Feb

29

Beware: It’s ‘phishing’ season – income tax scams abound

Filed Under Finance | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | Leave a Comment

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Scam artists never pass up a good opportunity, and the soon-to-be-issued economic stimulus checks are the latest hook they’re using as bait in a “phishing” expedition.

The checks, which could be anywhere from $300 to $1,200 for most households, are set to be mailed out beginning in May. Some crafty criminals are capitalizing on the anticipated funds by contacting people, identifying themselves as employees with the Internal Revenue Service and telling them they could get the money sooner if they choose to have it direct-deposited. And then they’re asked for their bank account information, and it’s smooth sailing for the slick con-men to access those accounts and clear them out.

“Scams always come up during tax season, but these guys have gotten very clever,” said David Stewart, state spokesman for the IRS. “They’ll play that refund game on people time and time again.”

Stewart said the scam has “spread across the nation like wildfire. You could use the word pandemic. It’s gotten that bad.”

He said the stimulus checks just got the tax return scam season off to an early start.

About three years ago, e-mail scams, known as “phishing,” began taking off as e-mails were sent out, seemingly from the IRS, Stewart said. The e-mails requested personal information, and bank account, credit card and personal identification numbers.

The first wave of these e-mails was obviously fake to those who actually took a minute to read them.

“There were misspellings and the grammar was poor,” Stewart said. “This year they look very sophisticated.”

He said the scam artists prey on Americans’ fears of the IRS and naivet� about what the IRS will and will not do when it comes to contacting people.

“Here’s the bottom line,” Stewart said. “We’re never, ever going to send you an e-mail. It just ain’t gonna happen. It would be a very rare occasion that we’d call you on the phone, and we’d never ask you for your routing number, PIN, credit card number or passwords.”

Stewart said the IRS urges people to contact their local IRS office if they get an e-mail or phone call. In the case of a call, he said, “just say ‘thank you’ and hang up.” Then call your local office, tell them you received a call and ask if the IRS is truly trying to reach you.

If an e-mail is received, never click on any links in the e-mail and don’t reply to it. Instead, forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov.

Source:www.timesleader.com/news/20080229_23_Phishing_as_ART.html



Tags: ,

Feb

29

Music briefs: Cary Hoffman as Sinatra, Yo-Yo Ma, Celtic Fiddle Festival

Filed Under Music | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | 2 Comments

If you’re craving some songs from “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” Cary Hoffman delivers with “My Sinatra: The Songs and the Stories” at 8 p.m. tomorrow at Ike Hall.

Hoffman sings all of Sinatra’s classics from 1953 to the early ’60s while sharing stories about the songs, their authors and “The Chairman of the Board” himself. Hoffman will be accompanied by a full orchestra.

Ike Hall is at West Point. Tickets are $36 and $38. Call 938-4159 or visit www.ikehall.com.

Get an early start on St. Patrick’s Day with the Celtic Fiddle Festival at the Towne Crier tonight.

Featuring Kevin Burke, Christian Lemaître, André Brunet and Ged Foley, the evening will feature traditional Irish playing with a little humor thrown into the mix. The fiddlers’ latest release is 2005’s “Play On.”

The Towne Crier is at 130 Route 22, Pawling. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Call 855-1300 or visit www.townecrier.com.

Bring your ma (and whomever else, for that matter) to see cellist Yo-Yo Ma play the Ulster Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Born in Paris to Chinese parents, a conductor/composer father and vocalist mother, it was inevitable that Ma would be musically inclined. A child prodigy, he played for President John F. Kennedy when he was 7 years old and has won 15 Grammy Awards, his most recent in 2004 for Best Classical Crossover Album with “Obrigado Brazil.”

“Yo-Yo Ma & Friends” will feature an evening of string quartets from Austria to the Caspian Sea. The world-famous cellist will perform with Colin Jacobsen, Jonathan Gandelsman and Nicholas Cords.

UPAC is at 601 Broadway, Kingston. Tickets are $55-$85. Call 339-6088 or visit www.upac.org.

Source:www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080229/ENTERTAIN/802290305/-1/ENTERTAIN08

 



Tags: ,

Feb

29

Marvel Comics 03.26.08 | Who do you trust?

Filed Under Books | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | 1 Comment

Secret Invasion explodes in the pages of Ms. Marvel #25, plus the Ultimate universe arrives for the first time en español in special Spanish editions of Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1 and Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1. Do You Trust Ms. Marvel?

