NE Lottery's Scams can Lead to Scams

Nebraska Lottery picks 911 in pick 3 on 3/29/2012. The website needs an emergency re-do to fix confusing messages and revealing too much personal information that could lead to scams.

http://www.nelottery.com/index.xsp

As of March 30, 2012, six games are listed left to right, not by recent date in the order they were picked, but by popularity of games and higher amount winnings. Left to right is how most people, in this country, read. 

For an inexperienced, poor, hope filled, excited to play, lottery game player, using the Internet, the listing of the first three games left to right on the site, can be confusing and  disappointing, possibly perceived as deceptive, and making one feel like a Bitter ‘Sucker’ at the end, once they find out after the fact.  More and more people are choosing to use the Internet to look up information fast.

NOTE: Play responsibly. Don’t go over board! Know when to stop. If you suspect you have a problem
call: 1-800-Gambler, the Compulsive Gambling Help Line.

 

For example:

Nebraska Powerball (logo)

Jackpot*for 3/31/2012

$60 Million

11 16 29 50 58

PB: 33

Nebraska Mega Millions (logo)

Jackpot* for 3/30/2012

$540 Million

09 19 34 55 51

MB: 24 MP: 3

Pick 5 (logo)

Jackpot* for 3/30/2012

$62,000

03 27 31 35 37

The last three games do not list amounts. They list the numbers chosen and a date in the most recent past when numbers were chosen.

Asterisk (*) next to text usually means it links to more information, usually found as a note at the bottom of pages.

The first three games list:

• The last numbers drawn with no previous date of reference near the numbers of which game they were chosen form.
• The only date you see at first glance is a date in the future near the current jackpot amount and near the numbers of the last game picked.
• The link to the website is only programmed in the logo above the text, not the entire information box containing the data.
• Not everyone knows to click for more information to read pages of info to be informed on how to play.
• We got excited when watching those 15 to 30 second radio and tv spots telling us how big the pot amount is.

The  deceptive illusion this may create:

• The winning numbers for the next game have already been picked and here they are.
• We’re just waiting for someone to claim it by the date listed.
• You can still buy a lottery ticket with those numbers. You know the numbers now, so go ahead and buy a ticket with those numbers.
• Don’t bother buying a ticket, we’ve already chosen the numbers.
• We’re leaving it up to the retail lottery clerk to tell the consumer or catch the error, in the mad rush lines.
• Don’t be upset with us, it says on the ticket in fine print “check your tickets before leaving the payment desk.”
• But yes, we know, you got the information on the ticket after you bought the ticket and it may take you two hours to read it all and understand it.
• Plus, we have alot more legal terms on our website, that will take you longer to read and understand and you might need to hire a lawyer to interpret it.

What you see along the way to find out about that Asterisk Note:

• ADS enticing you to play more games
• More ways to gamble
• Encouragement to joint a MVP club for free so you can be informed of more ways to gamble
• First announcement:
• “ Know the signs of gambling…”
• ”March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month”
• At the end of March, they are promoting one of the biggest lottery pots. Are they banking on this month knowing it’s the problem month?
• No listing there of 1-800 gambling phone number.
• Phone number is back up to the top right corner, in small print on each page.

 Toward the right of the “Know the signs of gambling” announcement:   

•  Do you have a PayPal account Poll.
• According to PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy under Prohibited Activities, section 6, Lottery gambling is not acceptable use. https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=ua/AcceptableUse_full
• Are they talking to PayPal to be an exception so they can receive payment for online ticket sales?
• Are they promoting PayPal as one of PayPal’s headquarters is listed here, including a fraud department?
• Will they be an exception to PayPal’s rules and fees, as this kind of gambling goes back into the state toward state support?

Listing of winners:

• Their first and last names.
• How much they won.
• What city they won, which means they may live there.
• Where they bought their ticket, most likely in their neighborhood.
• When they won in the last month.
• Many of us know it takes time to cash a check that big and you can’t move without money. 
• They even post pictures of people who won with the check and publish on another website with their full names, amount and city. 

