Navigating Security Concerns: Traveling Tips for High Net Worth Individuals and Families

As warmer months quickly approach, high net worth individuals (HNWIs) and their families are gearing up for vacations and travel adventures around the world. However, amidst the excitement of planning luxurious getaways, it’s crucial not to overlook the paramount importance of security. Whether for business or leisure, jet-setting across the globe comes with its own set of unique challenges, particularly concerning security. From cyber threats to physical safety risks, navigating these concerns requires careful planning and strategic measures. Let’s delve into some essential tips and security considerations to ensure safe and enjoyable getaways.

Cybersecurity Vigilance

In an age dominated by digital technology, cyber threats pose a significant risk, especially for individuals with substantial assets and sensitive information. Summer traveling exacerbates these risks, as individuals often rely heavily on digital devices for communication, navigation, and entertainment while on the move. To mitigate cybersecurity risks:

  1. Secure Devices: Ensuring all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, are equipped with updated antivirus software and security patches to fend off potential cyber attacks.
  2. Use Secure Networks: Avoiding connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, as they are prime targets for hackers. Instead, opting for trusted networks, virtual private networks (VPNs), or utilizing a personal hotspot with robust encryption.
  3. Beware of Phishing Scams: Exercising caution when accessing emails or messages, particularly those containing suspicious links or attachments. Phishing scams often escalate during peak travel seasons, aiming to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
  4. Secure Credentials: Use an online password storage system, like Keeper Security, Lastpass, etc., to store usernames, passwords, and other sensitive information to keep it safe from cybercriminals.

Physical Security Precautions

Beyond the digital realm, physical safety remains a paramount concern for HNWIs and their families. Whether exploring exotic destinations or relaxing at lavish resorts, adopting the following precautions can enhance security:

  1. Personalized Security Detail: Depending on the level of perceived risk, engaging the services of professional security personnel can provide an added layer of protection, especially in high-risk regions or during high-profile events.
  2. Secure Accommodations: Opting for reputable hotels and resorts with robust security measures in place, such as controlled access, surveillance cameras, and 24/7 security personnel. Prioritize accommodations that offer privacy and seclusion without compromising on safety.
  3. Traveling Light and Keeping Low-Profile Travel: Minimizing conspicuous displays of wealth, such as expensive jewelry or designer attire, can help avoid attracting unwanted attention from potential threats. Pack light and only carry essential items to reduce the risk of theft or loss.

Emergency Preparedness

Despite best-laid plans, unforeseen circumstances can arise, requiring swift and decisive action. HNWIs and their families can prioritize emergency preparedness by:

  1. Maintaining Emergency Contacts: Keeping a list of essential contacts, including local authorities, embassy or consulate information, and trusted security personnel, readily accessible can facilitate prompt assistance in the event of an emergency.
  2. Travel Insurance Coverage: Investing in comprehensive travel insurance that extends coverage to medical emergencies, evacuation services, and trip cancellations due to unforeseen events can provide peace of mind and financial protection against potential losses.
  3. Risk Assessment and Contingency Planning: Conducting thorough risk assessments prior to travel, identifying potential threats, and developing contingency plans can enable swift and effective responses to adverse situations, minimizing the impact on personal safety and well-being.

Conclusion

Traveling offers endless opportunities for relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration for HNWIs and their families. However, prioritizing security is paramount to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. By remaining vigilant against cyber threats, implementing physical security precautions, and prioritizing emergency preparedness, HNWIs can navigate the complexities of travel with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, proactive measures and careful planning are the keys to a secure and memorable vacations.

Plumb Bill Pay + Sage Intacct Use Cases for Multiple Real Estate Holdings

Many of Plumb’s high-net-worth clients manage diverse portfolios with multiple real estate investments, and we are experts at assisting them with their bill pay and accounting needs. Our team ensures accurate, timely financial management and reporting, allowing clients to focus on growing their investments with confidence.

How do we do this?

  • Property Management:  We understand how pivotal it is to record and track complex financial transactions related to property management.
  • Financial Consolidation and Reporting: We provide crucial consolidated, accurate, and timely reporting needed for clear visibility into each property and overall portfolio.
  • Budgeting and Forecasting: We create budgets and forecasts that allow our clients to make more strategic decisions.

