* Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company

We have recently purchased and shipped a large quantity of cement
type HE: High Early Strength from Indonesia for one of our projects in
Seoul, South Korea. Though we did extensive quality control testing on
arrival in Seoul, we found substantial defects in the quality of the
cement. Though we do not wish to name the manufacturer, please be extra
careful in your quality control testing. This was obviously blatant
fraud and a scam. This sort of scamming is endemic and please be
careful out there. "As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are
construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields,
there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulent
transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many
scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all
our products and personnel. Fraudulent financial transactions is the
norm. Our checking procedures are second to none." For over 5 years,
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company's
professionals have been a leading Service Providers to the construction
industry. Bringing together a wealth of Business, Legal, Financial,
and Specialized Industry experience, Consolidated Construction Services
helps industry professionals continue to thrive in an increasingly
competitive and challenging business environment. We are very involved
in clean room IT factories in Thailand and particularly the new Songdo
International City near Seoul in Korea. Strathclyde Associates Trading
and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that
from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable
competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution
of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each
particular company.

Challenging economic times provide the
opportunity for companies to take the steps necessary to becoming more
successful, to get leaner and more focused. Those actions taken today
to make a company more successful, also provide the needed framework
for eventual transition of the business.

University of Strathclyde and Associates Types of Card Fraud Scam

recent report from the European Security Transport Association (ESTA) found that nearly 20% of the adult population in Great Britain has been targeted as part of a credit or debit card scam. As a result, the UK has been termed the ‘Card Fraud Capital of Europe' [1], with UK citizens twice as likely to become victims of card fraud as other Europeans. Plastic card fraud is a lucrative exploit for criminals and the proceeds may be used to fund organised crime. Smart payment cards (Chip and PIN cards) were introduced in the UK to replace magnetic stripe cards and support PIN verification of card transactions. By the end of 2005, more than 107 million of the 141.6 million cards in the UK had been upgraded to smart cards [2]. Levels of plastic card fraud fell by 13% to £439.4 million in 2005 [3] and again to £428 million in 2006 (Figure 1). The reduction has been widely attributed to the rollout of smart cards with Chip and PIN authentication.

Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK. Types of Card Fraud Scam. The UK Payments Association (APACS) has identified five categories of card fraud: Counterfeit Card Fraud, Skimming, Mail Non Receipt, Lost and Stolen Fraud, Card not Present

Counterfeit Card Fraud Scam. Counterfeit cards are also referred to as cloned cards. Counterfeit cards are made by altering and re-coding validly issued cards or by printing and encoding cards without permission from the card issuing company. Most cases of counterfeit fraud involve skimming of valid card details, a process whereby the genuine card details from the magnetic stripe are electronically copied onto another card, without the legitimate cardholder's knowledge. In most cases, the cardholder will be unaware that their card details have been skimmed until card statements reveal that illicit transactions have been made on their account.

Skimming. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK - Skimming of card details can happen at retail outlets where a corrupt employee can put a card through a skimming device which will copy data from the card's magnetic stripe so it can be used to encode a counterfeit card. Skimming can also occur at cash machines where a skimming device has been fitted. A skimming device is attached to the card entry slot where it records the electronic details from the magnetic stripe on the back of the inserted card. A separate pin-hole camera is hidden to overlook the PIN entry pad to record the PIN number. Fraudsters can then produce a counterfeit card for use with the captured PIN to withdraw cash at a cash machine. Criminals can also shoulder surf, whereby they watch the user entering a PIN and then steal the card for their own use. Another type of device can be inserted into a cash machine where it will trap the inserted card. A fraudster can then suggest retrying the PIN. Once the genuine cardholder gives up and leaves to contact the card issuer or cash machine operator, the criminal can then remove device, retrieve the card

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Renovations are stressful, but if you rush through important details you could fall prey to one of these scams.

Scam artists are nothing new, but there are plenty of reasons to predict that even more of them will be around, due to tough economic times. While they tend to prey on the elderly, anyone who is not cautious and informed is a potential victim. Your best defense is a skeptical mind and knowing what to look out for when you hear about an offer that's "too good to refuse." Here are some of the most popular, and costly, home-improvement scams.
Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: One-time special
It's a rare business that's had only one sale in its entire history. The reality is that most businesses hold sales throughout the year, and that's not likely to change any time soon. If a contractor approaches you with a special offer, ask for concrete evidence that the quoted price is lower than what they have charged in the past for the same work. This could include a past catalog, special mailing, dated price list or evidence of identical work for a past customer.
Don't be pressured into accepting a deal that will expire before you've had a chance to do research, get competing bids and check references.
Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: I might as well
Be wary of the contractor who knocks on your door and says he's working just down the street. He tells you that he noticed a few things that need some work on your house and that you could save money by hiring him on the spot. Coincidentally, he just happens to have all the materials and tools to start right away.
This approach is often used to entice you into doing things that are visible from the outside, like roof repair, painting, window caulking, deck restoration, driveway coating and chimney repair. If the contractor claims to have all the materials, ask him where they came from and who paid for them. If they are left over from an earlier job, there's some chance that the previous homeowner footed the bill.
Cash before work
Nothing should set off more alarm bells than the contractor who wants to be paid in full for a project before it's started. This arrangement sets you up for a disappearing contractor who never starts the work.
A reasonable down payment is expected, to cover startup labor costs and materials. Normally, this should not exceed one-third of the total contract value; it's wise to make it as small as possible. The balance of the money can be tied to completion milestones to keep the contractor motivated to stay on schedule. Hold a sizable portion of the money until the project is finished, and make final payment dependent on your personal inspection and satisfaction.
Financing offers
Another warning flag is the offer to arrange financing to pay for your renovation, sometimes from a lender that the contractor knows personally. The offer may include a special interest rate for a limited time only. What won't be disclosed is that the contractor may be getting kickbacks or other favors from the lender.
If you don't review the loan papers carefully, you may later find out that you've signed up for a refinancing or high-interest home-equity loan, or unknowingly transferred your deed. If the money goes to the contractor, there's no incentive to complete the work. Always shop around for the best loan available, and consult an attorney if you need help understanding the terms and conditions.
Fly-by-night contractor
Be extremely wary if a contractor pulls into your driveway in an unmarked truck. If you talk to him, do it outside in public view. Anyone who enters your home is a potential burglar, or worse. If the truck has out-of-state plates, don't even waste your time.
For all contractors, you should apply due diligence. Verify name, business name and license number, address and telephone number. Ask for insurance papers, and verify that they are bonded in accordance with applicable laws.
Model home
Beware of the contractor who wants to fix up your home so he can show it off to other potential customers. You will likely be tempted by a deal that seems too good to pass up. But chances are pretty good that some or all of the work he's recommending doesn't really need to be done. Reputable contractors don't need models to showcase their work, and if they needed one, they wouldn't use an occupied home for that purpose.

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: The bottom line
Use resources such as the Better Business Bureau, the Department of Consumer Protection and the local licensing board to check the contractor's business reputation and credentials. A history of consumer complaints, lawsuits and expired licenses are reasons to keep looking for a reliable contractor.
Common sense and good judgment offer the best protection from home-renovation scams. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. It's always wise to get multiple estimates before starting any project. If there are wide differences in the quotes, try to figure out why. Most importantly, don't sign any contract that you don't understand completely.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.

Trends in Smartcard Scam: Lost and Stolen Fraud

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, December 03, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A recent report from the European Security Transport Association (ESTA) found that nearly 20% of the adult population in Great Britain has been targeted as part of a credit or debit card scam. As a result, the UK has been termed the 'Card Fraud Capital of Europe' [1], with UK citizens twice as likely to become victims of card fraud as other Europeans. Plastic card fraud is a lucrative exploit for criminals and the proceeds may be used to fund organised crime. Smart payment cards (Chip and PIN
cards) were introduced in the UK to replace magnetic stripe cards and support PIN verification of card transactions. By the end of 2005, more than 107 million of the 141.6 million cards in the UK had been upgraded to smart cards [2]. Levels of plastic card fraud fell by 13% to GBP439.4 million in 2005 [3] and again to GBP428 million in
2006 (Figure 1). The reduction has been widely attributed to the rollout of smart cards with Chip and PIN authentication.

