ATM = Automated Theft Machines

Based on an article in the Jan. 17, 2011 issue of Time magazine, "Automated Theft Machines," U.S. has become a hot spot for ATM crooks.  This kind of fraud is also occurring at gas stations and locations where you swipe your card and enter your PIN.  Debit-card holders are more vulnerable to this.  How do these crooks steal your information?  They may not be looking over your shoulder when you use the ATM, but they install a card-reading device and a camera into the ATM.  They come back later to remove their installations at the ATM and use the stolen information to withdraw money from the victims' accounts.  This is called ATM skimming and the perpetrators are known as skimmers.  The skimmers are getting sophisticated with the process.  They are going as far as creating a mold of the front of the ATM, from which "they build a plastic facade, 'sanded down and spray-painted to match the machine so that it is virtually undetectable'."  The magnetic-card reader that the skimmers' use can be easily bought online.  Their cameras are usually hidden "in a light fixture or brochure holder overlooking the keypad," but on occasions "a fake key panel overlaid on the real" one is how PINs are captured.

 How to protect yourself
1) Stay away from any machines "that have visible glue marks."
2) "Check for loose parts by tugging on the card-reading slot."
3) Use your other hand to cover the other when you enter your PIN.  Since it's winter time, use your scarf to cover your hand.
4) Pay extra attention at high traffic venues such as malls, airports, and gas stations when using ATMs or paying with debit card as they "may be more easily tampered with than bank ATMs."

My DIY project (Eyeglasses Case)

I got bored and browsed through www.Etsy.com and came upon eyeglasses cases, which spurred me to decorate my boring clear plastic eyeglasses case.  It took a grueling 2-3 hours. I didn't want to overdo it by putting too much on it that will take away the clean and simplicity of the case, but want to jazz it up.

 

My sister said I could decorate hers as well.  Here's her eyeglasses case.

2011, Another Year Is Here

Another year has begun. Many people make New Year Resolutions, but I don't since I know that I will not stick to them for the whole year or even remember that I had made them in the first place by mid year. =\ So instead I'll try a Monthly To Do List that is a better fit with my monthly schedule. It seems more reasonable since there are months that I will definitely not have time for some things.

      JANUARY 2011 ~ To Do List      

1. At home facial pampering (min. 5x this month) since I've been slacking. I'm not getting any younger here. (0_0)

2. Finish reading Priceless The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It) by William Poundstone (I saw this book on Stephanie's DSK Blogs NOW!  The little excerpts she mentioned led me to borrowing the book from the library.)

3. Limit my "non-needed, but really want, just because" purchases to 5 items.  (I've already bought one thing online, yesterday (-_-) ). 

4. Put together 2 new outfits with clothes I already own.

'Tis the Holiday Season

The Holiday Season is here. Yay, 2 weeks off from work! Now is the time to catch up with friends and family, bum around at home and do nothing, and possibly pick up a hobby, if I can figure out what I want to do. I live in a constant go, go, go schedule from day to day except weekends during the off-season, if I can help it. I have no idea where I'm rushing to sometimes, its just grown to be a part of my norm. A coworker even made fun of me for rushing, by mimicking me rushing.

I'm jealous of those who are happy doing what they do for a living at a young age. Work right now serves the purpose of sustaining life and my lifestyle. Where and when will I find the thing that's for me? When will my light bulb light up? What's my path? Where am I going to be at a certain point of my life? So many questions, but no answer. Sigh...I'll probably find it when I become 50 or not find it at all.

Check out "The Little Dust Princess" and "Naughty Baubles"

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November 2010

Just 3 days left in November.  Boy, does time fly by fast when there are holidays in the month and when you actually get those days off.  More holidays to come next month yay!  I can't wait.  There should be 2 day holidays every month to help lower the stress levels accumulated each month.