Plumb works with HNWI clients with multiple real estate holdings.

We have decades of experience helping high-net-worth-individuals manage the accounting of their real estate holdings. We’d love to help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule time to speak with Anneke Stender, our EVP, at your convenience.

Advanced Threat Detection for High-Net-Worth Clients: A Proactive Approach

High-net-worth (HNW) clients possess highly sensitive financial information and assets, making them attractive and common targets for cyberattacks – and these attacks are only becoming more advanced and sophisticated. Advanced threat detection is crucial to protect their data and privacy.

With decades of experience safeguarding the security and privacy of HNW clients, Plumb has developed robust methods and processes to mitigate risk and ensure data protection in an era of ever-evolving cyber threats. In this article, we outline Plumb’s approach to risk reduction and data security and share key recommendations and best practices to help protect HNW clients.

Rising Sophistication of Threats

Implementing basic security practices is effective in reducing risk and securing data; however, due to ever evolving cyber threats and the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI), it is critical to use advanced tools and methods to provide additional protection. Early phishing attacks were relatively easy to identify:

  • Obvious subject lines like, “You’ve won a prize” or “update your password” were common.
  • Poor grammar and misspelled words.
  • Generic salutation/introduction.
  • Request for immediate or urgent response.

However, the sophistication of phishing email attacks and campaigns have greatly increased with new technologies and AI. Today, most people can be easily tricked into opening and acting upon phishing emails because the messages appear to be authentic and legitimate. Due to the increased sophistication, it is important to always abide by the following guidelines when opening/processing e-mail:

  • Always be alert when reviewing e-mail.
  • Verify the sender’s e-mail address.
  • Be suspicious of messages that are demanding an urgent response.
  • Never click on embedded links.

Forward suspicious messages (as an attachment) to your IT team for analysis. New attacks exploit vulnerabilities in outdated technologies and procedures, which is why it’s more important than ever to update security platforms and protocols – and to stay vigilant.

Practical Security Measures

Training Staff

Providing staff with regularly scheduled Information Security (IS) training is crucial in the protection against cyber threats and data compromises. These training sessions need to be current, providing members with information on the latest threats and security techniques and methods to avoid attacks. The training enhances awareness, promotes safe and secure behaviors, and equips members with the knowledge to both identify and mitigate security risks.  Frontline staff and their IT team must work closely together to minimize risk and maximize data protection.

Secure Password Management

Utilizing online password storage platforms like Keeper, which employ zero-knowledge encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA), protects login credentials and other sensitive information. These secure online tools allow users to use unique, highly complex passwords which cannot be easily memorized. Zero-knowledge encryption protects data with a master password which is known and maintained by the end-user alone. Neither the admin nor the platform developer has access to the user’s password or data. This type of encryption provides numerous benefits: reduces risks from data breaches, insider threats, or unethical practices; even if a service is hacked, your encrypted data remains secure, and it helps meet industry standards related to strict data privacy regulations.

Advanced Threat Detection

Advanced threat detection goes beyond basic antivirus software by using smarter tools and techniques to identify and stop sophisticated cyberattacks before they cause harm. Utilizing cloud-based firewalls with intrusion detection systems allows early identification of unauthorized access attempts, password guessing, and port scans.

Secure Cloud Migration

Shifting from a private cloud to a well-established platform like SharePoint OneDrive simplifies access while offering robust security features and data collaboration options.

Layered Security Solutions

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Mandatory MFA adds an extra layer of protection beyond basic user credentials like usernames and passwords. A properly configured MFA reduces fraudulent sign-ins, system compromises, and account takeovers by 99%. MFA is a powerful tool that strengthens security and fosters trust in the digital world. It is a simple but effective way to significantly enhance online security and protect valuable information.

Microsoft Security Suite

Leveraging Microsoft Defender for endpoint and server protection, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for sensitive information detection, and email encryption ensures comprehensive security of emails and data. Microsoft Defender scans all incoming messages and quarantines threats before they reach the user’s computer. The individual computers include their own anti-malware scanners for additional protection.

