DSEF & CBBB: Help Prevent Your Facebook Account from Being Hacked in 3 Easy Steps

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

Help Prevent Your Facebook Account from Being Hacked in 3 Easy Steps

There are several quick steps you can take to avoid getting your Facebook account hacked. These include:

Make sure that your ‘Secure Browsing’ is enabled – That means your browser uses Https instead of the standard connection. How to change your setting: While on Facebook, look at your URL address in the browser. If you see “http:” instead of “https:” you DO NOT have a secure session. It’s easy to change. Just go to Account (upper right) click Account Settings… Then Security – click Change. Check box (secure browsing), click Save.
Regularly change your password – Get in the routine of changing your password often. Try to use a combinations of upper & lower case numbers/special characters and don’t use any parts of your first or last name.
Enable login notifications – Click on Account Settings … then Security … then enable login notifications. This will cause Facebook to notify you when your account is accessed from a computer or mobile device that you haven’t used before.

And finally, don’t click on suspicious links while browsing Facebook and never give your login info to anyone.

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

Blog / Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: Learn to Say No: Adding Pause, Reflection and Focus to Your Life

Today’s highlighted post from Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series (Click here):

Learn to Say No: Adding Pause, Reflection and Focus to Your Life

Women too often respond ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to demands by checking whether their calendar is free. Women need to start checking with their own goals to see if the request fits in.” — Jackie Farley, Ceo, CenterPoint. This applies to everyone — men and women. Our lives have taken on the speed of technology, amazingly unlimited opportunity, and “too muchness!” It’s time to step back and put life back into our lives. That includes pause, reflection and focus. Learn to make conscious choices to say no when necessary. Learn three tools to help you figure out what to say no to and how to actually say no. Here’s how.

Kathie Hightower

Kathie Hightower is an international speaker, author and writer working from her home office at the Oregon Coast. Author of Simple Joys: Little Things That Make a BIG Difference, the Jump Into Life Workbook, and frequent contributor to publications worldwide, Kathie does intensive, ongoing research for her writing and her seminars. Her focus is helping people pump up their energy, creativity and joy in life. A speaker and writer since 1990, Kathie has spoken to corporate, wellness, and military groups all over the United States, Europe, Japan and Korea. Kathie is also co-author of Help! I’m a Military Spouse —I Get a Life Too! soon to come out in a third edition. She has other books and a novel in the works.
www.jumpintolife.net
www.militaryspouse.com

DSEF proudly sponsors the free Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series hosted by Marcia Brixey, Founder and President of Money Wise Women Educational Services and author ofThe Money Therapist: A Woman’s Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life. The series covers topics related to business and finances and provides women the opportunity to learn from professional experts in a safe, comfortable environment.

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

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DSEF & FTC: “Gameover” Scam Target Bank Accounts

February 1st, 2012 by USA.gov

The FBI identified a new phishing scam online that targets your bank accounts. The scam is called “Gameover.” Once the virus is on your computer, it can steal all of your user names and passwords before you realize what has happened.

How It Works

The Gameover scam will email you, pretending to be from the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA), the Federal Reserve Bank, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The email will say that there has been a problem with your bank account or a recent transaction, and will include a link to help fix the problem. The link will send you to a phony site, where the Gameover malware is automatically installed on your computer and starts stealing your bank account information.

If you think you’ve been victimized by this type of scheme, contact your financial institution to report it, and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Learn more about the Gameover Scam.

For 13 years, the DSEF has been proud to partner with the FTC and other organizations to offer a wide array of education events and resources that encourage consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their rights and make better-informed decisions.

You’ll find a wealth of resources at www.ncpw.g ov that will help you protect your privacy, manage your money, learn more about credit and debt, decipher advertising messages, and steer clear of fraud and scams.

Please take a moment to share the resources on this Web site with others in your communities and companies and, together, we’ll help build a nation of better-informed and educated consumers.

Charles. L. Orr
Executive Director

Blog

DSEF & CBBB: So Facebook Goes Public. So what?

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

What will it mean if Facebook, currently a private company, goes public this May or mid-2013, or at some other date predicted by pundits?

