A Review on a post on Legal from My E-Commerce blog

A Review on a post on Legal from My E-commerce blog

Once again, is the review of the post from My E-commerce blog.
The topic to be review is related to Legal issue for E-commerce.

Reviewed topic: How to lose your ID easily to fraudster at home?

According to the author, we lost most of our important personal details such as passwords, identity, login IDs, and accounts number when we throw our documents into rubbish bin. It is the main reason why fraudsters can obtain our personal informations and used it as a source to cheat/fraud others.

Refer to the article, these are what researcher found from the rubbish bin:

1) discarded banks details
2) national insurance numbers
3) mortgage documents
4) copies of passport
5) credit card numbers with expiry dates and signatures
6) blank cheques
7) unopened letter

Although these documents look like invaluable for the owner, but it is as valuable as money for fraudsters. They can open bank accounts, buy goods, apply credit card illegally by using the stolen personal information. A birth date, mother’s maiden name, password, signature, confidential letter can be the sources for fraudsters to pose our identity. These fraudulence cases can harm us. For example: criminal case (due to unpaid debts, cheating cases), damage our reputation in the market, and in many other aspects.

In order to reduce the chances for fraudsters to obtain our information, we need to have better control over our documents. One of the best ways is knaps the document by using paper crusher before we throw it. Furthermore, cover the important information by using the correction pen before we throw our documents.

There are many ways can helps to reduce the chances for fraudsters to steal our personal details. The main concerned of the issue is, how can we avoid becoming one of the victims?

The conclusion that quoted from the article:
Next time before you throw away any document, make sure all the information were properly destroyed or just avoid throwing away documents that contain the personal details.


Reference:
- http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/legal

Prepared by: Teo Muh Chow

Corporate Blogging: A new marketing communication tool for companies

Corporate blogging is published, but rather than visiting it regularly most readers subscribe to new content with the help of online services or news aggregator software. Organization will used corporate blogs to reach its organizational goals and objectives. The advantage of blogs is that posts and comments are easy to reach and follow due to centralized hosting and generally structured conversation threads. More of the companies are using blogs for both internal and external communications, to improve customer relations and improve business processes.

Companies will create a place where customers and prospects spend more time with our brand. Blogging by its nature is more personal than other marketing communication. Corporate blogging can be a useful communication channel by providing companies with unvarnished feedback from customers. It can serve as an early-warning system for product or service problems. Corporate blogs have potential function such as CRM, media relation, internal collaboration and knowledge management. It can also provide an easy and inexpensive way to deliver specialized information to narrow segments of the market. Blogs is a snap; it can be a great way to distribute technical updates, new product announcements, and other periodic messages. Besides that, for many the blog provides a way to become their industry’s thought leader.

Companies that employ a well thought out blogging strategy encourage the strongest community goodwill, promotes significant marketing and sales gains. When that begins with a real desire on the part of the blogger to provide value and connect with their audience. This holds very true for successful blogs. The blogs can shares useful and engaging content such as the latest information, help, discussion topic and opinion. Furthermore, companies that harness their customers’ knowledge and ideas find better ways to satisfy their needs and wants, thus facilitating goodwill in the community.

5 Types of Corporate Blogs:
1. Company Blog
This is the most common form of the company blog. IMO, the corporate blog is definitely the next stage in the evolution of the corporate website, which (let’s face it) is pretty much static these days. Example: Google, Adobe, Flickr, Facebook, and Yahoo! Search.

2. CEO Blog
The most famous example would have to be the blog of Jonathan Schwartz, CEO at Sun Microsystems, and I’m amazed how he ever finds time to blog, but I’m really glad he sets such a stellar example. I’ve recommended CEOs to quit full-time blogging but rather work as active contributors to their company blog, which would of course depend on their busy schedules. Example: Boeing VP of Marketing- Randy Tinseth’s blog.

3. Industry Blog
This is an interesting type of corporate blog one that we should beware of, because it places some difficult ethical choices for the company at hand. Just last week, I wrote about Miller Brewing’s pseudo industry blog - Brew blog that purports to be an insider blog, while taking potshots at arch competitor - Anheuser Busch. Example: Miller Brewing’s Brew Blog.

4. Department or Product Blog
Department blog is another common style or kind of blogging, which is very popular and ultimately essential for large organizations. Cases in point are Microsoft, Sun, or SAP’s developer blogs in any particular space. Google’s extensive array of product blogs across their different product offerings probably is another great. Example: Microsoft Community Blogs, Sun Blogs and Google- Product Blogs.

5. Customer Service Blog
The customer service blog or community blog that I blogged of a few months back. Given the preponderance of community forums and discussion groups as the de facto kind of communication media that companies chose to use as conversation methods with their users (more on this later), I haven’t seen the evolution of this kind of a blog, yet. Instead, I find evangelists of companies choosing to talk to/respond/provide customer service with users who choose to ask on social media sites such as Twitter. Example: My response to Steve Rubel.