Plumb utilizes Data Loss Prevention to scan outgoing emails for sensitive information like social security numbers or wire transfer instruction. Messages which contain sensitive information are returned to the sender with instructions on how to enforce message encryption.

Least Privilege Access Control

Granting access to systems and data on a “need-to-know” basis minimizes potential exposure and strengthens overall security posture. At Plumb we have implemented processes with clearly defined separation of duties in the requesting, configuration, and verification of permissions.  This process includes a verification step where permissions are audited and verified on a periodic basis, ensuring that user’s access is restricted to a “need-to-know” basis.

By implementing both practical and layered security measures, by staying on the cutting-edge of cybersecurity, and through consistent updating and auditing of the systems and procedures in place, team members working with HNWI clients are reducing the risk of cyberattacks and safeguarding our clients’ valuable information in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Discover the Plumb Advantage: Contact us at sales@thinkplumb.com to explore how Plumb’s expertise and state-of-the-art security and privacy protocols can deliver peace of mind. Let us tailor solutions to meet your unique financial goals, providing the specialized attention your wealth deserves.

Plumb Bill Pay + Sage Intacct Use Cases for Family Offices

Plumb provides financial clarity and peace of mind to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and the family offices that manage their wealth.

We know the following is true:

  • Consolidated financial reporting is crucial for family offices managing the wealth of multiple family members or multiple generations of a family.
  • Automated accounting processes for those with complex financial transactions provides efficiency and transparency.
  • Compliance and audit support for family offices is critical.

Plumb helps Family Offices with accounting needs.

We have decades of experience helping family offices manage their accounting needs. We’d love to help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule time to speak with Anneke Stender, our EVP, at your convenience.

Family Office Services Outsourcing: The Ultimate Audit Checklist

Finding the right outsourced family office service provider can be challenging enough, but once that decision is made, how do you know if you’ve made the right choice? And what steps can you take to ensure that your needs and goals are being met?

At Plumb we pride ourselves on providing clarity in accounting and stewardship in service for our high-net-worth bill pay and accounting clients (and their trusted advisors). This guides everything we do – from our seamless client onboarding process to our ongoing check-ins and accurate, customized reporting.

Here we take you through our top 5 recommendations for monitoring the effectiveness of your outsourced family office bill pay and accounting provider. Use this simple checklist to ensure that you are getting the service you need from your outsourced firm.

  1. Clarity

Working with an outsourced service – regardless of what that service is – should provide you with clarity. When it comes to bill pay and accounting, clarity is paramount. But what do we mean by clarity? It’s not just about having organized spreadsheets and balanced books. It’s about seeing the story behind the numbers: understanding where your money comes from, where it goes, and why. This clarity will help pave the way for successful wealth management and maintenance.

  1. Communication

A key component to any solid and productive relationship is communication. This is no different when thinking about your relationship with your outsourced service providers. Do you feel like you are kept up to date on everything you need to know about? Are your emails and calls responded to with urgency? Does the team working with you understand your goals, your needs, and your expectations? Are the updates and reports they provide clear and well-explained? If you answer “no” to any of these questions, you should address this with your outsourced firm to see what can be adjusted.

  1. Access

How easy is it for you to get the data and information that you need? Does your outsourced service provider have an app (like the Plumb proprietary bill pay app) that you can access anytime, from anywhere? What about customer support access? How much access do you have to the team handling your account?

  1. Comprehension

Do you feel that you understand what this outsourced service provider is responsible for, as well as any data and information that they are sharing with you? Are they sending updated and timely reports? Better yet, do you have access to a digital dashboard where you can view the data you need, in the way you want to view it?

  1. Peace of Mind

At the end of the day, are you able to relax and rest easy knowing that your bill pay and accounting needs are being met? That you don’t have to worry about keeping track of due dates and cash flow because your outsourced team is on top of it? The ultimate goal for any outsourced service provider is to alleviate the daily stress and worry their clients face. At Plumb, we want our clients to focus on the things in life they enjoy and love – and to leave the bill pay and accounting details up to us. We’ve got it covered.