For investors, plenty. Experts disagree as to whether or not the high-priced stock will be worth it. Some think obscene wealth will be within reach; others think that the company may burst like a dot-com bubble. Remember the rules. Don’t invest more than you can afford to lose, investigate before you invest, and do your homework. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is a good resource for learning about the stock market.

For Facebook users? The Internet verdict (from blogs and news articles) is almost unanimous: Less privacy. According to an article in the L.A. Times, Facebook will most likely “step up its efforts to harvest its users’ information as it tries to meet Wall Street expectations.

“The richest IPO in history is all based on the harvesting and sale of users’ information,” [says Jeffrey]Chester, [Executive Director of the Center for Digital Democracy]. “The IPO makes clear that Facebook intends to further friend the most powerful advertisers on the planet, help them better target the vast social network audience.”

(Speaking of preferences, did you know that your friends’ “likes” influence yours? The U.K. Guardian states: “…if I “like” Whole Foods on Facebook, you, as my friend, are presumed to harbour a preference for organic food as well – hence you are more likely to see a Whole Foods advertisement when you log on.” My best friend and I must be skewing their system—we are complete opposites.)

A Little Bit of Background
As the company prepares to become an even bigger deal in our marketplace, here are three things you should know about Facebook.

First, where does the money come from? An article in PC World quotes the company’s SEC filing as listing “digital cows, crops, and mafia hit jobs” as large revenue streams for the company. “Social game maker Zynga was responsible for about 12 percent of Facebook’s [some reports say $3.71 billion] revenue in 2011.” If you’ve played Farmville, you’ve supported Zynga.

Second, who are Facebook’s current shareholders? The Washington Post lists companies like DST Global, Accel Partners, Goldman Sachs, and T. Rowe Price along with company executives and its board of directors (including the Post’s CEO Don Graham). Another famous shareholder is Erskine Bowles, a former White House Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton. Facebook’s Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg owns 56.9 percent of the voting shares.

Third, who are FB’s major advertisers? According to the Huffington Post, the top five include AT&T, www.match.com, and Google. This January there was a bit of an imbroglio over an alleged scam site, but that has since been removed.

Final Thoughts

“When Facebook goes public it will be under increased scrutiny, held more accountable, and required to be more transparent,” says the Guardian. “But, at the same time, the need to maximise returns means the use of personal data is likely to increase, only raising privacy concerns.”

In November the company settled with the Federal Trade Commission over alleged “unfair and deceptive” practices of making public information that users thought was private.

Blog

DSEF & FTC: Zappos Customer? Take These Steps to Reduce the Risk of Identity Theft.

Today’s highlighted blog post from FTC/NCPW:

Zappos Customer? Take These Steps to Redue the Risk of Identity Theft.

January 18th, 2012 by Nicole via OnGuard Online.gov

In light of Zappos’ recent announcement that its database was hacked, OnGuardOnline.gov offers the following tips to help you reduce your risk of identity theft:

If you used your Zappos login ID or password for other accounts, change them. Identity thieves have been known to try IDs and passwords on many different websites to gain control of other accounts. When creating your new password, keep these tips in mind.

When you read your email, consider whether any of the messages could be a phishing scam. Having your stolen information could make it easier for crooks to send emails that appear to be from Zappos or another shopping site. If you get an email asking you to provide your credit card number or Social Security number – don’t.

Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements often. If you see charges you don’t recognize, get in touch with the fraud department of your bank or credit card company right away.

Be sure the information on your credit report is accurate. The law requires the three nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to give you a free copy of your credit report every 12 months if you ask for it. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to order your free copies. To find out how to correct errors, visit ftc.gov/freereports.

Please take a moment to share the resources on this Web site with others in your communities and companies and, together, we’ll help build a nation of better-informed and educated consumers.

Charles. L. Orr
Executive Director

Blog / Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: Overcoming Underearning

Today’s highlighted post from Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series (Click here):

Overcoming Underearning

Barbara Stanny will help us understand the characteristics of underearners. She will discuss the process of Overcoming Underearning in five steps. You won’t want to miss this thought provoking and life changing teleseminar.

