Prosperity: The Choice Is Yours
January 25, 2005

 
 

An Online Threat to Your Identity

A new kind of identity theft is becoming increasingly rampant
on the Internet. Thieves are trying to trick consumers into
providing their Social Security Numbers, financial account
numbers, PIN numbers, mother's maiden names and other
personal info.

This new breed of trickery is called Phishing.

You may receive an email from an organization or business
in which you do business. This may be a financial institution,
credit card company, utility, a billing agency, ISP, online retailer
or government agency.

The email typically includes bogus appeals such as problems
with your account or billing errors, and asks you to confirm your
personally information.

The email also usually includes a warning to act immediately
stating that the account may be closed or canceled unless you
confirm your identity details.

Most emails ask people to click on a link within the email
which will take them to the company's web site. (Not their real
site however)

Once you get there, the site will look identical to the real company's
site including corporate logos and graphics.

Phishing victims then enter their identity details which in turn goes to
thieves instead of to the real company. Some phishers are also
using the telephone to hunt for personal info. Some of these
calls will have a supposed employee of the company call
and say that you may have been a victim of fraud and will ask
you to verify your identity details.

If you do get a call or an email asking to confirm identity details,
refuse to do so.

Instead go to a search engine and find the company's real web
site, then email or call them to confirm.

There are a lot of emails floating around right now impersonating
Paypal & eBay and asking for you to confirm your identity details.

These are all bogus. If you have a Paypal or eBay account and
you do get an email, don't answer it. Go to your account and log in,
that is the only safe way to provide them with any information
about yourself.

Just be careful, remember that most legitimate companies don't
send emails or make calls asking for your personal info.

Dave

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The True and Magnificent Power of Giving
By Michael Lee

You've probably heard of the popular saying "It's better to
give than to receive."  But do you actually know what hidden
power lies within this magnanimous act known as "giving?"

When you give something from your heart without expecting
anything in return, you release a powerful force that will
trigger your good deed to "bounce" back to you in amazing,
and sometimes unusual ways.

I firmly believe that whatever you impart to others will
come back to you a hundred fold.  You are doing yourself a
big favor by helping someone in need.  By doing even the
smallest acts of generosity, you are inviting good vibrations
to come into your life.

You would be earning the respect and love of your recipients.
You know that you will always have a loyal group of friends
who would help, protect, and do anything for you just because
they feel that they have to repay you in any way they can.
Most people would have the urge or drive to reciprocate any
act of kindness you've shown them.

However, this does not mean that you must expect them to repay
you.  Give without any expectation of rewards.  Don't do it
just because you have an ulterior motive. Give unconditionally.
Give because you are happy doing it.  The universe will get
back to you in its own special way.

Speaking of happiness, the act of giving can summon the spirit
of joy to come into your heart.  How would you feel when you've
given something to your less fortunate neighbors?  Let me tell
you that nothing could brighten up my day more than hearing them
express their most heartfelt gratitude and seeing their smiles
extend from ear to ear.

Giving is also a healthy habit.  It could prolong your life by
instilling within you an inner sense of peace and accomplishment.

Just like all things in life, giving has its limitations.
Being too generous can have its toll.  Your kindness might be
taken advantage of and people might abuse your good intentions.
Beware of individuals who are continuously seeking your aid.
It's better to teach them how to solve their problems than to
always attend to their needs.

As one saying goes ...

"Give them some fish and you'll feed them for a day.  Teach them
how to fish and you'll feed them for a lifetime."

Lastly, here's what I consider the most important rule about
giving.  Keep your good deeds to yourself.  Don't announce to the
whole world that you've donated $100,000 to your favorite charity
or that you've helped save a child from a life-threatening
disease.

If you really desire to give, do it secretly and in private.
Some people would write "anonymous" rather than their own names
when they've made a contribution.  The universe smiles upon
these individuals, and they will get their just rewards in due
time.

Now that you know how wonderful it is to give, would you go out
to the world and share your blessings?

About the Author:

Michael Lee is the author of "How To Be A Red Hot
Persuasion Wizard," an ebook that reveals shocking
secrets on how to get anything you want.  Learn how
to fully improve your relationships, explode your
profits, win arguments, and magically influence others.
Grab a sample chapter at http://www.20daypersuasion.com

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