October 2024 – Newsletter

Sidestepping Scammers

Recently, clients have been expressing concern regarding cybersecurity. Since October is “cybersecurity awareness month”, we thought it was a good time to review some basics on how to “sidestep scammers”.

Fraudsters are constantly looking for ways to part you from your personal information and hard-earned wealth, but fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to thwart their efforts. To help keep yourself, your loved ones and your accounts safe, consider these easy and effective tips:

WHAT YOU’LL FIND INSIDE:

  • SIDESTEPPING SCAMMERS
  • CALENDAR
  • FOOD DRIVE / OPEN HOUSE
  • CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
  • MEDICARE DECISIONS
  • ROOF UPDATE
  • Don’t allow remote access to your computer.
  • Don’t give a caller verification codes that you receive via text or email.
  • Don’t click links in the body of suspicious emails or text messages, especially if they claim to come from your bank, credit card company, real estate agent or title company. Instead, log in to the company’s official website or call them directly to verify.
  • Don’t pay for things you don’t remember ordering.
  • Don’t give your personal information to unknown third parties.
  • Work with financial institutions that use fraud protection to safeguard your credit card and banking information.
  • Don’t let strangers into your house. Instead, ask for a business card and say your spouse, kids or lawyer will be in touch.
  • Be wary of caregivers and suitors, especially if conversations center around finances or financial transactions.
  • Limit the purchases and donations you make by check, which may list your home address or other key data.

If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam or that your identity has been compromised, it’s time to act. Report the incident to us right away to help protect your accounts, and consult identitytheft.gov to see the Federal Trade Commission’s recommendations for critical next steps. Additionally, reporting cybercrime incidents to the FBI can help our federal agencies respond quicker and more effectively to threats.

Calendar

October 15 – Medicare Annual Election Period begins

October 15 – Deadline to file and pay 2023 personal income tax return if you received an extension

November 18 – 22 – Annual Food Drive to support the Jackson Community Food Pantry

November 21 – Food Drive Open House 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

November 28 & 29 – Paramount office closed for the Thanksgiving holiday

Annual Food Drive – Now with Open House

For the 6th year, Paramount Wealth is hosting a Food Drive to support the Jackson Community Food Pantry.

If you are not able to attend the Open House, you can bring non-perishable donations to our office during business hours November 18 – 22.

Paramount Wealth will double your efforts by matching the total non-perishable donations.

Thank you in advance for your generous support of our local Jackson community. We look forward to seeing you at the Open House on November 21

Charity is a supreme virtue, and the great channel through which the mercy of God is passed onto mankind.
– Conrad Hilton

Client Spotlight – Lucas Crisanti

Helping Amputees live a “normal” life

When tragedy in the world happens, it’s sometimes difficult to see how anything good can result. Many of us felt that way on April 15, 2013, when we learned of the bombing at the Boston Marathon. At the time, Lucas was a student at Hanover-Horton High School working to determine his future career direction. He followed the story of Rebekah Gregory, who was at the finish line during the bombing. She was a single mother who lost her left leg due to  injuries from the attack. 

With the support of a Prosthetist, who fitted her with a prosthetic leg and helped her relearn how to walk and eventually run, she was able to return to taking care of her children independently and run the Boston Marathon.

This woman’s story inspired Lucas’ career path. At Michigan State University he studied Kinesiology, the study of the movement of the human body, to prepare for graduate school. From there, he pursued his master’s degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Lucas went on to manage a clinic that specialized in the fitting of “high activity patients”, such as those who want to continue playing golf or running a marathon with a prosthetic leg.

With this clinical experience, Lucas became an expert in running prosthetics and adaptive sports. In his new role as a Clinical Specialist and Global Running Clinic Coach with Ottobock, he travels the country and world educating others on how to properly fit patients with prosthetics. Ottobock designs, manufacturers, fits, and maintains care of prosthetics. As a Running Clinic Coach, Lucas teaches amputees how to safely and properly run with a prosthesis. Most of the individuals at these events are running for their first time since amputation. For those already using a prosthetic to run, he coaches them on proper running form to refine their current mechanics and training.

Last month, Lucas was in Paris for the Paralympic Games. Ottobock is an official sponsor, providing technical services for all the athletes and coaches at the games. They completed over 3,000 repairs to ensure athletes were not limited in their ability to compete because of issues with their prosthesis, orthosis, or wheelchair. Lucas said that many of the repairs were for wheelchairs, in sports like tennis, basketball, and rugby. He told the story of an American long jumper who needed help with his long jumping running blade. Lucas analyzed his running form and made an alignment change to his prosthetic. The American ended up winning the Silver Medal!

From the tragedy of the 2013 bombing, Lucas was able to discover a career in Prosthetics. He has had the opportunity to bring hope to people worldwide, helping them achieve a normal life or even a Paralympic gold.

Navigating Medicare Decisions In Tricky Situations

Medicare Annual Election Period begins October 15.

Like and Follow us on Social Media

Paramount Roof Update

Although we are progressing quickly on the roof replacement at our office, construction will continue for several more weeks.

We should continue to have parking available in our front lot, but it is possible that you may need to enter via our side entrance by the garage. If this is the case, we will have signs posted to direct you.

The Paramount Wealth Management Team

The Paramount Wealth Management Team

420 South Brown Street
Jackson, MI 49203
517-787-4444
517-795-2530 (F)
www.paramountwealth.com

Don Hershberger CFP®, AIF®, CRC®, Founder and President, PWM, was named on the 2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisor Best-in-State list. 2023 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 6/30/2021 to 6/30/2022 and was released on 4/4/2023. 39,007 nominations were received and 7,321 advisors won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://go.rjf.com/3KsXbF7. Please see https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-wealth-advisors/?sh=181ba856ab97 for more info.

Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Paramount Wealth Management is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

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