3 Ways To Protect Your Credit After A Data Hack

When your credit card or bank accounts are compromised by a data breach, like the ones that affected millions of Home Depot and Target consumers, take these three steps to protect yourself:

#1 Watch Out For Scammers
After a breach, scammers send texts,  emails and make calls that seem like they’re coming from the company whose data was breached.
This communication, known as phishing,  might include the personal information that was stolen by the hackers.
Don’t be fooled because your bank account, Social Security, or credit card number is mentioned.
If you have questions, reach out to the company that issued  the card or your bank representative.

• Don’t respond.
• Don’t give any additional information.
• Delete the emails and texts.
• Hang up on callers.

#2 Watch Your Accounts
Review your bank and credit card statements as soon as they arrive. Report suspicious activity immediately to protect your rights as a consumer.
The easiest way to keep an eye on your credit is to purchase a credit monitoring service that sends you an alert when your balance changes or a new account is opened in your name.
You can also monitor your credit by asking for a free copy of your credit report three times a year from AnnualCreditReport.com, or by calling (877) 322-8228.
You can pull one credit report a year from each bureau. Since there are three bureaus, you can pull your credit report every four months or so for free.
Some websites, including Credit Karma and Credit Sesame, offer free credit scores and monitoring.
#3 Consider Freezing Your Credit
A credit freeze isn’t going to stop the hackers from using your stolen credit card information to make charges, but it will stop new accounts from being opened in your name.
While your credit is frozen, however, you can’t open new accounts. That’s an issue if you’re in the process of getting a mortgage, applying for a job, renting an apartment or buying insurance.
The Federal Trade Commission has a great article that explains how a credit freeze works.
To freeze your credit, contact the three credit bureaus:

Equifax (800) 525-6285
Experian (888) 397-3742
TransUnion (800) 680-7289

Questions?  Call me anytime.

Ken
951-760-3833
kenahall@gmail.com

Put Cash In Your Pocket: Caulk Your Way To Lower Utility Bill

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Applying caulk and insulation to seal the cracks and openings in your home’s exterior helps keep the air you pay to condition in your home and the outside air out -- and that can lower your utility bill.

Use these tips from the Paint Quality Institute to get the job done right:

Look For Problem Areas

Begin the battle with a walk-around inspection of your home's exterior.

Make a list of cracks, gaps or holes – especially where different surfaces meet, or where pipes and vents penetrate the walls.

Look at your old caulk. Is it cracked or separated from the surrounding surface? These areas are energy sieves and prime spots to caulk or insulate.

If you find old caulk that is damaged or deficient, remove every last bit of it with a scraper or putty knife.

Clean the adjacent surfaces, then sand them smooth. Prime any areas where bare wood shows so the new caulk adheres properly and creates a weather-tight seal.

Buy The Right Caulk

When purchasing replacement caulk, choose a top quality product. The best choices are water-based all-acrylic caulk, or siliconized acrylic caulk. Similarly named “silicone” caulks can’t be painted.

Be systematic when applying the new caulk. Work your way around the exterior of your home, completing each wall or surface area before moving on to the next.

Fill every gap and seam with a generous bead of caulk. Remember, this is your defense against air loss, so you don’t want to skimp.

As soon as you apply the bead of caulk, run a wet finger over the full length of the bead, using a slight amount of pressure. By “tooling” the caulk in this way, you’ll ensure it adheres to the surrounding surface and tightly seals the space.

If some gaps are too large to caulk – typically, those that are more than a quarter-inch wide – fill them instead with a polyurethane foam insulation product.

Unlike caulk, which has a tendency to shrink slightly as it dries, some polyurethane foam products actually expand after being applied, making them ideal for filling large openings and cavities in your home.

Check Your Work

After working your way around your home and filling every gap and opening, take a short break. Then, walk around your home one last time to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Don’t be surprised if you spot a few areas that still need attention. Put the final touches on your work, then put your tools away and enjoy your savings.

And let me know how much it lowers your power bill!

Ken Hall

951-760-3833

kenahall@gmail.com

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