  Last announcement, right above the asterisk fine print bottom of the page disclaimer note with heading:
Official Nebraska State Government Home Page:

Last announcement after listing the winner’s names: 

o        “Ignore Scams, Contact Authorities; Consumer Protection Tips Offered.” 

o       First line says: “Assorted scam artists are trying to take advantage of the unsuspecting.”

o       Click to read further, next page toward bottom:
“If you buy a foreign lottery ticket, you may land on a “suckers   list” that crooks trade.”

Who is putting Who on the Suckers List?
Wait a minute, wouldn’t crooks and scam artist be able to look at the list posted on this site to find out some personal information about winners. Even another link on another page: Winners and Numbers, showing pictures of them with their name, how much they won, and in what town. 


Back to the fine print at the bottom. Wow! That was a lot of distraction and overload of content, to make me hopefully forget why I had to go to the bottom to look up what that asterisk means. 

Bottom Page Disclaimer Asterisk note: (As of 3/30/2012)

·        …personal use only and may not be reproduced or distributed without the expressed consent of the NE Lottery.

What? This is a publicly accessible website online. What if I share the website link with my friends and family, just in case, I want to show off my picture of me winning a big check and the numbers chosen? 

·        ….Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but the NE Lottery cannot guarantee the Information displayed here.

What? Can’t guarantee the information displayed? I’m checking to see if I won and told I might not?  What emotional roller coaster am I on? Why would they post inaccurate info and especially about someone’s potential money? They bought a ticket, Nebraska collected the money, I’m sure the purchaser really would like to know if they won. 

·        Contact the Nebraska Lottery ….for actual winning numbers.

That’s what people are doing. I’m going to the Official Nebraska lottery web site for the actual winning numbers.

·        In the event between the info contained…and the official winning numbers list, the latter shall prevail.

Now you tell me? In lawyer lingo disclaimer at the very bottom last sentence, that I had to go through all the distractions you were hoping I’d look at and forget why I should be looking here for a asterisk note,  that the number and game I was checking that your company posted right away top left corner half, could be a mistake in content? Yet also contact you for the winning numbers?

How they make you feel like the “SUCKER” 

How confusing, disappointing, deceptive, time consuming that now makes me feel like the “Sucker” they’re warning people and how they are taking advantage of the unsuspecting. Aren’t they an authority of knowledge of the Nebraska lottery?

o       “Ignore Scams, Contact Authorities; Consumer Protection Tips Offered.”   

o       First line says: “Assorted scam artists are trying to take advantage of the unsuspecting.”

o       Stating don’t give out personal information, but the Lottery does it for you and says they can and you agree when you bought that ticket. Often times they may let the media know and it will be public record according to some of their other disclaimers.

If you go to the police authorities they may investigate:
         ·     Did you Sign any release forms allowing the company to
                expose you?

·        How the criminal got your information.

·        Advise you to protect your privacy.

·        Change your contact information.

·        Protect your assets.

·        Don’t talk to the media to protect your privacy

Don’t get me wrong, with all the noticeable flaws on the website, I might still play and read the fine print on the back before making a purchase. Just play responsibly.

• Protect your privacy and demand companies take proactive actions to protect your privacy too.
• Let’s stop corporate America from using small fine print disclaimer excuses as bail outs for their negligence and failure to take action to protect the consumer or employer. 
• Don't get suckered into the emotional appeals to convince you to sign something that you may regret later.
• Stand up and stop accepting their “redirecting blame to the consumer or employer for not educating themselves” excuses.
• The company reps are trained with inside knowledge and knowingly may use deceptive emotionally appealing manipulative methods or
• Fail to disclose the risk clearly, other than fine print, to get a sale in this economy.

NOTE: Play responsibly. Don’t go over board! Know when to stop. If you suspect you have a problem call: 1-800-Gambler, the Compulsive Gambling Help Line.

*Please note, content on websites, disclaimers, in print, in company policies can change at any time with or without adequate notice to the consumer. Be weary companies can and do this. The more we speak about the higher the possibility things can change!

Share your Corporate Employer Bully story.

