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Cyber Security: Protecting Seniors Online from Scams, Hacks and Tax Fraud

The vast majority of seniors today are using the Internet at least once a week to check email, pay bills online and keep in touch via social media. But all that time online puts them at risk for scams and hacks, such as tax fraud.

In fact, a new survey by Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network, found that 67 percent of surveyed older adults have been the victim of an online scam or hack.

Encouraging seniors to practice cyber security can go a long way toward protecting their identity and sensitive financial information. Home Instead collaborated with the National Cyber Security Alliance to create Protect Seniors Online, available at www.ProtectSeniorsOnline.com, a free resource that educates older adults about cybersecurity. Here, seniors can test their cybersecurity skills with the "Can You Spot an Online Scam?" quiz.

Older adults can take the following steps now to protect themselves online:

Password protect and secure devices, accounts. Lock all devices (including computers, tablets and smartphones) with secure passwords in case devices are lost or stolen.

Think before clicking. When faced with an urgent request -- like emails asking for money -- think before clicking or get a second opinion. Clicking on links is often how scammers get personal information. When in doubt, trash an unusual message.

Share with care. More than half (51 percent) of seniors surveyed by Home Instead use social media to stay connected. Use care when sharing personal information, adjust privacy settings to limit who can see your information, and turn off location sharing.

Use security software. Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software and program it to run regularly. And be wary of pop-up ads or emails, many of which contain malware that can infect computers.

Log out. Log out of apps and websites when you are finished. Leaving apps and websites open on computer screens could make you vulnerable to security and privacy risks.

Recommend support. Older adults who live alone may need help from a trusted source -- such as a family member, tech-savvy friend or professional caregiver --to serve as a second set of eyes.

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Cyber Security: Calgary fraud cases jumps dramatically during grim economic year

Fraud crimes in Calgary during the first three quarters of 2016 were up nearly 28 per cent over the previous year, a spike that’s seen city police alter their approach to combating it.

Up until the end of last September, fraud-related crimes were up 27.6 per cent over the same period of 2015 and during that month last fall, increased by 59 per cent, say city police statistics.

During that period of 2016, police cleared 30.7 per cent of those cases.

Those numbers come at a time when Calgarians’ finances are still reeling from a recession amid a prolonged oil and gas slump.

There’s been a definite increase in fraud crime in the city, driven largely by Internet-based scams, said Staff Sgt. Cory Dayley, head of the city police cyber forensics unit.

“Absolutely it’s increasing — it’s a very easy message for someone to get out to a large number of victims, put a fish hook out and see how people respond,” he said.

“It’s a very lucrative platform to pursue their criminal ways.”

Because of that, Calgary police last fall merged its 12-officer cyber investigation unit into its integrated fraud team.

“It’s so we have a much more in-depth response to people victimized online,” said Dayley.

“We want to know what that landscape is.”

Another reason for the ballooning number of fraud offences is the greater willingness of victims to come forward and the CPS’s improved reporting system.

Police have also spent more resources publicizing the problem, partly through more charges profiled by the media, he added.

“We’re trying to really get out there, get people to be aware, to be their own best line of defence,” said Dayley.

“People have got to protect their own information, watch their bank accounts.”

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Coalition Against Insurance Fraud: Lemons or lemonade?

An open letter from state fraud bureaus to insurers

Hello from Venus. To my neighbors from Mars, the NAIC’s Anti-Fraud Task Force discussed last week how we all have noticed a decline in referrals state fraud bureaus are receiving from insurer victims. Howard Goldblatt’s followup FraudBlog pursued that theme constructively.

Notice I used the word victim. We consider insurers just that, a victim.

Now we agree with SIU directors that the “black hole” still exists in some instances. We find ourselves concentrating so hard on cases that make the cut that we often forget to give you feedback. We really don’t want you to stop reporting because you are weary of the “black hole.”

