Search found 384 matches

by ikowik
Mon Jan 01, 2024 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Southern Spain in March
Replies: 47
Views: 4764

Re: Southern Spain in March

Couple more: Will my Renfe ticket to Malaga from Atocha include metro from airport? If I go to nasrid palace last of the four sites on general tour, how long should I plan for the others? Not sure if my answer will help, but here goes. We (wife and I) toured Southern Spain in April last year, all self-arranged. Yes, Granada- Cordoba train times are limited compared to, say, Seville- Cordoba. But we found a train leaving around 10:30 in the morning. We arrived > 1 hour ahead, went to the security check. The agents seemed amused we were so early, asked us to come back half-hour later, would not allow us through to the platform before. In Granada, the Nasrid Palace is THE site to visit. We started wandering around the other parts of the tour,...
by ikowik
Mon Jan 01, 2024 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gate1 East Africa safari
Replies: 13
Views: 1600

Re: Gate1 East Africa safari

My thanks to all who posted replies. Very helpful, especially the comments that all use the same spots for animal watching, but it is other parts such as accommodations that drive differences in price. We have traveled extensively as a couple and as family. If it is just the two of us, we are easygoing with demands on services and accommodations. Arranging tours with a local (Africa-based) company- yes, I realize this will be less expensive, and that US based companies likely sub-contract with the same firms. I did some searching, but find it hard to know how reliable they are, and how much I can trust the website descriptions. We do not want to be in a difficult situation in a strange country with language barriers. Make sure you have som...
by ikowik
Mon Jan 01, 2024 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gate1 East Africa safari
Replies: 13
Views: 1600

Re: Gate1 East Africa safari

My husband and I have now done 7 trips with Gate 1. All to places we didn't feel comfortable navigating by ourselves. (Peru, Ecuador, South Africa) We have truly never had a bad trip! We are going with them on a hiking trip to Nepal in February (our first hiking trip with them)The price point for Gate 1 trips is awesome, especially for the value that you get. They seem to source out-of-the way, non-corporate hotels that blow away the 'normal' hotels that you might find in an area (we stayed in an 1800's Hacienda in Ecuador that was breathtaking) I never hesitate to recommend Gate 1 for any trip . I have traveled with my mother, on a Globus trip to Spain that was unbelievably 'meh' compared to any Gate 1 trip I've taken. Never again! That s...
by ikowik
Mon Jan 01, 2024 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gate1 East Africa safari
Replies: 13
Views: 1600

Re: Gate1 East Africa safari

My thanks to all who posted replies.
Very helpful, especially the comments that all use the same spots for animal watching, but it is other parts such as accommodations that drive differences in price.
We have traveled extensively as a couple and as family. If it is just the two of us, we are easygoing with demands on services and accommodations.

Arranging tours with a local (Africa-based) company- yes, I realize this will be less expensive, and that US based companies likely sub-contract with the same firms. I did some searching, but find it hard to know how reliable they are, and how much I can trust the website descriptions. We do not want to be in a difficult situation in a strange country with language barriers.
by ikowik
Sun Dec 31, 2023 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gate1 East Africa safari
Replies: 13
Views: 1600

Gate1 East Africa safari

After decades of arranging my own travel down to the minute details, wife has persuaded me to go with a tour company. We did a river cruise/ land tour with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) and I felt OK with it.
We now want to do a Tanzania/ Kenya safari. Looking at options, Gate1 appears to offer good value, and most online reviews I read are OK, though rather old. OAT is bit more expensive, which makes me wonder if the quality is better there. Companies I see frequently recommended- Abercombie Kent, beyond Safari etc; - look crazy expensive.
Anyone here with experience of an east African safari with Gate 1?
by ikowik
Sat Dec 30, 2023 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip report: Everest Basecamp 3 high passes trek 2023
Replies: 63
Views: 20360

Re: Trip report: Everest Basecamp 3 high passes trek 2023

Thank you JD09 and thinair. Vary helpful.
by ikowik
Fri Dec 29, 2023 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited RMD help...today?
Replies: 19
Views: 1699

Re: Inherited RMD help...today?

jb3 wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 3:20 pm To close the loop here, we spoke to Vanguard and this was resolved. It was a bit more complex than it seemed because of the involvement of another relative.