Warning: Before posting a story, be sure to be careful about not posting any companies’ name as per more corporate laws, they may try to sue you and future employers may see this. Ya, I know it’s a catch 22. We know there are two sides to every story, let’s hear yours.

Even after that warning and you still want to post a name of a company, it’s your choice. Feel free to express yourself of the situation. 500 words or less please.

To check word count,

• Type in Microsoft word first
• Go to Tools
• Word Count

Or you may have to:

• Select all : Edit – Select All or Ctrl + A
• Tools
• Word Count. 

·        Do you feel wronged in a termination situation?  

·        Were you threatened to be terminated if you didn’t do something that seemed against your own integrity? What happened?  

·        Were you pressured or felt peer pressured, put on the spot, or embarrassed? How? 

·        Did your supervisor or managers sign off approval on a work order then you got terminated?  

·        Were you passed up for promotion to someone you felt wasn’t qualified?  What reason do you think?

·        Were you having health issues and used your insurance? How often? 

·        Were you encouraged to make suggestions then discouraged? What kind of suggestions?

Any other situations?  feel free to explain, let it out!

 

PS. To protect you, I may review before publishing or write back to you on my professional views. 

Keep up with Facebook Updates by Phone

Contact me for Computer Tutoring sessions. 402.932.3497. For Security reasons, some Sessions may not be conducted in a private home settings.


Keep in touch with Facebook statuses instantly through your Mobile phone. Reply or comment with text messaging. Keep in mind, longer status updates may be limited depending on how much yours or their's is and your mobile service providers limit on viewable text length. You may only see portions and not the full message. You may need to log on to Facebook to see the full post. And always be weary of hacked accounts. When in doubt, don’t reply or click on unfamiliar links or posts.

For easier readibility and following along of steps, I suggest you also check out my blog post: Side By Side by Side Windows Instructions. Words in capital lettering may not appear in capital lettering on Internet pages, it is used for emphasis and quick reference.



 1. First make sure you're mobile phone is linked to your Facebook account, if it is, skip this step.

• Log in to your Facebook account.
• Upper right corner, to the right of HOME click the arrow button to the right.
• Drop down menu appears: choose ACCOUNT SETTINGS.
• Next page: Left upper corner- Choose MOBILE.
• Click Add a phone.
• Choose Country and Carrier.
• Follow steps listed to receive a confirmation code by Cell Phone.
• Wait for a code by text messaging.
• Enter the code.
• Select the other personal preferences underneath the enter code section.
• Hit enter/okay or save.
• An Ad will appear.
• Lower left corner Click: EDIT MOBILE SETTINGS.

2. Mobile Settings

• Middle section, Right of NOTIFICATIONS click EDIT link.
• Choose ON circle button. (Choosing off will turn it off)
• Choose a few preferences further down.
• Under the middle section box "...following friends..." type in their name inside the box.
• Facebook will try to match their name in a pop up window- choose their name.
• Click Save Changes.

To the Right of other options listed, click the EDIT button to choose your preference of those options.

3.  To remove your phone

• Go into the mobile settings.
• Re-review the steps above.
• At the top center to the right of your listed phone number click REMOVE.

Once you get updates by text, you can reply text back and it will be viewed as a comment to their status update. Try to keep it short, longer texts may appear as two different comments. You may also be texted strings of comments after yours, which means you may get text messages of those that commented after you, not before you.

Remember, some longer comments or updates may be cut off depending on your mobile service provider. Not all comments may be seen depending on the Facebook user's privacy settings too. To view more of the string of comments you may have to log in to Facebook by your computer or phone app. There are several ways to do this.


Viewing more comments

·        Log in to your Facebook account

·        If others have commented after yours, click on NOTIFICATIONS.

(Upper left world earth symbol)

·        A drop down window appears.

·        Click on a square that has a reference to your comment.

 Or      

·        Go to your friend’s page to see their wall with the comment.

·        While logged in to Facebook, At the top middle in the search box.

·        Type your friend’s name.

·        A drop down window appears trying to match your friend.

