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 cardholders 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 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 cardholders credit rating can be affected and the whole affair can be a distressing experience.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Strathclyde University And Associates: Boiler Room Movie Review
The Digital Information Office, Strathclyde University and Associates service for electronic resource management review by Bradley Null: America is the land of opportunity, and now more than ever, the opportunity that most Americans are preoccupied with is that of easy money. Our news media is saturated with stories of the instant millionaire, 25-year-old startup CEOs worth nine figures or the crafty investor that bought that startup on IPO and doesn't have to worry too much about his day job anymore either. There are a number of powerful cautionary tales waiting to be drawn from this unwholesome frenzy. Boiler Room tries to tell one of these stories, but sadly it fails to add much to the greed genre established by its two heavily referenced predecessors: Wall Street (1987) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).
Boiler Room is the story of Seth (Ribisi), a 19-year-old college dropout obsessed with the American dream of easy money. After concluding rather quickly that college isn't necessarily the fast track to a quick buck, he opens up an underground casino out of his house in Queens, providing a popular service for the local city college kids. After his disapproving father (Rifkin) finds out about the casino, Seth, feeling a repressed need to gain his father's approval, looks into an opportunity to become a stockbroker at the small firm of J.T. Marlin.
As it turns out, the firm, located in the heart of Long Island, conspicuously far from Wall Street, is a 'chop shop,' shorthand for a brokerage house more interested in pawning off securities for its own interests rather than serving its customers. When Seth's father discovers this, not only does Seth not find the approval he was hoping for, but he is excommunicated from the family.
Though he has only a minor part in the film, Ben Affleck is highlighted in trailers for the film, and the discerning observer will notice a strong similarity between his scene in the trailer, and Alec Baldwin's immortalized portrayal of a real estate shark in Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, Affleck's big scene draws heavily on Baldwin's, though his performance (and the material he has to work with) does not live up to what is almost universally agreed upon as the best performance of Baldwin's career. This is not the only referencing of David Mamet's portrayal of the dark world of real estate cold-calling in this movie, however. Later in the film, when receiving some instructions on how to cold-call potential customers, Seth is told to remember one of Baldwin's catch phrases from that scene, 'A-B-C. Always Be Closing.' Boiler Room also liberally references, both directly and indirectly, its direct predecessor in the 'greed is good' category of filmmaking. Not only drawing its basic theme and plot structure from Wall Street, Boiler Room also draws its best dialogue during a scene in which a number of young stock brokers sitting in one of their sparely decorated mansions, compete with each other to quote lines from Wall Street, whose antagonist, Gordon Gecko, is obviously regarded as an idol within the group.
As a movie, Boiler Room is moderately entertaining. Vin Diesel in particular, off a strong turn in Saving Private Ryan, turns in another powerful performance as Chris, one of Seth's mentors at J.T. Marlin. Sadly though, Ben Younger, in his writing and directorial debut, adds very little to the filmic pantheon in his own voice. Even the film's most prolific statement on the American obsession with getting rich, 'either you're slinging crack rock or you've got a wicked jump shot,' is a quote of the rap star Notorious B.I.G. The most admirable outcome of this film might be that it leads viewers to check out its two predecessors. I would urge the same as well.
Boiler Room is the story of Seth (Ribisi), a 19-year-old college dropout obsessed with the American dream of easy money. After concluding rather quickly that college isn't necessarily the fast track to a quick buck, he opens up an underground casino out of his house in Queens, providing a popular service for the local city college kids. After his disapproving father (Rifkin) finds out about the casino, Seth, feeling a repressed need to gain his father's approval, looks into an opportunity to become a stockbroker at the small firm of J.T. Marlin.
As it turns out, the firm, located in the heart of Long Island, conspicuously far from Wall Street, is a 'chop shop,' shorthand for a brokerage house more interested in pawning off securities for its own interests rather than serving its customers. When Seth's father discovers this, not only does Seth not find the approval he was hoping for, but he is excommunicated from the family.
Though he has only a minor part in the film, Ben Affleck is highlighted in trailers for the film, and the discerning observer will notice a strong similarity between his scene in the trailer, and Alec Baldwin's immortalized portrayal of a real estate shark in Glengarry Glen Ross. In fact, Affleck's big scene draws heavily on Baldwin's, though his performance (and the material he has to work with) does not live up to what is almost universally agreed upon as the best performance of Baldwin's career. This is not the only referencing of David Mamet's portrayal of the dark world of real estate cold-calling in this movie, however. Later in the film, when receiving some instructions on how to cold-call potential customers, Seth is told to remember one of Baldwin's catch phrases from that scene, 'A-B-C. Always Be Closing.' Boiler Room also liberally references, both directly and indirectly, its direct predecessor in the 'greed is good' category of filmmaking. Not only drawing its basic theme and plot structure from Wall Street, Boiler Room also draws its best dialogue during a scene in which a number of young stock brokers sitting in one of their sparely decorated mansions, compete with each other to quote lines from Wall Street, whose antagonist, Gordon Gecko, is obviously regarded as an idol within the group.
As a movie, Boiler Room is moderately entertaining. Vin Diesel in particular, off a strong turn in Saving Private Ryan, turns in another powerful performance as Chris, one of Seth's mentors at J.T. Marlin. Sadly though, Ben Younger, in his writing and directorial debut, adds very little to the filmic pantheon in his own voice. Even the film's most prolific statement on the American obsession with getting rich, 'either you're slinging crack rock or you've got a wicked jump shot,' is a quote of the rap star Notorious B.I.G. The most admirable outcome of this film might be that it leads viewers to check out its two predecessors. I would urge the same as well.
Strathclyde Associates Trading And Management Construction Tips For Hiring Contractors
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: To protect yourself and your money here are 4 tips to ensure that your next remodeling project goes smoothly.
We love building for ourselves, but some jobs just need to be subbed out. Unfortunately, a competent, honest remodeling contractor is no easy find. There are thousands of reliable, trustworthy contractors out there but there are quite a few toolbox-wielding knuckleheads, too. Heres what you should keep your eye on:
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Avoid sleazy or shady tactics.
The first thing to do is make sure you're not being scammed. Beware these 10 red flags:
The contractor ...
Provides credentials or references that can't be verified.
Offers a special price, but only if you sign a contract today.
Accepts only cash, requires large deposits or wants the entire cost up front.
Asks you to write a check in his name (not to the business).
Won't provide a written contract or complete bid.
Refuses to apply for building permits, and asks you to get them.
Offers exceptionally long warranties.
Proposes to do most or all of the work on weekends and after-hours.
Gives you a low-ball offer that sounds too good to be true.
Has "Will work for beer" painted on the side of his trucks.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management construction Company: Check the construction work.
When you meet with contractors, ask each to bring photos or drawings of completed jobs that are similar to yours. When possible, ask to visit a completed project. Get in touch with the homeowners involved, says construction manager Amy Johnston, author of What the Experts May Not Tell You about Building or Renovating Your Home. Ask pointed, pertinent questions such as:
What was the original construction budget?
What was the final construction budget?
How would you describe the quality of the work?
Was the job site kept clean and organized?
Was the project completed on time?
Were any liens filed on your property?
Would you work with this contractor again?
Vetting a contractor through customers works both ways word-of-mouth recommendations have long been one of the most reliable means of finding competent contractors. Seek references from neighbors, friends, architects, colleagues and real-estate agents. You can also find local contractors, along with ratings and reviews, from online sources, such as Angie's List.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the paperwork.
Check to make sure contractors are licensed and insured. A good pro should volunteer documentation. If you have doubts, contact the Better Business Bureau and check for complaints. When comparing competitors' bids, make sure everything is spelled out. This includes the scope of the work, materials specified, warranties, references, time frames, cost overruns, payment
Once you have chosen a contractor, obtain a written contract that includes the items specified in the original bid, plus the final price, payment terms, sales tax, permit fees, the specific work to be performed, materials to be used, warranties, start and end date, change-order processes, final review and sign-off procedures and debris removal. Once the job is under way, make sure the necessary building permits are on display.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the bills.
When advancing money for materials, ask the contractor if you can pay the supplier directly. Always pay with a check, never by cash. Take a carrot-and-stick approach to completed work pay incrementally as each significant phase of work is completed. Be careful about paying for work that hasn't been finished. Before making the final payment, do a visual inspection of the entire project and make a punch list of any repairs or uncompleted work. Put all change orders in writing; avoid verbal contracts.