Thanks so much for all of the quick replies. This forum is a treasure.
I am glad your problem was taken care of, and this forum was helpful.
To educate us further and help others who might run into similar problems, would you share what the issue with the other relative, how did it change the situation, and how was it resolved- all anonymously of course.
by ikowik
Fri Dec 29, 2023 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip report: Everest Basecamp 3 high passes trek 2023
Replies: 63
Views: 20360

Re: Trip report: Everest Basecamp 3 high passes trek 2023

JD09 wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:15 pm Thanks for sharing, I had the chance to trek+road trip on the Indian side (Spiti Valley + Kashmir/Ladakh) last year and the Himalayas are just amazing - the natural beauty and the small villages around made it an enjoyable trip.

I think our max point was 18K feet. Even at Kaza which was at 12K ft, we were short of breath in the afternoon. I knew I need to prepare a lot if I have to do EBC.
I hate to hijack a thread, but would love to know more about this, especially Ladakh, how did you organize this etc;
Moderators, if I am in the wrong, please move to another thread as you feel appropriate.
by ikowik
Wed Dec 27, 2023 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prepaying Medicare Premiums through medicare.gov
Replies: 18
Views: 2506

Re: Prepaying Medicare Premiums through medicare.gov

David Jay wrote: Wed Dec 27, 2023 3:03 pm When paying by credit card, the minimum payment amount is for 3 months. I have not investigated paying more, but I have seen threads saying that this is permissible.

I pay every quarter with a 2% cash-back credit card (then reimburse myself from my HSA). I have 2 more years before I file for SS and Medicare gets deducted from my benefit each month.
I pay my Part B Medicare premium (no Part D) online by credit card. One month at a time, have not seen any demands for 3 months minimum.
by ikowik
Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Asset transfer fraud protection
Replies: 111
Views: 11512

Re: Asset transfer fraud protection

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/fidelityinvestments/comments/vp522f/lost_around_150k_worth_of_stock_from_my_fidelity/?rdt=54648 Note that the account at Fidelity did not have the Lockdown feature enabled in this case. 2. Alert notice from FINRA, without mentioning specific cases https://thediwire.com/finra-issues-member-alert-regarding-acats-fraud/ Thanks for the links. Both were helpful in understanding both the fraud threat and how it occurs. I was surprised to read in the first link how many other people commenting had chimed in to say that it had happened to them too. I'll be enabling The Money Transfer Lockdown feature on most of my Fidelity accounts shortly. (The exception being the brokerage account dedicated specifically to automatical...
by ikowik
Fri Dec 01, 2023 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Asset transfer fraud protection
Replies: 111
Views: 11512

Re: Asset transfer fraud protection

Squirrel208 wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 12:23 pm
rks wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2023 11:27 am I am hearing about such frauds happening more recently related to someone fraudulently transferring the assets out of your brokerage account.
Please cite some specific recent examples of this actually happening.
I will cite two

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/fidelityinvest ... ?rdt=54648

Note that the account at Fidelity did not have the Lockdown feature enabled in this case.

2. Alert notice from FINRA, without mentioning specific cases

https://thediwire.com/finra-issues-memb ... ats-fraud/
by ikowik
Sat Nov 18, 2023 5:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question re TIPS Yield to Maturity and Bid Ask Price
Replies: 13
Views: 1243

Re: Question re TIPS Yield to Maturity and Bid Ask Price

statman wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 5:20 pm As a warning to the naive: At maturity, the owner receives the final inflation-adjusted principal. This value is unknown, as it depends on the intervening rate of inflation. In particular, it is NOT the YTM times the purchase price.
The confusion occurs due to thinking in nominal values. It goes away if one thinks in real dollars
by ikowik
Sat Nov 18, 2023 6:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Using Symantec VIP Access at Fidelity
Replies: 53
Views: 6252

Re: Using Symantec VIP Access at Fidelity

I remember seeing a statement on the log in page that new security measures are coming, without specifying anything further. This was 3-4 months ago.
Then the message disappeared. Not sure why, but that coincided with a few weeks when Fidelity online services had several outages. Maybe the proposed changes crashed the site and were withdrawn?