Iron Man has discovered the latest Skrull infiltrator and it’s…Ms. Marvel? Enter the extra-sized Ms. Marvel #25, from acclaimed writer Brian Reed (New Avengers: The Illuminati, Captain Marvel) and new series artist Adriana Melo, beginning a story right on the front lines of Secret Invasion. But is Ms. Marvel here to help us…or destroy us? And what does this issue’s cover, from renowned cover artist Greg Horn, mean for the future of the Marvel Universe? This issue also features a stunning variant by the acclaimed Terry Dodson, who also provides a connecting cover on Captain Marvel #4.

“The Secret Invasion is pretty rapidly becoming less and less of a secret to both Captain and Ms. Marvel,” revealed Brian Reed. “Ms. Marvel #25 has it all. Secrets are revealed, someone is killed, almost nobody is who they seem, Carol Danvers saves Captain Marvel’s life, and a Skrull steals the Space Shuttle! We’re also excited to welcome the new art team of Adrianna Melo and Mariah Benes. They have walked onto this book and made it their own, creating absolutely spectacular pages of art. For this first issue, they’re joined by Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema, two great and classic Marvel artists, who help us revisit Carol’s days as a NASA security chief… and learn that this invasion started a long time before Carol Danvers was a super hero!”

Series editor Steve Wacker said, “Brian’s been getting a lot of much deserved attention because of his work on Captain Marvel as well as right here on Ms. Marvel, so if you haven’t climbed on board the Reed train yet, now’s the time!”

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Ms. Marvel #25 as the series directly ties into 2008’s most-anticipated event, Secret Invasion, and continues to garner critical acclaim. Just who-or what-is Ms. Marvel? Find out in this can’t miss anniversary issue!

MS. MARVEL #25 (SI:I) (JAN082167)

MS. MARVEL #25 DODSON VARIANT (SI:I) (DEC078128)

Written by BRIAN REED

Penciled by ADRIANA MELO

Cover by GREG HORN

Variant by TERRY DODSON & LAURA MARTIN

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC-3/6/08, On-Sale-3/26/08

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook

Experience The Ultimate Universe En Espanol!

Marvel is proud to announce that, for the first time, the landmark Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Vol.1and Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection Vol.1 will make their debuts in Spanish! The Ultimate Spider-Man Spanish Collection TPB and Ultimate X-Men Spanish Collection TPB present the first year of stories from these landmark series and remain some of Marvel’s most memorable, action-packed epics!

spiderman ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN SPANISH COLLECTION TPB (JAN082218)

Written by BRAIN MICHAEL BENDIS

Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ULTIMO COLLECIÃ’N LIBRO 1 TPB (JAN082218)

Escrito por BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Dibujado por MARK BAGLEY

Rated A …$29.99

FOC-2/28/08, On-Sale-3/26/08

Marvel Comics is a division of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., a leading global character-based entertainment company that has developed and owns a library of more than 5,000 characters, which have entertained generations around the world for over 60 years. Marvel’s operations are focused in entertainment and consumer product licensing and comic book publishing. Marvel Studios supports the development of feature films, DVD/video products and TV series. Marvel’s creative team also supports the development of video games and toy lines based on its characters as well as for a broad and growing range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, foods and promotions. Marvel’s comic book division is a leading publisher in the global marketplace while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. Marvel’s Toy Biz division is a recognized creative force and leader in toy design, sales and marketing, developing and overseeing both licensee and in-house toy lines. For additional information visit http://www.marvel.com/

Source:www.playbackstl.com/content/view/7303/167/



Tags: , ,

Feb

29

European Factors — Economy woes to weigh on stocks

Filed Under Finance | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | Leave a Comment 