Trends in Smartcard Scam, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates: Lost and Stolen Fraud. This type of fraud occurs when a card is lost by the cardholder or is stolen from them. Fraudsters can then use the card to obtain goods and services. Once the cardholder notices their card is gone, they will contact the card issuer but as it can take time to realise the card has gone, most fraud of this type takes place before the card has been reported as lost or stolen.

Levels of this type of fraud have remained static for the past five years but the introduction
of Chip and PIN is expected to reduce this by making it more difficult for
fraudsters to use a lost or stolen card in person at a retail outlet. Prior to Chip and
PIN, the retailer would verify that the signature on the sales voucher matched that
written on the back of the card. The signature strip was signed by the cardholder in
ink and was subject to wear and tear over the lifetime of the card.

University of Strathclyde and Associates - Mail Non-Receipt. This occurs where a card is stolen when it is in transit from the issuing bank or building
society to the cardholder. This is similar to lost and stolen fraud since it takes
time for the cardholder to realise that a card has not arrived. This delay is often compounded
by the fact that cards are often sent out automatically by the issuers rather
than at request of the cardholder, e.g. when a card is nearing its expiry date. Card issuers
have endeavoured to reduce levels of this type of fraud by using secure mail
services and/or requiring the cardholder to phone and activate the card before it can
be used. However, fraudsters could still intercept cards in transit and skim the details
before re-mailing them to the cardholder. Once the cardholder activates the card, the
fraudster can also use the counterfeit card produced using the skimmed details.
Credit card cheques, often sent to cardholders on an unsolicited basis by the card
issuing company, also offer criminals an additional means of obtaining unauthorised
spending against a card account.

Card Not Present, Trends in Smartcard Scam: Lost and Stolen Fraud. This type of fraud covers any card transactions where the cardholder is not physically
present, i.e. those conducted over the internet, telephone, fax and mail order, and is
now the largest type of card fraud in the UK [6]. Fraudsters obtain details of a card,
i.e. cardholder name, card number and the 3 digit security number from the back of
the card, and can use these to pay for goods or services over the internet, phone, fax
or mail order. Companies reliant on Card Not Present (CNP) transactions are unable
to check the physical security features of the card to determine if it is genuine and
cannot rely on signature or PIN authentication. Equally, there is no check that the information
is being provided by the genuine cardholder.

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Trends in Smartcard Scam: Lost and Stolen Fraud

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, December 03, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A recent report from the European Security Transport Association (ESTA) found that nearly 20% of the adult population in Great Britain has been targeted as part of a credit or debit card scam. As a result, the UK has been termed the 'Card Fraud Capital of Europe' [1], with UK citizens twice as likely to become victims of card fraud as other Europeans. Plastic card fraud is a lucrative exploit for criminals and the proceeds may be used to fund organised crime. Smart payment cards (Chip and PIN
cards) were introduced in the UK to replace magnetic stripe cards and support PIN verification of card transactions. By the end of 2005, more than 107 million of the 141.6 million cards in the UK had been upgraded to smart cards [2]. Levels of plastic card fraud fell by 13% to GBP439.4 million in 2005 [3] and again to GBP428 million in
2006 (Figure 1). The reduction has been widely attributed to the rollout of smart cards with Chip and PIN authentication.

Trends in Smartcard Scam, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates: Lost and Stolen Fraud. This type of fraud occurs when a card is lost by the cardholder or is stolen from them. Fraudsters can then use the card to obtain goods and services. Once the cardholder notices their card is gone, they will contact the card issuer but as it can take time to realise the card has gone, most fraud of this type takes place before the card has been reported as lost or stolen.

Levels of this type of fraud have remained static for the past five years but the introduction
of Chip and PIN is expected to reduce this by making it more difficult for
fraudsters to use a lost or stolen card in person at a retail outlet. Prior to Chip and
PIN, the retailer would verify that the signature on the sales voucher matched that
written on the back of the card. The signature strip was signed by the cardholder in
ink and was subject to wear and tear over the lifetime of the card.

University of Strathclyde and Associates - Mail Non-Receipt. This occurs where a card is stolen when it is in transit from the issuing bank or building
society to the cardholder. This is similar to lost and stolen fraud since it takes
time for the cardholder to realise that a card has not arrived. This delay is often compounded
by the fact that cards are often sent out automatically by the issuers rather
than at request of the cardholder, e.g. when a card is nearing its expiry date. Card issuers
have endeavoured to reduce levels of this type of fraud by using secure mail
services and/or requiring the cardholder to phone and activate the card before it can
be used. However, fraudsters could still intercept cards in transit and skim the details
before re-mailing them to the cardholder. Once the cardholder activates the card, the
fraudster can also use the counterfeit card produced using the skimmed details.
Credit card cheques, often sent to cardholders on an unsolicited basis by the card
issuing company, also offer criminals an additional means of obtaining unauthorised
spending against a card account.

Card Not Present, Trends in Smartcard Scam: Lost and Stolen Fraud. This type of fraud covers any card transactions where the cardholder is not physically
present, i.e. those conducted over the internet, telephone, fax and mail order, and is
now the largest type of card fraud in the UK [6]. Fraudsters obtain details of a card,
i.e. cardholder name, card number and the 3 digit security number from the back of
the card, and can use these to pay for goods or services over the internet, phone, fax
or mail order. Companies reliant on Card Not Present (CNP) transactions are unable
to check the physical security features of the card to determine if it is genuine and
cannot rely on signature or PIN authentication. Equally, there is no check that the information
is being provided by the genuine cardholder.

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Trends in Smartcard fraud – Abstract: University of Strathclyde and Associates

University of Strathclyde and Associates: Abtract. The introduction of smartcard technologies has reduced the incidence of card fraud in the UK, but there are still significant losses from fraudulent card use. In this paper we detail the context of smartcard introduction and describe the types of fraud that remain a threat to cardholders and other stakeholders in the card system. We conclude with a risk analysis from the cardholder's perspective and recommend greater cardholder awareness of such risks.

University of Strathclyde and Associates: Introduction. A recent report from the European Security Transport Association (ESTA) found that nearly 20% of the adult population in Great Britain has been targeted as part of a credit or debit card scam. As a result, the UK has been termed the 'Card Fraud Capital of Europe' [1], with UK citizens twice as likely to become victims of card fraud as other Europeans. Plastic card fraud is a lucrative exploit for criminals and the proceeds may be used to fund organised crime. Smart payment cards (Chip and PIN cards) were introduced in the UK to replace magnetic stripe cards and support PIN verification of card transactions. By the end of 2005, more than 107 million of the 141.6 million cards in the UK had been upgraded to smart cards [2]. Levels of plastic card fraud fell by 13% to £439.4 million in 2005 [3] and again to £428 million in 2006 (Figure 1). The reduction has been widely attributed to the rollout of smart cards with Chip and PIN authentication.

If the media is to be believed, the UK introduction of Chip and PIN authentication for credit and debit card transactions is flawed and has failed to reduce levels of card fraud across the board. Specific cases highlighting the security implications of smart card based technology have been widely reported, including exploits at Shell petrol stations [4] and Tesco self-service tills.

As cards are a widely accepted international form of payment, fraud can happen virtually anywhere in the world or on the Internet. Cards can be compromised in the UK and then used overseas. Cardwatch research shows that most of the fraud

Welcome to Strathclyde Associates Trading & Management Construction Company

The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide. Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to STRATHCLYDE ASSOCIATES TRADING & MANAGEMENT. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Korea. Our main base of operations is at Baltimore, Maryland.. We have two main areas of expertise, international trading and shipments of construction products from cement to structural steel to panzer glass office windows and many more. We also supply particularly to Bangkok Thailand, and Seoul Korea a wide range of highly skilled personnel from structural engineers to quantity surveyors. The extensive building code and best practices knowledge that the construction defect litigation group provides is a significant advantage to our clients, allowing us to draw upon the years of experience in building projects and construction quality assurance of their GCs, Architects, and Engineers on every project." Kevin Gilles, CEO As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulant transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulant financial transactions is the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none. The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide. Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Renovations are stressful, but if you rush through important details you could fall prey to one of these scams.


Scam artists are nothing new, but there are plenty of reasons to predict that even more of them will be around, due to tough economic times. While they tend to prey on the elderly, anyone who is not cautious and informed is a potential victim. Your best defense is a skeptical mind and knowing what to look out for when you hear about an offer that's "too good to refuse." Here are some of the most popular, and costly, home-improvement scams.