A small but important technicality: Request signed lien releases from all major subcontractors and suppliers before making final payments. A lien release guarantees that the contractor has fully paid his materials suppliers. Former contractor Tom Philbin, author of "How to Hire a Home-Improvement Contractor Without Getting Chiseled," tells the story of a Memphis, Tenn., homeowner who had some work done on his house. "The job went smoothly and he paid the general contractor all the money for the job. But the contractor hadn't paid his supplier, who slapped a lien on the homeowner. The homeowner ultimately had to pay an additional $20,000, even though he had paid the contractor in full." Get those lien releases. By Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics
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.
We love building for ourselves, but some jobs just need to be subbed out. Unfortunately, a competent, honest remodeling contractor is no easy find. There are thousands of reliable, trustworthy contractors out there but there are quite a few toolbox-wielding knuckleheads, too. Heres what you should keep your eye on:
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Avoid sleazy or shady tactics.
The first thing to do is make sure you're not being scammed. Beware these 10 red flags:
The contractor ...
Provides credentials or references that can't be verified.
Offers a special price, but only if you sign a contract today.
Accepts only cash, requires large deposits or wants the entire cost up front.
Asks you to write a check in his name (not to the business).
Won't provide a written contract or complete bid.
Refuses to apply for building permits, and asks you to get them.
Offers exceptionally long warranties.
Proposes to do most or all of the work on weekends and after-hours.
Gives you a low-ball offer that sounds too good to be true.
Has "Will work for beer" painted on the side of his trucks.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management construction Company: Check the construction work.
When you meet with contractors, ask each to bring photos or drawings of completed jobs that are similar to yours. When possible, ask to visit a completed project. Get in touch with the homeowners involved, says construction manager Amy Johnston, author of What the Experts May Not Tell You about Building or Renovating Your Home. Ask pointed, pertinent questions such as:
What was the original construction budget?
What was the final construction budget?
How would you describe the quality of the work?
Was the job site kept clean and organized?
Was the project completed on time?
Were any liens filed on your property?
Would you work with this contractor again?
Vetting a contractor through customers works both ways word-of-mouth recommendations have long been one of the most reliable means of finding competent contractors. Seek references from neighbors, friends, architects, colleagues and real-estate agents. You can also find local contractors, along with ratings and reviews, from online sources, such as Angie's List.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the paperwork.
Check to make sure contractors are licensed and insured. A good pro should volunteer documentation. If you have doubts, contact the Better Business Bureau and check for complaints. When comparing competitors' bids, make sure everything is spelled out. This includes the scope of the work, materials specified, warranties, references, time frames, cost overruns, payment
Once you have chosen a contractor, obtain a written contract that includes the items specified in the original bid, plus the final price, payment terms, sales tax, permit fees, the specific work to be performed, materials to be used, warranties, start and end date, change-order processes, final review and sign-off procedures and debris removal. Once the job is under way, make sure the necessary building permits are on display.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the bills.
When advancing money for materials, ask the contractor if you can pay the supplier directly. Always pay with a check, never by cash. Take a carrot-and-stick approach to completed work pay incrementally as each significant phase of work is completed. Be careful about paying for work that hasn't been finished. Before making the final payment, do a visual inspection of the entire project and make a punch list of any repairs or uncompleted work. Put all change orders in writing; avoid verbal contracts.
A small but important technicality: Request signed lien releases from all major subcontractors and suppliers before making final payments. A lien release guarantees that the contractor has fully paid his materials suppliers. Former contractor Tom Philbin, author of "How to Hire a Home-Improvement Contractor Without Getting Chiseled," tells the story of a Memphis, Tenn., homeowner who had some work done on his house. "The job went smoothly and he paid the general contractor all the money for the job. But the contractor hadn't paid his supplier, who slapped a lien on the homeowner. The homeowner ultimately had to pay an additional $20,000, even though he had paid the contractor in full." Get those lien releases. By Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics
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.
Risk Assessment: Smartcard Fraud Scam
Risk Assessment Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates. Security is a balance between confidentiality, authentication and integrity versus convenience, cost and reliability. Figure 4 illustrates the balance that must be struck by stakeholders when implementing technical solutions to counter security vulnerabilities,
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 cardholders
perspective and recommend greater cardholder awareness of such
risks. Susan Burns, George R. S. Weir
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow G1 1XH, UK
Risk Assessment. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates. Security is a balance between confidentiality, authentication and integrity versus convenience, cost and reliability. Figure 4 illustrates the balance that must be struck by stakeholders when implementing technical solutions to counter security vulnerabilities, essentially this boils down to cost versus benefits.
This generic approach can be applied to security measures for smart card payments,
whereby:
Cost is the amount it costs the card issuer and card scheme to support the plastic
card payments, including the cost of implementing changes to the system e.g.
longer keys or moving to online authentication to validate all card transactions;
Performance considers convenience and reliability e.g. avoiding reputational
damage or inconvenience for customers or retailers;
Risk is remaining level of risk which the security measures have not fully mitigated.
This could be financial loss, additional costs, loss of market share, reputational
damage, corporate embarrassment, legal or regulatory investigation or risk
to personal safety.
The potential loss or exposure from a given risk can be reduced through assessing and
management of the risk (Figure 5). Effective risk reduction methods may leave an
element of residual risk, but will bring benefits, although these may not always be financial, e.g., they could be reputational benefits.
A risk map is a technique to analyse and illustrate risks, likely causal events and potential
impacts [10]. The links shown are not always exhaustive but demonstrate the
potentially wide ranging impacts of each risk and support analysis of outcomes and
mitigation actions. As a tool, they also allow flexibility to consider how the impact of
one risk, e.g., card stolen, can be compounded by the occurrence of other risks, such
as the PIN having been obtained.
Figure 6 illustrates a risk map analysis for the cardholder, based upon four primary
risk conditions, card obtained by fraudsters, card details obtained by fraudsters, PIN
obtained by fraudsters, and PIN forgotten by cardholder. The associated cardholder
events represent the contexts in which the risks are created, and the impact arising
from these circumstances is also indicated.
For the cardholder, the key risks centre on the components for which the cardholder
is responsible, namely the smartcard, the PIN and documents such as statements
and receipts that contain card details. The events include some that are within
the cardholders control, e.g., keeping a note of the PIN number, but others such as a compromised terminal are beyond cardholder control.
Summary and Conclusions. Risk Assessment Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates. The introduction of smartcards to the UK marketplace has had a significant effect in reducing the incidence of card fraud, but further steps are required to prevent continued instances of fraud. A key step in this direction is to clarify the roles, responsibilities and risks faced by the different stakeholders in the card process. Furthermore, awareness raising in which cardholders become more conscious of their risks and responsibilities may afford the best defence against consumer fraud. Our analysis of the card process, stakeholders and cardholder risks may contribute to this awareness.
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 cardholders
perspective and recommend greater cardholder awareness of such
risks. Susan Burns, George R. S. Weir
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow G1 1XH, UK
Risk Assessment. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates. Security is a balance between confidentiality, authentication and integrity versus convenience, cost and reliability. Figure 4 illustrates the balance that must be struck by stakeholders when implementing technical solutions to counter security vulnerabilities, essentially this boils down to cost versus benefits.
This generic approach can be applied to security measures for smart card payments,
whereby:
Cost is the amount it costs the card issuer and card scheme to support the plastic
card payments, including the cost of implementing changes to the system e.g.
longer keys or moving to online authentication to validate all card transactions;
Performance considers convenience and reliability e.g. avoiding reputational
damage or inconvenience for customers or retailers;
Risk is remaining level of risk which the security measures have not fully mitigated.
This could be financial loss, additional costs, loss of market share, reputational
damage, corporate embarrassment, legal or regulatory investigation or risk
to personal safety.
The potential loss or exposure from a given risk can be reduced through assessing and
management of the risk (Figure 5). Effective risk reduction methods may leave an
element of residual risk, but will bring benefits, although these may not always be financial, e.g., they could be reputational benefits.
A risk map is a technique to analyse and illustrate risks, likely causal events and potential
impacts [10]. The links shown are not always exhaustive but demonstrate the
potentially wide ranging impacts of each risk and support analysis of outcomes and
mitigation actions. As a tool, they also allow flexibility to consider how the impact of
one risk, e.g., card stolen, can be compounded by the occurrence of other risks, such
as the PIN having been obtained.
Figure 6 illustrates a risk map analysis for the cardholder, based upon four primary
risk conditions, card obtained by fraudsters, card details obtained by fraudsters, PIN
obtained by fraudsters, and PIN forgotten by cardholder. The associated cardholder
events represent the contexts in which the risks are created, and the impact arising
from these circumstances is also indicated.
