Question Me

What Is A Nigerian 419 Scam?

GuestPoster — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:10:57 +0000

The name of the scam is taken from Section 4-1-9 of the Nigerian penal code which defines and prohibits advance-fee forms of scamming. Although the specific Nigerian 419 scam has been around since the 1980s—contacting victims first by letter, then fax and now email—advance-fee scams have been in existence for several hundred years.

The letter is often from a stranded wealthy person, someone looking for next of kin, a religious organization needing assistance, an attractive person (photo always included), a lottery, or other variations. They promise the victim a percentage of a huge fortune, or as in the case in the lottery, the whole amount of a large win – but there are always problems in getting the funds transferred to you. However, if you promise to pay them a small fee to bribe corrupt officials (as in the case of the damsel in distress or the wealthy banker wishing to transfer his funds to a safer location), he/she will be reimbursed once the money is received.

But other expenses always get in the way. The fraudsters string the victim along with promise after promise until they can get no more money from the victim, then they disappear. Contact phone numbers and emails no longer work. This kind of scamming, called advance fee fraud, works best with those who want something for nothing. The scams play on the greed of the victim. After all, what is a few thousand compared to a couple of million?

Sometimes the fraudster claims to be a business owner who just needs a little financial help to get his products from his location to yours. A variation is the damsel-in-distress version that plays on a man’s libido. The beautiful foreign lady needs your help to come to the West. She must escape her horrible circumstances, and you’re her only hope. After a couple of emails she falls madly in love with you, and will do anything to get to see you, as long as your money keeps coming.

Another variation is the stranded, persecuted church. This one plays into the sympathies of the religious helper. They always want money up front, sort of like most work-from-home scams or time-share resellers. Fall for these scams at your own peril.

Nigerian 419 frauds certainly keep the regulators on their toes. They are particularly difficult cases for forensic accountants who are investigating fraud. The perpetrators are always extremely mobile and operate in small discrete cells, upping sticks and moving on at the slightest hint that the authorities are on to them!

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Treating Stretch Marks

GuestPoster — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:42:51 +0000

A stretch mark is a condition creating visible “stripes” or “marks” immediately beneath the very top layer of the skin. They are often connected with pregnancy, but can also form during puberty or in periods with rapid weight gain or loss.

Early Stretch Mark Treatment

The appropriate treatment of stretch marks depend on whether it is commenced early or when the marks are older.

When the stretch marks are newly formed and they still have a reddish color, certain topical creams have been proven successful in improving the appearance of the scars. The creams will rearrange the collagen, making the skin appear more uniform. Studies indicate that this form of treatment is not effective against older stretch marks.

Treatment of Old Stretch Marks
Older stretch marks that are white or “silver” colored, can be treated through more invasive procedures. The most popular one being laser treatment.

Compared to dermabrasion treatments, laser treatment is less invasive. However, it usually requires repeated sessions. Going over the affected area the laser is able to stimulate collagen growth. The collagen is then meant to fill up the stretch marks, making them less visible.

No Perfect Treatment Yet
So far no treatment is able to completely remove the stretch marks, but they are improving and can, nowadays, make a lot of difference.

Some dermatologists recommend against using the treatments, arguing that the appearance of the marks often improve over time even without treatment.

If you feel very bad about your stretch marks, consult your dermatologist and get a professional opinion. It is important to remain realistic about how much improvement can be expected, otherwise you are bound to end up disappointed. Carefully weigh the expected benefits against the drawbacks, and make an informed desicion about what is right for you.

For more information on various skin conditions, you can visit these pages on stretch marks in men and acne treatment.

Animal Stock Images for the Picture Hunter

GuestPoster — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:02:01 +0000

Suppose you manage a zoo and you are looking for a way to add some excitement to the look of your brochures or the posters within the park in order to draw more visitors. Maybe you are the owner of a local pet shop and are searching for that perfect layout of photos to enhance the look of your store walls. Perhaps you are just an individual picture hunter who delights in collecting pictures of animals. Of course, there are plenty of images to choose from if you just want to download an image from a free site, but perhaps you have tired of getting images with very little quality and low resolution. There is an alternative for you, and that is to invest in stock photo imagery. When dealing with someone who operates a reliable stock photo source, you can be assured of a quality product at a reasonable rate. You must be choosy when seeking out the right company or individual for such a venue, however, as this is true for any form of business. Here are some helpful ideas if you should want to go the route of searching for quality animal stock images to purchase.

