5 Ways That Fintech Is Transforming How We Handle And Invest Our Money

FinTech (financial technology), is an economic industry composed of companies that use technology to make financial services more efficient. Fintech is changing the way we invest, the way we spend and the way we interact with money. It’s a hugely lucrative industry and one that most of us are utilizing on a day to day basis.

We Bank Digitally

For numerous banking customers these days, having to stand in line to pay bills at a local high street bank is no longer necessary.  With the rise of mobile and online banking, many customers, and millennials in particular, prefer conducting their banking through using their bank’s smartphone app or online banking platform.

There are some consumers that have gone a step further and signed up to use a digital-only bank, like the Germany-based Number26 or US-based Simple, and don’t bank at a traditional high street bank any longer.

It Is Easier To Invest

Recently many consumers have been shying away from investment vehicles due to the reputation of many investment firms hitting all-time lows because of poor investment advice, hidden fees and excess fees.  FinTech firms like Addepar, Robinhood and Wealthfront, will keep emerging to help empower small investors and help them feel comfortable to once again participate in the investment world.

The firm Acorns is showing how novice and average investors can use their spare change as an excellent way of getting started with developing an investment portfolio that can offer them significant returns in the future.

Thanks to the Internet we can look up share prices in an instant and receive the up to the minute price. Sites such as Nasdaq.com, Yahoo Finance, Shareprice.com.au allow us to see the latest BHP share price or Google share price at the click of a finger. This alongside these new startups makes investment easier and more informed than ever.

These types of FinTech companies can help to make fundamental changes to the investment world, and help to rekindle interest in mutual funds and stocks.

We Use Our Mobile Phones For Payment

Mobile payment services like Samsung Pay, Android Pay and Apple Pay have emerged that now allow consumer to pay for services and goods in stores through utilizing their smartphones. These mobile payment services all work by scanning your credit or debit card using an app and then having the details stored in your phone.  After you have made an in-store purchase you just open up the app and either tap or just hold your mobile phone over the contactless NFC-enable credit card terminal to purchase your items at point of sale.

These new mobile payment services represent a natural progression that is part of the overall digitalization of services and gradually moving towards having a cashless system.  Android Pay and Apple Pay are being quickly adopted in the United States, as consumers are beginning to prefer using their smartphones for making purchases.

Borrowing From Our Peers

Up until recently, when you needed a loan for either business or personal purposes, you can to either go to a credit union or bank to apply.  These options both required the borrower to have a good credit score to qualify for a loan and be offered an interest rate that was reasonable.  However, in many cases, loans are not approved now since banks have cut back on lending to individuals and small businesses since the financial crisis of 2008.

However, a new kind of lending has emerged from the fintech sector called peer-to-peer lending. This refers to a method of lending where small businesses and individuals can borrow money from other individuals without having to go through a traditional financial intermediary.  It offers debt financing for individuals and businesses that are having a difficult time securing a loan from a credit union or bank.  In addition those lending money via a peer-to-peer platform are able to generate high fixed interest investment returns.

In order to borrow using a peer-to-peer lending platform, all a borrower needs to do is sign up at the platform, specify the amount they want to borrow and undergo a due diligence process that allows the peer-to-peer lender to make an assessment of their ability to fully repay the loan. After the application is approved, the borrower will need to agree to the loan terms.  Individuals will then be able to lend to the borrow using the peer-to-peer lending platform online.

International Money Transfers Are Made Online

In the past, in order to make an international money transfer we would either need to use a high street bank to make a wire transfer or use a remittance corporation like MoneyGram or Western Union. High fees are involved in both of these options, reducing the amount of money available to send.

Several fintech companies have addressed and resolved this issue.  They offer international money transfer services at substantially lower rates than the traditional financial industry does.  Companies like Azimo and WorldRemit offer inexpensive international money transfer for SMEs and individuals through their app-based and online platforms.

Over the past decade, how we handle money has changed as fintech has offer new ways for consumers to conduct their financial transactions.  It will be quite interesting to watch how money management continues to evolve into the future.

Originally posted 2016-09-15 17:56:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post 5 Ways That Fintech Is Transforming How We Handle And Invest Our Money appeared first on Information Technology Blog.

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Current Mortgage Rates for Friday, June 30, 2017

Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.

Where are mortgage rates going?

Mortgage rates finish the week higher

The big news this week has been the massive sell-off in the global bond market.

What is shaping up to be a four-day sell-off began back on Thursday when European Central Bank President Mario Draghi made remarks that indicated the ECB is planning to start tapering off of their large scale bond-buying program. Immediately investors began to sell, causing Treasury yields to spike.

Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates (Jun. 30, 2017).   

The yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note hit 2.12% on Monday but once Draghi made his comments on Tuesday it steadily rose to its current position of 2.28%. That’s the biggest weekly spike in months.

Mortgage rates do tend to follow in the footsteps of the 10-year yield, so rates have similarly jumped higher, but there is a silver lining on all of this.

Both the 10-year yield and mortgage rates touched 2017 lows this week, meaning that they have a long ways to climb before they get anywhere close to 2017 highs.

The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market on Thursday (which collected its data right before the bond sell-off) had the average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage (0.5 point) at 3.88%.

Get your free mortgage rate quote in five minutes.   

That was a fresh 2017 low for the PMMS. To put it in perspective, the highest reading so far this year was 4.30% back in mid-March. And at that point, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note was 2.62%.

So yes, the bond market got hit this week and mortgage rates moved higher, but rates are still on the lower side of the spectrum for 2017. Stretching it out onto a historical perspective they are really not far off of some of the lowest levels of all time.

What does this mean for me?

Find out what your rate would be

The opportunity is there for some borrowers to get a great deal on a purchase or refinance. If you’ve been on the fence, you should definitely take some time this weekend to find out what your rate would be.

To get the most accurate idea of what kind of rate we could offer, you should fill out our short form and get a personalized rate quote. Or, if you’d rather talk to someone, you can always call one of our experienced mortgage specialists.

They can walk you through the same process, clarifying any questions you may have, and let you know what your custom rate quote is.

Today’s economic data:

Personal Income and Outlays

Personal income rose 0.4% month over month in May. Consumer spending rose 0.1%. The PCE price index fell 0.1%, while the Core PCE price index inched up 0.1%. That puts both the PCE Price Index and the Core PCE Price Index at 1.4% year over year. That’s not great news for officials crafting monetary policy at the Federal Reserve.

Chicago PMI Consumer Sentiment

Chicago PMI came in at 65.7 for June. That’s a decent rise from last month’s reading of 58.2 and is well above the consensus for 58.2

Consumer Sentiment

Consumer sentiment came in at 95.1 for June. That’s slightly above the consensus for 94.5.

