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The Importance of Being Prepared

The Wise and Foolish Farmers 

In a small village, two farmers, Elias and Jonas, were neighbors. One summer, an old traveler passed through and warned the villagers, "The coming winter will be the harshest in decades. Prepare well!" 

Elias took the warning seriously. He reinforced his barn, stocked up on firewood, and preserved enough food for both himself and his animals. Every day, he worked tirelessly, making sure everything was ready. 

Jonas, on the other hand, laughed it off. "Every winter is cold," he said. "I'll be fine." Instead of preparing, he spent his days enjoying the sunshine, lounging by the river, and even poking fun at Elias for working so hard. 

Then winter arrived. The winds howled, and the snow fell heavier than anyone had seen before. Elias stayed warm in his home, with plenty of food and firewood to last the season. Jonas, however, quickly ran out of supplies. Desperate and freezing, he knocked on Elias’s door, shivering. 

Elias, though saddened by his neighbor’s suffering, could only offer limited help. "I wish I could do more, but preparation isn’t something that can be borrowed—it must be done ahead of time." 

The Takeaway: 

Preparation today can save you from hardship tomorrow. Whether in work, relationships, finances, or life’s unexpected challenges, those who plan ahead will always be in a stronger position than those who ignore the warning signs. 

Over the past several weeks, my wife, Jeanne, has been encouraging me to make copies of important items—my Social Security statement, bank records, investment account statements, and more. 

Like many of you, I’ve felt a heightened sense of uncertainty. Clients and friends have also shared their concerns with me. In my lifetime, I don’t recall seeing such a significant disruption in government operations. 

You may believe this disruption is long overdue, or you may be worried that the United States is unraveling. No matter your viewpoint, one thing is clear: Being prepared is always good advice. 

Here are a few practical steps I recommend: 

 1. Secure a Copy of Your Social Security Information 

  • Visit SSA.gov to access and print your Social Security statement. 
  • Why? With federal employee reductions, fewer knowledgeable people will be available to help you. Having a hard copy may be invaluable in case of database issues.
  • You may not be aware that the Social Security offices no longer take drop-in appointments. You must have an appointment to visit with a specialist in person. 

2. Expect Longer Wait Times When Contacting Federal Agencies 

  • Why? Staffing reductions could result in delays and difficulties in accessing essential services. 

3. Be Extra Cautious with Unsolicited Requests for Information 

  • The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) means scammers can now create incredibly realistic emails, texts, and even phone calls using cloned voices. 
  • Action: Be skeptical of any unexpected request for personal or financial information. When in doubt, call the company or institution directly using a verified number. 

4. Strengthen Security Measures 

  • Two-Factor Authentication: Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password. 
  • Paper Copies of Statements: If you typically receive statements online, consider printing key documents. A physical backup can be helpful if digital access becomes compromised. 

5. Be Aware of AI-Driven Scams 

  • Scammers can now replicate voices with AI to impersonate family members, financial advisors, or even company executives. 
  • Our Solution: My office is taking added steps to verify that it’s truly you reaching out to us. We may ask verification questions, call you back on a number we have on file, or use a code phrase to confirm your identity. 

6. Protect Your Financial Information 

  • We’re working with a financial safety organization to offer monitoring services for online accounts, credit cards, and the dark web. Let us know if you’d like more details. 

These are just a few recommendations to help protect yourself in an evolving world. If you receive an email from my office with personal information, know that it is encrypted for your security. 

For years, we have quietly helped protect our clients from scams—and yes, we’ve successfully prevented several people from becoming victims. We also, as required by regulations, keep an eye out for signs of cognitive decline to ensure our clients are making sound financial decisions. 

Just a few days ago, I received what appeared to be a legitimate email about an issue with the Stein Financial Group name. It looked real, but after consulting my attorney and a specialist, we discovered it was a scam. A very convincing one. 

We are here to help. My team and I have many more strategies for protecting your information, and we’re happy to share them. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns. 

We’re also considering hosting a workshop on financial security and fraud prevention. If you’d be interested, let us know! 

Benjamin Franklin once said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." That wisdom is just as relevant today as it was then. 

We’ve got your back. 

Jeff