Reference:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_blog
- http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2006/tc20060718_932217.htm
- http://www.kommunikationsforum.dk/default.asp?articleid=11457
- http://www.backbonemedia.com/blogsurvey/
- http://mariosundar.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/the-5-types-of-corporate-blogs-with-examples/

Prepared by: Koh Kah Wang

E-Government in Malaysia: Its implementation so far and citizen's adoption strategies

E-government is small form of electronic government. E-government is an activity that takes place by digital process over computer network. It builds interaction between the government, public and private sector. E-government may define as new or transformed ways to build relationship and improve government process between citizens and government by networks.
E-government was launch and lead Malaysia to Information Age. It used internet technology as a platform in exchanging the information, providing services for citizens of Malaysia. It seeks to improve the convenience, accessibility and quality of government services. It improves information flows and processing speed of deal with government.


Implementation of e-government started since the introduction of Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) in 1996 by the Malaysian government.



The implementation status of e-government project in Malaysia:
* Project Monitoring System (SPP II)
* Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS)
* Generic Office Environment (GOE)
* Electronic Procurement (EP)
* Electronic Services (E-Services)
* Electronic Labour Exchange (ELX)
* E-Syariah





Citizen’s willingness to adopt & utilize the services will influence the successful of e-government. Security and privacy is the main problem face when use internet to transmit information. Therefore, government needs to gain trust & confidence of citizen by protecting of their personal data within an open & accountable government. The other problem is resistance to change, due to old age, unfamiliarity with ICT, lack of access and etc. From my point of view, e-government less attracted for citizen to adopt because the data base is outdated. Example: statistics that generated and maintained by various government agencies. The animal health statistics still showing the data for year 2003, so who’s the one who have problem or responsible in this cases?
In order to encourage or attract citizens to adopt e-Government, government should know the citizens’ needs and give some incentives for those who use that service. Government should make sure that e-transaction is highly secure; this can build confidence among citizen. Citizens expect high quality of government services that available in 24/7.

Reference:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EGovernment
- http://www.gov.my/MyGov/BI/Directory/Citizen/Home.htm
- http://smart.gov/information/Forman_G2BFinal/index.htm
- http://www.american.edu/initeb/ym6974a/egovernment.htm

Prepare By: Chee Seng

Review A Local E-Commerce Site

In this post, i would like to introduce a local e-commerce site to share with you all. Blooming florist is one of the local company in Malaysia which establish e-commerce site to do business transaction through Internet.

This company provides services such as Floral Fresh Cut Flowers For All Occasions, Specialises in Roses, Tulips, Gerberas, Lilies & Heliconias, Flowers & Fruits, Fruit Baskets, Hampers, Gifts, Cakes and Candies. Its product can divide into some categories, there are Hand Bouquets, Flowers & Gifts, Basket, Congratulation and Seasonals.

The site design is attractive which can catch interest of the user, and the design and layout is user friendly because this site has category their products in systematic manner which the user can shop by the product or shop by occasions (include congratulation, happy birthday, new baby, wedding flowers and others.)

The product search engine is available for the user who logan this website to search products. It bring many convenience for the users. They no need search it through product category. The shopping chart is also available in this site. It help users find what product is interested and they can add it to the shopping chart. After shopping, they can choose the most favourable product they like and yet can make payment of transaction in a single or multiple receipt. The shopping card has display the quantity and unit price of the product. It enables let the consumer to know better about the item, price and quantity that have been chosen when shopping. With the use of the shopping chart provide, the consumer will be feel more easy.

The website also allow various type of payment method which could be one of the advantage compared to the competitors. The payment methods that are provided are :

1) Online Credit Card Payment
* VISA or MasterCard
* AMEX, Diners Club, JCB

2) Online Banking:
* Maybank2u.com
* RHB e-Banking
* Hong Leong e-Payment
* FPX(HLB, BCB, Bank Islam, PB)
* PosPay

3) Mobile Payment - Mobile-Money.com

4) Pay using Kawanku ATM

5) Open Bill Payment
* Maybank2u.com
* RHB e-Banking
* Hong Leong e-Payment
* Public Bank

6) Cash Payment-Pay cash at Blooming's Outlets


Reference:
- http://www.blooming.com.my/blooming/


Prepared By: Lee Boon Keat

The application of pre-paid cash card for consumers

Pre-paid cash card is a type of scratch card, where customers need to pay first before purchases. Prepaid values are stored on cash card, the values will be deduct when purchases or other usage. By using prepaid cash card, customers do not have to wait for the bill statement because the money used is preloaded. Pre-paid cash card is a perfect way to keep track of spending to ensure overspend.

Once the money for the card is finish, you can't spend any more until you make another deposit. It has the same principle like debit card linked to a savings or checking account. But, pre-paid cash card doesn’t require credit bank account; therefore it is an option for people with a poor credit history. Pre-paid card works like a bank account. First, customers need to deposit money into the company of that card then he/she can spend that amount of money like traditional debit card. Pre-paid cash card have the ability to reload the balance through automatic deposits from your own bank account.