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: One-time special

It's a rare business that's had only one sale in its entire history. The reality is that most businesses hold sales throughout the year, and that's not likely to change any time soon. If a contractor approaches you with a special offer, ask for concrete evidence that the quoted price is lower than what they have charged in the past for the same work. This could include a past catalog, special mailing, dated price list or evidence of identical work for a past customer.

Don't be pressured into accepting a deal that will expire before you've had a chance to do research, get competing bids and check references.

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: I might as well

Be wary of the contractor who knocks on your door and says he's working just down the street. He tells you that he noticed a few things that need some work on your house and that you could save money by hiring him on the spot. Coincidentally, he just happens to have all the materials and tools to start right away.

This approach is often used to entice you into doing things that are visible from the outside, like roof repair, painting, window caulking, deck restoration, driveway coating and chimney repair. If the contractor claims to have all the materials, ask him where they came from and who paid for them. If they are left over from an earlier job, there's some chance that the previous homeowner footed the bill.

Cash before work

Nothing should set off more alarm bells than the contractor who wants to be paid in full for a project before it's started. This arrangement sets you up for a disappearing contractor who never starts the work.

A reasonable down payment is expected, to cover startup labor costs and materials. Normally, this should not exceed one-third of the total contract value; it's wise to make it as small as possible. The balance of the money can be tied to completion milestones to keep the contractor motivated to stay on schedule. Hold a sizable portion of the money until the project is finished, and make final payment dependent on your personal inspection and satisfaction.

Financing offers

Another warning flag is the offer to arrange financing to pay for your renovation, sometimes from a lender that the contractor knows personally. The offer may include a special interest rate for a limited time only. What won't be disclosed is that the contractor may be getting kickbacks or other favors from the lender.

If you don't review the loan papers carefully, you may later find out that you've signed up for a refinancing or high-interest home-equity loan, or unknowingly transferred your deed. If the money goes to the contractor, there's no incentive to complete the work. Always shop around for the best loan available, and consult an attorney if you need help understanding the terms and conditions.

Fly-by-night contractor

Be extremely wary if a contractor pulls into your driveway in an unmarked truck. If you talk to him, do it outside in public view. Anyone who enters your home is a potential burglar, or worse. If the truck has out-of-state plates, don't even waste your time.

For all contractors, you should apply due diligence. Verify name, business name and license number, address and telephone number. Ask for insurance papers, and verify that they are bonded in accordance with applicable laws.

Model home

Beware of the contractor who wants to fix up your home so he can show it off to other potential customers. You will likely be tempted by a deal that seems too good to pass up. But chances are pretty good that some or all of the work he's recommending doesn't really need to be done. Reputable contractors don't need models to showcase their work, and if they needed one, they wouldn't use an occupied home for that purpose.


Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: The bottom line

Use resources such as the Better Business Bureau, the Department of Consumer Protection and the local licensing board to check the contractor's business reputation and credentials. A history of consumer complaints, lawsuits and expired licenses are reasons to keep looking for a reliable contractor.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company

Nov 18, 2010 -- Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company have recently purchased and shipped a large quantity of cement type HE: High Early Strength from Indonesia for one of our projects in Seoul, South Korea. Though Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company did extensive quality control testing on arrival in Seoul, we found substantial defects in the quality of the cement.

Though Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company do not wish to name the manufacturer, please be extra careful in your quality control testing.

This was obviously blatant fraud and a scam. This sort of scamming is endemic and please be careful out there.

“As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulent transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulent financial transactions is the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.”

The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.

Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.

# # #

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity.We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or principles that are indemic to each particular company.

* University of Strathclyde and Associates Types of Card Fraud Scam

recent report from the European Security Transport Association (ESTA) found that nearly 20% of the adult population in Great Britain has been targeted as part of a credit or debit card scam. As a result, the UK has been termed the ‘Card Fraud Capital of Europe' [1], with UK citizens twice as likely to become victims of card fraud as other Europeans. Plastic card fraud is a lucrative exploit for criminals and the proceeds may be used to fund organised crime. Smart payment cards (Chip and PIN cards) were introduced in the UK to replace magnetic stripe cards and support PIN verification of card transactions. By the end of 2005, more than 107 million of the 141.6 million cards in the UK had been upgraded to smart cards [2]. Levels of plastic card fraud fell by 13% to £439.4 million in 2005 [3] and again to £428 million in 2006 (Figure 1). The reduction has been widely attributed to the rollout of smart cards with Chip and PIN authentication.














Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK. Types of Card Fraud Scam. The UK Payments Association (APACS) has identified five categories of card fraud: Counterfeit Card Fraud, Skimming, Mail Non Receipt, Lost and Stolen Fraud, Card not Present

Counterfeit Card Fraud Scam. Counterfeit cards are also referred to as cloned cards. Counterfeit cards are made by altering and re-coding validly issued cards or by printing and encoding cards without permission from the card issuing company. Most cases of counterfeit fraud involve skimming of valid card details, a process whereby the genuine card details from the magnetic stripe are electronically copied onto another card, without the legitimate cardholder's knowledge. In most cases, the cardholder will be unaware that their card details have been skimmed until card statements reveal that illicit transactions have been made on their account.

Skimming. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK - Skimming of card details can happen at retail outlets where a corrupt employee can put a card through a skimming device which will copy data from the card's magnetic stripe so it can be used to encode a counterfeit card. Skimming can also occur at cash machines where a skimming device has been fitted. A skimming device is attached to the card entry slot where it records the electronic details from the magnetic stripe on the back of the inserted card. A separate pin-hole camera is hidden to overlook the PIN entry pad to record the PIN number. Fraudsters can then produce a counterfeit card for use with the captured PIN to withdraw cash at a cash machine. Criminals can also shoulder surf, whereby they watch the user entering a PIN and then steal the card for their own use. Another type of device can be inserted into a cash machine where it will trap the inserted card. A fraudster can then suggest retrying the PIN. Once the genuine cardholder gives up and leaves to contact the card issuer or cash machine operator, the criminal can then remove device, retrieve the card

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Renovations are stressful, but if you rush through important details you could fall prey to one of these scams.

Scam artists are nothing new, but there are plenty of reasons to predict that even more of them will be around, due to tough economic times. While they tend to prey on the elderly, anyone who is not cautious and informed is a potential victim. Your best defense is a skeptical mind and knowing what to look out for when you hear about an offer that's "too good to refuse." Here are some of the most popular, and costly, home-improvement scams.
Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: One-time special
It's a rare business that's had only one sale in its entire history. The reality is that most businesses hold sales throughout the year, and that's not likely to change any time soon. If a contractor approaches you with a special offer, ask for concrete evidence that the quoted price is lower than what they have charged in the past for the same work. This could include a past catalog, special mailing, dated price list or evidence of identical work for a past customer.
Don't be pressured into accepting a deal that will expire before you've had a chance to do research, get competing bids and check references.
Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: I might as well
Be wary of the contractor who knocks on your door and says he's working just down the street. He tells you that he noticed a few things that need some work on your house and that you could save money by hiring him on the spot. Coincidentally, he just happens to have all the materials and tools to start right away.
This approach is often used to entice you into doing things that are visible from the outside, like roof repair, painting, window caulking, deck restoration, driveway coating and chimney repair. If the contractor claims to have all the materials, ask him where they came from and who paid for them. If they are left over from an earlier job, there's some chance that the previous homeowner footed the bill.
Cash before work
Nothing should set off more alarm bells than the contractor who wants to be paid in full for a project before it's started. This arrangement sets you up for a disappearing contractor who never starts the work.
A reasonable down payment is expected, to cover startup labor costs and materials. Normally, this should not exceed one-third of the total contract value; it's wise to make it as small as possible. The balance of the money can be tied to completion milestones to keep the contractor motivated to stay on schedule. Hold a sizable portion of the money until the project is finished, and make final payment dependent on your personal inspection and satisfaction.
Financing offers
Another warning flag is the offer to arrange financing to pay for your renovation, sometimes from a lender that the contractor knows personally. The offer may include a special interest rate for a limited time only. What won't be disclosed is that the contractor may be getting kickbacks or other favors from the lender.
If you don't review the loan papers carefully, you may later find out that you've signed up for a refinancing or high-interest home-equity loan, or unknowingly transferred your deed. If the money goes to the contractor, there's no incentive to complete the work. Always shop around for the best loan available, and consult an attorney if you need help understanding the terms and conditions.
Fly-by-night contractor
Be extremely wary if a contractor pulls into your driveway in an unmarked truck. If you talk to him, do it outside in public view. Anyone who enters your home is a potential burglar, or worse. If the truck has out-of-state plates, don't even waste your time.
For all contractors, you should apply due diligence. Verify name, business name and license number, address and telephone number. Ask for insurance papers, and verify that they are bonded in accordance with applicable laws.
Model home
Beware of the contractor who wants to fix up your home so he can show it off to other potential customers. You will likely be tempted by a deal that seems too good to pass up. But chances are pretty good that some or all of the work he's recommending doesn't really need to be done. Reputable contractors don't need models to showcase their work, and if they needed one, they wouldn't use an occupied home for that purpose.

