Protect Your Identity and Kick Scammers to the Curb 5 Ways to Deal With Annoying Robocalls
According to the latest data, scammers and telemarketers make 1,528 robocalls to Americans every single second . No wonder they’re driving us all crazy! Some of these calls are legitimate reminders about doctor’s appointments and payment plans, but around 55% of them are just nuisances — and we can’t rely on the government to stop them. If you’re sick of hearing about “your car’s extended warranty” or the “student loans” you paid off 40 years ago, try these five tips to cut down on robocalls and outwit scammers. 1. Explore your carrier’s free tools. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer services to cut down on scam calls. Some of them are free and/or come with your phone, but others you have to pay for or activate. If you have Verizon, for example, you can download the “Verizon Call Filter” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Visit your carrier’s website or call them to learn about the tools they offer. 2. Download an ad blocker. For extra protection, you can download a separate ad blocker from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Hiya is a free app that will give you caller ID and
block spam calls, and Nomorobo is an award-winning option that’s free for landlines and costs $1.99 per month for cellphones.
tend to persist along racial lines, and those who are people of color tend to earn less than white workers.) To put that in the context of retirement savings, when you make less money than one group of people, you tend to save less money than that same group. Another report found that women typically retire at an earlier age than men, which means they also have fewer years of earning. Besides the obvious disparity in savings, the problem women may face in retirement savings is that they typically have to rely on retirement accounts for longer periods of time than men. Women live longer than men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men’s life expectancy is on average 76 years, while women tend to live to 81 years old on average. This means women need retirement savings for an average of five more years than men do. With all these factors, women face greater complexities than men do when saving for retirement. However, when you properly account for these obstacles and plan accordingly, you can create a plan that supports your goals, whether you are a man or a woman. These are concerns we discuss with our clients at Patriot Wealth, but if you have any questions after reading this article, please contact us today. 3. When in doubt, let it ring out. If you don’t recognize the number calling, don’t answer. You can always call back if they leave a legitimate voicemail. 4. Suspect spam? Hang up. So, you accidentally answered a spam call. Whether it’s a person or a robot on the line, hang up immediately! Even saying your name or the word “yes” could set you up for identity theft. 5. Handle voicemails with care. If you get a suspicious voicemail, never call the number or visit the website given by the caller. Instead, Google the company or agency they claimed to be with and call that number. If the real agency has no idea about the call, you’ve just escaped a trap. By taking all five of these steps, you can protect yourself and your wallet from Ponzi schemes, identity thieves, and annoying telemarketers. For even more specific advice, visit AARP.com and search “The Definitive Guide to Reducing Robocalls.”
The Unique Obstacles Women Face in Retirement Why This Happens
Everyone deserves a safe, well-coordinated retirement plan that accounts for their goals and potential emergencies. Yet, retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all. In fact, there are numerous factors that may alter the way you save for retirement. One such factor is whether you’re a man or a woman. There are numerous obstacles to retirement planning that women face at a higher rate than their male counterparts. And it’s not for a lack of trying! CNBC reports that women tend to invest in retirement at higher rates than men. Yet, that same article cites another study that found women traditionally enter retirement with $70,000 less than men. The main reason for this disparity comes from wage gaps. The Pew Research Center reports that women tend to make 84% of what men make in the same fields. (Wage gaps also
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