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Thought Leadership

We think a lot about risk—and ways to manage it—in a variety of ways. From rising concerns to best practices to exposure assessments, we're sure you’ll find our expert insights valuable.

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Elder scam awareness: Steps to stay secure

Scammers are unfortunately getting bolder—and elderly adults are often prime targets. In one case, couriers spent two years collecting cash and gold bars from victims in Massachusetts who believed they were helping loved ones or paying urgent debts. In reality, it was a sophisticated fraud scheme that stole millions. We have continued to see scammers exploit trust, isolation, and limited technology familiarity through fake emergencies, romance scams, and impersonation. The financial and emotional toll can be severe for the victims of these ongoing scams. However, as with any risk management issue, awareness and prevention are the best defenses. Here’s what we recommend: Four steps to help protect against elder scams: 1. Avoid contact with unknown entities: Scammers thrive on engagement. They sound helpful and convincing—but only if you respond. Think twice before answering calls or texts from unknown numbers or emails from unknown addresses. Even recognizable entities like your bank can be spoofed. Let the call go to voicemail, then verify using a trusted number or contact your banker directly. Take the same precautions with any unexpected messages from government agencies, shipping companies, or similar sources. A few extra minutes to verify can save hours of dealing with identity theft or financial loss. 2. Add safety protocols: Work with your advisory team to streamline bank accounts and ensure all necessary security measures are in place. If your bank accepts instructions via email, make sure it requires two-part verification, as scammers often mimic emails to request wire transfers. Whenever you receive a suspicious or unclear inquiry, consult your team immediately. Send any notice from the IRS to your Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for verification, and forward anything from government agencies to your lawyer. 3. Involve family members: It can be difficult to ask for help, but adding a trusted adult child or relative as a financial proxy can offer protection and peace of mind. Families with older generations should have sensitive conversations about transferring financial responsibilities earlier rather than later. Encourage older relatives to check with someone before responding to suspicious messages. This might mean texting a screenshot to a family member or using apps that allow trusted access to devices when needed. 4. Review cyber-insurance: Coverage for scams and fraud can vary significantly between policies, so it's important to discuss the details with your account executive. As a reminder, most policies do not cover voluntary money transfers, even if they are solicited by a scam. Scammers are constantly finding new ways to deceive, making it even more important to stay vigilant and support the vulnerable people in your life. Protecting yourself and your loved ones starts with awareness and caution. If you ever have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you and help you feel confident keeping scams at bay. ...

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Shared walls, shared risks: How to safeguard your condo or co-op