Home-renovation Scams - Strathclyde Associates Trading: The bottom line
Use resources such as the Better Business Bureau, the Department of Consumer Protection and the local licensing board to check the contractor's business reputation and credentials. A history of consumer complaints, lawsuits and expired licenses are reasons to keep looking for a reliable contractor.
Common sense and good judgment offer the best protection from home-renovation scams. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. It's always wise to get multiple estimates before starting any project. If there are wide differences in the quotes, try to figure out why. Most importantly, don't sign any contract that you don't understand completely.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company

We have recently purchased and shipped a large quantity of cement
type HE: High Early Strength from Indonesia for one of our projects in
Seoul, South Korea. Though we did extensive quality control testing on
arrival in Seoul, we found substantial defects in the quality of the
cement. Though we do not wish to name the manufacturer, please be extra
careful in your quality control testing. This was obviously blatant
fraud and a scam. This sort of scamming is endemic and please be
careful out there. "As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are
construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields,
there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulent
transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many
scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all
our products and personnel. Fraudulent financial transactions is the
norm. Our checking procedures are second to none." For over 5 years,
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company's
professionals have been a leading Service Providers to the construction
industry. Bringing together a wealth of Business, Legal, Financial,
and Specialized Industry experience, Consolidated Construction Services
helps industry professionals continue to thrive in an increasingly
competitive and challenging business environment. We are very involved
in clean room IT factories in Thailand and particularly the new Songdo
International City near Seoul in Korea. Strathclyde Associates Trading
and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that
from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable
competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution
of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each
particular company.

Challenging economic times provide the
opportunity for companies to take the steps necessary to becoming more
successful, to get leaner and more focused. Those actions taken today
to make a company more successful, also provide the needed framework
for eventual transition of the business.

We help companies find
those core strengths and take those steps now. Soon after its
establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management
Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the
Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added
extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management
Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in
countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.

Strathclyde The Anti-phishing Scam Web Service

Strathclyde University Associates anti-phishing web service by Christopher Cranston, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

Although there are existing anti-spam and anti-phishing solutions for end-users, none of them are widely
deployed or fully effective. Rising financial losses and a growing numbers of phishing attacks have led to
anti-phishing extensions to existing Web browsers, but there is little product attention on helping end-users
determine whether a received email is a phishing attempt. This often leaves users relying on their own
judgment when assessing the authenticity of an email.

In this context, we have prototyped an Anti-Phishing Web Service (APWS). This facility analyses users'
emails and advises if they are likely phishing attempts. The APWS operates in a three step process: (1) Users
forward any suspect email to the APWS for analysis; (2) The APWS performs a series of tests on the email,
each resulting in a score. An overall score is derived which indicates a likelihood that the email is a phishing
attempt; (3) The APWS generates an online report for the user.

The APWS has several advantages over existing end-user anti-spam and anti-phishing solutions. Firstly,
the APWS helps the end-user decide if an email is a phishing attempt by applying sophisticated analysis
techniques. Without assistance, users would otherwise have to judge whether an email is genuine using
whatever limited knowledge they may have. Secondly, the APWS may be combined with a spam filter. The
spam filter can attempt to catch all spam and phishing emails. Any emails which pass through can still be
sent to the APWS for analysis. Thirdly, the APWS has no reliance on a database of phishing attempts. This
means that new, un-encountered phishing attempts may be caught. Fourthly, the APWS operates as a network
service and requires no software installation on the users machine.
The goal of the APWS is to determine whether or not an email is a phishing attempt. To achieve this, it
relies on a collection of real phishing emails that were analysed as a basis for test design. Once the tests have
been applied, a report is generated on the results. The systems report function writes out the following email
headers to the html report file: From, To, Date Sent and Subject and adds the total score and corresponding
phishing risk rating for the email in question. The total score of an email begins at 0. Every test that returns
true adds 1 to the total score (this could be altered to weight some tests more than others). A phishing risk
rating is assigned according to the total score for the email.

Strathclyde University Associates anti-phishing web service - The content of test emails is parsed by the APWS in order to check all links, anchor tags and form tags.
Evaluating the credibility of a submitted email is largely heuristic, with a series of seventeen tests applied to
the email message in order to derive its final score. An outline of these tests is given below.
Phishing emails often contain URLs with encoded characters in an attempt to disguise the true link target.
We apply a test on every embedded Web link which returns true if the authority part of the URI contains
encoded characters. Similarly, a test checks each Web link and returns true if the user-info part contains
encoded characters. If the path part, the query part or the fragment part of Web link contains encoded
characters, each of these contributes a positive score to the message result.

A further common ploy in phishing emails is the use of URLs in which the host part is a dotted quad IP
address as an attempt to disguise the true URL. We check each URL for this feature and increment the
positive score if the result is true. Similarly, a positive value is added for any URLs in which the host part is
an IP address expressed as a single decimal number, and for URLs in which the host part is a dotted quad IP
address, with each quad expressed either in octal or hexadecimal.
Emails containing URLs with user-information in the authority part of the URL are often attempting to
obscure the true target, and make it appear as if the link points elsewhere. We test every embedded URL and
return true if the authority part contains user-information. Another tactic used to disguise the true destination
of a Web link, is to use URLs with user-information in the authority part of the URL, and in addition the
user-information itself resembles a URL. We test every URL for this feature and return true if the authority
part has user-information that resembles a URL. Embedded URLs that specify non-standard Web ports are a
further hint of irregularity. For any URL in which the port is not 80, we return an additional positive
increment.
The presence of a URL in which the organization domain contains the purported sender's organization
domain as a substring, is a futher positive score since this is considered an attempt to disguise the link's true
target. Similarly, URLs in which a subdomain matches the purported sender's organization domain returns a
positive increment. If a URL has an organization domain that closely matches the purported sender's
organisation domain, we also increment the positive score. This test is performed on every URL and returns
true if the Levenshtein Distance (LD) between the organization domain and the purported sender's
organization domain is less than half the length of the purported sender's organization domain. We do not
return true if the LD in this calculation is zero (i.e. the domains being compared are equal).
Phishing emails often contain anchor tags wherein the text the anchor text resembles a URL, but that
URL points to a different location than the tag's href attribute. We returns a positive increment for URLs
with such a feature. Finally, we check for attachments with malicious content. This test is performed on every
attachment object and returns a positive increment if the attached file name extension matches one of the
following: ade, adp, bas, bat, chm, cmd, com, cpl, crt, exe, hlp, hta, inf, ins, isp, js, jse, lnk, mdb, mde, msc,
msi, msp, mst, pcd, pif, reg, scr, sct, shs, url, vb, vbe, vbs, wsc, wsf and wsh.

Sleazy Home Improvement Scams- Strathclyde Associates Trading

Charleston, WV -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/22/2010 -- Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Spring's the time homeowners get to work -- and shady contractors come of out of the woodwork. Here's how to smell a suspicious deal. By Bankrate

Like most homeowners, you probably spent the winter months talking about the home improvements you'd like to make. Now that spring is here, it's time to act on those remodeling impulses. After all, spring is a time of renewal, change and new beginnings.

Unfortunately, it's also a time when shady contractors come out of the woodwork to prey on innocent homeowners. "Some are actual scam artists, while others are just incompetent or unethical," says Ellis Levinson, a consumer reporter and the author of the book "Hiring Contractors Without Going Through Hell."

The good news is that you can protect yourself against these scams. In fact, many scams are easy to detect if you take the time to become an educated, savvy consumer. "Compare prices, call references and research the project you're undertaking in advance," says Bruce Johnson, the author of "50 Simple Ways to Save your House." It seems simple, but many people find this process overwhelming.

