Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud is not a new term or new issue to most of us; we have read or heard the news e.regarding the credit card crime on various kind of media (newspaper, radio, TV and etc) so often , almost at any time & anywhere.
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However seem still lots of people (even the credit card holders) are not aware of this crime and take less attention on this alert...they are just too ignorant & stubborn. Just like the scam of "刮刮乐" (the scam of scratch-and-win), not a new case and has been broad casted in the newspapers for so many time, anyway still got quite number of greedy idiots get themselves into the frauds' trap!
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Now a day there is no necessary for a credit card fraud to theft your hard copy of credit card for credit card misappropriation purpose, what they need to do is just try to achieve some useful particulars from the credit card, as listed below:

1. Name of credit card holder
2. Credit card account number
3. Credit card expiring date
4. 3 digits Verification or CVV code
5. Type of credit card (Master, VISA or etc)

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Unfortunately, the above information can be easily obtained, for an example from a credit card payment receipt, as shown below. As what we can see, all credit card's details include the type of credit card, credit card number, expiring date & name of card holder are printed on the receipt of merchant copy. So each time those credit card fraud will only need to turn over the credit card to read and remember the 3 digits of CVV (Verification) code will do.
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(Remark: Some finance & banking system still allow all 16 digits of credit card numbers to be printed on the receipt of the merchant copy. The below is a special case by which 4 digits have been replaced with XXXX )
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Among the 5 particulars, the CVV code is the main key to get the payment through credit card to be approved by the finance and banking system. That why all credit card holders are advised and warned not to reveal their CVV code to anyone. If the CVV code is confidential, then WTH all finance & banking bodies still produce the credit cards with CVV code at the back side?

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How to reduce the risk or chance that your credit card been misappropriated by credit card fraud?
1. When you make payment at the counter, make sure the cashier swipe card at a corner that is visible to you. And make sure the cashier return the right credit card to you.
2. Contact the credit card's issuer(s) immediately once you found you credit card(s) is or are lost, so that the issuer can ban any transaction made through this credit card account in time.
3. Don't reveal any credit card details to other people, especially the CVV code, as it is confidential,
4. Scratch off the CVV code at the back of the credit card (before you do this, please make sure you remember the CVV code). As normally the CVV code is not in need, unless your credit card is without the smart chip, or you are making payment through a credit machine with no chip reader or via the online purchase systems.
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Impacts of Petrol Price Hike ( 3 )

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My Words:
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When you say it, mean it please, which in Mandarin it means "言行一 致 "; or else please just keep the mouth shut and don't bluff!

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Actually "they" have their point, after the fuel price hike incident, to reduce the expenses on the fuel we must change the lifestyle by go for car sharing or take a public bus which is more econimic compare to drive and pay the bills alone, or try to stay at home if you have no need to go outside.

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The problem is when the fuel price hike comes, it not come alone, it brings its gangs to visit us too, this is what we called "chain effect" --- the price increase in the food & drink, groceries, and other goods. So we have to further change the lifestyle again? Eat less rice, meat & vegetable and eat more instant noodles as a replacement? No, instant noodles also increase in the price; then eat bread? No, bread not only increase in the price, shrinken in the size too......between no point to harm our health just because of wanna save money!

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If we have the wealth as much as "you" have had now, we have no worry and will suggest the same (change lifestyle) to those who have low income too and to those we always claim that money no enough, as it is almost too easy and relax --- "we say it, don't mean it"!

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Impacts of Petrol Price Hike ( 1 )

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We Love to Hear Nice Words

"Boleh ambil saya 1 kotak Dunhill?" Err...anything wrong? Why the casher who with smiling face few seconds ago suddently shows us the "white eye" (白眼), and reply us loudly cum rudely: "讲清楚一点, 要大的, 中的, 还是小的啊?" What would be your first reaction & what is the first premonition comes across your mind? "Wow, he or she has attended Chinese education!" or "Oop...is he or she a Chinese?".
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The language used in a communication most time is depend on which ethnic group we are dealing with, such as if we meet with a Malay, India or other Bumiputra group ( Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazan, Bajau and etc) , normally Malay language would be the first choice, and English is an alternative; or if the other party is a Chinese, of course Mandarin would be the first choice, English is an alternative. We have no doubt on the language to use if we can exactly know a person is from which ethnic group. [ Of course sometime the occasion or environment plays an important role in determine the language to be used ]
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However, we may sometime uncertain if a person who we wanna talk to is from which ethnic group, especially if the judgement is between the Chinese, Malay or Bumiputra. As one person can has 50% Chinese look + 50% Malay (or Bumiputra) look, so if you encounter such situation, what would you do? Or which language will you use to begin a conversation? [ Of course you will never have such worry if you are a non-Chinese, so just assume that you are a Chinese ]

