The call went like this, “Hi, this is the American Express Fraud Detection Unit, we’ve detected unusual activity on your card and want to verify if you’ve made these charges.” Apparently, my credit card was used to order two pizzas at almost the same time in different parts of the country, and in another part of the country someone treated themselves to a brand-new cell phone. Unless I’m the Flash, and very hungry, it appeared my card had been stolen.
Where it was stolen, how it was stolen, or who stole it remains a mystery, but Karma has a way of catching up with people who do those sorts of things. Anyway, the responsiveness of the Amex fraud unit was impressive to say the least. They minimized the total losses to just over two hundred dollars, assured me that I wasn’t liable for the fraudulent charges and sent a new card out immediately. It was comforting to know I had someone watching my back and helping me through a difficult situation.
Unexpected issues are a part of life, whether it’s something minor like a stolen credit card, or something major that totally changes your world. Having a team to help you get through those situations can be invaluable. Some people question whether they need the assistance of a financial advisor when it comes to investing, but they may be discounting all of the other benefits of the relationship. Like having a support system around them when unexpected issues arise. These things happen all the time and range from helping track down a forgotten account, to being there to support a spouse who may have to suddenly step into a new role of taking over the household finances.
The relationship we have with our clients is so much more comprehensive than one single aspect that it’s hard to define. Is it about investing? Yes. Is it about planning for retirement? Yes. Is it about planning for future health care? Yes. Is it about legacy planning? Yes. Is it about security? Yes. It’s all of those things and much more. It’s about being there when you have a question or concern, and most importantly, it’s about being there when life throws you a curve ball. It’s having faith in the relationship we’ve built over the years, and it’s feeling confident knowing that as fiduciaries, we are always obligated to act in your best interest. If you want to learn what a truly comprehensive relationship looks like beyond just the numbers, then click here to schedule your complimentary, no obligation financial review.
We may not be able to stop life’s unexpected issues from popping up, but we can be here to help you through them when they do.
