Legal News Issue 11 Volume 2 September 2013 Contact Us: 1-800-654-7757 (US) or 1-800-440-8857 (Canada) memberservices@legalshield View Print Version 6 Ways to Protect Your Mobile Device from Theft In the United States and Canada more than 100 cell phones are stolen every minute. The rate of tablet and laptop theft is also growing rapidly. It isn’t just your hardware that is valuable to thieves. Your personal data may be used for identity theft. There are ways that you can protect your mobile devices and your personal data. 1.Minimize Risk. If you leave your phone, tablet or laptop in your car, make sure your car is locked and your cell phone is out of sight. If using your device in a public place like a library or café, be aware of your surroundings and put it away when not in use. 2.Always lock and password-protect your device. Even if your phone or other device is stolen, keeping it locked will help protect your data. Some phones and devices can be set to delete all stored data when an incorrect password is entered a certain number of times. 3.Use location and anti-theft applications to help find your device. There are a wide variety of apps that help users locate a lost or stolen phone. Some apps even offer you the ability to delete data remotely or completely disable the device. Check reviews and specifications carefully and test the software before your phone is lost or stolen so you know how to use it when the time comes. 4.Update all of your account passwords. If your device is stolen thieves may be able to access a wide variety of accounts such as email, social networking, banking and shopping. Some sites offer one-click purchasing, which could leave you vulnerable to fraudulent purchases. If your device is stolen change all of your passwords as soon as possible. 5.Purchase insurance. New smart phones can cost hundreds of dollars at retail. Many individuals receive a discount when signing up with a phone company, but discounts may not be available before the plan comes up for renewal. Insurance may cover the replacement of a lost or stolen mobile device. If you need assistance dealing with a claim or understanding the terms of a policy, contact your LegalShield provider law firm. 6.Report your device as stolen. In an effort to curb the rising rate of cell phone theft, some mobile carriers now track stolen phones and tablets. These systems only work if thefts are reported. While you might not get your phone or tablet back, these systems can help disable the growing black market for stolen devices. You should also report any theft to your local police department. divider 9 Legal Tips for Dealing with a Mechanic Taking your vehicle to a mechanic can be stressful and expensive. These tips are designed to help you avoid complicated legal matters involving vehicle repair. If you are involved in a dispute with a mechanic or have questions about a vehicle warranty call your LegalShield provider law firm today. 1.Find the Right Mechanic – Lawsuits between a customer and mechanic are time consuming and expensive. A trustworthy mechanic, who is familiar with your type of vehicle, is as good as gold. Talk to friends, family and coworkers about where they take their vehicles. You should also check the Better Business Bureau or online reviews. 2.Get a Written Estimate – The estimate should show separate costs for parts and labor. Make sure the shop understands they may not begin work without your approval. 3.Compare Prices – Pricing for most auto parts can be found online. For particularly expensive repairs get a second opinion from another shop. While cheaper isn’t always better, vastly different estimates may be a warning sign. 4.Other Warning Signs – Some shops use threats to convince customers to purchase additional services they don’t need. Beware of ominous threats in connection with a long list of needed repairs. Also, watch out for trial-and-error repairs. If a mechanic needs to try several things to fix an issue it is possible they do not understand the problem. These are instances when you should seek a second opinion. 5.Ask Questions and Do Your Homework – If you do not understand what is wrong with your vehicle and the mechanic can’t explain the problem to you in a way that makes sense, find another mechanic. 6.Test Drive – For particularly expensive or complicated repairs, you may consider asking to test drive the vehicle with a mechanic. This will help ensure the problem is fixed before you pay and drive home. 7.Inspections – State inspection laws vary, but a shop cannot hold your vehicle hostage for inspection related repairs. In most instances you are allowed time to repair a failed vehicle yourself or take it to another shop. If you need help understanding the laws where you live, contact your LegalShield provider law firm. 8.Vehicle Warranty – An auto warranty is only as good as its terms. Understand what the warranty covers and does not cover and what regular service you are responsible for covering. If you violate even a small provision of your obligations under the warranty, you may inadvertently void the warranty. 9.Mechanic’s Lien – In many instances a mechanic can legally hold your vehicle if you are unable to pay for completed repairs. These laws do vary in different states and provinces. If you have a dispute with a mechanic over charges, contact your LegalShield provider law firm for details on the laws where you live. divider Alert: Predators Using Online Photos to Target Children Uploading pictures of your children playing at the park or in your backyard to social media or photo sharing websites could put them at risk. Most smart phones and many newer digital cameras use GPS to tag your pictures with the exact location where they were taken. When shared publicly, this information can be used by predators to locate your child within a few feet. An album full of tagged pictures can provide a map of locations where your child might be vulnerable. The best way to avoid this danger is to disable GPS tagging on your smart phone or camera. Check your settings or contact your cell phone provider for assistance if you are unsure how to do so. divider The content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. Readers should be aware that while certain principles outlined on this site may be similar to principles followed in their own state or province, laws can vary considerably. © Copyright 2012 Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. d/b/a LegalShield℠ One Pre-Paid Way, Ada, Oklahoma 74820 mylegalshield
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 20:28:48 +0000
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