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Experiences tell me that, whenever you come across a person with 50% Chinese look + 50% Malay (Bumiputra) look, it would be better that you just speak Mandarin to him or her. Very unlikely you may provoke an unsatisfactory reaction or spoil his or her mood, despite he or she is a non-Chinese. Instead he or she probably will tell us politely "Sorry, saya bukan Chinese" (Sorry, I'm not a Chinese) or "Saya sik faham Mandarin!" (I don't understand the Mandarin).

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Of course you may speak English to start a conversation, but beware you may offend those Chinese who love the mother language "Mandarin" like crazy and being scolded for being a "banana" man too...Please try not to use Malay language to start a conversation as well, as there are so many "racist" Chinese out there who are so offensive & unhappy when you judge them as a Malay or Bumiputra, it would be quite awkwardness too!

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Then how about you? How is your feeling if a Chinese guy or girl speaks Malay to you?
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Don't Subsidise Fuel, Don't Tax Cars

Yesterday I received an email from my eldest brother. It was an article (news paper cutting) with the title "Don't Subsidise Fuel, Don't Tax Cars" by Jimmy Wah (Bayan Lepas, Penang). Jimmy wrote this article to voice out his opinions (unsatisfactory) on the Dzof Azmi's arguement in "Fueling Trouble with Petrol Subsidises"!

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My Words:

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Quote from Dzof Azmi: ......In fact, petrol in Malaysia is cheaper than in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. (The only country in the region where it is less expensive is Brunei, where it’s at just above RM1 per litre.) Still think it’s expensive? Consider this: Crude oil is currently priced at more than US$100 (RM322) per barrel. Now, you can calculate how much this would cost per litre in RM. Go ahead, do it......

Why gov & BN supporters like to use this comparison to fool the "rakyat"? No doubt that "rakyat" will never be so offensive & willing to accept the fuel price even if it is RM4 (or more) per litre if Brunei is the only country that produce the petroleum in the region. Yet Brunei is not only has cheapest fuel price, but car tax free; other countries in the region have cheaper car tax too . So how gov is going to explain this? Well, obviously they will say that the car tax imposed on the foreign cars is to protect the national cars' local market. The sad is with the fuel price hike, the market & sale of the national cars will shrinken too......

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One thing that I still so confuse & curious about is when the global crude oil price is keep increasing, why Malaysia as a crude oil producer & exporter feel so worry? Isn't the Petronas can make more profits from the exportation of the crude oil? During the blog hopping, whenever I saw the post(s) related to the issue of "fuel price hike", I'll left a similiar comment sound like "Gov exports the local good quality fuel to the foreign countries to make profits, imports the low quality fuel from the foreign countries for local usage, to pollute the air & to harm the local people health. When global crude oil price increased, gov makes more profits from the exportation that only benefit certain parties; the costs increased from the importation to share fairly among all the "rakyat"...".

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Anyway the above is my own statement & opinion, I don't know if the thing is really goes this way or whatever --- the fact is, even though Pak Lah has announced that follow the fuel price hike, to reduce the burden of the so called "rakyat", they can claim the cash rebate (e.g vehicle below 2000cc, RM625) upon road tax renewal at Pos Office. However, this "political candy" seem haven't yet to calm down "rakyat's" fury emotion; they keep criticizing on the gov's decision to increase the fuel price, some more gov may float the fuel price accorden the global market & may remove the petrol subsidise in coming Aug 08. [ I'm sure some of the "rakyat" still feel comfortable with the "fuel price hike", as they think that this is the best BN has did for them! ] --- Tomorrow Be A Better Day, Cheers!!!