Whether you’ve just been approved by the co-op board, won a bidding war for that coveted condo, or are happily settled in your forever apartment, beyond the excitement of ownership lies an important reality: condos and co-ops carry unique risks that can catch even experienced owners off guard. Understanding how to protect yourself and your investment can save you time, money, and headaches down the road. Here’s what every co-op and condo owner needs to know to stay secure and stress-free. Why condos and co-ops carry unique risks Unlike standalone homes, where owners handle all maintenance — from plumbing to landscaping — condos and co-ops share responsibility. The building’s board or homeowners’ association usually manages structural elements such as the roof, walls, and common areas. However, everything inside your unit is your responsibility. This distinction is crucial. As a unit owner in condos and co-ops, you are responsible not only for your own property but also for incidents originating in your unit that affect others. For example, if you leave the bathtub running and water makes its way to the unit below, your neighbor could sue for damages. Likewise, you could be held responsible if a maintenance worker is injured in your unit while handling a building-wide issue. Because of these exposures, adequate liability coverage is essential, not optional. Key insurance coverages homeowners should consider Living in condos and co-ops means sharing walls, systems, and risks with neighbors. Compared to freestanding homes, there’s a greater chance of being affected by or affecting others. Since you have limited control over your environment, protecting yourself starts with key insurance coverages: Mold coverage: Water leaks in neighboring units can lead to mold in your home. While mold is easier to detect in standalone houses where owners have full access to systems and spaces, it can be severe and unnoticed in condos, especially if you’re not a full-time resident. Standard policies often limit mold remediation coverage to $10,000–$20,000, but actual cleanup costs can exponentially exceed these limits. In larger claims, costs can run well beyond $40,000, particularly when affected by HVAC systems or hidden structural areas. Consult with your advisor to explore available coverage options. (Some states impose coverage caps.) Personal property: This coverage protects your belongings—furniture, electronics, clothing, and more—against losses from covered events such as fire, theft, and water damage. Water losses are especially common in condos, and personal property coverage is essential if you cannot recover costs from a responsible party. Additions and alterations: This “walls-in” protection, calculated based on square footage, covers the cost of replacing or rebuilding interior improvements, from floors to finishes to fixtures. Loss of use: Rehabbing an extensively damaged unit can require a temporary relocation for an extended period, and this coverage can help with that. The reconstruction process can be time-consuming, even before accounting for building restrictions on work hours and elevator use, which may cause further delays. So, make sure you are appropriately covered. Liability: As mentioned above, this is protection if you cause damage or harm to someone else or their property. Directors and Officers (D&O): If you serve or plan to serve on your building’s board, ask your broker to check the adequacy of its D&O coverage. What looks like a lot on paper may be insignificant when divided among board members, and individual members can be held personally liable after the building coverage limits have been exhausted. Proactive steps to minimize your exposure As always, a little bit of prevention can go a long way, both in avoiding costly damage and reducing stress. Here are some of the most important proactive steps to take: Plan carefully for renovations: Any construction in your home presents a risk. One study found that claims rose sevenfold during renovations. (Think of the flammable materials, tools, ladders, and the like that decorate a work site.) Notify your broker before you undertake even small projects, not least because your claim could be denied if you don’t. Similarly, ensure contractors and subcontractors are adequately insured with liability limits matching the project size. Install loss-prevention technology: Water damage has surpassed fire as the leading cause of loss in condos. Devices like leak sensors and automatic shutoff valves can provide critical early warnings and help minimize damage. Consider security alarms: If your building lacks a doorman or front desk staff, we recommend a centrally monitored alarm system for safety and peace of mind. Condo and co-op ownership comes with shared benefits—but also shared risks. Being adequately insured is not just about protecting your personal space, but also about safeguarding your financial well-being and maintaining good relationships with neighbors and your building’s management. If you have any questions or need further guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact your account executive. ...

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Beyond the spotlight: The quiet dangers of public personas