Pre-paid cash card for Malaysia

The Touch 'n Go smart card are used by Malaysian toll expressway and highway operators as the sole electronic payment system (EPS). The credit card sized smartcard made of plastic with Philips' MIFARE microchip technology embedded in it. Touch 'n Go systems designed to process up to 800 vehicles per hour to ease the queue congestion at toll.
Besides that, Touch 'n Go also can use for public transportation, ticketless parking, retail outlets and admission fees for Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort.

References:

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_n_go

- http://www.advanceamerica.net/otherservices_cashvantage.php

Prepare By: Chee Seng

Credit Card debts: Causes and Prevention

A credit card is a system of payment named after the small plastic card issued to users of the system. In the case of credit cards, the issuer lends money to the consumer (or the user) to be paid later to the merchant. It is different from a charge card, which requires the balance to be paid in full each month.

Do you know what all of the possible causes of bad credit are? There are many different things that can negatively affect your credit score. Make sure you know all of negative credit marks and how you can avoid them:

1. Late Payment

Late payments are probably the most common bad credit marks you'll find on a credit report. Typically there are different degrees of late payment, for example your score will go down more if you're 90 days late compared to being 30 days late.

2. Bankruptcies

Bankruptcy is usually the last resort for someone who cannot possibly pay back the debt they've accumulated. While it will help you get out debt, it will completely ruin your credit score for a very long time.

3. Poor Money Management

Poor money management is one of the reasons that easy accumulated many credit card debts. The people are no planning how to use their money on spending. Thus, it has lead to a rise in debts by using credit cards.

4. Judgments

A judgment usually occurs when you do not pay a creditor and they are forced to take action through the legal system. If a creditor successfully takes out a judgment against you, you'll likely have your wages garnished until you're paid off.


Keeping control of your spending and having a sound financial plan can help you prevent debt or bankruptcy and achieve peace of mind about your financial future. Here are some ways to prevent such as:

1. Create a Budget

A clear budget that includes all of your monthly bills, food, entertainment and miscellaneous items will prevent you from spending thoughtlessly and buying on impulse.

2. Shred or Tear Up Credit Card Applications

Destroying the application will prevent you from using it and protect you from potential identity thieves.

3. Maintain insurance coverage

Health and home insurance are absolute musts in order to avoid bankruptcy. Unexpected medical bills, flood damage and fire damage can lead to ruin if you aren't properly covered.

4. Pay taxes correctly and on time

Unpaid tax debt that accumulates can cause bankruptcy.


References:
- http://news.savingadvice.com/Debt_prevention_advice_20074316125.html
- http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/debt_advice/the_causes_of_debt.php
- http://www.credit-land.com/articles/articles_page_68600_1881780_120.php
- http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/debt/debt_manage_2004/top-10-causes.asp
- http://www.ehow.com/how_2080761_avoid-bankruptcy.html
- http://www.creditf.com/bad-credit-causes.php


Prepared By: Lee Boon Keat

Electronic Currency

Electronic currency also knows as e-money, electronic cash, digital money or digital currency. Electronic currency refers to money or scrip which is exchanged only electronically. Electronic currency is simply its own form of currency that has been developed and utilized on the internet. It’s also known as ‘Internet money”. Which mean the currency used on the internet related field just like email. Normally, this involves use of computer networks, the internet and digital stored value systems. Electronic currency also includes internet-based purchase and sales transactions involving almost anything to be safely conducted at lightning speed. A private currency may use gold to provide extra security, such as digital gold currency.

Electronic currency is precious metal-backed internet currency. Individual open an account to deposits money with an online electronic currency company that then converts the amount into gold bullion. The account holder can transfer ownership of some or all of that gold into someone else's electronic currency account. Ownership can be repeatedly transferred. Electronic currency has been widely used by perpetrators of pyramid scams. Swindlers demand payment in e-currency because, unlike with checks or credits cards, the charges clear instantly and cannot be cancelled. Experts estimate that about half of e-currency transactions are related to scams or online games.

An electronic currency system may be fully backed by gold (like e-gold), non-gold backed, or both gold and non-gold backed. Two major types of electronic currency their backed base. One is backed by precious metal such as e-gold is backed by gold .Another type of electronic currency is backed by hard currency like Pay Pal. Both of them are all called electronic currency.

Pro and Con about different types of Electronic currency

Electronic currency backed by hard currency is widely used in the internet as the medium of internet related commercial actions. That will provide users a quick, simple and safe way for shopping instead of showing their credit card information to merchant who they do not know. How been restricted in some regional area which is defined by the currently they choose to be backed. The major reason is the floating character of exchange rate between the hard currency and the local currency often used by the internet users. Most of the electronic currency companies backed by hard currencies become big giant that is just because the number of this kind of currency user is big enough .For example Pay Pal. But no one will guarantee if Pay Pal can do the same good job in the future hard currency such as RMB in China if Pay Pal does not provide RMB base payment service.

References:

- http://ezinearticles.com/?E-Currency-Exchange:-The-First-Bonanza-of-the-21st-Century?&id=62820
- http://www.adl.org/internet/e_currency.asp
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_money
- http://giexc.com/

Prepared by: Koh Kah Wang