Monday, December 31, 2012

TIP(S): Avoiding Scams (Online & Offline)

By Devesh Prabhu December 31, 2012 , , Leave a Comment




A little about myself before I start (read as preface):

I have been working in the Transcription field for some 8+ odd years now and in various capacities. As all, I started with the basics and then transitioned to or ascended the corporate ladder and mover higher in rank and position wherein I met various people from mischievous characters to some hell bent on attaining gain for themself at any cost possible.

From what I’ve learnt over the years, I’m going to share my views and my limited wisdom with you all on how not to fall into or get yourself caught in scams or in the truest sense, be a victim of scam(s).

How it works (Read, the actual story)
A scammer is one who ply’s on someone’s weakness to gain profit or achieve personal satisfaction in what they do without regard for the other person’s feelings or situation the person is in. While some of the more non-destructive natured person (people involved) will be doing it just for fun or for kicks (like in alcoholic drinks, drugs, and the sort), some do it to gain quick money and the thought of cheating the other person at a very fast rate that they forget that, “What goes around, comes around.”

Some basic tips on how to avoid scams and to be alert when you see such things in your daily lives and how to be more apprehensive (Read, quick to understand) the concepts involved and how to out maneuver the scammer.

TIP # 1:

Before you actually get into parting ways with your hard earned money and regretting at a later point in time with the actions you had previously taken, spend some time searching online on search engines (Google, Yahoo!, Bing) about the concerned person or website. You can do a simple search by adding the word “scam” or “fraud” with the person’s/website’s name. It can even be used to check the authenticity of a particular concept, for example, if the site is abc.com then type abc.com+scam in Google and click search.

You can also check or search for a concept or technique, like, “Emu Farm+Scam” or “Emu Farm+Fraud”. You can easily verify and check the truth behind the website or person. Also, keep yourself appraised on the latest news in papers and TV where some of the scams come to light on a near daily basis.


TIP # 2:

Another major factor that is evident when scammers/fraudsters work is they ask for money. Be it in the way of commission, royalty, client-agreement signing costs, security deposits, or any other method to offer you a job/client/exponential returns are definitely fraudsters/scammers.

Why would a person(s) offer you something exponential (read huge) without any profit for themselves and if this was true, why are they not putting in their own money and why are they not investing with this scheme.

Another major thing that distinguishes the scammers/fraudsters is that they act as commission agents and do not do any work themselves. Agreed, there are genuine people in this bunch, but 99% of these are scammers/fraudsters.

TIP # 3:

In the current era of digital communication, we are mostly online and are members of online websites/forums and get to know many people who are fraudsters/scammers and another advise would be not to follow any email or website blindly. Use your God-given gift (read brain) and use common sense.

THINK!

Can anyone give you such huge amounts of money or rewards for the work he is getting done by you?

Why are they not doing it themselves, as there is much money involved here?

Is he himself/herself investing in this scheme or idea to make money?

Most scammers/fraudsters do not and only show some random website or a website which is fake of which they are a member and are earning handsome amounts of money.

TIP # 4:

There are many emails that we receive and it depends on which email service provider we use. Personally, I’ve been using Gmail over the past 9+ years and whenever I get time I read online articles on how to use it in a more efficient manner.

I am personally satisfied with Gmail’s SPAM filters and most of the time I do not get SPAM mails as Gmail takes care of it. But there are instances where one of two emails slip through in a month and reach my inbox.

On these occasions/instances I make these emails as Spam, and they promptly end up in my spam folder and the next time they come they automatically go there without my intervention.

Some of the major scam emails are related to lottery, Viagra, free gadgets, lonely girly to hook-up with, huge amounts of money to transfer from some deceased person in a foreign country and now it has begun to be coming from banks in one’s own country.

TIP # 5:

NEXT, the biggest step of all, inform others, especially family.

Do not hesitate to share your victimization with your friends and family so that they don’t get victimized in the future. Also, confide in someone like your parents/wife/husband other family members so that you will get the support and guidance from them.

Family is always first.


Image Source: FreePik



[ABOUT: Devesh Prabhu is an avid blogger and has been blogging posts and rants on many subjects through his various blogs. He has been associated with the blogosphere for the past 8/9 years and inadvertently left the blogging scene albeit to concentrate on his personal life, but his desire to be among his readers brought him back.]

[NOTE: The article "TIP(S): Avoiding Scams (Online & Offline)" first appeared on the "All About Profession Blog."

[DISCLAIMER: All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. These terms and conditions of use are subject to change at anytime and without notice.]

Thursday, May 26, 2011

5 Uncommon Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

By Devesh Prabhu May 26, 2011 , , , , 1 comment



We have heard many successes stories of entrepreneurs with gut wrenching risk taking abilities who possess the virtue of fearlessness. But every successful entrepreneur possesses a handful of uncommon traits that hardly take a place in the books on entrepreneurial lesions but are essential for success. And people who identify these hidden traits or possess these uncommon qualities are sure to become successful entrepreneurs.