I do not remember any specific mention of Fido2.
by ikowik
Fri Nov 17, 2023 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How long a TIPS ladder at age 72
Replies: 6
Views: 1234

Re: How long a TIPS ladder at age 72

This is an issue I had pondered too. Currently I have a TIPS ladder through age 90.
OP, if you have a spouse, how likely is it that both of you will die more than 10 years before the last rung in the ladder (assuming spouse will get your remaining TIPS ladder)?.
I have seen a tool mentioned in another thread here (longevity illustrator?) that shows, in a graph form, the probability of how long one of the spouses will outlive the other.
In my case, I decided that at least one of use (likely my wife) will live long enough not to worry about this. But I decided not to extend my ladder any further.
by ikowik
Thu Nov 16, 2023 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Locked-out of Treasury Direct
Replies: 50
Views: 9451

Re: Locked-out of Treasury Direct

python99 wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:01 am I was locked out of my account after I attempted to change the password, I gave a wrong answer to a security question. It had been so long that I didn't know the answer and I just guessed. After two attempts at answers my account was locked. I could not get the account unlocked over the phone since it was a Trust Account. I had to complete Form 5444 and get it notarized and submit it along with all my trust documents. I just got it unlocked today, the total time to get the account unlocked was 27 weeks!
This is a good reason to keep some form of password management which records answers to security questions, so nonsense answers can be used without running the risk of forgetting.
A password manager would serve this purpose.
by ikowik
Thu Nov 09, 2023 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Traditional- TPA (Transfer Payout Annuity) Questions
Replies: 25
Views: 2563

Re: TIAA Traditional- TPA (Transfer Payout Annuity) Questions

I would not want to expect any organization to automate all these steps as you originally were considering. Too likely that something will go wrong. Your wife would certainly not want to deal with getting a mistake sorted out. I would start the TPA with proceeds to stay in the 403b. Set up an automatic RMD payment for early in the year once of age. The 403b will still be there with TIAA for 9 more years. So annual transfers to Fidelity is not eliminating an account or an RMD. If you want the least forms and transfers, just consolidate in one step 9 years from now whatever still remains in the account. If you feel your 403b does not have the investment options you want, manually complete the rollover once a year. I have a Fidelity 403b and ...
by ikowik
Thu Nov 09, 2023 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Traditional- TPA (Transfer Payout Annuity) Questions
Replies: 25
Views: 2563

Re: TIAA Traditional- TPA (Transfer Payout Annuity) Questions

An update, after taking care of some unexpected issues, I managed to speak with a knowledgeable TIAA rep. My question to her was, if I started a 10-installment Transfer Payout of all the money in TIAA Traditional, could I direct it yearly to my IRA at Fidelity as a rollover? And, since I will have to start RMDs in 4 years, how will that requirement intersect with the Transfer payout rollover to IRA? -Yes, direct rollover of TPA to IRA at another institution is possible, can be done online. -However, once RMDs start, it becomes cumbersome. The suggested solution was, once RMDs start, to move the TPA installment each year to a "liquid" fund inside a TIAA IRA, take out RMD from it (and pay tax on it), and rollover the rest to my IRA ...
by ikowik
Mon Nov 06, 2023 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cannot log into Vanguard with YubiKey
Replies: 60
Views: 4986

