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Easy Steps to Help Protect Your Identity

Shopping online. Visiting the doctor. Buying gas. In nearly all of the things we do from day to day, there’s the risk of identity theft.

You could unknowingly give your information to a fraudster thinking you’re shopping at a legitimate site. Your doctor’s office could experience a data breach. Or, you could come across a tampered credit card reader at the gas pump.

The risks your identity faces go on and on. So, what can you do to stop it? Unfortunately, virtually no one today can completely negate the risk of identity theft. But, we can all take some important steps to help prevent it.

Here are 10 sensible habits to adopt that will help you protect your identity:

Limit what you carry in your wallet, and know what’s there in case it goes missing. First things first, don’t carry your Social Security card on a regular basis. Instead, keep it in a locked safe at home. Have a form of identification or some other card with your Social Security number (SSN) on it? Carry a photocopy of it instead of the real thing, and cut out or otherwise render your SSN unreadable. As for credit cards, only carry the ones you need. Finally, make photocopies of the front and back of the cards you always keep in your wallet and store them in your home safe. If one (or all of them) goes missing, you won’t have to search high and low for the card issuer’s contact information.
Keep your computers, software and other electronics secure and up to date. This means using strong passwords or enabling passcodes – remember not to write them down. It also means installing firewall, spyware and virus protection. Keep everything up to date (and backed up) for the latest security enhancements. For your portable devices, consider installing software to remotely wipe your data or locate the device if it’s ever lost or stolen.
Don’t over share. Does every entity that asks for your (or your child's) SSN really need it? Take a moment to think instead of automatically jotting it down. At the very least, maybe only the last four digits will do. In addition, be careful what you share online. Posting your full address, phone number, license plate number or your birth date online, even if it’s in a photo, may help others piece together a full picture of your identity.
Do check your credit reports throughout the year. You’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three bureaus once a year. And, since the information on each report is oftentimes largely the same, you can stagger your requests and receive a different report once every four months. Once you receive it, check your report for accounts and other activity you don’t recognize. Even a credit check from a company you haven’t done business with could be an attempt at identity theft. To order your free credit reports, call 1-877-322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
Keep an eye on your accounts. Your account statements can alert you to identity theft sooner than your credit report, in most cases. Check regularly for unauthorized charges or withdrawals and other illicit activity, such as address changes or additional cards you didn’t request.
Watch your surroundings. Whether you’re using the ATM or a portable device, you want to be sure others nearby aren’t watching as you type in your PIN or password. And, just because you don’t see anyone nearby doesn’t mean they’re not there. If you’re using a shared or public WiFi, everyone else on the same network may see the data, including passwords or account numbers, you submit. Be sure to conduct sensitive transactions on secure networks.
Reduce your mail. Start by opting out of pre-approved credit card offers by calling 1-888-5OPT-OUT and following the prompts. This should stay in effect for five years and help curb the risk of someone else obtaining a new credit card in your name. Next, sign up for paperless billing with your financial and service providers and/or schedule automatic payments through your bank. The less mail containing personal and account details that comes to your home, the less likely it is to fall into the wrong hands.
Be skeptical when someone asks for your information. Scam artists don’t always have to steal your information. Sometimes they convince you to give it up willingly by telling you via a phone call, email, snail mail or text that you won a prize or need to verify your account. To claim the prize or account, you’ll, of course, need to supply some sensitive information. Requests like these are almost always inauthentic – what’s known as a “phishing” scam. So, stay on guard and contact the entity through a known, verified method to inquire about the matter, rather than providing personal details on the spot.
Mind your garbage. If you’re throwing out account statements or other documents with personal information, you’re making it easy for dumpster divers to learn a little, perhaps a lot, about you. They may even learn enough to take over one of your accounts. So, shred your sensitive documents and then recycle them – don’t just throw them out in the garbage.
Tidy up at home. Tax returns, credit cards you use infrequently, checkbooks, passports, birth certificates – these and other important documents should all be stored under lock and key. Whether it’s in a home safe or a locking desk or file cabinet is up to you. And, don’t leave the code or key in an easily discoverable place.

