Nov 13, 2023 Red Flags When Transferring Money

Cybercrime and fraud attempts have not slowed down, so we want to share some red flags to look for when transferring money. Leonard Rickey Investment Advisors has security precautions to ensure the funds we manage are as safe as possible. When you request funds, we will verify your identity and verbally confirm transactions with you.

Here are some other things to be mindful of when transferring money:

  • Email Requests
    • If you receive wire or ACH instructions via email, call the receiving company directly to confirm the instructions. Use the phone number on your bank or escrow statement, not the one in the email. If you wire to a scammer, they are nearly impossible to recover. Any time someone requests a wire, take extra precautions.
  • Immediate Requests
    • Scammers often add urgency to a request to make you push a transfer through without verifying with others. Make the calls and verify before sending! They may also try embarrassing or threatening you with what they claim to find on your computer.
  • Phone Requests
    • If you receive a call from your bank or another financial institution asking you for sensitive information like account numbers, passwords, or social security numbers, hang up and call back from a number posted on your statement or debit card. Some are very sophisticated and can call with basic information to sound more legitimate.
  • Tech Support
    • Tech support will not call you to let you know your computer has a problem. This isn’t a feature of Microsoft, Windows, Apple, etc. If you give them access, they can install programs to track your activity, duplicate information, or lock you out of your machine.
    • Keep your computer security software updated and current. Old software versions can have more vulnerabilities. If you suspect your computer is compromised, do not use it for browsing the internet or accessing accounts. Take it to a local computer equipment store to talk with tech support in person.

If in doubt when making a transfer, always take a pause. Feel free to reach out to your advisor. We have seen an uptick in fraud attempts with our clients. We want to help keep you safe.

Company News

Welcome, Liz Stokes!

Employee Spotlight – Jacqueline Cremen

Shreds and Meds Day – October 28th at The Valley Mall

Employee Spotlight: Chelsie Smith

Employee Spotlight: Dirk Bernd

Market Commentary

2024 1st Quarter Investment Commentary

2023 4th Quarter Investment Commentary

2023 3rd Quarter Investment Commentary

2023 2nd Quarter Investment Commentary

Debt Ceiling: Should Investors Worry?

Retirement Planning

2024 Key Financial Changes

Social Security Benefit Increase of 3.2% for 2024

The 4 Changes from SECURE Act 2.0 You Should Know for 2023

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2023 Begins October 15th

Social Security Benefit Increase of 8.7% for 2023

Tax Planning

2024 Key Financial Changes

2023 1099 Release Information

2023 Year-End Tax Planning

When do I start my Required Minimum Distribution?

UPDATE: Washington State Long Term Care Payroll Tax

Cyber Security

Cybersecurity 101 – 2022 Update

Cybersecurity 101

New Changes to Web-Portal Password Requirements

Equifax Data Breach Update: Make a claim today

Cybersecurity 101

Important Disclosures

Leonard Rickey Investment Advisors, PLLC (“LRIA”), is an SEC registered investment adviser located in the State of Washington. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For information pertaining to the registration status of LRIA, please contact LRIA or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).

This is provided for general information only and contains information that is not suitable for everyone. As such, nothing herein should be construed as the provision of specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed herein will come to pass. This newsletter contains information derived from third party sources. Although we believe these third-party sources to be reliable, we make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party incorporated herein and take no responsibility therefore.

Any projections, forecasts and estimates, including without limitation any statement using “expect” or “believe” or any variation of either term or a similar term, contained here are forward-looking statements and are based upon certain current assumptions, beliefs and expectations that LRIA considers reasonable or that the applicable third parties have identified as such. Forward-looking statements are necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions or beliefs underlying the forward-looking statements will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results or outcomes. Some important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include, among others, changes in interest rates and general economic conditions in the U.S. and globally, changes in the liquidity available in the market, change and volatility in the value of the U.S. dollar, market volatility and distressed credit markets, and other market, financial or legal uncertainties. Consequently, the inclusion of forward-looking statements herein should not be regarded as a representation by LRIA or any other person or entity of the outcomes or results that will be achieved by following any recommendations contained herein. While the forward-looking statements here reflect estimates, expectations and beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes. LRIA has no obligation to update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, including any revisions to reflect changes in economic conditions or other circumstances arising after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of events (whether anticipated or unanticipated), even if the underlying assumptions do not come to fruition. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations, or particular needs of all investors.

For additional information about LRIA, including fees and services, please contact us for our Form ADV disclosure brochure using our contact information herein. Please read the disclosure brochure carefully before you invest or send money.