 (Adds index futures, more company news, updates table)
 FRANKFURT, Feb 29 (Reuters) - European shares were set for a weaker start on
Friday on following falls in U.S. and Asian markets after comments by U.S.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on the health of small U.S. banks fuelled
concern over the state of the economy.
 Oil touched a new high above $103 on Friday while the U.S. dollar fell to a
series of lows against major currencies.
 Futures for Germany's DAX FDXH8 and for France's CAC FCEH8 were down 0.4
percent, and bookmakers expected London's FTSE 100 .FTSE to open 10 to 20
points lower. European shares ended Thursday 1.8 percent lower amid mounting
U.S. recession worries.
 Investors will pore over U.S. and European economic data for any signs of a
recession, and study company results for signs of weakness from the economy and
credit market problems.
 Swiss Re (RUKN.VX:), the world’s largest reinsurer, posted a smaller than
expected drop in profit but announced a $226 million credit default swap
mark-to-market loss. On Thursday American International Group Inc (AIG.N:), the
world’s largest insurer, posted its biggest-ever quarterly loss.
 London-based hedge fund Peloton Partners LLP became the latest victim of the
global credit market crisis when it told investors on Thursday that it was
shutting one fund and was considering what to do with another.
 -----------------------MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 0739 GMT----------------------
                                        LAST        PCT CHG        NET CHG
 S&P 500                  .SPX    1,367.68        -0.89 %         -12.34
 NIKKEI                  .N225   13,603.02        -2.32 %        -322.49
 MSCI ASIA EX-JP .MIASJ0000PUS      564.24        -1.34 %          -7.68
 EUR/USD                  <EUR=>       1.519        -0.07 %        -0.0010
 USD/JPY                  <JPY=>      104.68        -0.60 %        -0.6300
 10-YR US TSY YLD    <US10YT=RR>       3.641          --             -0.03
 10-YR BUND YLD      <EU10YT=RR>       3.971          --             -0.02
 SPOT GOLD                <XAU=>     $971.60         0.28 %          $2.70
 US CRUDE                 CLc1     $102.87         0.27 %           0.28
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------


 * Wall St falls on jobless claims, Fed's bank warning       [ID:nN28628816]


 * Japan stocks down 2 pct, hit by yen, economy fears        [ID:nL29579553]


 * Dollar dives, global stocks sink, oil pricier than        [ID:nSP146231]


 * Dollar hits 3-yr low versus yen, rate view stings         [ID:nT106779]


 * Treasuries jump in Asia as investors see more Fed cuts    [ID:nT102418]


 * Gold powers to record on oil, eyes $1,000                 [ID:nSP141558]


 * Oil hits fresh high after Ecuador pipeline rupture        [ID:nSP141549]




 COMPANY NEWS




 SWISS RE (RUKN.VX:) 


 Swiss Re said full-year net profit was 4.2 billion francs, slightly above
the 4.0 billion average forecast in a Reuters poll of 15 analysts. The group
broadly maintained its over the cycle goals, slightly raising its return on
equity (ROE) goal to 14 percent from 13 percent before, while sticking to its 10
percent earnings per share growth. [ID:nL29927081]


 Related news, double click on [RUKN.VX-E]




 DEXIA (DEXI.PA:) 


 French-Belgian bank Dexia reported a 14 percent rise in its underlying
fourth quarter net profit on Friday, driven by higher earnings at its public
finance division. [ID:nL29620555]


 Related news, double click on [DEXI.PA-E]




 JULIUS BAER (BAER.VX:)


 The Swiss bank, facing an international backlash, defended on Thursday
taking legal action to shut down a Web site that published what the site said
were details of secret bank accounts linked to tax- avoidance schemes.
[ID:nN28616916]


 Related news, double click on [BAER.VX-E]




 VIVENDI (VIV.PA:) 


 The media and communications group on Friday posted an 8.3 percent rise in
adjusted full-year net profit, pulled by its Maroc Telecom and pay-TV unit.
[ID:nL29258663]


 Related news, double click on [VIV.PA-E]




 SOLVAY (SOLB.BR:)


 Belgium's Solvay said on Friday its pharmaceutical division would evaluate
its options for the future of schizophrenia drug bifeprunox after partner Wyeth
Pharmaceuticals (WYE.N:) withdrew. [ID:nWEB7028]


 Related news, double click on [SOLB.BR-E]


 BELGACOM (BCOM.BR:)


 Belgacom reported a 3.3 percent fall in 2007 core profit on Friday below
market expectations as a tough regulatory environment hit its mobile division.
[ID:nWEB7008]


 Related news, double click on [BCOM.BR-E]




 ERSTE BANK (ERST.VI:)


 Austria's Erste Bank posted a forecast-beating 22 percent rise in
fourth-quarter net profit, lifted by buoyant business in central and eastern
Europe. [ID:nVIE001219]


 Related news, double click on [ERST.VI-E]


