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404-418-8244
OCT 2022
3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM
PROTECTING KIDS FROM IDENTITY THEFT NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES
The risk is real, but children are not doomed. Parents can start protecting their kids’ information today to make identity theft less likely.
The process begins with keeping your children’s important documents safe and under lock and key. It’s unfortunate, but about 3 out of 4 victims of child identity theft personally know the perpetrator. Maybe you think no one in your family would do such a thing, but most victims thought similarly. The Washington Post interviewed Axton Betz-Hamilton earlier this year. She became an identity theft expert after watching her parents deal with decades of identity theft. But Betz-Hamilton’s own mother was eventually identified as the culprit. So, don’t provide Social Security numbers or birth certificate copies to anyone who doesn’t need them, including family members. Second, be careful what you share on social media — and make sure your kids know to do the same. There’s no reason to provide your address or Social Security number on Instagram or Facebook Messenger. Be on the lookout for phishing and read any notifications you or your child receive about data breaches. And make sure your child is taking the same password precautions that you (hopefully) are. Parents should also strongly consider a credit freeze for their children. It’s free, and there’s no downside as long as you remember to remove it before your child is ready to apply for credit. Fraudsters will not be able to successfully take out loans or accounts in your child’s name — and if they somehow do, the law will protect your child from liability. Finally, seek a credit report for your child around their 16th birthday to ensure no fraud has occurred. And if your child receives debt collection mail or experiences an online hack, don’t wait to pull the paperwork. Identity theft is always a distressing experience for the victim(s). But the earlier you catch it, the easier the cleanup will be.
If you’re anything like me, you use passwords to access dozens of websites. You have passwords for banking, streaming, email, work, online shopping, games, and more! And since I follow the advice of security experts, all those passwords are different. It can be frustrating, but I, like many other adults, do it to keep safe from the constant threat of identity theft. We typically agree that protecting ourselves from financial ruin is worth the hassle. But are your kids getting that same treatment? Because believe it or not, they can be victims of identity theft, too. It’s also a lot more prevalent than you think. According to research firm Javelin, about 1 out of 50 children each year experience identity theft. Children are rich targets for identity thieves. They have no credit history and are much less likely than adults to pull a credit report. Thieves also don’t have to face the possibility of their target having poor credit. And the lack of any history means credit applications are unlikely to throw up red flags or spark concerned phone calls. Lucky underage victims of identity theft find out early, but many don’t learn about the fraud until they apply for their first credit card, student loan, or car loan. They face awful credit scores, banks that claim they owe money, and an inability to get financing for significant life steps. Since some employers check credit scores before hiring, some young adults even have trouble getting a job. Javelin reports that the average loss to each child victim of identity fraud is $737. But the dollar amount is often not the main issue. The real problem is the impact on victims’ lives when they’re just becoming adults. The stress can feel paralyzing. And then there’s the time — it takes an average of 13 hours of work to resolve child identity theft.
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GET IN THE GAME
One of the best parts of football season — other than watching your team dominate the scoreboards — is tailgating! It’s a great time filled with good food, drinks, and friends.
The basics are easy to remember (condiments, trash bags, silverware, etc.), but sometimes the innovative and ingenious hacks are what bring the tailgate to a whole new level.
Toolbox You can find these in just about any home improvement store and turn them into a tailgating kit filled with all of the essentials. From can openers and spatulas to trash bags and sunscreen, a toolbox can hold everything and anything you may need for the best tailgating experience.
It’s also great for keeping everything in one place. You can even keep it in your car so you’re ready to tailgate at any moment.
Freeze Water Bottles Instead of having to constantly refill your coolers and spend money on bags of ice, you can actually freeze your water bottles. The frozen bottles will keep your drinks and other refrigerated items cool for hours, and then by the end of the game, you will have fresh, cold water to drink. Hand-Washing Station This may be one of the most overlooked essentials in tailgating. Though some may settle for a simple hand sanitizer, if you’re cooking with raw meat and marinades, you’ll want to wash your hands with soap and water. Rather than waiting in long lines and missing tailgating time, you can have a “hand-washing station” nearby so you don’t miss out on the action! An empty laundry detergent dispenser or a cooler with a water spout can be filled with warm water for rinsing your hands — just have soap and paper towels on standby. Try these tailgating hacks this coming football season — or any sporting season! Whether you’ve been showing up to the games for decades or hosting your first tailgating event, these genius hacks will make your next game easy, fun, and one for the books.
WE LOVE HEARING FROM OUR CLIENTS!
“Brauns Law and his fabulous team of paralegals helped me every step of the way. From the day of my accident, they were persistent and caring, making sure they sent me to the best doctors and I received all medical services I needed to get back to 100%. I really appreciate all their assistance and knowledge. Thank you!” -Matori W. “Brauns Law is the best legal team to consult with — very professional, trustworthy, and hardworking — thank you all for your help. Stay safe and blessed.” -Mariah M.
