Scammers Target Travelers Online with Southwest Gift Cards

Fremont, CA (PRWEB) January 23, 2012

“Caveat emptor” is the universal warning: “Buyer beware. Purchase at your own risk.” There’s no direct Latin translation for being on guard for too-good-to-be-true travel scams perpetrated online. Nonetheless, online scams swindle travelers every day. Cheap business class flights specialist Lets Fly Cheaper (LFC) wants to protect its customers, and consumers in general, from the plethora of phony travel websites and ticket offers out there.

To help customers fly smarter as well as cheaper, LFC has compiled some of the most egregious stories their agents have encountered. They’re also encouraging travelers to share their own online travel scam horror stories by visiting the company’s website at http://www.letsflycheaper.com. LFC will publish the best (read: worst) travel scams and award a $ 100 gift certificate to the entrant with the most compelling story. Lets Fly Cheaper’s “Let’s Fly Smarter Travel Scams Contest” runs through February 29, 2012.

As an online discount travel agent, Lets Fly Cheaper is hypersensitive to the pitfalls inherent in Internet sales. “There’s tremendous fraud potential on both sides of the travel transaction,” explains Ramon Van Meer, LFC marketing director. “Our goal is to help consumers protect themselves. This particular scam happened to a friend of mine. We don’t want to see anyone else get duped by this -– or any other — scheme.”

The Online Classifieds/Southwest Scam

Scammers post an ad on Craigslist or on other online classifieds newspaper or on eBay. Often they will offer Southwest Airlines gift cards, vouchers, rapid rewards or travel funds. Southwest is the most common, because it’s one of few that allows customers to give away their rapid rewards to someone else.

“That’s why you’ll see Southwest rapid rewards but no other airlines’,” says Van Meer. “It’s usually a tremendous (seeming) bargain, like $ 1,000 value offered for $ 500 or less.

Those who take the bait find out when they get to the airport ticket counter that the rewards are bogus or purchased fraudulently. Of course, by then it’s way too late.”

A true example of the Southwest scam

A friend of Van Meer’s had to go to a funeral in Miami, flying in from Los Angeles. He saw an $ 800 Southwest gift card advertised on Craigslist for only $ 400.

When he got to the airport he was informed his ticket was canceled because the gift card was bought with a stolen credit card. Not only did he have to purchase a brand new ticket on the spot (at a substantially higher price), he had to pay for it with cash. Because he had essentially bought his ticket (via the gift card) with a stolen credit card, he was immediately suspect and his own credit card disallowed. To make matters worse, like many people, he could only withdraw $ 500 per day using his ATM card. He had to go to his bank to withdraw the cash. He ended up missing his flight and had to wait until the next day to fly out for the funeral. So all told, he lost $ 400 on the Craigslist scammer, $ 300+ more to purchase a new ticket, missed his flight, and suffered a lot of unnecessary stress.

“The scariest thing is, it’s so easy for the scammers to pull this off,” notes Van Meer. “All they have to do is go to southwest.com and use a stolen credit card to buy a gift card. Sometimes they buy a real ticket and cancel the flight to get travel funds instead. When they get the gift card in their email box, it is just a PIN number. They then post an ad on Craigslist advertising a $ 1,000 gift card for $ 500, or some equally enticing offer. When they hook a potential buyer, they eagerly provide the code to prove the gift card is real. Yes, it’s “real,” but paid for with a stolen credit card! Most of the time the hapless purchaser only finds out the truth when they go to redeem their actual travel at the Southwest ticket counter. By then, their money is long gone.”

The scam involves irregularities around payment, as well. Unusual payment methods should tip people off, but not everyone is clued into these warning signs. And the scammers are very good. To be untraceable, they use anonymizer software to anonymize email and browser trace routes and/or they go to an Internet café or use open wifi to get on the Internet. Some real pros even use a portable USB 3G modem. Portable USB modems make it difficult to triangulate user position.

LFC urges people not to be taken in by 50% off deals requiring payments that can’t be traced. “Craigslist has warnings all over the site about phony payment methods, etc. But the scammers are always 10 steps ahead in coming up with new methods to steal your hard-earned money,” says Van Meer.

Lets Fly Cheaper plans to regularly publish advice on how to avoid travel scams. Right now, the company is compiling traveler tips on its website through its “Let’s Fly Smarter Travel Scams Contest.” “If you’re not comfortable posting details of your scam story on the site, email it to us. The information is what’s important. Sharing your story could help others to buy smarter and save money and heartache on their next transaction,” advises Van Meer.

