Hackers Hoping To Kill Your V-Day Love Buzz
It’s Almost Valentine’s Day…
Love is in the air. A lot of folks are feeling a little starry-eyed… and scammers are taking note.
So be on the lookout for some of these tried and true Valentine’s Day tricks. The most common are phony florists, online dating scams, phony electronic greeting cards, and delivery scams. So, here are the red flags you need to look out for:
Do Not Trust….
Do not trust emails or advertising from online florists or other gift retailers until you are sure that they are valid. Otherwise, you might be turning over your credit card information to a scammer or infect your computer with malicious software.
Do not trust an online greeting card, particularly if it does not indicate who sent it to you. Be very wary of a card sent by “a secret admirer.” Even if you recognize the name, confirm that it was really sent from that person before you click on the link and open the card.
Do not trust special deliveries, there is no special charge for alcohol so if someone requires a credit card payment for such a delivery, just politely decline knowing you just dodged a bullet.
Do not trust anyone who indicates he or she is in love with you and then wants to communicate with you right away on an email account outside of the dating site. Claims to be working abroad, asking for your address and poor grammar are all signs of a foreign romance scammer.
If you find something in your inbox that seems to fit this fishy profile… just play it safe and delete it.
Daisy Smith
Assistant Director, Communications
"Don’t take yourself too seriously.”
I found myself at 14 West after 18 months of traveling and teaching in Bali, Thailand, and Australia. And now 5 years later, I’ve learned and grown with my team in extraordinary ways. I think that’s due in large part to the fact that I’ve been encouraged to approach my work and explore my potential in the same ways I’ve explored other parts of the world. I’m constantly asking questions, seeing and doing new things. And learning A LOT. I didn’t expect to find an experience like this in “an office back home.”
I love my position at 14 West because I’m invited to take on a diverse range of responsibilities. From running our Wellness Program to brand development and brand marketing to writing, I have a broad range of interests. And my role allows me to develop my skills through work that truly excites me. I have a hard time saying no to new projects, even when I already have a full plate. But when I take on too much, the leaders here are there with the support I need to get the job done. At the same time, I’m given the creative freedom to feel real ownership over my projects, which only motivates me more.
What is one thing you have to do every day in the office? Gotta have my essential oil diffuser going. Five of us share an office and we’re all hooked on the diffuser now, but it’s my job to create the perfect oil cocktail each morning to set the tone for the day. I’m obsessed.
