Living
Learn how to protect your identity when shopping online.
Another festive season is here, bringing new ways for cyber-thieves to attempt to steal your money or your identity. Government agencies and other experts offer ways you can guard yourself against identity theft by following safe practices when shopping online.
Have up-to-date virus protection on your computer that also scans for malware.
Before you enter credit card information at a retailer’s website, check to make sure that the website is secure. A secure website normally has “https” in its URL and a lock icon next to the URL address.
Consider designating a credit card account – or purchasing a reloadable prepaid card – exclusively for online shopping, and leave the rest of your credit cards at home. That way, if a thief does get your credit card or credit card number, the loss will be minimised. Avoid using your debit card, which may not offer the same kind of theft/loss protection.
Ask your credit card issuer if it offers “virtual credit cards,” or single-use card numbers, that can be used at an online store. Virtual credit cards generate a random account number in place of your actual credit card number. You can configure the expiration date and the maximum amount allowed for a virtual credit card. Once used, the card typically is tied to the merchant where it was used and cannot be used elsewhere.
Purchase gift cards directly from retailers or merchants. Gift cards from auction sites or classified ads could be fraudulent or stolen.
Never follow a link in an email unless you know and trust the sender. Instead of using the link, enter the web address of the retailer, bank or credit card issuer yourself.
Only open email attachments if you know the sender, and scan them for viruses if you can. Attachments can contain viruses.
Be wary of anyone soliciting donations by phone, especially if they claim there is an emergency or deadline for donations. If you are suspicious, ask them to mail you a donation form, or hang up and call the charity directly.
Do not give personal information to anyone who calls you, especially if they’re claiming to be your bank or financial institution. Hang up and call the company back directly – initiating calls yourself helps confirm who’s on the other end of the line.
There’s always a lot to be done during the holidays. By exercising some care and common sense, you can help ensure that you’re not spending valuable time dealing with identity theft.
Black MondayOn 19 October 1987, the stock markets experienced a dramatic plunge that prompted many firms to shut down their trading desks and turn off their phones to minimize internal losses. Raymond James refused to do the same. Our desks stayed open to help meet clients’ needs, resulting in our first and only unprofitable quarter since the firm went public in 1983. |
 |
Who was Raymond James?The Raymond in our name is actually from Edward Raymond, owner of a 15-employee mutual fund sales group, Raymond and Associates, along Florida’s west coast. He sold his company to Bob James on 15 July 1964, on condition that the surviving firm be called Raymond, James & Associates. Three days after the sale, Ed Raymond was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident and never joined the firm. Nonetheless, even after Raymond had passed away, Bob James insisted that his name remain on the door – ahead of James’ own. That was a promise he made to Ed Raymond three days before the accident, and Bob James was a man who kept his promises. |
|
Bear Market of 1974The severe bear market of 1974 threatened the existence of Raymond James, which was bleeding capital by the day. Tom James, his father and other leaders took extreme measures to keep the firm afloat, slashing costs, foregoing paychecks and even attempting to sell the firm for just enough capital to protect client assets and retain as many associates as possible. The story could have ended very differently if not for a sharp upturn and continued rebound in the stock markets late in the year. |
|
Taking Raymond James PublicWhen consideration was being given to taking Raymond James public, Tom James penned a letter to shareholders (largely employees at the time). ” … the public offering should be considered as a statement of our independence. While this is a psychological rather than an economic rationale, it is nonetheless very important. We have asserted for some time that we are not interested in becoming a small part of a very large corporation. That assertion results mainly from the inclinations of management rather than the economic benefits associated with either alternative. The public stock offering affords us the opportunity to enjoy a little bit of the best of both worlds. While shareholders will be given liquidity at fair market value, we will still have the ability to control our own destiny.” After 40+ years of Tom’s leadership, upon becoming CEO, Paul Reilly was often questioned about whether the company might ultimately surrender its cherished independence and be acquired by some larger entity. His response: “Not while I’m around.” It’s a theme that continues today. |
 |