 EADS (EAD.DE:), AIR FRANCE KLM (AIRF.PA:), LUFTHANSA (LHAG.DE:)


 The chief executive of US Airways Group Inc (LCC.N:) cautioned on Thursday
that the U.S. airline industry is heading into a downturn as it grapples with
record high oil prices and a weakening economy. "Our industry is in a mess,"
said Doug Parker. [ID:nN28339382]


 Related news, double click on [AIR-E]




 ASTRAZENECA (AZN.L:)


 AstraZeneca said on Friday it had submitted a once-daily version of its
blockbuster Seroquel medicine for approval by U.S. regulators to treat severe
depression in adults. [ID:nWLB7913]


 Related news, double click on [AZN.L-E]




 ROCHE (ROG.VX:)


 Japan's health authorities have approved Roche's cancer drug Herceptin for
the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, the Swiss drugmaker said on
Friday. [ID:nL2981130]


 Related news, double click on [ROG.VX-E]




 UCB (UCB.BR:)


 The Belgian pharmaceutical group reported a sharp decline in 2007 net
profit, hit by charges related to its purchase of German peer Schwarz Pharma.
[ID:nWEB7007]


 Related news, double click on [UCB.BR-E]




 ESCADA (ESCG.DE:)


 Escada's first-quarter core profit plummeted and sales fell 9 percent as the
women's luxury fashion group's autumn/winter performed poorly and it failed to
keep pace with the global luxury sector's dynamic growth. [ID:nL2956967]


 Related news, double click on [ESCG.DE-E]




 (Reporting by Eva Kuehnen)


Source:www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSL2969699720080229

  
	 	
		

Tags: , 
 
	 	
	 	

		
		

		

		
  	
		
	

		
Feb

		
29

	

	


	
Property prices fall in February

	
Filed Under General,  World News | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | Leave   a Comment 

	

	
	
		
House prices fell in February by 0.5%, says the latest survey from Nationwide.  The fourth consecutive monthly fall in property prices puts the cost of the average UK home at £179,358.


keys


The annual rate of house price inflation fell from 4.2% in January to 2.7% in February, the lowest since November 2005. 


But the building society warned against gloomy predictions for the housing market, claiming that recession was “a remote risk for the UK economy”.  


Trend continues 


Various surveys have charted a decline in the housing market since last summer, with the Land Registry the latest to show a slowing in the annual rate of house price inflation. 


Nationwide said the trend was of weakening prices but the drop in the annual rate of increase overstated the overall situation. This was because house price growth was particularly strong in January and February last year. 


Higher energy bills and food costs have put more pressure on household finances.for sale


Meanwhile lenders have become more fussy about who they lend to because of the crisis in the banking industry.  


No more so-called 125% mortgages are available and the 100% mortgage market has shrunk significantly in recent months. 


The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee cut interest rates from 5.5% to 5.25% in February. 


‘Uncertain market’  


Aggressive rate cuts in the coming months were unlikely, according to Nationwide’s chief economist Fionnuala Earley, but the economy was much weaker than it was a year ago. 


“It should not be surprising that we are entering a slower phase,” she said. 


“It is encouraging that the outlook is one of just that, slower economic growth rather than recession.” 


She added that the reluctance of buyers given the current uncertainty in the market was not a surprise, but conditions for the UK housing market were “perhaps less gloomy than some would have us believe.”


Source: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7269894.stm

  
	 	
		

Tags: , , , 
 
	 	
	 	

		
		

		

		
  	
		
	

		
Feb

		
29

	

	


	
Club captain jailed for pictures of boy

	
Filed Under General,  World News | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | Leave   a Comment 

	

	
	
		
 A disgraced cricket club captain was jailed yesterday for making gay pornography involving a 16-year-old boy. 


Rufus Ffoulkes, 48, of Alexander Road, Lowestoft, was A and B team captain of Kirkley Cricket Club, which went on to become Kirkley and Lowestoft Railway Cricket Club. But despite a long criminal record “covering the whole of his adult life” he was only asked to leave after police approached the club last year about the latest offences, which did not involve the club or its members.


Amanda Ayers, from the club, told the EDP yesterday that as Ffoulkes was not a coach he was not subject to criminal record checks.


She said: “He did a self-declaration form. All he declared was that he had a previous conviction to do with the Department for Trade and Industry for fraud. Because he wasn’t a coach he didn’t need to do CRB checks. Once we found out about what he had been involved in, we asked him to leave.”


