Scam Warning

Scammers on the prowl! I have recently been reading a book on credit card hackers & scammers. The book has been very informative. You may be surprised to realize that some of the masterminds behind these scams have become multi-millionaires!  So it makes sense for them to invest a considerable amount of time and effort to get a highly qualified team together to come up with elaborate scams to fleece you of your hard earned cash.

With over 14 years in the car business I thought I was pretty switched on to the risks in business and being cautious. I realized on Monday even the most cautious can be stung! On my way to the coast for a meeting I pulled into a servo to fill up when much to my surprise and embarrassment my credit card declined. With not much time to spare I assumed a bank glitch and all would be sorted with a phone call later in the day.

I was even more surprised to find that when I check my messages the bank had been trying to ring. They have a very thorough fraud detection team but by the time the bank realized something was up I had been relieved of $3,500. My card was suspended and after a phone call was cancelled immediately.

It would seem that even though I had been careful, my credit card details had been accessed by a hacker and probably stolen from one of the many merchants I have used throughout the month. Credit card details sometimes get stored on stores data bases and some dodgy operators may not have up to date security measures. So how my card details got into the wrong hands, remains a mystery.

 I have also read today that our fascination and intrigue with the missing plane has opened up a flood gate to the latest scam. Fake stories on social media sites are claiming to have found the missing plane are having curious individuals opening the link only to expose themselves to dangerous malware infected by the link!! Anyone whose computer doesn't have up to date anti-virus and malware software could fall victim.

What should you do? Well I’m no computer genius but I would suggest you make sure your protection is up to date and make sure you have a good firewall in place. Also if it seems sus then it probably is.

Let’s hope the plane is found and all the families involved can then know what’s happened. But take note these scams will continue with the next disaster or big news story. 

YOUR CARS GOT WHAT?!?!

Well I couldn't believe what I was reading, so I read it twice. Being a member of an automotive group I get given technical bulletins amongst other things which help keeping up to date in the used car industry. So it would seem car manufacturers are going to greater lengths to sell their products… it’s called sound generation. Sound generation I hear you ask? What rubbish are you spinning? 

Well it’s true, Both Volkswagen and Toyota/Subaru are using their own kind of sound enhancer.

The VW Golf has a noise generation/simulator to give the driver a sporty sound. This is done with two sound generators, one below the windscreen and the other, a speaker mounted in the exhaust system.

Now this has not yet hit the streets of Australia but no doubt it’s coming. With tough new laws on emissions and focus being on fuel economy our cars will end up sounding like sewing machines! So to save being the butt of all jokes at the next BBQ, your car can sound Sporty, tough and whatever else and it’s all through a speaker. 

Forget the expensive exhaust upgrade; you will just need to head to Autobarn for a sound mod. Big speakers please for my exhaust and can you make my mini sound like Victor Brays drag car?

Subaru has simply piped in the intake noise back into the cabin by placing a vent in near the steering column. 

So what’s next? I would imagine this technology will be taken up by a number of manufacturers as time goes by. Maybe the Prius should have a speaker! Maybe we could employ the bloke from Australia has got Talent. It would seem after all there may be a job for him. See the link

 #vw

#subaru

#toyota

#speakersforyourexhaust

How Many Laws are you breaking unknowingly?

Thanks To News.com.au for this article.

Police slapped Jake Sloman of the Gold Coast with this fine after pulling him up for stretching his leg while riding a motorbike on the Logan Motorway at
Meadowbank, south of Brisbane. Picture: Facebook. Source: Twitter

JAKE Sloman was riding along the Logan Highway on Monday when he stretched his leg.

Bang! The cops pulled him over and fined him a whopping $146.

The offence? "Fail to keep both feet on footrest".

The fine has caused outrage on Twitter and on Sloman's Facebook page, with people saying taking this particular road rule to the letter would mean almost every motorcycle rider would be liable to be fined.

Last week a Brisbane man left his car parked with a window down three to four centimetres to let the hot air escape on a scorching summer's day.

Queensland police fined Julian Harris $44.

Jake Sloman (above) had a leg stretched out just like this on a motorway
when police fined him $146. Picture: Facebook.Source: Facebook

Public outrage at the fine didn't stop police delivering Mr Harris a lecture via the media, saying he was "lucky to get off so lightly".