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BE AWARE OF THE SCARES
THROUGH CAUTION AND PREPARATION
Halloween is one of the most popular holidays of the year, and many kids can hardly wait to dress up to go trick-or-treating. Even adults get into the spooky spirit by hosting parties and gatherings to celebrate the night. Unfortunately, you can’t have treats without the tricks. The chances of accidents and injuries increase on Halloween for a number of reasons, so be sure to follow these safety tips to ensure you and your family have a fun, safe night.
occurs when adults and kids cross the street without taking the proper precaution to look both ways. In addition to this, some drivers just aren’t paying attention like they should on this holiday, and so it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings.
Check out these safety tips. To protect yourself and your kids, consider the following: • Use makeup or face paint instead of masks to keep kids’ vision unrestricted. • Consider attaching reflective tags to your costumes. • Carry a flashlight to see where you’re going or let your kids have their own. • Always stay together, that way everyone knows where the group is at all times. To avoid any potential accidents, consider the following: • If you’re driving, try to avoid driving through neighborhoods if possible. • Stay well below the speed limit if you see kids wandering the sidewalks or streets. • Be sure to look carefully at intersections and stay conscious of those who are crossing the streets. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so be extra careful if you’re driving or trick or treating on this spooky night! If you or a loved one happens to become injured, call Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. at 404-418-8244 so we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How can an injury occur? • Slips and Falls
Since more people will be wandering the streets at night, this type of injury can be very common. Sometimes an unexpected fall may produce a more serious injury, such as a concussion or broken bones. The likelihood of an accident occurring naturally increases when there is a lack of visibility or people are in unfamiliar locations. Oncoming Vehicles Most drivers tend to be more cautious and alert on Halloween, but pedestrian accidents are still higher during this holiday with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. This often •
SPOOKY SPAGHETTI AND EYEBALLS Inspired by FavFamilyRecipes.com
BATS BROOMSTICK CEMETERY CREEPY
GRAVE HALLOWEEN HARVEST MAZE
MONSTER SCARECROW SKELETON TREATS
INGREDIENTS • 24 oz frozen meatballs • 16 oz spaghetti noodles • 24-oz jar spaghetti sauce
• 2–3 slices of mozzarella cheese • Sliced black olives
DIRECTIONS 1. Cook frozen meatballs according to package instructions, then keep warm in oven on low heat. 2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add spaghetti noodles. Cook until tender and drain. 3. In a small pot, heat spaghetti sauce over medium heat until warm. 4. After everything is cooked, mix noodles and spaghetti sauce together, then put the mixture into a serving bowl. 5. Slice the meatballs in half and mix half of the slices into spaghetti. Top the spaghetti with the remaining meatball slices with the flat sides up. 6. Cut slices of mozzarella cheese into circles and place one slice on each of the flat-topped meatballs. Then, put one black olive over each cheese circle to form the eyeballs. Serve and enjoy!
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404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096
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Identity Theft Isn’t an Adults-Only Problem
Best Tailgating Hacks
Our Clients Say It Best!
Tricks and Treats of Halloween Safety
Spooky Spaghetti and Eyeballs
Tips for Being More Mindful
EMBRACING THE POWER OF NOW 4 TIPS FOR PRACTICING MINDFULNESS
Have you ever sat down to eat a bowl of ice cream, then looked down a minute or two later to notice you only have one bite left? What about reaching your destination in the car and not recalling one thing about the entire trip? With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s tough to be present 100% of the time, but we shouldn’t let our minds go on autopilot. Not only can this be a safety hazard, but it may also impact important relationships and reduce our enjoyment and satisfaction. With busy schedules and long to-do lists, how can we be more mindful? Here are four tips to help you embrace the power of now! Use the power of meditation. You don’t need to meditate for a long time, and it certainly doesn’t require special poses or guidance. But taking just five minutes out of your
day to focus on your breathing and clear your mind counts as meditation. It can help you to be more aware, present, and productive, especially in times of stress. Slow down. Try savoring the process of a task, even if it isn’t your favorite thing to do. Paying deliberate attention to your daily actions and activities, like doing the dishes or even folding laundry, promotes healthy focus and reduces feelings of being overwhelmed. Get moving. Incorporating exercise and movement into your daily routine helps you to become aware of your body’s sensations. You’ll be more appreciative of how your body responds to different stimuli and movements, and this trains you to be more aware of yourself.
Practice mindful eating. Do you always eat in front of the television or computer? Try eating without distractions, dine in good company, or pay closer attention to flavors and textures of the meal — it’s good for both your body and soul!
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