Guy and Sarah Williams LegalShield Independent Associates

01/27/2024

Love you more today than I did on this day, 50 yrs ago. Thanks for being my best friend and encourager. Happy anniversary sweetheart!

05/31/2023

Once again IDShield wins awards! Best company out there. Contact me for
more info!

04/21/2023

Important things to know -

Buyouts are a way to incentivize employees to leave a company in order to reduce wage expenses and bring down costs.

04/18/2021

Are Your Smart Devices Spying on You?

They're called smart devices for good reason.
That new flat screen you bought to watch the big game can do much more than show instant replays. The inconspicuous voice assistant perched on your kitchen counter can listen in to your conversations and even record them while it dims the lights. These devices are part of the growing Internet of Things (IoT) – gadgets that connect to the web and control home features. Listening to discussions sounds a little creepy but remember your voice command or "Wake Word" is required to activate them. So, yes they listen. The question is who controls the privacy of your speech and personal data; the answer can be disturbing.
Over 40 billion IoT devices could be in use by 2027. Video doorbells, DVR recorders, baby monitors, automatic door locks, and kids' toys are some options. Add smart TVs, connected washing machines, thermostats, and internet-savvy refrigerators into the mix, and there's almost nothing an IoT device cannot control. Whether or not that's a good thing depends on your security expectations.
Relying on default passwords?
Most internet-connected devices come loaded with a default password, but California and the U.K. have recently taken the lead in opposing this practice. Generally, multiple devices in a manufacturing run have identical default codes that often grant broad access.
Many initial passwords reside on the internet. Roughly 15% of all buyers never change these defaults. Another subset of owners utilizes common passwords featured in hacker cracking dictionaries, to give hackers a hand. Anyone who employs 123456, "password" or "qwerty" for their code might as well be handing a hacker the key to their device. Don't be one of them. Don't reuse your login data on multiple websites, either; thieves collect stolen credentials and can use them to get IoT access.
Take control of your own data.
Government agencies have started to focus on IoT privacy issues but much of the responsibility currently lies with end-users.
Last Thanksgiving, the FBI issued another warning about IoT products urging Black Friday shoppers to investigate the eavesdropping capacity of each smart TV on their list. Strangers spied on what users were watching and even displayed obnoxious and inappropriate videos on their screens.
The FBI's top advice:
• Run a Google search of each model along with the words "privacy," "camera" and "security."
• If the product has a camera or microphone, determine whether you can turn these features off.
• Explore how manufacturers will update software if there is a security bug.
Researchers at Princeton and the University of Chicago discovered that certain streaming services could ignore ad blockers or other options to restrict data gathering. In some cases, the only solution is to disconnect from the internet.
Locate the smart devices around you.
First security step: determine the number of devices in your life and categorize them. Chromecast and other streaming devices might land in one category. Your new refrigerator or TV could belong in an appliance group and home security devices a third. Group them because it's often wise not to have all devices interconnected. Your smartphone can point out nearby smart devices. Check available WiFi and Bluetooth; you may discover your fridge, coffee pot, and an automated baby crib need more protection.
Choose the right settings.
Determine how each device connects to the internet – Bluetooth or WiFi. Then consider these steps:
1. Confirm that your device can call 911 in an emergency if commanded. That's not a universal skill.
2. Choose a unique username. Admin is NOT a smart choice.
3. Do regular scans for new devices that could piggyback on your network.
4. Utilize options like Do Not Disturb hours, recording kill switches and other privacy restrictions where available.
5. Turn off features like voice purchasing on your security devices.
6. Check for updates or security patches for all IoT products routinely IoT devices have wormed their way into our lives at an amazing rate. Most of us cannot imagine living without them, but that doesn't mean we must surrender all privacy. Don't be swayed by marketing-driven testimonials that play on emotions like fear. These devices are not as benign as some makers would have us believe. Privacy needs to be an integral part of the equation; to date, security still lags.
Take control of your privacy.
Don’t let fear keep you from enjoying your voice assistant. Learn to control your private conversations and secure your data by understanding how to navigate the built-in privacy settings of your favorite digital assistant.
If you need help or have questions about deleting your personal data, IDShield can walk you through the process to ensure your private information remains private. Our Licensed Private Investigators are fully certified information privacy professionals who are ready to guide you through online dangers with a one-on-one consultation.
For more information, contact Sarah Williams at 559-824-5290 or [email protected]

04/01/2021

03/20/2021

LegalShield Reaches Membership Milestone as Millions Seek to Address Rising Legal and Cybercrime Concerns

With millions of individuals and families seeking protection against increased vulnerabilities brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, LegalShield announced today that its 2020 memberships reached an all-time level with more than 1,800,000 paid subscriptions accessing its legal, identity protection and privacy management services. Additionally, the company saw a 7.5% year over year increase in the number of requests for legal services and a 32% increase in identity consultations—culminating in the highest single year of service requests since 2012.

