Updated W2 form - IRS Phishing Scam

I almost fell for this new phishing scam, but the 3rd email used an email address the government would not know about.

 

Never trust any email attachments you get.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Internal Revenue Service [mailto:up2date@irs.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:44 AM
To:  Business Owner

Subject: Updated W2 form

Dear ,

 

Important changes within the IRS Employers W-2 forms.
Attached is a updated version of the W-2 form that needs to be completed by all US based employers.
Please update your records and make sure the W-2 form will updated before December 1 2009.
Whether you rely on a tax professional or handle your own taxes,
the IRS offers you convenient programs to make filing and payment easier.
Spend less time and worry on taxes and more time running your business.
Use e-file and the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to your benefit.
 • For e-file, visit www.irs.gov for additional information.
 • For EFTPS, visit www.eftps.gov or call EFTPS Customer Service at 1-800-555-4477.

Cash for Gold Craze

A Jewelers Perspective on the Cash for Gold Craze

5 tips on how not to get ripped off selling your old gold jewelry.

Ashland, OR, August 07, 2009 -- Is there value to consumers in taking advantage of the ubiquitous cash for gold promotions? An industry expert weighs in. Recently the media has been flooded with advertisements encouraging consumers to cash in on their gold jewelry. Even sign-swingers can be seen on busy street corners waving passerby's into pawn shops with the promise of "top dollar" for gold chains, class rings, outdated-looking pendants, etc. Unfortunately, according to the business news website MarketWatch.com, consumers may be getting gored on gold prices. And, there are plenty of complaints and cries of scam posted on the Net. Certainly sellers need to be wary - they're probably getting short-changed. With the price of gold hovering close to $1,000 and ounce, what exactly does "top dollar" mean? Who makes the determination?

"People simply don't know if their being low-balled on the overall value of their jewelry", according to 30-year veteran of the fine jewelry industry, Ron Hansen of GoldAndGems.com Fine Jewelry. "If you find yourself financially-strapped and truly need to convert your jewelry to its cash value, your best bet is to take the items to your local jeweler." A full-service jewelry store typically is a member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) - the industry's guardian of ethics and integrity. Here are JVC's tips for selling gold jewelry.

Tips for Selling Gold Jewelry

1. Choose a reputable jeweler, someone that's known to you or has been recommended by a trusted source. Preferably, select a jeweler that's a member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

2. Set off on your expedition with reasonable expectations. When you bought the jewelry you paid for more than the value of the gold. The price included labor, packaging and the retail mark-up of the item. The jeweler will only pay you for the actual gold in an object. Since gold is always blended with other metals to make jewelry, expect that a substantial percentage of the object is made of something other than gold.

3. Don't expect to be paid for the non-gold component of the jewelry. The jeweler may conduct a test to determine how much gold is in the jewelry - known in the trade as its "karat fineness." This is called a "scratch" or "acid" test. Expect the jeweler to actually scratch the gold to conduct the test.

4. The price offered to you by the jeweler may not be the market price of gold that day. Prices are not regulated, so the parties are free to negotiate a price that's acceptable to both sides.

5. Bring a form of government issued identification. Some jewelers are also required by anti-money laundering laws to obtain seller identification.

With rare exceptions, it's unlikely that weight value will come anywhere close to the original cost of the item. If you're not completely cash-strapped, but simply tempted by the relentless media push to empty your jewelry box, then ask yourself if you truly want to sell something as scrap that at one time held some sentiment for you. Talk to your jeweler about redesigning or refurbishing your outdated treasures.

A certified jeweler is highly skilled at appraisal, design consultation, model making, carving, metallurgy, filing, burnishing, polishing, gem-setting and much more. With a fine jeweler's touch, almost any unwanted jewelry becomes valuable again and saves you the hassle of selling your old gold jewelry.

Contact Information
============================
Gold and Gems Fine Jewelry
Ron Hansen
541-488-2753
web@goldandgems.com
http://www.goldandgems.com/

Gold and Gems Fine Jewelry
25 N. Main St,
Ashland, Oregon 97520
877.917.8477
 

Get Your Own Radio Station For Free

Get Your Own Radio Station For Free

I'm listing to some music right now from an online radio station that I own. My play list is not too big at the moment, only 7 songs, but I was just testing how the site worked and those 7 songs only took me 2-3 minutes to find and then add to the play list.

