Surf The Net, Walk Dangerously
Don’t you know that while you’re surfing the Net, you’re like walking dangerously? Dangers abound — avoid these menaces by getting yourself familiar with them. Get yourself aware with these landmines that litter the internet.
Are you new on the internet? You will get invitations as fast as you can say yes. You’re surely come across pop-up advertisements or e-mail messages inviting you to join a program and you will receive rewards or will make you rich.
I believe that there is really this dark side of cyberspace. And the American watchdog, the Federal Trade Commission has warned and has listed these scams that are most likely to arrive in your e-mail inbox.
Here are some of them:
- Bulk E-Mails. This is considered spamming. Internet service providers prohibit their users to send bulk e-mails. This scam will send you e-mail offering from a list of e-mail addresses. This is by the millions, where you can send your own bulk solicitations. With the promise of scammers that this will make you rich. And they will offer you the service of sending bulk e-mail solicitations on your behalf. Or software will be offered to you that will automate the sending of e-mail to hundreds or even millions of recipients.
- Business Opportunities. This is an illegal pyramid scheme. Scammers will entice you to start a business without investing on it, without much work and promises lots of income. That you’ll receive cash without selling anything and someone will do it for you.
- Chain Letters. Don’t believe it. Chain letters are only chain letters, there are no valuable in them. You’ll be ask a small amount of money, let’s say $5, to each names on a list, replace one of the names on the list with your own. Then you will be instructed to send the revised e-mail via bulk.
- Work-At-Home Schemes. You’ll pay a small fee to get started. A promise of income while you stuff envelopes at home. But you will be offered to buy supplies or even equipment. Spammers promise to buy those later, but never will.
- Health And Diet Scams. These are pure gimmicks. Scammers will brag about their herbal formulas and pills. About cures for hair loss and impotence. Believe me, this will never ever work.
- Effortless Income. This is what they call, get-rich-quick schemes. This will give you promises of unlimited profits or income. Newsletters with a variety of easy-money opportunities, exchanging money on world markets. The perfect sales letter — the secret to making $4 million in one day! Hahaha.
- Free Goods. Another form of pyramid schemes. The scammers will get all the money — little or none at all goes to people who pay to participate. You’ll receive e-mail messages offering valuable goods, such as computers, phone cards or electronic items. You’ll be asked to pay a fee to join a club and you have to bring in a certain number of participants.
- Vacation Prize Promos. An electronic certificate will be received, congratulating you on winning a grand vacation for a very attractive price. Believe me, the cruise ship you will be book on may look like a tugboat. Huh!
Don’t allow yourself to be a victim of these landmines that litters the internet.
Crash Of The US Economy
Slowing US Economy
Companies will be forced into bankruptcy. And so their valuations and stock prices are falling down across the board. There will be belt tightening this coming year for workers and their dependents.
The heart of financial system of America will announce a painful write-off of loan accounts. Hedge funds will be closing its doors and equity funds will have a disappointing report on returns. Interest rates are set by people who run financial institutions — Central Bank.
Is the US economy aging? Slowing down? Is this the beginning of the crash of US economy? Are the US economic planners to blame? The one that benefited from this is the Bush Family, who is with an insider government connection — Carlyle Group.
The US economy, weighted down by the subprime credit crisis that started in the middle of the year. The global investment banks ended on losses, disastrous note, layoffs and marred by profit warnings. The signs are clear, indeed there is slowing and aging of US Economy.
There is a slowdown in the US economy and one of the reasons is the tight competition among exporters. There is an anemic performance of exports in the first 10 months, short of meeting the target. Government should protect our exporters.
There should be overhaul and reform to get back our economy on the right tract. The real cause of this crisis is monetary. Income assurance policy should be set-up for the benefit and welfare of every citizen of this country. Or should we say “In God We Trust”.
Happy New Year to All!
BIOMETRICS: Highest Security for your Business
Companies of today use the state-of-the-art technology or computer systems that identify and verify authorized personnel to access their facilities. This system is called biometrics.
Here at Meeks Management, Inc., we employ biometrics to give authorized personnel access to our facilities or data centers. Information are kept in confidential and in high-performance and high-speed computers.
This advancement in biometric technology that we use is the same as the ones used by banks to prevent unauthorized access to or fraudulent use of automated teller machines. It can be used during transactions conducted via Internet and telephone (e-banking and e-commerce). This is the same technology used in mobile phones, smart cards. We use biometrics on our desktop personal computers, workstations and computer networks.
There are various types of biometric techniques for real-time identification and verification that you can use. The most popular are the face recognition and fingerprint matching system. In addition, there are other systems that use retinal scan and iris, facial recognition, hand geometry and speech.
So, why not say goodbye to the primitive and the traditional methods of identification, the use of passwords and Personal Identification Number (PIN). Here are my reasons using biometrics system in our workplace:
- Point-of-verification. On our time-clock and work stations, the person authorized to access the facility is required to be physically present.
