AM-Win Newsletter.

August 2014

In this edition

• Archived copies of our newsletter
• AM-Win latest version information - No Upgrade this month. Version 9.056 is the latest version on the web.
• AM-Win Support Solutions
• Reversing a customer payment
• The deposit reconciliation screen
• How to set up e-mailing in AM-Win
• Computer Security
  • Quantas Scam
  • MH17 Scam
  • Australia Post Scam
• Computer Tips
• Search the internet like a pro. - E-Book
• Microsoft Office tips
• E-Mail marketing - getting the balance right
• Outlook Shortcuts cheat sheet.
• Whoops
• Jokes

Printing our newsletter articles in PDF format. 

Click on the PDF image below each article to view and print article in PDF format.  Please note that we will always open a PDF file in a new window.

Archived copies of our newsletters

Did you know that we archive copies of our newsletters for 12 months - if you've missed one or want to chase up an article that you've read click on Newsletter in the top menu on our site and select Newsletter Archives.

Latest Version Information

No new update - Version 9.056 is the latest version on the web.

Click here to download. For program enhancements view "About" in the AM-Win menu after updating. This Version 9 download will upgrade any existing Version 9 of AM-WIN without an Install code or license files.

Don't forget to backup your data before upgrading.

If you have any AM-Win version prior to version 9.0 please click here before updating.

 

AM-Win Support Solutions

Once again we are concentrating on the needs of the users that went "live" in July and publishing on those questions asked most of our support team.

Reversing a customer payment.

Sometimes it's necessary to reverse a customer or supplier payment. Here's how.

Click the PDF logo below to view/print and save this tutorial.

The deposit reconciliation screen

AM-Win offers a Deposits Reconciliation which allows you to reconcile the cash on hand with moneys received.

Click the PDF logo below to view/print and save this tutorial.

How to set up e-mailing in AM-Win

Save time and money by emailing invoices, receipts, adjustment notes, statements and other documents to your customers through AM-Win.

Computer Security

Automated scam calls claiming to be from Qantas with bogus holiday win

SCAMwatch and Qantas are warning people about automated calls from scammers posing as Qantas staff claiming that they’ve won a credit towards their next holiday. If you receive this call, hang up.

Reports have been received from both consumers and businesses about these scam calls, where the recipient picks up the phone and hears a recorded message that claims to be from Qantas.

The message will claim that because the person has recently booked a flight with Qantas, they have won a ‘travel prize’ or ‘credit points’ – typically $999 – towards their next holiday.

In order to redeem the credit, the person is directed to press ‘1’.

At this point, the person is put directly through to a scammer, who will then state that in order to be eligible for the prize, the person has to ask a few questions first. The scammer may ask whether the person is aged over 30, whether they have a valid credit card, and finally ask for their credit card details so that the prize can be processed.

If you hand over your credit card details, you will find that money has been taken rather than deposited from your bank account.

These scammers appear to be persistent, with some consumers and businesses reporting that they have received several of these calls in one day. Unfortunately scammers pay no heed to private phone numbers or numbers listed on the Do Not Call Register, so if you have a number like this, you can still expect to receive this call.

Qantas advises that their consultants will always call customers directly to discuss their bookings and do not use an automated phone system when contacting customers proactively.

Qantas also advises that you or your business may not even be a customer of Qantas and still receive this scam call.

Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they’re the real deal – if you receive an automated call out of the blue claiming to be from Qantas, just hang up.

How this scam works

You receive a phone call out of the blue to your mobile, home or work phone and, when you answer, it goes straight to an automated message claiming to be from Qantas.

If you have recently flown or booked with Qantas, the recorded message may sound like it’s the real deal as the caller thanks you for choosing Qantas and claims that you have been chosen to receive $999 in a ‘travel prize’, ‘credit points’ or even ‘frequent flyer points’ towards your next trip.

The automated message will direct you

• to press ‘1’ - to find out more information.
• you dial ‘1’ - you will be put directly through to someone claiming to be a representative of Qantas. The caller may congratulate you  on your win before stating that you must answer a series of questions in order to qualify for the prize. The caller will typically ask whether you are aged over 30, have a valid credit card, and then finally ask for your credit card details in order to process the prize.
• If you hand over your credit card details, you will find that money has been taken rather than deposited from your bank account.

Beware of scammers taking advantage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy

SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be wary of scammers looking to take advantage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy by setting up fake Facebook pages in the name of victims of the tragedy.

Scammers have set up false Facebook profiles for Australian victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy in an attempt to make money from people interested in finding out more about this international tragedy. The profiles direct people to a blog, where they are then bombarded with dubious advertisements.

If you click on the advertisement, the scammer can make money from the advertising ‘service’ (where they receive advertising revenue for each click through to a client’s website or product). The blog or advertisement may also be infected with malware, thereby compromising your computer’s security.

Beware – scammers have also been known to take advantage of major news stories including tragedies to seek donations for fake charities. Scammers use social networking platforms to promote these schemes.

If you want to find out more online about the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, only use official news sources. Be wary of unverified links posted on social networking sites– unfortunately scammers like to connect with people through these forums too.

How this scam works

Scam advertising services

Scammers set up a false Facebook page using the name of a victim of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy. The Facebook page directs you to a blog that it purports has information on the Flight MH17 tragedy. If you click on the link to the blog, you will be subject to a series of pop-up advertisements. If you click on the advertisement, the scammer will then make money from the ‘click-through’ by driving potential customers to a business’s website.