I didn't have to upload anything.

This new site is called Live IPs (http://www.liveips.com). Unlike other radio stations that you an create, all of your selections must come from YouTube. Yes, these are not just songs, but videos so I guess saying you can have your own MTV (The way it USED to be) would be more accurate than saying it's a radio station, but everyone knows and understands radio. Besides, if you minimize the station player window (it's completely browser-based) you only hear the music just like a radio station.

You can use the station you create in two ways: 1) LIVE is much like a live radio show and you have to keep selecting songs and add them to the station. or 2) you can use a play list and build your list ahead of time and them play them all at once. If you create a play list it will repeat and keep playing as long as you have your DJ window open on your computer.

Registering for an account is easy just like you would find on most other sites. When you register for a station or channel, you also are registered for the site forums which can be accesses from the menu menu of the site. There you can talk to other DJs, learn more about the site, tell others about the station you create, and ask questions if you need help using the system.

To add songs to your play list, select the option for play list. Then you can click on the link for "Search YouTube!". This will open a window that gives you access to Youtube videos. You can also open a new browser window and go to YouTube that way. After you find a video you need to add the information to LiveIPs. Enter in the artist name and title first. Then add the link to the video and you can drag and drop the title into this field. The URL that you want will look like this one: http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=-DMYDp8y6SU.

You can describe your video if you want to  and then rate it so people know what you think about it. The last thing is to enter in the length of the video you are adding in minutes and seconds. Then click on "insert" and it will be added to your play list. This doesn't take long and you if you add 10 3 minute songs you have programmed about 30 minutes of music in about 3 minutes.

Some may complain that this is not like real radio because you cannot talk live and I admit that is one limitation that the site owners have not addressed yet, but I don't think it's a huge problem given all that you can do with a station. It shouldn't be too hard to create a video of yourself and add it whenever you want to talk to listeners of your station. You could also create ads to play in between songs the same way.

Take a look at http://www.liveips.com and see what you think. Listen to one of the channels and open an account for your own free radio station. If you have questions they have a community forum where you can get tips and make suggestions. I think you will the site easy to use and a lot of fun.

---

Product or Service Reviewed: LiveIPs.com
Description: Offers uses free accounts they can use to create online radio stations. The only limitation is that the material must be videos found on YouTube.com. Stations can play 24 hours a day and there are no bandwidth limitations at this time.
URL: http://www.liveips.com/

Killer iPhone App Offered

First iPhone Spy Call Software Technology Now Available

Groundbreaking iPhone software can remotely control 3G and 3GS models to turn on the microphone and allow users to listen from another phone. The spy software is undetectable and is suitable for use by parents protecting teenagers, or corporations and investigators that need to monitor communications including cell phone GPS location, call log activity, SMS, email, and call intercept.

July 23, 2009 -- FlexiSPY Ltd, has developed and released the only commercially available spy call software for iPhone, and is offering it in new versions of its FlexiSPY iPhone Spy Phone software. FlexiSPY develops cutting-edge solutions for iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Nokia-Symbian that are widely used to supervise and protect teenagers and employees, and to investigate infidelity and criminal activity. Adding spycall to smartphone monitoring of SMS text messages, email, call logs, location tracking and cell phone call intercept (phone tap) completes the spy toolkit.

FlexiSPY - When Failure is Not an Option

A spy call is similar to an audio bug; and provides the ability to secretly switch on the iPhone microphone from any other phone, and listen into the immediate surroundings.

FlexiSPY has software packages with various performance levels for all iPhone 2G, 3G, and 3GS models, iPhone Spy - BASIC, LIGHT and PRO. The new spy call technology is offered in the popular PRO package, which also secretly records all SMS messages, Call Records, Emails and GPS locations. The highly anticipated release of FlexiSPY iPhone PRO-X that adds call intercept is expected soon.