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Stress Over The Money

I'm wondering why lately I feel that the "Money" suppress me hard & harder till I can't breath smoothly! Do I gain more & more money now-a-day which make it heavier & heavier? No, I don't! My income still remain the same and my money get lesser & lesser day by day instead...then why I have that feeling? I'm stress over the money I guess?!! ~ Sigh ~

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The price of the rice has just been revised not long ago in June 08 and the increment is almost 70-100%. Well, so far I found that most blogger only blog on the "Petrol Price Hike", only few blogger found to blog on the "Rice Price Hike". Huh? why no one voice out their complain? Hmm, I'm wondering of most Malaysian do not eat rice or have their meal(s) without rice now a day? I have no idea, maybe only the rice price in Sarawak has been increased or Malaysians concern more on petrol than rice? Anyway it was a big shock for those who eat rice as a main staple. Most of the Miri citizen went to the supermarket & hypermarket to shop for the rice as many as they could crazily last few days, until the related authority has announced that each consumer is only allowed to buy the max of 2 packs of rice per purchase yesterday in the press.

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Petrol price hike! Pak Lah has announced that the petrol price is revised from RM1.91 to RM2.70 with effect 5 June 08, which increased by RM0.78 or 41%. This was the 2nd big shock to all Malaysians who owned a bike or vehicle or more! Pak Lah also announced that government is going to float the fuel price in accordance with the global market price in August 08, is it a good news or bad news? Well with this tactics the petrol price can be rised up to RM4 or above according to the news! Now all people claimed that we are affordable to buy a car, but unaffordable to buy the petrol to "feed" the it. So what should we do? Buy a bicycle and use the bus "No 11" for short distance traveling? ( I will suggest my boss can float my salary accordance with the global market too, with the min RM2,000 and no max limit ... just kidding! )

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[ Are you also in the long Q to fill your car's tank before the petrol price "climb" up to RM2.70 after 4/6 midnight? Honestly I did, I'm in the long Q for 1 hour (22:45 - 23:45P.M) ! Anyway I'm there to take the closest photo on the scene in Shell Petrol Station for blogging purpose at the beginning, not to fill the tank. Since I have been in the Q for almost 15 minutes, Fern suggests me just fill the tank even though still full. So at the end as estimated, only RM13.50 of petrol pump into the tank. ]
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Have you do a health screening or blood tests before? Do you believe in "Laboratory Testing Price Hike"? For your information, my company (private healthcare group) has just launched its new price list (which will take effect on 1 June 08) end of May 08, so all marketing staffs (of course include myself) are urged by the management to inform the clinics under the coverage within 31 May. I'm shocked when go through the new price list thoroughly, the price of the lab tests are increased by 20% to more than 100%! OMG, how should I expect GP doctors and customers willing to accept this "surprise" if myself still not ready for the change?

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Luckily, I'm always being so lucky, Miri GP doctors listen my explanations calmly with good understanding; Unlike other marketing staffs who got shoot or bomb by GP doctors. Anyway, doctors always have more then one choice, there are many other laboratories that providing the same services, e.g Gribbles, Pathlab and etc, which recently still selling the lab tests at cheap old rate. Of course my company have an advantage against the other local labs, by which our group is accredidated with ISO15189 (which recognize internationally) by Department of Standard Malaysia, this is the strong point to gain doctors' continuous support.

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The problem is that we are not the ONLY one, Gribbles also accredidated with ISO15189. These are the only two labs accredidated with ISO15189 in full scopes (Chemical Pathology, Cytophatology, Histopathology, Hematology, Medical Microbiology, and Virology) in Malaysia so far. The existence of single potential competitor like Gribbles is enough to cause me an serious headache. I'm so tension now, as I'm sure my monthly lab sale performance will drop dramatically in the recent month, next month & onward if other labs still remain unchanged in their pricing. Will I lose my career soon?

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You know what? Today I heard people said that the cooking oil will rise in the price too by tomorrow, by 50% increment. I have visited few supermarkets to observe the condition after work, well terrible...only few bottles of cooking oil remain on the racks! Some said that they have called Miri Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs Department (DTCA, 美里贸消部) for clarification and DTCA has denied on the price increment in the cooking oil. So is it just a hearsay or a truth?

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Perhaps you know why am I stress over the money now, because of I'm having the "Vitamin-M malabsorption" disorder. The main symptoms of the disorder are:

1. complaining of money no enough all the time

2. weak immunity to against the rised in daily expenditures

3. phobia to the price hike in all aspects

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Vitamin-M insufficiency reminds me on the "M-Shaped Society" (M型社會) too, which is an observation put forward by the Japanese business strategist and writer Kenichi Ohmae. According to this theory, only 2 societies exist: the "Rich Society" who comprised of 10% rich men who monopolized the 90% of the worldwide wealth and the "Poor Society" who comprised of 90% of the poor men who shared the another remaining 10% of the worldwide wealth (The "Intermediate Society" has extincted! ) The economic & social gaps among these 2 societies becomes greater & greater over the time. So which society are you in?

