Mattson Financial Services - May 2022

Mattson Financial Services - May 2022

F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S , L L C

616-514-3831

www.MattsonFinancial.com

MAY 2022

BE MY MOTHER, NOT MY BROTHER Avoiding Scams in a Modern World

Recently, my brother called to say that his checking account had been hacked. Scammers gained access to over $34,000, and it all started with a plausible scenario. Like many people, he uses PayPal. One day, he received a call from a PayPal representative stating they owed him a $53 refund on a purchase. That was true — my brother knew about the transaction. PayPal said they needed his permission to issue the refund to his account. As many people would when they’re owed money, he provided his checking account and routing numbers so he could receive his refund. Of course, it wasn’t PayPal on the phone. Without his knowledge, the people who called were able to take a $34,000 cash advance against his credit card. Next, they put $563 in his account (not $53) and called him back to say they’d made an error. They wanted him to issue a refund back to them via money order. They told him he shouldn’t explain the reason for the money order at the bank, which is when my brother realized something was wrong. He hung up and immediately called his bank. My brother recovered all of his money in the end. But he paid plenty with his time. It took him over a week to cancel all of his credit cards, close his checking account, cancel all direct deposits and payments, and reestablish everything from scratch. He still isn’t sure how the scammer knew he had that specific PayPal transaction and was owed a refund. But somehow, they got the information. A little while after this, I helped my mother with some banking transactions. I wasn’t in my office and didn’t have the paperwork, so I called

her and said, “Mom, I need your Social Security number.” Now, I’m her son — she knows my phone number, my voice, and why I needed the information. Still, she told me she didn’t like giving her information over a wireless device. I hesitated for a minute, thinking it was a bit silly. But then I called Mom three times to get her Social Security number in three sets of digits. It was a mild inconvenience, but she wanted to be extra cautious so no one could steal her identity. Not every person who contacts you is looking to take advantage. But the one time you do put your faith in the wrong person, it can cost you thousands of dollars and dozens of hours. A few years ago, we had a client who called us to say she’d won some money. She felt sure the person who called her was being honest, even after her daughter and I both told her it wasn’t true. I suggested she call the FBI, who began arrangements to trace the perpetrators. But even the FBI telling her it was a scam and they’d seen the same scenario before wasn’t enough. After several more calls with the scammer, she eventually gave them $500. Of course, she never received a dime. Her belief in winning was more compelling than the facts. We all want to be the one who wins the lotto or some other windfall. But generally, things that sound too good to be true are. The moral of these stories is to never give information (like your account numbers, date of birth, or Social Security number) to someone who calls you. My brother should have pointed out that PayPal already had his checking account on file. But the thought of getting back

money that was rightfully his had compelled him to behave otherwise, and he fell into their trap. Most scams will start with some fact to hang their deceit on because it motivates you to give away information you shouldn’t. Recently, I received a call requesting some information. I told the caller that I would instead call the publicly listed 800 number and reach them via their extension. The caller said that was fine — they understood my hesitation. So, I called the standard number, confirmed the person who had called me worked there, and reached him via a secure avenue. The caller was the IRS. Even then, I wouldn’t take any chances. Many people get flustered around authority and think they need to fall in line for the IRS. Well, what if it’s not really the IRS? You might think all these safety measures make doing business too cumbersome. But in an electronic world, you have to be your first line of defense. We should all be more like my mother, willing to take a few extra minutes to save ourselves weeks or more worth of time, effort, and loss. Because even if you’re made whole in the end, your time is as valuable as your money. –Gary Mattson

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A TIMELESS AND INFLUEN

It’s Time to Read or Reread This Classic

“How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie has stood the test of time.

Embedded within each page of this easy- to-read book are recommendations for creating, building upon, and improving successful and positive relationships

Published in 1936, this book has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Relating to the key relationships of humans, the book embodies self- improvement, communication, relationship building, and compassion. Every working professional or individual rubbing elbows in their social group needs it in their toolbox! If you haven’t already experienced the influential and game-changing words of Dale Carnegie, it’s time to pick up a copy. If you’ve already read it, it’s time to give it another read to review and remember because there is still much value to unfold.

within your life, whether it be with friends, family members, coworkers, network professionals, or supervisors. Written and published more than 85 years ago, its life lessons and thought- provoking suggestions still apply today because, while technology, education, and infrastructure have all advanced, our basic human

tendencies and the way we interact remain the same.

ENJOY THE LATER YEARS IN LIFE 3 Vitamins and Supplements for Healthy Aging

Growing old is an inevitable part of our lives. There isn’t a magic potion to drink or

used as a strong remedy for arthritis and skin inflammation. You can increase your intake of resveratrol by drinking red wine or by eating more peanuts, berries, and grapes.

secret spell to cast that will turn back time, but we can do things to slow the effects of aging. Our life expectancy is longer than it used to be, so it makes sense that you would want to enjoy those extra years. While staying active and eating well play a huge role in healthy aging, there are also some anti-aging supplements and vitamins that will help your body stay strong.