Road rules in all Australian states are a minefield, full of pitfalls that can cost drivers money for falling foul of the numerous obscure regulations.

For example, are you intending to venture out in your car today with, say, your pet cat or dog or your child on your lap? Be prepared for an on-the-spot fine.

Julian Morris was fined for leaving a window partially open, but could have
copped a bigger penalty for having his child on his lap behind the wheel.
Picture: The Courier Mail. Source: News Limited

Ever left your fog lights on after the mist or smoke has cleared? You're open slather to any on duty cop.

Driving at night without a car registration light or just used your horn because the car in front of you is too slow?

Again, you could be liable for both fines and a loss of points.

The list of rules is so long and convoluted with references to things such as "dragon's teeth" and "pelican crossings", it is almost impossible for any person to know every one.

But with state governments not averse to filling treasury coffers by way of stringently enforcing their rules of the road, news.com.au has done the homework for readers.

We publish this list of the little-known regulations that could catch you unawares - and clear up a few myths.

Each Australian state has a minefield of road rules which can catch
drivers unawares. Picture: RMS. Source: Supplied

No people or animals on your lap

Never be tempted to get behind the wheel with your pet cat or your child on your lap.

You will be fined.

Children must sit in a proper child restraint or seat and pets must be beside the driver or on the floor of the vehicle.

And in NSW, children under four years old are not even allowed in the front seat of a vehicle which has two or more rows of seats.

Children between four and seven years old can only sit in the front row of a vehicle with two or more rows when all other seats are occupied by passengers under seven years old.

Number plate lights

Never checked whether the light illuminating your registration plate is working?
If you're driving at night, or in hazardous weather, and it's not you could be fined by police for not obeying the road rules which stipulate rego plates be clearly visible 24/7.

Don’t interrupt a funeral procession or you’ll be fined.
Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

Don't cut in on a funeral procession

NSW law dictates when driving you must not "negligently or wilfully interfere with, or interrupt" any funeral cortege or authorised procession on a road, or "any vehicle or any person" forming part of the funeral or procession. "It is an offence and you will be fined."

Don’t linger with the fog lights, it could cost you. Picture:
Supplied. Source: Supplied

Fog lights

Front and rear fog lights must only be used in fog or rain, or when conditions such as smoke and dust limit your vision.

It is a legal requirement that once conditions improve and you can see more clearly, the front and rear fog lights are switched off.

You could be fined for driving through a train crossing with the above goods.
Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

Don't carry paint over a train x-ing

Drivers usually stop at train crossings when the boom is down and a train is approaching, but NSW law decrees you must stop at a train crossing if you are carrying "flammable, explosive or dangerous" goods, which according to the usual airline prohibited includes, paint, a lighter, batteries and a barbecue gas bottle.

Don’t park too near a post office box or a fire hydrant. Picture:
Supplied. Source: News Limited

Watch out for those red boxes

Fines apply for stopping within three metres of a public post office box, unless (briefly) picking up or dropping off a passenger or mail.

A driver must not stop within one metre of a fire hydrant, fire hydrant indicator or fire plug indicator.

Don’t dazzle the oncoming car with your lights — you might lose points.
Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

Lights and horns

The old Australian custom of flashing your lights to warn oncoming vehicles of a police car up the road could get you fined.

You must dip your headlights to low beam when a vehicle coming toward you is within 200 metres.

It is also an offence to use a separate light from within your car to dazzle oncoming drivers.

Don't be tempted to sit on your horn when you are frustrated with a traffic jam.

It is an offence to use your horn or any other warning device unless you need to warn other road users your vehicle is approaching, you need to warn animals to get off the road or the horn part of an antitheft or alcohol interlock device in your vehicle.

Julian Harris copped a $44 fine for leaving his window open more than 5cm.
Picture: the Courier Mail. Source: CourierMail

The window gap rule

Under Queensland law, if a driver is more than three metres from their car, the vehicle must be "secured" with the engine off, hand brake applied, ignition key removed (if no one over 16 years remains in vehicle) and windows up with a gap no more than 5cm.