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Should I Say "YES" or "NO"?

When having lunch with Fern at "2020 cafe" at Pelita Commerce Centre, a guy with a plastic bag of "cj7" key-chains walked toward our table. He shows me a file which kept with lots of the photos of the "disabled childrens" and their activities. He hopes that we can make some donation to help those "disabled childrens" by buying one or more key-chain(s) at RM10 each, the profits made will be fully donated to the related charity body.
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I have said a "NO" to him last Saturday, whilst I had my dinner with Fern at "Sea World Restaurant", Miri Water Front. I recoginize his face very well, but he seem remember me anymore or else he won't approach me again today. I'm so sorry that I have to say "NO" to him again this afternoon. Anyway, it doen't mean that I don't wish to help or do a merit......

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I refuse to help because of I have read & heard lots of negative news or reports on how a cheater or lier imitating as a social worker, "lama" or Buddhist monk with a fake acknowledgement letter with the official stamp & signature of a local authority which can be looked so real; they appear at everywhere at anytime to ask for donation, said that with the purpose to raise fund for charity, social works or welfare and etc, which actually those money gained were all go into their own pocket instead.

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These group of "rubbish" have make public more aware of the current affairs & guard against themselve from being cheated by the illegal bodies; they choose not to believe any individual who claimed that he or she is a representative from certain welfare organizations, even though sometime is might be true. Just like the guy above, who know he is really work for "disabled childrens" welfare?

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So I prefer make a donation through a charity organization that I familiar of, such as the Tzu Chi Buddhist Merit Society (慈濟). I just sign up as a member last week with this society, with donation of RM10 each month. Between I have donated RM50 each for SiChuan earthquake (China) & Myanmar's cyclone.

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For those who wish to donate the fund to support the victims of Sichuan earthquake & Myanmar's Cyclone, can just head on the buttons or links provided at the sidebar of my blog. You can donate via either Mercy, MRCS, Tzuchi or Sin Chew. Your little contribution can help to light up their life & bring them more love, care & happiness. May you be well & happy too. Cheers!!!

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Cursed SMS vs One Miss Call

Recently, there is a hot hearsay which has been spreaded widely via the SMS. The SMS is sent with the purpose to remind or warn the public that recently there is an Indonesian created a cursed SMS or call with an intention to test the effectiveness of his / her so called "black magic" (curse). According to SMS, it warned that never answer any phone call with phone numbers of 4 weird digits (0666 or 0888) and with a red screen beyond 10:00P.M. Or else the person who has answered the call will die unexpectedly......it sound so scary!

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Anyway, don' t be too panic or worry, as now I'm go to announce, the film director Takashi Miike called me personally said that he is currently filming the horror movie "One Miss Call III", so if you do received such SMS or phone call with a red screen, please do not answer the call or read the SMS or please just ignore it, as you are not in the his actor or actress's list. Or else, please do so at your on risk (you have been warned, you will have to bear the consequence with full responsibility!).......:p

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Curse of SMS or phone call? Wow, it sound unbelieveable! Curse? It reminds me the black magics or witchcraft owned by the Malay & most of the Bumiputera in Malaysia (e.g Iban, Bidayuh...etc), by the used of certain kinds of supernatural or magical power. All these while, the curses or witchcrafts are the traditional practices, but now they have become so advance and can be practiced or deliveried to the victims via the high technology devices like handphones? Perhaps the programming experts should work harder, not only on the anti-virus, anti-spam, or anti-spyware programs and etc, but also on the new anti-curse program? lolz

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You see, most times the dramas or movies play an important role as the teaching materials. If the above hearsay is true, I guess the movie "One Miss Call" have gave the said Indonesian wizard a bad idea to delivery the curses or spells via the handphones! Well, do you believe in the existance of the curse, black magic or witchcraft?

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MAS vs AirAsia

With Effect 1 May 08 (if not mistaken), Malaysia Airline (MAS) is launching their "Everyday Low Fares" project, and started offer free seat at RM0.00 (exclude the tax) which similiar to what AirAsia is doing. They have advertised this promotion on the TV channels, local newspapers & etc lately, so I'm sure you have heard about it. You can always log in their website for further & latest informations.