Levinson calls it emotional laziness. "It's amazing to me how much time people will put it into buying a TV because it's fun. But when it comes to remodeling a kitchen, people have no time. They see it as drudgery," Levinson says. Ultimately, he says, doing the research to protect yourself is much easier than paying for the consequences.

To help you differentiate a scam from the real deal, Bankrate has compiled a list of the most common remodeling scams. Beware of the following key phrases, and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: 'I just happen to be working in your neighborhood'

This happens when contractors appear at your home unsolicited to inform you that they noticed some problems with your home's (insert: chimney, driveway, windows, plumbing, etc.) while working on a neighboring home. For example, a contractor might say he or she was on the roof of your neighbor's home and noticed missing shingles on your roof. This may be the case, but often no repair is needed.

More important, legitimate, established and reputable contractors tend to find enough work through word-of-mouth referrals that they don't need to be going door to door to attract customers. Be especially skeptical if the contractor drives a vehicle with no company name, no phone number or with out-of-state license plates. "Do not let these people enter your home," Johnson warns. "Often they want to be invited inside to see if something is worth stealing."

Also, be sure to ask for proof that he or she is insured, licensed and bonded. "Homeowners that check out contractors beforehand and research their credibility are usually more satisfied with the job than if they abruptly chose a contractor," says Jeremy Zidek, communications coordinator for the Better Business Bureau in Alaska.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: 'I have materials left over'

Sometimes contractors will offer a discount for the job under the pretense that they have extra materials and want to use up their supply. Good contractors order just enough supplies to meet the needs of each job, as often the price for supplies is included in the contract.

If a contractor has materials left over from a previous job and is making them available to you, he either didn't finish the job or is cheating the previous customer. Or he didn't have a previous job but has materials to make it look like he did.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: 'I need cash upfront'

This contractor will take your money and disappear before or (even worse) after your project gets under way. It can be frustrating trying to chase after him, getting him to come back and finish the job or hiring someone else to clean up a messy work site. Don't ever pay in full for a project before any work has been done.

However, you may be expected to pay a down payment. "The contractor may not want to block out time in his busy schedule without some money upfront," Levinson says. He recommends creating a payment schedule with the contractor at the start -- wherein you pay a sizable portion only upon completion of a project. Johnson swears by the one-third theory.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or principles that are endemic to each particular company.

Strathclyde Associates Trading – Things Contractors Won’

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Learning a few tricks of their trade will help you ensure you get the job done right and at a fair price and to avoid scam By SmartMoney
Things Contractors Wont Tell You, avoid scam – My license is laughable.
When you hire a general contractor to build an addition onto your house, you probably assume youre getting someone who has spent years learning his craft, giving him the proper credentials to saw a hole in the side of your den. In reality, you could be getting a madman with a toolbox who answers to no one. Thats because only 27 states have any state-licensing requirements and where regulations do exist, they vary. In California, one of the stricter states, aspiring contractors must have four years experience, prove their financial solvency and pass a written exam to become licensed, whereas in South Carolina, they need only two years of experience along with an exam and submission of financials. Maybe the disparity helps in part to explain why the Better Business Bureau received 1.1 million inquiries in 2006 from people seeking reliability reports on specific contractors to ensure they were trustworthy enough to hire ranking them third among industries for that request, according to the Council of BBBs.
So how should you shop for a contractor? Ask for and check references, of course. One good resource is Handyman Online, a referral service that can connect you with contractors in your area who are legitimately licensed, carry liability insurance and have at least three references. And Tom Pendleton, owner of McLean, Va.-based consulting firm The House Inspector, offers this advice: Close to 95 percent of home-improvement contractors go out of business or change their name within three years due to consumer complaints or mismanagement, he says, so you want a contractor whos been in business under the same name for more than three years.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Our contract favors me
When its time to sign on the dotted line, most contractors will present you with a boilerplate agreement based on one created by the American Institute of Architects. It lays out the jobs details, including its scope, materials to be used and a payment schedule. Not surprisingly, according to Mark Levine, co-author of The Big Fix-Up, a consumer guide to home remodeling, some contractors will set up a schedule that puts your payments ahead of the work. When (a contractor) has received 50 percent of the money for 25 percent of the work, thats when he stops showing up as often, he says.
Levine suggests a plan such as paying 10 percent down, 25 percent when plumbing and electrical work are done, 25 percent after cabinets and windows are finished, and 25 percent for flooring and painting. And dont hand him the last 15 percent on his final day, Levine says. Its called retainage, and you should keep it for 30 extra days just to make sure everything is working the way it should. In addition, if the job is big enough say, $50,000 or more Levine suggests investing in four hours of attorney fees to devise a contract that includes a fair payment plan, with retainage, and stipulates that disputes will be settled through arbitration (the quick and easy way to do it).
so I can take your money and run.
Mark Zarrilli decided to enhance his Wall, N.J., home by putting a new path around his swimming pool. It was an $11,000 job, and he paid $7,000 upfront to the contractors supposedly for materials. They brought somebody in to do the preliminary brickwork, then played a duck-and-run game for three months, Zarrilli says. Theyd tell me the truck broke down, the wife was sick, the cement company couldnt deliver. Ill never get my money back. Zarrilli took the dispute to the Monmouth County Prosecutors office, who charged the contractor with theft by deception. (The contractor eventually pleaded guilty.)
Mark Herr, former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, calls this alleged scam spiking the job, and its one of the worst possible outcomes when youve signed a contract that includes a front-loaded payment schedule. By completing a little bit of the work, they can face only civil rather than criminal charges, Herr says. You might get sucked into such a scenario if your contractor tells you like Zarrillis did that the upfront cash is for materials. Typically, Herr says, that happens because the guy needs to pay upfront for goods since he has no credit, probably because he screwed up somewhere else. Your pre-emptive strategy: Offer to have the materials delivered to your house and to pay for them C.O.D.
Bargains dont exist in my world.
Before hiring a contractor, youll probably solicit various bids. If one comes in much lower than the others, its natural to think youve lucked out, but thats not necessarily the case, says Lisa Curtis, former director of consumer services for the Denver district attorneys office. Because of the fixed costs of materials and labor, a stunningly low bid is a red flag.
Common tactics include starting a job based on a bargain-basement price, then telling the customer that the work is more complicated (and more costly) than originally thought. Then theres the contractor who quotes a price that includes windows he knows are of poor quality; once the job is under way, hell present his client with what is clearly a better window and talk him into upgrading. Ultimately, Curtis says, you may pay more than you would have with a reputable person who started off at a reasonably higher price.
Ill be back when I feel like it.
So you found yourself a good contractor. Terrific but heres the bad news. When contractors are busy with multiple jobs, as the best in the business inevitably are, you can pretty much expect the schedule for completing your job will go out the window. If the contractors got too many jobs going, Pendleton says, the workers might only be in your house for two hours when they should have been there all day.
One way to guarantee that your job wont stretch to Wagnerian lengths, he says, is to hire a contractor with a lead person or project manager, a working supervisor who is on the job from beginning to end. If the job drags, the contractor still has to pay that person, so it becomes in the contractors interest to finish the job, Pendleton says.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or principles that are endemic to each particular company.

New Faces at SESG by Strathclyde University and Associates

We have seen big changes at SESG over the past few months. Meet the new team!

Strathclyde University and Associates: Dr Jeremy Cockroft took over as director of SESG at the beginning of April 2006. He is supported by Dr Jon Hand and Dr Aizaz Samuel. We have a vacancy that we hope to fill soon. Here is a brief resume of the people now in the group: Jon has had experience as a practicing architect specializing in low energy buildings and alternative construction techniques. He is a simulation consultant in several continents, a software developer, and a mentor to companies embedding computational support for the design process. He possesses a particular aptitude for identifying simulation quality assurance weaknesses and developing improvement programmes for building design practitioners.