State fraud bureaus also hope you remember your obligation to report cases to us. Some states even have made it a crime not to report. Let me stress that reporting to us should not feel like an obligation. You should have faith that we will do the best we can to fight insurance fraud and make sure that every state’s residents are protected from paying for those who break the law.

We have really tried hard over the past few years to give you options to report to us in a convenient manner. Many of you have offered excellent and appreciated suggestions. We have listened to your input, and have implemented many of your ideas. We know the process is not always perfect, though it is getting better.

We have partnered with organizations such as the Coalition to educate you on how to report insurance fraud to us. We certainly welcome any dialogue that can put this issue to rest. I actually asked Howard this week for help in reaching out to you. We want to be the first to step up and ask that you join us in a dialogue that can help us serve all states’ residents while preserving your business interests.

I must say that we have a strong group of fraud directors across this great country. We are committed to eliminating insurance fraud. We are meeting in Seattle, Wash. in a few weeks. I am sure this issue will be discussed at length. We really seek your help. We are all in, over here in Venus.

About the author: Shane Guyant is director of the Criminal Investigations Division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance. He also chairs the NAIC’s Antifraud Task Force.

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We have arranged a regular monthly social at Power Kids Gym (formerly JWT) UE Square. This is a soft play gym with a sprung floor and lots of soft play equipment, ideal for all ages.

You can register your interest in attending this event via the NMSG Meetup Group

·        Please note that the maximum number of children is 30 and the cost is $5 per child.

·        Socks or bare feet only please.

·        There will be no Pediatrician attending this event.

·        Please note, due to the popularity of this venue, we have started a first come / first served system as there is a limit to the number of children/adults permitted in Power Kids Gym at any one time.

·        Meet-up registration does not guarantee you a place at our regular socials.

·        Power Kids Gym is kindly offering our members the following promotion:

·        1x Free Trial Class (worth $42)

·        1x Membership Fee Waived (worth $60)

·        Kid’s Night Out at $49 only! (Usual Price $79). Kids’ Night out is our 4 hour Drop your kids off party, filled with some high energy activities, where they will navigate through obstacle courses, create fabulous crafts, have a pizza and go wild with our trainers. Parents enjoy the night out without the kids.

When?

3pm - 4.30pm on the following dates in 2016

​8 November

13 December

Where?

Power Kids Gym

81 Clemenceau Avenue

UE Square, #02-12

Singapore 239917

Organiser

Pip Johnson

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Anti-Fraud Organization Tokyo, Japan: Contact us

If you are willing to import any product from an exporter in Japan, it is strongly recommend for your own safety to verify any Japanese website or company's status before confirmation of order. To avoid internet fraud DO NOT remit money to any company without your full satisfaction.

Send inquiry for any Japanese company by filling form at below. At the Your Message* area of form, write maximum detail of Japanese company you are inquiring for, such as company name, full address, Website address, and Telephone number. If you are a victim of fraud or phishing scam, write full detail of your communication with so-called company.

Fill Up Form Here

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To get the most out of an exhibition - plan what you are going to do before, during and after attending. 12 key points / tips are listed below.

Before the exhibition

1. Draw up a list of objectives for visiting the exhibition. Define what you wish to achieve eg to get an overview of certain types of software, see the latest software functionality, or to meet certain vendors.

2. Plan your visit. Make a shortlist of exhibitors, vendor demonstrations, educational or other sessions you wish to see. Don’t consider spending all day in vendor software demonstrations - they may end up sounding and looking alike and you may end up being totally confused. Plan a balance of visiting stands, meeting vendors, discussing your requirements, as well as attending demonstrations.

3. Mark the locations of the stands / demonstrations you wish to see on an exhibition layout planner so you know your way around the exhibition floor and can save time / avoid getting lost when you are there.

4. Attending with colleagues can help to determine which software to investigate further. However, plan in advance who is attending, who shall see what and when. Aim to cover all items, with colleagues splitting up to cover different parts of the exhibition.

5. Determine how you will get to the exhibition - so that you arrive on time and are able to complete everything. If you are attending for more than one day and need overnight accommodation, book well in advance of the date(s) required.

