Vargas & Vargas Insurance

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Dorchester, MA 02124

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Don’t Be a Victim of Credit Card Fraud

Credit Card Fraud

It seems that we can’t go a few months without hearing about another retailer that has gone through a data breach. When this happens, everyone goes into a frenzy to ensure that they weren’t a victim of credit card fraud.

While it is certainly a good idea to check your statements after a retailer that you frequent has had their data compromised, the truth is that you should be vigilant in checking your credit statements year-round. Here are four ways that you can make sure that your bank accounts and credit cards won’t be victimized, and that you will catch a fraudulent payment right away:

Check your bank statements often.

With almost all financial institutions offering online statements, checking over your credit and debit purchases has never been easier. Make it a part of your weekly schedule to check over your online account, and reconcile your statement against your purchases. If there is anything unusual that you don’t recognize, call your bank or card issuer right away.

Change passwords regularly.

Make sure that you change your passwords to any sensitive online accounts on a regular basis. To make a password as safe as possible it should contain 8 or more characters, including letters, numbers, and special characters. It should also be a random string of characters – the name of your children or your pet isn’t going to cut it anymore.

Also make sure that you don’t use the same password for any two accounts – it makes a hacker’s job a lot easier if your online banking password is the same as your email password, for example.

Don’t let your cards out of your sight.

If you really want to be careful about avoiding credit card fraud, you should be wary about letting your card out of your sight. Don’t lend it to anyone (even friends or family members). If you need to use a card to pay your bill at a restaurant, immediately make sure that the card that you get from the waiter or waitress is yours.

Receive a free credit report annually.

You should be able to receive a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) each year. When you get your score, make sure that you don’t have any erroneous penalties present. If you do, make sure to straighten them out as soon as possible.

Replace lost and stolen cards right away.

If you fear that one of your cards is lost or stolen, don’t wait – call your card provider right away and request a replacement. Any time spent looking for the lost card is also time that a thief could spend making purchases on your accounts. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and time spent waiting for a new card is much easier to swallow than time spent trying to clean up after charges on a stolen card.

If you would like additional help in ensuring that your finances are safe and healthy, just contact Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 and ask about our financial planning assistance. We can help you avoid credit card fraud, navigate stocks and investment strategies, and make a financial plan tailored to your specific needs.

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Factors that Affect Boston Car Insurance Quotes

Factors that affect your Boston Car Insurance Quotes

When people call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency for Boston car insurance quotes, they are always blown away by our friendly and quick service. What goes on behind the scenes is very interesting though! When you call us for an insurance quote, we gather information from several insurance providers in order to make sure that you receive the best possible insurance at the best possible price.

Each insurance provider will often quote a different price on an auto insurance policy. This is because they each use different factors when determining your quote. Here are just a few examples of factors that some car insurance companies use when determining a quote:

Your Age – The older you are, the less risky a driver you are. This means that older people pay less for car insurance than younger people (under 25).

Your Gender – Men sometimes pay more for their auto insurance than female drivers due to trends of males being more reckless.

Your Marital Status – Insurance providers know that married people are (on average) less accident prone than their single counterparts.

Your Education Level – Typically speaking, the more educated a person is, the less likely they will file insurance claims. Some insurance providers will provide lower premiums for people with advanced degrees.

Your Credit Score – Did you know that there is a high correlation between a high credit score and a clean driving record? Read some tips about how to keep your credit score high at the Vargas and Vargas Insurance sister site, First Time Home Buyer Tools.

Your Driving Record – If you have been a safe driver in the past, most auto insurance providers will reward you with lower rates.

Your Driving Habits – If you don’t drive your car very much, tell your insurance agent. You may be eligible for a low mileage discount on your premium! This is also true if you live close to your workplace.

Your Location – Where you do your driving tells insurance providers how accident prone your region is, as well as how expensive repairs will be if you ever need to file a claim.

The Vehicle You Drive – The type of vehicle that you wish to insure (sedan, SUV, truck, etc.) will affect the quote you receive. Another factor that insurance providers consider is the age of the vehicle.

Your Vehicle’s Saftey Features – If your car has certain safety features, like extra airbags and a car alarm, insurance providers will often offer you lower rates.

Your Vehicle’s Business Use – If your car is ever used for a commercial purpose (delivery, transportation, etc for a business) you will probably pay a little extra for auto insurance.

Your Current Auto Insurance – Insurance providers don’t like to see gaps in insurance coverage. Some providers will charge you more if you don’t have a current policy.

To get one of the free and comprehensive Boston car insurance quotes for which Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is famous, all you need to do is call 617-298-0655. One of our service-centered representatives will be happy to gather the necessary information and start the quote process right away. And make sure to recommend us to your friends and family!

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  • Vermont Mutual