Contact us at sales@thinkplumb.com to explore how Plumb’s expertise can elevate your bill pay and accounting experience. Let us tailor solutions to meet your unique financial goals, providing the specialized attention your wealth deserves.

Illuminating the Accounting of Art, Collectibles, and Luxury Assets

There are people who invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds or real estate; and then there are people who invest in more unique assets. These assets can range from photographs and paintings to jewelry and classic cars. More often than not, this is born out of a true love for these items. That they may hold extraordinarily high values is just the cherry on top.

With Plumb’s decades of experience helping high-net-worth clients and their trusted advisors with their bill pay and accounting needs, we are very familiar with the best practices of the reporting and accounting requirements related to these special assets.

Here are some of the ways we work with clients and their luxury assets:

Art and Car Collections

  • It is recommended that clients that have art or classic car collections should itemize every piece or vehicle in the collection.
  • These items may also be held in separate entities – especially if clients do a lot of buying and selling. We may recommend the use of Sage Intacct to make use of their dimensions for ease of tracking. Otherwise, we can utilize subaccounts in QuickBooks.
  • If a client loans a piece or a collection to a museum, a loan agreement is needed, and we will help coordinate with the insurance company. The museum is responsible for the insurance of the piece(s) while it’s in their possession, and when returned, the insurance again needs to be updated.
  • If an appraisal is conducted, we will coordinate with the appraiser to receive the report on both the inventory and assigned values.

Jewelry

  • Jewelry is not always itemized since most clients have a rider on their home policy up to a certain amount that can cover this type of asset. However, we recommend itemizing if clients have more valuable jewels or watches.
  • As with art or car collections, if the client requests an appraisal, we’ll receive the report directly from the appraiser.

At the end of the day, our goal is to accurately itemize these unique, luxury assets for insurance purposes, and they are tracked separately for accounting reasons. And our clients usually just want to ensure that they – and their children and grandchildren – can enjoy these magnificent possessions for a long time to come.

Take the Next Step Towards Financial Ease and Clarity: Contact us at sales@thinkplumb.com to discuss how our outsourced bill payment and accounting services can help you accurately itemize and report on your luxury assets. Your peace of mind is our priority.

 

 

Unmasking Wire Fraud: Safeguarding High Net Worth Clients with Expert Vigilance

Wire fraud. We hear about it on the news and perhaps from friends or family members who have fallen victim to it, but what exactly is it? And why do high-net-worth individuals need to be especially concerned, and more importantly, how can they be protected?

What is Wire Fraud?

At its most basic level, wire fraud is a criminal offense that involves using some form of electronic communication – like phone calls, emails, or texts – to defraud someone. And it happens more often than you might think. According to the FBI, wire-transfer fraud causes approximately $2 billion in losses annually – and this has only been increasing in recent years.

Different Types of Wire Fraud

There are different types of wire fraud perpetrated by criminals. These include activities such as:

  • Phishing: Imposters send fake emails appearing to be from legitimate entities with the goal of capturing personal or financial information.
  • Identity theft: Criminals steal someone’s social security number or bank account information.
  • Investment scams: Offers of fraudulent investment opportunities are made via email or phone, often with a promise of high returns or guaranteed profits.
  • Business email compromise: Criminals gain access to an employee’s email account and use it to transfer sensitive information or funds to themselves.

Wire Fraud and High-Net-Worth Individuals

HNWI and UHWNI can be especially vulnerable to wire fraud for a few main reasons:

  • Their extreme wealth makes them a target for criminals.
  • The average age of a HNWI living in the United States is between 70 – 74, which is another group widely targeted by criminals.
  • Criminals assume that these people won’t notice or miss if/when funds go missing.

Because of these reasons, providing safe and secure financial services to high-net-worth clients is vitally important. Understanding the warning signs of a wire fraud attempt, and what to do to prevent them, is a key component to ensuring this protection.

{Read more about how we securely handle wire transfers, ACH, and check payments for our high-net-worth clients here.}

Wire Fraud Red Flags

The expert accountants and executives at Plumb are highly educated in how to spot wire fraud, and they undergo monthly training sessions to ensure that they are up to date on any recent wire fraud developments.