Lets Fly Cheaper is offering a $ 100 gift card (Not Southwest, and definitely not paid for with a stolen credit card) in exchange for traveler scam tips. “We’ll be accepting tips through February 29, which happens to be Leap Year and thus seems like an appropriate day to end our contest,” says Van Meer. All submissions will be considered for posting on the LFC site and for possible outside publication. The contest winner will be the poster/emailer whose scam story is judged (by LFC business travel agents) to be the most outrageous.

Go to http://www.letsflycheaper.com/blog/travel-scams-contest/ to submit your story to warn your fellow travelers and maybe win the $ 100 gift card.

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“Safe Money San Antonio”, A New Retirement Educational Website For Baby Boomers And Retirees, Is Released This Week By Metropolitan CMG.

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) May 17, 2012

A San Antonio based Retirement Income and Safe Money planning team, Metropolitan CMG teamed up this week with Annuity Think Tank to create a new educational retirement income website called “Safe Money San Antonio”. This new informative retirement website will feature daily retirement and income planning content including blogs, articles, and retirement focused white papers. “Safe Money San Antonio” will also highlight relevant retirement videos focused on the importance of contractually guaranteed lifetime income and the pros and cons of annuities.

A recent retirement study by Blackrock titled, “Reengineering Retirement”, revealed that baby boomers are completely rethinking retirement. Instead of looking for growth and high returns, the fear of outliving their nest egg has turned the focus to preservation of principal, safety, and income. As baby boomers and retirees in the San Antonio area begin to search the web for the best retirement information, the need for up to date and unbiased research is crucial. The site, http://www.SafeMoneySan Antonio.com was designed to make retirement education easy for baby boomers online. SafeMoneySan Antonio.com updates with new retirement relevant information and articles on a daily basis and can serve as the one stop shop for retirement instruction for San Antonio baby boomers.

About Wiley Carter and Metropolitan CMG

Metropolitan CMG principal Wiley Carter has over 30 years’ experience in the field of financial services. Mr. Carter holds the designations of CRP, as a Certified Retirement Planner and CRPC, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor from the College of Financial Planners in Denver, Colorado. He has conducted workshop seminars and one on one counseling throughout the United States and abroad in Germany, Switzerland & Austria since joining the financial services industry in 1977.

Mr. Carter has also worked in the brokerage industry for firms providing services and products such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, insurance, annuities, realty, mortgages and business analyst consulting over the years. Mr. Carter has focused the last 11 years on estate and retirement planning. Metropolitan CMG clients are seniors, retirees, government employees and business owners. Most of our clients are looking for solutions to Long Term Care, Lifetime Retirement Income, Insurance, Annuities and safe money strategies that provide the potential to deliver exceptional performance and provide for a reduction or elimination of estate, gift and income taxes. We work with financial institutions, affiliate financial planners, and board certified legal and accounting firms to provide comprehensive financial services. Services include: retirement planning, tax free & tax deferred income strategies, life time income, annuity advice and selection, life and long-term care insurance, planning for nursing home care and Medicaid spend down strategies, tax reduction or elimination, estate planning, business succession planning, access to conservator-ship and trust and trustee services. Our mission is to provide the most current information available with access to financial products, instruments and tax efficient strategies to protect your assets and your legacy, maximize current and future income with continued growth without exposure to risk of capital.

About Annuity Think Tank

Annuity Think Tank’s vision is to be the first place advisors and consumers come to for innovative annuity solutions, unbiased annuity education, annuity research, and the most comprehensive annuity information on the web. Advisors and financial professionals, please visit our site designed for you at Annuitythinktank.com. For further questions contact us toll free at (855)888-6494 or email us at info(at)annuitythinktank.com. We appreciate any and all feedback including new video ideas, blogs, and annuity concepts.

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Find More From Home Make Money Online Work Press Releases

Some people are seeking ways concerning how to pass those summer vacations with earning their very own budget and allowance for a duration of, let’s say, Eight weeks so they can afford automatically expenses. There are also others that search for an easy way to make money with less effort needed. There are now available works on the internet that provides or somehow offers a salary that’s either satisfactory or simply right but what should you pick to own easy money, but surely? Well you can find those who write some articles that might be posted on the web to allow them to be paid well by the clientele upon a monthly basis or any other timeframes. But, there may be scams that underlie within those webs of lies. One of those scams will be the Clicks for Cash.

