The Internet Philatelic Dealers Association - IPDA

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

some eBay / Paypal news for you ............

Over the next few months, Ebay will be offering its PayPal users a new tool
in the fight against phishers: a $5 security key.

The security key https://www.paypal.com/eBay/securitykey is actually a small
electronic device, designed to clip on to a keychain, that calculates a new
numeric password every 30 seconds. PayPal users who sign up to use the device
will need to enter their regular passwords as well as the number displayed
on the key whenever they log in to the online payment service.

"The key is really going to give users one more layer of security for their
accounts," said Sara Bettencourt, a PayPal spokeswoman, because the numeric password changes so frequently, even successful phishers will end up with obsolete numeric passwords and will be unable to empty PayPal accounts.

"If you fall for a phishing scam and give away your user name and password
... if you used the PayPal Security Key, a third party couldn't get to your
account because they wouldn't have this dynamic digit," Bettencourt said.

The Security Key could be an important tool for PayPal, whose Web site is
frequently spoofed http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,126151/article.html
by phishers looking to steal user account information.

The PayPal Security Key is being tested by PayPal employees right now, and
the test will be opened up to beta users in the U.S., Germany, and Australia
"in the next month or so," Bettencourt said. Later this year, the company
plans to begin promoting the devices to all PayPal users. News of the new
PayPal system was first reported on http://auctionbytes.com.

PayPal users who want this extra level of security
http://blogs.pcworld.com/techlog/archives/000795.html
will be able to buy the devices for $5, but this fee will be waived for PayPal
business accounts.

PayPal's device is based on VeriSign's One-Time Password Token product, which
is also being tested by Charles Schwab and U.S. Bancorp.

ETrade also uses a similar system, based on RSA Security's SecurID tokens.
Over the past year, online financial companies have paid more attention to
authentication technologies such as the VeriSign tokens, which add a second
layer of authentication to online transactions. Adoption of these "two-factor"
authentication techniques has been further boosted by new federal guidelines,
which require stronger authentication for online transactions.

Still, phishing attacks are becoming increasingly lucrative for criminals.
Research company Gartner estimates that phishers cost U.S. financial
institutions about $2.8 billion last year. The average loss per phishing attack was $1,244, up from $256 in 2005.

Thanks to Roy (Machin Man) for this news update ............ if you have any news you think others would value reading, please email the text .. michaelatipda@gmail.com

Best wishes.. Michael

Saturday, January 13, 2007

promoting the IPDA

Hello everyone,

have you seen the latest edition of the Philatelic Exporter, page 10, a nice little promo for the IPDA

join by logging onto http://www.ipdaonline.org your buyers will feel confident when buying over the internet from you if you are a member..

and please, promote to your buyers that you are a member..

as for confidence when buying.. I just received a stamp I bought on the internet.. it has a lovely --- derrghh --- crease but was described as fine mint.. excellent condition..

seller was not an IPDA member.. just as well for him eh!!!!!!!!! more to follow as I have written asking for a refund.. more to follow .... just goes to show .........there are people not correctly describing the stamps they are selling.. Please describe your stamps very correctly when selling on the internet ..

best wishes.. Michael

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

eBay UK 10p listing.. and more

Hi, I hope you find this useful to know..

eBay UK Holds 10-pence Listing DayBy Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com
January 09, 2007

eBay UK is holding a 10p listing day on January 11. Only items listed in British Pounds Sterling on eBay.co.uk using the Auction-style, Auction-with-Buy It Now and Buy It Now Only (Fixed Price) formats are included. (Sellers listing using the Auction-with-Buy It Now format will still be charged the Listing Upgrade Fee for Buy It Now.) All other fees apply, see website for details and restrictions.
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/200701051759092.html

Meanwhile, eBay.com is holding a promotion for first-time sellers. eBay will waive fees for insertion fees and gallery upgrades for the first three listings on eBay.com for first-time sellers. The promotion runs from January 9 through January 13. All other fees apply, see website for details and restrictions.
http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200701081700232.html

and I have a challenge for you.. tell a friend of this blog and if they write to me telling me who referred them I will send them 50 Australia stamps .. for free....

tell them to email me at michaelatipda@gmail.com

Lets promote the IPDA and .. if they apply to join and are accepted I'll tell them the address of my daily stamp blog.. for free as well... :-)

enjoy your stamps...Michel

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

some shonky selling... FYI.. the following

The IPDA - and no doubt other organisations - have been advised of the following.. this for your information and please pass on to colleagues and clients as you see fit.

It is reported that late last year (2006) a New Zealand Dealer had a man come into the shop with MANY part sheets of 2004 TOURISM $1.50 Mitre Peak (I think ) and the $3.00 Cape Kidnappers (2000 Definitive)

These were in sheets of 25 without selvedge.

The ‘owner’ said he had bought them from a HONG KONG DEALER at HALF FACE and so was happy to get HALF face back for them!!!!

There was something like $6.000.00 face.

The dealer turned it down and advised NZ POST.

Australia APTA have advised the following.........

Forged International Postage

Members should be aware that a large volume of forged International postage is being offered around Melbourne at the moment. The highest value seen so far is the $3.30 value. It is being offered in sheets of 25 with no margins by a gentleman from China. Australia Post and the Police are involved.

And then a follow up..

With the help of Gary Watson the Police have been able to arrest the gentleman from China who has been moving around Melbourne (and possibly Interstate) since the middle of December offering for sale Forged International Postage (in sheets of 25 without margins - values up to $3.30).

Australia Post and the Police are investigating and any members who have been unlucky enough to purchase some of this material should be aware of this.

The material is well produced but under a glass it can be seen that it is not as high quality as normal Australia Post printings. It also does not react under a UV-A light.

The material we had been offered may NOT be the same but it DOES sound very similar!!

My comment to this.. if it sounds to good to be true.. then it is!! dont buy and don't get caught in scams..

here in my view on another "scan" .... check out http://cgi.ebay.com:80/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=
STRK%3AMEBOFF%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250068268998&rd=1&rd=1

it say best offer if you read carefully.. now I don't know what "offers" have been made but a few bucks could get the lot.. not $175,000

your thoughts.. email me at michaelatipda@gmail.com and thanks to those of you who wrote about the "perfin" .. I conclude that the offer is not an offer with a straight bat.. and given the way England played against Australia that is probably not a good metaphor!!!! but you know what I mean

If you have news you want published or anything you are doing you want promoted just write to me.... michaelatipda@gmail.com ..............best wishes... Michael

Saturday, January 06, 2007

a perfin or just a damaged stamp???



I was browsing eBay and came across this stamp - being sold by what appears to me to be a reputable seller - no claim to be an IPDA member I should add.

I need help here.. Is this a perfin? Simple question. Please write to me at michaelatipda@gmail.com with your views or post a comment here for others to read



I also think the quality of the stamp leaves a lot to be desired if it is in fact a perfin, which in my view it is not - but I am willing to be corrected by more knowledgeable minds.

For the record: I also attach a scan of my copy of the stamp and and below what I expect a perfin marking to look like.. I dont have many and had to search to find this one.. a George VI definitive.. as you guessed I don't collect perfins.


Look forward to hearing from you. Michael
 
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