For the cardholder, the key risks centre on the components for which the cardholder
is responsible, namely the smartcard, the PIN and documents such as statements
and receipts that contain card details. The events include some that are within
the cardholders control, e.g., keeping a note of the PIN number, but others such as a compromised terminal are beyond cardholder control.
Summary and Conclusions. Risk Assessment Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde and Associates. The introduction of smartcards to the UK marketplace has had a significant effect in reducing the incidence of card fraud, but further steps are required to prevent continued instances of fraud. A key step in this direction is to clarify the roles, responsibilities and risks faced by the different stakeholders in the card process. Furthermore, awareness raising in which cardholders become more conscious of their risks and responsibilities may afford the best defence against consumer fraud. Our analysis of the card process, stakeholders and cardholder risks may contribute to this awareness.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Strathclyde Associates Trading - Things Contractors Wont Tell You
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.
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.
Sleazy Home Improvement Scams- Strathclyde Associates Trading
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.
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 Anti-phishing Scam Solutions
Strathclyde University Associates - This paper describes the recent phenomenon of phishing, in which email messages are sent to unwitting recipients in
order to elicit personal information and perpetrate identity theft and financial fraud. A variety of existing techniques for
addressing this problem are detailed and a novel approach to the provision of phishing advice is introduced. This takes
the form of a Web-based user-service to which users may forward suspect email messages for inspection. The Anti-
Phishing Web Service rates the suspect email and provides a Web-based report that the submitter may view. This
approach promises benefits in the form of added security for the end-user and insight on the factors that are most
revealing of phishing attacks. Keywords detail as Phishing, spam, email scams.
Strathclyde University Associates Introduction. Phishing scams are an increasingly common method of identity theft. They begin with an email message that
appears to originate with an established legitimate organization. The email usually asks the recipient to
submit personal information on a website. However, the email is fraudulent and has actually been sent with
criminal intent. Unfortunately, many email users are unsophisticated in the ways of email and being unable to
spot phishing attempts, they innocently follow the instructions contained therein. A consequence of this
innocence may be significant financial loss.
This paper describes the nature of phishing scams and the associated problems email users face in
identifying phishing emails. In addition, we describe a software solution (the Anti-Phishing Web Service)
that aims to assist with the phishing problem.
Email, spam and scams on Strathclyde University and SCER Associates. The term spam commonly refers to unsolicited bulk email. Unsolicited email includes sales and job
enquiries specifically addressed to a particular recipient without their prior knowledge or request. Bulk email
includes mailing lists and newsletters to which the recipient has subscribed. Spam is the intersection of these
email varieties it is both unsolicited and bulk.
The majority of spam emails advertise products such as computer software or drugs. With negligible cost
and effort required to send spam, it now accounts for around 76% of all email messages (Gaudin, 2004).
Many infrequent email users now find it difficult to locate legitimate email in their mailbox. As a result, the
effectiveness of email as a communication medium has been severely reduced.
To combat this growing problem, most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) prohibit the sending of spam
from their networks. Some spammers use multiple free ISP accounts to send spam, whereby, if one of these
free accounts is terminated, another can be quickly created. Another popular method of despatching spam is
through virus infested PCs, usually belonging to unsuspecting home broadband users (Leyden, 2004a).
Despite attempts to reduce the problem, the incidence of spam continues to increase.
Many countries, including the UK and the US, have introduced laws to prevent the sending of spam (BBC
News, 2003). However, these laws have had little effect, since most spam originates from outside the
legislating country. There are also loopholes and inadequacies in these laws. For example, the US Can Spam
Act requires individuals to opt-out of spam, rather than opt-in. EU anti-spam laws also have problems,
because business email addresses are exempt from the legislation.
Since most legal attempts to address spam have met with limited success, many ISPs and email users now
rely heavily on email filters to remove spam. Spam filters perform a series of tests on each incoming email
and combine the results to determine whether the message is spam or legitimate. Spam filtering takes place at
the mail transfer agent (MTA) or mail user agent (MUA). Popular MTA spam filters include SpamAssassin
and Brightmail. Many MUA, such as Eudora and Mozilla Mail, now provide integrated spam filters. Without
spam filters and related spam blacklists many users might otherwise simply abandon the use of email.
While the majority of spam emails are advertisements for products, some messages aim to entice the
recipient into scams. Common email scams include pyramid schemes that promise very high returns on an
initial investment (Wikipedia, 2006a). Unfortunately, such investors have no chance of receiving any return
on their initial outlay. Perhaps the most popular email scam is the Nigerian money transfer (Wikipedia,
2006b). This scam asks the recipient for help with the transfer of money from a Nigerian bank account,
promising a large payment in return. Once entered, the investor is asked for sums of money to help with the
fictitious transfer process. Of course, no money transfer is ever received by the unwitting subjects of this
criminal operation.
order to elicit personal information and perpetrate identity theft and financial fraud. A variety of existing techniques for
addressing this problem are detailed and a novel approach to the provision of phishing advice is introduced. This takes
the form of a Web-based user-service to which users may forward suspect email messages for inspection. The Anti-
Phishing Web Service rates the suspect email and provides a Web-based report that the submitter may view. This
approach promises benefits in the form of added security for the end-user and insight on the factors that are most
revealing of phishing attacks. Keywords detail as Phishing, spam, email scams.
Strathclyde University Associates Introduction. Phishing scams are an increasingly common method of identity theft. They begin with an email message that
appears to originate with an established legitimate organization. The email usually asks the recipient to
submit personal information on a website. However, the email is fraudulent and has actually been sent with
criminal intent. Unfortunately, many email users are unsophisticated in the ways of email and being unable to
spot phishing attempts, they innocently follow the instructions contained therein. A consequence of this
innocence may be significant financial loss.
This paper describes the nature of phishing scams and the associated problems email users face in
identifying phishing emails. In addition, we describe a software solution (the Anti-Phishing Web Service)
that aims to assist with the phishing problem.
Email, spam and scams on Strathclyde University and SCER Associates. The term spam commonly refers to unsolicited bulk email. Unsolicited email includes sales and job
enquiries specifically addressed to a particular recipient without their prior knowledge or request. Bulk email
includes mailing lists and newsletters to which the recipient has subscribed. Spam is the intersection of these
email varieties it is both unsolicited and bulk.
The majority of spam emails advertise products such as computer software or drugs. With negligible cost
and effort required to send spam, it now accounts for around 76% of all email messages (Gaudin, 2004).
Many infrequent email users now find it difficult to locate legitimate email in their mailbox. As a result, the
effectiveness of email as a communication medium has been severely reduced.
To combat this growing problem, most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) prohibit the sending of spam
from their networks. Some spammers use multiple free ISP accounts to send spam, whereby, if one of these
free accounts is terminated, another can be quickly created. Another popular method of despatching spam is
through virus infested PCs, usually belonging to unsuspecting home broadband users (Leyden, 2004a).
Despite attempts to reduce the problem, the incidence of spam continues to increase.
Many countries, including the UK and the US, have introduced laws to prevent the sending of spam (BBC
News, 2003). However, these laws have had little effect, since most spam originates from outside the
legislating country. There are also loopholes and inadequacies in these laws. For example, the US Can Spam
Act requires individuals to opt-out of spam, rather than opt-in. EU anti-spam laws also have problems,
because business email addresses are exempt from the legislation.
Since most legal attempts to address spam have met with limited success, many ISPs and email users now
rely heavily on email filters to remove spam. Spam filters perform a series of tests on each incoming email
and combine the results to determine whether the message is spam or legitimate. Spam filtering takes place at
the mail transfer agent (MTA) or mail user agent (MUA). Popular MTA spam filters include SpamAssassin
and Brightmail. Many MUA, such as Eudora and Mozilla Mail, now provide integrated spam filters. Without
spam filters and related spam blacklists many users might otherwise simply abandon the use of email.
While the majority of spam emails are advertisements for products, some messages aim to entice the
recipient into scams. Common email scams include pyramid schemes that promise very high returns on an
initial investment (Wikipedia, 2006a). Unfortunately, such investors have no chance of receiving any return
on their initial outlay. Perhaps the most popular email scam is the Nigerian money transfer (Wikipedia,
2006b). This scam asks the recipient for help with the transfer of money from a Nigerian bank account,
promising a large payment in return. Once entered, the investor is asked for sums of money to help with the
fictitious transfer process. Of course, no money transfer is ever received by the unwitting subjects of this
criminal operation.