The first thing you should know is that there are two ways to obtain stock photos, and that is to either purchase them as individual images, or to purchase an entire collection, which is referred to as a stock photo library. The selecting of individual images is mostly done through an agency. These agencies supply a layout of stock images for your choosing. To use this source, you must order the images from their site using the browser they provide. It is best to type in several options before deciding on one image to ensure the tools offered to you provide an accurate result of what is being searched. If you should want to look up “tigers”, for example, the questions to ask would be: Did the results on your search take you to your desired topic? If you refine your search topic to “bengal tigers”, do the results show only images pertaining to this topic? When dealing with an agency, be sure that all copyright laws are met and that they are a royalty free operation. The pricing on these stock photos depend upon what the agency wishes to charge. A fee on individual images is generally $1 to $4 per image.

Stock photo libraries are collections of stock photos that have been downloaded to a device such as a CD ROM or DVD ROM; now it is even possible to obtain a stock photo library from a secured, digital download off another website. These stock photo libraries can be purchased through individual photographers, photo galleries, or agencies as well, and run anywhere from $100 to $1,000 per package depending upon the size of the collection.

A Puppy Pen: The Right Start

GuestPoster — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:53:32 +0000

One item that should be considered a must-have for your new four-legged family member is a puppy pen. There seems to be an endless list of things to buy for a new puppy, and the dollars can really add up. Just be sure you leave some room in the budget for the things that will be useful for years to come and mean the most for your pet’s well being and adjustment.

Puppy pen training serves a couple of basic needs. Housebreaking puppies is easier if they have a place to call their own. Dogs are den animals by nature and won’t mess in their places if given a choice. Getting them used to their domain early is a great way to get the right start. They can also mean sanity for you. Having an enclosure where your pup can stay when you are away means he’ll have a safe place to hang out, and you won’t worry about him getting into things that are dangerous for him or destructive for you.

There is a wide variety of products in this category to choose from. So, what’s available? Wire puppy pens are very popular and especially useful if you have more than one little one at a time. Four walled varieties with a top come in a selection of sizes, the most common being 24H x 36W x 36L, 36H x 18W x 30L, 36L x 24H x 30W, 36H x 36W x 30L and 48H x 48W x 30L. These also come in styles that have no top or bottom, which are great for outside. Plastic puppy pens are also available like this. These are light weight and easy to clean. Many have panels that can be added on for additional animals or to grow as your pet grows.

There are many things to consider when making your choice. If you will be traveling, you will need an airline approved plastic crate style enclosure. And it’s always a good idea to have plenty of puppy pads on hand to absorb any accidents your pup may have in the bustle of traveling. If you’d like to maintain a play yard type environment that can grow as your pet does, consider an expandable exercise model. If you have a large breed, you may want to consider the materials carefully, the stronger the better. You may find that owning more than one to serve various purposes will be the most practical decision. Do your homework and get the wisdom of trainers, manufacturers and other pet owners.

Can you effectively accomplish housebreaking without a pen? Perhaps. However, it’s a bit like trying to fix something with the wrong tools. It’s doable; it just takes longer and might be more frustrating. So, along with the cute squeak toy and training treats, make sure you pick up the perfect puppy pen for your new canine cutie.

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Using Teal Decoys

GuestPoster — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:29:52 +0000

Teal is the name of a type of duck, not a duck of a certain color. The color teal was actually named after the Common (Eurasian) Teal duck, which sports a teal patch on its head.

Teal ducks are small and fast, presenting a challenge to hunters. To bring these fowl within shooting range, you will need to set up teal decoys in a careful manner. There are several things to consider:

Teal are dabblers; they feed on the surface of the water or by “up ending” to reach the bottom. They feed in shallow water with little or no current or on the edge of the shore. They are often seen with fellow dabblers, Mallards and Wigeons.

Decoys are arranged in a spread (also called a rig or a set), with units tethered in loose groups and clusters. Tether half of the spread by the front keel holes and the other half by the rear holes. This allows them to realistically face in different directions regardless of wind direction.

Teals land on the water facing into the wind; your spread needs to be directly upwind from you with the pocket (large open area for incoming birds to land) between you and the spread. Start anchoring the first decoys around 15 yards offshore and go out to 30 yards or so.