Clicks TO Cash is the one other work from home program that’s promoting link posting or, while they call it, being a “Search Engine Agent.” For the low price of $49.95, Clicks for Cash is offering which you link posting certification course, a one-on-one consultation with the “Internet Wealth Expert,” as well as a host of other services and bonuses.

A variety offer that whenever you complete your certification course, you happen to be guaranteed a situation being a Google search Agent, where one can earn $58,000 annually, working just one single hour each day, five days every week. And if this claim makes you suspicious, that’s since it should. There’s no certification needed, and also, since it is really an independent business opportunity, Clicks for Cash can neither guarantee that you simply job nor provide you with a quotation about how much you could make.

Beyond their purposeful misrepresentation of the home business opportunity, there are many items you should know also. First, even though the web page says that the price tag on this software is $49.95, a fast look at the stipulations signifies that the true cost is $99.00.

As a way to receive the tariff of $49.95, you should complete a mail in rebate where the difference will probably be refunded to you. Second, their bonus one-on-one Internet Wealth Expert consultation is only great for 72 hours after you choose the program. If you haven’t completed your consultation then, providing be eligible for a it. Finally, Clicks for Cash runs by Search and Social Goldmine, who also run EZ Work from home Income and New Life Profits. There’s pointless to imagine that Clicks for Cash is going to be much better.

AxisPointe Names Stan Luhr as CEO to Expand Its Builder Risk Management & Quality Platform

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) November 03, 2011

Utah-based AxisPointe which provides risk management and software solutions to the building industry has named former Quality Built® CEO Stan Luhr as its new CEO, it was announced today.

Luhr is regarded as the brainchild of the modern quality movement for the building industry, who gained national support for his successful quality assurance metrics adopted by the nation’s top builders. Prior to joining AxisPointe®, Luhr patented a unique quality assurance system which reduced construction claims on over 430,000 homes since 1994.

“I am excited to be working with Stan Luhr as we broaden our services for the construction industry,” announced Jeff Smith, the company’s President. “He has a wealth of industry knowledge and he provides solutions that our builders will really appreciate.” AxisPointe’s new management structure coincides with the company’s rapid expansion into Canada and abroad.

AxisPointe’s builders range from small custom contractors to industry top-ten home builders, many of which have been on the AxisPointe system for years. The hosted software system allows builders to create document templates that eliminate duplication as files are stored and shared across multiple buildings. Homeowners may visit their customized website and receive photos, job plans, and manufacturers’ documents relating to their home’s construction. Smith said that many builders partner with AxisPointe to generate customized homeowner manuals, store green building documentation and warranty information, and utilize its trade partner insurance monitoring software.

The AxisPointe software is a hosted system, with high level security that operates on company-owned dedicated servers and redundant cloud networks. Smith said that unlike some of his competitors who are in bankruptcy or have deleted builder records, his company maintains records for the life of the home. A massive database containing over 300,000 builder products and digital documentation is instantly available for builders to automatically link important manufacturer’s information directly to the consumer, the largest of any such database.

Luhr plans to leverage the AxisPointe platform immediately to help builders control their operational and legal risks. Their new mobile IPhone® application will instantly track and share construction tasks and quality metrics, update schedules on the fly, and provide a robust communications field tool. Luhr said that he will leverage Apple’s newest iOS 5 Apple operating system to provide real-time GPS and photo transfer to link field staff with their office, allowing instant and live communication to reduce problems and reduce travel costs. AxisPointe’s system earns LEED and other energy program points for management systems, since there is significant paperwork reduction and elimination of automobile travel and waste.

“This software platform is more extensive than anything I have built before, and operates in real time to provide instant communications and progress tracking, Luhr said. “After reviewing more than 50 different programs on the market, I discovered the AxisPointe system was top of the line, and I am thrilled to be a part of this new risk management venture.”

Luhr said that builders are more receptive to emerging mobile technologies which slash paper handling and overhead costs. Builders also enjoy the energy credits that accompany electronic document sharing and storage. Luhr added that the smart phone platform gives builders an inexpensive tool that will help transform the typical construction job site into an efficient and connected business operation.

Insurance companies benefit greatly when builders can eliminate costly mistakes, since major claims can be avoided. “The industry has had many years to analyze the benefit of Mr. Luhr’s quality programs, and there is no doubt that they save us from significant claims,” said Carole Fleischman, Managing Agent for Pioneer Programs Insurance Solutions.

