0

Personal Protection: 7 Steps to Protecting Yourself from eCommerce Fraud

What is eCommerce fraud? Well, in short, it’s theft from an online store with the intention of personal or financial gain for the perpetrator, regardless of the impact on the retailer. There are many different types of eCommerce fraud, but the crime is not insurmountable. Your online store does not have to fall victim to this type of fraud if you follow the steps outlined below.

1. Don’t Ship to Non-Physical Addresses

Cybercriminals like to use non-physical addresses in place of their actual addresses because it’s obviously difficult to track them down if the authorities don’t have a physical address. You can avoid this pitfall by refusing P.O. boxes and any other addresses that aren’t identifiable on a map. Implementing eCommerce order processing with a fulfillment company can also keep you from shipping to non-physical addresses.

2. Use an Address Verification System

Credit card fraud is a real problem for eCommerce stores. To reduce the risk, you should use an address verification system (AVS) to identify suspicious addresses and block sales to addresses that don’t match.

The verification system checks the address the credit card user inputs against the one stored by the issuing bank. If they do not match, the system either flags the transaction for further investigation or blocks the sale altogether.

3. Conduct Regular Security Audits

We can’t stress enough how important online security is for your eCommerce business. Your customers expect their data to be safe, so you need to ensure it is. Regular security audits will let you identify risks before cyber criminals do. Things to tick off include updating your shopping cart software, ensuring your SSL certificate is current and website PCI-compliant, and checking that you are backing up your store often.

4. Ensure Your Store is PCI-compliant

What is PCI compliance? PCI stands for Payment Card Industry. The PCI Security Standards Council sets these rules, and your store must follow them to ensure your customers’ credit card information is secure. If your website is professionally built and managed, it should automatically be compliant, but it never hurts to check.

5. Require the Card Verification Value with Each Credit or Debit Card Purchase

The three or four-digit numbers on the back of credit and debit cards are called Card Verification Values, or CVVs. The digits are sometimes also called a Card Security Code or CSC. By requiring this information, you ensure the customer has the physical card in their possession, which helps prevent credit card fraud and protects the customer.

6. Only Collect the Customer Data You Need to Complete a Transaction

Cybercriminals can’t steal what you don’t have, so make it a rule to only gather the information you need to collect payment and ship products. Don’t ask for social security numbers, birthdates, or any other sensitive data that hackers might be able to access if your eCommerce store experiences a security breach. As a general rule, if you don’t need a data point, and there’s no legal requirement to obtain it, don’t ask customers to provide it.

7. Set Acceptable Purchasing Limits

Depending on the nature of your business, set daily spending and quantity limits for individual accounts. Should a breach occur, these limits will reduce the losses you incur. If a customer genuinely needs to spend more than the daily limit, provide easy communication channels for them to make such requests.

eCommerce fraud is a considerable concern for online retailers. It’s a constant battle to stay ahead of cybercriminals. However, by following the steps above, you can stay one step ahead and reduce the risk of eCommerce fraud in your online business.

 

0

Five Gift Ideas for the Discerning Man in Your Life

When you love someone, you probably know their taste, which should make buying them gifts a pleasant experience. Unlike shopping for someone you don’t know well, you can use your knowledge of their likes and dislikes to help you purchase the perfect present. However, this can bring with it pressures – after all, you want to make sure that they’ll like whatever you choose.

If you are looking for the ideal gift for the discerning gent in your life, whether that’s a partner, father or brother, these five ideas are an excellent starting point.

A Favourite Tipple

Whether the man you’re buying for enjoys a pint of craft beer or a malt whisky, there is plenty of choice out there when it comes to buying alcohol. If you know their favourite brand then that’s an excellent starting point. If you aren’t sure, local independents breweries and distilleries can be a good option. Some also offer tours, which can be an excellent way to try before you buy.

Classic Clothing

When buying clothes for someone else, you want to ensure you’re getting top quality products that will stand the test of time. Choose a curated store such as burrowsandhare.co.uk which offers classic items with a modern twist to be sure your man will be the best dressed in town! Best of all, your loved one will think of you every time they wear the item you’ve selected for them.

