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Sorry for the delay in publishing
our July Newsletter. Pam is upgrading systems and our
computers were tied up as we copied and transferred files.
Area Code 809 Scam
Do Not Respond To Emails, Phone Calls, Or Pages Which Tell You To Call An "809" Phone Number.
There are two common methods used to
entice people to call 809 numbers. I am sure there are
others but these seem to be the most common.
The first method is via e-mail.
Often the subject line is an alert or notice that grabs your
attention such as, "Final Notice" or "Unpaid
Account". The body may sound threatening, prompting you
to call a "1-809" number to clear up a problem.
If you call an 809 number your bill can
easily exceed $100. Unlike 900 numbers, these numbers can
not be easily blocked. Cases have been reported where the
bill for calling one of these numbers exceeds 24,000
dollars. In the US the fee is typically $25 per minute.
The second method uses a phone or a
pager to deliver a message regarding a friend or family
member that is in trouble or who has taken ill. Again you
are asked to call an 809 number for more information.
Here's why it works: The 809 area code is located in the Caribbean. The 809 area code can be used as a "pay-per-call" number, similar to 900 numbers in the US. Since 809 is not in the US, it is not covered by US regulations of 900 numbers, which require that you be notified and warned of charges and rates involved when you call a "pay-per-call" number. There is also no requirement that the company provide a time period during which you may terminate the call without being charged.
It's important to prevent becoming a victim of this scam, since trying to fight the charges afterwards can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both our local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.
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9 Ways To Get People to
Revisit Your Site.
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Hold an interactive poll on your
website. People love to give their opinions. Have them
email their vote or opinion and they will return in a day
or two to see the final results.
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Hold an ongoing prize drawing on your
website. Offer something of interest to your visitors
and most people that enter will return to see the final
results.
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Offer original content. It
doesn't have to be 100% original, but at least a portion
should be. People will read it if they haven't seen it
somewhere else already.
-
Quizzes. Offer your visitors
a quiz or series of trivia questions. Post the answers
weekly and people will come back to see if they were
right.
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News. Offer news related to your
industry or site content. People who are interested will
return regularly to catch up on the latest articles.
-
Jokes. Lighten up, don't be so
serious all the time. Offer jokes regularly as part of
your content and people will come back for the chuckle.
-
Free Stuff. Offer freebies or keep
an updated list of where freebies can be found and people
will return. Who doesn't like free stuff. Make sure the
freebies don't conflict with your own offerings.
-
Create a Directory. Your directory
should list sites related to the topic of your site. The
directory listings should be useful and helpful. Don't try
to be another Yahoo, stick to a topic and the focus will
bring people back.
-
Offer a Discount. Offer an online
discount. The discount is only offered through your
website. Promote sales and special offers. You can offer a
product discount for signing up for your newsletter and
add to your advertising base.
These are just a few ways to get people to
return to your site. Use variations of these tips to promote
your own site.
There are several reasonably
priced packaged applications that can administer polls,
quizzes, discounts, directories, jokes and news. Some will
rotate content for you while others require that you remember
to update the content regularly.
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Home Computer Security |
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The Carnegie Mellon Software
Engineering Institute offers a comprehensive guide to
Home Computer Security.
The guide takes you step by step through
the methods necessary to keep your home computer and the
data stored on it safe and secure.
The web site is simple to navigate and
offers tips regarding the installation and use of anti
virus software, dealing with email attachments, and password
safety.
Tips on firewalls, backups, software
installation and downloading are also available.
Checklists are available in PDF format so
you can be sure you haven't missed a thing.
Find the link to the Cert Coordination
Center in the Hot Links section of the newsletter.
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Catchy Slogans!
On a Plumber's truck:
"We repair what your husband fixed."
On a Plumber's truck:
"Don't sleep with a drip. Call your plumber."
At a Tire Shop in Milwaukee:
"Invite us to your next blowout."
On a Plastic Surgeon's Office door:
"Hello. Can we pick your nose?"
On an Electrician's truck:
"Let us remove your shorts."
On a Maternity Room door:
"Push. Push. Push."
In a Podiatrist's office:
"Time wounds all heels."
On a Fence:
"Salesmen welcome! Dog food is expensive."
In a Veterinarian's waiting room:
"Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"
In the front yard of a Funeral Home:
"Drive carefully. We'll wait."
At a Propane Filling Station:
"Tank heaven for little grills."
At a Proctologist's door:
"To expedite your visit please back in."
At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right
place."
At a Towing company:
"We don't charge an arm and a leg. We want tows."
And don't forget the sign at a Chicago Radiator Shop:
"Best place in town to take a leak."
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Grins 