Here are some signs that might indicate a wire fraud attempt:

  • An urgent request for funds. This is especially concerning if it comes from a client who doesn’t typically place urgent requests – but any urgent request should be verified and vetted.
  • “No verbal approval required” messaging. This is a definite red flag, especially if the client usually requires verbal approval.
  • Small changes to a known email address. For example, perhaps there’s one letter missing in a name.
  • Request to send to a foreign entity if the client has only ever sent funds domestically.

Our team is trained to look out for patterns, and if a pattern is altered, they pick up the phone to confirm. They are also trained to follow the pre-set guidelines and process in place – regardless of whether the amount is $100 or $1,000,000.

Best Practices for Protecting High Net Worth Clients

Some essential measures Plumb has in place to protect HNWI clients from wire fraud include:

Robust cybersecurity measures

  • Implementing robust firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
  • Regularly updating and patching software and systems.
  • Conducting security audits and risk assessments.
  • Encrypted email and messaging platforms.
  • Multi-factor authentication for sensitive transactions.

Plumb’s strict firewall requires multi-factor authentication and encryption for all wire transfer instructions. Additionally, all new wire instructions must be verbally authenticated to ensure legitimacy.

Ongoing staff education

  • Employee training on identifying and preventing wire fraud.
  • Internal controls and checks/balances among team members.

At Plumb, the training starts from the moment a new junior team member begins their job, and it continues – consistently – from there. We also send members of our team for professional development specifically focused on cyber security and wire fraud so that they have certifications in Wire Transfers and Fraud.

The internal controls we have in place further help to protect our clients and their assets.

We take our role as stewards of our clients seriously, and we are proud of our impressive cybersecurity measures and education.

Take the Next Step Towards Safe and Secure Financial Services: Contact us at sales@thinkplumb.com to discuss how our outsourced bill payment services can enhance accuracy, save time, simplify record-keeping, reduce stress, and fortify the security of your financial transactions. Your peace of mind is our priority.

Plumb Bill Pay App Spotlight: QuickBooks Online Integration

Plumb’s proprietary bill pay app was designed specifically to address the needs of our high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients and their financial management teams.

{Watch this brief overview video to see our app in action.}

This proprietary app delivers an intuitive interface that offers anytime, anywhere access to bill pay and cash outflow statuses – and it’s fully integrated with QuickBooks Online.

How it works

  • We pull information needed to facilitate the entry of vendor invoices, such as vendors, chart of accounts, and payment data out of QuickBooks Online and into the Plumb bill pay app.
  • We push the updated bill data from the Plumb bill pay app into QBO.

Security measures in place

The transfer of data is protected via bank-level security and consistent audits to ensure financial privacy and security. In addition, we benefit from the rigid security practices of our industry-leading vendors, such as Apple, Google, and AWS. It is important to note that no bank account information is shared between the platforms.

Benefits

Thanks to the seamless integration with QBO, our clients and their trusted advisors benefit from:

  • Easy and customizable approval process by entity
  • Clear dashboard view of bills paid, bills pending approval, and total cash outflow.
  • Balance snapshot with alerts if funding is required.
  • 6-month projection of estimated cash flow based on commitments.
  • “Hot List” of most important bills to track.
  • Quick access to bill information, expense details, relevant attachments, and bill pay reports
  • Easy communication with the Plumb Team – from the app.

For a sneak-peak at some of the app features, please watch these brief videos:

We’d love to discuss how you can benefit from this app. Please reach out today for a consultation and a demo.

Plumb delivers financial peace of mind by assisting high-net-worth individuals and family offices know where their money is going, so their trusted advisors can effectively manage it. We work in partnership with their team — including wealth, CPA, and other advisors — to provide the highest quality of data and financial reporting to establish a holistic view of their assets and financial holdings. We’d love to help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule time to speak with Anneke Stender, our EVP, at your convenience.

Plumb Shortlisted for 2 Private Asset Management (PAM) Awards

Once again, Plumb is thrilled to have been shortlisted for two PAM (Private Asset Management) Awards:

  • Best General Ledger System
  • Best Partnership Accounting System

We congratulate our fellow nominees and thank the team at WithIntelligence and the PAM Awards for this honor.