Re: Cannot log into Vanguard with YubiKey

I too find the various protocol terminologies (with alternate names as well), and lack of transparency on what Vanguard supports on Yubikeys confusing.
I use Yubikey 5NFC. The documentation says these keys support FIDO2 as well as U2F.
Yet, when I registered my keys at Vanguard, there was no prompt or requirement to set a PIN (which appears to be possible on keys with FIDO2 as per above posts). I just press a button and get through.
by ikowik
Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cannot log into Vanguard with YubiKey
Replies: 60
Views: 4986

Re: Cannot log into Vanguard with YubiKey

I am not the only one, a couple of posters above do not seem to need a PIN. Just a Yubikey 2FA prompt.
by ikowik
Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cannot log into Vanguard with YubiKey
Replies: 60
Views: 4986

Re: Cannot log into Vanguard with YubiKey

anagram wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:02 pm
ThereAreNoGurus wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:01 pm Good to hear it's fixed. That was quick.

(Did not know a PIN was required.)
1 hour!

If you are not asked for a PIN when you log in with YK at Vanguard there is something not right.
I have been using Yubikey (as 2FA) on the Vanguard site for 3 months now. Never asked for, or set up, a PIN for the key. Last logged in two days ago, no problems, no PIN. The key blinks when Vanguard asks for 2FA, I press a button.
by ikowik
Thu Oct 26, 2023 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Driving from Toronto to Buffalo
Replies: 11
Views: 1654

Re: Driving from Toronto to Buffalo

Hi, I am planning a trip in summer where I will be driving from NY to Toronto 2 days. On Day 1 in Toronto will do Niagara falls and Day 2 CN Tower. However, on Day 3 my flight is from Buffalo so I will be driving from Toronto to Buffalo. On Day 2, once I am done with CN Tower, I will be driving to Buffalo and stay 1 night in Buffalo for my 1 pm flight (will be going via Peace Bridge) However, how much time does it take at immigration at US border. Just curious am thinking of driving from Toronto to Buffalo on Day 3 early morning for my 1 pm flight. If anyone has used Peace bridge, let me know your recommendations. You can get some idea of the wait times here https://www.nittec.org/ You should be OK if you give yourself an extra 40 times fo...
by ikowik
Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sim Card for Use in Another Country
Replies: 52
Views: 5386

Re: Sim Card for Use in Another Country

I'm surprised with all the know it alls on this forum that no one has mentioned google fi. Google fi requires WiFi for it to work and where would you get the Wi-Fi if you were in no free WiFi zones? TravelforFun This is incorrect. I have used Google Fi in several countries. It provides cell phone service for calls, texts, data by connecting to a local provider. But, it is more expensive than using a local SIM or buying eSIM. I used airalo in Europe last month, worked with no problems. Use Google Voice, iMessage or Whatsapp for calls and texts. The one downside, compared to local SIMs, is lack of a local number. This was not a problem as we usually walked up to restaurants to make reservations. Taxi apps like Uber have their own messaging s...
by ikowik
Thu Sep 07, 2023 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yubikey-FIDO2 Question
Replies: 9
Views: 1067

Re: Yubikey-FIDO2 Question

MGBMartin wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 11:42 am
ikowik wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 11:30 am
Yes, they can be used with a phone if the key has NFC (Near Field Communication) capability. You would hold the key close to the phone, near the top of the back with an iPhone. Look for Yubikeys with NFC
Uh?
You can use the USB-C or Lightning versions of the Yubikeys.
NFC is convenient but not required.
You are correct
by ikowik
Thu Sep 07, 2023 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yubikey-FIDO2 Question
Replies: 9
Views: 1067

Re: Yubikey-FIDO2 Question

OldTown wrote: Thu Sep 07, 2023 10:41 am I was considering using a Yubikey or FIDO 2 security device. However, is there a way to use it only with a mobile device and not with a computer? From what I've seen of these security devices, you'd normally have to plug it into your computer to register the device. I'm wondering if there is a way to use these security devices solely with, and set them up with, a mobile phone or tablet, rather than a computer.