The Phishing Process By Christopher Cranston
Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Strathclyde University and Associates - Most phishing attacks take four distinct steps toward defrauding unwary recipients: (1) the scam operators set
up the phishing website. This website usually imitates an established, legitimate site; (2) using guessed or
copied email addresses, the scammers send out emails purporting to come from the legitimate site; (3) the
recipient downloads their email and receives the phishing message. The email asks the user to click on a
hyperlink and enter personal details on the resulting website. If the user clicks on the hyperlink the phishing
site will be displayed. If duped, the user may then enter the requested personal information; (4) the recipient's
personal details are now held by the scam operators. The scammers may now assume the identity of the
recipient and gain illicit access to funds. These steps are elaborated below.
Step 1: Construct the Phishing Website
The first task is to establish a phishing website. These are simple to set up, requiring little more than an
Internet-connected computer serving web pages. The Web pages are usually altered copies of pages
belonging to the targeted organisation. Sometimes, the phishing site appears as a pop-up window over the
legitimate site. Generally, phishing sites are contrived to appear authentic.
Most phishing sites do not have a domain name and Web links to the site in the phishing email usually
take the form of IP addresses, e.g. http://61.71.120.10/citi/index.php. Sometimes phishing sites do use
domain names, often cleverly crafted to mimic established sites, e.g. http://www.usbank-secure.biz/.
However, registering a domain name entails some financial cost and provides additional information that
may be used to track the perpetrators.
Strathclyde University and Associates - Recent analysis by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) found that most (27%) of phishing sites
were hosted in the US (op. cit.). This was closely followed by South Korea with 20% and China with 16%.
For comparison, the UK hosted only 1% of phishing sites. The report also estimated that 25% of phishing
sites were hosted on hacked computers, without their owners knowledge. Finally, the report states that on
average phishing sites are only live for 2.25 days - the longest noted was a site serving content for 15 days.
Sites with a longer lifespan tend to operate from countries where there may be difficulties in closing down
sites, where there are different or no Internet crime laws.
Step 2: Write and Send Phishing Emails
Once the phishing site is set-up, the next step is for large numbers of phishing emails to be sent out. For this
to be possible the scam operators must collate a large number of email addresses. These are acquired using
address harvesting techniques perfected by spammers. Like other spammers, phishing scam operators must
accumulate as many email addresses as possible in order to maximize the response rate.
Address harvesting techniques vary, but one popular methods is to use programs that search the web for
published email addresses. These programs target Usenet posts, web forums, mailing lists and guest books,
since these resources are likely to contain email addresses (Hird, 2002). Another technique is dictionarybased
address generation. Finally, rather than collect addresses themselves, phishing scammers may simply
purchase a list of addresses from an unscrupulous third party. Regardless of the selected technique, large
numbers of addresses are acquired by the scammers. Although many of these addresses will be malformed,
duplicates or out-of-date, and many of the valid addresses will belong to individuals who are not customers
of the organization being impersonated (and so cannot be defrauded by the scam), this will not deter the
scammers, since sending email is of negligible cost. The scammers concern is simply to maximize the
quantity of phishing emails sent.
The content of a phishing email is often carefully crafted. A typical email attempts to alarm the recipient
by describing security or maintenance issues at an established legitimate organization. The message will ask
the recipient to resolve these issues by confirming personal information on a web page. An embedded
hyperlink in the email often provides easy access to the web page. This hyperlink is often disguised to
resemble a link to the legitimate website, although it points to the phishing site.
Some emails contain embedded forms for users to enter their personal details. This removes the need for a
separate phishing web site. Other phishing emails do not ask for personal details at all, but urge the user to
install an attached piece of software. Software offered in this way is usually malicious and may be a virus,
worm, Trojan horse or spyware program. Spyware programs are particularly dangerous, as they can intercept
and transmit sensitive personal information, without the user's knowledge.
Regardless of whether the goal is to have recipients visit a web page, enter details in a form or install a
program, the user must be convinced that the email is authentic. To accomplish this, phishing emails often
contain images, slogans or disclaimers taken from the organization being impersonated. Fortunately not all
phishing emails look authentic. Many have poor spelling or grammar and may also bear little resemblance to
legitimate emails from the genuine organization. Such clues may alert users to the email's true purpose.
When phishing emails are sent out, it is common to spoof the sender's address. Spoofing the sender's
address is possible since the current email Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) does not validate the
purported From address. This loophole allows scammers to send phishing emails that appear to come from
legitimate organizations. A recent Anti-Phishing Working Group Report indicates that in June 2004, 92% of
phishing emails were sent with a spoofed sender's address. This technique is prevalent as it convinces many
recipients that the email is authentic.
Once phishing emails have been written, disguised and addressed, the final step is to send them. This step
employs standard spamming techniques, e.g., sending the phishing emails using someone else's mail server.
In the past this was easily done through open relays and open proxies. Although these vulnerabilities are now
rare, they are still occasionally used to send spam and phishing emails. Todays phishing emails are
commonly sent from mail servers or proxies running on virus infected machines. Viruses such as Sobig
contain built-in SMTP servers, turning infected machines into unwitting spam senders (Sophos, 2006). This
permits the perpetrators to remain hidden, while an estimated 60% of all spam is sent using virus infected
machines (Spamhaus, 2003).
Strathclyde University and Associates - Most phishing attacks take four distinct steps toward defrauding unwary recipients: (1) the scam operators set
up the phishing website. This website usually imitates an established, legitimate site; (2) using guessed or
copied email addresses, the scammers send out emails purporting to come from the legitimate site; (3) the
recipient downloads their email and receives the phishing message. The email asks the user to click on a
hyperlink and enter personal details on the resulting website. If the user clicks on the hyperlink the phishing
site will be displayed. If duped, the user may then enter the requested personal information; (4) the recipient's
personal details are now held by the scam operators. The scammers may now assume the identity of the
recipient and gain illicit access to funds. These steps are elaborated below.
Step 1: Construct the Phishing Website
The first task is to establish a phishing website. These are simple to set up, requiring little more than an
Internet-connected computer serving web pages. The Web pages are usually altered copies of pages
belonging to the targeted organisation. Sometimes, the phishing site appears as a pop-up window over the
legitimate site. Generally, phishing sites are contrived to appear authentic.
Most phishing sites do not have a domain name and Web links to the site in the phishing email usually
take the form of IP addresses, e.g. http://61.71.120.10/citi/index.php. Sometimes phishing sites do use
domain names, often cleverly crafted to mimic established sites, e.g. http://www.usbank-secure.biz/.
However, registering a domain name entails some financial cost and provides additional information that
may be used to track the perpetrators.
Strathclyde University and Associates - Recent analysis by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) found that most (27%) of phishing sites
were hosted in the US (op. cit.). This was closely followed by South Korea with 20% and China with 16%.
For comparison, the UK hosted only 1% of phishing sites. The report also estimated that 25% of phishing
sites were hosted on hacked computers, without their owners knowledge. Finally, the report states that on
average phishing sites are only live for 2.25 days - the longest noted was a site serving content for 15 days.
Sites with a longer lifespan tend to operate from countries where there may be difficulties in closing down
sites, where there are different or no Internet crime laws.
Step 2: Write and Send Phishing Emails
Once the phishing site is set-up, the next step is for large numbers of phishing emails to be sent out. For this
to be possible the scam operators must collate a large number of email addresses. These are acquired using
address harvesting techniques perfected by spammers. Like other spammers, phishing scam operators must
accumulate as many email addresses as possible in order to maximize the response rate.
Address harvesting techniques vary, but one popular methods is to use programs that search the web for
published email addresses. These programs target Usenet posts, web forums, mailing lists and guest books,
since these resources are likely to contain email addresses (Hird, 2002). Another technique is dictionarybased
address generation. Finally, rather than collect addresses themselves, phishing scammers may simply
purchase a list of addresses from an unscrupulous third party. Regardless of the selected technique, large
numbers of addresses are acquired by the scammers. Although many of these addresses will be malformed,
duplicates or out-of-date, and many of the valid addresses will belong to individuals who are not customers
of the organization being impersonated (and so cannot be defrauded by the scam), this will not deter the
scammers, since sending email is of negligible cost. The scammers concern is simply to maximize the
quantity of phishing emails sent.
The content of a phishing email is often carefully crafted. A typical email attempts to alarm the recipient
by describing security or maintenance issues at an established legitimate organization. The message will ask
the recipient to resolve these issues by confirming personal information on a web page. An embedded
hyperlink in the email often provides easy access to the web page. This hyperlink is often disguised to
resemble a link to the legitimate website, although it points to the phishing site.
