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The internet, though a wonderful tool, is fraught with ways to get ripped off and teeming with unscrupulous people looking to exploit the trusting nature of others. Internet fraud, especially phishing, is on the rise, and its important for internet users to be cautious in their online habits to avoid falling victim to a phishing scam.

According to the RSA Anti-Fraud Command Center, phishing is the most wide-spread online fraud technique. The RSA Consumer Solutions Monthly Online Fraud Intelligence Report for July 2006 reports a rise in the following trends:

1. An ongoing increase in the amount of global brands attacked
2. New countries targeted for phishing and an increase in European targets
3. New countries being used as a source to host phishing attacks

RSA predicts that the upward trend in sophisticated fraud techniques will continue in response to the anti-phishing movement. As companies and individuals take extreme precautiions against phishing, phishers are shifting their techniques, searching for better ways to catch users and companies off guard and targeting smaller businesses with fewer security resources.

Phishing is a fraud technique usually carried out by email, in which personal information is collected from victims by people masquerading as a business or organization. A typical phishing email may claim to be from a bank or other financial institution and contain a link to a phony website, which may be a near-duplicate of a legitimate website, along with instructions to follow the link to correct or verify account information. A successful phishing scam would end with the victim following the link and entering the requested information, which is then recorded by the sites owners. Through this action, the victim has literally handed over access to his financial account to the monitors of the website, who are then free to use it to their advantage.

RSA states that phishers are beginning to target European banks and other financial institutions outside the United States at a rapid pace, with European banks representing over 15 percent of targeted institutions. Its not much compared to the 78 percent of U.S. banks targeted, but considering that the number of brands targeted has enjoyed an almost 100 percent increase since the beginning of 2006, its a fair amount. The number of phishing targets, according to RSA, is increasing at a rate of 10 to 20 percent per month, with around 10 new targets being attacked each month.

To avoid falling victim to a phishing scam, StopSign recommends never responding to or following a link in an email that requests personal information. Other steps to take include:

Never submit information to a non-secure website.

If you are asked to call a number to verify information over the phone, don't call numbers provided in an email. Call your bank's main phone number and verify that they have requested information.

Do not enter information into a non-secure website.

If you think you may have fallen for such a scam, you should change all your passwords connected with your online bank accounts and contact any company with whom you hold a financial account. Using caution and common sense when dealing with any online financial records or monetary exchange will help keep you from becoming the next in the ever-growing number of phishing fraud victims.

http://home.stopsign.com

To grow your business and realize the success you desire and deserve, you need to constantly research your market place.

One of the most effective no-cost research tools I have used and recommend to my clients is "Google Alerts".

"Google Alerts" is probably the most effective no-cost research tool in the world, yet most business leaders are not yet using to enhance the effectiveness of their market research.

Here are 10 ways that I deploy Google Alerts to grow my business and attract more clients:

1. the industry I work in and trends in the market
2. my competition and marketing strategies they are implementing
3. research about market trends in my clients industry
4. reviewing the strength of my clients brand
5. researching my clients competition
6. accessing statistics to use in presentations, reports and articles
7. identifying potential joint ventures and strategic alliances
8. discovering new business tools
9. research for my book
10. content for my products, programmes and live events.

Google Alerts enables you to set up an email alert on a daily or weekly basis or if you prefer, in real time.

You can create your Google Alerts account by registering at www.goggle.com/alerts.

I recommend putting in place a once-a-day Google Alert which you can then review at the start of each day.

Items that feature in the news, in blogs or on the web can be included in the alert.

I highly recommend you setting up your own Google Alerts - and don't forget to set an alert up for:

• your own name
• the names of your key products
• and of course your business.

This will enable you to monitor and track your personal and corporate brand and where people are reporting on you, your products and services and your business. So if you want to grow your business, make sure you set up your Google Alerts account today and realise the business growth and success that you desire and deserve.

Krishna De invites you to join her in conversation with experts from around the globe to discover how to build your brand and grow your professional services firm at http://www.bizgrowthlive.com/ . You will also receive access to Biz Growth Express a weekly newsletter bringing you strategies, inspiration and tips to grow your professional services practice. Register today at: http://www.krishnade.com/.

Krishna De, Oneocean Ltd 2006. All rights reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article providing the article is printed in its entirety, you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in anyway and include the copyright statement.

I went over some of the basic fundamentals last time (or at least what I think are), so this time I wanted to dive a little more into the actual set up process mistakes, and other various mistakes regarding the design and domain name.

1. Use a Business Name Domain Name - Purchasing a domain name that is the same as your business name, or personal name. In some cases it is ok to purchase the domain name that goes along with your business name, but let me explain what does not work well (for branding purposes). Lets say growing up you had the nickname - Great White Dino, and you created your business name as Great White Dino LLC (or something). If you are setting up a dropshipping business selling electronics, "GreatWhiteDino.com" will not really work that well for branding, (nor will your personal name). It is much easier to start ranking a (brand spanking new) domain name that has some form of the main keyword you would like to get ranked for in it.

2. Not using a Search Engine Friendly (SEF) Shopping Cart - If you are not using a shopping cart that is SEF then how are you going to make your product pages unique? Naming of the pages need to be SEF, the URLS need to be SEF (no sessional ID garbage), naming folders and even being able to change the image names and alt text is something to consider.

3. Use a Template Website Builder (Or Worse, Try To Learn HTML yourself) - You will always be faced with the decision of building the site from scratch by hiring a designer, or to build the site yourself by using a template builder (or worse - trying to learn html, css or any thing else for that matter). My recommendation is to always have the site custom built for you by a professional that knows what they are doing. Remember tip two above as well, because hiring a web site design firm will help you get the site designed in a SEF manner.

