Secure Info

[Russethouse]

 Just after Christmas a friend of longstanding died very suddenly, of course everyone was shocked and upset but the whole thing was made worse because it was so difficult to access information, log into accounts, find insurance references etc.

After this we decided to be prepared and I am collating a file of all the info we can think of - the problem is, where should we keep it ?

At present its in an encrypted file in an 'online' facility but my OH thinks this is too risky and would like it printed out in his office which is  in a pretty secure building.

What do you all do ? Any thoughts ?

BTW I remember someone once said his info was on a data stick that he wore at all times, thats not an option for us.....

[cooperlola]

Could you lodge the data stick with the solicitor who has your wills?  Or a notaire here?  Don't know if it's an option but might be worth asking?

[Gardengirl]

This is something which concerns me, as my OH does all sorts of stuff which I can't access, as I can't remember all the passwords, whereas he can remember passwords for all the things I sort out. I'm sure it's going to become a bigger problem with advancing age, and not just for us. I'd very much welcome suggestions for keeping this info together securely.

One problem is that it changes regularly, so a fixed place to leave it, such as at a notaire, wouldn't work for me. I need regular access for updates.

Edit: I wish I could remember that only the bottom post button works!!

[pachapapa]

A recent judgment by the Cour de Cassation was very strict on the veracity of evidence and the possibility of virtual files being corrupted. The case related to a Constat by a Huissier with the evidence being queried by the opposing party. In essence the material must be held on an incorruptible medium, read CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, etc; once burnt then it cannot be changed. There are Huissiers that provide this specialiseed service at around € 200 per shot. Notaires are also obviously concerned with the Cassation Judgment.

[Russethouse]

Pachapapa : I think we are at a variance.

All I'm looking for is a safe medium to keep essential info, passwords, account numbers etc so that someone left to cope in an unenviable situation will not be further stressed by not being able to access info, and to know when varying payments are made, SO's etc.

Like GG it needs to be accessible

[Pommier]

Would you need your husband's passwords though? So long as you've got details of all the accounts, including account numbers, you'd be able to claim any money if he were to die (and I'd give your children or other heirs the information too)

I just thought, reading this again, are you concerned about him simply forgetting passwords? The only solution as far as I can see, would be to ask a trusted person to keep a note of them (without necessarily telling them any more such as what the passwords relate too)

[britgirl]

Unfortuantly I found myself in this position nearly 5 years ago when I had to deal with my late husbands accounts etc.

Luckily he had printed off details of all the various accounts (both financial and personal), he used, and beside each one was the first and last digits of the passwords needed. As he only used 4 or 5 passwords (which I knew) it was relatively easy to access the account.

One idea would be to have these with the will.

 

 

 

 

[NormanH]

As far as passwords go I use a system with my son by which the numbers are replaced by letters in the name of a particular relative, so

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

EDWARD  J O N E S

so the famous password 1234 would be EDWA.

This means that I can leave them either written down or in an unprotected file on the computer (password protected but he knows that password) , since the name of the person concerned is know only to him and me, and would be hard for anyone in France at least to find out.

In the case of a more complex password using numbers, mixed with capital and lower case letters it is possible either to leave the letters if capital  or replace them in the inverse sense if lower case.

It is fiddly, and not VERY secure, but as they only appear in a folder which is kept in a place only he and I know it is a reasonable compromise.

[nectarine]

well I have everything written down in a book, account numbers, passwords, insurance policies, etc. and it is in our safe. The location of the key is known to Mr. Nectarine and myself, and also our two closest friends whom we trust, and who also know where to find our front door key.

I can understand the need to store the data, but in 'virtual' safes I think you are relying on someone being able to access it. After all, they would need a password to access the file wouldn't they.

So I'm sticking with a book. Old fashioned but in the case of an emergency I think most people would be able to understand and deal with it better.

[Russethouse]

Both our children are pretty computer/internet savy, but what I want to do is avoid the info being hacked into, we no longer have a safe and although the filing cabinet locks, I reckon a thief would just think this was something worth stealing in there and make every effort to open it.

I've been told Excel encryption is very secure, I just wondered if anyone had any comments on that aspect?