We used a different approach this time in crafting this project. We started from scratch and created a system so that we could keep track of what we were doing. We then used this system to make the check lists and created all new content.

Here is what I found:

Back in 2012 LinkedIn experienced a data breach whereby 164 million email addresses and passwords were hacked. The stolen data remained out of public reach until it showed up on dark market in 2016.

Myspace suffered a data breach that exposed 360 million accounts. Later in 2016 the data was offered up for sale. It included email addresses, user names and passwords.

Disqus, in October of 2017 announced a data breach that occurred in 2012 but did not identify it until the data surfaced. The breach contained 17.5 million email addresses, usernames and passwords.

Using a specific source I was able to identify 9 points where my email address, username and password could have been exposed. This also explained a recent notification from my bank whereby I was issued a new debit card and a fraud alert notification from one of my credit card services.

Here are a few steps you can take to prevent blackmail and identity theft:

• Provide only the bare minimum of required information when creating a new profile or account online.
• Make an informed decision whether the data you make public can be damaging or harm you.
• Use a different email address or username and passwords for bank accounts than you do for other online accounts like Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit etc.
• Always read the entire Terms of Service or Terms of Use when creating a new account before you click submit. It is important for you to know what information you are agreeing to share with other websites and applications.
• Last but not least, change your passwords frequently! Use a combination of upper case, lower case, numbers and special characters. Your passwords should never be connected to you in anyway shape or form. In other words, a password should never contain hints of birthdays, social security numbers, anniversary dates etc.

Click the link below to check to see if your email address has been compromised. You may be in for a surprise.

Posted by: Charlie in General on January 3, 2019

The Masters of the Con understand deception and misdirection at levels that could be considered psychic. Armed with a perfectly staged storyline, then implementing high level NLP tactics and strategies, the end game leaves victims often penniless.

There is no worse feeling like a light bulb going off in your head after the fact, only to realize that the product you purchased was not as advertised.

For seasoned people in sales, they walk a fine line every day based on making conscious decisions to promote a product, good or service that will deliver exactly what was advertised. They possess the same qualities as the Con-Artist however with that main difference which is not about the money but rather building a meaningful relationship with their customers and clients. Yes, they want the sale, but are not willing to lie, cheat and steal in the process. Seasoned people in sales honor time to achieve the greater good.

In todays climate you are being bombarded with sales pitches at a rate that is hundreds of times greater than ever seen so far in the history of the internet. New technologies are being developed even at the time of this writing, that aides in this corruption and in my opinion, should be considered criminal. Customer retention is at an all-time low due to the continuous non-stop battery that has infected our computers, laptops, tablets and most important, our cell phones.

As a marketer you have a responsibility to yourself and the people you surround yourself with to treat every customer or client with the highest levels of honor and dignity to gain their trust.

As a consumer you have the responsibility to yourself and your family to take the necessary time to understand everything there is about what you are considering purchasing, before you hit the click and buy now button. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it is probably a con to get into your wallet. Having the ability to walk away from a webinar that uses scarcity and other tactics in the wrong way, may keep you wondering “should I do it” is better than realizing later you have been ripped off!

Think about the time you picked up a book. You started to read it and just could not put it down. When you got to the end, you were disappointed because the story did not end the way you thought it should. Now think about the long tail sales pages you read about “making money”. If you buy into it, I am predicting for you right now the ending. Money and more importantly time wasted.

A great book will lead you down a path. Every twist and turn leads you on a journey that is filled with knowledge, understanding and wisdom. When you reach the end, you suddenly realize it is just the beginning.

This is what a good person in sales will present to you. A journey that has a pleasant outcome. You will not be misled or deceived with tactics and strategies but rather choices presented whereby with your own knowledge combined with new knowledge, can make the right decision.

So, we have come to a point where you may be asking yourself how can I tell the difference? There are some obvious tell-tale signs.

• If the offer sounds too good to be true;
• If the offer makes you feel like you have to do this “right now”;
• If the offer has several up-sells and down-sells and cross sells;
• If the offer has a long-tail sales page loaded with images, video and income proof;
• If the offer states anything about “results are not typical”;
• If the offer states how much money and uses specific amounts displayed on the page;

You need go back to what you were taught as a child and stop, look and listen to your inner-self and do more homework before you click and buy now. There is a little more to it than just what I have listed but is a good start in getting your mind-set straight in what you should be looking for on the surface before you buy.

This article is directed at the marketers who are just starting out or have been at it for a while and are just stuck and have not made a significant income from their efforts. If I have peaked any interest do not hesitate to reach out to me personally. I am a real human being that teaches real time strategy in the sales process that utilizes sales and marketing in a good way.