·        Choose your friend.

·        It will go to their profile and wall posts.

Note these are instructions as of March 2012.

Contact me for Computer Tutoring sessions. 402.932.3497.

For Security reasons, some Sessions may not be conducted in a private home settings

Side by Side windows instructions

Contact me for Computer Tutoring Sessions~402.932.3497.
Tutoring sessions may not always be done in a private home setting. 
 
Its easier to follow step by step instructions if you can see the steps side by side and apply them at the same time. Internet windows can be customized to do that, rather than toggling back and forth re-opening windows in full view screen taking more time to re-read, access another window, re-read or review to be sure steps are done properly. Follow these steps to help see steps and apply at the same time. Capital letters are used for emphasis and may not appear as such on the screen.

                                            

Short cut to open two browser windows at the same time

• Open one Internet Browser window.
  (Either the Big blue lower case E or however you have your settings to open up the Internet)
• Ctrl button and N at the same time. CTRL + N
  (Duplicates and opens another window)
• In the new page’s Internet address bar at the top, Copy and paste or type in a new website address.
• Upper right corner Middle button, left of x, click the SQUARE(s)
   The window gets smaller.
• On the other window click the same Square icon picture.
• Both windows are smaller.

Moving Windows

• Position your mouse over the top bar of one window.
• Hold the left mouse key, or the only mouse button, down and move the mouse at the same time. 
• Move your windows so they can be viewed side by side.

Changing the size of the window

• Hover the mouse over the top corner or sides of a window to watch it change from an arrow to a line with two arrows at the end.
• While the cursor has changed to the line with two arrows at the end, hold the left mouse key button, or only mouse button, down and Drag your mouse different directions to see how it changes the size.

Change the view inside the window

• On the Internet window, the lower right corner may show a magnify glass with a percent number.
• To the right of that, click the arrow.
•  A drop down/up window appears and you can select or customize the view.

Or at the top of the window there may be buttons that say:

• VIEW.
• Drop down window opens.
• choose: ZOOM.
• Click on your choice or customize a percent of the view.

If windows overlaps.
Depending on how you change the size of the window, the windows may overlap. Whichever is the current window you’re working on, it will be the one in front. Readjust the window size and refer back to the above steps: “Changing the size of the Window.”


Seeing more inside windows

• To the right or the bottom of the window, hover your mouse over the vertical bar or horizontal bar in between a track (between two up and down or left to right arrows)
• Hold down the left mouse key, or the only mouse key, (the bar may change colors) at the same time do the following:
•  If you selected the right bar move the mouse up and down.
•  if you select the bottom bar move the mouse left to right.
• Or click on the arrow keys in between the bar.
• Or click on anywhere in between the arrows, outside of the bar in the track.
• Or Select inside the window and use the keyboard keys: up, down, left and right arrow keys.

Closing windows

·        Upper right corner of the window

·        Click on the X.

Contact me for Computer Tutoring Sessions~402.932.3497.
Tutoring sessions may not always be done in a private home setting.

5 Saving money methods that may not work.

Impulse buy offers are not just limited to the items in the check out line. These five saving money methods bank on your impulses and may not always work.


1. Free Shipping.
The company may have added the shipping cost to the price. Find out where the item may be found locally or other places online for less. Many well known brands have a store locator button on their website. Keep in mind also, online companies ask for credit card information.

 
2. Free trials and first time customer sales.
It’s like a relationship, they show a good first impression, but over time you find flaws. This is also the obligation guilt tacti: “…look what we gave you, you should give us back something.”, preferably through buying.

Ask questions such as: when does the free trial start? Are they including business days, when you received the offer and do they offer any other satisfaction guarantee policies? 


3. Automatic Withdrawals (ACH) for bills and payments.
Are you sending a certain amount or does the company take any amount? Prices change. If you send a certain amount, you can get a past due notice. If the company takes any amount, errors can happen. The cost of their convenience could turn out to be more in price and time to fix and they have your account information.

If they offer a better rate only if you do it, ask them for that rate anyways, they can say no, but now you know they are able to give that rate and you may choose to go elsewhere for a better deal.


