Ontario International (aka Scam)

Yes, this is a double post edition...

If anyone sends or calls you claiming you're a winner and they refer to you as "Award Winner" or "Mr./Mrs. Last Name" DON'T BELIEVE THEM.

Last week, I had someone called asking for Mrs. Yip to which I replied "Who's calling?" They just proceeded to tell me that I won a choice of 5 prizes and claimed that I entered a contest back in Dec 09 at a supermarket (Loblaws or Wal-Mart). I can say for certain that I DIDN'T enter anything. I thought, hey, let's entertain these people. I'm bored anyway.

They asked if I was in this age range and if I was married. I answered yes and no to those question. The next question was "do you have a boyfriend or someone?" I said, "No."
"But that's ok, you can still claim the prize. Because we just establish our business in Canada, all you need to do is to just tell your friends and family of how great we are. Now, I'm going to transfer you to my manager and he will tell you how to claim the prize."
Somehow that was enough info and he passed me onto "Steve Tark" who is a senior manager with the company. Predictably, Mr. Tark repeated the same thing "Congratulation, Mrs. Yip. You have won a wonderful choice of 5 prizes. Are you between the ages 23-65" (I think that was the range)
"Yes"
"Are you married?"
"No."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No."
"That's ok, you can still come in and claim the prize. Just come to our office Thursday at 6pm. Our receptionist will answer all your questions. The receptionist will take you to our back room and you can pick your prize there."
Just so you know, this has already gone on about 15min by the time the call was transferred to Steve Tark.
"Do you have a first name?"
"I don't have the ballot with me, ma'am." (brilliant)
"So, who are you looking for? I have other people living here with the same last name."
"I understand ma'am but you can claim the prize."
"But you can't tell me who you're looking for?"
"As I said ma'am, the call was transferred to me and the ballot is in a different department."
"That's not my problem."
"I understand ma'am. But you can still claim the prize with the ticket number my staff gave you earlier. You can come in Thursday at 6pm."
"I'm busy."
"Not a problem, you can come in Saturday at 6pm or next Tuesday at 6pm."
"Nope, busy."
"When are you available?"
"Only Thursday from 3-4."
"Well, that is our business hour but let me see what I can do and I will give you a call back."
"Ok."
"Thank you and congratulation."

That's the rough conversation. It's been a week and they have not called back. It's kinda too bad I didn't write the number down... But here's the information of this "company" - Ontario International, 6175 Hwy 7 Unit 6 in Woodbridge.

Ironically, I do drive on Hwy 7 and specifically that area 2 times a week... So, I took a glace as I drove by on Hwy 7. AND as expected, there it was 6175 Hwy 7 Unit 6. Two cars parked in front. Front office light on. NO SIGN. I do not buy the "new building" argument. There are other businesses beside them and THEY have company sign.

11th Google Anniversary

Are these scammers that stupid? First let me tell you that the sender is "news@360buy.com" and look at the email address domain ending... .com.ar? Ar = Argentina? Why would they need to know the winner's sex, age and occupation? They are absolutely irrelevant information.

--------------------

Google 11th Anniversary Awards Centre,
Unit 1, Royds Park, Whitehall Road, Leeds LS12 4TU, United Kingdom



Dear Award winner

Award Reference code: GOOGLE568A2010
File number: G255

This is to inform you that you have won yourself an Award of One million Five Hundred Thousand Pounds (GBP1500,000) in the Google 11 Years Anniversary Awards as organized by the Anniversary Centre of Google Inc., held on Sep 21st, 2009 in London, United Kingdom.

The Anniversary Centre of Google Inc selected your email id as of one it's 20 chosen fortunate winner to receive this award.

The Anniversary Centre of Google Inc as a part of their for-profit philanthropic wing (GOOGLE.ORG) promotion. Awards MUST be claimed by the email owner ONLY, not later than 30 days from the day of notification.

Award Reference code: GOOGLE568A2010
File number: G255

Send your complete personal information with your Award Ref. and File no. to us to enable us process your Prize;

1. Full name, 2. Country, 3. Contact Address, 4.Sex, 5. Age, 6. Occupation, 7. Telephone/Fax no., 8. Email. Yahoomail/gmail

Director of Peoples Operations: Mr. Laszlo Bock
E-Mail: mr.laaszloblock@ciudad.com.ar, gluckawards50@gmail.com

Tel: +44 704 5788 887
Fax: +44 704 090 1883

Please do not reply if you are NOT the owner of this email address
Congratulations!! Sincerely Yours,
Google Management
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After 11 years of establishment, Google Inc is worth over US$23 Billion with over 20,000 workers worldwide making it the best and most successful online search engine around the globe. Keep your Award information confidential.

New Toronto Maple Leafs Captain - #3 Dion Phaneuf

I would like to add my 2cents to this discussion... and I do think this is an excellent decision for the club.

The type of player Dion is exemplifies some of the previous captains - big, strong and physical.

Like Burke has said, you don't name a captain just for the sake of naming a captain. This is the Toronto Maple Leafs for crying out loud... a hockey club with 80 or so years of history. You don't just pick anyone or "rotating captain" like Columbus or Nashville. When Sundin moved on, there was NO one to be captain and even as Schenn was pinned as "a future leader" he was not ready.

When trade with Calgary was made, there were indication that he may fulfill the captaincy role but even then, no one was really sure. But with the games he played in the blue and white, Dion made others better - especially Luke Schenn.

Clark and Gilmour were the heart and soul of the 90s Leafs, they had put the team on their shoulders and carried them to the conference finals. Sundin made anyone he played with better (remember Hoglund?) and Sundin also carried the team to some memorable series. Phaneuf has made others better but the question is, can he put the team on his back and carry it to the promise land?

Only time will tell if Dion Phaneuf will live up to the expectations being a Toronto Maple Leafs captain.

Oh yes, more complains...

So, here's the thing, I understand that when you are applying for certain jobs that certain requirement/education are needed. When applying to a particular job, it is IDEAL to have the required degree/certification.

So, here's a posting for "Administrative Assistant"

What you bring:

* Business administration background and/or Administrative Secretarial course.
* Post-secondary education is considered an asset.
* 3 years of experience performing similar duties.
* Requires in-depth knowledge of various computer applications (Windows XP, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, GroupWise, Visio).
* Knowledge of COMPANY is an asset.
* Highly developed administrative and organizational skills.
* Advanced written and oral communication skills.
* Professional reserve and diplomacy.
* Ability to deal efficiently and effectively with sensitive situations.
* Ability to work with minimal supervision.
* Excellent organizational skills, solid decision, sense of initiative.
* Accuracy and attention to detail.
* Teamwork and interpersonal skills.
* Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
* Excellent initiative and problem-solving skills.
* Ability to work under pressure, meeting deadlines, a sense of priorities.
* Must be able to work overtime as needed.

Let's start with the FIRST line... there are things called Administrative Secretarial courses!? What do you learn in these course?? How to answer a phone? How to fix printer? How to greet people at the desk? How to use Purolator/FedEx for shipping? How to photocopy paper? How to make coffee for other people at the office? Really, do you even NEED secretarial training? And if you do, you probably don't have the social attitude for it anyway. And do you REALLY need 3 years of experience in administration?

Here's what comes to my mind when I see "Administrative Assistant"
You...
- answer the phone
- reply emails
- probably make coffee in the morning if you're one of the first in the office
- photocopy paper
- send fax
- make shipment via postal outlet or Purolator/FedEx/UPS/DHL
- make schedules for meeting
- make calls for confirmations or book conference rooms

Does it really need a course for this stuff?