Notable events this week:                                                                                  

Monday:       

• Fedpseak
• Durable Goods Orders

Tuesday:   

• Fedspeak
• S&P Case-Shiller HPI
• Consumer Confidence

Wednesday:   

• Fedspeak
• International Trade in Goods
• Pending Home Sales Index
• EIA Petroleum Status Report

Thursday:     

• GDP
• Jobless Claims
• Fedspeak

Friday:    

• Personal Income and Outlays
• Chicago PMI
• Consumer Sentiment

Rates are still near 2017 lows. Contact us today to see if we can save you money on your home payments.   

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The marketing world has never been in such a whirlwind of change as it is in today’s world. Everyday there are new marketing tips and tricks coming out in order to businesses to deal with the huge up rise of digital marketing and social media networks.

And this can make you feel pretty nervous that you’re not keeping up with the times. Therefore, you could be losing a lot of potential business because your marketing team isn’t up to par.

However, we’re here to help with this article! There are plenty of tips and tricks out there to grow your business through your marketing strategies. Whether you’re looking to grow your business or find some creative ways to do physical marketing, we’ve got you covered below. Read on and become a marketing expert!

Virtual Showrooms

Everything your customer could need at a click of a button. What more could they ask for? The rise of virtual showrooms has been coupled with the increase in the number of businesses using physical showrooms to give customers a glimpse of their products. However, with so many companies using physical showrooms, it can be hard to set yourself apart from the competition.

With virtual showrooms, you don’t have the worry about the hassle of fighting off other companies for physical space. Just create a website with all the information a customer could ever need about the products or services you’re selling. Then, they’re able to sit on their computers at home (no moving required!) and check out what you have to offer. You’ll be able to access a much wider customer base than if you used physical showrooms.

Involvement in the Community

If you’re involved in your community, then more people are going to trust your business and approve of what you’re selling. Businesses that do regularly volunteering days with employees or sponsor local organizations and charities are viewed more favorably by potential consumers. That’s because volunteering and involvement shows that your company isn’t just concerned about making a profit. You’re also concerned in improving the lives of those people around you.

Creation of E-Books

While E-books might not make you as much money as a physical book would, they are fantastic ways to get the word out about your product and solidify your place as an authority in your specific niche. People respect other people and businesses that write books and will trust your product or service much more when they know that you’re an expert.

You could even create a series of mini-books if you don’t want to stop at just one book! The marketing potential is huge when you can get these books to a large online audience.

PPC Marketing

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) marketing is a fantastic marketing method to improve your business. Just head over to Google AdWords (make sure you have a website up and running first!) and you’ll be able to set how much money you want to spend on Google to advertise your website for you. You’ll only pay for the number of clicks that you get on your link.

If you have a bit of a budget, this is a perfect way to get some more visitors onto your site and hopefully convert them to returning customers!

Networking

If you really want to get your name out across the community, head out to local networking events and start talking to people!

Sure, this might be something that you didn’t think you would get into with your marketing campaigns, but it’s a great way to talk to people, establish yourself as an authority, and make some meaningful connections that could help you down the road or even in the short-term. You can also promote from the comfort of your computer through social networking.

With these tips, you’re sure to get a big growth in your business. No matter which methods you choose, make sure they fit into your overall marketing plan and ensure that your whole marketing team is on board with what you’re planning.

Source: Canada West Internet Marketing in Edmonton

Originally posted 2017-01-16 20:15:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post appeared first on Information Technology Blog.

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Current Mortgage Rates for Thursday, June 29, 2017

Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.

Where are mortgage rates going?

Mortgage rates continue higher

The global bond market sell-off continues today with the yield on the 10-year Treasury (the best market indicator of where mortgage rates are going) note up about five basis points. It’s been quite the climb over the past few days, going from 2.13% on Tuesday to 2.28% today.

Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates (Jun. 29, 2017).   

We haven’t seen a jump in Treasury yields like that in several weeks. Typically, mortgage rates follow closely behind the 10-year yield, so rates are headed higher.

If there’s any consolation for borrowers, though, it’s that mortgage rates are climbing up from fresh 2017 lows. That’s what the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) showed this morning. Data for the survey was collected right before rates started to rise.

Get your free mortgage rate quote in five minutes.   

The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage hit a new low in the PMMS at 3.88% (0.5 point). That’s one basis point below the previous low set back on June 8th. The 15-year fixed rate mortgage and 5/1-year adjustable rate mortgages both posted numbers close to year lows.

The point is that mortgage rates are climbing out of a deep hole and it will take a while before they get anywhere that is considered high on the year, let alone high on a historical perspective.

What does this mean for me?

Rates still low historically

Mortgage rates have jumped up a bit this week but it’s important to remember that they are still very low on a large scale. There are still many borrowers can get a great deal on a monthly payment, or those who can save with a refinance. You just have to do you due diligence and find out if you’re one of them.

To get the most accurate idea of what kind of rate we could offer, you should fill out our short form and get a personalized rate quote. Or, if you’d rather talk to someone, you can always call one of our experienced mortgage specialists.

They can walk you through the same process, clarifying any questions you may have, and let you know what your custom rate quote is.

Today’s economic data:

Q1 GDP improves after revision

First quarter GDP got revised up from 1.2% to 1.4%. That’s good news as second quarter growth has slowed a bit.

Jobless Claims

Jobless claims for the week of 6/24/17 came in at 244,000. That’s 3,000 above the consensus and 2,000 above the prior revised reading. The 4-week moving average continues to remain low at 242,000.

Fedspeak

• St. Louis Fed President James Bullard speaks at 1:00pm today.

Notable events this week:                                                                                  

Monday:       

• Fedpseak
• Durable Goods Orders

Tuesday:   

• Fedspeak
• S&P Case-Shiller HPI
• Consumer Confidence

Wednesday:   

• Fedspeak
• International Trade in Goods
• Pending Home Sales Index
• EIA Petroleum Status Report

Thursday:     

• GDP
• Jobless Claims
• Fedspeak

Friday:    

• Personal Income and Outlays
• Chicago PMI Consumer Sentiment

Rates are still near 2017 lows. Contact us today to see if we can save you money on your home payments.   

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Details of Upfront Ventures New $400 Million Fund

Homes of the Founding Fathers (and some fun facts about them)

July 4th is right around the corner.

While many of your friends will no doubt dawn innovative red, white, and blue outfits with the hope of soaring like a bald eagle to a patriotic peak, we suggest impressing your friends a different way: with fun facts about the founding fathers!