4. Just Copy and Paste Content Provided To You By Supplier - One of the biggest mistakes I see new to dropshipping business owners make is just taking the product descriptions that are provided them by the dropshipper and copy and pasting them right into their website. There is no telling how many businesses in the past (and currently online) are using the same exact content. You will have major duplicate content issues with Google and your product pages will probably never rank. They will never ranked because they will never get indexed because of the duplicate content.

5. Thinking You Are A Website Designer - This one is very simple to understand. You are a business owner. You do not need to be wasting your time learning to program or design sites. (this one kind of ties into the third one, but you get the point) If you can spend your time running the business, you will always have more of a chance for success with your Internet business.

With so many things to consider when setting up a dropship business I wanted to give you the "not to's" focused on web site design, because this really is one of the biggest areas of mistakes that I see made during the set up process.

Matt Siltala authors an SEO Blog and also teaches "new to Internet" business owners how to set up a dropship businesses correctly.

Recognizing The Signs of Fraud

Financial scams have been on the rise around the world, and unfortunately, have been rising in sophistication. Fraud was introduced to the Internet most notably by the Nigeria 411 scams, i.e. advance fee fraud. That was then, this is now.

Scammers today are using worldwide access to the Internet to their advantage. Accounts such as webhosting a new website, bank and credit accounts can now be easily opened on the Internet, from any location. Having some false identification gives the scammer the upper hand here, as he has essentially created an alias with little, if any, traceable information.

The False Website Approach

Many financial scams are taking the form of the classic advance fee fraud, but with a higher level of sophistication and tactics. Websites are often created with templates or a design is stolen from another reputable and legal investment company. Once the site is complete, the criminal has created what appears to be a legitimate website and company. The headquarters for these fictitious firms are often located in the United States, so the website claims. These sites are mearly a tool for fraud.

How to distinguish a real investment website from a fraudulent one? Search Google and Yahoo for the company to determine if there are other sites referencing the firm. Check the site itself to see if the firm has contact information. A website without an address or phone number is a red flag for potential fraud or scam. Search phone directories for the firm's telephone number. Lastly, check with the SEC's website for signs on how to recognize these investment scams, and to verify registration of the firm.

Knowing the Signs of Fraud

Although the level of sophistication in these scams continues to rise, an educated consumer can know the difference. Scammers today always contact their victims with an offer - the potential victim has been selected. The firm representative may speak perfect English, and even understand investments and asset management. He may even request you submit an IRS form and other documents. Bottom line, this person will request personal data and/or payment promptly and without ever meeting you. Be skeptical and ask for the firms' references and SEC filing.

Getting Verification

If you've searched the Internet for references, checked local phone listings, maybe even contacted the SEC for verification, and spoke with company representatives and claimed references - and you're still not sure? Contact a professional investigation company, like Wymoo International or Philippine PI for help. Get the facts on who your dealing with - then decide.

All the Best,

S. Birch

2006-2008 S. Birch

Mr. Birch is a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania and has over 18 years of experience in private investigation services and covert surveillance. Mr. Birch has served as an advisor for international security details involving foreign government personnel and CEOs. He is a senior advisor for Wymoo International and Philippine PI. Mr. Birch has directed investigations in over 40 countries worldwide. He is widely considered an expert in global investigation and security.

There seems to be a new trend where carwash fundraisers are being banned and this hurts non-profit groups. Some carwashes have said that they will allow non-profit groups to sell coupons to their carwashes and participate in a portion of the money raised. The car wash gets great PR and community goodwill and the non-profit groups no longer compete with the car wash on a sunny busy Saturday. Everyone wins right?

Well, this is what at least some environmental code enforcement personnel and a few carwash owners would have you believe. But the reality is that the car wash coupon schemes at carwashes do not make that much for the nonprofit groups. Do the non profit groups complain about this? Well no, why would they, after all $250 to 500 is better than nothing, yet it is nothing compared to the $5,000 they might have made if they did their own carwash fundraiser the old fashion way, before they were outlawed.

Some car wash owners say that is not so, we have a special new program - oh really? The reality is that, the concept that "This time is different" with regards to carwash coupon schemes is ridiculous. Many groups look at the deal that the carwashes are offering and opt not to do it. Others do it once, maybe twice and never again, as it does not work.

The environmental "fresh out of school" municipal storm water people don't get it, they think they have solved a problem, in reality they have been had and the entire community pays and in the long run, We all lose, a little bit of Americana and a few more good kids move to the dark side of society. A coupon carwash fundraiser scheme to PR carwash owners? Hmm?

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

QUESTION: I'm going to a big Friends of the Library sale, and looking for nonfiction. Should I grab a lot of books quickly, say $400 worth, or should I buy fewer books after I've checked their prices?

ANSWER: Wow, I wish I were going to this sale! The most I've ever managed to spend at a library sale is about $275. But I never worry about how much I'm spending -- I know the more books I buy, the more money I'll be making in the future.

I hardly ever research prices at a sale, I'm too busy grabbing books. My strategy is to buy in volume -- anything that looks like a winner, I snatch it, as long as I'm getting it for a few dollars or less.

The only time I use my cellphone to check prices at a sale is when there's a special collection of high-end books on sale for $4 and over. Then I'll look up the prices to avoid taking big losses on my mistakes. I've snagged some monster books this way that I wouldn't have taken the chance without being able to see its price on Amazon Marketplace.

I can't always find something in the "special" section of a library sale, so I save this for last -- after I've combed the sale for all the regular hardbacks and trade paperbacks I can find.

See a real-time list of the most highly sought after used and collectible books.

Read more free articles on selling used books profitably online: http://www.weberbooks.com/selling/selling.htm

Steve Weber is author of "The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site" (ISBN 0977240606). Got a question for Steve? Send to: steve_weber@yahoo.com