Despite your best efforts, you may still discover that your identity has been stolen, If so, take immediate action to:

Fill out the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Affidavit.
Take your affidavit to the police and file a report. Be sure to get a copy for your records. It will come in handy if you need to close fraudulent accounts, straighten out your credit report and more.
Call your financial providers to request new account numbers and, if needed, cards.
Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert, which will encourage creditors to contact you before opening new lines of credit, on your credit report. The bureau you contact will share it with the other two. Experian: 1-888-397-3742 Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 Transunion: 1-800-680-7289

And, if you’re involved in a data breach and offered free credit monitoring, be sure to take advantage of it.

In today’s world of hyper connectivity and speed, it’s easy for your information to end up in the wrong hands. But, by being cautious with how you use and share your information, and checking for misuse, you can help keep your identity secure.

Add Identity Recovery Coverage to Your Home Policy

Your homeowners policy no doubt already covers stolen personal property. Add Identity Recovery Coverage to your policy, and, if your identity is stolen, it will help with certain recovery efforts, too. Talk to your independent insurance agent about possibly adding this optional coverage to your policy, for as little as $1 a month.

Gun Safety at Home

The topic of guns can be very sensitive, but there’s one thing virtually everyone can agree on: Storing them safely is incredibly important, particularly in homes with children or even those where children occasionally visit.

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to help ensure firearm safety at home — whether you have kids around or not. These five tips are a great start:

Keep ‘em locked ... Not only should you store your firearms in a locked cabinet, safe or vault, you should also limit who has access to the key or combination – even if everyone in your family is a skilled shooter. In addition, use a gun-locking device so your firearms are inoperable when not in use. (This is not a substitute for appropriate storage, however.)
... and unloaded. Before putting away a gun, first unload the ammunition. Then, the next time you go to take it out of storage, point it in a safe direction and reconfirm that it is not loaded.
Separate guns and ammo. Keep your ammunition under lock and key, too – away from your guns. That way, if an unauthorized person does gain access to your firearms, he/she won’t be able to load them.
Educate your family and others who visit your home. Everyone in your home – family members and short-term visitors alike – should know that there are firearms present. Remind children regularly that if they find a firearm — either in your home or someone else’s — they should alert a responsible adult and never touch or play with it.
Remember “S.A.F.E.” Project ChildSafe educates firearm owners to: Secure your firearms when not in use; be Aware of those around you who should not have access to guns; Focus on your responsibility as a gun owner; and Educate yourself and others about safe handling and storage.

Having firearms in your home can present unique insurance issues as well, both in terms of the value of the guns themselves and your liability coverage. Check with your independent insurance agent to see what your policy limits are regarding personal property coverage for firearms, as well as whether an umbrella policy might be the right option for additional liability protection.

Whether you have one gun or an entire collection, always aim for safety. Your entire family, as well as your houseguests and neighbors, will thank you for it.

Insuring Guns

Whether you rent or own, you likely have personal property coverage for your guns under your renters policy or homeowners policy. Be sure to include them in your home inventory and to adjust your policy, if needed, to ensure you have the coverage you want for your entire collection.

It is hard to believe, but we have been in our new office a little over a week now! We love our new building and the convenient location where it resides. Our Team has truly been blessed with wonderful friends, clients and community leaders; all visiting us at the new office and offering their well wishes and support. It has no doubt been an amazing couple of weeks!

I thought since we have moved to a new location, I would go back to the basics in this blog and give you an overview of what Paschall Insurance Group is all about.

Paschall Insurance Group is Parker County’s Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agency. Paul Paschall and his team have more than 100 years of combined insurance experience in personal and commercial lines of insurance. The Paschall Insurance Team is dedicated to ensuring your family and business are properly protected from life’s unpredictable moments.