Strathclyde University and Associates: Aizaz has a background in advanced energy conservation measures. He is also an expert on modelling contaminant distribution in the indoor air quality field, using both network airflow and computational fluid dynamic modelling techniques. Jeremy was deeply involved in the early years of energy and air flow modelling, subsequently was a product development manager and business unit leader in the building controls industry, before returning to academia to support energy related consultancy services within the ESRU group. On taking over as Director of SESG, Jeremy said "When I think back to the pioneering days of building energy modelling and simulation, not so many years ago, the idea of building design practitioners using modeling software on a routine basis was a distant dream. Now we see these tools being used as an integral step in achieving building regulation compliance, which is an extraordinary achievement for the modelling community and those building designers who pioneered the use of these tools in their practice. But we have to keep moving forward; the modelling challenges are always with us. Now we face the need to look beyond just the building fabric and plant systems, and consider how energy flows interact at a community level, with increasing integration of renewable energy generation and interactions between fluctuating supplies and demands to manage the overall energy system balance. Scotland is ideally positioned as a renewable energy powerhouse, surrounded as we are with wind, wave and hydro resources to exploit, so we see our supporting role continuing to add value to the Scottish building design community as they develop new performance assessment services based on computational modeling technologies. Whilst we will continue to promote our seminar programme, I will be putting much more emphasis on direct engagement; getting out there and providing member with one-to-one support in achieving their goals. And I hope members won't be slow in coming forward when they want us to assist them; after all, it is all free!"

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.
About Author
Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Strathclyde Associates: Taking A Look at Taiwan’s Economy

Strathclyde Associates: Taking A Look at Taiwan’s Economy - Taiwan is recovering rapidly from last year’s recession. Its semi-conductor industry is doing well and there is very little inflationary pressure in the economy. Taiwanese, however, are concerned about their linkages with the mainland China. President Ma Ying-jeou played down fears that a planned free-trade pact with China would leave Taipei over-reliant on China, saying the deal could lead to similar ones with other countries that would help diversify the island’s economy.

Strathclyde Associates: Taking A Look at Taiwan’s Economy - The planned agreement, known as the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, would pull down many of the remaining barriers to trade and investment between Taiwan and China, which have already expanded economic ties in recent years after decades of hostility. It is estimated that the agreement will raise Taiwan’s gross domestic product by 1.65% to 1.72%, and create 263,000 jobs for Taiwan’s population of 23 million people.

Opposition parties in Taiwan believe that the agreement which Taiwan and China hope to sign by June, could be a step toward political unification. The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement is the jewel in the crown of Mr. Ma’s efforts to engage China economically and boost Taiwan’s economy. The agreement will allow the free flow of many goods and services except for Chinese agricultural produce, as a concession to Taiwanese farmers. Taiwan has approached the U.S., Japan and Singapore as well as other Southeast Asian countries about having free-trade pacts, but was blocked by China. Once China has the agreement, its opposition to having the same agreement with other countries will reduce.

A constant commitment to our clients is the strong foundation of the business culture at Strathclyde Associates. We constantly develop innovative solutions in order to accommodate the ever-changing tastes, desires and needs of our clients. Providing services globally to a vast group of clients that include private individuals, financial institutions, governments and corporations.

At Strathclyde Associates we pride ourselves with comprehending each individual client’s unique financial needs and preferences.

Strathclyde Associates is a full service brokerage firm with many years experience in providing a wide array of services globally to a vast group of clients that include private individuals, financial institutions, governments and corporations.

Through the Strathclyde Associates Institutional and Private Clients Divisions we provide our clients with services that include Securities, Investment Banking and Investment Management Services.

Above and beyond we are the first choice for individuals and institutions alike when considering a Premier Wealth Management Company. Excellence in market execution and the provision of the right information at the right price, at the right time has given Strathclyde Associates an enviable worldwide prestige of being able to ensure that our clients achieve their financial objectives and aspirations.

From natural resources to technology our fundamental strengths lie in innovative investment solutions combined with robust execution capabilities. At Strathclyde Associates we pride ourselves with comprehending each individual client’s unique financial needs and preferences.
Owing to the depth and quality of our understanding we construct long term relationships with our clients with a core focus on value creation and an ultimate commitment to helping our clients build and manage their wealth.

This specialized focus, an enviable reputation for quality and integrity and of course strong relationships nurtured with investors have made Strathclyde Associates a worldwide leader in wealth management.

Taking A Look at South Korea’s Economy: Strathclyde Associates

Taking A Look at South Korea’s Economy: Strathclyde Associates - Korea is set to grow about 5% this year.
Taking A Look at South Korea’s Economy: Strathclyde Associates - Korea is set to grow about 5% this year, faster than the Bank of Korea’s December forecast of 4.6%.

The central bank has lowered its 2010 forecast for consumer price inflation to 2.6% giving a signal to the market that the bank won’t raise the benchmark interest rate in the first half of the year. However, a 25 basis-point rate hike in September and another 25 basis-point hike in December cannot be ruled out. The central bank expects inflation to accelerate to 3.3% next year as economic recovery is likely to fuel consumption.

Taking A Look at South Korea’s Economy: Strathclyde Associates Korea - The current-account surplus totaled $1.69 billion in March compared with a surplus of $6.64 billion a year earlier. The size of the surplus is expected to shrink over time as imports rise with an improving economy. The country’s current account surplus will be around $17 billion this year from $42.67 billion in 2009.

Taking A Look at South Korea’s Economy: Strathclyde Associates Korea - The won will continue to appreciate due to the weak dollar against emerging economies’ currencies, but only marginally due to a narrowing current account surplus. Moody’s Investors Service upgraded South Korea’s sovereign rating by one notch to the pre-Asia crisis level of A1 from A2 citing the country’s “exceptional” rebound from the global downturn and the government’s success in curbing its debt.

A constant commitment to our clients is the strong foundation of the business culture at Strathclyde Associates. We constantly develop innovative solutions in order to accommodate the ever-changing tastes, desires and needs of our clients. Providing services globally to a vast group of clients that include private individuals, financial institutions, governments and corporations.

At Strathclyde Associates we pride ourselves with comprehending each individual client’s unique financial needs and preferences.

Strathclyde Associates is a full service brokerage firm with many years experience in providing a wide array of services globally to a vast group of clients that include private individuals, financial institutions, governments and corporations.

Through the Strathclyde Associates Institutional and Private Clients Divisions we provide our clients with services that include Securities, Investment Banking and Investment Management Services.

Above and beyond we are the first choice for individuals and institutions alike when considering a Premier Wealth Management Company. Excellence in market execution and the provision of the right information at the right price, at the right time has given Strathclyde Associates an enviable worldwide prestige of being able to ensure that our clients achieve their financial objectives and aspirations.

From natural resources to technology our fundamental strengths lie in innovative investment solutions combined with robust execution capabilities. At Strathclyde Associates we pride ourselves with comprehending each individual client’s unique financial needs and preferences.
Owing to the depth and quality of our understanding we construct long term relationships with our clients with a core focus on value creation and an ultimate commitment to helping our clients build and manage their wealth.

This specialized focus, an enviable reputation for quality and integrity and of course strong relationships nurtured with investors have made Strathclyde Associates a worldwide leader in wealth management.

Strathclyde University and Associates: New Faces at SESG

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, November 20, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- We have seen big changes at SESG over the past few months. Meet the new team!

Strathclyde University and Associates: Dr Jeremy Cockroft took over as director of SESG at the beginning of April 2006. He is supported by Dr Jon Hand and Dr Aizaz Samuel. We have a vacancy that we hope to fill soon. Here is a brief resume of the people now in the group: Jon has had experience as a practicing architect specializing in low energy buildings and alternative construction techniques. He is a simulation consultant in several continents, a software developer, and a mentor to companies embedding computational support for the design process. He possesses a particular aptitude for identifying simulation quality assurance weaknesses and developing improvement programmes for building design practitioners.

Strathclyde University and Associates: Aizaz has a background in advanced energy conservation measures. He is also an expert on modelling contaminant distribution in the indoor air quality field, using both network airflow and computational fluid dynamic modelling techniques. Jeremy was deeply involved in the early years of energy and air flow modelling, subsequently was a product development manager and business unit leader in the building controls industry, before returning to academia to support energy related consultancy services within the ESRU group. On taking over as Director of SESG, Jeremy said "When I think back to the pioneering days of building energy modelling and simulation, not so many years ago, the idea of building design practitioners using modeling software on a routine basis was a distant dream. Now we see these tools being used as an integral step in achieving building regulation compliance, which is an extraordinary achievement for the modelling community and those building designers who pioneered the use of these tools in their practice. But we have to keep moving forward; the modelling challenges are always with us. Now we face the need to look beyond just the building fabric and plant systems, and consider how energy flows interact at a community level, with increasing integration of renewable energy generation and interactions between fluctuating supplies and demands to manage the overall energy system balance. Scotland is ideally positioned as a renewable energy powerhouse, surrounded as we are with wind, wave and hydro resources to exploit, so we see our supporting role continuing to add value to the Scottish building design community as they develop new performance assessment services based on computational modeling technologies. Whilst we will continue to promote our seminar programme, I will be putting much more emphasis on direct engagement; getting out there and providing member with one-to-one support in achieving their goals. And I hope members won't be slow in coming forward when they want us to assist them; after all, it is all free!"

