RFID, Radio frequency identification, is a term I have just learned about. Instead of bar codes, many of the communities in the area, including Hidden Hills are now using them for resident gate entrance. I was surprised that they are also being used in credit cards and passports.  Recently, I received an email from my son-in-law with a link to a video that astounded me. The video shows how someone can scan your cards even if they are in your wallet and purse by reading the radio frequency. It looks like a wireless icon on your cell phone or computer. If your credit card has one (about 1/3 of all cards do) a thief can scan your card and obtain the account number and expiration date.

A short time ago, I received a metal case from a friend. She said it protects her credit cards. Instead of carrying them in her wallet, she carries them in this case. Now I know what an appropriate gift that is.

We are all trying to protect our identities today. We use shredders, we call our credit card firms when we are going to be traveling and we watch our cards carefully. Technology is great but we have to be proactive in protecting ourselves.

With the economy beginning to recover, it is essential that we understand small businesses are a vital part of the recovery. Having just returned from the British Isles where we saw store after store that we have here in Westfield Topanga Plaza, I yearned to go into a store that was unique. Small and unique businesses were difficult to find in the British Isles because of the impact of the economic downturn. Now, more than ever, it is important to emphasize supporting small businesses. Of course it is difficult to support a local business on one’s own, so lately people have become creative in the way they are aiding small businesses. One of these ideas has formed into a phenomen called, “Cash Mobs”.

The other morning, I caught a segment on one of the morning shows about Cash Mobs. I had never heard of them. What are they? Per Wikipedia, “A cash mob is a group of people who assemble at a local business and all buy items from that business. The purpose of these mobs is to support both the local businesses and the overall community. They may also serve a secondary purpose in providing social opportunities. They were inspired by flash mobs. The cash mob is related to the carrotmob, which supports companies for ethical, mainly pro-environmental actions.”

Cash mobs have spread across Southern California in the name of helping local economies. There are websites and groups on the Internet that organize cash mob events for citizens to join. Recently, there have been residents in the Malibu area coming together to create their own cash mob for the “Preserve Malibu” movement.

What a great idea! We should bring this to Calabasas, Hidden Hills and surrounding areas to promote our local economies.

Preventing Unwanted Text Messages

I hate scams and spams. Now we not only have to contend with internet scams and phishing (there is a whole new vocabulary out there), but also text scams. Receiving a text in the middle of the night was beyond annoying but when it turned out to be a text meant to swindle me, it was worse. I don’t recall how much the gift card was for but I know that I do not shop at that store. The biggest clue was the number. Now we are getting 5, 6 & 10 digit numbers. This scam is called “SMiShing“. If you receive one you can forward the text to the shortcode 7726 which spells SPAM. You should receive an automated message from your wireless carrier asking you to enter the phone number from which the spam text was sent. This allows wirelss carriers to investigate and block senders.

Don’t believe you won a $50 Starbucks card or will win a free IPad if you are one of the first 1000 responses. If something is too good to be true, it is too good to be true.

Verizon, my wireless carrier, even filed suit against another type of text fraud through which companies set up websites to rope in unwitting customers to fraudulent premium third-party SMS text messaging services, which can make lots of money off the unwitting.

These spam text messages are illegal under the 2003 “Can Spam” Act. The FCC recommends to reply STOP, but there’s a theory that replying could just indicate to the spammer that you have a working number that can be resold.

Customers Affected by Text Messaging Fraud Can Visit www.premiumsmsrefunds.com for Information on Filing Claim for Refund.

It is wonderful when you hear about heroes but little heroes are the best.  Mikah Kainine, age 7 of Hidden Hills was recently bit by a rattlesnake in his backyard when he tried to protect his 2 year old brother Joseph and his dog Luna.  When I read about how he stepped between the snake and his brother, it confirmed my belief in mankind’s good deeds and the wonderful parenting he is receiving.  When I think of seven year old boys, I don’t think of heroes.  Most would be busy playing and not be aware of nearby danger.

After being bitten, he had the maturity to call out to his mother so she could protect his brother and save his dog. He has been in the hospital four days and will have to undergo physical therapy after his release so he can walk again.

What a brave little hero.

Fire captain, Ed Loney, advised snake bit victims to call 911 even if you are going to the hospital as it can take up to 30 minutes to mix the anti-venom. With the weather warming, we should all be aware of rattlesnakes.  Be careful when you are working in the garden, walking on the trails or even walking on the street.

Sometimes we wonder how we may feel years from now when we review our life experiences or perhaps a moment in time. Having just lost a dear friend yesterday, I am having difficulty getting around the thought that a healthy 47 year old mother of four could die so suddenly. My thoughts are all over the place.