- Biometrics avoids the need to remember a password or carry a token. This token-based method of identification, such as driver’s licenses or passport may be forged, stolen or lost.
In this information age and increased use of computers, we need to restrict access to sensitive data, company secrets, financial information and other data confidential and important to our line of business. This biometric system is either a verification system or an identification system. I suggest that in designing the system, it is important to know where, when and how you will use this system that counts.
The road less traveled
I chose banking as my career. I rose from the ranks and have achieved senior position in a banking institution. Still, did I choose to stay long? What is the significance that I built my career around a theme that is fast disappearing today — bank.
Alfred Meeks, a professional, an achiever and a banker, and in his time — it was the road most traveled.
My father, my mentor, a traveler who passed a road only few others negotiated successfully. And stand after all that arduous struggle.
I progressed on the back of this fine man through my whole history of banking career. Proud in what he has accomplished and satisfied in what he has helped to build. The man who demonstrated hard work, excellence, a strong will to succeed and the stamina to see the whole thing through to take the road less traveled. It is because of him that I did not grow and prosper accidentally as a banker.
My career and my future achievements shall be measured against the high standard that my father has set as a banker. It reflects on the discipline and intelligence needed to perform well. Find within him the qualities and example as both inspiration and challenge.
With the values that enabled success that gets transmitted from one generation — my father, to the next — to me, through his achievement and journey. I am looking to life outside this journey. This is my choice, I am so sorry Dad… to follow your journey… the road less traveled.
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How to avoid Telemarketing Fraud
Are you a victim of crime of persuasions, schemes, scams and frauds — Telemarketing fraud?
What is Telemarketing Fraud? Telemarketing fraud is defined simply by the principle medium of contact used to perpetrate the fraud. Legitimate businesses use the same “tools” to sell their products, so consumers need to know the warning signs associated with telemarketing fraud. They should not be, but are often confused with legitimate telemarketing operations. At present, The Federal Trade Commission estimates that there are more than of 14,000 fraudulent telemarketing businesses operate in North America alone.
Operations may consist of a single individual in a makeshift and portable office facility set up with a bank of phones. There are two kinds of calls namely:
- Outbound calls. When calls have not been preceded with promotional materials but are made from lists of leads or at random.
- Inbound calls. If consumers are encouraged or induced to call a number on their own.
A number of these operations take extraordinary measures to increase the difficulty of successful investigation and prosecution. These measures include
- Using cell phones. It is sometimes in conjunction with prepaid “calling cards”, which can be discarded after several weeks of intensive use.
- Using stolen identity cards. These stolen cards are being used to open mail drops for receipt of payments that victims mail to them
- Using multiple mail drops. Shuttle victim-related mail through multiple destinations
- Impersonation of FBI and Customs agents or RCMP officers. To make victims believe that law enforcement is already aware of their losses
- Contracting with other telemarketing “boiler rooms”. Are small sales offices that can spring up and close down overnight. The only desk furniture is a telephone
- Laundering. Laundering of fraud proceeds through foreign bank accounts.
Targets tend to be poor, often elderly people and those with a lot of debt and little chance of obtaining credit. Their names may appear on “sucker” lists. These are people with bad credit and heavy debts — lured by the promise of a new card. Companies buy and sell these names.
Detailed below are how to avoid becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud:
- Ask for written information. Salespeople may not explain the complete details of the product and the cost. Legitimate companies will send you the details upfront and never insist that you act immediately.
- Don’t give your credit card or bank account information. There is no reason why the company would need that information for any other purpose.
- Watch out for imposters. Crooks may pretend to be calling on behalf of well-known company or government agency and request payment for product or services rendered, when they have absolutely no connection with them at all and will simply pocket your money.
- Add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry. This will reduce the chance that you will be contacted again as your name is sold to other scam artists.
Unwanted telemarketing calls are often triggered by responding to unwanted paper junk mail. Reduce unwanted junk mail that lead to a number of unwanted telemarketing calls. If you will pay your credit card, do not pay for that item on your credit card bill until you’ve received, examined and are satisfied with your product or price.
Remember that unsolicited telemarketing sales are not final until you have received written confirmation of the sale and you have three days after you receive your written confirmation to cancel an unsolicited telemarketing sale. The good news is, you may be able to undo the damage. Beware!
Hello Wallet Phones, Goodbye Plastic Cards
Credit Cards and Smart Cards and their plastic presence seem to be on their way out, overtaken by virtual-wallet technology available in Mobile Phone.
I believe that mobile phone is the gadget of choice for today’s modern man. Most people never leave home without their mobile phone. It can replace your wallet and what you carry in it: cash keys, access cards, photos, drivers license and even company IDs. Mobile phone has captured the wallets of millions of people all over the world.
