Phishing
by Cathy Hamblen
from Risk Management Solutions

We’ve all benefited from advances in technology—both in our homes and businesses.   However, despite the many positives there are negative aspects that should cause us some concern.    When it comes to e-mail and the internet, “Pfishing” is a growing problem that is costing individuals and businesses millions of dollars each year.   In fact, several of our nursing home clients have recently been victimized by these predators and this message is being sent to you in hopes that you’ll pass it on to the appropriate people in your financial/accounting department so they can be forewarned too.

"Pfishing", sometimes spelled "Phishing", is a term used to describe a method of identity theft where con artists send out fake e-mails to literally thousands of e-mail addresses that they’ve acquired.   The e-mail appears to come from legitimate senders such as a bank or credit card company; however, it is designed to hoodwink the recipient into giving out personal and financial information. Once the scammer receives this confidential information, they use it to either clone the responder’s individual’s identity, empty out the victim’s bank accounts, and/or run up purchases on the victim’s charge cards.    Victims are often individuals, but in these most recent instances, they were businesses.

While crime coverage is available for this type of exposure, the best risk management technique in this situation is AVOIDANCE.  To the right are 4 tips taken from an article written by Cavyl Stewart for the website EzineArticles.com

1. Never respond to an e-mail that looks like it came from your bank or any of your credit card issuers no matter how official it appears. Phishing scam e-mails will tell you that there is some problem with your account and that you have to click on an embedded link to correct that problem. They may threaten to close your account, or report you to the credit bureau if you do not respond. DON'T DO IT. Don't call the telephone number that appears in the email either. Get out one of your bank or credit card statements and call the number that appears on it. Explain what the email says and follow the directions that you receive from the actual employee. Chances are they'll tell you it’s a scam.
   
   
2. Never give your bank account information, credit card numbers, Social Security number, passwords, personal identification numbers (PIN), or Date of Birth to anyone who asks you for that information by email. No legitimate company will expect you to reveal sensitive information via email. Also, no company that issues you a PIN will ever ask you to reveal that PIN to any of their employees.
   
   
3. Never respond to any offer to buy anything by clicking on the link in the e-mail. Even if the e-mail looks like it comes from your favorite department store it might be a scam. To avoid being hooked by Pfishing, type in the URL (web address) to the Department Store in your address bar. Go to Google.com to look up the address if you don't already know it.
   
   
4. If it's too late and you already provided any of your personal or corporate information, account numbers, or PINs then you should immediately contact your banks and credit card companies to make arrangements with them to protect your financial interests. These companies and institutions are familiar with these scams and they know what needs to be done. Most banks have multiple security levels for electronic banking transactions. Check with your bank to be sure you have an appropriate level of security. Tighter security procedures may add a step to you electronic banking transactions but compared to the headaches and hassles of getting your checking account cleaned out it is most likely worth the effort.

AFFIRMATIONS
by Kim Majick

Providing good customer service starts with you.  I believe that you have to be in the right frame of mind to provide the care and service that our residents and families deserve.  This is where using positive affirmations will help you start your day in the right way.  Think of an area where you would like to improve.  It could be as simple as making sure that you smile and say hello to everyone you see.  You can train yourself to do this by simply using an affirmation every morning when you wake up.  This affirmation is something that you will write each morning, and read aloud with feeling after writing.  For example, "I am abundantly happy and will pass on my happiness by greeting everyone I meet."  Write that and say it with feeling each day and you will begin to train your mind and body to greet everyone you see with a smile and hello!  This simple effort can be applied to any area of your life that you wish to improve on!  Try it, it works!!!! 

Ask David
David Eppers

What questions do you have regarding your money?  What are your biggest financial concerns?  How can I spend less or spend better?  What is the best way to save?  To buy or to rent?  New or used?  Name brand or generic?

Send me an email with either your biggest financial question or your biggest financial concern.  In the following month, look for an answer in the Carespring news letter.

Send me an email with your question.

Put in the subject heading “Ask David”

Breakfast Sausage Casserole by Jim Gehler

Cooking spray
1 (16-ounce) package frozen turkey sausage, thawed (such as Louis Rich)
8 (1 ½ ounce) slices sourdough bread, cut into ½ inch cubes (about 8 cups)
2/3 cup (about 2 ½ ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
1 cup egg substitute
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed 30% reduce-sodium
 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add sausage to pan, cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring well to crumble.

Arrange bread in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top evenly with cooked turkey sausage and cheddar cheese. Combine 2 ½ cups milk, egg substitute, and Dijon mustard, stirring with a whisk. Pour over bread mixture in dish. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Uncover casserole. Combine remaining ½ cup milk and cream of mushroom soup, stirring with a whisk. Pour over bread mixture. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Drug Abuse and Teens
by Dr. Gendelman

Drug abuse by teenagers is epidemic.
There can be classic signs of problems in your child. They include change in mood, disinterest in activities that they were usually interested in, change in appearance and change in friends. Even if none of these things are occurring you must be vigilant. Besides auto accidents, the next most common cause of death in teenagers is suicide, which is directly related to drug abuse.