The number of decoys you put out depends on the size of the water. A small pond might need only 6 to 10 lures, while a lake could utilize several dozen or more. Make sure your spread is entirely visible to the approaching birds, not hidden behind trees, brush or water grasses.

Teal ducks in flight assess the flock on the water. If all your teal decoys are upright, head up types, this indicates an alert attitude which doesn’t invite newcomers. However, mixing decoys of different attitudes; both drakes and hens with heads up, dabbling, quacking, preening, sleeping or landing will attract incoming ducks by indicating a calm, unafraid flock.

If you use other dabbler decoys in your spread, make sure you keep them grouped by breed (Mallards together, Wigeons together). Do not mix diving bird decoys in with dabblers.

There are over 20 species of Teal ducks in the United States, Canada, Siberia, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Spain, India, Indonesia, Eurasia, Japan, China and South America. These tips for Teal decoys can be used for hunting worldwide.

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Sushi Bar Etiquette: Lessons to Apply to Your Sushi Set

GuestPoster — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:33:40 +0000

While visiting a sushi bar for the first time can be a massively rewarding experience, you’ll get the most out of it by knowing a few essential customary traditions that will make your visit a happy one. While it’s fine to go in blind, respectful observation of tradition will get you a long way. Maybe you’ll even pick up some new information along the way that can be applied to your Japanese sushi set experiences at home! Here are some traditions and other things to look out for when visiting the sushi bar:

Receiving a Towel Before the Meal

If you receive a towel before your food is brought out, you should wipe your hands with it. This tradition has been around for a long time in Japanese restaurants, and taking part in it is a sign of respect and cleanliness.

A Large Menu

It’s a mistake to let the large menu that is typically presented in Japanese restaurants put you off. Celebrate the fact that you’re being offered a great deal of choice, and take the opportunity to tailor your eating experience to your specific tastes. There’s nothing wrong with inquiring with your sushi chef as to the nature of certain food items, and this has the added benefit of showing that you’re genuinely curious about his culture’s food!

Showing Appreciation to Your Chef

The easiest way to do this is simply to order him a drink. If he accepts, you’ll most likely toast each other with the word “Kampai,” which means “to your health.” This toast is a sign of respect between the patron and chef.

Oddly-Sized Sushi Rolls

At most sushi places, you’re going to get a huge variety of different rolls, some large and some small. It’s OK and even encouraged to eat a roll in one bite as all the elements of each roll are meant to be tasted together anyway! You can use the same habits at home with your sushi making set as well.

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How to Detoxify Your Body

GuestPoster — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:35:20 +0000

Are you concerned about your health? You may be the kind of person who only eats organic food, or you may be the kind of person who likes to exercise every day. It’s really important to keep yourself fit and healthy so that you can lead a long and happy life. But what about your insides? How do you make sure that you keep them healthy? Well that’s where a detox comes in. You can detoxify your body of all the nasty toxins and germs that are lurking just by following a simple detox recipe for a few days. It’s so easy and is definitely worth it when you consider the benefits.

Your colon is the main place where toxins and germ lie. Being the waste system of the body, it’s understandable to know why all the debris comes here. But how do we get rid of it? Did you know that when you expel your colon, you don’t always expel it fully? There is a whole load of excess waste in your colon just dying to get out but with no way of doing so. That’s where the detox comes in.

The detox works by removing this excess waste and also removing all the toxins that have become stuck with it. Once you get rid of this waste you will notice that you are more energetic, you are less bloated and you are even lighter! So if you are interested in trying a detox at home, why not take a look online for a whole list of different recipes. Or better yet, find an ebook that will contain all the homemade colon cleanse recipes, hints, tips and reviews for any detox you could wish for. Good luck on your journey to having a happy inside as well as out.

Air Conditioner Repair and Maintenance

GuestPoster — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:05:52 +0000

Air conditioning units need to be serviced regularly to ensure optimal performance. By scheduling routine system checks, you will extend the life of your air conditioner by years and optimize energy efficiency. Most manufacturers will not warranty any parts unless there is a service record of repair and or maintenance. Maintenance can be performed by the home owner or a licensed HVAC technician. Most HVAC companies, like Air Conditioner Repair Atlanta can provide yearly preventative maintenance, although many things can be done yourself in a matter of minutes.