Fleischman first retained Luhr’s company in 1998 and thereafter mandated his program on all of her builder accounts nationwide. After reporting early success with her risk management program, more than 30 major insurers such as Arch, Lexington, and Zurich soon followed, spawning increased insurance availability and policy incentives for quality builders. Fleischman stated that Mr. Luhr’s quality programs were adopted as underwriting criteria for thousands of projects and were the key risk management element in accepting and pricing a risk.

Fleischman sees even greater risks due to the economy as homeowners lose significant equity, and has no intentions of backing down on quality metrics. “I will not insure a builder without proof that they have a robust quality assurance program in place. My loss runs prove that Mr. Luhr’s programs specifically save us millions of dollars in claims, not to mention insured goodwill and reduced warranty cost.”

Luhr remains optimistic that the company will see continued growth despite the recession, primarily due to increasing revenues from Canada and the U.S. as builders creep back into the market.

“These tools leverage technology to solve problems for builders so they can turn waste into profit. That is what quality management is all about.”

About AxisPointe

AxisPointe partners with home builders and contractors with technology solutions to streamline the construction process and eliminate risk. AxisPointe’s HomeProfile® document management software has been employed on thousands of homes by leading builders. AxisPointe’s platform of services includes project quality assurance, safety and control systems, project document storage and archiving, customer service management, insurance certificate management, post-warranty claims and litigation management systems.

For more information visit http://www.axispointe.com

Pioneer Programs Insurance Solutions, LLC

A Managing General Agent for the insurance industry who through its many relationships with insurance and reinsurance companies, offers risk management oriented insurance coverage for the construction industry and for other hard to place insurance classes. Coverage provided for contractors includes conventional annual policies, project specific and wrap up policies for new construction risks. Also available is general liability for projects that have already begun construction, are looking for deductible/SIR buybacks or other unique risks. Ms. Fleischman has developed a unique and intricate risk management program starting back in 1996, and continues to modify it to remain current with today’s building environment to address all the potential areas of risk and needs of a builder who desires to produce a quality product for their buyers. The result for the builder is to lessen their insurance costs and thus improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their employees and subcontractors. Pioneer’s services are offered nationwide with a heavy concentration in California, Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Arizona.

For more information call 626-696-3040.

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Packaging that Reduces Food Waste Captures Top DuPont Packaging Award

Winners of the 24th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, the industry’s longest-running, global, independently judged celebration of innovation and collaboration throughout the value chain.

Wilmington, DE (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

Innovative vacuum-packaging that reduces food waste by keeping meat looking and staying fresh longer took top honors in DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation. Retail packaging that boosts shelf appeal, a robust packaging recycling project and modular industrial packaging that cuts waste and cost captured gold honors.

Several leading brands – Heinz, Kraft, Pepperidge Farm, Cadbury and Unilever – also took home diamond, gold or silver awards in the 24th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, the industry’s longest-running, global, independently judged celebration of innovation and collaboration throughout the value chain.

For a complete list of winners, images and insights from jurors, click here.

The 2012 Diamond winner exemplifies the role packaging plays in helping to feed a growing population around the world. “FreshCase® packaging technology for meat, selected by the jurors as this year’s Diamond winner, addresses the important effort to help ensure food maintains its nutritional value and freshness,” said William J. Harvey, president of DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. “In the face of a growing population with limited resources, food waste from spoilage must be greatly reduced, and innovative packaging solutions will play a critical role in that story.”

An expert panel evaluated 200 entries from 21 countries and awarded one diamond winner, five gold winners and 10 silver winners based on “excellence” in one, two or all three categories: Innovation, Sustainability and Cost/Waste Reduction.

“The common thread was a focus on collaboration,” said lead DuPont Awards juror Brian Wagner, vice president, Packaging Technology Integrated Solutions, a HAVI Global Solutions Direct Company. “It wasn’t just one company doing it by themselves; they leveraged their suppliers strategically. There was a real focus on consumer insight on the impact of packaging at shelf and throughout the user experience.”