Public personas were once the domain of A-list celebrities—actors, athletes, musicians, and politicians. With influencers now joining their ranks, these high-profile figures remain under constant scrutiny. Such visibility comes with an undeniable increase in both exposure and risks. Today, with almost everyone’s personal or professional details just a Google search away—and social media offering an unfiltered window into their lives—a far broader group now faces heightened public visibility. Executives, financiers, tech entrepreneurs, and members of well-known families may not be household names, but their elevated profiles place them squarely in the crosshairs for lawsuits and more. For these individuals and those who support them, it’s critical to understand the unique risks that come with their prominence. Taking proactive measures to mitigate these vulnerabilities is not just prudent, but essential. The risk of high-profile visibility People magazine may not be chronicling your every move, but if you have any digital footprint, you are easily discoverable—and that exposure can have devastating consequences. In addition, the more lavish the lifestyle, the bigger the exposure: Frequent travel, entertaining, having your home featured in a design magazine—even hiring domestic staff, whose presence alone can signal affluence or who may unintentionally share personal details—can all draw unwanted attention. Such visibility doesn’t just invite risk—it can also, unfortunately, complicate your ability to secure high-limit insurance coverage. Carriers offering these policies often conduct intensive due diligence, and any sign of exposure, whether it's a public court case tied to your business or a perceived lack of discretion, can raise red flags, even if the incident happened years ago. The challenge is greater for those with bold-faced names, even those without obvious issues. Carriers may be wary of potential claim size and risk. Even when coverage is offered, it often comes with exclusions; for example, they may offer a liability policy but exclude specific libel and slander coverage to minimize their exposure. We recommend our celebrity clients work directly with our Sports & Entertainment practice. Their specialized expertise and relationships make it more likely that they can help secure the comprehensive protection that high-profile clients need. How to protect your property and assets Clients often lead dynamic, well-lived lives that include hosting large parties, taking elaborate vacations, driving high-performance vehicles, and sharing these moments online. To help manage the risks that come with this lifestyle, consider the following recommendations. In addition, working with a security consultant can also be beneficial, as they can assist with many of these measures and help develop a risk-aware lifestyle that feels comfortable rather than restrictive: Understand—and educate your children about—the risks of social media: Posts that reveal (intentionally or unintentionally) homes, cars, valuables, and travel plans can set you up as a potential target. Tweens and teens might think nothing of filming a TikTok in front of your fine art collection or boat, but others may take note. It’s also important to explain that “deleted” doesn’t always mean gone; we’ve seen insurance claims affected by resurfaced, long-forgotten posts. In the digital age, almost anything can be found, and often at the worst possible time. Screen all vendors and staff: Every contractor, subcontractor, catering company, and other entity entering your home must be properly insured. Perform background checks on all vendors for your parties and new domestic employees, for which you should obtain proper employment insurance (outlined below). Establish secure networks: Allowing guests to use your primary Wi-Fi network raises the risk of malware, data theft, and other concerns. We recommend they use guest networks instead. Install wired security cameras: Criminals use Wi-Fi blockers to disable digital cameras. Wired cameras provide a more secure and uninterrupted monitoring solution, reducing vulnerabilities to signal interference. Key insurance policies for public figures While each of our clients is unique, hence our commitment to creating bespoke programs, we generally recommend the following supplemental policies for those with public profiles: Employment Practices Liability: Essential for anyone with household staff, protecting against workplace-related claims. Crime coverage: Guards against financial loss from employee theft and contractor fraud, which are unfortunately common. Cyber coverage: Protects against wire fraud, identity theft, impersonation, and other cyber risks. Having worked with many high-profile clients, we understand the unique challenges that come with increased visibility. If you ever want to discuss concerns or learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help you better understand your risks, so you are better prepared to protect what matters most. ...

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Why creating a home inventory is worth it

Take a moment to consider the rooms in your home. Could you list every piece of clothing in your closet, including designer labels? What about the vintage of each wine in your cellar or the number of sterling silver flatware pieces in your drawers? If you answered “no” — and chances are, you did — you’ve just uncovered the primary reason why we encourage every client to create and maintain a detailed home inventory. In the event of a total loss due to a fire, hurricane, or other disaster, this document is crucial for proving ownership. It not only streamlines the claims process but also accelerates your ability to replace the claimed items, all while providing invaluable peace of mind during an otherwise stressful time. If the idea of listing every item sounds overwhelming, you're not alone — and that’s precisely why we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the importance of a home inventory, what to include, how to create one, and how to store it securely. Why a home inventory matters While you can create a list after a loss, doing so is often overwhelming and emotionally draining. Trying to recall the contents of every room while coping with shock or grief makes an already difficult situation worse. Our clients who have proactively created home inventories have consistently found the claims process to be faster, smoother, and less taxing. If you don’t have one at the time of a total loss, a carrier will likely hire a third-party to sit with you and systematically recreate the contents room by room. Together, you will record brands, sizes, and quantities. However, this process will likely be delayed significantly, and potentially longer if you struggle to recall specific details. How to create a home inventory The goal of a home inventory is to document, in detail, everything you own. You can do this through written descriptions, photographs, videos — or ideally, a combination of these. Items to include: Collectibles, such as art, wine, and jewelry Electronics Furniture, rugs, decorative pillows, etc. Clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories Books Kitchen items and appliances Miscellaneous objects in drawers and cabinets Outdoor items, including furniture, tools, equipment, and décor Key details to include: Physical description — measurements, size, color, material, customization Age Make and model Location and date of purchase Cost at acquisition and appraised value Best tools to build a home inventory Hire a professional. The National Association of Home Inventory Professionals is a good place to start to find someone to help you. Shoot a video walkthrough. Pan slowly across each room, capturing furniture, finishes, and artwork. Include all spaces, such as garages, closets, basements, and hallways, as well as open cabinets and drawers. Take four photos of every room. To build a comprehensive picture of the space, stand in every corner and point the camera towards the room. Don’t forget to include close-ups of valuable items. Write up a list. Sit in each room with pen and paper or a laptop (note: online templates are also available for this task) and record the contents of each room. Use relevant technology. Apps such as Magic Home Inventory, Memento Database, My Stuff Organizer, Nest Egg, Smart Inventory System, Sortly, and NAIC have been explicitly designed for this purpose. Whichever route you choose, take extra care with your most precious objects. For example, lay out each piece of jewelry separately on a table to photograph it. Where to store your home inventory Once created, your home inventory must be easily accessible, even if your home and devices are lost. Store a digital version in the cloud so you can access it without a phone or computer. If it’s a hard copy, keep it in a fireproof safe or store it off-premises. Similarly, keeping your inventory up-to-date is equally important as creating it in the first place. Over time, a houseful of possessions is likely to grow significantly. Add significant purchases to the list right away and take a more general stock of things annually. We sincerely hope you will never need to use a home inventory, but unfortunately, hope alone is not a strategy. Most people who have experienced a total home loss didn’t expect it to happen to them. In our position, we’ve seen all too often the value of being prepared. A current home inventory is a vital piece of that preparation, easing and expediting the road to recovery. ...