Thank you.
Yes, they can be used with a phone if the key has NFC (Near Field Communication) capability. You would hold the key close to the phone, near the top of the back with an iPhone. Look for Yubikeys with NFC
by ikowik
Wed Aug 30, 2023 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fidelity Down? [Website]
Replies: 138
Views: 9563

Re: Fidelity site is not working?

Confirm same issue on desktop and phone app.
Annoying as I do not have anything urgent; but amusing, as I had just logged into Vanguard to complete a transaction, and that went smoothly. With all the recent complaints here about Vanguard IT....
by ikowik
Mon Aug 28, 2023 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Curious Amazon Fraud?
Replies: 26
Views: 4167

Re: Curious Amazon Fraud?

Could this be part of a BIN attack on credit cards?
See: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/bin-attack-credit-card/

There are quite a few other reports of card issuers being hit across the US.

Once the criminals find a card that goes through, a small charge might be tried out, followed by large transaction.

These transactions do not go through your account at, for example, Amazon.

Nothing to be done other than contacting issuing bank and getting a new card.
by ikowik
Sun Aug 27, 2023 3:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Please help me understand- Four Pillars of Investing
Replies: 11
Views: 2429

Re: Please help me understand- Four Pillars of Investing

OK, thanks for the replies, but I remain puzzled. I understand and accept that what happens can, and often does, differ from what was expected. No arguments there. What I am asking about is the explanation given in the book. To quote again ""Why the 1.45% gap between the 5.9% expected real return calculated in 1926 and the 7.35% real return realized in the 96 years that followed? That’s because during those 96 years the dividend yield fell from 5.0% to 1.26%." ( I added the bolding). He does not say that the dividend yield stayed same, but price rose. He connects the sentences noting the difference in real return, and the fall in dividend yield, using the words "That's because...". Since the equation includes divide...
by ikowik
Sun Aug 27, 2023 2:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Please help me understand- Four Pillars of Investing
Replies: 11
Views: 2429

Please help me understand- Four Pillars of Investing

I am slowly going through Dr. Bernstein's book "The Four pillars of Investing", second edition. I find the following part (Pages 45 and 46) confusing. The author says that the expected real return on stocks, going forward, in 1926 was 6.6% (5% Dividend + 1.6% dividend growth/ year)- Gordon equation. However "In fact, between 1926 and year-end 2021, the S&P 500 returned 7.35% after inflation, 1.45% higher than predicted by the Gordon equation". OK. But here is where I get confused. "Why the 1.45% gap between the 5.9% expected real return calculated in 1926 and the 7.35% real return realized in the 96 years that followed? That’s because during those 96 years the dividend yield fell from 5.0% to 1.26%. In other wor...
by ikowik
Fri Aug 18, 2023 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Will my Social Security Benefit be taxed?
Replies: 12
Views: 2328

Re: Will my Social Security Benefit be taxed?

BH advice appreciated: I am fully retired at Age 65 (not working for income) and have decided to start my SS benefit before my FRA and would like to know how much Fed/State tax (if any) I will have to pay on it. I have not found a "Online Calculator" that is inclusive of all the Income data that might impact my Tax liability. I did visit the local SS office and confirmed what my Benefit and Wifes' Spousal Benefit would be if started on Nov 1... but that is all the information the Agent helping us could provide. My Annual Income Sources and $ Amounts: Me SS: $ 3240/mth = $38,880 yr Wife Spousal SS: 1620 = $ 19,440 Me Pension: 3000 = $ 36,000 Inv Dividends and Int $ 11,000 TOTAL ANN. INCOME $ 105,240 Question: Will I be paying Fed/...
by ikowik
Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: cell phone fraudantly ported - twice
Replies: 37
Views: 4675