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This would be a good news to all of us, especially those who travelling oftenly, as now we have more than one option. Huh? Why I say like this? Well, if you are not a person who rich enough or a person who willing to spend extra money, certainly MAS won't be one of your option to travel with in the past, unless you have no choice; and no doubt AirAsia would be the only & the first choice to you. Since MAS also launching their so called "low fare" airline services now, so would you still need some time to consider & hesitate whether to fly with MAS or not?
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The next day, AirAsia has noticed the great competition & challenge fast enough, and has gave an immediate response to fight back its competitor, MAS. I heard some people said that part of the seats which the air fares were at RM69.xx at the 1st attempt, but it seem has been re-adjusted to RM39.xx. when 2nd attempt was made 30 minutes later.

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Do you see the image below, which I adopt from AirAsia's website? They claimed that "AirAsia, the true low fare airline, provides the lowest fares for all flights in our extensive route network, both domestic and international. We boast a spanking new aircraft fleet, great in-flight food and friendly service without compromising on our safety standards. You have to admit, it’s a bargain! Smart consumers know the difference. Get your calculator out and start doing the math. Calculators don't lie. "

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The CEO, Dato' Tony Fernandes even said that, we welcome you to approach us to have a refund for the extra money spent, if you found that the air-ticket (AirAsia) that you have bought is more expensive than the MAS one (same destination)! e.g: MAS vs AirAsia = RM68 vs RM88, AirAsia happy to refund you RM20! Isn't it sound great?

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So what do you think? Which Airline you prefer to fly with, MAS or AirAsia? When you are making a decision on which airline to use, you are actually make a choice between the "cost effectiveness" & "time effectiveness" . Of course for those who care more on the money, even if only save RM0.01, they will still choose the AirAsia.

Mind me to remind you? AirAsia has the higher risk of delay in the flight schedules. If let say you can make RM20 per hour, delay of flight departure time for may be only 1 hour may cause you loss RM6.50 (RM20.00 - RM13.50)! Can you image how much will you lost if you are a success businessman, or know well speaker who able to earn RM100 or above per hour? How about if you are rushing time to deal with a business or big project with a value of RM10,000 or more? Would you mind to loss a big amount of money just to save that RM13.50? Is it worth?

Anyway, for me there is not much different between MAS & AirAsia' services, even though MAS claimed that they provide 5 stars airline services. The only disadvantage of flying with AirAsia is that you may need to walk so far from the air-craft to the terminal building under the hot sun (raining day) upon arrived.

Lastly, MAS & AirAsia has makes most people dream come true, with " Everyday Low Fares", "Now Everyone Can Fly"!!! Isn't it great?

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White Bread vs Brown Bread

Lately, due to the increased in the price of the raw material (flour), follow is the price revision in to the flours manufactured products like noodles & breads or buns.

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However according to the newspaper, the noodle' hawkers in Miri didn't manage to increase the selling price of the dry noodle (mi kering) even though the price of the noodle has increased another RM0.40/KG; as they claimed 1KG of noodle roughly can produce 8 plates of "mi kering", which equivalent to RM0.05 increased in the cost price per plate of noodle, which still considered as a very little increment, not burden much.

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Anyway, most of the baker shops in miri have started to increase the selling price of the white bread (白面包), from the current rate of RM1.90 to RM2.50 without the acknowledge the Miri Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs Department (DTCA, 美里贸消部). The following day, DTCA has gave a comment & warning in the local press, that they have no doubt to take action (to be fined or jailed) on those baker shops who take it upon oneself to increase the price of the white bread.

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Do you know what is happening after the soft warning by DTCA in the local press? One of the baker shop in Mosjaya area, Miri has mixed some sort of colouring during the baking process, to produce a brown bread (黑面包), which has the same taste as the white bread. But they have more "value", as the selling price is at RM2.60 each.

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A package of Brown Bread

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Close look of a piece of brown bread

So all the white breads on the racks have been replaced by the new brown breads. The owner of the baker shop is honest, he told Fern's mum that he have no choice, since DTCA not allow to increase the price of the white bread, he will just has to change the look, turn it into a brown bread. Perhaps now can stop DTCA from making any noise. I don't know if this is the only baker shop which apply this strategy to protect their own profits? As I know, the price of the white bread has remain at RM1.90 each at most of the baker shops.

From the above case, we learn that those who are creative & innovative, and those who not blindly follow or obey to the fixed rules of the game normally are closer to the door of success, and they can survised longer compared to those who are stiff & conservative!

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