Experience Days

It can feel like people have all they need already and this is especially true for those with a minimalist aesthetic. An ideal gift for those who have it all (or have all they want) is an experience day – not only will this mean there’s no unwanted clutter, but it promises to provide memories that will last a lifetime. There are so many options available to suit all budgets, from hot air ballooning to drag racing and axe throwing to skydiving! An experience day can also be a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your loved one, so why not make it a joint experience? Some packages offer discounts when booking for multiple people, so always ask when you enquire.

A Special Watch

Both practical and stylish, watches are a fashion statement in their own right. With collectable limited editions perfect for those looking to blow the budget and quality designer-inspired timepieces on the high street, a watch is a great option for anyone looking to buy a gift that is both useful and beautiful. To add the personal touch, why not get a message engraved?

Technology

If your special someone loves a gadget then a technological gift could be the ideal gift. Whether this is the latest iPhone, tablet or laptop or you choose to go retro and gift them a games console they loved in their youth, this is a great choice for anyone who loves spending time gaming or on social media.

Whatever gift you choose, remember the most important thing is that it’s given with love – and that will mean more than any present ever could.

 

0

Vadym Novynskyi Opens Trust for His Ownership Stake in the Smart Holding Group

Smart Holding Group, founded by Vadym Novynskyi, has recently gone through several rounds of restructuring. The goal of these changes is to give the organization the resources to thrive both during and after the war in Ukraine. The company has announced some ambitious efforts to stabilize the economy while readying itself for post-war reconstruction. Because Novynskyi would like to focus on private interests, he’s disposing of his shares in the company and opened a trust with his ownership stake.

Novynskyi finalized the agreements in the fall of 2022, in full compliance with the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. Every trustee has been thoroughly vetted and approved by Cypriot legislation, an essential step to helping the organization run as smoothly as possible. Vadym Novynskyi hasn’t been a part of the management team since the early 2010s, meaning there will be no significant changes within the leadership hierarchy of Smart Holding Group. The trustees will control, manage, and own the various assets of the group to protect and increase the value of the organization’s net worth.

‘Come Out Stronger’

Julia Kiryanova, CEO of Smart Holding, has pledged to use the company for the good of the country. Novynskyi started his organization with mining and metal projects, but left the business model open enough for vertical integration. Today, the investment and industrial group has been optimized for maximum production yield.

As Kiryanova looks to the future, she foresees long-term success and prosperity based on the latest restructuring rounds. “Smart Holding has a mission to support the Ukrainian economy to withstand the devastation of the war and will actively participate in the post-war reconstruction. We also have ambitious investment goals as part of our growth strategy internationally.

“We believe that with the talent and experience that we have accumulated in the management team, the company will rebuild its assets and come out stronger.” Vadym Novynskyi’s organization has been a beacon for individuals, families, and communities in Ukraine, supporting employees with living wages and benefits. The diverse portfolio, with significant stakes in real estate, mining, metals, oil, gas, and infrastructure, is carefully balanced to ensure the best chance of success — both now and after the war.

Private Interests

Vadym Novynskyi immigrated to Ukraine from Russia in the 1990s and started the Smart Holding Group in 1999. He has a degree in engineering management systems and spent a number of years working for a prominent oil producer in Russia. One of his first strategic decisions after arriving in Ukraine was to unite different metallurgy companies. After receiving his citizenship in 2012, he became a member of Ukraine’s Parliament. He was one of the more vocal proponents of peace in Ukraine before the war, meeting with Russian leaders to broker an agreement.

As a member of Parliament, Novynskyi co-authored or authored more than 100 draft laws, all of which aimed to help everyday citizens lead better lives. He’s not a member of any political party, but rather looks at the bigger picture to solve economic or civil problems. He’s been especially vocal about securing rights for displaced people in Ukraine and maintaining religious freedom in occupied territories.