Re: cell phone fraudantly ported - twice

OP, can you clarify- did you have a passphrase/ PIN code on the account (NOT on the SIM) to prevent changes in the account without verification of this extra code?
If you did, and the carrier allowed the number to be transferred- twice!!- that is really disturbing. "Social engineering" a vacuous customer rep once is understandable, though it should not happen. But once you have gone to the carrier, explained, and they changed the number back to you, and then this to happen again defies belief. Something rotten here.
by ikowik
Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Barcelona, Spain this September 9-22
Replies: 19
Views: 2063

Re: Barcelona, Spain this September 9-22

Crmck26 wrote: Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:26 pm Dear All,

Taking a honeymoon to Barcelona and have not been. Any recommendations for people that have been? Neighborhoods or hotels, must go to sites or restaurants, unique travel issues, etc? Also doing a few nights in Tarragona and going off to see a football (soccer) match for the opening of the champions league.

Thanks!
We were in Barcelona earlier this year. My recommendation is to get a copy of Rick Steve's book on Spain. A used copy from Amazon cost
me $3.50. Amazingly detailed, but easy to follow, especially the guided walks.
by ikowik
Wed Aug 09, 2023 4:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safe deposit box-have one? What's in there?
Replies: 115
Views: 10521

Re: Safe deposit box-have one? What's in there?

I have a decades old Bank of America account I formerly used for bill pay but now that I've switched to Fidelity, I no longer use it. However, this account is tied to Treasury Direct and still does Medallion guarantees so I will leave this open. Two questions--should I close my Wells Fargo bank account and the safe deposit box? Do you have a safe deposit box and if so what do you keep in it and why? Just today I added a second checking account to my TD account and flagged it as primary. No paperwork necessary if you only do this and not edit your existing linked checking account. I haven't tried deleting the old linked checking account yet. I did see that option on the website yesterday but I decided to wait until I was 100% calm before at...
by ikowik
Sun Aug 06, 2023 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: IRS forcing new Login
Replies: 74
Views: 14604

Re: IRS forcing new Login

I haven't seen this mentioned, but on the IRS website there is an "Alternatives to the online tool" section. You can get an IRS IP Pin # by filing an application (form 15227), and if you meet the AGI limits from the last tax return). Has anyone tried this method? I already have an IP Pin #, but DW needs one. I would like to avoid ID.me. I have considered this, but did not proceed. This method is to get IP PIN via US mail. Once enrolled, I cannot opt out, and must wait to receive a new PIN each year via mail (or do paper filing without PIN, I think). I do not trust ID.me for privacy and security reasons, I do not trust USPS either to deliver this important mail reliably each year. Waiting to see if Login.gov will happen before end...
by ikowik
Sat Aug 05, 2023 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIPS on Fidelity: Where to find Yield till Maturity?
Replies: 13
Views: 1653

Re: TIPS on Fidelity: Where to find Yield till Maturity?

FWIW, I can find the original YTM of bonds I bought on ETrade by looking at the executed Orders . The trade confirmations don't have the YTM. Maybe Fidelity's order documents show it too? Every one of the Transaction Confirmations I receive from Fidelity for TIPS lists Yield to Maturity, right below the coupon rate and Maturity date. OP, I am not sure where you want to see YTM. If it is after you buy, the Transaction Confirmation (usually available the next day) has it. But before that, when you are looking to buy, the quote page lists the YTM. I think it might be called Yield to Worst on the Ask side. That yield does vary a little depending on the lot size- the number of bonds you buy, with bigger numbers having better YTM. The final YTM ...
by ikowik
Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Multiple Email Breach Attempts
Replies: 19
Views: 2253

Re: Multiple Email Breach Attempts

Call_Me_Op wrote: Thu Aug 03, 2023 9:22 am I added 2FA today to my personal email account, which I have used for many years. i decided to (for the first time) check a security feature, which lists past login attempts. It indicated multiple login attempts, an average of several each week, all unsuccessful password entries - from all over the country (California, Nevada, NY) and the world - including a couple from the UK and one from Bangladesh. Does anyone know whether this is typical?

