BBB Scam Alert, Facebook/MySpace Traps

BBB Warns: Your Facebook Friends Could Actually be Hackers, Scam Artists and ID Thieves

Social networking Web sites are a great way to find old classmates, stay connected with friends, or make new friends. Unfortunately, hackers are using Web sites like Facebook to infect computers and steal identities.

Your Better Business Bureau is urging you to protect yourself against hackers, scammers and ID thieves on social networking Web sites by becoming familiar with popular scams.

Some common social networking schemes include the following:

Friend in Distress Scam
One scam that has made the transition from phone and e-mail into Facebook is the “friend in distress” scam. Facebook users may receive a message in their inbox from a friend saying that they are in a dire situation – such as stranded in a foreign country – and need money wired to them. The recipient of the message doesn’t realize that their friend’s account has been hacked and that the message was actually sent by scammers. If the Facebook user does wire money to the scammers, they have no way of recovering the money after they learn that their friend is actually safe and sound.

Phishing Friends
One particularly destructive computer virus, called Koobface, has made the social networking site rounds via MySpace and most recently on Facebook in December. In Faceback, the victim receives a message from their friend saying “You look awesome in this video” or “You look funny in this video” and includes a link to an outside Web site to view the video. Clicking on the link will open a window that claims the victim needs to download an updated version of Flash. Agreeing to the update actually installs the virus onto the victim’s computer. The virus is designed to monitor the user’s Internet activity and potentially steal personal information. Victims of Koobface have had a particularly difficult time removing the virus and in some cases just decided to scrap their computers completely.

Viral Wall Post
Another recent Facebook scam takes advantage of a social networker’s fears that the pictures and information they post on Facebook could be made very public. The user receives a post on his or her wall from a friend saying something like, “hey do u realize your face book picture is all over (link to Web site). The wall posts vary, but all invariably link to an outside Web site that supposedly has the user’s photos. Facebook warns that clicking on the link will allow hackers to gain access to the user’s personal account and post the same message – seemingly coming from the victim – on their friend’s walls.

Your BBB offers the following advice for staying safe on social networking sites:
• Be extremely wary of messages from friends or strangers that direct the user to another Web site via a hyperlink.
• Before wiring money to a friend in a jam, users should attempt to contact their friend outside of the social networking site, such as over the phone or via e-mail to confirm the situation. If that’s not possible, BBB recommends asking them a question to which only they would know the answer.
• Users should always make sure their computer’s operating system’s antivirus and firewall software are up to date.
• Social networking sites are about sharing information, but BBB recommends that users take steps to keep important information private. While some social networking Web sites do allow for the user to share phone numbers and addresses, it’s best to keep such information private.
• Be selective when choosing friends. While a user might not want to be rude, BBB recommends that it’s best to decline a request for friendship if the user doesn’t actually know the person.

For more advice on staying safe online go to www.bbb.org.

Fashion Show and Dinner to benefit God's Pantry

February 19, 2009 Event:

God's Pantry Ministry in conjunction with the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Dinner and Fashion Show at the Fountain/Ft Carson Middle School, 515 N. Santa Fe Ave, Fountain, CO, from 6pm to 8:30pm.

The event will include meal, show, door prizes and a chance to purchase what you see. All proceeds and donations will go to God's Pantry to help support the local community.

R.S.V.P.
by mail: Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 201, Fountain, CO 80817
in person: 114 N. Main Street, Fountain
by phone: 719-382-3190
Please include your name, phone and number of people that will be attending.

Admission: $6 in advance or $10 at the door.

Shelter Insurance® introduces new storm-response vehicles

Press Release

Shelter Insurance® has purchased three specially-equipped storm-response vans for their Storm Response Teams.

The vans are equipped to improve the visibility and accessibility of the storm teams to customers in the aftermath of a catastrophe or major weather event.

“We spent time looking at a wide variety of options for catastrophe response vehicles,” said Matt Moore, Vice President of Claims. “We selected these vans because they are large enough to be noticed by our customers and yet are still maneuverable and easier to drive than larger recreational vehicles or trucks. They will enhance our presence at any storm site and allow us to better showcase the professionalism of our Storm Team.”

Shelter purchased three 2008 Dodge Sprinter vans and plans to house them in Columbia, Mo., Tulsa, Okla. and Jonesboro, Ark. They are outfitted with special equipment critical to the catastrophe response team during a crisis. The interior features a work table that folds down so that laptops, files, phones and other equipment can be set up quickly. Convenient storage bins hold necessary supplies and equipment as well. In the aftermath of a storm, the vans can be parked in areas accessible to policyholders and can serve as mobile claims handling facilities. The vans are designed to serve as a visual representation of the promise that Shelter makes to each policyholder they serve.

“The vehicles will provide an important visual point of reference to customers who are facing the challenges of rebuilding after a catastrophic event hits their community,” said Ty Bailey, Vice President of Marketing. “The vans are a way to show the communities we serve that all of us at Shelter believe in delivering on the promise we make with every policy we sell.”