He’s also won many awards for his charitable work, receiving accolades and honors from both secular and religious organizations. From health care to family, his mission is about helping as many people as possible as opposed to catering to the privileged few. He looks forward to continuing his mission in 2023 and beyond.

 

0

A Complete Guide For Moving To A New City

Moving into a new city can be very scary and stressful. It challenges us to leave our comfort zone and enter an uncharted future. Imagine going to a new place with no familiar faces around and adjusting to a new environment. What more if you brought your pet with you? You might need to prepare a lot for them, like googling “find vets in Portsmouth” if you’re moving to that city.

Read on for suggestions on what to do after relocating to a new city.

• Make Your New House Pleasant

Moving to a new city alone is much simpler when you have a cozy house to settle in. We advise unpacking right away to get settled. After putting everything away, hang the paintings, arrange the furniture, and add some potted plants. Making a comfortable, welcoming place for yourself to call home will go a long way toward helping you feel happy and content in your new location.

• Do Your Research

Do your research before moving to a new city by yourself. This entails visiting the neighborhood, reading regional media, and doing online research. Check out some helpful city reports and local information as well.

If you have a pet coming with you, there are also things you must remember. Pets are creatures of habit, especially dogs and cats. Their anxiousness is likely to increase the more your schedule varies. Also, it is essential to look for a veterinarian within the vicinity. You need to ensure your pet is healthy by having enough regular prescriptions so you don’t have to go to the vet in an emergency during your busiest time. If you are relocating and need to change veterinarians, ask for a copy of your pet’s medical records and files.

• Go Outside

Explore your new city as often as possible. You can spend time outdoors, like walking in the park or eating lunch on a patio. This might enlighten your mood and provide you with Vitamin D. You could also meet new neighbors and pals.

The sooner you figure out where things are, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Learn about your new city by looking at a map, taking the bus, and driving around different neighborhoods. It’s best to start small and work your way outward. Get to know the local establishments by eating at and shopping at them. Locate a trustworthy dry cleaner, physician, and supermarket. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to join groups in your community and participate in social activities. Check out how to find new community groups.

• Mental Health Maintenance

The first few days may be exciting. You get to discover new places, like the locations of restaurants, gyms, shopping centers, and grocery stores. Then you begin to feel melancholy and slow down. Everyone is unique. Therefore, it could occur before the transfer, on the first day in the new place, or a few days or weeks afterward. Why are we sad when you’re in this new place? Oh, that’s easy. No longer are we in our comfort zone.

Maintaining regular contact with friends and family is the best method to combat homesickness. Zoom and Facetime are a blessing, right?

Additionally, it can be beneficial to watch your favorite movies or eat comfort food. Everybody has some dishes that warm our hearts and make us smile. Make things in your new apartments for rent in allentown pa so you may have comfort food and a homey odor.

Anything you can do to remind yourself of a pleasant moment, like viewing Disney movies, should be done. It may remind you of your younger years when life was simpler and safer. It’s crucial to surround oneself with these joyful memories when you don’t feel at home or at ease.

Conclusion

Moving is a fun but overwhelming activity. When you consider the possibility of moving to a new place, it may be downright terrifying. However, the procedure may be made much simpler with preparation and research! Whatever it is that’s luring you to the big city, be it a job, a person, or an experience, don’t forget to enjoy yourself while you’re there.

 

0

3 Things To Do To Turn Your Business Idea Into An Actual Business

If you’re someone who always seems to have a great business idea popping into their head, it can be hard to know how to take your ideas and turn them into something that you can actually make into a business. But with the right plans in place, you can find ways to vet your ideas and turn them into the business that you’ve always dreamt of having.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three things to do to turn your business idea into an actual business.

Put Your Ideas Down On Paper

In order to get your ideas into something that’s more than just an idea, you’ve got to flesh out your ideas onto paper. Not only will putting your ideas down on paper help you to better see what your ideas are, but they will also help you better be able to share your ideas with others.