At the exhibition

6. Follow your visit plan. Ensure you cover the areas you wish to see. Don’t get side-tracked once at the exhibition - you can use any time left over at the end to visit other stands which look interesting.

7. If attending with colleagues - use the opportunity to quickly obtain a large amount of information and to network / create new contacts for later use. Work the exhibition - don’t just stay together or treat as a day out of the office!

8. Take a copy of your outline system requirements* with you - to refer to and / or raise key points with vendors / exhibitors.

9. Take plenty of business cards - to hand out to exhibitors and to save filling in their forms with your details.

10. Take a pen and small note pad for jotting down key items, demonstration notes, points of interest, contacts etc.

11. Attending exhibitions can be tiring. They can be hot (particularly in poorly ventilated demonstration rooms) and you may do a lot of walking. Be prepared - wear comfortable clothing and take regular refreshments throughout the day.

After the exhibition

12. Review the information you have obtained and write up notes / ideas as applicable. Discuss with colleagues. Then determine which software vendors you wish to follow up on and investigate further.

* If you have yet to complete your system requirements, see the Accounting, BI, CRM, HR, Payroll and HR+Payroll RFI/RFP Templates - which can help you quickly identify and specify your system requirements.

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Human Capital Alliance managing director, Edwin Sim looks at successful family business transitions.

Before businesses can be successfully transferred to the next generation, the appointed successors must fully understand all aspects of the business.

These aspects include day-to-day operations, company finances, long-term business cycles, how to hire and manage employees and how to negotiate relationships with partners and vendors.

At the same time, the successors must also learn to find innovative ways to maintain profitable growth in the face of competition and the ever-changing business environment.

In her recent article “Preparing for a family business transition,” Kathy Richardson-Mauro said preparing family members for a business transition and developing a solid succession plan are critical success elements.

Most family wealth from private business

Globally and especially here in Thailand, most family wealth is created from private business enterprises. Many studies also show that many family business owners are aging.

Richardson-Mauro said a recent study showed that 51 percent of business owners intend to transition the ownership of their businesses during the next ten years, with about half intending to sell their businesses to independent third parties; the other half intending to transfer the business to insiders, such as family members, employees or management.

Ensure anointed successors really want business

Often in multi-generational family businesses, the owner assumes the next generation wants to take over the business.

The owner must ensure anointed successors really want to take over business and are adequately prepared in terms of knowledge and skills to manage the business.

Developing leadership skills well in-advance

If the ultimate aim is to keep the business in the family, the owners must make sure they have developed their successors’ business and leadership skills well in-advance of taking over the business.

“While an internal transfer is typically less complicated from a business perspective, it may be quite complicated from a personal/relationship perspective. “

Richardson-Mauro suggests that owners should have a succession plan in- place before approaching children or family members.

Most difficult owner challenges

Owners contemplating transitioning companies inevitably face several difficult challenges including:

1.Deciding who will succeed the current owner as President or CEO

2.Preserving and building the company’s value during the transition

3.Providing a smooth transition for owners, successors and key employees

Overcoming success impediments

The author suggests that owners should also closely follow several key elements to ensure successful transitions including ensuring complete transparency during the process, developing strong family governance, and developing a strategic written succession plan.

Because succession planning for small and family business transitions often involves a huge amount emotional turmoil, it is often helpful to turn to an outside, impartial group of advisors to assist the navigation process.

Low-success rate

Statistically, the chance of a family business successfully transitioning from the first generation to the second is about 30% and the odds get worse as you move to third generation – less than 10%.

“Make sure that you give yourself and your successors enough time for the transition process, and that you’re informed about all of the choices available so that you can make the best decisions for you, your family, and your business.”

Focusing on business

Although succession planning and choosing a successor for a family business can be fraught with challenges, the author said the emotional aspects must be put aside in order to focus on the business.

“Having a sound succession plan in place can take the emotions out of the planning and help ease the transition for both the business owner and his or her successors.”