To that aim, here are the homes of the founding fathers, and some fun facts about them:

George Washington – Mount Vernon

Most Americans know about Mount Vernon. The Virginia estate came into the Washington family in 1674 and George became the sole owner in 1761.

His house is a popular historical site, with thousands of tourists passing through the property every day. Interestingly, this is something that good old George never would have had a problem with.

Fun Fact: George didn’t mind respectful trespassers. He once stated that “I have no objection to any sober or orderly person’s gratifying their curiosity in viewing the buildings, Gardens, & ca. about Mount Vernon.”

John Adams – Peacefield    

John Adams has three homes located in Quincy, Massachusetts, however the most popular is his retirement home, Peacefield. The home was originally built as a summer vacation spot for a wealthy sugar planter in 1731. Adams purchased the home in 1787, and it remained occupied by the family until 1927.

Fun fact: The Adams bought the house sight unseen. When Abigail first saw it she cried. Apparently, she had thought it would be much bigger. She got her wish, though, as additions were made to the house over twelve years.

Thomas Jefferson – Monticello

After inheriting the land from his father, Thomas Jefferson began designing and building Monticello at the ripe old age of 26. The property, which spans 5,000 acres, is located near Charlottesville, Virginia.

One of the most noticeable attributes to the home—the large dome roof—was the first of its kind erected in the U.S.

Fun fact: Monticello, which has been established as a National Historic Landmark, is displayed on the reverse side of the nickel. It is also the only private residence in the U.S. to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Benjamin Franklin – Benjamin Franklin House

While Benjamin Franklin is a notable Philadelphian, his only remaining house is the one he stayed at during his time in London. The Benjamin Franklin House, as it’s known today, was occupied by the man himself for nearly sixteen years during 1757 and 1775.

Fun fact: The Benjam Franklin house is the first de facto American Embassy.

James Madison – Montpelier

The property that Montpelier sits on had been under ownership by James Madison’s Grandfather since 1723, but it wasn’t until Madison, at age 39, moved back home with his new wife Dolley.

Aside from his time in D.C. (as Secretary of State and as the fourth President), Montpelier was the main Madison residence, and it was where he passed away and was buried in 1836.

Fun fact: James Madison preferred the French spelling, Montpellier.

John Jay – John Jay Homestead

John Jay’s residence during his latter years was the Bedford House, located in Katonah, New York. With over 750 acres of land, it had been Jay’s desire to turn the property into a functioning farm. He did just that for nearly thirty years until his death in 1829.

Fun fact: Fun facts about the lesser-known Jay are kind of hard to come by. Interestingly enough, though, John Adams once stated that he was “of more importance of the rest of us (founding fathers).” Just knowing that Jay was the first Chief Justice of the United States should be impressive enough.

Alexander Hamilton – Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Also known as the Hamilton Grange Mansion, or simply, The Grange, Hamilton’s Federal style NYC home was designed by  notable architect John J. McComb Jr.

Unfortunately, Hamilton didn’t get to enjoy the house for very long, as it was completed only two years prior to his famous duel with Aaron Burr.

Fun fact: Hamilton’s home has been relocated twice. Both times by a few blocks. The home does, however, remain on the original 32-acre lot that it was on when Hamilton lived there.

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Current Mortgage Rates for Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice. Don’t feel like reading? Check out our Market Outlook series:

Market Outlook 6.26.17 from Total Mortgage on Vimeo.

Where are mortgage rates going?

Mortgage rates continue higher

Investor appetite for risk has grown over the past few days and it’s caused a sell-off in the bond market, pushing Treasury yields and mortgage rates higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note (which is the best market indicator of where mortgage rates are going), after falling down close to year lows on Monday, have now risen for two straight days.

Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates (Jun. 28, 2017).   

That’s been a climb of just over ten basis points (one basis point = 0.01). Mortgage rates usually follow behind the 10-year yield, so it’s likely that rates have moved up several basis points as well. A surprisingly hawkish statement from ECB President Mario Draghi started the sell-off and a confident Janet Yellen gave it a little more room to run.

Where we go from here largely depends on what kind of numbers we get in tomorrow’s Q1 GDP revision and Friday’s Personal Income and Outlays report. While GDP is important, investors have already kind of written off a poor first quarter and will therefore be more concerned with the inflation data in Friday’s report.

Get your free mortgage rate quote in five minutes.   

The Core PCE price index in the PIC is the Fed’s favorite measure of inflation and if it were to come in at or above the Fed’s target of 2%, that would certainly fan the flames for an upcoming rate hike. Analysts aren’t expecting the numbers to be so kind, but that would just mean if it happened the market response would be more accentuated.

What does this mean for me?

Rates still at historically low levels

Mortgage rates have moved higher by a few basis points recently but they are still at very accommodating levels. If you have been considering a purchase or a refinance, it’s likely that you will get a better deal if you act sooner rather than later.

To get the most accurate idea of what kind of rate we could offer, you should fill out our short form and get a personalized rate quote. Or, if you’d rather talk to someone, you can always call one of our experienced mortgage specialists.

They can walk you through the same process, clarifying any questions you may have, and let you know what your custom rate quote is.

Today’s economic data:

Fedspeak

• San Francisco Fed President John C. Williams at 3:30am.

International Trade in Goods

The U.S. trade deficit narrowed to $65.9 billion in May.

Pending Home Sales Index

Low inventory is taking its toll on pending home sales which dropped 0.8% in May.

EIA Petroleum Status Report

For the week of 6/23:

• Crude oil: 0.1 M barrels
• Gasoline: -0.9 M barrels
• Distillates -0.2 M barrels

Notable events this week:                                                                                  

Monday:       

• Fedpseak
• Durable Goods Orders

Tuesday:  

• Fedspeak
• S&P Case-Shiller HPI
• Consumer Confidence

Wednesday: 

• Fedspeak
• International Trade in Goods
• Pending Home Sales Index
• EIA Petroleum Status Report

Thursday:   

• GDP
• Jobless Claims
• Fedspeak

Friday:    

• Personal Income and Outlays
• Chicago PMI Consumer Sentiment

Rates are still near 2017 lows.  Contact us today to see if we can save you money on your home payments. 

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5 Killer SEO Landing Page Tips for Small Business

There was a time when small businesses only had to worry about advertising on a local scale. However, Google’s focus on local search results means having an online presence is more important than ever, especially if you want to beat the competition.

That being said, here is a look at five killer SEO landing page tips for small business owners who are looking to establish an online presence for their company. Companies that are looking for assistance in creating a landing page, or managing the SEO of their site, can turn to resources such as SEOJet.net/blog for assistance.