To help you in figuring out exactly how to best explain your ideas, you should try to put them down on paper in a few different ways. First, try to put your ideas into a deck that you could use to pitch to people like investors. Next, Consider writing out a document that includes more details than what you can and should have in a slide deck. And finally, try to condense down your business idea into something that you could share in about 30 seconds, also known as an elevator pitch.

Share Your Ideas With People You Trust

Once you feel like you have a good handle on your business idea and that you can effectively explain them to someone if you had the chance, it’s time to give yourself this chance.

Because you might be nervous about sharing your ideas with someone who doesn’t believe in your abilities or who might try to take your idea for themselves, it’s ideal to first share your idea with people you trust. One great option is to speak with your own mom or other family members. Once you share your idea with them, ask them for their honest opinion on your ideas and where there’s room for improvement.

Begin Conducting Little Tests

As you start to feel more confident in the business idea that you have, you should try to run some tests to see if your idea could actually work in the real world.

To do this, try to find someone who can manufacture your idea in simple materials. Then, try to do a small test run to see if you could sell your product or get people interested in your service. This can give you a good idea of whether or not your business idea can be your next business.

If you’ve been wanting to see if your business idea has legs, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get started.

 

0

5 Tips For Business Owners Who Would Like To Travel More

If you own your own business, chances are you are extremely busy and have a lot on your plate at any given time. This can make making travel plans very hard because you may not feel you have the time to travel, may not trust anyone else to look after your business while you’re away, and overall just might feel a lot of stress surrounding the idea of going out of town. If this sounds like you, don’t worry!

It’s super common to feel like it’s impossible to travel without sacrificing the success of your business, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are a lot of small things you can do to ensure that you can do all the traveling you’d like to while simultaneously continuing to take care of your business. Here are 5 travel tips for business owners.

Invest In Quality Software

Having the best quality software set up within your business is one of the best things you can do if you want to be able to step away and take trips. Software will do so much work for you so that you can allow yourself to relax even if you are on vacation. For example, looking into affordable cyber security support will help you to have peace of mind that your business is safe while you are out of town.

Hire People You Can Trust

Hiring the right staff of dependable workers is super important for so many reasons. Not only can it make or break your business and help to boost the success of your business to new levels, but it will also make you feel much more comfortable with traveling.

You can appoint whoever you’d like to be in charge while you’re gone and keep in touch with them on a daily basis so that you are aware of everything that happens. You can help them to troubleshoot if needed, but it is so helpful to have someone who you know will be able to handle things if you are out of town and unreachable. Carefully vet each prospective employee so that you end up with a team you can truly trust.

Use A Business Card

Using a business account to pay for travel expenses is smart because you will be able to write things off and end up saving money. In order to ensure that this is legal, make sure to do things on your trip that have something to do with your business so that it can be considered a business trip if necessary.

Traveling doesn’t have to be out of the question just because you own a business. In fact, you can still do it as much as you’d like if you are willing to make a few careful considerations. Hopefully these tips can help!

 

0

How To Plan For Beach Trips And Vacations

The beach is a staple for trips and vacations. It’s one of those things that we can automatically relate to having fun with friends and family. Going to the beach is an excellent way to cool down from the summer heat, to relax and watch sunsets or sunrises, and to hang out with the people that you love. Beach trips are great because they offer great versatility, they are relatively inexpensive, and you have an endless list of options when it comes to places to visit. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the most important things that you need to keep in mind when planning a beach trip or vacation.

This guide will help you ensure that you will have a great time while you’re out and about. By the way, if you’re already planning a beach trip or vacation, check out our recommendation for Solana Beach vacation rentals. Solana Beach is a coastal city in California that features great beaches and amazing scenery.

Location, Time, and Date

These three are pillars of a great beach trip or vacation. First, identify the ideal location. The country is home to thousands and thousands of great beaches to choose from. Some are more accessible, and others are far-flung. Some are cheap, and others require private booking. No matter where you decide to go, be sure to do some research about the place as well as the locality. This will give you a little bit of insight as to what things to prepare and what you should be mindful of during your stay.

