on November 8, 2009in Uncategorized. 0 Comments Tags: facebook, social media, twitter.

“I make money with google. i learned how here: ____.” If you were on Twitter last week, you probably saw that message, during another round of phishing scams. This time, the scam spread through DMs and tweets alike. “Phishing” occurs when a fraudulent operation poses as a legitimate Website or service to steal your personal information.

Everyone needs to be aware of what phishing is and what to expect. It can happen on any social networking site, which was proven last month on Facebook when viruses spread across the site like wild fire. In that scam, users were urged to update their information by clicking on a provided link which took them to a fake Facebook login page. Once they entered in their information, it was stolen and their accounts were hacked, spreading the virus even further.

A hacked account on Twitter or even Facebook can lead to account suspensions, or worse, you can be shut out of your account altogether. By falling victim to the scams, you can also unwillingly impact accounts of your friends, family or even your clients!

 And, these attacks are increasing. According to Fortinet, a firewall systems provider, June 2009 had the “highest rate of phishing attacks to date” on the Web. It will be interesting to see what these rates look like at the end of year with the rise in social media use.

Here are some tips to stay safe in the new social media world:

• Just because you get a Direct Message (or DM) on Twitter saying “Check out this cool Website” doesn’t mean you should. In fact, Twitter recently alerted its users that they had uncovered a phishing scam, where a link to a fake Twitter login page was sent through the direct message feature. The purpose of the scam was to steal user login and passwords.

• Be wary of sites outside of Twitter that ask for your Twitter username and password. Although we all want to know our Twitter rank or might want to take a Twitter quiz, many people have had their accounts compromised by these sites.

• Be aware of generic posts or messages similar to this: “Hey, did you read what this blog says about you? I think you should read it.” Or, “I saw your profile picture on this Website, you look great! Check it out.” These are sample messages which also included a link with a virus. DON’T CLICK!

• Remember that third-party applications and quizzes are just that, third party. Most were not created by Facebook. Always read the fine print before adding them to your page or profile.

• Use a different password for each site you use. This will save you a lot of trouble if one of your accounts is compromised.

• When a link takes you to sign-in on a familiar site, always look at the URL to make sure that the site is legitimate and not a phishing clone. Phishers count on us not to double check links from our trusted friends, sources and sites.

Do you have any other tips to stay safe on social media?

 Wed Oct 28, 7:56 pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate’s top Democrat and top Republican each voiced support on Wednesday for extending and expanding a soon-to-expire tax credit aimed at boosting the fragile housing market, though a vote on the measure could be delayed until next week.

Key senators agreed to extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, which expires at the end of next month, through April of next year, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the deal would also allow for those who have been in their home for at least five years to receive a $6,500 tax credit if they purchase a new primary residence.

She also said the credit would be available for individuals making up to $125,000 a year and couples earning up to $250,000 per year, raised from $75,000 and $150,000, respectively, in the current tax credit.

“There has been general agreement by a significant number of senators, Democrats and Republicans, to get this done,” Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said on the Senate floor. Nevada has been hard-hit by the bursting of the housing bubble.

The chamber’s top Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell, also said most senators support the measure. “I certainly share his view,” McConnell said.

TIMING OF A VOTE UNCERTAIN

While extending the credit enjoys widespread support, its fate is caught up in a spat between Reid and McConnell over unrelated issues.

Reid wants to attach a bill to extend the homebuyer credit as an amendment to legislation to lengthen insurance benefits for unemployed workers.

The Reid spokeswoman said the unemployment insurance measure could get pushed to next week as lawmakers try to resolve differences over unrelated issues, which would delay consideration of the homebuyer credit extension.

“We will get this extension passed,” she said.

A report last week showed sales of previously owned homes hit a two-year high in September as buyers rushed to take advantage of the credit before its expiration date. However, a report on Wednesday showed new home sales, a much smaller segment of the market, tumbled unexpectedly last month.

Separately, a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association on Wednesday that demand for mortgages has fallen for the past three weeks as buyers move to the sidelines.

A buyer would have to close on the purchase of a home before November 30 to take advantage of the current tax credit. (Additional reporting by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Leslie Adler, Gary Hill)

 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091028/ts_nm/us_usa_congress_housing

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Master Faculty Member Rick Geha will share techniques you can apply immediately in today’s market to increase your business!

Thursday December 10th 2009 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Long Beach See attached flier for more details and sign up today (Training events are open to all agents from all companies)!

Watch this video from Fox Business which recently interviewed Harvey Green of Marcus & Millichap who gave his view of the state of the commercial real estate and when he expects the sector will recover.

I have to say I compltely disagree. How can anyone say that market is going to recover when it really has not been hit yet? The debt coverage ratio issues (LTV as value drops, LTV gets higher even though there may still be significant cash flow) are NOT going away, and the lending criteria is NOT getting more lenient, its getting tighter. Harvey even admits the lending critera must soften in order for the market (Commercial) to rebound upward. Thinking that is going to happen in 2010 (again for Commercial lending) is not realistic in my opinion.

We have not seen the Commercial market hit badly yet, The actual market here in Long Beach CA has remained quite stable. Sure there is lots of talk of its coming but the reality is that what I am experiencing first hand and what I am hearing from Commercial agents is declining rents, higher vacancies, and lenders getting uncomfortable with debt coverage ratios. These indicators are signs that future Commercial Sales will slow down significantly and more than likely follow the residential real estate market.

I am sorry, I dont have the expertise that Harvey has that is for sure but unless he is referring to National markets or something I just do not agree at all.

Please feel free to post your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Michael Simpson