Keywords in Page Titles and tags

The most crucial element to any SEO campaign is to discover and properly use the keywords that your potential customers may search when they are seeking out a business such as yours. Then it is all about getting these keywords into places such as your page titles, H1/2/3 tags and even your URL if possible.

Alt Tags in Relation to Images

Many people are not aware of how alt tags work in relation to images. Here is a useful guide. But, we can explain it briefly. When you are adding images to your site, those images are a major part of how search engines will incorporate your site into results pages. However, search engines cannot search images, but they can search the alt tag text that is placed in relation to the image. It is important for the alt tag text to adequately describe the image and its relation to the rest of the page.

Word Count and Keyword Density

When you are creating landing pages and the rest of the website, it is important to include a good amount of text in the appropriate spots. While you do not want to bombard your site visitors with text and explanations, you also want to make sure they have enough information about your products or services, and your website. And this text must include appropriate keywords at a one or two percent density.

Effective Meta Descriptions

When you search for a site on Google, you are often greeted by a page title, a short description and the site’s URL. The short description is called a meta description, and it is vital to craft the meta description properly if you want to get more people onto your site through search engines. Here is a great article explaining meta descriptions and how they work. Not only will the meta description help convince people to click on your link, but it also assists in where you are placed on the results page relative to other sites and similar businesses.

Engaging Content

The final tip is not something technical, but it matters as much as the first four. You can have all the meta descriptions, alt tags and keywords you want, but if you do not have engaging content on your site, people are going to turn away. Even as a small business, you must include the content that would interest your site visitors. For instance, if you are running a small hardware store, include information about your latest products, deals or other news related to your business.

Originally posted 2017-04-11 15:41:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post 5 Killer SEO Landing Page Tips for Small Business appeared first on Information Technology Blog.

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3 Tips to Converting a Tub to a Shower

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Converting a bathtub into a shower is not as difficult as you may think. If you don’t use your bathtub for bathing, why not convert your old bathtub into a walk in shower? Here are 3 tips on converting a tub to a shower.

Determine Spacing & Placement
A bathtub to shower conversion is easiest when you situate your new open shower in the space left behind by your bathtub, since your drain lines and water supply will already be in place. Moving plumbing can add significant cost to the project, plus require bringing in a plumber.

Spacing Required for a Walk In Shower:

• At least 30 inches by 30 inches of floor space.
• At least 80 inches in height.
• At least 15 inches between the side of the toilet and the shower wall.
• Or at least 21 inches between the front of the toilet and the shower wall.
• If you plan to install a swinging door, make sure to account for the swing. Source: BudgetDumpster

Waterproofing and Drainage
Properly sealing the shower floor from water leaks will help protect your home from problems associated with water leaks, like wood rot, drywall damage and mold. Hot mops are prepared onsite and are the best way to waterproof the shower pan.

A standard drain may not be sufficient to stand the test of time. To ensure your shower remodel lasts for many years, select a high quality and durable drain. Source: Angieslist

Which Type of Shower Works Best for Your Space?
Now that you have some ideas about what you want your shower to look like, you’ll want to consider the best type of shower to install in your bathroom.

Shower stalls
All-in-one shower stalls that can be added to an existing tub-sized space can make your job easier. Many options exist with built-in ledges and shelving; some even have seating areas. The stalls typically include a curb to contain water and the option of installing any type of door you wish — or even just using a curtain.

Tiled shower curbs
A tiled shower created in the existing wall space usually necessitates a curb or ledge that will hold the door and keep the water inside the shower. The curb should be tall enough to contain moisture and short enough to step over easily. Curbs should also be polished and have smooth edges to reduce injury.

Curbless showers
Showers with no lip to contain the water make it much easier to access the shower, especially for the elderly or disabled. But beyond that, curbless showers offer a particular open look that is appealing and modern. The curbless style can also save you a little space if you’re making the most of a small area.

The issue with a curbless shower, of course, is the difficulty of containing the water. This problem can be minimized by choosing a shower screen — essentially, a pivoting glass door — and a directed showerhead that keeps the flow of water moving away from the rest of the bathroom. Source: HomeAdvisor

 

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post 3 Tips to Converting a Tub to a Shower appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.

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Important Tips When Naming Your Website or Blog

In this day and age, having an online presence for your business is essential, especially if you are starting up a new business and don’t have a band of loyal customers yet. An important step when building your website or blog, is branding. Branding requires thought as to what you want your appearance to be and what will stick in the minds of your visitors.  Here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind when choosing a domain name for your brand.

Choose a Memorable Domain Name

When you finally find the right web hosting service, the first thing you’ll have to do when setting up is to choose a domain name.  Often good domain names are taken.  You will have to do a whois lookup to see if your domain is available or for sale.

When deciding on a domain name, remember to make it memorable and uncomplicated (avoid hyphens, numbers and unconventional spelling, for example) to ensure your business can reap all the benefits of word-of-mouth advertising.

Choose a domain name that is ion accordance to your business, product or service more clearly it should be related to what you sell or what you do. It should be catchy and easy to remember.  Once a visitor comes to your site it will be easy to keep you domain name in mind. Moreover, the domain extensions (like .com, .net) have a role to play in search engine rankings. Generally .com and .org domain extensions rank comparatively higher in the search engine rankings.

Someone who stumbles upon your website shouldn’t have to do investigative work to figure out what, exactly, it is that you do. That means clearly stating your name and summing up your products or services right on the homepage.

Don’t make things complicated.  Your domain name is like your brand. It should be easy for a user to type it into a Web browser or an e-mail address.

Users are conditioned to type .com extensions when they enter a Web address. For non-profits or organizations, consider using a .org domain for branding purposes; having a .com version of the domain in case a user accidentally types the .com address is also beneficial.

SEO Basics

Avoid dashes (which can cause SEO headaches) and numbers (which can cause confusion for customers).  Research high volume keywords and combine it with your brand.

Your website won’t do you as much good if no one can stumble upon it. Become familiar with the SEO basics to make it more accessible by search engine.

You don’t need to employ mysterious, ninja, black hat SEO types to rank well on the search engines. Simply make sure your website is coded correctly.  That means using the correct keywords throughout your text, putting in plenty of links, naming your page titles and URLs correctly, and employing the magic of images and videos.

Protect your Brand

Trademark your brand and copyright your content.  Have you ever tried to purchase a domain, only to find that it’s already taken and merely goes to a landing page trying to sell it for more? This practice you’ve just come across is called, Cybersquatting, or domain squatting. The United States has a federal law known as the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, which protects the registering, trafficking in, or using an Internet domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. A cybersquatter usually offers to sell their purchased domain to the person or company who owns a trademark contained within the name at an higher price.