Barbara Stanny, author of Prince Charming Isn’t Coming; Secrets of Six-Figure Women and Overcoming Underearning

Barbara Stanny is a woman on a mission. That mission is to motivate women to become financially empowered. Barbara grew up relying on her father (the ‘R’ of H&R Block), then her husband, to manage her money. But a devastating financial crisis became a personal wake-up call. Barbara’s journey to financial independence is inspiring. She is an author, popular keynote speaker and hosts Overcoming Underearning workshops.www.barbarastanny.com

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

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DSEF & CBBB: No Sale Prices? Will JC Penney Make it Work?

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

No Sale Prices? Will JC Penney Make it Work?

NO! NO! NO! I’m sure you’ve all seen the new JC Penney commercials where consumers are screaming NO! I don’t know about you, but I wanted to mute the TV immediately, but I wanted to also find out why they had all these people screaming no.

JC Penney has now released the concept behind the advertisements – here are two articles which explain, one from Business Week and one from the Wall Street Journal.

It will be interesting to see if this works – if consumers can give up their addiction to 50, 60 and 70% off sales and believe that prices could be lower without a sale. It sure would be nice, as a consumer, to shop on price points versus whether an item is 50% off.

BBB’s regularly review advertisements and comparison prices are so prevalent in today’s market.

Do you think it will work?

Blog / Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: The Practical Aspects of Divorce

Today’s highlighted post from Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series (Click here):

The Practical Aspects of Divorce

Gain insight and learn answers to the “how, what, where, when, why” questions of divorce.

Decrease legal expenses while increasing your knowledge of the divorce process and how it will affect you – today and years down the road.
Get an accurate picture of not only your divorce but your life after divorce.
Address your financial issues and accept the importance of knowing about the money in your life.
Deal with all the issues and create a realistic settlement that is fair to all parties but will not lessen your quality of life.

Jamie Thomas, Divorce Network

Jamie Thomas learned the process of “divorce recovery” first hand by not only living through it but by recognizing that merely surviving divorce is not enough. She found when going through her own (second) divorce after a twelve year marriage that many aspects of the process were left unexplained. Although she worked with a good attorney, information she had expected to get from her lawyer was not forthcoming. The reason, she discovered, is that many problems and situations which have to be dealt with during the process of a divorce do not fall into the realm of legal help. Therein lies the reason for establishing a business which “fills in the gaps”. Jamie teaches women what they will need to know during their divorce on a general, elementary though very broad level – a kind of Divorce 101. Jamie founded the Divorce Network in 1996.

www.divorce-network.com

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: Women Empower Yourselves: Understand Your Debt and Credit Report

Today’s highlighted post from Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series (Click here):

Women Empower Yourselves: Understand Your Debt and Credit Report

Your credit report can be very confusing but it has great power over many aspects of your life: employment eligibility, mortgage and rental applications, utility and phone service deposits, insurance premiums and loan and credit card rates. To maintain good financial health, it is crucial for you to understand the different types of debt, the consequences of not paying, and how your debt behavior affects your credit report and score.

Hollis Colquhoun

Hollis Colquhoun is an Accredited Financial Counselor and has over twenty years of experience in the financial industry. Starting out as an institutional trader and salesperson for a Wall Street brokerage firm, she later became one of its first female partners. Hollis worked in the Corporate Bond Departments of several New York firms then moved into the distressed securities market where she helped set up a new brokerage operation for one of Wall Street’s masters of “value investing”. Three years later, Hollis stopped working to devote more time and attention to raising her three daughters. She also became very involved in local community projects and a nonprofit education foundation. Two years ago, Hollis was hired by a nonprofit credit counseling agency and received certification as an Accredited Financial Counselor and as a Certified Personal Finance Counselor. Over a two-year period, Hollis counseled thousands of clients who were drowning in debt and in need of financial guidance. She also conducted workshops on budgeting and credit for local community organizations and New Jersey State welfare-to-work programs.

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

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DSEF & CBBB: Weigh In on Gym Membership Tips

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB)

Click here:

Weigh In on Gym Membership Tips

One big holiday, Thanksgiving, down. Add two pounds. Christmas to go. Add three pounds. Obviously in January it’s going to be time to join a gym.

Not all gyms are good for the same people. Which one would be best for you?

Begin by checking their business reviews with the BBB. How long have they been in business? Do they have complaints? What happens if they get into financial trouble and are closed down? We recently had a Gold’s Gym franchise location close but the corporate office immediately opened it up again for their members.