The Taste

Like other crimes, ID thefts are one of those things that you always hear about on the news that happen to other people. I just got my second reality check this weekend when my Wells Fargo checking account had unauthorized purchases.Thank goodness i check my bank account every day!

I am usually very good about protecting passwords and my wallet is ALWAYS with me so this is all very discomforting to me.

The first incident occurred about 2 months ago when someone wired money through the United States Postal Service. I called Wells Fargo to dispute the charge and everything was resolved in a matter of three days.

After this Second incident I have taken further measures to ensure that I am not at risk. The bank had pretty much confirmed that this was a security breach. I also contacted Hewlett Packard because apparently someone used my card to buy a PC from them. (and a crappy one too!) Hewlett Packard also was able to confirm that I was a victim of ID theft.

I pretty much concluded that I probably became a victim at a local ATM machine. It’s funny about a year and a half ago I remember a story about how my neighborhood ATM’s were rigged to steal information by criminals.

I have replaced my Debit Card and placed a Alert with the major credit agencies such as Equifax. I have also notified the local police agency.

This is what I have taken from this experience

• Always cover your password when using ATMs. Identity Thieves place cameras in hidden areas to steal you PIN
• NEVER use auto-fill passwords for emails/online accounts. Besides typing in passwords is good practice anyway.
• Contact your banks to file disputes, I am happy to report that the customer service at Wells Fargo was very understanding.
• Place an Alert with Credit agencies after you become a victim. This places greater scrutiny on yourself for a time, making banks and financial institutions look closer into your name on the chance that someone uses your information to open an account. I recommend Equifax as they will also alert the other major credit agencies.
• Let your local police know about it. Even though the cops wont do anything, it is still important to file a report so they have a profile and can begin building a case. If there are enough victims they WILL look into it.
• Identity theft is a relatively new but fastest growing crime in the world.

Chris-Hooley.com has a great story on ID thieves for those who want to learn more.

I believe that YOU are the greatest judge at any social setting. I think it is on you to know what kind of business you are getting into, however if ever put into unfamiliar grounds holytaco has a great list of 8 personalities to watch out for.

And most importantly don’t be that guy!

1. THE POLITICS GUY
2. Couple Who Brings Their Baby
3. Creepy Dude Who Tries To Bang Chicks At The Very End Of The Party
4. Person Who Just Got Dumped By Their Girlfriend/Boyfriend
5. GIRL WHO STARTS CRYING
6. Person Who Only Knows You
7. GUY WHO GETS WASTED IN THE FIRST HOUR
8. Person Who Insists On Cleaning Up Your Party While It’s Still Going On

holytaco

School is in full swing for me, hope this helps you.

Dumb Little Man has a great list of applications that will help manage an academic career for study.

• Campusi.com – Instead of looking through dozens of different websites for books, this websites finds the cheapest books offered on the internet, and shows the prices from all the other websites as well.
• GetChunkit.com – Instead of clicking from link to link, this add-on is able to mine every link on a web page and pulls out the information for you. Makes researching 10x faster.
• Instacalc.com – Online calculator that can do everything, and allows you to share your calculations with others online.
• Ottobib.com – Enter the book’s name or ISBN, and this website does your bibliography for you in any format.
• Bugmenot.com – Bugmenot lets you find and share disposable logins for popular websites that force you to register. Also use “email.bugmenot.com” for quick disposable email accounts.
• Teleflip.com – Have your emails forwarded to your phone as text messages.
• eFax.com – Nobody has a fax machine in school. So when you want to receive faxes, just use eFax. eFax will give you a phone number that you can give to people, and your faxes will show up in your inbox.
• Qipit.com - Take a photo of your school notes or other documents, and this service will turn them into a readable, taggable document.
• FranceRadio.net – Because you need to stop using Youtube for your music. And because downloading at school is a no-no.
• Zoho.com – If you love free things and can’t stand Microsoft, then this office suite (and much more) is for you.

Dumblittleman

Pickthebrain.com has an excellent guide on how to deal with extroverts and introverts. However what sets this article apart is a guide to what should be done for dealing with people AS an introvert or extrovert.

For Introverts

1. Indicate to others when you’re busy.
2. Try to verbalize your thoughts more.
3. Realize that extraverts often need to talk.
4. Don’t forget to socialize.

For Extraverts
1. Ask if someone is busy before spending time with them.
2. If someone doesn’t speak up, ask them what they think.
3. Realize the draining effect a conversation can have on someone.
4. Remember that introverts need their alone time.

Full article here

One of my favorite bloggers, Ramit Sethi posted a great interview with PSFK asking the question “How do you get Rich?”

The interview is more focused on Ramit’s message and more on how he feels young people should treat personal finance.

Check it out. Good stuff.

iwillteachyoutoberich

Here’s a great interview by Diddy with one of today’s hottest celebrities.  I hear he has a jet of his people fly out with him whenever he makes a song.

Note the frustration that Diddy and Lil Wayne have for the simple advice that they feel people just can’t seem to grasp.

In summary Lil Wayne notes

• Don’t Be fake or try to be Different; Be yourself it works!
• Get out there
• Work hard but don’t try hard to be something your not
• Good things will come if you follow these rules

Forbes released an article ranking alumni wages based mainly on payscale.com. The only public school in the top 20 was UC Berkley.

Forbes