FlexiSPY is high quality spy software; it leaves no trace of installation, and is completely undetectable. It offers full remote control of all internal settings plus the unique ability to remotely disable and uninstall itself. FlexiSPY silently uploads data via GPRS or WiFi connection to globally distributed secure servers where all data is accessible from secure user web accounts and includes a map display with control options for historical and real time tracking. Also offered is email relaying, which forwards captured data to a user specified email address.

FlexiSPY iPhone LIGHT is identical to PRO, with the exception of spy call. BASIC lacks remote control and email capture, but starting at only $39.99 per quarter, it offers more features at a lower cost than the best offerings from competitors. Discounted upgrades from BASIC to LIGHT or PRO are also included.

"FlexiSPY has helped thousands of people worldwide protect loved ones and understand the reasons for relationship problems. We are also particularly proud of the modest part we have played in bringing criminals to justice" says Marc Harris, Marketing Manager of FlexiSPY Co Ltd. " Given the success of the iPhone, we will be able to offer these benefits to an even greater audience."

"Our customers continually confirm that FlexiSPY is the most powerful spy phone solution available anywhere today, and that the benefits of its technical sophistication really becomes apparent to them when actually used in real life situations - particularly features such as remote uninstall that protect their confidentiality" says Harris. "We decided to introduce the iPhone BASIC for cost sensitive customers who can now experience a professional grade upgradable product at a price that is much cheaper than the alternative low-quality products that are easily detected and often result in customers getting caught"

Not only is cell phone monitoring software invaluable for concerned spouses, parents, and corporations, but also can be used by law enforcement, financial institutions, mobile backup companies, and others. FlexiSPY is obtainable through online purchase and direct download to supported mobile devices from the FlexiSPY.com website.

About FlexiSPY Ltd
FlexiSPY is the acknowledged leader in the design and development of professional grade cell phone monitoring software; and is the only company offering cross-platform spyphone software solutions for BlackBerry, iPhone, Windows Mobile, and Nokia-Symbian to consumer, corporate and government markets. The company stands behind their products with service including live chat, live phone support with experienced staff, extensive documentation, and an unmatched 10-day, no-quibble unconditional money back guarantee.

First iPhone SpyCall Software Technology Now Available

Contact:
Media Services
Flexispy Ltd.
USA 1-646-240-4063
UK 44 207 979 7126
Hong Kong 85 230 509 021

Vegas Magazine

Vegas

by Fern Siegel , Wednesday, June 24, 2009
I arrived at work one morning to find a copy of Vegas on my desk, with a Post-it slapped above the strangely death-like gaze of actress Heather Graham. The note read: "Mock me." As my colleagues will attest, I'm the first to do a coffee run and aim to be a congenial office mate. So let the jabs begin!

In all seriousness, it wasn't that hard. What is it about Las Vegas that brings out the big hair and big jewelry? Or the nightclub ads that give Calvin Klein's a run for their money? It helps explain why the lifestyle magazine's mission, per its company president, is to "arm readers with all the ingredients necessary for their pursuit of Luxury, Access, Money and Power." Wait till this guy finds out about the recession, will he be surprised!

Then again, Sin City is billed as an escape from America. That means you can gamble 24/7 while being served endless cocktails, then get married by an Elvis impersonator to a stripper you met 15 minutes earlier in a neon-lit chapel.

Yes, I know all about the family-friendly efforts and the hotels that make the Sphinx look like a hood ornament, but when it comes to glitzy overkill, Las Vegas stands alone. (The Venetian's Tao Beach features a pool surrounded by 14-foot-high columns of fire, Xboxes, daybeds and a 30-foot bar.) Too often, luxury and money are used for conspicuous consumption. People, try emulating fashion icon Diana Vreeland, who said less jewelry made more of a statement. As for Power, there is the power to indulge your fantasies -- just ask your LV cabdriver -- and the power to jump-start sane health care. Given how most of us treat our bodies, it's probably a toss-up.