Next, the time and date. These two often go hand-in-hand. The time and date of your visit will usually dictate the conditions of the place. Naturally, the best period to visit beaches would be during the summer. This will give you the most ideal conditions when it comes to heat, humidity, breeze, weather, etc. However, you can still go to beaches even if it’s not summer. Just be sure to check weather reports and forecasts to make sure that you’re not going to arrive at the beach just to be poured down by heavy rain.

Supplies

Unlike other outdoor activities like camping or hiking, going to the beach generally does not require a lot in terms of supplies. However, you would still want to bring a couple of important things with you. This includes towels, extra clothes, sunblocks and sunscreens, plastic bags, etc. If you’re planning on going off-road riding on the sand, be sure that your vehicle is set up for the terrain. On top of that, be sure to bring recovery gear with you and have someone on standby to rescue you if anything goes wrong.

Budget

It goes without saying that budgeting is a key component of a good trip or vacation. Generally speaking, beach trips, at least for those usual ones, do not cost a lot in terms of money. You just have to bring some general supplies, keep a little bit of cash around, and not much else. However, if you plan on doing more activities before or after your beach trip, do plan and create a budget for that as well. For example, you might want to go on island trips, buy souvenirs, or try out some local food. Whatever the case may be, it would be nice to have some sort of headroom as regards your budget so you can really get to experience the place to the fullest.

Beach Activities

As we mentioned earlier, the beach is a great option for trips and vacations because it is extremely versatile. You can do a lot of things on the beach aside from just playing on the water. This includes the following: playing beach volleyball, camping by the seaside, grilling food, creating sand castles, sunbathing, riding a jet ski, riding a boat, etc. Try to do as many of these activities as you can so that you can enjoy your beach trip a lot more.

0

How to Decorate Your Dining Room for Christmas

Christmas is the perfect time to get your home dressed up and looking great, and the dining room is arguably one of the most important rooms of the home on the big day. It is the room where most households get together to share a hearty Christmas meal. Here are a few top tips to help you decorate your dining room for Christmas.

Create a Festive Table Display

When the big day arrives, and everyone gathers around the table, you want to make sure your table is Christmas-ready. Master the art of tablescaping this Christmas, and decorate the full length of your table. Themed dinnerware, such as matching festive plates and bowls, can make your table look elegant and inviting. Add quality glassware, classy cutlery, and napkins to set off the look. The theme should center on Christmas, but you can achieve a sophisticated aesthetic by sticking with a traditional color palette, such as deep reds with gold accents. You can add to the table décor with pretty candles, leafy garlands, and rustic wooden table decorations.

Top it Off with a Beautiful Centerpiece

Top your table display off with an eye-catching Christmas table centerpiece. Whether bold and beautiful is your thing or you’re more au natural, pick a centerpiece that speaks to your style and complements the rest of your table display. A simple flower display in seasonal colors is a classic way to set off your table, while large cloches filled with Christmas decorations and grand candelabras can add height to your display.

Keep Your Dining Room Tidy with a Sideboard

When it comes to festive décor, some people shy away from it all because of the aftermath. Yes, a beatifically presented table and a stunning centerpiece are all good and well during the festive season, but where will it all go the rest of the year? That’s where sideboards step in. Sideboards are the perfect piece of furniture for people who need extra storage space and an extra surface too. You can keep seasonal tableware on a sideboard, and you can use the surface as a space to serve food too. Ligne Roset Furniture Bromley has a contemporary selection of sideboards to choose from. They are an established name in interior design, and their pieces will look great in the home all year round.

Make the Most of Your Windows

Besides a festive table display, there are other areas of the dining room that can be dolled up too. Windows are sometimes a neglected part of the room, but they are a great place for hanging up lights. A lit-up star with soft light can offer soft illumination to the dining room as well as to the outside of your home.

Add a Festive Glow

Besides hanging up lights on the windows, you can add a festive glow to the room with light displays on the surfaces. Twinkling string lights can also look sweet and atmospheric when draped on the walls. Lights are an excellent way to spread festive cheer in the home.

