Scam Warning – Beware Of Fake BBB Emails

Businesses and consumers across the country are being hit by an ongoing email scam that appears to be from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The fake emails started late last year and have gone through a number of variations since then.

In one, people report receiving phone calls—in addition to emails—from scammers claiming to be from the BBB. These callers offer help to remove a virus from the recipient's computer. They claim the computer was infected when the owner downloaded a virus from an email scam using the BBB name. The BBB is cautioning not to give out any personal information to callers or to install or download any software they recommend.

Should you receive a suspicious email identified as being from the BBB, don't click on any links or open any attachments; doing so could unleash a virus. You can test the links by using your mouse to hover over them. The destination of the links will appear in a small pop-up box next to the link or at the bottom of the screen. If the email is a scam, the website shown will not be a BBB.org URL. After you've confirmed the email you received is a scam, the BBB has asked that you forward it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and delete it from your inbox. Also, make sure your virus software is up to date and run a virus scan.

Back to Top

Annual Meeting – April 21

For more information on the Annual Meeting, click here!

We hope you join us!

Back to Top

Keep A Landline For Peace Of Mind

Some people are choosing to rely solely on cellphone service and no longer maintain a landline phone. Be aware that this decision could have serious consequences in the event of an at-home emergency, power outage, or natural disaster. Cellphones are simply not as reliable and effective in certain emergency situations and can hamper your ability to quickly get the help you need.

For example, when 911 is called from a landline phone in your home, the emergency dispatch center automatically receives your precise location and will be able to dispatch a fast and accurate response. This is particularly critical if you're home alone and unable to speak to 911 due to choking, a stroke, or a heart attack. A landline phone can also be a lifesaver if a young child calls 911 and can't provide the home's address.

In a power outage, you can no longer charge your cellphone so eventually it becomes useless. In addition, many factors can affect the operation of a cellphone tower, especially natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and ice storms. Cellphone networks can also become overwhelmed by the sheer number of individuals trying to make calls simultaneously during a disaster.

To maximize your ability to communicate both at home and away, the best solution is to maintain both landline and cellphone services. Together, they add up to peace of mind.

Back to Top

Two To View – A Couple Of Amazing Videos You Don't Want To Miss

Fascinated by Flushing Gizmo the cat just can't get enough, flushing the toilet again and again and again. Who knew swirling water was so fascinating? Perhaps Gizmo's owners should get this cat interested in cleaning the toilet as well.		"I Feel Happy of Myself!" After learning to ride his bike, this young boy gives an impromptu speech of celebration and inspiration. His sweet words contain lessons for all of us about continuing to practice in order to "get better and better at it."

Back to Top

This Month's FAQ – What Should I Do When I've Been Hacked On Facebook?

Question: What should I do when I've been hacked on Facebook?

Answer: First of all, we're sorry to hear you've been the victim of a "Facecrook." You probably discovered the problem when you were denied access to your Facebook page after the hacker changed your password. But have no fear; you can reclaim your account and get your Facebook life back in order.

You'll need to reset your password and make sure it's secure. If you're not logged in, you can reset your password by clicking the "Forgot your password?" link on the Facebook login page.

If you're already logged in, you can reset your password by going to your Account Settings page located in the Account drop-down menu at the top of every Facebook page.

When choosing a new password:

• Use a combination of at least six numbers, letters, and punctuation marks.
• Don't pick a word from the dictionary.
• Don't pick something you've used as a password on another site.

To reduce your chances of getting hacked again, be careful before signing up for a new Facebook application; they are often the gateway to these kinds of problems. In particular, watch out for applications with "too good to be true" promises as well as those that request you invite half of your friends before you get full functionality.

Back to Top

Sites Of The Month – Great Sites To Check Out In April

Go Easy On Your Eyes protectyourvision.org – With heavy computer use can come Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), which commonly results in symptoms such as eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. To help prevent these problems, take a look at this site. You can set up your choice of automatic signals to remind you to periodically take a break from the computer screen and rest your eyes.

What's Up With Upcoming Movies? moviepilot.com – What movies are coming to theaters? And what will they be like? Here's a very convenient resource for movie fans that lets you search by theme channels—all the way from Action to Zombies. Read plot summaries, find out where the movie is in the production process, and discover whether it's expected to be "Hot" or "Not".

Tips to Improve Gas Mileage fueleconomy.gov – In light of rising gas prices, now's a good time to learn how to drive down your costs through better gas mileage. This U.S. Department of Energy site offers tips on how to drive more efficiently, keep your car in shape, plan and combine trips, and choose a more efficient vehicle. There's also a Fuel-Saving Tip of the Week.

Titanic's 100th Anniversary photos.denverpost.com – This April marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Here you can browse through a poignant photo gallery of artifacts retrieved from the Titanic, some of which will be auctioned by Guernsey's Auction House this month. The images include a section of the hull, china, jewelry, spectacles, and a chef's hat.

Lighten Up Spring Meals www.simpleanddelicious.com – Going from winter to spring isn't just about changing your wardrobe. It's also an opportunity to make seasonal revisions to your meals. Now that it's spring, check out the refreshing ideas on this site for lighter menus that take advantage of the grill and encourage you to pile on the produce. How about a Primavera Stuffed Tomato or a Honey-Raspberry Parfait?

Back to Top

Short Tutorial – Setting Up A Pinterest Account And Starting To Pin

Pinterest is an online pinboard that lets you organize and share images of your favorite things—from baked goods to craft projects to inspiring quotes. It's an invitation-only website, so to get started using it you need to ask a friend who's already on the site to invite you. Once you receive your email invitation, click the link to set up your account. The Pinterest wizard will take you through the following steps:

1. Choose a sign-in method. Use your Facebook or Twitter login to automatically connect to those accounts. Your Pinterest activity will show up there. For an account without connections, use a unique Pinterest user name and password.
   
   
2. Choose topics of interest. Your choices dictate what shows up in your home page Pinterest feed.
   
   
3. Choose a few people to follow. Pinterest makes suggestions from your other social networking accounts.
   
   
4. Set up your first pinboards. Use the default names or change them to ones of your own creation. You can edit pinboards and names anytime in the future.

Once you've set up your Pinterest account, here's what to do to begin pinning:

1. Browse other people's pinboards to get ideas before you start pinning yourself. Use Follow buttons to find and follow people and pinboards. Hover over a pin to Repin, Like, or Comment on other people's pins. For more options, click on the image. You can send the image to your Facebook or Twitter feeds, or easily embed the image in your own website.
   
   
2. Add the Pin It button to your browser so you can start pinning. You'll find a tutorial in the About menu. Using the Pin It button automatically embeds the address of the website into the pin so followers can find the original image and information about it.
   
   
3. Press the Pin It button while browsing. Pinterest will show you the images you can pin from that page. Choose the one you want and click on it. It will give you a chance to choose a pinboard and add a comment. Use the @ symbol before a name to mention Pinterest friends; they'll receive a notice.

Back to Top

Thanks for your business!

Best regards

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it




Alliance Communications
612 Third Street
Garretson, SD 57030

605-594-3411

 

©2012 Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.

Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.