In NSW, the three metres rule insists if there is no one in the vehicle, you must have removed the ignition key and locked all doors and windows.

It is an offence to upset “restive” horses. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Don't startle the horses

It is actually an offence not to "give way" to "restive" horses, which means those animals refusing to move, or difficult to control on the road.

If the rider of a horse gives a signal, by raising a hand and pointing to the horse, the driver must steer his vehicle as far to the left side of the road as possible, turn off the engine and not move again until the horse is far enough away not to be aggravated.

Rules apply to drivers when there is stock on the road. Picture: RMS.
Source: Supplied

Animal rules

A number of road signs applying to different animals, including native and farm animals, mean a driver must slow down or stop to avoid crashing with them.

Fines apply if you do not obey these signs.

In NSW, a driver, motorcycle rider, bicycle rider or passenger must not lead an animal,

including by a tether from the moving vehicle.

And, while this rule is not surprising, it is forbidden for motorcyclist to ride with an animal between the handlebars.

You can do this is a car. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

Things you can do.

It is permissible to ride in a vehicle in NSW with an open bottle of beer in your lap, although it is against the law to drink it if you are driving the car.

And there is a situation where you don't have to belt up. A driver reversing a vehicle does not have to wear a seatbelt.

IN CAR PIZZA ORDERS, CHEERS FORD!

DOMINOS and Ford have joined forces to deliver new in-car pizza ordering technology. And it's awesome.

The innovation is part of a new set of apps that Ford announced at CES this week.

Here's the low down from Ford on a product that will likely change your life.

For those who don't know, Ford's SyncTM technology is a voice-activated system and already includes a package of features including hands-free music, audio text messages and medical assistance.

Now they've added pizza ordering into the mix. So how does it work?

Ford and Dominos have teamed up to deliver a new in-car pizza ordering system. Source: News Limited

First you have to own a Ford model car with the SyncTM technology installed.

According to Ford's website, SyncTM is available on more than 1.5 million Ford vehicles including Fiesta, Mustang, Edge, Explorer, Flex, Expedition, Transit Connect, Fusion, Taurus, F-150, Super Duty, Focus, E-Series and C-MAX hybrids.

You need to have both the Ford Sync AppLink in-car connectivity system and the Dominos mobile app installed. Once that is set up, you'll be able to place a pizza order with just a few, voice-activated steps.

For example, "Order me a pizza, car, Godfather with a cheesy crust, pronto!" And voila! The pizza is waiting for you when you get home.

The Dominos app lets customers save their favourite pizza flavours and meal combinations, as well as home address and payment information.

"This is, no question, one of the coolest in a long list of recent technology innovations for Domino's," said Patrick Doyle, Domino's Pizza president and CEO. "To be able to work with a brand like Ford, with its terrific SYNC technology, and offer yet another way to bring our ordering app experience to life makes it all the better."

This Article as been copied and pasted from www.news.com.au

The HONEST Car Dealer

There is a lot to consider when buying a used car. So when you are getting ready to hit the bitumen to go car hunting, might I alert you to a few things? This is a very complex issue and it will most likely raise a few more questions however, that is a good thing.

Over the years I have realised when responding to ad enquires, if our details were not easily identified some people may hang up the moment they realised I was a Dealer. Fair enough, they may have been burnt before, or maybe the thought of buying private vehicle may yield a better deal.

Well today (and I can’t speak for all) Licensed Dealers operating from licensed premises can no longer get away with gouging people. Those days are over. More of those so called cheats have gone to ground, selling from home, a shed or the side of the road. They will tell you they do that to keep costs down, which may have a hint of truth to it, but more accurately they do it to fly under the radar.

There’s a loop hole in our system, a gigantic one. The Office of Fair Trading, the regulator, has no jurisdiction over licensed dealers who operate from home; neither does the department of Transport. Simply because they can-not enter private property! So it’s up to local council to police them. Local council will only intervene when someone complains. And only about matters such as parking, or operating a business from a private address, they cannot deal with a complaint about contractual issues like warranties, Sunday trading and everything else.  So what generally happens is.....well….. Nothing! You could be buying a flood damaged car, repaired write-off, if you have a complaint, they may well tell you where to go (and that may not be to his mechanic). They may have falsified paperwork, given the vehicle a boggy Roadworthy, or poorly repaired it themselves. The list can go on and on. 