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Smooth transition for your valuable collection: a guide for collectors and heirs

If you are passionate enough to build a collection, you're undoubtedly just as committed to ensuring it remains secure long after you're gone. Protecting your legacy requires foresight, careful consideration, and proactive planning. Similarly, those who will inherit the possessions should also think ahead. The future of collections is something our team of dedicated experts addresses daily. Here’s their expert advice, whether you’re planning for the future or inheriting these treasures. How to ensure a smooth transition of your collection Before planning for the future, ensure that your collection is well-protected in the present: That means confirming that every piece is appraised, whether separately scheduled or protected by a blanket coverage. Given the increasing frequency of natural disasters, it’s wise to consult a risk management expert who can help you address unforeseen threats to your collection, even if you live in an area that has not historically faced such risks. Determine whether potential beneficiaries want what you have: This conversation must be frank and open, as the information is crucial to mapping out the future. If your beneficiaries do not want the collection, setting up a trust or LLC to manage a museum donation or auction-house sale is one possible next step. In either case, ensure proper interim storage and arrange for expert transport to ensure your collection is safe and secure until it reaches its next destination. Make sure all relevant documentation is in order: Gather all invoices, appraisals, provenance-proving documents, and an up-to-date schedule of items. Store all materials securely and let your beneficiaries know where they are kept. Consider a life insurance policy to maximize your beneficiaries' financial flexibility: In doing so, the policy can provide the liquidity needed to help heirs pay estate taxes, cover ongoing collection maintenance costs, and even facilitate a museum donation while compensating your heirs for their loss. Insurance can also help balance inheritances if not all beneficiaries wish to inherit the collection, ensuring that your wishes are honored and financial stability is maintained. Key considerations for those inheriting a collection Make sure there is no break in coverage: When a collector dies, it is important to look at the ownership of the art. Oftentimes, if the collection was in an individual name, the insurance may have to be amended to reflect their estate while it is settled. The executor should coordinate with the proper broker to reflect the estates or other appropriate ownership. After the collection is officially settled, the insurance should be updated to reflect the new ownership Secure proper transport: If the original collector hasn’t accounted for transport, be sure to hire experts with experience handling the specific kind of collection. If it’s art, secure a condition report before it’s packed and upon arrival to divulge any damage that might have happened in transit. Evaluate the specific risks your living environment presents to the collection: Implement the appropriate loss prevention techniques for your region. For example, in earthquake-prone areas like California, it’s important to use specialized protective measures, such as earthquake hooks for artwork, and develop evacuation plans to address other potential catastrophes, including wildfires or hurricanes. Additionally, educate your household staff on best practices for cleaning and handling valuable items to minimize the risk of damage. Consider where and how the collection will be displayed: Ask your broker to visit your home to provide guidance. They’ll tell you, for example, to avoid hanging art in front of panoramic windows, where it could be damaged by the sun, under a sprinkler, in front of a water pipe, or above a fireplace. If you entertain frequently, they will also steer you away from high-traffic areas. Explore options if you don’t want to keep it: There are many possibilities to consider, such as consigning pieces to an auction house, gallery, or private sale or donating them to a museum. However, ensure that you have secure storage during this transitional phase, and consult your broker to review contracts to clarify insurance responsibilities at each step of the process. Also, if you intend to consign pieces of uncertain provenance, be aware that sending them abroad could risk government seizure. Whether you are planning to pass down a collection or are inheriting one, as with any aspect of estate planning, proper forethought minimizes issues later on. If you have questions about managing the passing on or inheriting of a collection, please call us. ...