If you are looking to protect your brand or license it, the only way to ensure that your idea is protected is to file a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The process can be lengthy and the steps involved may be intimidating for most. Prior to getting involved with an attorney and parties necessary to complete your application, here are some other steps to keep in mind.

The post Important Tips When Naming Your Website or Blog appeared first on Information Technology Blog.

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Q & A: How Do I Use My Steam Bath For The First Time

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

So, you’ve taken the plunge (so to speak) and purchased your very own steam shower. Perhaps you’ve opted for a pre-fabricated, modular type that’s ready to use as soon as the pieces are properly secured and sealed. Or, perhaps you’ve splurged on a complete custom steam room. Whichever course you’ve followed, you can now have a personal spa experience any time you feel like it.

Even though you have the user instructions that came with the steam shower unit, and advice from either our support technicians or your own contractor, you may be wondering how exactly you should use your steam shower for the first time.

Best tips for getting most enjoyment out of steam shower.

Begin by ensuring that your body temperature is at room temperature or cooler. Then, turn on the steam function. Sit back on the bench and soak up the warm steam for no more than 30 minutes. Afterwards, you can cool off by stepping out of the steam shower unit. Or, you can stand under the cool spray of the water. The key to enjoying the whole experience is to move gradually from one step to the other. Don’t shock your system by jumping into hot steam or standing under cold water at the end.

Did you opt for a combination steam shower-whirlpool tub? Lucky you! You have the option of switching at will between a relaxing steam shower and soaking in a luxury steam bath. As with the steam shower, make sure your body is not already too warm before slipping into the whirlpool tub. The key is to always make sure that you don’t overtax your circulation. “Used properly, a steam bath will help to overcome the stresses of everyday life, to relax and recover, and to gain new strength and improve general physical and mental well being” .

Do you have questions about how to use your steam shower or whirlpool tub? Ask us!

Contributed by: Perfectbath.com steam shower experts

The post Q & A: How Do I Use My Steam Bath For The First Time appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.

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Current Mortgage Rates for Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice. Don’t feel like reading? Check out our Market Outlook series:

Market Outlook 6.26.17 from Total Mortgage on Vimeo.

Where are mortgage rates going?

Mortgage rates rise – still near year lows

Financial market participants got a bit of a surprise today when European Central Bank President Mario Draghi came out and stated that tapering off of the current stimulus program might happen sooner than the market thinks.

Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates (Jun. 27, 2017).   

Optimistic investors immediately began to sell-off government bonds, pushing the yield on the 10-year Treasury note (the best market indicator of where mortgage rates are going) up nearly four basis points on the day to 2.17%.

That’s a rebound after yesterday’s slide down to year lows off of the disappointing durable goods report. Mortgage rates tend to follow in the same direction as the 10-year yield, so we’re seeing rates up a little bit today.

As stated, though, they’re climbing off of some of the lowest levels of the year, so they have a ways to go before they get anywhere close to what would be deemed high for 2017, let alone historically.

What happens during the rest of the trading day depends now largely depends on what the word is from the Federal Reserve. A surprisingly optimistic Draghi now puts more pressure on Fed Chair Janet Yellen to stick to her guns and continue with the current rate hike path.

Get your free mortgage rate quote in five minutes. 

She’s dealing with a very skeptical market, but maybe Draghi has softened them up and made them vulnerable to a firm stance from Yellen. No one really knows at this point. All we can do is wait and see what she says and how the market reacts.

If, however, investors do start to believe that the rate hikes will continue to come at a fairly swift pace, that would certainly further the sell-off of government bonds and push mortgage rates higher.

Right now, financial market participants are still up in the air about another rate hike in 2017, with the CME Group’s Fed Fund futures showing about a 50% chance for a quarter point increase in December.

What does this mean for me?

Volatility shows importance of locking while rates are low

Today’s surprise statement and subsequent spike in rates shows that you never can be sure what will happen with the market. Someone says something and on a turn of a dime things change.

Fortunately, mortgage rates are still very close to 2017 lows. Many borrowers will find that they can still get an accommodating rate on a purchase or refinance.

To get the most accurate idea of what kind of rate we could offer, you should fill out our short form and get a personalized rate quote. Or, if you’d rather talk to someone, you can always call one of our experienced mortgage specialists.

They can walk you through the same process, clarifying any questions you may have, and let you know what your custom rate quote is.

Today’s economic data:

Fedspeak

• San Francisco Fed President John C. Williams at 4:05am
• Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker at 11:15am
• Fed Chair Janet Yellen at 1:00pm
• Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari at 5:30pm

S&P Case-Shiller HPI

For April:

• The 20-city seasonally adjusted index rose 0.3%.
• The 20-city non-seasonally adjusted index rose 0.9%.
• The 20-city non-seasonally adjusted index is now at 5.7%.

These numbers are slightly below the consensus.

Consumer Confidence

Consumer confidence remains strong with a 118.9 for June. That’s 2.2 points above what was expected.

Notable events this week:                                                                           

Monday:       

• Fedpseak
• Durable Goods Orders

Tuesday:  

• Fedspeak
• S&P Case-Shiller HPI
• Consumer Confidence

Wednesday:

• Fedspeak
• International Trade in Goods
• Pending Home Sales Index
• EIA Petroleum Status Report

Thursday:   

• GDP
• Jobless Claims
• Fedspeak

Friday:    

• Personal Income and Outlays
• Chicago PMI Consumer Sentiment

Rates are still near 2017 lows.  Contact us today to see if we can save you money on your home payments. 

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The Diamond Abs Workout

jump to:

Instructions

Exercises

Modifications

Workout Sheet

This is late Fall in the northern hemisphere and I’m releasing a workout for the abs. It’s crazy, right?

Actually it’s not.

Beach going is not the only reason to have great abs. Abs are extremely important stabilizer muscles AND they look good ANYWHERE.

Greek and Romans, for example, knew how important abs are. Their abs were so strong, they left a visible imprint on their armor.

This week’s workout consists of four excellent exercises that will work your abs and general core area.

So go ahead and download your copy of the workout sheet below and get with it!

INSTRUCTIONS

Do each exercise for 30 seconds, rest for 15 seconds, then move to the next exercise. Once you finish one round, rest for 1 minute. Do 5 rounds total.

EXERCISES

• Planks Extended [Top 9 Plank Progressions]
• V Ups [The Ultimate Body Weight Progression Guide]
• Mountain Climbers [Top 100 Hardest Body Weight Exercises Of All Time]
• Flutter Kicks [The Official U.S. Navy Seal Training Program]

ADVANCED MODIFICATIONS

Try to do each exercise to failure and aim for a minimum of 60 seconds.

