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Clean Out Your
Computer Day
The second Monday in February is
designated as Clean Out Your Com-
puter Day. It was started in 2000 by
the Institute of Business Technology.
Granted, this holiday doesn’t exactly
merit a party. But it’s a good reminder
to take care of some computer
maintenance tasks you may be put-
ting off. Over time, unused files and
programs take up precious memory
and can slow down your computer.
So celebrate by doing the following:
• Clear off your desktop by deleting
or archiving files you no longer
need there.
• Organize your folders, files, and
bookmarks.
• Uninstall programs you no longer
use.
• Delete junk or duplicate files.
You may also want to carefully clean
off your computer on this day using
special products designed for this
purpose. It’s amazing how much
better the screen and keyboard will
look after a few minutes of wiping
and dusting.
A mystery (or secret) shopper is a person paid by a retailer to make
purchases at a store and then turn in reports about the shopping
experience. The retailer uses the information to guide decisions
about pricing, product displays, staff training, and so on.
While there are legitimate secret shopper jobs available, scammers are also out there
ready to take advantage of desperate job seekers.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns of an email offering “secret shopper” jobs
with retailers like Wal-Mart, Kmart, Best Buy, or Home Depot. If you click through, it
appears to be a retailer’s site but is actually a lookalike site designed to fool you. You’re
asked to provide some personal information to get started and told you’ll soon get a
cashier’s check for around $1,500. Next, you’re instructed to deposit the check into your
account to “activate” your employment, keep $300 as “advance payment” to cover initial
expenses, and wire back the rest. The check is a fake, and if you deposit it, you’re on the
hook to pay the bank back any money you withdrew.
Follow these tips from the FTC to help you avoid a mystery shopping scam:
•
Do your research.
Most legitimate secret shopper jobs are posted online by reputable
marketing research or merchandising companies. A quick internet search can help you
verify the company’s reputation and legitimacy or flag any complaints. Scammers like to
use the names of well-known companies like Home Depot or Wal-Mart to gain your trust.
•
Never wire money to someone you don’t know.
Wiring money is the same as
sending cash. Once you send it, you can’t get it back.
•
Never agree to deposit a check from someone you don’t know.
If the check
turns out to be fake, it will eventually bounce.
•
Never give your personal or financial information out online.
Guard your per-
sonal information and treat it as if it were cash. Do not enter your Social Security, bank
account, or credit card numbers online or by phone to someone who gets in touch with you.
Scammers may be
shopping for victims,
but you don’t have to
become one of them.
Wheat State Telephone • 1/800 442-6835 •
www.wheatstate.comFTC Tells Secret to Avoiding
Mystery Shopper Scams