Beware of potential 2020 Census scams
Unfortunately, scams have become a persistent problem when the U.S. Census Bureau does its once-a-decade count of the U.S. population. Here’s what you can expect from the 2020 Census in the coming weeks, and how you can protect yourself from potential scams. Census forms coming soon In mid-March, you and nearly every other U.S. household will receive an invitation in the mail to... READ MORE
Protect yourself from fraud by a fiduciary
One in 20 older adults is a victim of financial mistreatment, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association. Most fail to report their victimization, fearing a loss of independence. In part, that’s because the most common perpetrators of financial abuse are family members, unscrupulous caregivers and professional advisers, such as lawyers, accountants and financial... READ MORE
How to quit stalling and write your will
You know you should have a will, but you keep stalling. No one likes to think about dying or about someone else raising their children or grandchildren. But if you get no further than scribbling notes or thinking about which lawyer to hire, you risk dying “intestate” — without a will that could guide your loved ones, head off family feuds and potentially save your family thousands of... READ MORE
Four steps to protect against elder financial abuse
Chances are, you may have been swindled at some point in your life, or you know someone who has. Nearly half of consumers surveyed recently by Stanford University's Center on Longevity and the Finra Investor Education Foundation reported being a victim of financial fraud in the previous year — a far higher tally than earlier surveys indicated. No socioeconomic or demographic group is... READ MORE
How to stop getting annoying robo calls
Your phone rings, and a perky voice announces that she is "Heather from card services," and she has important news for you. You know Heather is a recording and that the low interest rate she's promoting is a scam. You hang up. Robo calls that use sales pitches or scare tactics to siphon your money are on the rise. Unwanted calls have topped the Federal Communications Commission's list of ... READ MORE
Don’t panic dealing with credit card fraud
When at work one day, Amanda Abella’s wallet was stolen from her purse. Before she realized it was missing, she began receiving texts from her bank about unusual account activity. It was the first time she had experienced fraud on her debit and credit cards. Resolving fraudulent transactions on her debit card proved difficult and time-consuming. But reversing the unauthorized credit... READ MORE
After writing a will, create an estate plan
Most people have a will. But a simple will often doesn’t cover some complex issues facing your heirs, which is why I recommend an estate plan. I work with doctors, accountants and other professionals, small-business owners, and people getting ready to retire. They may have a will and a trust for their children, but an estate plan answers three fundamental questions: What you want... READ MORE
Will doing your own estate plan cost heirs?
Estate planning mistakes can be expensive to fix — that is, when they can be fixed at all. That’s the thought that haunts New York attorney Mari Galvin, whether she’s creating an estate plan for a client or confronting the aftermath when people didn’t properly plan. “People think, ‘Oh, I have a simple life,’ but you have to understand (that if) you make a mistake and you ... READ MORE
Reporting a tax-free transfer from your IRA to charity
Question: I have to take a $20,000 required minimum distribution from my Vanguard IRA this year. I’d like to give $5,000 tax-free to a charity and withdraw the remaining $15,000 for myself. A Vanguard rep said it would send me a check for $15,000 payable to me as well as a $5,000 check made payable to the charity that I could forward. The rep said that at the end of the year it would... READ MORE