Some emails contain embedded forms for users to enter their personal details. This removes the need for a
separate phishing web site. Other phishing emails do not ask for personal details at all, but urge the user to
install an attached piece of software. Software offered in this way is usually malicious and may be a virus,
worm, Trojan horse or spyware program. Spyware programs are particularly dangerous, as they can intercept
and transmit sensitive personal information, without the user's knowledge.
Regardless of whether the goal is to have recipients visit a web page, enter details in a form or install a
program, the user must be convinced that the email is authentic. To accomplish this, phishing emails often
contain images, slogans or disclaimers taken from the organization being impersonated. Fortunately not all
phishing emails look authentic. Many have poor spelling or grammar and may also bear little resemblance to
legitimate emails from the genuine organization. Such clues may alert users to the email's true purpose.
When phishing emails are sent out, it is common to spoof the sender's address. Spoofing the sender's
address is possible since the current email Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) does not validate the
purported From address. This loophole allows scammers to send phishing emails that appear to come from
legitimate organizations. A recent Anti-Phishing Working Group Report indicates that in June 2004, 92% of
phishing emails were sent with a spoofed sender's address. This technique is prevalent as it convinces many
recipients that the email is authentic.
Once phishing emails have been written, disguised and addressed, the final step is to send them. This step
employs standard spamming techniques, e.g., sending the phishing emails using someone else's mail server.
In the past this was easily done through open relays and open proxies. Although these vulnerabilities are now
rare, they are still occasionally used to send spam and phishing emails. Todays phishing emails are
commonly sent from mail servers or proxies running on virus infected machines. Viruses such as Sobig
contain built-in SMTP servers, turning infected machines into unwitting spam senders (Sophos, 2006). This
permits the perpetrators to remain hidden, while an estimated 60% of all spam is sent using virus infected
machines (Spamhaus, 2003).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company
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 priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.
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 priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.
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.
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.
About Strathclyde Asoociates Trading & Management Construction 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 priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.
Company Contact Information
Strathclyde Asoociates Trading & Management Construction Company
Kevin Gilles
P.O. Box 17078 Baltimore, Maryland
21297
Phone : 410-684-2728
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.
About Strathclyde Asoociates Trading & Management Construction 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 priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.
Company Contact Information
Strathclyde Asoociates Trading & Management Construction Company
Kevin Gilles
P.O. Box 17078 Baltimore, Maryland
21297
Phone : 410-684-2728
SCER Associates - University of Strathclyde
Professor Tom Baum
University of Strathclyde
id100_baum_thomas.jpg Tom Baum's research focuses on people and work in low skills service industries, notably the hospitality and tourism sectors. His work considers HR themes both from a macro perspective in terms of planning and structural dimensions and in terms of the inter-face between employyes and customers at the level of the individual enterprise. Tom's work is internationally focused and includes research in a range of European, Asian, African and Pacific region contexts. He has published widely in the field with seven books and over 150 academic papers. He has also consulted with governments, international donor agencies and the private sector and appeared as an expert witness in international arbitration courts.
Professor Sharon Bolton
University of Strathclyde
id100_bolton_sharon.jpg Sharon C Bolton is Professor of Organisational Analysis at Strathclyde University Business School, Glasgow, UK. Her research interests include emotion in organisations, public sector management, nursing and teaching, gender and the professions, dignity in and at work, the human in human resource management. She is currently working on comparative research on dignity at work in Europe, with a focus on Greece and the UK and also gender, education and knowledge transfer across international boundaries. Sharon continues to be interested in developing more nuanced understandings of emotion at work, and the labour and skill involved in the emotional labour process. Research is published widely in leading international sociology and management journals such as Work, Employment and Society; Sociology; Journal of Management Studies; Gender, Work and Organisation, Sociologia Del Trabajo, Economia & Management and practitioner periodicals such as People Management and Personnel Today. A sole authored book ‘Emotion Management in the Workplace’ was published by Palgrave in 2005 followed by two edited collections in 2007: ‘Searching for the Human in Human Resource Management’ (with Maeve Houlihan) (Palgrave) and ‘Dimensions of Dignity at Work’ (Elsevier) and a new edited collection ‘Work Matters’ (with Maeve Houlihan) published by Palgrave in April 2009.
Dr John Buchanan
University of Sydney
Dr Asaf Darr
University of Haifa
id100_Asaf_Darr.jpgAsaf Darr studied Organizational Behaviour at the School of Industrial and Labour Relations, Cornell University. He is currently a senior lecturer in Organization Studies at the University of Haifa, and the Head of the Organization Studies program. In addition to many articles, he is the author of Selling Technology: The Changing Shape of Sales in an Information Economy, published in 2006 by Cornell University Press. His current research is on the social fabric of mass markets and on sales work and sales workers.
Doris Eikhof
University of Stirling
id100_eikhof_doris.jpg Doris Ruth Eikhof is Lecturer in Organization Studies at the Department of Management, University of Stirling, and Research Associate at the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Austria. Her research interests include creative industries, changing forms of work and organization, organizational boundaries, organizations and lifestyles and social theories in organization studies. She has published in international and German academic books and journals, including Journal of Organizational Behavior, Creativity and Innovation Management and edited volumes to be published by Palgrave and Routledge. Recent collaboration with SCeR has included joint publications and editorships, the organization of conference streams for EGOS and ILPC and a comparative project on European football as an employment system.
Dr Richard Hall
University of Sydney
Professor Axel Haunschild
University of Trier
Axel Haunschild is Professor of Work, Employment and Organisation at the University of Trier, Germany. He is also Guest Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and at the School of Management, Royal Holloway, University of London. His research interests focus on changing forms of work and organisation, employment systems in the creative industries, the institutional embeddedness of work and employment, and the boundaries between work and life. He has published in journals such as Human Relations, British Journal of Industrial Relations, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Creativity and Innovation Management and Journal of Organizational Behavior. Recent work with SCER has included the organisation of conference streams (ILPC, EGOS), joint publications and editorships as well a comparative project on national employment systems in professional football
Professor Ewart Keep
ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE)
id100_keep_ewart2 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, and the linkages between skills and people management issues.
Dr Scott Hurrell
University of Stirling
hurrell_scott_100x140.jpg Scott Hurrell has recently been appointed to a lectureship in Work and Employment Studies in the Institute of Socio- Management at the University of Stirling, having previously worked in SCER and latterly at Aston University. One of Scott's main research interests is in the area of skills and work organisation with his PhD thesis examining soft skills deficits in Scotland, why these occurred and how employers responded to these. Scott also has interests in recruitment and selection, job quality and in organisations in the interactive service, public and non-profit sectors. Scott has worked with policy and public sector bodies including Futureskills Scotland, The Scottish Government, The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Equal Opportunities Commission (Scotland).
Dr Henrietta Huzzell
University of Karlstad
Professor Jeff Hyman
University of Aberdeen
id100_hyman_jeff.jpg Professor Jeff Hyman has a long-standing research interest in the ways in which employees participate in decisions made at work and the effects of their involvement in terms of employee satisfaction, relations with managers and performance. Employee share schemes have provided a focus for this interest. In the past few years, he has also been involved in research exploring new directions in work, exploring concepts and practice of work-life balance in sectors such as finance, software and in call centres with a particular emphasis on developments in Scotland where these sectors have become dominant areas for employment and for the local economy.
Professor Csaba Mako
Hungarian Academy of Sciences
id100_Mako_Csaba.jpgCsaba Makó is specialized in organizational changes (innovations), learning organisation and in their institutional (eg labour relations) contexts in an international perspective. He received Academic Doctors’ Title in Sociology (1983). Presently, he has a position as a Research Director at the Institute of Sociology – Hungarian Academy of Sciences and involved in numerous national and international projects. Some of the recent international projects:
Beside research responsibilities, Csaba Makó has full time professorship at the Debrecen University – Department of Economics and is a head of the Ph.D. School in Economics (since: 2004).
Dr Steve Paton
University of Strathclyde
id100_paton_steve2.jpg Steve’s research addresses the nature of contemporary work focusing on the areas of knowledge in work and the management of the knowledge resources of the firm. Current activity is primarily focused on the generation of operational strategies of organizations and their attempts to create competitive advantage by increasing their activity in the areas of creative work and innovation and expanding their service provision and therefore moving up the value chain. Steve has published in the areas of change management and the management of knowledge work.
Dr Diane van de Broek
University of Sydney
id100_vandenbroek_diane.jpg Diane van den Broek's research and publishing interests relate to management and labour process issues within the service economy, most recently this has involved the changing relationships around technology, professionalism and deskilling within call centres. She has also been involved in an international study, in collaboration with researchers in Scotland and Sweden researchers on aesthetic labour in the retail industry. Two other projects Diane is working on include the matching of graduate attributes with employability, and variations around occupational identity.