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Featured topic: Holiday

Celebrating safely: five common holiday-season risks and how to avoid them

The holiday season is a time to come together with family and friends, delight loved ones with beautiful gifts, and make beautiful memories. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, a time of gathering, giving, and joy. However, as risk managers, we often hear of not-so-festive stories—holiday scams, charitable fraud, dangerous decor, and the like—that can jeopardize these beautiful memories. To ensure everything stays joyful, we asked our experts to identify the most common risks of the holiday season and the precautions you can take to lessen the chance of them happening to you. 1. Beware of charity scams There will always be criminals just waiting to take advantage of your best intentions. They’ll mimic authentic causes online, slightly tweaking names and logos of well-known organizations; pretend to represent legitimate causes on social media or via email; and set up phony fundraising pages in the wake of humanitarian disasters, all as a means to steal your donations. Protect yourself by… becoming more vigilant of the underhanded tactics mentioned above. Before you give, especially if you are planning a significant gift, carefully review the website and board of directors for telling gaps or elisions; check legitimacy and reputation with online databases like CharityNavigator and GuideStar, or ask representatives of the organization itself for information about its programs and fund allocation. 2. Avoid online scams Ne’er-do-wells will also capitalize on your gift-giving generosity, using bogus texts or emails about “delivery issues” and “account problems” to steal your password or gain access to your accounts or identity. Another common scam: shady vendors on established sites like Amazon and Walmart selling inferior and counterfeit goods. Protect yourself by… carefully inspecting all links. Better yet, instead of clicking through, you should directly contact the referenced store, package carrier, or financial institution to see if they sent you the message in the first place. And you should always examine a seller’s pedigree when you purchase on social media or online platforms, to ensure you are not engaging with a subpar drop shipper. 3. Travel with care Though most vacations leave you with only positive memories, we know that expected delights can suddenly turn otherwise. In fact, some can be forever marred by incidents of stolen valuables and travel documents, unexpected illnesses, natural disasters, and threatened or actual kidnappings. Protect yourself by… taking precautions before you take off. Back up important documents. Confirm that your travel and property insurance policies are sufficient to cover your plans and the possessions you will be taking with you. (If circumstances call for it, you may need to secure a kidnapping and ransom policy.) And when you are away, use the hotel vault — not your room safe — to secure valuables, follow local protocols and laws, and don’t post pictures or updates on social media until you are safely back home, so as not to tip off burglars to your empty residence. 4. Minimize risk at festive gatherings Hosting holiday get-togethers is fun, especially when they go off without a hitch. Sometimes, though, the fun is tempered by an injured guest, a damaged piece of art, a drinking and driving incident, or harassment of a high-profile guest. Protect yourself by… setting parameters, literal and otherwise. Seal off areas that need to be off-limits — a perilous staircase or a room that houses a valuable collection, for example. Imagine the potential flow of guests, to ensure that a sculpture isn’t bumped accidentally. Instruct bartenders to stop serving anyone who appears to have had too much to drink, and parking valets to keep car keys out of the hands of the intoxicated. Hire security if there’s even the slightest possibility of attracting paparazzi. And most importantly, confirm that all vendors are properly insured. 5. Protect your home Homes that become uninhabited when you retreat to another residence are more vulnerable to damage, especially as no one will be there to spot small issues before they grow bigger. Similarly, if you’ve festooned your home with candles and, decorative lights, fire, and smoke damage are a possibility. Protect yourself by… hiring a caretaker to check in on your residence to make sure the heat is properly set; water systems are shut off and there are no leaks or other damage that will prevent issues in your absence. It’s been a stressful year for many of our clients so we are committed to giving everyone the best chance to fully enjoy what should be the most enjoyable part of the season. Whether you are spending time with family, attending galas and parties, traveling to exciting locales, or spending quiet time in your mountain getaway, we want to help you make sure the experience is an invigorating one. If you have any questions or concerns about seasonal risks — or if you want more guidance on your risk management strategy, please be in touch. ...