  • Curiosity: Curiosity should be counted as the best trait of an entrepreneur as it's that never-ending thirst to know the positive and negatives or the ups and downs of business. Curious entrepreneurs always look for answers - how things work, why there is a decline in buying, what triggered an increase in business etc. Entrepreneurship curiosity ignites innovation. Innate curiosity drives their ambition to creative innovative products and services. In fact, many great entrepreneurs like Twitter Co-Founder, Jack Dorsey have testified that its curiosity that cleared the path of entrepreneurship before them.
  • Pragmatism: Pragmatism is a synonym for a successful entrepreneur. They choose to work on their self inspiration earned through personal observation and develop ideas for what they feel is in need around them. So they build a concrete plan and they are very practical in terms of getting there. Successful entrepreneurs never compromise on their vision and they do not set goals to test realization, but only to achieve. Being practical does not mean to be overly cash sensitive rather have a great sense of the reality and plan up appropriate actions needed to achieve the goals. Smart entrepreneurs work on their plan, may change it as they progress but never loses their focus from getting a good return.
  • Impatience: Patience is undoubtedly a virtue, but for an entrepreneur, impatience is a virtue that drives them to achieve their ambitions as soon as possible. They may not be looking for shortcuts, but rather are in search for faster routes than the traditional ones. In the world of entrepreneurship, smart people take different priorities and values to achieve what they dream of. It's all about pushing a bit too hard, test the limits, and learn what their real threshold is. It requires the entrepreneurs to place themselves out of their comfort zones, gain great confidence in their abilities, and make things happen. They realize that life is too short to sit around and wait for things to happen. 
  • Non judgment: It's a great quality of successful entrepreneurs to abstain from judging themselves. It's impossible to survive as an entrepreneur for long without any failures. The greatness of successful entrepreneurs is that they make it a learning experience than negatively judging it as their fault. They go on to find what they have learning from these mistakes than why they have failed. 
  • Calculated Risk Takers: Smart entrepreneurs are not gamblers but people who take calculated risks. They do not shy away from risks, they understand that not taking risk is a huge risk. Hence, they crucially analyze the opportunities offered and possess the confidence that something worth can be made of the opportunity before they get into it. They try to limit the ultimate risk by letting go of a bad idea. They do not wish to lose out in a business deal by impulsive decisions rather they take responsibility for their actions. They prepare themselves not to be carried away by emotion, temptation or reflex but relay on their experience and knowledge.
  • Need around them: So they build a concrete plan and they are very practical in terms of getting there. Successful entrepreneurs never compromise on their vision and they do not set goals to test realization, but only to achieve. Being practical does not mean to be overly cash sensitive rather have a great sense of the reality and plan up appropriate actions needed to achieve the goals. Smart entrepreneurs work on their plan, may change it as they progress but never loses their focus from getting a good return. 

  • Impatience: Patience is undoubtedly a virtue, but for an entrepreneur, impatience is a virtue that drives them to achieve their ambitions as soon as possible. They may not be looking for shortcuts, but rather are in search for faster routes than the traditional ones. In the world of entrepreneurship, smart people take different priorities and values to achieve what they dream of. It's all about pushing a bit too hard, test the limits, and learn what their real threshold is. It requires the entrepreneurs to place themselves out of their comfort zones, gain great confidence in their abilities, and make things happen. They realize that life is too short to sit around and wait for things to happen.

  • Non judgment: It's a great quality of successful entrepreneurs to abstain from judging themselves. It's impossible to survive as an entrepreneur for long without any failures. The greatness of successful entrepreneurs is that they make it a learning experience than negatively judging it as their fault. They go on to find what they have learning from these mistakes than why they have failed.
  • Calculated Risk Takers: Smart entrepreneurs are not gamblers but people who take calculated risks. They do not shy away from risks, they understand that not taking risk is a huge risk. Hence, they crucially analyze the opportunities offered and possess the confidence that something worth can be made of the opportunity before they get into it. They try to limit the ultimate risk by letting go of a bad idea. They do not wish to lose out in a business deal by impulsive decisions rather they take responsibility for their actions. They prepare themselves not to be carried away by emotion, temptation or reflex but relay on their experience and knowledge.





VIA EMAIL: MumbaiHangOut
Image Source: @freepik

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Learn to Admit Your Mistakes, Errors, and/or Shortcomings

By Devesh Prabhu May 24, 2011 , , , , , , Leave a Comment



Many of us are individually guilty of error. We do not like to admit to ourselves our mistakes, errors, shortcomings, or ever admit we have been in the wrong. And because we will not see the truth, we cannot act appropriately.

Someone has said that it is a good exercise to daily admit one painful fact about ourselves to ourselves.

Look for and seek out true information concerning yourself, your problems, other people, or situation, whether it is good news or bad news.

Adopt the motto - “It doesn’t matter who’s right, but what’s right.”

Admit your mistakes and errors but don’t cry over them. Correct them and go forward. In dealing with other people try to see the situation from their point of view as well as your own.




VIA EMAIL: Chumma
Image Source: @freepik