Highlights of this year’s winners:

Diamond

New Meat-Packaging Technology Keeps Meat Fresher Longer to Reduce Food Waste – FreshCase® Packaging for Fresh Red Meats by Curwood, Inc. – A Bemis Division – USA

Gold

New Goldfish™ Bread Packaging Makes a Splash on Store Shelves – Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats® thin rolls and Goldfish Sandwich Bread™ (Flats). Packaging by Pepperidge Farm; CP Flexible Packaging; Printpack, Inc.; Sealstrip Corporation – USA

Closed-Loop Recycling System Conserves Natural Resources and Engages Consumers – Ciclo Verde Taeq® – White Tea by Grupo Pão de Açúcar; Papirus – Brazil

Multi-Dimensional Packaging Solution Combines Ready-to-Ship, Ready- to-Display and Ready-to-Sell Capabilities … and it’s Re-Useable – “THE CUBE®” (Packaging System) by Smart Packaging Systems; My Compadre, LLC; Impact Mfg; Incrementia Inc.; One Way Display; Acme Packaging, an ITW Company – USA/Canada

Innovative Aerosol Dispenser Technology Cuts Use of Propellants – AirOPack® by IPS Innovative Packaging Solutions AG – Switzerland

Flexible is Key in New Cost-Saving Packaging Dividers – Soft Flexible Divider by ITB Packaging LLC – USA

Silver

Easy-Open Condiment Package Helps Protect the Environment – Kraft YES Pack by Kraft Foods; Exopack; Foth Production Solutions, LLC; PE International; The Food Group; Smart Bottle, Inc.; – USA

Electro-Conductive Packaging Helps Keep Frozen Food Fresh – Ultra-Freshness Preservation Freezing System Using High “Electric Potential” and Electro Conductive Packaging by Mutsumi Chemical Industry Co, Ltd; SUN Electric Company, Ltd.; Enshu-Kasei Co. Ltd.; – Japan

New Bottle Design Dramatically Reduces Material Use, Increases Customer Convenience and Visibility

for Shoppers and Reduces Cost – Short Neck Jar for Confy by Kraft Foods – Cadbury India Limited – India

Simplified Closure System Reduces Waste, Cost and Supply Chain Complexity – Project Galvanise for Ponds Talcum Powder by Hindustan Unilever, Ltd – India

Desiccant Laminate Decreases Contamination Risks in Pharmaceutical Packaging – Formpack Dessiflex™ Plus by Amcor Flexibles Singen GmbH – Germany

Jewel-like Brilliance Achieved in Premium Injection Molded Cosmetics Jar – Sulhwasoo Dahamsul cream jar by AmorePacific – Korea

Microwaveable Food Tray Cuts Cost, Waste through Responsible Sourcing – Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® “Eco-Friendly Tray” for Frozen Entrees by H.J. Heinz; Pactiv Foodservice – Food Packaging – USA

Consumer-Inspired Design Revolutionizes Laundry Experience with Tide PODS Liquid Unit Dose Laundry Detergent – Tide PODS Liquid Unit Dose Laundry Detergent by The Procter and Gamble Company and MonoSol; Plastipak Holdings Inc.– USA

Packaging Differentiates High-End Pet Food – Laminate with Hot Foil Stamping, Matte Surface and High-Definition Flexo Print by Mondi Coatings & Consumer Packaging GmbH – Austria

Microcellular Technology Keeps Food Containers Cool or Hot – InCycle® CPET Tray and Cold Party Cup by MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc – USA

The innovation represented by the DuPont Awards winners is one part of the solution needed to improve global food security. For more information on DuPont’s initiatives to address food security issues, visit http://foodsecurity.dupont.com/.

DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers manufactures an extensive mix of adhesive, barrier, peelable lidding and sealant resins and provides a globally networked development team to work with customers on packaging programs that help protect the product, environment, improve shelf appeal, convenience and reduce cost in the food, cosmetics, medical products and other consumer goods and industrial packaging industries.

DuPont – one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals more than 20 years ago – has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investment. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.

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Additional Video Assets Available:

Collaboration in Packaging: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fJLj6aWV7A&feature=g-all-u

Top Industry Drivers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOfYKT8Sv6Q&feature=context-gfa

FreshCase® is a registered trademark of Curwood, Inc., USA.

Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats® and Goldfish Sandwich Bread™ are registered trademarks and trademark of Pepperidge Farm, USA.

Ciclo Verde Taeq® is a registered trademark of Grupo Pão de Açúcar, Brazil.

THE CUBE® is a registered trademark of Smart Packaging Systems, USA.

AirOPack® is a registered trademark of IPS Innovative Packaging Solutions AG, Switzerland.

Formpack Dessiflex™ Plus is a trademark of Amcor Flexibles Singen GmbH, Germany.

Weight Watchers® Smart Ones® is a registered trademark of H.J. Heinz, USA.

InCycle® is a registered trademark of MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc., USA.

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