This blog post was written by Dave Madan, Senior Manager, Scotiatrust

Amazon Prime Day is here—and it’s a siren song of “unmissable deals” on everything from smartphones and tablets to noise‑cancelling headphones and smart doorbells. But as professionals know, a shiny new gadget can bring hidden headaches: data breaches, estate‑planning gaps, and tangled family dynamics. Here’s how to help clients surf the Prime Day wave—without wiping out later.

Turn “Ooh, Shiny!” into “Hmm, Strategic”

Picture this: your client spots a laptop at a steep discount and hits “Buy Now,” dreaming of extra productivity—until that device becomes a vault for bank apps, cloud backups, even their legal documents. A simple, friendly nudge— “Before you set it up, let’s talk about security and access”—can save headaches down the road and reinforce your role as a trusted guide.

Security Isn’t Sexy—But It Should Be

Tech specs sell; security stalls. Remind clients that:

• Multi‑factor authentication (MFA): Essential for any account—email, cloud storage, and payment services.
• Password managers: Encourage use of tools like Bitwarden or alternatives over easy-to-guess passwords.
• Privacy settings: On smart speakers and cameras, disable or limit features (like voice history) before linking to personal accounts.
• VPN protection: Recommend a reliable VPN when connecting new devices to public Wi‑Fi.

A concise “Prime Day Security Checklist” is a practical handout that shows you’ve got their back.

Digital Estate Planning: The New Frontier

Every new device is another gateway to data—photos, emails, documents, even home‑security feeds. Advise clients to:

1. Update their digital asset inventory: Note new devices, apps, and subscriptions.
2. Securely store credentials: Keep usernames and passwords in a secure, digital vault.
3. Review (digital) powers of attorney: Make sure trusted individuals can access your digital accounts if needed.
4. Add login instructions (not passwords) to estate plans: A short how‑to guide along with your digital inventory can save executors days of frustration.

Business Gadgets vs. Personal Toys

When executives buy devices—laptops, tablets, or projectors—for work use, questions of ownership and liability pop up:

• Entity ownership: Should the device be on the company’s books or the individual’s expense account?
• Data separation: Ensure business documents and personal apps don’t share the same profiles.
• Succession planning: Define who takes over device access if a key person departs or passes away.

A discounted tablet can control millions in corporate data—treat it accordingly.

Family Tech: Kid Proofing and Parent Prepping

Prime Day often means new gadgets for grandchildren or an upgrade to a smart home hub for parents. That’s thoughtful—until junior bypasses game‑store limits or mom falls for a phishing email. Offer these tips:

• Kids’ devices: Preload parental controls and set screen‑time limits.
• Elders’ tech: Walk through setup of security software and scam alerts in person or via video call.
• Shared gadgets: Create separate user profiles for Netflix, gaming consoles, and smart TVs.

Everyone deserves a safe digital experience—especially those who didn’t grow up “in the cloud.”

Receipts, Warranties, and Paper Trails Matter

Digital receipts can disappear in spam folders. Encourage clients to:

• Save receipts: Export PDFs into a dedicated folder in their cloud storage.
• Record serial numbers and warranties: Keep a simple log—paper or digital.
• Tag business purchases: Clearly mark work‑related gear for tax or trust accounting.

A little paperwork now prevents a big scramble later.

Your Prime Day Playbook: Be Proactive

Instead of waiting for tech crises, use Prime Day as your outreach moment:

• Send a quick email: “Planning any Prime Day buys? Here’s our Tech‑Check checklist.”
• Host a mini webinar: “Prime Day Essentials: Security and Digital‑Estate Tips.”
• Offer a post‑purchase audit: A brief call to ensure devices are locked down and properly integrated into estate plans.

Clients will remember the extra mile you took—long after the deals disappear.

Prime Day deals flash by, but the risks of unsecured devices and unplanned digital assets linger for years. By weaving tech advice—on everything from password managers and MFA to digital estate planning—into your estate planning services, you turn a shopping frenzy into a fresh opportunity. Show clients you’re tuned in to their entire lives, one smart purchase at a time—and that’s a deal they’ll never forget.