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Side view of Rolex watch | Alliant Private Client

Wrap that big gift for your children with the right insurance

Don’t they grow up fast? Once it was “Daddy, I want that dollhouse” and “Mommy, can I have a new bike?” Now it’s, “Dad, how about a convertible?” “Mom, I really need that watch for work,” and “Thanks so much for the condo, you guys!” One of the benefits of success is the ability to help and support one’s children, whatever their ages. But when parents— especially those of substantial means— buy expensive gifts for their progeny, they must also consider the risk and insurance implications. Otherwise, it’s the parents, and not the child, who may find themselves either liable or sued. For example, say a parent gifts their 16-year-old a new car and soon after the child gets into an auto accident. If there is another person involved, and they engage a personal injury lawyer, one of the first things that an attorney will do is figure out who has the deepest pockets. Any resulting lawsuit may well target the assets of the parents. There are a host of actions to help manage the risks and liability associated with big purchases for children. Here, are some important tips: 1. Make sure everyone who owns the property is on the insurance. Look carefully at the title or deed to any property in the family to determine who is the legal owner. Everyone listed should also be named in the insurance. This issue typically arises when parents co-sign loans to help children buy cars or homes. Parents often assume that their children can and will secure their own insurance, but that leaves parents vulnerable to lawsuits. Any personal injury lawyer worth their salt will go after the connection with the most significant means, rather than their child. 2. Rather than giving your children real estate, consider giving them an LLC that owns real estate. There are many tax and estate planning reasons why you should consider creating an LLC to hold real estate meant for children. Add insurance to that list of benefits, as the corporate structure can shield parents from liability. 3. Don’t skimp on coverage. When children buy their own auto or homeowner coverage, we often find that they choose the cheapest options. This is generally not the best approach when the family has significant assets to protect. In particular, one should consider supplementing liability coverage with an umbrella policy. Don’t make the mistake made by Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan. He bought just $250,000 in liability insurance for his son’s car, and when the young man had an accident—leaving one passenger in a coma—Bollea was on the hook for the cost and ultimately agreed to an undisclosed settlement. 4. Leverage family buying power to reduce premiums. With insurance, as with so many other products, better customers get better deals. Accordingly, it will probably benefit children to shop for insurance using the broker that handles the rest of the family’s coverage. The differences, in fact, can be sizable. 5. Put “insurance” on any freshman year college to-do list. So many things run through parents’ minds as they prepare to send their children off to college. Unfortunately, they often forget to think about insurance coverage. Students living off-campus probably need renters’ insurance. Parents’ homeowners policies typically only cover students living in official dormitories. It may also be wise to keep students on the family auto insurance—even if they are not taking a car to school. That way they’re covered if they drive a friend’s car (and also when they are home on vacation). Auto insurance for teenagers can be expensive, but there are often discounts available for students attending college more than 100 miles from home. This is just a sampling of the issues that may arise, which is why we are always happy to discuss any specific purchases or concerns with you. It’s generally a simple matter to identify the exposures created by gifts of high value or potential risk, and very much worth the time it takes to minimize them. ...