“Much like Zoom, Peloton, and Amazon, LegalShield has found itself in a world where the need for our services have been pushed to the forefront of demand like no other time in our history”

Tweet this
“Much like Zoom, Peloton, and Amazon, LegalShield has found itself in a world where the need for our services have been pushed to the forefront of demand like no other time in our history,” said LegalShield CEO Jeff Bell. “From the outset of the pandemic, many personal and family issues rose to extreme importance for members including landlord/tenant, employment, family law, estate planning, and cybercrime challenges. Our focus on cutting-edge technology, particularly our mobile apps, enabled us to help resolve issues quickly, affordably, and with record satisfaction from our members.”

LegalShield makes its legal and identity protection plans available via four primary sales channels: 1. direct-to-consumer online which grew 70% in 2020; 2. network sales with independent associates which grew 30%; 3. voluntary benefits for employees which was down 20% due to business closures; and 4. private label distribution which was up 10%. Combined premium sold for all three channels increased over 12% year-over-year, reaching its highest level in 11 years.

Despite the chaotic events of the last year, LegalShield’s steadfast mission to make security and access to justice available to all, received top marks from members in 2020: The company achieved the highest NPS & Member Satisfaction scores in its history: 53.5 and 84.3 respectively.

Landlord / Tenant-related services increased by 22% last year as landlord liability related to the pandemic came under scrutiny, and widespread job losses prevented millions of tenants from paying rent.
Requests for services related to Employment Law rose 15% year-over-year as employers sought to understand new compliance regulations and workers sought to understand their rights.
The Estate Planning category saw a 26% increase over 2019, as Americans faced new uncertainties brought by the pandemic and sought solutions to ensure peace of mind for themselves and their families.
Services in the Family Law category increased by 22% as families fundamentally restructured due to children’s education shifting to remote learning, and navigated other stresses being introduced by the events of 2020.
As government lockdowns drove a surge in remote work and other online activity, Cybercrime rose in parallel. IDShield, LegalShield’s identity theft solution for individuals and families serving over one million members, experienced a 66% increase in membership sales in December—the highest sales month on record. Total 2020 year-over-year change for IDS was 181% increase.
About LegalShield and IDShield

A trailblazer in the democratization of affordable access to legal protection, LegalShield is the world's largest platform for legal, identity, and reputation management services covering more than 4.4 million people. IDShield, LegalShield’s identity theft solution for individuals and families, has more than one million members. LegalShield and IDShield serve more than 140,000 businesses. In addition, over 34,000 companies offer LegalShield and IDShield plans to their employees as voluntary benefits. Both legal and identity theft plans start for less than $25 per month. For more information about LegalShield, visit: gdwilliam.com

03/20/2021

5 Ways to Avoid Tax Scams

Tax_Scam_Identity Theft_Protection - Tax season is stressful enough without having to watch your back for scammers and crooks. LegalShield has tips for you. The following 5 tips will help you avoid common tax season scams.

Beware of Email – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) do not initiate contact via email. If you receive an unsolicited email from either organization, it is a scam.

There is No Free Money – Many of those who fall victim to tax scammers succumb to the promise of “free money from the government.” Many scammers post signs in churches and community centers offering quick relief from financial hardship. Do not fall victim to these offers; there is no free money to be had from the CRA or IRS.

Keep Your Identity Secure – The information contained in your tax forms is a goldmine for scammers and identity thieves. With the detailed information contained in those forms they could file a false tax return in your name or open new lines of credit. Keep your tax documents in a secure location. If you store your documents online make sure they are password protected and encrypted.

Check Behind Your Preparer ¬– Many individuals hire professionals to help them file their taxes. Most tax professionals do a great job and provide honest service, but there are some who prey on unsuspecting taxpayers. Fraudulent preparers will attempt to inflate a taxpayer’s return and take a cut for themselves. When the IRS discovers the fraud it is the taxpayer who is left holding the bag. Beware of any preparer who will not sign the return or include their ID number, charges a percentage or split of the return and promises huge returns. When in doubt get a second opinion.