University of Strathclyde
id100_baum_thomas.jpg Tom Baum's research focuses on people and work in low skills service industries, notably the hospitality and tourism sectors. His work considers HR themes both from a macro perspective in terms of planning and structural dimensions and in terms of the inter-face between employyes and customers at the level of the individual enterprise. Tom's work is internationally focused and includes research in a range of European, Asian, African and Pacific region contexts. He has published widely in the field with seven books and over 150 academic papers. He has also consulted with governments, international donor agencies and the private sector and appeared as an expert witness in international arbitration courts.
Professor Sharon Bolton
University of Strathclyde
id100_bolton_sharon.jpg Sharon C Bolton is Professor of Organisational Analysis at Strathclyde University Business School, Glasgow, UK. Her research interests include emotion in organisations, public sector management, nursing and teaching, gender and the professions, dignity in and at work, the human in human resource management. She is currently working on comparative research on dignity at work in Europe, with a focus on Greece and the UK and also gender, education and knowledge transfer across international boundaries. Sharon continues to be interested in developing more nuanced understandings of emotion at work, and the labour and skill involved in the emotional labour process. Research is published widely in leading international sociology and management journals such as Work, Employment and Society; Sociology; Journal of Management Studies; Gender, Work and Organisation, Sociologia Del Trabajo, Economia & Management and practitioner periodicals such as People Management and Personnel Today. A sole authored book ‘Emotion Management in the Workplace’ was published by Palgrave in 2005 followed by two edited collections in 2007: ‘Searching for the Human in Human Resource Management’ (with Maeve Houlihan) (Palgrave) and ‘Dimensions of Dignity at Work’ (Elsevier) and a new edited collection ‘Work Matters’ (with Maeve Houlihan) published by Palgrave in April 2009.
Dr John Buchanan
University of Sydney
Dr Asaf Darr
University of Haifa
id100_Asaf_Darr.jpgAsaf Darr studied Organizational Behaviour at the School of Industrial and Labour Relations, Cornell University. He is currently a senior lecturer in Organization Studies at the University of Haifa, and the Head of the Organization Studies program. In addition to many articles, he is the author of Selling Technology: The Changing Shape of Sales in an Information Economy, published in 2006 by Cornell University Press. His current research is on the social fabric of mass markets and on sales work and sales workers.
Doris Eikhof
University of Stirling
id100_eikhof_doris.jpg Doris Ruth Eikhof is Lecturer in Organization Studies at the Department of Management, University of Stirling, and Research Associate at the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, Austria. Her research interests include creative industries, changing forms of work and organization, organizational boundaries, organizations and lifestyles and social theories in organization studies. She has published in international and German academic books and journals, including Journal of Organizational Behavior, Creativity and Innovation Management and edited volumes to be published by Palgrave and Routledge. Recent collaboration with SCeR has included joint publications and editorships, the organization of conference streams for EGOS and ILPC and a comparative project on European football as an employment system.
Dr Richard Hall
University of Sydney
Professor Axel Haunschild
University of Trier
Axel Haunschild is Professor of Work, Employment and Organisation at the University of Trier, Germany. He is also Guest Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and at the School of Management, Royal Holloway, University of London. His research interests focus on changing forms of work and organisation, employment systems in the creative industries, the institutional embeddedness of work and employment, and the boundaries between work and life. He has published in journals such as Human Relations, British Journal of Industrial Relations, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Creativity and Innovation Management and Journal of Organizational Behavior. Recent work with SCER has included the organisation of conference streams (ILPC, EGOS), joint publications and editorships as well a comparative project on national employment systems in professional football
Professor Ewart Keep
ESRC Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance (SKOPE)
id100_keep_ewart2 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, and the linkages between skills and people management issues.
Dr Scott Hurrell
University of Stirling
hurrell_scott_100x140.jpg Scott Hurrell has recently been appointed to a lectureship in Work and Employment Studies in the Institute of Socio- Management at the University of Stirling, having previously worked in SCER and latterly at Aston University. One of Scott's main research interests is in the area of skills and work organisation with his PhD thesis examining soft skills deficits in Scotland, why these occurred and how employers responded to these. Scott also has interests in recruitment and selection, job quality and in organisations in the interactive service, public and non-profit sectors. Scott has worked with policy and public sector bodies including Futureskills Scotland, The Scottish Government, The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Equal Opportunities Commission (Scotland).
Dr Henrietta Huzzell
University of Karlstad
Professor Jeff Hyman
University of Aberdeen
id100_hyman_jeff.jpg Professor Jeff Hyman has a long-standing research interest in the ways in which employees participate in decisions made at work and the effects of their involvement in terms of employee satisfaction, relations with managers and performance. Employee share schemes have provided a focus for this interest. In the past few years, he has also been involved in research exploring new directions in work, exploring concepts and practice of work-life balance in sectors such as finance, software and in call centres with a particular emphasis on developments in Scotland where these sectors have become dominant areas for employment and for the local economy.
Professor Csaba Mako
Hungarian Academy of Sciences
id100_Mako_Csaba.jpgCsaba Makó is specialized in organizational changes (innovations), learning organisation and in their institutional (eg labour relations) contexts in an international perspective. He received Academic Doctors’ Title in Sociology (1983). Presently, he has a position as a Research Director at the Institute of Sociology – Hungarian Academy of Sciences and involved in numerous national and international projects. Some of the recent international projects:
Beside research responsibilities, Csaba Makó has full time professorship at the Debrecen University – Department of Economics and is a head of the Ph.D. School in Economics (since: 2004).
Dr Steve Paton
University of Strathclyde
id100_paton_steve2.jpg Steve’s research addresses the nature of contemporary work focusing on the areas of knowledge in work and the management of the knowledge resources of the firm. Current activity is primarily focused on the generation of operational strategies of organizations and their attempts to create competitive advantage by increasing their activity in the areas of creative work and innovation and expanding their service provision and therefore moving up the value chain. Steve has published in the areas of change management and the management of knowledge work.
Dr Diane van de Broek
University of Sydney
id100_vandenbroek_diane.jpg Diane van den Broek's research and publishing interests relate to management and labour process issues within the service economy, most recently this has involved the changing relationships around technology, professionalism and deskilling within call centres. She has also been involved in an international study, in collaboration with researchers in Scotland and Sweden researchers on aesthetic labour in the retail industry. Two other projects Diane is working on include the matching of graduate attributes with employability, and variations around occupational identity.
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
About Us: Strathclyde Associates Trading & Management Construction Company
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.
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.
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.
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.
Building Materials: Strathclyde Associates Trading & Management Construction Company
We sourced many construction materials. Part of our service is sourcing the best quality and price and provides a full and just in time shipping delivery service.
Please contact us for more details. We are particularly efficient in Thailand, Seoul Korea and Malaysia.
Here is a list of just a few of our products: Metal Building Materials, Granite, Artificial Stone, Heat Insulation Materials, Fireproofing Materials, Construction Adhesives & Sealant, Soundproof materials, Ceramics, Heat Insulation, Pipe Fittings, Waterproof Membrane, Slate, Marble and Timber.
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.
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.
Please contact us for more details. We are particularly efficient in Thailand, Seoul Korea and Malaysia.
Here is a list of just a few of our products: Metal Building Materials, Granite, Artificial Stone, Heat Insulation Materials, Fireproofing Materials, Construction Adhesives & Sealant, Soundproof materials, Ceramics, Heat Insulation, Pipe Fittings, Waterproof Membrane, Slate, Marble and Timber.
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.
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.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Tips for hiring contractors
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: To protect yourself — and your money — here are 4 tips to ensure that your next remodeling project goes smoothly.
We love building for ourselves, but some jobs just need to be subbed out. Unfortunately, a competent, honest remodeling contractor is no easy find. There are thousands of reliable, trustworthy contractors out there — but there are quite a few toolbox-wielding knuckleheads, too. Here’s what you should keep your eye on:
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Avoid sleazy or shady tactics.
The first thing to do is make sure you're not being scammed. Beware these 10 red flags:
The contractor ...
Provides credentials or references that can't be verified.
Offers a special price, but only if you sign a contract today.
Accepts only cash, requires large deposits or wants the entire cost up front.
Asks you to write a check in his name (not to the business).
Won't provide a written contract or complete bid.
Refuses to apply for building permits, and asks you to get them.
Offers exceptionally long warranties.
