IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
The following presentation by New England Capital Financial Advisors, LLC (“NECFA”) is intended for general information purposes only. No portion of the presentation serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from NECFA or any other investment professional of your choosing. Please see additional important disclosure at the end of this penetration. A copy of NECFA’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request or at www.newenglandcapital.com.
Enhancing Your Identity Protection in Today's Digital World
There isn't a week that goes by when you don't read about some data breach. Safeguarding your personal information starts with understanding cybersecurity risks, knowing what to look for, and doing everything you can to help protect yourself.
While businesses, law enforcement, and legislators contend with identity theft, some of the most effective methods to help manage your personal information are in your own hands. There are no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech ways to help address your vulnerabilities.
No-Tech:
The Federal Trade Commission reports that physical documents still account for over half of all identity theft cases. You can help manage this risk by taking a few simple actions, such as shredding sensitive documents, registering for United States Postal Service Informed Delivery, going paperless, and not storing sensitive information in your wallet or purse.
Low-Tech:
Phishing attacks, which can come in various forms, such as email phishing, malware phishing, spear phishing, smishing, and vishing, are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Being cautious about email display names, checking for typos and poor grammar, being wary of threats or urgency, and being skeptical of text messages from unknown senders can help you avoid falling victim to these scams.
High-Tech:
In our high-tech world, vulnerabilities often come from smartphone apps and Wi-Fi. Paying attention to apps that access personal data, password-protecting your smartphone, using a virtual private network (VPN) when in public, and being mindful about sharing your location can help manage these risks.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps have become increasingly popular but can open users up to fraud. To protect against P2P scams, keep transactions private, secure your account with a strong password, and always remember to sign out or close the app after use.
The best defense is a good offense.
Taking proactive steps like using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and monitoring or freezing your credit can help enhance your identity protection. Freezing your credit may help prevent fraud because it prevents new lines of credit from being opened without your permission.
Create, manage, and store strong passwords.
Consider using a password manager. Password managers store and organize your passwords with secure digital encryption and MFA. Some browsers have built-in password managers that are free to use. There are also many password managers you can subscribe to, with a variety of features and benefits. NordPass, 1Password, RoboForm, Keeper, and Bitdefender are the most popular, according to a 2024 report from Cybernews.com.
The risks of identity theft are increasing, and individual diligence is paramount. We encourage you to consider adopting some of these strategies and taking action to protect your personal information.
As your financial professional, we are here to help you navigate these challenges and provide guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We may have additional resources that can help.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
Please remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by New England Capital Financial Advisors, LLC [“NECFA”]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this blog will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this blog serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from NECFA. To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing. NECFA is neither a law firm nor a certified public accounting firm and no portion of the blog content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the NECFA’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available for review upon request or at www.newenglandcapital.com. Please Note: NECFA does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to NECFA’s web site or blog or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please Remember: If you are a NECFA client, please contact NECFA, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently. Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at least quarterly) from the account custodian.