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Strathclyde The Anti-phishing Scam Web Service

Strathclyde University Associates anti-phishing web service by Christopher Cranston, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.

Although there are existing anti-spam and anti-phishing solutions for end-users, none of them are widely
deployed or fully effective. Rising financial losses and a growing numbers of phishing attacks have led to
anti-phishing extensions to existing Web browsers, but there is little product attention on helping end-users
determine whether a received email is a phishing attempt. This often leaves users relying on their own
judgment when assessing the authenticity of an email.

In this context, we have prototyped an Anti-Phishing Web Service (APWS). This facility analyses users'
emails and advises if they are likely phishing attempts.
Related Coverage

* Strathclyde Anti-phishing As A Web-based User Service Scam
Strathclyde University Associates - This paper describes the recent phenomenon of phishing, in which email messages are sent to unwitting
* Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers And External Associates
Strathclyde University Affiliated Researchers and External Associates : I am professor of economics (with a chair in economic theory) with the Johannes Kepler Universität Linz.
* University Of Strathclyde And Associates: Publications
The quarterly survey, produced in conjunction with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, provides aggregated information by area and by sector on the general business and labour market situation of some 3,000 Scottish firms.
* Strathclyde University Scer Associates Part 2
Professor Ewart Keep. ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE). Professor Ewart Keep's research interests include the links between skills and economic performance (broadly defined), the education and training policy formation process, employers' perceptions of training and the factors that influence their willingness to invest in skills, 14-19 vocational education and training, higher education policy and the graduate labour market, lifelong learning...

The APWS operates in a three step process: (1) Users
forward any suspect email to the APWS for analysis; (2) The APWS performs a series of tests on the email,
each resulting in a score. An overall score is derived which indicates a likelihood that the email is a phishing
attempt; (3) The APWS generates an online report for the user.

The APWS has several advantages over existing end-user anti-spam and anti-phishing solutions. Firstly,
the APWS helps the end-user decide if an email is a phishing attempt by applying sophisticated analysis
techniques. Without assistance, users would otherwise have to judge whether an email is genuine using
whatever limited knowledge they may have. Secondly, the APWS may be combined with a spam filter. The
spam filter can attempt to catch all spam and phishing emails.
Any emails which pass through can still be
sent to the APWS for analysis. Thirdly, the APWS has no reliance on a database of phishing attempts. This
means that new, un-encountered phishing attempts may be caught. Fourthly, the APWS operates as a network
service and requires no software installation on the users machine.
The goal of the APWS is to determine whether or not an email is a phishing attempt. To achieve this, it
relies on a collection of real phishing emails that were analysed as a basis for test design. Once the tests have
been applied, a report is generated on the results. The systems report function writes out the following email
headers to the html report file: From, To, Date Sent and Subject and adds the total score and corresponding
phishing risk rating for the email in question. The total score of an email begins at 0. Every test that returns
true adds 1 to the total score (this could be altered to weight some tests more than others). A phishing risk
rating is assigned according to the total score for the email.

Strathclyde University Associates anti-phishing web service - The content of test emails is parsed by the APWS in order to check all links, anchor tags and form tags.
Evaluating the credibility of a submitted email is largely heuristic, with a series of seventeen tests applied to
the email message in order to derive its final score. An outline of these tests is given below.
Phishing emails often contain URLs with encoded characters in an attempt to disguise the true link target.
We apply a test on every embedded Web link which returns true if the authority part of the URI contains
encoded characters. Similarly, a test checks each Web link and returns true if the user-info part contains
encoded characters. If the path part, the query part or the fragment part of Web link contains encoded
characters, each of these contributes a positive score to the message result.

A further common ploy in phishing emails is the use of URLs in which the host part is a dotted quad IP
address as an attempt to disguise the true URL. We check each URL for this feature and increment the
positive score if the result is true. Similarly, a positive value is added for any URLs in which the host part is
an IP address expressed as a single decimal number, and for URLs in which the host part is a dotted quad IP
address, with each quad expressed either in octal or hexadecimal.
Emails containing URLs with user-information in the authority part of the URL are often attempting to
obscure the true target, and make it appear as if the link points elsewhere. We test every embedded URL and
return true if the authority part contains user-information. Another tactic used to disguise the true destination
of a Web link, is to use URLs with user-information in the authority part of the URL, and in addition the
user-information itself resembles a URL. We test every URL for this feature and return true if the authority
part has user-information that resembles a URL. Embedded URLs that specify non-standard Web ports are a
further hint of irregularity. For any URL in which the port is not 80, we return an additional positive
increment.
The presence of a URL in which the organization domain contains the purported sender's organization
domain as a substring, is a futher positive score since this is considered an attempt to disguise the link's true
target. Similarly, URLs in which a subdomain matches the purported sender's organization domain returns a
positive increment. If a URL has an organization domain that closely matches the purported sender's
organisation domain, we also increment the positive score. This test is performed on every URL and returns
true if the Levenshtein Distance (LD) between the organization domain and the purported sender's
organization domain is less than half the length of the purported sender's organization domain. We do not
return true if the LD in this calculation is zero (i.e. the domains being compared are equal).
Phishing emails often contain anchor tags wherein the text the anchor text resembles a URL, but that
URL points to a different location than the tag's href attribute. We returns a positive increment for URLs
with such a feature. Finally, we check for attachments with malicious content. This test is performed on every
attachment object and returns a positive increment if the attached file name extension matches one of the
following: ade, adp, bas, bat, chm, cmd, com, cpl, crt, exe, hlp, hta, inf, ins, isp, js, jse, lnk, mdb, mde, msc,
msi, msp, mst, pcd, pif, reg, scr, sct, shs, url, vb, vbe, vbs, wsc, wsf and wsh.

Trends in Smartcard Scam: Lost and Stolen Fraud

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, October 09, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Susan Burns, George R. S. Weir, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK

A recent report from the European Security Transport Association (ESTA) found that nearly 20% of the adult population in Great Britain has been targeted as part of a credit or debit card scam. As a result, the UK has been termed the 'Card Fraud Capital of Europe' [1], with UK citizens twice as likely to become victims of card fraud as other Europeans. Plastic card fraud is a lucrative exploit for criminals and the proceeds may be used to fund organised crime. Smart payment cards (Chip and PIN cards) were introduced in the UK to replace magnetic stripe cards and support PIN verification of card transactions. By the end of 2005, more than 107 million of the 141.6 million cards in the UK had been upgraded to smart cards [2]. Levels of plastic card fraud fell by 13% to GBP439.4 million in 2005 [3] and again to GBP428 million in 2006 (Figure 1). The reduction has been widely attributed to the rollout of smart cards with Chip and PIN authentication.

Trends in Smartcard Scam, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates: Lost and Stolen Fraud. This type of fraud occurs when a card is lost by the cardholder or is stolen from them. Fraudsters can then use the card to obtain goods and services. Once the cardholder notices their card is gone, they will contact the card issuer but as it can take time to realise the card has gone, most fraud of this type takes place before the card has been reported as lost or stolen.

Levels of this type of fraud have remained static for the past five years but the introduction of Chip and PIN is expected to reduce this by making it more difficult for fraudsters to use a lost or stolen card in person at a retail outlet. Prior to Chip and PIN, the retailer would verify that the signature on the sales voucher matched that written on the back of the card. The signature strip was signed by the cardholder in ink and was subject to wear and tear over the lifetime of the card.