Vegas, however, celebrates the body beautiful, which can mean full-time work in its namesake, according to the "model couple" profiled in the "Voyeur" section, which is top-heavy with local talent -- from Michael Curry, a master puppeteer, to poker champ Phil Hellmuth. Laura Diane and Jay Rebholz run a modeling agency that provides DJs, go-go dancers, valet parkers and golf caddies. Posed among mannequins and scattered limbs, a la "Dexter," Jay is draped in black, apparently fulfilling George Costanza's dream to be "ensconced in velvet," while Laura is sporting a hot pink teddy, her hands perched possessively on Jay's thigh.

Laura, 28, was once a pussycat doll at Pure, a local hotspot, but admitted, "My knees started hurting." I feel your pain! Ask anyone who spends hours at work in front of a computer, moving only to order lunch. The joints are the first thing to go; idealism is the second.

Perhaps we could take a page out of Elaine Newton's book. Vegas pop-culture editor Michael Shulman asked local VIPS "What can't you live without?" Newton, who is slugged "hostess/icon," picked the agedashi tofu at Raku, since "freedom" and "culture" were probably too generic. Her dogs, Troy and Geisha, came in second. She's also a big fan of Botox, which, judging from the photo, may be used on the poodles. I was stunned, however, by "icon," a term usually reserved for a name, face, picture or edifice that carries well-known significance and embodies certain qualities, like the Empire State Building or JFK.

Hold the presses! Newton isn't alone. Apparently, there is a second icon in LV: Jojo Zanone-Pucci, who has a passion for and expertise in upscale timepieces. There are macro icons and micro icons. Now, I agree with Ms. Z-P about the artistry of classic watches. To quote Keats, "a thing of beauty is a joy forever," but a Cartier Tank Louis is also an acquired taste. The under-30 crowd tells time via their cell phones. I'm guessing they take the same approach to an exquisitely crafted Bucherer chronograph, profiled in the mag's "Indulge" section, as they do to newspapers.

Vegas, which is heavy on profiles and accessory features, is splashy, like the city. In short, it's oversized, loaded with pretty women and divorced from current economic reality. Then again, if you are nostalgic for the Reagan era, Vegas leads the way.

MAG STATS
Published by: Niche Media Holdings/Greenspun Media Group
Frequency: 10 times a year
Web site: http://www.vegasmagazine.com


This commentary is insightful. I recommend it to others.
Post your response to the public Magazine Rack blog.
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Magazine Rack for Wednesday, June 24, 2009:
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42 Million Americans Listen to Radio Every Week

Friday, April 24, 2009

42 Million Americans Listen to Radio Weekly on Digital Audio Platforms

The latest study by Arbitron and Edison Research shows continued growth in usage and ownership of various forms of digital audio platforms, including online radio, iPod/MP3 players, and podcasting. The weekly online radio audience increased significantly in the past year to 17% of the U.S. population age 12 and older; up from 13% in 2008. On a weekly basis, online radio reaches 20% of 25-to-54 year-olds; up from 15% in 2008.

Bill Rose, senior vice president of marketing, Arbitron Inc., says "The sharp growth in weekly usage of Online radio... provides compelling evidence that radio's digital platforms may be reaching critical mass. We are... seeing encoded streams of AM/FM broadcasts with significant audience in local markets."

Key findings from The Infinite Dial 2009: Radio's Digital Platforms, include:

More than one in five radio listeners (21%) say AM/FM radio has a big impact on their lives; ranking second only to owners of the Apple iPhone in particular (23%) and cell phone owners in general (47%) as the audio platform/device that has a big impact on people's lives.

Online radio listeners are more likely to be upscale, well-educated and employed full time;

- 54% of weekly online radio listeners are employed full-time (compared to 43% among persons 12 and older);
- 16% of weekly online radio listeners live in homes with an annual income greater than $100,000 (vs. 10% among persons 12 and older);
- 37% of weekly online radio listeners have a college degree or higher education level (vs. 29% among persons 12 and older).

Weekly online video viewing among persons age 12 and older is up significantly in the past year, from 18% in 2008 to 27% (approximately 69 million) in 2009.

- 34% of persons age 12 and older report having a profile on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, or any other social networking Web site, up from - 24% in 2008
- 63%  of teens age 12-to-17 report having a profile on these social networking sites
- 64% 18-to-24 year-olds have a profile on these social networking sites.

iPod/portable MP3 player ownership and iPod use continues to grow dramatically.

