COVID-19

Scammers seem to flourish wherever there is suffering and panic. Not surprisingly, the Coronavirus has brought them out like flies to a rotting carcass. The most popular new swindles involve imposter scams and money mule schemes. Imposter scams occur when a criminal poses as an official from the IRS, CDC, WHO, nonprofit or healthcare provider and solicits money or valuable information. One tactic involves the imposter contacting the victim via phone...

You have to give reporters due credit. News coverage on the recently enacted pandemic-related laws and actions by government officials – elected and appointed – has been phenomenal. The big stuff made headlines in every news outlet. Not so well publicized was the bunch of small stuff that happened quietly behind the scenes. Since these changes were not quite so bombastic, you may not have heard about them. Here, then,...

Today governmental shelter-in-place directives and individual self-quarantine actions are stifling business activity throughout Texas. While temporary, the impact of these measures is especially devastating to businesses dependent on a stable monthly revenue.  Many are unable to meet payroll or make this month’s rent.  Businesses are resorting to laying off employees and not paying their bills. These are not your only options.  There are a number of options to consider...

We are being bombarded, inundated, swamped and over-run with changes in the law - some temporary, some permanent and some yet-to-be-determined.    There are two biggies on the Federal level: CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) and FFCRA (Families First Coronavirus Response Act). States and municipalities are churning out directives daily if not hourly. If it was not so mind-boggling, it would almost be funny. Anyway, here are a few...

Put your Covid-19 time at home to good use (and make your relatives happy) by pulling together these 5 groups of documents: Identity Documents Birth certificate, social security card, passport, marriage license, driver’s license, other types of licenses, divorce decree, Final Judgment for Name Change, Adoption Decree, Veteran file (DD214, DD215, Report of Separation, Awards and declarations, security clearance), professional ID cards, proof of graduation or GED. Insurance Documents Insurance documents include: life...

Changes Are In the Works With counties, states and the federal government imposing a variety of shelter-in-place orders, many seniors are running into roadblocks with finding help and getting answers. Here are three resources that should be immediately useful, and a listing of a few interesting changes: The Area Agency on Aging This center can be reached at 800-252-9240.  Their job is to plan, advocate, coordinate resources and provide services for seniors...

Crisis Planning at its Finest.. There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned pandemic scare to bring up the specter of entire family units perishing at the same time.     If this idea is keeping you awake at night, then you need to take a moment and map out what would happen to your estate in the event of a catastrophe.  Review your will, trust, and the beneficiary designations on life insurance, financial accounts...