BEGINNER MODIFICATIONS

Skip the planks extended and feel free not to complete the 30 seconds for the other exercises. Just makes sure to push yourself as hard as possible.

OTHER SOA ARTICLES:

Would you like to download The Diamond Abs Workout sheets to your phone or computer for FREE? Click the button below…

Download the Workout Sheets Here Download The Diamond Abs Workout Sheets Here (FREE) <==

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Tips on Starting a Website

Every business today needs a website.  Without one, you lose visibility and competitive advantage.  To be competitive with your industry, you have to do what the competition is doing and do it much better.  A Facebook account is good, but won’t cut it if you’re serious about growing and expanding your business. You need a website to stay competitive, to earn trust, to keep customers in the loop, for marketing and for search visibility.

Where do you start?  Here is a helpful list to help you make some smart business website decisions.

Find a Good Web Host

There is a Plethora of Web hosts.  How do you decide?

Reviews are one of the best ways to help you choose a webhost.  A simply Google search of the web host + review can help you find more information about a web host and it’s pros and cons.  Referrals from other techies and forums can also be helpful.  Be careful of comments posted by paid posters.

If you’re just starting out, you probably don’t have the budget to hire a programmer to code your website. Search for web hosts that offer modular, user-friendly design features.  There should be enough variety so that your website doesn’t end up looking cookie-cutter.  If you do eventually want to hire a programmer to customize your site, make sure the web host service is just as useful for professionals as it is for novices. Look for mention of a script library and raw access logs at the very least.

When doing your research, keep in mind and look for these features and services:

• Are there hidden fees?
• Is there tiered pricing, is the webhost scalable and do they have room to grow?
• How are the load times?
• If you are inexperienced, is there a free professional website builder?
• How long has the company been in business?
• Does the web host have a dedicated customer service department? Are they easy to reach?
• Is their contact info displayed prominently, and is there an option to both call and e-mail?
• Does the web host offer help pages and resources to guide you through the process of setting up your site? Try calling the customer service phone number just to see how easy it is to reach a real person.

Choose a Memorable Domain Name

When you finally find the right web hosting service, the first thing you’ll have to do when setting up is to choose a domain name.  Often good domain names are taken.  You will have to do a whois lookup to see if your domain is available or for sale.

When deciding on a domain name, remember to make it memorable and uncomplicated (avoid hyphens, numbers and unconventional spelling, for example) to ensure your business can reap all the benefits of word-of-mouth advertising.

Choose a Responsive Design

Modern websites should be mobile friendly.  Estimates show that the number of mobile connected devices will be over 11.6 by 2020.

Google  gives kudos to mobile-friendly websites, giving priority and visibility to mobile enabled sites when searched from mobile devices.

A responsive design can improve user experience when done correctly.  Online retailers that utilize responsive design are generally seeing consumers respond positively to the mobile experience with decreased bounce rates and increased page views from mobile and tablet sessions.

Responsive sites make it easier to view products and content.  As users and key site traffic stats such as page views increase, consumers are more likely to complete transactions on mobile and tablet devices, especially when the check-out process is catered to these devices. Studies show that major brands have noticed a mobile and tablet conversion rate increase of over 20% since making the switch to a responsive designed site.

One of the major challenges with websites is the need cater to various size screens, sometimes having to develop multiple websites to cater to these devices and resolutions. With a responsive designed site, the same content is utilized for desktop, mobile, and tablet devices, scaled to the resolution of the device. All traffic via mobile and tablet devices through a responsive designed site will utilize the same, thus increasing the total site traffic and backlinks to that URL, boosting rankings on search engines.

Search Engine Optimization

Providing high-quality content has always been regarded as a white hat SEO technique and improves your website position in search engine rankings.  Topics you might cover include informational articles about your products or services, interesting images, and reviews that gives more data about what people can expect from your services.

Content should be audience-friendly and should engage your readers.  Research and use high volume keywords in your titles, headings, and content written to promote your services, products and brands.  Engage your customers, provide call to action, commenting when relevant, etc.

If this is all over your head, hire a legitimate search engine optimization company or learn to do it yourself.  Search engines have a very complex system for determining the value of a given link, but they do all agree that links are among the most important factors in determining the relevance of a particular site to a given query.  That’s one of the reasons why, for example, websites that have been around longer are given more weight, but even links from new sites can be beneficial. Obtain links to your site through guest blogging, social media, directories, local directories, or simply ask for a link.

The topics mentioned above are great places to start.  The work doesn’t stop at simply just building a website however.  Use other websites and platforms to your advantage.   Create content, optimize for higher volume or niche traffic, and share on various social media platforms.  Build reviews and make your business marketable, make your website searchable, and ultimately convert visitors into customers.  Do what your competitors are doing.  Do it more (if within your means), and do it better.

The post Tips on Starting a Website appeared first on Information Technology Blog.

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Current Mortgage Rates for Monday, June 26, 2017

Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.

Where are mortgage rates going?

Busy week could create volatility

The economic calendar for this week is jam-packed. Not only are there nearly half a dozen important economic reports (durable goods, Q1 GDP revision, PCE inflation, etc.) getting released, but we also hear from a handful of Fed officials including Fed Chair Janet Yellen.

Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates (Jun. 26, 2017).  

Already this morning we’ve gotten the durable goods report. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing 1.1% decline for the month of May, putting new orders at 2.7% year over year. Analysts were expecting a drop, but only one of 0.4%. Another big negative in the report is a 0.2% drop for core capital goods.

Once the report broke, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note (the best market indicator of where mortgage rates are headed) quickly tumbled a couple basis points down to 2.13%. That’s only one basis point (one basis point = 0.01) off of its lowest position of the year.

Mortgage rates tend to follow in the footsteps of the 10-year yield, so rates are trending a little lower this morning. Moving forward this week, we could see rates ebb and flow with the economic data.

Last week, it was clear that financial market participants aren’t going to be easily jolted out of their skepticism by Fed officials. The huge disconnect between when investors think the Fed will hike and when the Fed says it will hike remains, with the former believing in a much slower trajectory than the latter.

It’s still important to keep an eye on all of the Fed speaking engagements this week, but it’s definitely taking a backseat to the hard data.

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What does this mean for me?

Lock while rates are low

It’s a busy week. That means that there are plenty of chances for rates to rise or fall. The good news is that mortgage rates are at some of the lowest levels they’ve been at all year. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey last Thursday showed that the average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 3.90% (0.5 points).

The lowest reading of the year so far was 3.89%, from the beginning of the month. Obviously, mortgage rates are at very accommodating levels and anyone who is planning to refinance or purchase has picked a good time to do so.