- 42% of persons age 12 and older own an iPod or other brand of portable MP3 player

- 64% of 18-to-24 year-olds own a digital audio player

- 32% of teens age 12-to-17 and persons 18-to-24 are spending less time with over-the-air radio specifically due to time spent with iPod/other portable MP3 players

- 22% of Americans age 12 and older have ever listened to an audio podcast

- 11% (27 million) reported having listened to an audio podcast in the past month in 2009

Tom Webster, vice president of strategy and marketing, Edison Research, concludes that "... consumer use of new digital platforms... is becoming nearly ubiquitous... a window of opportunity for radio to... spread its content across the expanding choices consumers use to control their media experience."

The complete study, The Infinite Dial 2009: Radio's Digital Platforms, may be downloaded free of charge via the Arbitron and Edison Research Web sites linked here.

Post your response to the public Research Brief blog.

See what others are saying on the Research Brief blog.

We use the term research in the broadest possible sense. We do not perform an audit, nor do we analyze the data for accuracy or reliability. Our intention is to inform you of the existence of research materials and so we present reports as they are presented to us. The only requirements we impose are that they are potentially useful and relevant to our readers and that they pass the rudimentary test of relying on acceptable industry standards. We explicitly do not take responsibility for the findings. Please be aware of this and check the source for yourself if you intend to rely on any of the data we present.

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Brand Manager Pushes Life and Brand to Extremes

Hansen Beverage Company Brand Manager Pushes Life and Brand to Extremes

Corona, CA, April 06, 2009 -- Steve Jugan Crowned Executive Level Crossover Athlete 2009 Push Champion.

When Steve Jugan Allied Brand manager for Hansen's Beverage Company decided to make Lost Energy the title sponsor for an ultimate actions sports adventure game, he decided to show his true and pure dedication by walking the walk or should we say Board, Ride, Bike, Skate, Wake and Surf. Jugan from Yorba Linda, California joined a group of other action sport junkies to do something that has never been done before and be part of The Push-Lost Energy invitational. The Push is a one day, non-stop "Hexathlon" of action sports designed to literally push an athlete both mentally and physically from one event to another for 15 hours straight across 160 miles of some of Southern California's most beautiful locations.

Jugan, the self-professed action sports enthusiast and native of California, has spent most of his life in the snow, dirt and surf, so when the founder of The Push Bob Krause and partner Marco Thompson approached him he was sold. "I get a ton of pitches from people with a lot of ideas, but I had never heard of an event quite like this one," said Jugan. Convinced that the event catered to hit his target demographics and psychographics, he offered his event prowess to the table and became the title sponsor. "The Push is a wicked combination of six of the most popular action sports - Snowboarding, Motocross, Downhill Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, Wakeboarding and Surfing - all mixed up into a day long adventure," says Krause, the creator of The Push. This concept was devised by him and his 18 year old son Ryan as the ultimate father-son bonding experience in which they completed 23 non stop action sports while traveling over 300 miles across southern California all in one day.

The Push was held on March 28, 2009, participants included Amateur and Pro athletes as well as a mix of sport enthusiasts and business executive types all hoping to be crowned the worlds best crossover athlete. Participants arrived Friday night March 27th at the Lake Arrowhead Resort for an evening of schmoozing, food and some basic training. At 8am the next morning they were on the slopes and ready to roll. From that point on participants drove from location to location showing off their very best to the judges while the event organizers had every type of board and bike waiting for them at each location.

"I can't wipe the smile off my face, 2010 is going to be unreal," says Jugan. "Only in So-Cal can you be on the slopes in the morning, ride the desert in the day and then surf until the sun goes down.

To learn more about the Push, go to

www.lostenergydrink.com/newswww.lostenergydrink.com/news www.thepushgames.com or check out their blog at http://thepush09.wordpress.com

Contact Information
Lost Energy Drink
Steve Jugan
951-280-3241
steven.jugan@hansens.com
www.lostenergydrink.com