Dirty filters can cause slowed air speed, frozen coils, and even compressor failure. Mold growth can also occur from unchanged filters or the spread of cold and flu viruses. Filters should be changed every 30 days or as needed. There are a wide range of filters on the market. Some filters promote better health, by eliminating particulates in the air. These filters use electrostatic technology to help eliminate bacteria and mold spores.

Dirty condenser coils also lead to poor performance and dropped energy efficiency. Condenser coils should be rinsed every 30 days or as needed. Simply spray water in an up and down pattern to rinse the dirt from the coil. Never spray in a side to side motion or use a pressure washer as these things will damage your coils.

The PVC condensate line on the air handler is another concern. The line needs to be cleared once every 2 months to ensure proper condensation of your unit. A simple mixture of one quarter bleach and one cup of water poured down the line once a month will keep the condensate line from backing up and overflowing into your home.

These simple procedures will help eliminate costly service repairs in the future. An HVAC company will go more into depth when performing preventative maintenance. These maintenance procedures may include checking amp draws, components, electrical connections, static pressures, temperature splits, refrigerant levels, thermostat, and overall performance of your HVAC system.

For more tips on keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, check out the Heating and Air Guide.

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Glass And Corner Television Stands

GuestPoster — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:06:28 +0000

If you are looking for something more contemporary, then glass TV stands may be down your alley. Most of your glass stands have shelves that are adjustable and removable. The black glass is very popular and probably the most elegant looking. These LCD TV stands can be a little more costly at $100-2500. The price also depends on the size of your LCD screen and how fancy you want to get.

The family with toddlers would probably find the cabinet stands more conducive for them. Unlike shelves the cabinet stand keeps little hands from exploring sensitive equipment. Many like the cabinets look because it is more elegant looking in a family room. The cabinet TV stands can also come with shelves. These are priced from $150-3000 depending on screen size.

Now glass also comes in many different version of television stand. For instance the corner television stand is also economically and space safe. These are better suited for LCD televisions that will be placed in a bedroom or office. The size of the screen will need to be smaller, unless you want a large chunk of space taken out of your room. The screen can be adjusted by height if it’s on its own pedestal.

The price range for corner tv stands is $150-500. The more shelves you add underneath the more the price of the stand will increase. There are many more choices of styles with wooden stands. Some come with wheels and some with adjustable shelves. They come in all kinds of sizes. There is also a glass corner television stand to suit your needs that are made for the gamer in the family. Depending on size and quality these can range from $100 to $1000. If you are wanting value for your money then online retailers will have a much better selection than your local electronics or furniture stores.

Divorce Costs Can Be Low

GuestPoster — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:39:39 +0000

Are you fixing to go through a divorce and are worried about the amount of money you are going to have to pay in order to get permanent separation from your spouse? If you do not know what you are doing then divorce costs can be very high. Attorneys charge a lot of money in order to take your case and get you the results that you want with the divorce financial settlements. However, if you can get along with the person you are getting the divorce from for long enough to divide the property you will be able to save a lot of money on the cost of a divorce.

One thing that you will need to do is sit down with your spouse and make decisions on who will own certain assets. You will be able to find divorce forms online that you can print out and put everything down on. This is the best way to divide up your assets and save money on the divorce. If you have to pay an attorney to divide up all of the assets that you own as a couple it could get very costly very quickly, so you will want to do as much as you can as a couple to lower costs.

If you find that there are items that you cannot reach an agreement about then you may find that it is best to sell the assets and split the money. There is no need in making the divorce a nasty process. If you attempt to act as civilized adults then you should be able to divide everything up without getting a lawyer or judge involved.

Divorce costs are very high if you do not do all of the work yourself. There are a lot of ways that you will be able to save a lot of money when you are going through a divorce. If you are able to get along for long enough to split everything up you will have what you want without paying a lot of money for it.

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Question Me

What Is A Nigerian 419 Scam?

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Treating Stretch Marks

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Animal Stock Images for the Picture Hunter

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A Puppy Pen: The Right Start

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Using Teal Decoys

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Sushi Bar Etiquette: Lessons to Apply to Your Sushi Set

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How to Detoxify Your Body

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Air Conditioner Repair and Maintenance

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Glass And Corner Television Stands

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Divorce Costs Can Be Low

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