 

PAM Awards Shortlist

Plumb delivers financial peace of mind by assisting high-net-worth individuals and family offices know where their money is going, so their trusted advisors can effectively manage it. We work in partnership with their team — including wealth, CPA, and other advisors — to provide the highest quality of data and financial reporting to establish a holistic view of their assets and financial holdings. We’d love to help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule time to speak with Anneke Stender, our EVP, at your convenience.

8 Tips for Navigating the Conversation: Outsourcing Bill Payment for HNW Parents

Our Top 8 Tips for How to Talk to Your Parents About Outsourcing Their Bill Payment

When it comes to discussing financial matters with high-net-worth parents, the conversation can be more complex than with the average household. High-net-worth individuals often have multiple investments, assets, and financial complexities that require careful management. If you’re considering broaching the topic of outsourcing bill payment for your high-net-worth parents, it’s crucial to approach the conversation with sensitivity, respect, and a focus on their financial well-being.

  1. Understand Their Financial Landscape

Before initiating the conversation, take the time to thoroughly understand your parents’ financial situation. This includes their assets, investments, income sources, liabilities, and financial goals. High-net-worth individuals typically have diverse financial holdings, and it’s essential to grasp the big picture.

  1. Emphasize the Benefits

Highlight the advantages of outsourcing bill payment with an experienced and hands-on team like Plumb. Mention how it can optimize their financial management by ensuring that no payments are missed, preventing late fees, and streamlining record-keeping. Emphasize that not only can this free up their time for more strategic financial planning and investment decisions, but it will give them more time to enjoy their lives and do what they love – whether traveling, spending time with friends and family, or just relaxing.

  1. Address Their Concerns

Acknowledge that your parents may have concerns about relinquishing control over their financial affairs. Listen actively to their worries and address them one by one. Discuss how they can maintain oversight and retain decision-making authority while delegating routine tasks. At Plumb, we understand these concerns and hear them from prospective clients almost daily. In fact, we created our proprietary Bill Pay App specifically for our clients. Our app provides bill pay transparency and insights that we know our clients want. Read more about our app here.

  1. Present Professional Options

Research and present professional options for outsourcing bill payment, like Plumb. We have a proven outsourced bill pay solution, including a proprietary bill pay app, with high-touch customer support, and expert bill pay accountants who ensure bills are paid accurately and on time.

  1. Discuss Privacy and Security

Assure your parents that their privacy and financial security are paramount. Choose a service provider like Plumb with bank-level security and a strong track record of safeguarding sensitive financial information. Explain the robust security measures in place to protect their data – you can learn more about Plumb’s focus on confidentiality and security here.

  1. Transparency in Costs

Be transparent about the costs associated with outsourcing bill payment services or hiring financial advisors. At Plumb, we are very upfront with our fees and take the time needed to walk our clients through exactly what they can expect in return.

  1. Ensure a Comprehensive Approach

When discussing outsourcing, stress the importance of a comprehensive approach to financial management. Explain that the chosen service provider will work in tandem with your parents’ existing financial team, including accountants, attorneys, and investment advisors – just as we do here at Plumb.

  1. Offer Ongoing Support

After the decision is made, offer ongoing support to ensure a smooth transition, but work with a bill pay service provider who will make this an easy and pain-free change. You’ll also want to find a firm like Plumb who offers high-touch, full-access client support.

Broaching the subject of outsourcing bill payment for high-net-worth parents is a delicate but necessary conversation that can enhance their financial well-being and peace of mind. By approaching this topic with empathy, knowledge, and a focus on their specific needs, you can help your parents make informed decisions that optimize their financial management while respecting their autonomy and preferences. Ultimately, this can contribute to their financial security and their overall happiness.

Plumb delivers financial peace of mind by assisting high-net-worth individuals and family offices know where their money is going, so their trusted advisors can effectively manage it. We work in partnership with their team — including wealth, CPA, and other advisors — to provide the highest quality of data and financial reporting to establish a holistic view of their assets and financial holdings. We’d love to help answer any questions you may have. Feel free to schedule time to speak with Anneke Stender, our EVP, at your convenience.