Online Shopper’s Survival Guide mentioned in Woman’s World

A couple of months ago I was interviewed for an article in Woman’s World magazine on finding bargains online. The quote they used is very brief (in line with the style of the publication), but at least my name and my new book, Online Shopper's Survival Guide, are mentioned. It’s on page 23 of the Sept. 5, 2006 issue.

Jacquelyn Lynn

Avoid phishing attacks while using eBay

I am a huge fan of eBay and shop on the site regularly. However, a vulnerability in the site may allow an attacker to steal your personal information. eBay allows users to incorporate a type of code, also known as scripting, into the auction descriptions on its web site. An attacker can use this code to modify pages on eBay's web site or redirect you to a malicious web page. These may appear to be legitimate eBay web pages that request personal information.

To protect yourself, make sure that the URL is accurate (which means, be sure you are on a real eBay page). Click here for more information on how to avoid becoming a victim of an attacker using this scam.

Of course, to learn more about online shopping, finding bargains, and avoiding scams, read my new book, Online Shopper’s Survival Guide.

Happy and safe online shopping!
Jacquelyn Lynn

New Scam Involving Exotic Birds - USDA Alert

Here is a new scam alert from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General – Investigations:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Atlanta provided the following information to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding a scam in which the U.S. Department of Agriculture's “USDA” name and “USDA” correspondence are being used in a scam to obtain money from people who think they are adopting exotic birds. It is similar to the Nigerian letter scams [also known as Advance Fee Fraud or Nigerian 419 schemes. Go to http://www.state.gov/www/regions/africa/naffpub.pdf for more information], except the country Cameroon is being referenced in this case.

The scam basically works this way: Ads are placed over Internet sites such as MecuryNews.com that 3 Macaws or other exotic birds are up for adoption. Individuals in the U.S. see the ad and contact the person placing the birds for adoption by e-mail. The party contacted by e-mail introduces themselves as being from Cameroon. The money trail can start from this point as the party in Cameroon "arranges" to have the birds shipped from Douala, Cameroon to Hartsfield Airport-Atlanta by "Global Pet Express" and of course money is needed for paperwork, etc. for the transfer of the birds. An official itinerary is provided and payment is sympathetically requested.

The party in the U.S. adopting the birds next receives a fax/e-mail from the "U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Pets Transportation and Wild Life Animals" stating that the birds are being held at Hartsfield Airport pending USDA regulations requiring further paperwork from the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Industry in Cameroon and references contacting the person who the birds were adopted from to get the paperwork in Cameroon to forward. The party "who the birds were adopted from" is contacted and of course more money, $662 or similar amount, is needed to obtain the necessary permits from the Cameroon government ministry involved. The money pit can continue or stop at this point, depending whether the adopting party in the U.S. contacts the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and finds that no birds are being held by USDA regulators at Hartsfield. They will also find that there is not a "Department of Pets Transportation and Wild Life Animals" under the U.S. Department of Agriculture and there were never birds sent.

USDA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working together on this and hope to publish a nationwide alert.

Jacquelyn Lynn

The Truth about the Fair Tax

Grassroots support for the FairTax Act (H.R. 25) is growing, prompting those who are afraid of it to distort the facts and engage in fear-mongering. Let’s look at the truth about the FairTax:

The FairTax will replace our current federal taxes with a federal retail sales tax of 23 percent (the rate set forth in H.R. 25; not 30 percent or higher as some claim). Wages will no longer be subject to federal withholding; workers will take home 100 percent of their paychecks. The FairTax will repeal: individual income tax; alternative minimum tax (AMT); corporate and business income taxes; capital gains taxes; Social Security taxes; Medicare taxes; all other federal payroll taxes; self-employment tax; estate taxes; and gift taxes. Because the FairTax abolishes all taxes on income, it eliminates the practice of punishing productive, hard-working people and businesses.

The cost of goods and services will drop because the FairTax will remove embedded federal taxes and the cost of managing and collecting them from prices.

The FairTax will be levied against all new goods and services. Nothing will be exempt, and there will be no loopholes or special interest considerations. Now you don’t see how much federal tax you’re paying when you make a purchase; under the FairTax, you will.

Every taxpayer will receive a monthly “prebate” in an amount covering the amount of tax paid on the bare necessities of life. This protects low-income people and means that no American will ever have to pay federal tax on essentials.

The FairTax will allow individuals and businesses to make financial decisions based on what’s best for them without considering the tax consequences. Millions of dollars previously spent on consulting with lawyers and accountants on tax strategies can instead be invested in economic growth. The millions of hours spent preparing tax returns can be used for more productive, or perhaps just more enjoyable, activities.

The FairTax eliminates the so-called “underground” economy. Drug dealers, prostitutes, illegal aliens, and others who have avoided paying federal income tax will pay their fair share into the tax system through their retail purchases, as will the foreign tourists who come here to shop and spend.

The FairTax will turn the United States into a tax haven and bring businesses and high-paying jobs back to this country.

Finally, the FairTax will create a more informed electorate—something most politicians fear. Every taxpayer will be able to see on every retail purchase the exact amount of money he or she is sending to the federal government. What better way is there to hold politicians accountable?

For more information about the FairTax, visit www.fairtax.org.

Jacquelyn Lynn

Free tutorial: “89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases for the Web”

Whether you are an experienced publicist or just learning how to write press releases, I highly recommend that you take Joan Stewart’s free 89-day tutorial, “89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases for the Web.”
I have been recommending Joan’s products for a long time, and she has certainly held to her high standards with this latest effort. It’s full of great information and it really and truly is free.

Click here to sign up for this valuable tutorial so that you can start promoting yourself, your company, or your nonprofit organization on the Web today.

Jacquelyn Lynn

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A Critical Small Business Issue: Managing Cash Flow

Cash is the lifeblood of a business, regardless of the industry or type of operation. Is there a secret to maintaining a healthy, positive cash flow? All it takes is an awareness of effective techniques and a consistent attention to detail. Click here to read my article on this important business management issue.

Jacquelyn Lynn

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