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Women making an online purchase on her laptop | Alliant Private Client

How to avoid online scams this holiday season

It is a perennial debate this time of year: those who favor hitting the best stores at the best times against those who rely on their skill at finding just the right deal online. In the midst of the current pandemic, though, the familiar store vs. site showdown, like so many other family traditions, is going to look different. Beware: While there’s no health risks to worry about, online sites can expose users to other harm, particularly unsuspecting newcomers. "We are seeing the same scams we always do, but criminals have more opportunities now because so many people are shopping online who aren't used to doing that," says Victoria Orrino, First Vice President at Alliant Private Client. So as our holiday gift to you, we offer this quick guide to avoiding some classic holiday scams and their newer variations. Links that deceive A lot of scams start with a link on a website or in an email that takes you to a different site than you intend to visit. An email purporting to be from your bank or credit card company links to a site that mimics their login page, luring you to enter your password. A discount offer from a famous brand leads to a well-disguised purveyor of counterfeits. The Federal Trade Commission just reported a raft of fraudulent text messages claiming to notify the recipient of a package awaiting delivery. The link, however, jumps to a page that asks for passwords, social security numbers, and other private information. The AARP warned of similar links embedded in bogus online greeting cards. Other online scammers are not looking for your personal information. Theirs is a short game; they just want your money—and right away. One of our clients’ children was just duped out of $1,500 in a gift- card buying scam. Look skeptically at any link before you click, then examine the web address of the site it takes you to. Frauds use subtle variations on familiar names—homedep0t.com or bloomingdales.237.ru. In fact, the safest road is not to click on links at all. Better to type the address of a known site directly into your browser using a private WiFi network. (You can keep up with all the latest digital deceits and what to do about them at the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker websites.) Well-known sites can have shady vendors You are likely already wary of fly-by-night merchants on sites like eBay and Craigslist, but did you know you are just as likely to run into questionable sellers on Amazon and Walmart.com? These online giants both run marketplaces where goods they sell themselves appear next to offerings from other vendors, who pay for access to the vast audiences. Many of these secondary merchants are legit, but some inevitably sell inferior or counterfeit goods. Others engage in a legal but questionable practice called drop shipping. They advertise an item from one store, say Costco, at an inflated price. Only after someone buys from their shady listing do they order the item from Costco, directing it to be shipped to the customer. The buyer, who ends up paying too much, is left with little recourse. Recently, drop shipping has been prevalent in social networks such as Instagram and Facebook. When you are buying online this holiday season, notice who the seller is. On Amazon, there is a small notice marked "sold by" a few lines under the "Buy Now" button. If the seller is different from the site you are on, that is a reason to delve a little deeper before you purchase. Fake charities and other appeals Holidays inspire more than shopping. They bring out our charitable instincts and, unfortunately, scam artists who want to exploit that goodwill. One stunt is to create sites for charities with names that are easily mistaken for those of prominent organizations. Often these are promoted by ads that appear at the top of online searches for legitimate entities. Another gambit: fake sob stories posted on sites like GoFundMe that ask for donations for people in need. Federal prosecutors recently charged a California woman with attracting 447 gifts totaling $60,272.43 through a site after falsely claiming she needed help paying for cancer treatments. Always make sure a skeptical eye accompanies your big heart. Double-check the recipient of any donation. It might be best to limit gifts through sites like GoFundMe to only people with whom you have a personal connection. If you fall prey to a scam Victims of scams like these can sometimes be compensated for their loss. Marketplaces such as Amazon offer some limited guarantees that vendors will deliver what they promise. Credit card companies often won't make you pay for purchases that turn out to be fraudulent. Many insurance carriers offer some form of identity theft or credit card fraud protection. In fact, many have recently started offering even more inclusive cyber liability coverage. It is always best to give your broker a quick call to determine what coverage is available and consider adding the proper protection to your program if you haven’t already. The holidays are a time of joy. A little extra vigilance this giving season will help to keep you in the spirit. ...