So back to the licensed Dealer (in approved premises) they are subject to random investigation by authorities such as the Office of Fair Trading, The department of transport and the Council. These dealers are fully accountable and usually present their cars better. They should supply a current roadworthy however the law only states a registered vehicle must have a Roadworthy.

Beware of dealers who do not provide roadworthy certificates! They are avoiding the process for reasons that may not be obvious to you, the buyer. Surely if all it needed to pass a rwc (roadworthy) was a tyre, they would do it themselves. These cars generally have a big list of repairs to get them up to scratch.

Now let’s dispel a common myth, we are not all here to rob you for every cent, but we are here to earn a living and put food on the table for our family just like everyone else.  Dealers and Salespeople are required to be licensed and are subject to regular criminal checks. These people are professionals and generally want to be in business for the long term.

Would you consider going to a back yard dentist if the price was right? Maybe let strangers pick your kids up from school? I’m guessing not. So why take risks with a car. Let’s face it, they are a big ticket item and they have to be reliable and safe enough to put your family in. So paying a little extra for peace of mind seems a no brainer to me.

Why not call in and see us, we won’t bite! We will take your money (when the time is right) but you will have something to show for it and you will be happy to show the neighbours. You will be pleased to know all of our vehicles are checked on the national PPSR data base to make sure they do not have any money owing, have not been a repairable write-off and are not stolen. Also we have the local Midas car care complete a safety check and also service the vehicle in preparation for the new owner. We mostly buy our stock from trusted suppliers with all the relevant checks done before they are loaded on the truck. If we end up with a problem car, we simply send it to auction and cut our losses. Our reputation is everything to us.

You can also have an independent inspection if you want reassurance. We have nothing to hide.

So call in and see either Me (Steve) Getti (my Wife) or Jess (my Sister) for some good old fashioned Service, with a modern touch of keeping it real.

VISIT OUR FULL WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE

Car Loans

We Believe We Offer the Most Competitive, Genuine and Low Cost Car Loans On the Market!

Our finance company was originally an easy way for family and friends to pay off a car without being slogged huge fees, now it’s available to approved clients as well!! So it honestly is From Our Family to yours…

YES! All Applications Considered

YES! Pensioners Considered

YES! Bankrupts Considered

YES! Self Employed/Sub Contractors Considered

YES! Only a Maximum of 18 Months Loan Terms

YES! Know your loan, all fees disclosed upfront and total to be paid once loan is completed is displayed prior to putting pen to paper!

NO Commissions Paid to third parties

NO Huge Interest Rates

NO Monthly Account Keeping Fees

NO early Termination Fees

NO 5 Year Loans Hanging Over Your Head

NO Residule or “balloon payments” at the end of your loan.

We are a fully licenced lender with ASIC our Licence number is 380585 we are also members of the FAA (Financiers association of Australia) & COSL (the credit ombudsman service).

You may ask what’s the Catch? 

Well as far as we’re concerned there is none. Click Here to Read On

A bit of light heartedness for your Tuesday evening....

DID YOU KNOW……

Volkswagen had the good sense to change the original, Hitler-sanctioned name for its small car, the Kraft durch Freude Wagen (“Strength Through Joy Car”). You know it as the Beetle.

In 1898, the New York City Police Department used bicycles to pursue speeding motorists.

A production car contains more t...han 20kgs (44lbs) of glue.

Mary Anderson patented the windshield wiper in 1905 after she noticed snow and rain gathering on the fronts of trolley cars and automobile windows.

The first speeding ticket was issued in 1902.

Over 90% of car owners admit to singing while behind the wheel.
Only FOUR automobiles were registered in the United States in 1895.

It’s rumoured the Chevy Nova sold poorly in Mexico because the word “Nova” is close to the Spanish phrase “doesn’t go.”

The first Grand Prix race was won in 1901; the average speed was 46 mph. Modern race cars zoom around the track at more than 200 mph.

The petrol gauge was not a feature until 1922, and the radio appeared in 1929.

The first cars did not have steering wheels. Drivers used levers to keep the car on the road.

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