Recently recognized as one of the most financially stable regional insurance companies in the U.S., Shelter Insurance® is a group of companies with two direct personal lines property and casualty companies, a property and casualty reinsurer, a life and annuity insurer, a thrift bank, and other smaller financial entities. Shelter’s direct business is written through 1,300 agents in 14 states and is supported by 1,800 employees. Shelter Insurance Companies’ Home Office is at Columbia, Missouri. Shelter is rated “A” Excellent by AM Best and Api by Standard & Poors.

For more information, visit www.ShelterInsurance.com

Local Businesses Team up to Aid Lupus Research

Oasis Productions Press Release

Oasis Productions and the Lupus Research Institute have collaborated to produce a Summer Jazz fundraiser concert for Lupus research to raise money and promote awareness of the devastating disease.

Mark Browning, CEO of Oasis Productions and Renai Frisco of the Lupus Research Institute here in Colorado Springs are two local entrepreneurs that believe in bringing a community together with music and entertainment. And will be putting on a monthly show filled with jazz, comedy, poetry and dinner at the new downtown restaurant Flavors on Tejon.

The purpose of this event is to promote awareness regarding the devastating dilemmas associated with Lupus and to raise resources for Lupus Research. Lupus is an auto-immune illness which causes, for unknown reasons, the body to attack healthy cells, tissues and organs. The results of this can be debilitating. Of the 1.5 million cases that exist in the U.S., 90% exist in women. Our mother's, sister's and daughter's are suffering and dying and we must take a stand.

Flavors of Jazz & Poetry will be an exquisite evening of music, poetry and fabulous food!! Flavors of Jazz The event will take place on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the "Flavors on Tejon " restaurant, 321 North Tejon Street, Colorado Springs.

Hope and Help for Families Dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(photo: Marshele Waddell)

An estimated 20 percent of soldiers returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Only half are seeking treatment because of perceived stigmas or an inability to recognize symptoms.

PTSD’s effects extend beyond the soldier. Marshele Waddell knows all too well that PTSD infects marriages, hurts children and destroys family life. Waddell’s husband, a Navy SEAL for 25 years, suffered from PTSD after a tour in Iraq. She is co-author of the new book When War Comes Home.

Waddell is discussing her book and her family’s battle against PTSD at Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group, Feb. 11, 2009, at 10 a.m., at its Phoenix University Tower location, 28640 S. Circle Dr., Colorado Springs.

Her presentation is tailored toward military families dealing with PTSD with advice on how they can start winning the battle. “I’ve been there, done that, and am still on that journey dealing with PTSD as a result of a combat that came home with my husband,” said Waddell, a Monument resident. “Expect to get hope and practical help and clear direction about what steps to take.”

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Please RSVP at (719) 237-3453 or www.ppbhg.org by Feb. 6.

IHN Helps Struggling Families in Colorado Springs

Press Release

February 15th is the day after Valentine's Day and families with children are still homeless; but with a hand up and with hospitable hearts Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) and thousands of volunteers have helped over 350 families improve their situations. The Hearts for the Homeless Luncheon and Silent Auction is our biggest fundraiser to bring hope to homeless families.

Starting at 12 noon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, volunteers and friends will gather for the 12th annual event. Reservations for the $35 event are gladly taken at (719) 329-1244 with credit card information. Tables of eight are $250. This year's speaker will be long time proponent of IHN and Chaplain, LtCol Robert Leivers.

As demand for services increases it is terribly important that IHN maintains and even increases its short-term transitional housing and family advocacy services. Families represent the largest growing segment of the homeless population, putting the average age of a homeless person at 9 years of age.

IHN is a secular non-profit that mobilizes the good will of volunteers in Colorado Springs to provide overnight shelter to 4 families or 16 persons in their houses of worship. Host and support congregations and synagogues supply both volunteers and meals. The church becomes a home for a week until the families move on to the next host congregation. Due to our volunteers IHN provides shelter, meals, hospitality, and mentorship for families at a very low cost.

For more information on the Interfaith Hospitality Network visit www.interfaithhospitality.org or call (719) 329-1244.

Memorial Park Skate Park Opens in Colorado Springs

Hundreds showed up to the grand opening of the new destination skate park at Memorial Park on Dec. 13. It’s called a destination skate park, because at 40,000 square feet, the professionally designed and constructed, competition-size skate area has features that will attract inline skaters, skateboarders and BMX bikers from across the country. The park was designed and constructed by Team Pain, a world-renowned skate park design firm based in Winter Springs, FL. It includes features such as bowls, a street course, backyard-style pool and a unique “hole-in-the-wall." There is also an events plaza with a picnic pavilion and natural boulders for seating for those who would rather just be spectators. The skate park is three times the size of other skate parks in Colorado Springs and is the second largest skate park in Colorado.