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Bon voyage: smart tips for the safest travel

For many of our clients, traveling is a well-deserved reward for their hard work. They find great pleasure while getting lost in an exciting destination’s local culture, indulging in delicious cuisine at the world’s best restaurants, exploring ancient ruins, and experiencing the beauty of nature while taking in majestic mountains. Certainly, that is what we hope each journey will be for our clients. Because we are in the risk management business, we know that expected delights can suddenly turn otherwise. Among the travel-related issues we have witnessed: Stolen valuables and travel documents, unexpected illnesses, detainments in foreign nations, natural disasters, even threats of kidnapping or actually being held for ransom. And so, as the travel boom continues and our clients re-engage their wanderlust, we felt it was a good time to offer some best practices for safe and stress-free vacationing. Steps to take before you leave There is a lot you and your team of travel advisors or assistants can do, before you embark, to help ensure smooth sailing. As you dream about your upcoming vacation, we suggest taking care of the following items: Be informed about the destination: Your concierge or travel advisor should provide general and safety information about the region. (The State Department’s travel.state.gov website is a portal to advisories related to specific countries.) Separately, if you are headed off the beaten path, such as on safari, make sure your advisors provide a network of contacts that can assist in the event of an emergency. Confirm your travel insurance coverage: Most luxury credit card companies offer a concierge level of travel services including travel insurance. A quick phone call should help understand exactly what will and will not be covered, as there are often many exceptions. Consider medical evacuation and similar coverages that provide extraction services, medical assistance and more. Again, you will want to understand costs and caveats before signing on. Determine whether you need Kidnapping & Ransom coverage: These policies include negotiation assistance and cover the cost of ransom, among a host of relevant services. Typically, we recommend them to high-profile individuals who will be traveling somewhere with security concerns, but please contact your insurance professional if you want to learn more. Confirm coverage for valuables you plan to take: Whether you will be traveling with jewelry, art, or other high-cost items, you should make sure your policies’ coverage extends worldwide. Your insurance professional will have this information if you need clarification. Backup your important documents: Storing copies of your ID, credit card numbers and important phone numbers on the cloud means you will always have easier access to this information, which, in turn, will make it easier to get replacement documents should you need them. If you use a password manager, it is especially critical to be sure your password is not used elsewhere and is challenging for hackers to replicate, as it protects every other password. Prepare your home: Ask the security company to perform a systems check. Additionally, make sure your backup generator has sufficient gas. And make sure a caretaker or friend has keys (or install a keyless entry) in case trouble arises in your absence. Share your itinerary: Let people at home know when you are traveling and where you are staying so they can alert authorities should something go awry. Steps to take on your trip Your bags are packed, and you are ready to go. Whether you are jetting off via private charter, commercial airlines or embarking on the wide-open seas on a yacht, these strategies will help keep you and your possessions safe so you can simply relax and enjoy the scenery: Be extra mindful with your valuables: Place geotags on important items you plan to check on commercial planes, to track them should they get lost. Only use the safe in your hotel room for low value items. Instead, use the hotel’s vault for all valuables. Be aware of your network when traveling: It is important to have a list of contacts where you will be traveling in the event of an emergency. Having a local advocate can be quite helpful. Be intentional, especially while you are abroad: Because not every locale follows the same due process as the United States does, it is important to research and know the customs of that particular region while vacationing. It is also worth locating the American Embassy in countries you travel in, just in case, and asking your lawyer for the names of colleagues they may have abroad who would be able to help you in worst-case scenarios. Follow local protocols and laws: Most importantly, be aware of any such local ordinances prior to your travel. Some countries, have tight restrictions or outright prohibitions regarding alcohol. For example, chewing gum is illegal in Singapore and in many Muslim countries, women are expected to dress conservatively and wear headscarves in certain areas. Wait to post on social media until you are back home: While it is tempting to share your good time with friends and acquaintances, remember that doing so also alerts potential burglars that you are not home. Moreover, if you post while on vacation you can also reveal where you and your family are traveling, thus putting yourselves at risk. With a little preparation, travel can be joyful and stress-free. Having the proper insurance portfolio to protect yourself against all exposures ensures a delightful adventure awaits you! Following these best practices is the surest way to spend a truly relaxing vacation. ...

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