 

0

3 Tips For Living A Less Expensive Lifestyle

Saving money is one thing that everyone would probably like to do more of, no matter where they’re at in life. That being said, sometimes it’s simply easier said than done. It can be really hard to make different lifestyle choices that will really help out your bank account.

But learning not to live such an expensive lifestyle will benefit you and your entire family in so many ways because you will finally be able to build up some savings in case of an emergency, or for fun things you would like to do in the future. If you’re not sure what kinds of changes you can make in order to make this happen, here are 3 tips for living a less expensive lifestyle.

Eat Out Less

Cooking at home more often and in turn eating out less will save you more money than you could probably imagine. Unfortunately, making this change will require some amount of planning ahead. If you lead a busy life, you may automatically assume you don’t have time to cook at home, but that is not the case!

Choose one or two days a week when you have a little bit of extra free time, and use that time to meal prep for the rest of the week. This way you will always have something in the fridge ready to be reheated when you get home, so you can avoid spending money on eating out!

Keep Your Finances Organized

Learning to keep your finances organized is a great way to make sure you don’t overspend and are able to save the largest amount possible. In order to do this, make a monthly budget and keep a folder with all of your financial documents. This way, when you need to find something you will know right where it is and won’t become overwhelmed or stressed having to look for it.

Sticking to your monthly budget allows you to be aware of when you can or can’t afford certain things, so you can make choices that will save your family the most money possible without having to make big sacrifices. Staying organized will help you to be in total control of your finances in so many ways.

Downsize

If you live in a large home with a lot of rooms or spaces that you never use, it may be time to consider moving into something smaller in order to save money. For example, if you don’t have children and don’t plan to have them soon, it may be a better fit for you to live in a 2-bedroom home rather than a 4-bedroom. There’s no harm in looking to see what’s out there, and if you find that you could cut your monthly rent or mortgage payments in half, downsizing could be the right decision for you!

Living a less expensive lifestyle doesn’t have to mean making huge changes or sacrificing the things that you love the most. Weigh your options and see if making some changes would be worth it to you and you could end up with a lot of extra money in your pocket. Hopefully, these tips help!

 

0

3 Tips For Staying In Touch With Loved Ones You Don’t See Often

If you have loved ones that live far away from you or that you’re not able to see often, whether it’s because they live in an assisted living facility or just due to the miles between you, modern technology has made it so that staying in touch is easier than ever. But even with modern technology, many people struggle to know how to best stay in touch and how to make it so that relationships can stand the test of this distance.

To help you in figuring all of this out, here are three tips for staying in touch with loved ones you don’t see often.

Schedule Phone Or Video Communication

When you’re not physically close to the people you love, you can still remain emotionally close to them through phone calls and video chats. However, if you live in different time zones or in different countries, you’re going to have to put a bit more work in to make sure that you’re communicating at convenient times for each of you.

To do this, you should try to pick a time of day or a day of the week when you can schedule in phone calls or video chats. By doing this, you’ll reliably be able to reach out to your loved one and know that you’re not going to be catching them at a bad time or vice versa.

Reach Out Whenever You Think About Them

In addition to the scheduled calls and video chats that you might have on your calendar, there are likely going to be times throughout your days where you want to reach out or share something with your loved one. When this happens, you should feel free to communicate with them, regardless of what time it might be or what you or they may be doing.

By reaching out when something reminds you of them, you think about them, or you feel like you’re missing them in a particular moment, you will be showing your loved one that you think of them and care about them even when you’re actively in the middle of communicating. This can usually best be done though a chat or messaging service so that they can read and respond when they have time available.

Make Plans to See Each Other In The Future

Along with getting in touch with one another through the use of technology, something that can be very helpful to long distance friendships or relationships can be to have plans to see each other in the future. Even if the date isn’t quite set in stone, knowing that you plan to come visit them in the next six months or that they will be coming to see you next year sometime can give you both something to look forward to and plan for, which is great for maintaining relationships.

If you’re wanting to be better about staying in touch with your loved ones that you don’t see in person often, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you in doing this.