Proposes to do most or all of the work on weekends and after-hours.
Gives you a low-ball offer that sounds too good to be true.
Has "Will work for beer" painted on the side of his trucks .
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the construction work.
When you meet with contractors, ask each to bring photos or drawings of completed jobs that are similar to yours. When possible, ask to visit a completed project. Get in touch with the homeowners involved, says construction manager Amy Johnston, author of “What the Experts May Not Tell You about Building or Renovating Your Home.” Ask pointed, pertinent questions such as:
What was the original construction budget?
What was the final construction budget?
How would you describe the quality of the work?
Was the job site kept clean and organized?
Was the project completed on time?
Were any liens filed on your property?
Would you work with this contractor again?
Vetting a contractor through customers works both ways — word-of-mouth recommendations have long been one of the most reliable means of finding competent contractors. Seek references from neighbors, friends, architects, colleagues and real-estate agents. You can also find local contractors, along with ratings and reviews, from online sources, such as Angie's List.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the paperwork.
Check to make sure contractors are licensed and insured. A good pro should volunteer documentation. If you have doubts, contact the Better Business Bureau and check for complaints. When comparing competitors' bids, make sure everything is spelled out. This includes the scope of the work, materials specified, warranties, references, time frames, cost overruns, payment
Once you have chosen a contractor, obtain a written contract that includes the items specified in the original bid, plus the final price, payment terms, sales tax, permit fees, the specific work to be performed, materials to be used, warranties, start and end date, change-order processes, final review and sign-off procedures and debris removal. Once the job is under way, make sure the necessary building permits are on display.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the bills.
When advancing money for materials, ask the contractor if you can pay the supplier directly. Always pay with a check, never by cash. Take a carrot-and-stick approach to completed work — pay incrementally as each significant phase of work is completed. Be careful about paying for work that hasn't been finished. Before making the final payment, do a visual inspection of the entire project and make a punch list of any repairs or uncompleted work. Put all change orders in writing; avoid verbal contracts.
A small but important technicality: Request signed lien releases from all major subcontractors and suppliers before making final payments. A lien release guarantees that the contractor has fully paid his materials suppliers. Former contractor Tom Philbin, author of "How to Hire a Home-Improvement Contractor Without Getting Chiseled," tells the story of a Memphis, Tenn., homeowner who had some work done on his house. "The job went smoothly and he paid the general contractor all the money for the job. But the contractor hadn't paid his supplier, who slapped a lien on the homeowner. The homeowner ultimately had to pay an additional $20,000, even though he had paid the contractor in full." Get those lien releases. By Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics
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.
We love building for ourselves, but some jobs just need to be subbed out. Unfortunately, a competent, honest remodeling contractor is no easy find. There are thousands of reliable, trustworthy contractors out there — but there are quite a few toolbox-wielding knuckleheads, too. Here’s what you should keep your eye on:
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Avoid sleazy or shady tactics.
The first thing to do is make sure you're not being scammed. Beware these 10 red flags:
The contractor ...
Provides credentials or references that can't be verified.
Offers a special price, but only if you sign a contract today.
Accepts only cash, requires large deposits or wants the entire cost up front.
Asks you to write a check in his name (not to the business).
Won't provide a written contract or complete bid.
Refuses to apply for building permits, and asks you to get them.
Offers exceptionally long warranties.
Proposes to do most or all of the work on weekends and after-hours.
Gives you a low-ball offer that sounds too good to be true.
Has "Will work for beer" painted on the side of his trucks .
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the construction work.
When you meet with contractors, ask each to bring photos or drawings of completed jobs that are similar to yours. When possible, ask to visit a completed project. Get in touch with the homeowners involved, says construction manager Amy Johnston, author of “What the Experts May Not Tell You about Building or Renovating Your Home.” Ask pointed, pertinent questions such as:
What was the original construction budget?
What was the final construction budget?
How would you describe the quality of the work?
Was the job site kept clean and organized?
Was the project completed on time?
Were any liens filed on your property?
Would you work with this contractor again?
Vetting a contractor through customers works both ways — word-of-mouth recommendations have long been one of the most reliable means of finding competent contractors. Seek references from neighbors, friends, architects, colleagues and real-estate agents. You can also find local contractors, along with ratings and reviews, from online sources, such as Angie's List.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the paperwork.
Check to make sure contractors are licensed and insured. A good pro should volunteer documentation. If you have doubts, contact the Better Business Bureau and check for complaints. When comparing competitors' bids, make sure everything is spelled out. This includes the scope of the work, materials specified, warranties, references, time frames, cost overruns, payment
Once you have chosen a contractor, obtain a written contract that includes the items specified in the original bid, plus the final price, payment terms, sales tax, permit fees, the specific work to be performed, materials to be used, warranties, start and end date, change-order processes, final review and sign-off procedures and debris removal. Once the job is under way, make sure the necessary building permits are on display.
Tips for hiring contractors (and 10 ways to avoid scammers). Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Check the bills.
When advancing money for materials, ask the contractor if you can pay the supplier directly. Always pay with a check, never by cash. Take a carrot-and-stick approach to completed work — pay incrementally as each significant phase of work is completed. Be careful about paying for work that hasn't been finished. Before making the final payment, do a visual inspection of the entire project and make a punch list of any repairs or uncompleted work. Put all change orders in writing; avoid verbal contracts.
A small but important technicality: Request signed lien releases from all major subcontractors and suppliers before making final payments. A lien release guarantees that the contractor has fully paid his materials suppliers. Former contractor Tom Philbin, author of "How to Hire a Home-Improvement Contractor Without Getting Chiseled," tells the story of a Memphis, Tenn., homeowner who had some work done on his house. "The job went smoothly and he paid the general contractor all the money for the job. But the contractor hadn't paid his supplier, who slapped a lien on the homeowner. The homeowner ultimately had to pay an additional $20,000, even though he had paid the contractor in full." Get those lien releases. By Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Construction Company - SERVICES
SERVICES
STRATHCLYDE ASSOCIATES TRADING
& MANAGEMENT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
The services we provide to our customers are supply of high end construction management personnel with relevant language skills i.e. Thai, Korean and Malay.
Some examples of personnel we supply are:
* CAD Drafter
* Construction Estimator
* Field Safety Professional
* Inspector
* Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
* Construction Roadway Inspector
* Construction Inspector
* HVAC Field Supervisor
* Project Manager/Superintendents (USACE)
* Construction Quality Control - USACE CQM
* Senior Project Engineer
* Glass Construction Manager - VP Level
* Mechanical Construction Project Engineer
* Waste Water Treatment Project Manager
* Construction Materials Tester
* Sr. Mechanical Designer
Provides consulting services in the following areas:
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS CONSULTING
* Organizational Structure Review
* Competitive Strength Determination
* Individual Performance
o Setting the Right Goals
o Determining Proper Metrics
o Avoiding Unintended Consequences
CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING
* Program Management
* Construction Management
o Project Management
o Cost Management
o Time Management
o Quality Management
o Contract Administration
o Safety Management
* Construction Claims Support
o Construction Defect Investigations
o Water and Mold Investigations
o Insurance Claims
o Construction Accidents
o Expert Witness Testimony
o Construction Monitoring and Inspections
o Plan Review (Constructability and Risk)
o ADA Compliance (Existing and New)
o Material Selection Review
CLAIMS MITIGATION CONSULTING
* Review & Analysis of Drawings & Specifications
* Review & Analysis of Construction & Delivery Schedules
* Early Stage RFI process Review
* Pre-Construction Stakeholder Sessions
* Conflict Resolution Procedure Review & Establishment
* Change Order Procedure Review & Establishment
STRATHCLYDE ASSOCIATES TRADING
& MANAGEMENT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
The services we provide to our customers are supply of high end construction management personnel with relevant language skills i.e. Thai, Korean and Malay.
