E-mail Scam Targets Entrepreneurs & Consumers
Scammers are capitalizing on the news headlines about bank problems and failures to target small business owners, the self-employed and consumers alike. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports of a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC.
The subject line of the e-mail states: “check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage.” The e-mail tells recipients that, "You have received this message because you are a holder of a FDIC-insured bank account. Recently FDIC has officially named the bank you have opened your account with as a failed bank, thus, taking control of its assets.”
The e-mail then asks recipients to “visit the official FDIC website and perform the following steps to check your Deposit Insurance Coverage” but the fraudulent link provided directs the recipient to a bogus site. It then instructs recipients to “download and open your personal FDIC Insurance File to check your Deposit Insurance Coverage.”
This e-mail and associated Web site are fraudulent. Recipients should regard e-mail as an attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to on-line banking services or to conduct identity theft.
Wood Stoves & Fireplace Sales Are Up
Traditional wood stove & fireplace sales are up despite the downturn. Wood stoves & fireplaces sales are up 81% and pellet stoves are up 161% according to Hearth Patio, and Barbecue Association as consumers look to reduce heating costs.
Traditional wood stove & fireplace sales are up despite the downturn. Wood stoves & fireplaces sales are up 81% and pellet stoves are up 161% according to Hearth Patio, and Barbecue Association as consumers look to reduce heating costs.
Many of the stoves may qualify for a federal tax credit for a third of the cost, or as much as $1,500. The credit is good through next year for wood-, pellet and corn-burning stoves that meet efficiency standards.
Any biomass-burning stove with at least a 75 percent efficiency rating qualifies for the credit. Manufacturers test their products to meet this efficiency standard and the IRS-required certification will come with the product directly from the appliance manufacturer.