My Panasonic P506iC wallet phone has it all. And what am I without it? It contains my credit cards, entrance ticket, train tickets, air tickets, employee ID card, and most other stuff I carry in my bag. It includes my digital cameras, portable TVs, e-mail and streaming video downloads. I can perform electronic banking transactions with my mobile phone. My P506iC wallet phone can be used off-line or even when it is out of range of radio waves. The JAVA application in my phone can check the electronic cash balance or show my transaction record.
Money is stored on the phone is like a virtual wad of cash. All I have to do to make payments with my wallet phone is to swipe the handset next to a special terminal set up at stores. It need not even be opened when making the payment. I simply wave it at the corresponding display devices in vending machines, stores and restaurants. A tinkling sound means the purchase has been successfully debited. It’s fun to pay things this way!
Income after retirement for today’s seniors
Retired? Or are you planning for retirement. Is there life after retirement? Or income that is after retirement? Let’s face it, the trauma of a retiree is the loss of regular income. Luckily, this can be planned for, with less pain, if one starts early enough. When a former baby boomer reached his retirement age reality takes over. It’s like launching your second life. Designing your life with financial affluence. This includes the planning tools, tips and advice for enjoying life after retirement. Here are the several ways to stay active and make money after retiring for today’s seniors.
- Plan. Retirees typically need at least 70 to 80 percent of their pre-retirement income. Be sure you are on track for a secure retirement. Perhaps you can also look at a Pension Plan to augment your income in the future.
- Make your money last. Be sure to outlive your money. Your money must last as long as you do. Save enough, invest wisely and have a pension life that pays for life.
- Consider working. Older people decide to continue working in some way after retirement. Many continue working because they like their work and enjoy being productive when the real and major reason is financial need.
- Give gift, why not? Gifts help you reduce your taxable estate to a level that is free of federal estate taxes. They don’t have to be related to you. Give away as much as $12,000 to anyone without paying taxes. The gifts are nontaxable. However, don’t give away this money if it will leave you short of funds.
- Homemade money. Your financial needs after retirement can be augmented by your home. The equity in your home can be a source of cash in retirement. And because you don’t want to lose your home in the process, be cautious about it. Borrowing against your home’s value has several advantages:
o Tax deductible. The interest you pay to your loan is tax deductible. Ask your tax advisor.
o Benefit from low interest rate. Interest on loan secured by your home is typically lower than other types of loans.
o Manageable risk. Use the loans instead of cashing in stocks or withdrawing from an IRA prematurely. Remember, both are taxable.
- Social Security. The largest source of income — Social Security provides a strong base for retirement security.
There is no clear cut answer or choice on the best course of action. It makes sense to take less investment risks when you reach retirement. Why not go too far, investing is not really money—but your health — worth its weight in gold.
Check Fraud Happens
Will you allow yourself to be a victim of a Check Fraud? Want to lose your hard earned money to criminals? If your answer is yes, stop reading here.
Criminals today can defraud you quite easily with a blank check taken from your check book, a canceled check found in your garbage, or a check you mailed to pay a bill.
Fraud professionals have become increasingly skilled and sophisticated. Technology has made it increasingly easy to criminals. Readily available technology like a personal computers, scanners and color photocopiers can be used by criminals to defraud you. To avoid if not eliminate Check fraud is one of the largest challenges facing account holders and financial institutions as well.
Fraud schemes involving checks take many forms, checks may be:
- Altered, either as to the payee or the amount. This fraud occurs after a legitimate maker creates a valid check to pay a debt. A criminal then takes the good check and uses chemicals or other means to erase the amount or the name of the payee, so that new information can be entered. The new information can be added by typewriter, in handwriting, or with a laser printer or check imprinter.
2. Counterfeited. Checks are presented based on fraudulent identification or are false checks drawn on valid accounts.
3. Forged, either as to signature or endorsement.
4. Drawn on closed accounts.
5. Used in a variety of schemes. Example of this is the Telemarketing fraud, wherein it appears that the account holder has given permission to have money withdrawn from his or her checking account to pay bills for goods and services.
Preventing or avoiding such Check Fraud is not only the responsibility of the account holder alone but also by the bank as well. A combination of precautions that an account holder might undertake could greatly reduce the likelihood of check fraud. A simple negligence or carelessness in handling of personal checks may lead these criminals to copy, steal, alter and forge checks.
It is important to follow a common-sense, logical approach with the way you use and store your checks. Store your checks and canceled checks in a secure and locked location. It is suggested that a reconciliation of bank statement shall be made within thirty (30) days of receipt in order to detect any irregularities. Be aware of unsolicited phone sales and never give your account number to people you do not know. Destroy old canceled checks and account statement, unless needed for tax purposes. Account all check orders and issuance and report missing checks to your bank at once. The longer it takes to detect any of your checks have been taken, the more time the criminal has to use them successfully.
If you cannot eliminate Check Fraud, you can prevent or reduce it by being cautious and being well informed. Make check fraud difficult by complicating the criminal’s task.
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