4. Coupons and Clubs
Coupons are designed to make you look at more items to consider buying more. How much time did you spend to find and collect coupons towards your next growing shopping trip? If you have brand loyalty, check to see if their website has an online coupon too.

Clubs send you constant notices on all the items in their latest offer. Minimize the memberships, including the cards that go with it. It’s another card to carry and runs the risk of it being lost or stolen. Instead, ask if your photo ID is all that is needed. Most times, it’s sufficient to do an account look up in person. 

Your information is now in their database and they can sell that list to other marketers, who may solicit more items to you. 

5. Group rates
Unless it’s guaranteed all parties involved are willing to pay and able to follow through, it doesn’t work. Call the company offering the group rate to find out their requirements. See if people can come as a group and pay the company directly. This can minimize loss of giving one person collecting money before or giving your information, including credit card numbers online. Create a sign up sheet, try to get more than the required amount to cover the one or two who may not follow through. And plan more than a month ahead. 

Group rates lure you to buy more. For example: two for one deals and ten and more discount examples. Even the frequent buyer punch cards with a reward at the end, entices you to the ultimate prize, in order to get the discount or prize at the end, you have to buy a lot.


 A lot of these impulse offers aren’t necessarily cost effective unless you pause to re-consider if it will be worth it.

Pictures not to post for online dating.

The Internet is a fast paced medium, so you want to make the best impression as quick as possible to increase your chances of being chosen as someone that is compatible in an intimate relationship. Follow these tips to make a great first impression that can lead to another good look at you.  

Don’t post pictures with kids

• If you have kids but choose you don’t want more means you are not willing to take on others who have kids or you may feel burdened with your own.
• If they’re not your kids, the mother may be upset to find out you used her kids as a mating decoy.
• The mother of your children may not want her kids’ photos published.
• You’re trying to seek approval of how you’re a dedicated family person. Be confident you are, not prove it to a stranger. 
• Women tend not to post pictures of their kids to watch out for pedophiles.

Don’t post pictures with another girl or guy

• Is it an ex you can’t let go of?
• Maybe you’re a couple looking for a three some. 
• Pictures of your mom make us think you live with her. 
• Respect your friends’ privacy.
• Don’t post pictures of strangers in the background.  They didn’t agree to have their image used for your benefit either.

Don’t post pictures in the bathroom

• These create an optical illusion of backwards text on your shirt.
• Unflattering lighting.
• Are you so lonely you don’t have a  good friend to take one for you?
• You aren’t tech savvy to know how to crop the photo.
• Revealing private dirty areas in the bathroom.
• We will wonder what your other hand is really doing.

                       

Don’t post pictures from your webcam

• The lighting is terrible.
• It makes you look isolated, cold, and desperately lonely.
• Depending on the angle it makes you have a double chin or a big forehead.
• Too close to see too many flaws all at once at first glance.

Don’t post pictures of your hobbies or too far away

• A picture too far away is hard to tell exactly how you look.
• Being a hunter says: You may be gone for hours or days.
  Have you seen the movie:  “Brokeback Mountain” ?
• A hunt can say: “Me, Tarzan. You, Jane” and how dirty you can be.
• A flashy car tells us where your money is going. And the old assumption of a sports car and middle age come to mind:  What are they trying to overcompensate for?
• Leave your hobbies to a listed feature in fine print. 

Post flattering pictures of you alone

• Sell yourself like a car ad.
• You want a flattering photo first and all the possible flaws in fine print.
• Study ads for poses and camera angles.  
• Double look at pictures with objects behind you to be sure nothing looks like its coming out of body parts.
• Crop a group photo. Don’t include someone else’s arm you can tell the sex of. Refer back to the point:  “Don’t post pictures with another girl or guy”

We smile naturally when we are doing things we enjoy with people we enjoy.  If you are out on the town with friends in a group shot, crop it down to just you. Your expression will show you are having a good time and people find you fun to be with.  Dating is about being social. Being able to have close relationships of any kind and potentially an intimate one.