I believe that this account had been breached a few months ago, after which i quickly changed to a stronger password. And as I said, i just added very strong 2FA.
OP, how did you check this? And was it with Google mail?
by ikowik
Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Password managers [LastPass alternatives]
Replies: 180
Views: 17944

Re: Password managers [LastPass alternatives]

Interesting, I've never had that issue with my banks, but I've long since stopped being surprised by the misguided hoops they add in the name of security. :oops: Glad you got it resolved. I got locked out again at Chase today even after manually entering the info. When I called I was told because I have 3 CCs in my online profile and one of them hasn't been used more than 6 months, they locked me out for "security reasons." Sigh. Interestingly enough they didn't tell me that the last couple times I was locked out. I promised to use the offending card. After reading this post, I logged in to Chase accounts for me and wife, separately. We use 1Password, with 2FA. No problems at all, with 1Password recognizing the website, and promp...
by ikowik
Fri Jul 28, 2023 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Signature strip on credit card
Replies: 105
Views: 9487

Re: Signature strip on credit card

I agree with the general tone of posts here. No one checks my signature on the digital pads in the few places that require it. In a pathetic attempt at thrills, I have signed as Ronald Regan, Mickey Mouse, Einstein etc;. No one has contacted me...yet
by ikowik
Fri Jul 28, 2023 7:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?
Replies: 42
Views: 4668

Re: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?

Bogleheads: I might add that the ashes of our first son and the ashes of my wife of 62 years have both been scattered in Biscayne Bay in sight of my balcony. I expect to join them within a few years (I'm 99). Since their demise (and before), The Bogleheads Forum has been a primary endeavor for me. I am very grateful to each of you. Best wishes. Taylor Jack Bogle's Words of Wisdom: "Presumably you are accumulating money now and putting money away for the future. Do not, under any circumstances, stop doing that. That is the first rule. Don't stop investing. The second rule is, particularly for the younger people in the world: a good solid market decline is a blessing. You'll be buying - if you invest each month - stocks at lower and low...
by ikowik
Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?
Replies: 42
Views: 4668

Re: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?

Thank you all. It is great to hear from Mr. Larimore.
I am also considering donation of body to a University for whatever they choose to do. What did give me pause, as cubs1999 posted above, was an incident I came to know about. Someone had arranged donation of body, all signed and in place. When family contacted the University, they were told there was no room to hold the body there.
Yes, I think a backup plan, arranged or discussed with family, would be good if donating body.
by ikowik
Thu Jul 27, 2023 8:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need help on Last Pass
Replies: 11
Views: 1555

Re: Need help on Last Pass

^^
I was going to say the same. OP, do you trust LastPass?
by ikowik
Thu Jul 27, 2023 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yubikey
Replies: 71
Views: 5732

Re: Yubikey

I agree many investment sites and banks do not use Yubikey. Some of them do not use any form of 2FA...pathetic.

A great use for Yubikey is to secure your email accounts, since that is the gateway for password reset attacks.
With Google mail, register Yubikey (ideally at least two) as the 2 FA method, disable SMS 2-FA, and remove phone number as a method for account recovery (use another Yubikey protected email account for password recovery). Always wise to have an extra 2-FA method such as Google Authenticator/ Authy as backup methods.
by ikowik
Thu Jul 27, 2023 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Password Manager Safety [vs. manual entry]
Replies: 34
Views: 2749

Re: Password Manager Safety

oceanBlue1490 wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 9:35 am The pros of using a password manager has been explained in response to your post.

However, password managers can also be hacked -such as Last Pass and Norton -
this means that the hackers can get your 'main' password into the vault of your personal passwords....
That should not really happen with "zero knowledge" password managers. I have not used Last Pass, happy about it. But with 1Password and Bitwarden, the programs have clear warnings that if the user forgets the main password to open the vault, they cannot help with recovery, as they have no knowledge of the main password.
Of course, if you do not believe what they say....
by ikowik
Thu Jul 27, 2023 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRMAA SSA-44 More Than Once?
Replies: 6
Views: 920

Re: IRMAA SSA-44 More Than Once?