Low and behold, I found a web site that is extremely interesting. You write a letter to yourself now, and www.futureme.org will deliver it by email on a date you choose-in a day, a year, or many years. I am going to send myself an email with memories of her. When I receive my email, I am sure I will be glad to receive it.

By: Barbara Lipkin

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make you feel good. Having collected samples of toiletries and makeup for a while, I realized that the person to whom I dropped off items for Haven House, a haven for abused women and their children, was no longer accessible. I sent out an email to my office and the response was overwhelming. One of our marketing gurus, Randall, contacted me immediately. While a student at Pepperdine, he had done some work for the organization and was very impressed. One of my friends had just gone to Las Vegas and came back with great stuff. Bags appeared in my office. My daughter, Michele, sent out an email to friends and clients. Two enormous bags were dropped off today including one from a friend who is a hairdresser to the stars. Everyone pitched in.

When I dropped the bags off today, they were delighted. They need lots of things since women and their children leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their back. Thank you to all of you who contributed. You have made my day.

By: Barbara Lipkin

According to the LAPD, burglaries have become more frequent in the West Valley area and 7-8 have been via doggie doors. Police stated that burglars often spray dogs with some form of mace when they break in. Home owners should consider investing in secure doggie doors that will prevent future burglaries.

Also, burglars have taken advantage of second story homes by using residents’ ladders to climb to an upstairs window. These windows are often not wired to set off alarms so a break-in will go undetected. In multiple cases, homeowners have not been setting their alarms which creates an even easier entry for potential burglars.

Please take precautions to keep your home safe.

By: Barbara Lipkin

Although many poo poo the printed words of newspapers, I have read some excellent articles recently in the Los Angeles Times. Yesterday on Super Bowl Sunday, Rosanna Xia interviewed Gil Elbaz notorious for co-founding Applied Semantics Inc. This company built technology that connects related online subject matter and was purchased by Google in 2003 for $102 million.

What I found most interesting though, is Elbaz’s perspective on work and motivation. He describes a summer job during college when he sold vacuum cleaners door to door. He discovered that 1 out of every 10 people would buy a vacuum and he earned a $200 commission. He turned that around by saying he was earning $20 for each presentation. Today, he is the founder and chief executive of Factual Inc., a company that aggregates and organizes huge amounts of online data. Obviously he is hugely successful. However, his perspective is valuable for all of us.

Attention Calabasas Homeowners

By: Barbara Lipkin

Time flies. It is almost February 1st as we enjoy incredible California sunshine-another day in paradise. Fortunately, Lew Sichelman reporting in this Sunday’s LA Times, has reminded us that tax relief on mortgage debt forgiveness ends in 2013. The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 allows taxpayers to “exclude from income the discharge of debt on their principal residence”. Although, homeowners have until the end of 2012, it may very well take up to 11 months to persuade banks to foreclose or sell homes for a lesser value than they are worth. With short sales taking months, it is time to remind our short sale sellers to get their properties on the market if they want to take advantage of “the most important tax-relief provisions enacted by Congress during the housing crisis to help financially strapped homeowners” per Mr. Sichelman. Definitely something to consider.

By: Barbara Lipkin

A huge number of iPads were sold this year. They were definitely an item on Christmas wish lists. And now they can solve crimes. Those lucky iPad & iPhone owners know they should activate the app to FIND their iPad or iPhone. This tracker helped solve 2 home burglaries & saved Christmas for 2 families.

A Westlake Village resident was awakened by noise at 3:30 AM on Christmas Day.  He spotted the intruder who ran away.  His home had been burglarized & among items stolen was an Apple iPad.  He called the Sheriff’s Station & told deputies the stolen iPad was giving a signal from a nearby house. Not only did they recover the iPad but also arrested the suspect.  He is a resident of Vista who was visiting the area.

Our wonderful  & smart Malibu/Lost Hills deputies and detectives conducted a thorough follow-up investigation, which led them to information regarding a burglary which occurred in Vista, on December 22, 2011. Two flat-screen televisions, a laptop computer, and more than 40 Christmas presents belonging to children were stolen in the burglary in Vista.

They contacted San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies who police the community of Vista.  They conduced a search inside the suspect’s home in Vista.  They found all of the stolen property from the Vista burglary.

The Vista victim began to cry when she was told the good news.“Deputy Brower saved Christmas!”

Using this app on the iPad saved Christmas for two families.  I think that is something to be thankful for – technology can help solve crimes..