Monday, March 29, 2010

"The London Scam"

Attention all facebook users...beware of the "London Scam"...a phishing scam where someone fraudulently and illegally imitates a trustworthy source to steal usernames, passwords, credit cards info, etc. Anytime you intend to log onto facebook...make sure you're not logging onto a bogus site, but rather facebook.com (the .com part is huge...it means it is the real site).
According to facebook's website...once a scammer has access to a trusted friend's Facebook account, one of the most common ways to manipulate others for financial gain is through the London scam, or similar means. Often through Facebook chat, the scammer, posing as one of your friends, will explain that he or she is stranded on a trip to London after a robbery, leaving him or her with no way to get home. Then you'll be asked to wire money to get your friend home. Make sure you verify the identity of a friend with this kind of request before you oblige.

To report this kind of scam to Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=419_scam

Here's another useful link...a story concerning this scam... http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2008/04/8551/an-old-web-scam-finds-new-life-on-facebook/

I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Here's your IYC 411 of the day...

Before you move out of your home or rental property...always make sure to suspend or terminate ALL of your services (gas, water, etc.)...especially if those services are in your name. We recently featured a mother of 2 from Midwest City who got slapped with a $6,100 water bill. She moved out of her rental property--didn't suspend her water service--and one of the pipes at her place sprung a leak. As it turns out, even though she wasn't living in the home during the time of the leak...she still owes the city thousands of dollars because the water service is in her name (did I confuse you enough with that explanation???:)
IYC Final Thought: Suspend or terminate ALL services prior to moving out of your home...whether it be a permanent or temporary move.
I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Waterislife.com


Did you know 6,500 people--5,000 of those children--will die today because they don't have access to clean water?? Get this...1.1 billion people across the globe do not have access to clean water...that number is insane...wow! Unless you've been to a poverty stricken nation like Ghana or Kenya...you can't begin to comprehend the dire situation unfolding in that corner of the world. Ken Surritte has traveled the globe...he's seen the desperation firsthand. The Edmond native runs Water is Life...a non-profit that distributes filtered straws to adults and children who don't have access to clean water. The organization also builds boar wells that can supply water for up to 5,000 people.

A $10 donation will put one filter in the hands of a child and save their life for one year.
Currently all funds donated will go to help in the relief efforts in Haiti. You can donate safely and securely online...just head to http://waterislife.com/donate/

If you would like to mail a check or money order, please send to:Water Is Life P. O. Box 7481Edmond, Oklahoma 73083-7481....If you’re interested in transferring securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) Real Estate, Life Insurance, In-Kind Products, Airline Miles, etc. and would like more information, please call us at (405) 204-6406 or email ken@waterislife.com

Get Involved – Take Action!

Here are a few ways you can get involved with Waterislife.com
Corporation or Organization Sponsor filters at $10 each.
Include your company or organization name on each filter

Host a Fundraiser or Event to Save A Child’s Life for A Year!
Support Materials are available on the home page – click on Media Kits
- Car Wash, Swim-A-Thon, Movie Night
- Local organization/club presentations
- Participation in athletic events, e.g. walk, run or bike races
- School program/presentations
- Fundraise for water filters/sustainable water well for a specific community (villages for partnership can be found on the current projects page.)
Participate in a Filter Distribution Trip
The average estimated cost for a distribution trip to Africa is $1700 USD, not including airfare. This cost could include meals, lodging, and ground transportation. Each distribution trip is different, and specific to each community’s needs.

Visit the Book A Trip page to find out more details. Please contact us if you would be interested in obtaining more information or to be put on a trip interest list.
Talk with your schools, organization or businesses to organize a filter sponsorship program

Donate your time
Contact us to find out information on specific volunteer opportunities that are available which support our current projects.
ken@waterislife.com kristine@waterislife.com
www.twitter.com/waterislife www.facebook.com/joinwaterislife
WaterIsLife.com – P.O. Box 7481, Edmond, OK 73083

“You must behave as if your everyday act, even the smallest, impacts a thousand people for a hundred generations. Because it does.”
H. Mueller

I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Here's your IYC 411 of the day!

Attention homeowners and tenants!!! Anytime you move out of your home or rental property...ALWAYS suspend or terminate your utilities/services. Thursday, we heard from a mother of two who failed to do just that. While she was away, her one of her rental property's pipes leaked 1 million gallons of water. Even though she repeatedly notified the landlord and city about low water pressure and issues at her unit...she's still responsible to pay the water bill...that's because her water service is in her name and not her landlords'...now she's left owing her city more than $6,100. Don't let this happen to you!!
I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Beware of the online auction spoof...

Before you make a purchase on eBay or any other online auction website...make sure you know where your money is going. It appears someone has hacked into eBay's servers. One minute you're on eBay's site...the next, you've been automatically redirected to a bogus web page. Be leery of anyone who demands you wire them cash through Western Union or your bank...and pay close attention to the url and seller's name.

Monday, I found a useful article about protecting yourself from online auction scams (that includes eBay) on scambusters.org (http://www.scambusters.org/Scambusters43.html)

If you're having any doubt whether an email is really from eBay, here's how to report it:
1. Forward the message to spoof@ebay.com
2. Don't alter the subject line or forward the message as an attachment - doing so prevents us
from investigating it further.
3. Once you have forwarded the email, you can then delete it from your email account.

I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Don't do business with favorfrenzy.com!

Monday night we featured an online party supply store accused of doing bad business...that company's name is favorfrenzy.com. They distribute wedding and gift packaging supplies including tulle fabric. A quick google search will turns up dozens of complaints. The company also have an 'F' rating with Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).. 109 complaints in all against 'em. I pulled the data below from the BBB's site...a complete list showing how favorfrenzy.com responded to each of those complaints.

Type of Response...
Making a full refund, as the consumer requested (32 times)
Making a partial refund (1)
Agreeing to perform according to their contract (57)
Refusing to make an adjustment (0)
Refuse to adjust, relying on terms of agreement (4)
Unanswered (15)
Unassigned (0)
Total 109

If you should happen to stumble across a shady website...file your complaint with the FBI's internet criminal complaint center...www.ic3.gov (you can also access the latest tips on internet scams/crimes there)
I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!