Malware scam

Alternatively, the site that you are directed to may contain infected ads, which if you click on could cause malware to install on your computer. The scammers may have also set up malware to be downloaded when you click on the link to the blog.

a scammer has infected your computer with malware, they may be able to access your personal information stored on the computer, including financial details. They may then be able to use this access to commit identity theft or steal your money.

Charity scam

You should also be on the lookout for charity scams that may arise out of the flight MH17 tragedy, with scammers often using major news stories as a means to lure donations that they claim will go to helping victims.

You may receive an email, come across a website, or find a blog or profile on a social media site claiming to raise money for a charity, or affected families.

If you hand over money to the ‘charity’ or ‘fundraiser’, your money will go straight into the pockets of a scammer and the victims will never receive a cent.

Protect yourself

If you want to access information about major or breaking news sources, use a reliable news source rather than an unknown web link or blog – there are many reputable online news sites where you can safely access credible information.

Always keep your computer security up-to-date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall. Only buy computer and anti-virus software from a reputable source.

If you think your computer’s security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.

If you are considering making a donation to a charity, cause or appeal, approach the organisation directly using their official contact details to make the payment.

Never give money or your financial details to someone you don’t know - it’s rare to recover money from a scammer. If you think that your banking or financial details have been compromised, contact your financial institution immediately.

'You've got a parcel' phishing campaign targets Australia Post customers

Australia Post is warning its customers to be wary of a new email scam which threatens you with accumulating costs for holding your undelivered parcel.

The email includes several invitations to click on links to find out more information, each of which could lead to malware or seek to trick you into entering details such as your credit card number or other personal identity information.

The phishing email uses convincing Australia Post branding and colours, but the use of English is poor. Like many other examples of phishing, it has been sent from an email address that is not related to Australia Post.

Australia Post also states it will never: 

• ask for your password
• ask you to enter information on a web page that is not part of Australia Post
• send you an email asking for credit card details or account information
• call you out of the blue to request payment (eg. for an undeliverable mail item)

An example of the e-mail content is shown below.

If you receive this e-mail please delete it and ignore it's contents

Computer Tips

Your Guide To Search Internet Like a PRO

This guide is for everyone who wants to be more productive and get to know some incredible new specialised search engines.

Learn how to formulate your searches, limit results using special search commands, get to know numerous special search engines and lots more.

This document provided by and copyright to makeuseof.com

 

E-Mail Marketing - Getting the balance right

We all know e-marketing is an important part of modern business. But how do you know if you're getting the balance right? Are you sending too much material and alienating your customers? Or are you not engaging your customers enough and missing out on possible sales? Is your current e-marketing strategy effective?

We'd like to get you thinking about what your customers need and want from your e-marketing.

This document provided by and copyright to makeuseof.com

Click on the PDF logo below to read or print thisdocument

Outlook Shortcuts

Outlook is big, powerful and flexible email client. That being said, with wide range of features it offers it can also be pretty confusing. And that’s exactly what we are trying to fix with this Outlook Shortcuts cheat sheet.

This cheat sheet lists pretty much all useful shortucts that Outlook users should know about for productive workflow. The shortcuts are nicely categorized with more important ones highlighted in bold. Enjoy!

This document provided by and copyright to makeuseof.com

Click on the PDF logo below to read or print this tutorial.

Note:

Please note that we do not provide support for our Office tips as they are provided by a third party. If you need further information why not try using Google - Cut and paste the heading of our tip into Google's search box. You'll be amazed at the information available.

Whoops

We now embed videos from sites such as UTube into our newsletter.  You will now be able to download videos and view them in full screen, providing the functionality is available on the host site. Firefox users may need to download the latest flash player.

Jokes

Thankyou to Leanne Cooper from the Stihl Shop in Murray Bridge SA for the following yarns.

Husband’s Message (by mobile phone):

Honey, I got hit by a car outside the office. Paula brought me to the Hospital. They have been making tests and taking X-rays. The blow to my head, though very strong, will not have any serious or lasting injury. But, I have three broken ribs, a broken arm, a compound fracture in the left leg, and they may have to amputate the right foot.

Wife’s Response:

Who is Paula?

The raise

Employee: Excuse me sir, may I talk to you?

Boss:Sure, come on in… What can I do for you?

Employee: Well sir, as you know, I have been an employee of this prestigious firm for over ten years.

Boss:Yes.

Employee: I won't beat around the bush. Sir, I would like a raise.  currently have four companies after me and so I decided to talk to you first.

Boss: A raise? I would love to give you a raise, but this is just not the right time.

Employee: I understand your position, and I know that the current economic down turn has had a negative impact on sales, But you must also take into consideration my hard work, pro-activeness and loyalty to this company for over a decade.

Boss: Taking into account these factors, and considering I don't want to start a brain drain, I'm willing to offer you a ten per cent raise and an extra five days of vacation time. How does that sound?

Employee: Great! It's a deal. Thank you, sir!

Boss: Before you go, just out of curiosity, what companies are after you?

Employee: Oh, the Electric Company, Gas Company, Water Company and the Mortgage Company!

Can you do this?

After 35 years of marriage, a husband and wife came for marriage counseling. When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the years they had been married.

On and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, an entire laundry list of un-met needs she had endured.

Finally, after allowing this for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and after asking the wife to stand, he embraced and kissed her long and passionately as her husband watched - with a raised eyebrow.

The woman shut up and quietly sat down in a daze.

The therapist turned to the husband and said, "This is what your wife needs at least 3 times a week. Can you do this?"

"Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I fish."

Office, Excel © and Windows © and other Microsoft © logos are the property of Microsoft ©  and are used for reference points only.