Paschall Insurance Group is Independent from all insurance companies, this means that our loyalty will always remain with YOU, our client! The typical corporate or captive agent works exclusively for one insurance company and is obligated to provide insurance through only that company, leaving the consumer with only one option. Paschall Insurance Group works exclusively for the client. Representing over fifty top-rated insurance companies, our team is provided the freedom to design a policy that will custom fit your specific needs. As a Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agency, Paschall Insurance Group will allow you to have zero worries by knowing that you are protected with the best product, price and customer care available in the insurance industry.

Paschall Insurance Group Bldg

Yay... It's Time!!! Our new commercial building is finally ready and we are excited about getting all moved in! Our current office location will close tomorrow, Friday January 15th at 12:00pm to allow for relocation of our computer and phone systems. We will open at our new location, 930 Hilltop Drive - Suite 100, Weatherford (down and across from the Weatherford Post Office) on Monday January 18th at 8:30am.

We look forward to seeing you at our new location!

Most all of us, around this time of the year, make a resolution or two for the New Year – drop 10 pounds, stop smoking, eat healthy, save money, etc. Sound familiar?

They’re the standbys we turn to from year to year, because attending to our health and our financial stability just feels good.

You know what else feels good? Knowing you have the insurance coverage you need, in each aspect of your life.

For many people, insurance is a buy-it-and-forget-it kind of thing. So, I’m proposing a shift in the way you think about insurance and the way you think about New Year’s resolutions. Yes, just in time for 2016, here are six insurance resolutions I think will help make this year your most secure year yet – give them a try!

I will do a total insurance review with my agent. During the course of the year, things change around your home, with your car, etc. You might add a pool or shorten your commute. When these kinds of things change, your insurance should change, too. Sit down once a year (or more often, if needed) with your independent insurance agent for a thorough review of your coverages. That way, you aren’t carrying too little (and putting yourself at risk) or too much (and paying more than you need to).
I won’t be underinsured. As mentioned above, carrying too little insurance puts you at serious risk. Carry too little home insurance and, if it ever comes time to rebuild due to a fire or other covered loss, your policy won’t cover the full cost. You’ll have to cover some of the costs yourself or else make some hard choices, such as which features of your former home to forgo. These are heart-breaking circumstances, trust me. It’s also easy to carry too little liability insurance, either by having low limits on your auto or home policy or by not having an umbrella policy. People, lawsuits are expensive. I hope you never experience one, but, if you do, having the right insurance could really pay off for you.
I will maximize my insurance discounts. As insurance agents, we think like you think. So when you ask, “how can I pay less for my insurance?”, we have answers. But, oftentimes we need your help. To save on your home insurance due to your state-of-the-art alarm system, for example, you may need to provide certain documentation. Please be mindful of providing it right away. We know you want to keep your insurance costs down, and we can help.
I will update my personal home inventory. You’ve got some good stuff in your house, right? Stuff you love. Stuff you really, really love. Well, have you taken inventory of it? You may have inherited some antique coins this year or gotten some nice jewelry for a holiday gift. If so, add it to your home inventory, and chat with your independent agent about how your collections, belongings and pieces are covered. Don’t have a home inventory? Then this is the resolution for you! Go from room to room, catalog your belongings and what they’re worth – photos, receipts and appraisals all help. This, of course, helps if you’re ever in a situation where you need to replace some or all of your belongings due to a theft, a fire or some other incident.
I will make managing my policies easy. Today, insurance carriers offer paperless billing, automatic payments and other ways to simplify. Take advantage of them and you’ll reduce clutter and save time (resolutions we all have!).
I won’t neglect my other insurance needs. Do you own a personal watercraft or ATV? Do you live in an area prone to flooding? Do you have a home business? These all require special consideration. So, don’t leave your toys unprotected, and don’t overlook your unique insurance needs. Your independent insurance agent can help you check for areas of unaddressed risk or gaps in your coverage so you don’t have an unpleasant insurance surprise in 2016.

You think about insurance when you purchase it, and you certainly think about it when you need to file a claim. Think about it as you head into 2016, too, and make sure you have the proper coverage in place. Then you can get back to slimming your waistline and fattening your bank account.

Happy New Year everyone!