We had to file SSA-44 two years in a row when both of us retired at the same time.
As pointed out by OP, the look back on income is two years in past.
If retirement is in 2023, they look at income in 2021...file SSA-44, Medicare IRMAA rescinded.
Come 2024, they look at income from 2022...need same process, in the application one would say that income for the current year (2024) is lower than IRMAA cut off due to retirement in 2022.
by ikowik
Thu Jul 27, 2023 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Password Manager Safety [vs. manual entry]
Replies: 34
Views: 2749

Re: Password Manager Safety

Call_Me_Op wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 7:48 am Is it indisputable that use of a good password manager is safer than recording (unique and strong) passwords on a piece of paper and entering the password manually each time one wishes to access a financial website? Seems that both approaches have some risks, and it is not obvious to me which is better. Thoughts?
There are quite a few threads on this forum that discuss password managers, which provide information relevant to your question, can be searched for.

In short, you will be tempted to keep your passwords simple if you have to enter them manually each time. Password managers entering the password allows use of complex, long passwords.
Moreover, properly used, a password manager protects against website spoofing
by ikowik
Thu Jul 27, 2023 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?
Replies: 42
Views: 4668

Re: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?

I attended another seminar with a different Funeral Home, on cremation services. This one was better, much more transparent.
A direct cremation (called simple cremation here) costs $1,100 + $200 "administrative fees". The $1,100 is deposited in a state-controlled trust (I am in Florida), but the administrative fee is not. Any travel protection, for cremation outside a 75 mile radius, is also extra and not deposited in the trust funds.
Altogether, the cost is not a concern. But, as some posters above have mentioned, having a clear plan laid out, paid for, makes it easier for wife and children to make a quick decision at a difficult time, and resist up-sells. I have no wish to drag them through a prolonged "ceremony".
by ikowik
Thu Jul 27, 2023 7:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is YubiKey Useful with Vanguard?
Replies: 9
Views: 1493

Re: Is YubiKey Useful with Vanguard?

Unless I’m not up to date on Vanguard’s security, the phone app requires SMS be activated to set up access for the app, and that’s the problem. Agreed, and more worrying (I think there is another thread on this forum which goes into details), the phone app allows re-activation of SMS 2FA even if it has been disabled after setting up a Yubikey. Worse, the app prompts for re-activation and allows entering of any new phone number!! Of course all this assumes quite a bit of security lapse has already occurred, such as breach of user name and password. One solution suggested was to keep the SMS 2FA on even after setting up a Yubikey, but use a Google Voice number for the SMS. Google Voice numbers are not vulnerable to SIM swap attacks. This wil...
by ikowik
Tue Jul 25, 2023 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?
Replies: 42
Views: 4668

Re: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?

My thanks to all who replied. Much useful information here. I did not know about the involvement of insurance companies or trusts to hold funds. Yet this is a great safety mechanism to prevent misappropriation (or loss with bankruptcy). The state I live in appears to require that only 70% of the funds have to be placed in trust/escrow, not good. Already have clearly written instructions (and communications on where to find them) on my funeral. The expense is not to be ignored certainly, but is not the main reason for exploring this. The main intent is to spare at least some of the decisions wife and children will face, and allow them to contact the Funeral Home, and ask them to do what had been paid for and nothing more. Maybe naive thinkin...
by ikowik
Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?
Replies: 42
Views: 4668

Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?

I have been thinking of buying a prepaid funeral (Cremation). I have looked over a couple of brochures and attended one group meeting hosted by a Funeral home.
Both Funeral Homes offer one payment now, and nothing afterward for the type of funeral I want. They also include a sort of "trip insurance", where if I die somewhere else within the US, they will arrange the funeral with a local firm there with no additional costs. But they leave themselves a little wiggle room on the last part- "We will try our very best to arrange wherever you are, and almost always they honor our contract".

Wife gets freaked out, she is not of much help in making a decision. Any thoughts or experiences with family/ friends?