University of Strathclyde and Associates - Mail Non-Receipt. This occurs where a card is stolen when it is in transit from the issuing bank or building society to the cardholder. This is similar to lost and stolen fraud since it takes time for the cardholder to realise that a card has not arrived. This delay is often compounded by the fact that cards are often sent out automatically by the issuers rather than at request of the cardholder, e.g. when a card is nearing its expiry date. Card issuers have endeavoured to reduce levels of this type of fraud by using secure mail services and/or requiring the cardholder to phone and activate the card before it can be used. However, fraudsters could still intercept cards in transit and skim the details before re-mailing them to the cardholder. Once the cardholder activates the card, the fraudster can also use the counterfeit card produced using the skimmed details. Credit card cheques, often sent to cardholders on an unsolicited basis by the card issuing company, also offer criminals an additional means of obtaining unauthorized spending against a card account.

Card Not Present, Trends in Smartcard Scam: Lost and Stolen Fraud. This type of fraud covers any card transactions where the cardholder is not physically present, i.e. those conducted over the internet, telephone, fax and mail order, and is now the largest type of card fraud in the UK [6]. Fraudsters obtain details of a card, i.e. cardholder name, card number and the 3 digit security number from the back of the card, and can use these to pay for goods or services over the internet, phone, fax or mail order. Companies reliant on Card Not Present (CNP) transactions are unable to check the physical security features of the card to determine if it is genuine and cannot rely on signature or PIN authentication. Equally, there is no check that the information is being provided by the genuine cardholder.

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Trends in Smartcard fraud - Abstract: University of Strathclyde and Associates

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, November 28, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Susan Burns, George R. S. Weir, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK {susan.burns, george.weir}@cis.strath.ac.uk

University of Strathclyde and Associates: Abstract. The introduction of smartcard technologies has reduced the incidence of card fraud in the UK, but there are still significant losses from fraudulent card use. In this paper we detail the context of smartcard introduction and describe the types of fraud that remain a threat to cardholders and other stakeholders in the card system. We conclude with a risk analysis from the cardholder's perspective and recommend greater cardholder awareness of such risks.

University of Strathclyde and Associates: Introduction. A recent report from the European Security Transport Association (ESTA) found that nearly 20% of the adult population in Great Britain has been targeted as part of a credit or debit card scam. As a result, the UK has been termed the 'Card Fraud Capital of Europe' [1], with UK citizens twice as likely to become victims of card fraud as other Europeans. Plastic card fraud is a lucrative exploit for criminals and the proceeds may be used to fund organised crime. Smart payment cards (Chip and PIN cards) were introduced in the UK to replace magnetic stripe cards and support PIN verification of card transactions. By the end of 2005, more than 107 million of the 141.6 million cards in the UK had been upgraded to smart cards [2]. Levels of plastic card fraud fell by 13% to GBP439.4 million in 2005 [3] and again to GBP428 million in 2006 (Figure 1). The reduction has been widely attributed to the rollout of smart cards with Chip and PIN authentication.

If the media is to be believed, the UK introduction of Chip and PIN authentication for credit and debit card transactions is flawed and has failed to reduce levels of card fraud across the board. Specific cases highlighting the security implications of smart card based technology have been widely reported, including exploits at Shell petrol stations [4] and Tesco self-service tills.

As cards are a widely accepted international form of payment, fraud can happen virtually anywhere in the world or on the Internet. Cards can be compromised in the UK and then used overseas. Cardwatch research shows that most of the fraud committed abroad on UK cards affects cards that have been compromised in the UK

Although the financial cost of card fraud is largely borne by the banking industry, the cardholder experiences loss of time in taking steps to resolve matters, as well as inconvenience, worry and frustration while a fraudulent incident is investigated. The cardholder's credit rating can be affected and the whole affair can be a distressing experience.

Strathclyde is a great place to study and enjoy life at the same time. And this is where you can find out everything about us - from how we teach, to what's on in Glasgow and how to get around. We want to help you make the most of your time here, so we hope you'll come back to these pages to get all the latest news about what's happening on campus and in and around the city.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company

(I-Newswire) , July 21, 2010 - We have recently purchased and shipped a large quantity of cement type HE: High Early Strength from Indonesia for one of our projects in Seoul, South Korea. Though we did extensive quality control testing on arrival in Seoul, we found substantial defects in the quality of the cement.
Though we do not wish to name the manufacturer, please be extra careful in your quality control testing.
This was obviously blatant fraud and a scam. This sort of scamming is endemic and please be careful out there.
“As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulent transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulent financial transactions is the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.”
For over 5 years, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company's professionals have been a leading Service Providers to the construction industry. Bringing together a wealth of Business, Legal, Financial, and Specialized Industry experience, Consolidated Construction Services helps industry professionals continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive and challenging business environment.
We are very involved in clean room IT factories in Thailand and particularly the new Songdo International City near Seoul in Korea.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.

Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company

We have recently purchased and shipped a large quantity of cement
type HE: High Early Strength from Indonesia for one of our projects in
Seoul, South Korea. Though we did extensive quality control testing on
arrival in Seoul, we found substantial defects in the quality of the
cement. Though we do not wish to name the manufacturer, please be extra
careful in your quality control testing. This was obviously blatant
fraud and a scam. This sort of scamming is endemic and please be
careful out there. "As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are
construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields,
there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulent
transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many
scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all
our products and personnel. Fraudulent financial transactions is the
norm. Our checking procedures are second to none." For over 5 years,
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company's
professionals have been a leading Service Providers to the construction
industry. Bringing together a wealth of Business, Legal, Financial,
and Specialized Industry experience, Consolidated Construction Services
helps industry professionals continue to thrive in an increasingly
competitive and challenging business environment. We are very involved
in clean room IT factories in Thailand and particularly the new Songdo
International City near Seoul in Korea. Strathclyde Associates Trading
and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that
from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable
competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution
of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each
particular company.

Challenging economic times provide the
opportunity for companies to take the steps necessary to becoming more
successful, to get leaner and more focused. Those actions taken today
to make a company more successful, also provide the needed framework
for eventual transition of the business.

We help companies find
those core strengths and take those steps now. Soon after its
establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management
Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the
Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added
extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management
Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in
countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.s

University of Strathclyde and Associates Types of Card Fraud Scam

recent report from the European Security Transport Association (ESTA) found that nearly 20% of the adult population in Great Britain has been targeted as part of a credit or debit card scam. As a result, the UK has been termed the ‘Card Fraud Capital of Europe' [1], with UK citizens twice as likely to become victims of card fraud as other Europeans. Plastic card fraud is a lucrative exploit for criminals and the proceeds may be used to fund organised crime. Smart payment cards (Chip and PIN cards) were introduced in the UK to replace magnetic stripe cards and support PIN verification of card transactions. By the end of 2005, more than 107 million of the 141.6 million cards in the UK had been upgraded to smart cards [2]. Levels of plastic card fraud fell by 13% to £439.4 million in 2005 [3] and again to £428 million in 2006 (Figure 1). The reduction has been widely attributed to the rollout of smart cards with Chip and PIN authentication.











Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK. Types of Card Fraud Scam. The UK Payments Association (APACS) has identified five categories of card fraud: Counterfeit Card Fraud, Skimming, Mail Non Receipt, Lost and Stolen Fraud, Card not Present

Counterfeit Card Fraud Scam. Counterfeit cards are also referred to as cloned cards. Counterfeit cards are made by altering and re-coding validly issued cards or by printing and encoding cards without permission from the card issuing company. Most cases of counterfeit fraud involve skimming of valid card details, a process whereby the genuine card details from the magnetic stripe are electronically copied onto another card, without the legitimate cardholder's knowledge. In most cases, the cardholder will be unaware that their card details have been skimmed until card statements reveal that illicit transactions have been made on their account.

Skimming. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK - Skimming of card details can happen at retail outlets where a corrupt employee can put a card through a skimming device which will copy data from the card's magnetic stripe so it can be used to encode a counterfeit card. Skimming can also occur at cash machines where a skimming device has been fitted. A skimming device is attached to the card entry slot where it records the electronic details from the magnetic stripe on the back of the inserted card. A separate pin-hole camera is hidden to overlook the PIN entry pad to record the PIN number. Fraudsters can then produce a counterfeit card for use with the captured PIN to withdraw cash at a cash machine. Criminals can also shoulder surf, whereby they watch the user entering a PIN and then steal the card for their own use. Another type of device can be inserted into a cash machine where it will trap the inserted card. A fraudster can then suggest retrying the PIN. Once the genuine cardholder gives up and leaves to contact the card issuer or cash machine operator, the criminal can then remove device, retrieve the card