03/11/2021

Don't Wait Until Your Personal Files Are Gone Forever. Back up Your Data Now!
February 18, 2021 | Internet Security

Think fast. When's the last time you backed up the data on your smartphone? Your laptop? What about that desktop computer you still use occasionally? Now take a minute to imagine losing all that data. Picture all those photos and documents in your mind. Data recovery can be costly, so this is the year to start backing up your most valued digital files.

Anyone who's survived a massive data loss doesn't want to live through that pain again. Without a solid backup plan, you lose a lot – including the data itself as well as the enormous amount of time needed to replace what you can. Still, many individuals think they don’t need to back up their data. Really. That's not wise; it's just risky. What should I back up?
Most folks view duplicating files as a chore but there are ways to simplify the task. First, decide what needs saving.
A system image is one desirable option; it contains the entire hard drive, including settings, operating system, emails and other features in addition to files. If your old drive fails or is lost, you can restore the entire system rapidly. Some backup services also offer this option. System images let you retrieve a single document or the whole drive, but they also occupy large slices of space on backup media.
Copying files and folders is another approach. You will get the subject matter, but you'll need to rebuild its software foundations first if your device is damaged or stolen.
Mac users have an option called Time Machine that backs up an entire drive then adds updated versions of changed files as well as new additions. You can then choose to go back a day or a month to retrieve a lost file or a recently damaged report.
Should you encrypt that backup?
Here's your second decision, and it's a biggie. Some manufacturers strongly recommend encryption. There's also a competing view that believes vital duplicates shouldn't be encoded. If you lose the encryption key, there's potential trouble recovering data. If the duplication drive fails, that creates additional challenges. It is a personal decision.
What's the ideal backup plan?
Industry studies indicate that the majority of people and businesses back up their data at least once a year. Just once. Does that mean that the last year's work is expendable? Of course not. Frequency is vital in protecting your devices.
Try the 1-2-3 approach. That means keeping at least three copies of vital data, not just one. Where those copies reside is important, too. If you elect to have an external hard drive sitting on your desk as a backup, their physical location is the same as the original files. In the event of fire, theft or flood, both the original and the insurance drive get compromised.
Choose your backup options carefully. Remember the floppy disk? Backups stored on one of those is tough to access today. Will an original USB device work if your tech has all switched over to USB-C?
For example, USBs or flash drives may provide a safe home for cherished photos for just a decade. They're not intended for long term storage. Solid-state drives are safer for archiving data you want saved indefinitely. Don't forget that tech is ever-changing. Choose a device that you'll be able to access for a long time, password protect it and – this is critical – don't forget to check your backup periodically.
A local copy allows rapid access, but a cloud copy is smart. Many companies offer cloud storage. Be sure you understand whether your preference is cloud backup or just storage. Inquire about whether passcodes and keychain files will be copied and stashed.
Ideally, you want a service that offers versioning. This feature keeps multiple copies of a single document if you edit and amend it. Versioning allows you to go back to view several different drafts.
Finally, consider automating offsite copy. Some options will back up hourly as you create files. Later, that storage shifts to daily as time passes.
Backup now, and you'll be safer in the event of a power surge, a burglary or a soaked smartphone. You'll also beat the rush on World Backup Day, March 31st.

Be proactive.
Individual users should embrace the 1-2-3 approach with at least one backup located offsite. Test backups periodically. Even DVDs won't last forever. Most of all, keep it simple. Your best option is at least one copy initiating in the background as you work on your device. Don't forget to label backup media.
Theft

06/16/2020

Great questions for any kind of position.

When assessing a job candidate, it’s important to look beyond the skills listed on a résumé.

06/14/2020

Check this out!

As Congress, state lawmakers and civil rights activists grapple with ways to combat racial profiling by police, an Oklahoma-based company has introduced a nationwide service that it asserts could protect minorities and other motorists from unwarranted harassment and searches during traffic stops.

06/13/2020

JUNE 12, 2020
ATTORNEY ROBERT SEWELL

Is That Even Legal?
Selling Legal Services by Subscription - Is That Even Legal? Bob Talks with LegalShield CEO Jeff Bell

If there is one thing that has been brought into focus recently is that everyone needs and deserves access to justice. One of the biggest barriers to that access is cost. Some state bar associations are exploring expanded roles for non-lawyers to lower costs, and increase access, but it's unclear how and whether that will work. Jeff Bell's company, LegalShield has a different approach to bringing down costs and increasing access, and it is now is use by nearly two million people.

02/27/2020

Another great award! Does you ID theft company get awards like this? Give me a call

IDShield, a leading North American provider of identity monitoring, theft protection, and restoration technology and services for individuals and fami