In fact Ffoulkes, who was a committee member and was involved in the club from 2003 until April last year, had 58 previous convictions. The oldest, from 1981 when he was aged 21, were sexual offences involving a 13-year-old boy. There were also 45 offences of fraud and nine of theft.


Yesterday he was jailed for two years and 11 months for inciting a child into pornography. His sentence would have been a month longer had he not pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial last month. He was also sentenced to 12 months in prison, which he will serve at the same time, for obtaining services by deception. This was paying the men who appeared in his films with cheques that bounced, though Ffoulkes said he meant them to be honoured.


The prosecution said Ffoulkes approached young men on the Gaydar website and offered them payment to appear in his films.


One of them brought along a 16-year-old boy, who Ffoulkes asked to appear in a film. He refused, but after being asked repeatedly and offered £500, he agreed. Ffoulkes organised sexually explicit photographs in the countryside near Yarmouth. He then directed a film in which the 16-year-old took part in obscene sex acts without a condom.


Nicola May, prosecuting, said: “[The 16-year-old] was concerned it was unprotected sexual activity and he wished he had refused.”


Miranda Bevan, in mitigation, said: “Distasteful though this sort of activity is, the reality is that the gay pornography industry is sizeable and apart from the age of this young man, is legal. Unprotected sex is standard in the gay porn industry.”


She added: “He genuinely believed that this individual was over 18 but accepts that his belief was unreasonable and he should have conducted further checks.”


Judge John Devaux said: “You received a suspended term of imprisonment in 1981, and you said that though the victim was a 13-year-old you believed him to be 18. You were negligent then and you have been negligent again.”


He placed Ffoulkes on the sex offenders’ register for life, and banned him from recruiting models on the internet, working with children or being alone with an under-18-year-old without their parent being present.


Source:new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED28%20Feb%202008%2020%3A26%3A01%3A533

  
	 	
		 
	 	
	 	

		
		

		

		
  	
		
	

		
Feb

		
29

	

	


	
Deepshikha role-plays Shobha De’ in ‘Bhram’

	
Filed Under Celebrity | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | Leave   a Comment 

	

	
	
		
Television artiste Deepshikha will be seen as a nosy page 3 journalist in media magnate Nari Hira’s “Bhram” and the character is loosely based on well-known columnist Shobha De. Deepshikha’s character thrives on writing spicy news about the rich and famous and she is perpetually on the lookout for controversies. Her   latest target in the movie is an investment banker, played by Milind Soman. She is all out to expose and destroy his reputation.


“I am playing the character of a good looking but nosey page 3 journalist who is on the lookout for scoops and scandals,” said Deepshika.


Deepshikha’s look and dressing style are based on Shobha De’s look and personality, even to fine details of Shobha’s trademark silk and chiffon saree look, bindis, funky junk jewellery et al.


“The character is stylish with classy saris and funky jewellery. But the character is very bitchy.”


According to sources, Bhavna Iyer, who has written the story of “Bhram”, was also the editor of Stardust and therefore was well versed in spicy journalism.


But Deepshikha did not mind that her character was based on Shobha De.


Slated for a March 14 release, “Bhram” is a thriller directed by director Pawan Kaul and also stars Dino Morea, Sheetal Menon and Simone Singh.


Shobha De was a protégé of Nari Hira, who gave her a break as editor of their film magazine Stardust. And Shobha De shot to fame in the showbiz by writing about Bollywood stars and their personal lives.


Source:indiainteracts.com/gossip/2008/02/29/13861/Deepshikha-roleplays-Shobha-De-in-Bhram/

  
	 	
		

Tags: , , 
 
	 	
	 	

		
		

		

		
  	
		
	

		
Feb

		
29

	

	


	
Demiforce’s Trism, fun iPhone game

	
Filed Under Games | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan | Leave   a Comment 

	

	
	
		
iphoneworld


Trism is an amazing game where you make use of the iPhones tilt capabilities. Imagine it like a bejewelled on steroids. The goal of the game is to match 3 or more shapes of the same color. However the nice thing is that by tilting iPhone to different side will make columns fall accordingly. There is totally 6 sides. The game play is a bit different on each side.


Source:www.worldnetwork.ca/ads/www/delivery/ai.php?filename=iphoneworld1.jpg&contenttype=jpeg

  
	 	
		

Tags: ,