Some examples of personnel we supply are:
* CAD Drafter
* Construction Estimator
* Field Safety Professional
* Inspector
* Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
* Construction Roadway Inspector
* Construction Inspector
* HVAC Field Supervisor
* Project Manager/Superintendents (USACE)
* Construction Quality Control - USACE CQM
* Senior Project Engineer
* Glass Construction Manager - VP Level
* Mechanical Construction Project Engineer
* Waste Water Treatment Project Manager
* Construction Materials Tester
* Sr. Mechanical Designer
Provides consulting services in the following areas:
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS CONSULTING
* Organizational Structure Review
* Competitive Strength Determination
* Individual Performance
o Setting the Right Goals
o Determining Proper Metrics
o Avoiding Unintended Consequences
CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING
* Program Management
* Construction Management
o Project Management
o Cost Management
o Time Management
o Quality Management
o Contract Administration
o Safety Management
* Construction Claims Support
o Construction Defect Investigations
o Water and Mold Investigations
o Insurance Claims
o Construction Accidents
o Expert Witness Testimony
o Construction Monitoring and Inspections
o Plan Review (Constructability and Risk)
o ADA Compliance (Existing and New)
o Material Selection Review
CLAIMS MITIGATION CONSULTING
* Review & Analysis of Drawings & Specifications
* Review & Analysis of Construction & Delivery Schedules
* Early Stage RFI process Review
* Pre-Construction Stakeholder Sessions
* Conflict Resolution Procedure Review & Establishment
* Change Order Procedure Review & Establishment
Services: Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Company
The services we provide to our customers are supply of high end construction management personnel with relevant language skills i.e. Thai, Korean and Malay.
Some examples of personnel we supply are: CAD Drafter , Construction Estimator, Field Safety Professional, Inspector , Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Construction Roadway Inspector , Construction Inspector, HVAC Field Supervisor, Project Manager/Superintendents (USACE), Construction Quality Control - USACE CQM, Senior Project Engineer, Glass Construction Manager - VP Level, Mechanical Construction Project Engineer, Waste Water Treatment Project Manager, Construction Materials Tester, Sr. Mechanical Designer, Provides consulting services in the following areas:
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS CONSULTING: Organizational Structure Review, Competitive Strength Determination, Individual Performance, Setting the Right Goals, Determining Proper Metrics, Avoiding Unintended Consequences
CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING: Program Management, Construction Management, Project Management, Cost Management, Time Management , Quality Management, Contract Administration, Safety Management, Construction Claims Support, Construction Defect Investigations, Water and Mold Investigations, Insurance Claims, Construction Accidents, Expert Witness Testimony , Construction Monitoring and Inspections, Plan Review (Constructability and Risk), ADA Compliance (Existing and New) , Material Selection Review
CLAIMS MITIGATION CONSULTING: Review & Analysis of Drawings & Specifications, Review & Analysis of Construction & Delivery Schedules, Early Stage RFI process Review, Pre-Construction Stakeholder Sessions, Conflict Resolution Procedure Review & Establishment , Change Order Procedure Review & Establishment
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.
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. Fraudulent financial transactions are 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.
Some examples of personnel we supply are: CAD Drafter , Construction Estimator, Field Safety Professional, Inspector , Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), Construction Roadway Inspector , Construction Inspector, HVAC Field Supervisor, Project Manager/Superintendents (USACE), Construction Quality Control - USACE CQM, Senior Project Engineer, Glass Construction Manager - VP Level, Mechanical Construction Project Engineer, Waste Water Treatment Project Manager, Construction Materials Tester, Sr. Mechanical Designer, Provides consulting services in the following areas:
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS CONSULTING: Organizational Structure Review, Competitive Strength Determination, Individual Performance, Setting the Right Goals, Determining Proper Metrics, Avoiding Unintended Consequences
CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING: Program Management, Construction Management, Project Management, Cost Management, Time Management , Quality Management, Contract Administration, Safety Management, Construction Claims Support, Construction Defect Investigations, Water and Mold Investigations, Insurance Claims, Construction Accidents, Expert Witness Testimony , Construction Monitoring and Inspections, Plan Review (Constructability and Risk), ADA Compliance (Existing and New) , Material Selection Review
CLAIMS MITIGATION CONSULTING: Review & Analysis of Drawings & Specifications, Review & Analysis of Construction & Delivery Schedules, Early Stage RFI process Review, Pre-Construction Stakeholder Sessions, Conflict Resolution Procedure Review & Establishment , Change Order Procedure Review & Establishment
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.
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. Fraudulent financial transactions are 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
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.
(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.
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.
About Strathclyde Asoociates Trading & Management Construction 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 priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.
Company Contact Information
Strathclyde Asoociates Trading & Management Construction Company
Kevin Gilles
P.O. Box 17078 Baltimore, Maryland
21297
Phone : 410-684-2728
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.
(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.
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.
About Strathclyde Asoociates Trading & Management Construction 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 priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.
Company Contact Information
Strathclyde Asoociates Trading & Management Construction Company
Kevin Gilles
P.O. Box 17078 Baltimore, Maryland
21297
Phone : 410-684-2728
WELCOME TO STRATHCLYDE ASSOCIATES TRADING & MANAGEMENT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
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 Glasgow, Charleston, West Virginia, USA.
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 Shanghai China, 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
& 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 Glasgow, Charleston, West Virginia, USA.
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 Shanghai China, 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
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Renewable Green Fuels Portfolio Management By Strathclyde Associates Korea
“Clean energy has a dirty secret. It isn’t cheap” from USA today. Wisely, they have gone on to modify their doom-laden statement by writing that renewable, green energy is widely supported to fight global warming... And that high fossil fuel prices and a cap on power plant emissions could make clean energy competitive with – or even cheaper than - conventional energy.
As a result of healthy government subsidies and mandates, the bio fuel industry is expanding at a rapid pace. Already it is a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Clean, green, renewable fuels appear a more attractive proposition than ever before. We believe that the time is now right to take a position in this market segment which now represents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity, not only for stakeholders but also for investors looking at, much better than, reasonable growth.
This remark was prompted by the highest spate of insider selling in more than a year. Conventional wisdom says it’s time to sell when corporate leaders start cashing in on gains because it signals a lack of confidence with the corporate outlook. However, many factors can muddy the bigger picture when trying to draw a conclusion from insider selling.
Executives have sold personal holdings for other reasons over the past year, analysts say, including cash-flow problems following the wipe-out in equities, tighter credit controls and a desire for greater diversification. A percentage of selling volume is made up of options on the company’s stock which are generally solve because they are about to expire. After the shock of seeing large chunks of their wealth destroyed during the crisis, corporate insider are more likely to be selling some holdings in their own companies and diversifying more into other stocks.
Concern over the depreciating value of the US dollar and the global economic crisis is prompting calls for policymakers to consider creating and using a “supranational currency”, such as special drawing rights (SDR’s), as their new global reserve currency.
The SDR is an international reserve asset allocated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to member countries. While expressed in US dollars, its currency value is based on market exchange rates of a basket of four major currencies – the Euro, UK pound sterling, Japanese yen and the US dollar – making it less prone to volatility. SDR’s can be exchanged for freely usable currencies which is why more and more countries are including them in their reserve currency mix.
High profile leaders like Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, and the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, have also added their voices to the need for the replacement of the globally dominant US dollar. Sterling chair Professor of Economics, M.S.G. Bautista, estimates that whilst US dollars currently account for 62% of all reserves in the world, the euro and the UK pound continue to grow appreciably.
As a result of healthy government subsidies and mandates, the bio fuel industry is expanding at a rapid pace. Already it is a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Clean, green, renewable fuels appear a more attractive proposition than ever before. We believe that the time is now right to take a position in this market segment which now represents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity, not only for stakeholders but also for investors looking at, much better than, reasonable growth.
This remark was prompted by the highest spate of insider selling in more than a year. Conventional wisdom says it’s time to sell when corporate leaders start cashing in on gains because it signals a lack of confidence with the corporate outlook. However, many factors can muddy the bigger picture when trying to draw a conclusion from insider selling.
Executives have sold personal holdings for other reasons over the past year, analysts say, including cash-flow problems following the wipe-out in equities, tighter credit controls and a desire for greater diversification. A percentage of selling volume is made up of options on the company’s stock which are generally solve because they are about to expire. After the shock of seeing large chunks of their wealth destroyed during the crisis, corporate insider are more likely to be selling some holdings in their own companies and diversifying more into other stocks.
Concern over the depreciating value of the US dollar and the global economic crisis is prompting calls for policymakers to consider creating and using a “supranational currency”, such as special drawing rights (SDR’s), as their new global reserve currency.
The SDR is an international reserve asset allocated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to member countries. While expressed in US dollars, its currency value is based on market exchange rates of a basket of four major currencies – the Euro, UK pound sterling, Japanese yen and the US dollar – making it less prone to volatility. SDR’s can be exchanged for freely usable currencies which is why more and more countries are including them in their reserve currency mix.
High profile leaders like Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, and the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, have also added their voices to the need for the replacement of the globally dominant US dollar. Sterling chair Professor of Economics, M.S.G. Bautista, estimates that whilst US dollars currently account for 62% of all reserves in the world, the euro and the UK pound continue to grow appreciably.
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