To get the most accurate idea of what kind of rate we could offer, you should fill out our short form and get a personalized rate quote. Or, if you’d rather talk to someone, you can always call one of our experienced mortgage specialists.

They can walk you through the same process, clarifying any questions you may have, and let you know what your custom rate quote is.

Today’s economic data:

Fedpseak

• San Francisco Fed President John C. Williams at 1:10am.

Durable Goods Orders

Durable goods orders came in at a disappointing -1.1% in May. Core capital goods fell -0.2%.

Notable events this week:                                                                           

Monday:       

• Fedpseak
• Durable Goods Orders

Tuesday:  

• Fedspeak
• S&P Case-Shiller HPI
• Consumer Confidence

Wednesday:

• Fedspeak
• International Trade in Goods
• Pending Home Sales Index
• EIA Petroleum Status Report

Thursday:   

• GDP
• Jobless Claims
• Fedspeak

Friday:    

• Personal Income and Outlays
• Chicago PMI Consumer Sentiment

Rates are still near 2017 lows.  Contact us today to see if we can save you money on your home payments. 

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Quick Surveys Get Better Results

Who has time for a 20 minute survey?  Unless you are paying participants big bucks, you might not get as many participants as you would hope for. Looking for higher response rates and detailed reporting? This application may be for you.

Customer Thermometer gives you the power to ask what you want, when you want, and get an instant answer. You can act immediately — fix problems as they arise and identify and reward great service.

Studies

Studies show that participants were more likely to answer a 4 question survey vs a long 20 minute survey, especially without incentive. Like a Youtube video, customer engagement is difficult to maintain after a few minutes; same with  customer surveys.  Long surveys may even lose you customers.

Response Rates

Put that question in their face, and enable to answer it anytime, anywhere, on any device.

In this review driven world, customers provide feedback in many forms; reviews, word of mouth, directly to the business or manufacturer, etc., and most customers are actually happy to provide feedback.  To retain your customers, you need to address their issues right away, but how do you know of any issues if you don’t ask?

Sometimes, how you ask for that feedback will determine how much feedback you will get.  When providing surveys, you should be able to provide a means to answer your survey on any platform.  Most of the time, convenience in answering your questions is what gets you answers.

Features and Setup

Setup is as easy as creating a template and sending through the system’s integrating campaign manager.  You can also send through 3rd party apps or embed and integrate into a CRM or helpdesk service.  You can even embed survey questions in your email footer.

While the output looks very simple, the options available are feature rich.

Create Short Customer Surveys

Originally posted 2016-05-06 17:17:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post Quick Surveys Get Better Results appeared first on Information Technology Blog.

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One Simple Way You Can Make an Actual Difference in Somebody’s Life

How to Avoid Email Scams

There are various email and online scams that have plagued our inboxes for many years.  Some emails try to get you to open a zip file, click a link to execute a virus, or open a back door to your computer.  Many others try to phish your sensitive information and many others are scams that target your bank account.  Many of these emails scams almost seem legit, until you get far deep into it that sometimes it’s difficult to turn around or get your money back.  Here are some scams you should be aware of.  Don’t get caught in these traps!

Many are on alert about phishing scams, virus, and credit card fraud, but not many are educated about bank account scams that target a victim’s cash reserves.  Often people are not aware of how the other party benefits from these scams.  Here is some information on a few scams that you should be on alert and aware of:

Phishing Scams

Phishing Scams are typically done by email spoofing or messaging, often directing users to enter account details at a fake website that looks and feels almost identical to the real one.

How to avoid scammed: Always look at the domain to make sure it matches the real website.  Sometimes domains might be skewed to look like the real one, so make sure it is is the domain that is supposed to be there.  If you are unsure, call the company’s support directly.  Do not click links, download files, or open attachments.   Never email personal or financial information and beware of links that ask for it.  Beware of popups and guard against them and spam.  Protect your computer with antivirus, firewall, spam filter, and anti-spyware software.  Check your online accounts and statements regularly and change your passwords as a precaution.

Award Scams

Have you ever got an email or phone call that you just won a lottery, sweepstakes, or foreign lottery without ever participating?  These can also often come in the form of a beneficiary fund award.   Well, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.  The victim would participates might be sent a large check deposit into their personal checking account.  Crooks may request information about your bank account or debit card giving them full access to your checking account.  They will them be asked to wire a portion of the funds to pay for government taxes and administrative fees.

How to avoid scammed: Take note that if you didn’t enter, you didn’t win.  It is illegal to participate in foreign lotteries via mail/phone in the United States.  Also, if you win a lottery, you are not responsible for paying the taxes or fees directly to the government.

Charity Fraud

The “Charity Fraud Scam” may come in the form of an email or phone call.  The scam involves requests for sympathetic donations.  Crooks will request information about your bank account or debit card giving them full access to your checking account.

How to avoid scammed: The safest way to give to a charity is by choosing a familiar organization.  Always be cautious about giving your information to individuals who reach out to you by phone or email.

Check Cashing for a Stranger

The “Check Cashing for a Stranger Scam” can work online or in person.  However you obtain the check to be cashed, ultimately, the other party will ask you to cash the check because they  do not have a bank account.  In exchange, they will give you cash for your time and trouble.  You may walk away feeling accomplished, but here’s the catch.  The check in the bank has not yet cleared, and you just pulled money from your funds and handed it over to the criminal.

How to avoid scammed: Never cash a check for anyone.  People can get their checks cashed at a check cashing business for a fee and therefore does not make sense that they are asking you to do it for them.

Work at Home Job Scams

There are many forms of “Work at Home Job Scams”.  One of these scams involves offering a job that requires people to transfer funds through their checking accounts.  The victim is often offered a commission in exchange for facilitating money through their personal account.

How to avoid scammed: If you are offered a work from home job for minimal work and high pay, it sounds too good to be true, and probably is.  Any job opportunities that involve sending money in advance or a portion via wire transfer is probably a scam.  If you receive a check in return, make sure that the check clears prior to committing to anything and that there are no discrepancies, typos, or red flags that might cause the check to be fraudulent.

Check Overpayment Fraud

The “Check Overpayment Fraud Scam” often targets online auction and classified ad sellers.  The fraudulent buyer often pays a seller with a non-cash payment (check, money order, U.S. postal money order or other similar items) for more than the amount of the item.  Scammers will often be pushy as they need to act quickly to prevent the seller from verifying the check.  The seller may be asked to deposit the check immediately or wire a difference to the buyer.  The fraudulent check will eventually bounce and be returned which will cost the seller a return fee, a wire transfer fee (if applicable), and accountability for the check amount which they are unable to reverse.

