiring – just to be safe
Get your Fed wire number confirmation after the wire-
Confirm your receiving party did in fact, receive the funds
If it is convenient, a cashiers check may be easier/safer– but hold on tight to that check after issue and double confirm how to make the check payable if this is the way you choose to go.
While the above steps look simple, and the bad guys easy to spot, in the heat of the moment, things can slip through the cracks.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, please consult your financial advisor prior to investing!
Background
The is the vocal portion of J.K. Financial, Inc. a Dallas Texas Based Fee Only Total Wealth Financial Planning Firm. Founded by John Kvale, a Dallas Texas Fee only Financial Planner and Total Wealth Manager.
April 2018 Podcast Video, Financial Planning and Capital Market Update – By John Kvale
Hello and Welcome to our April 2018 Financial Planning and Capital Market Update!
If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast format.
April 2018 Video
Financial Planning Tip (s) –
With Tax season finally over, here we mentioned how it seemed to never end…but we digress…
It appears the Cyber Thieves are back at it again, and have a new technique involving Social Security. Here in our Social Cyber Post, we discuss just how they are doing this.
Bottom line, if you see something suspicious, be sure to notify the appropriate agency.
Capital Market Comments
Early Discussions of the Interest Rate Yield Curve – Rates
This is going to be fun …. In the first of a multi-part series here, we discuss the basics of the yield curve.
Bottom line, at its most basic level the yield curve should go upward and outward just as our home made chart below (the starting point for our discussion.)
Have a Great Day! Talk to you at the end of May!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com
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Posted in Cyber, General Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Podcast, Tax Related, Video
Tagged Cyber, Social Security, Yield Curve