Curcumin For years, the spice known as turmeric has been used as a nutritional supplement with great benefits for your mind and body. As science has progressed, they’ve found that turmeric does contain compounds with medicinal properties with the most important being curcumin. Curcumin has great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but is also believed to improve memory issues and lower your risk for heart disease. Using more turmeric in your dishes will increase your intake of curcumin.

Vitamin C Vitamin C is an incredibly beneficial vitamin for people of all ages but becomes even more useful for those over the age of 50. A study by Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that older adults with higher blood levels of vitamin C performed better on tasks involving focus, attention, recall, and recognition. Additionally, vitamin C can also help with skin health and can even improve immune function in older adults.

If you’re looking to try some anti-aging supplements but don’t know where to begin, give these a try.

Resveratrol Resveratrol is a class of micronutrients that plants make to survive drought or attacks from disease. It has fantastic antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties, so it’s great at protecting you from diseases like cancer, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s. Additionally, it can be

There are various things you can try to slow down the aging process, but if you’re unsure where to turn, give these vitamins and supplements a shot.

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NTIAL BOOK

Visit MattsonFinancial.com for Events TAKE A BREAK!

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you,” Dale Carnegie states. In “How to Win Friends & Influence People,” he explores the importance of putting the needs, interests, and values of others before your own and how to handle situations for the best possible outcome. It takes a deep dive into getting to know yourself before learning how to bond with others on a personal and/or professional level. This book, a brilliant study on human nature, will have you wondering why you didn’t read it sooner while reflecting on situations and interactions you could have handled differently. But most importantly, Carnegie’s pointers are sure to provide amazing insights while you learn to get along with just about anyone.

ABIGAIL’S

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH RAINBOW FRITTATA

Inspired by EatingWell.com

Ingredients

• • • • •

Nonstick cooking spray 1/4 cup sweet potato, diced 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced 1/4 cup broccoli, chopped

•

Basil, thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste 1/2 avocado, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced Cherry tomatoes, halved Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

•

8 eggs

• •

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In the skillet over medium heat, cook sweet potatoes, yellow pepper, and broccoli until soft. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 4. Pour egg mixture into skillet with vegetables. Don’t stir but instead use a spatula to lift the edges of the egg mixture until it is evenly distributed. 5. Transfer mixture to oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the dish sets. 6. Top with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle Sriracha on top (if desired).

Solution

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

106.9 FM and 1300 AM Saturdays from 7–8 a.m. Sundays from 11 a.m.—12 p.m.

F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S , L L C

3226 28th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1

How Scams Can Come for Us All

This Book Has Stood the Test of Time 3 of the Best Anti-Aging Supplements

2

Mother’s Day Brunch Rainbow Frittata Mark Your Calendar!

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Hate Souvenir Shopping? Let’s Make It Easy

**Reminder: If you have any changes to your financial situation, please notify us as soon as possible.

Investment advisory services offered through Mattson Financial Services, LLC, an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance and annuities offered through Lakeview Financial Group, LLC. Mattson Financial Services, LLC and Lakeview Financial Group, LLC are affiliated companies.

Picking the Perfect Souvenir

A way to preserve or share a piece of your trip is to bring home a souvenir, but choosing a souvenir isn’t always a stress-free

home chocolate Kinder eggs — a specific kind that are illegal in the U.S. due to the potentially hazardous small toys inside.

experience. How do you pick the perfect souvenir and not just the first thing you see in a tourist shop? Here are some tips for picking a truly meaningful gift for yourself or your loved ones. Who are you buying for? What are your recipient’s interests, or what do they spend the most time doing? If you’re buying for yourself and enjoy coffee, you might buy a local coffee blend to enjoy from home. However, if your recipient doesn’t enjoy coffee or rarely drinks it, that type of gift might not mean much to them.

Purchase a handicraft. Handicrafts — items created by local artisans — are awesome souvenirs! But make sure you buy where artisans actually sell their own goods, such as an open-air market. Unfortunately, while some popular tourist shops may sell “locally made goods,” many souvenirs intended for tourists are actually made by cheap manufacturers in other countries.

Keep something from the adventure. Bringing a glass bottle to take home some sand is a popular way of creating your own souvenir from a beach vacation. But you can do this with almost any item! Whether it’s stones, ticket stubs from favorite shows and activities, or a handmade item from a class, make sure to look out for souvenirs that’ll remind you of great memories and experiences.

Is it legal to bring home? Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, there are many regulations that affect which souvenirs you can bring home. Even if you find the item in a tourist shop, that doesn’t mean it’ll be allowed into the country or even onto the plane. And the TSA does take this seriously. In 2012, two tourists were detained at the U.S. border for trying to bring

We hope these tips will help you make the best choice. Bon voyage!

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