How to avoid scammed: Avoid accepting check, money order, U.S. postal money order or other similar items as payment when selling online.  You can avoid being a victim as well by calling the bank to verify legitimacy, where payment was issued.

Other names for these scams

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Related:
Be careful of today’s ATMs and Card Readers
How to Protect Yourself Against Phishing Scams
How to Report Spam Email
How to Avoid Email Scams

Originally posted 2015-08-10 00:00:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post How to Avoid Email Scams appeared first on Information Technology Blog.

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Current Mortgage Rates for Friday, June 23, 2017

Welcome to the Total Mortgage Current Mortgage Rates Blog. There’s some economic data out today, but first, your daily mortgage rate forecast/advice.

Where are mortgage rates going?

Rates flat – Stay near 2017 lows

Some weeks are more exciting than others. Unfortunately for mortgage rate watchers, this one was on the tame side of things. There were a couple mild movements throughout the week, but ultimately, mortgage rates are on track to head into the weekend basically right where they were on Monday.

Click here to get today’s latest mortgage rates (Jun. 23, 2017). 

The good news for borrowers is that this means rates are still at some of the lowest levels they’ve been at all year. The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) came out yesterday and it showed that the average rate on the 30-year fixed rate mortgage moved one basis point lower to 3.90% (0.5 points).

That’s just one tenth above the lowest reading of the year. Clearly, right now is a borrower friendly environment, so anyone looking to refinance or purchase a home has picked a good time to do so.

We do hear from several Fed officials today, which means it’s possible that there could be some jawboning that pushes rates higher, but that’s far from a guarantee. So far, the word out from the Fed has been a mixed bag of optimism and pessimism about the current rate path.

Looking ahead to next week, there will be more significant economic reports out, including Durable Goods Orders, GDP, and Personal Income and Outlays. Financial market participants want hard data, and not Fed rhetoric, so if these reports swing positive or negative, we could see rates rise or fall.

Freddie Mac PMMS:  

• The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell one basis point (1 basis point = 0.01) to 3.90% (0.5 points)
• The average rate on a 15-year fixed rate mortgage fell by one basis point to 3.17% (0.5 points)
• The average rate on a 5/1-year adjustable rate mortgage fell by one basis point to 3.14% (0.5 points)

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What does this mean for me?

Now is the time to purchase or refinance

With mortgage rates at some of the lowest levels they’ve been at in months, anyone looking to purchase a home or refinance their current mortgage should seriously take some action and find out what kind of deal they could get.

There is definitely the possibility for many borrowers to refinance and save on their monthly payments. While there’s no signs of immediate movement on the horizon, the path of mortgage rates is incredibly hard to predict and often results from unseen events.

To get the most accurate idea of what kind of rate we could offer, you should fill out our short form and get a personalized rate quote. Or, if you’d rather talk to someone, you can always call one of our experienced mortgage specialists.

They can walk you through the same process, clarifying any questions you may have, and let you know what your custom rate quote is.

Today’s economic data:

Fedspeak

• New York Fed President William Dudley at 8:15am
• St. Louis Fed President James Bullard at 11:15am
• Kansas City Fed President Loretta Mester at 12:40pm
• Fed Governor Jerome Powell at 2:15pm

PMI Composite Flash

The PMI composite fell almost one point to 53.0 in June. The manufacturing index also fell several tenths of a point to 52.1, as did the Services reading to 53.0.

New Home Sales

New home sales for May are up to an annualized rate of 610,000 in May. That’s higher than both the prior revised reading of 593,000 and the consensus for 590,000.

Notable events this week:                                                                          

Monday:       

• Fedspeak

Tuesday:  

• Fedspeak

Wednesday:

• Existing Home Sales    
• EIA Petroleum Status

Thursday:   

• Jobless Claims
• Fedspeak

Friday:    

• Fedspeak
• PMI Composite Flash
• New Home Sales

Rates are still near 2017 lows.  Contact us today to see if we can save you money on your home payments. 

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How online fraudsters use genuine, stolen personal data that passes data check

One of the biggest challenges we are facing right now is online fraud, as it is so prevalent and no one is safe.

One of the biggest challenges we are facing right now is online fraud, as it is so prevalent and no one is safe.

Online fraud is where criminals use unsolicited messages, emails or websites to get access to people’s information. Tactics being used by online fraudsters are so dangerous and keep on changing but their particular patterns to keep an eye.

With the rise of more people using their handsets for online shopping and banking, they become prone to cybercrime. It’s becoming trickier every day to protect all your available internet devices.

Phishing scams and Pharming scams are the most popular ways that fraudster use to steal information from people. Phishing scam urges the victim to enter vital personal information on a website or reply directly to the email. They use emails from reputable firms such as banks or social networks like Twitter or Facebook. Pharming is a bit complicated to detect as it doesn’t need a click. It automatically redirects visitors even after typing the correct website.

A fraudster can use your details to:

• Open bank accounts
• Order goods and services in your name
• Control your existing accounts
• Acquire documents such driving licenses and passport in your name
• Access loans, state benefits, and credit cards
• How can you combat online fraud?
• Check your bank statements

How to protect your data

With the online banking, it has become easier for online fraudsters to get bank details. Bank alert when they detect suspicious activity but only you who knows how you have been spending your money. Regularly check you bank balance

Be alert when opening attachment

Be cautious when opening email attachments from an unknown sender. Most destructive viruses spread through attachments and when opened the fraudster can have all your details.

Use strong passwords

Secure password makes it difficult for hackers to access your details. Mix upper and lowers case with numbers when selecting your password

How identity fraud can affect you

Identity fraud can hit your finances hard; fraudsters could acquire credit card in your name or take money from your bank. Your credit score may be hurt by their action and affect your chances of accessing credit card in the future.

Identity theft could take an emotional toll on you; despite the fact that effects of fraud are reversible the process may take long than the actual fraud.

What to do if you happen to be a victim of identity fraud

Act quickly – the moment you suspect unusual activity on your account don’t panic but notify the bank immediately to avert more losses.

Report all stolen or lost documents- such as driving license, passport, cheque books or plastic cards to the relevant authority.

Report the matter to the appropriate organization if you suspect that you are a victim of identity fraud.

Conclusion

Online fraud has become rampant with the advance of technology, thus the need to protect your identity from getting into the hands of wrong people. Ensure you don’t give your personal details to over the phone or through the internet. Keep your personal documents preferably in a lockable drawer and always destroy unwanted documents before throwing them away

More information about Identity Fraud Solution

Originally posted 2017-03-20 18:59:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post How online fraudsters use genuine, stolen personal data that passes data check appeared first on Information Technology Blog.

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