A national IT support company is warning people to be on their guard from fraudsters who could potentially con computer users into revealing their bank details.

The PC Support Group, which has its head office in Liverpool, revealed victims are receiving calls from companies claiming to be their Internet Service Provider (ISP) and suggesting there is a virus on the consumer’s PC.

The criminal then takes the victim through steps to fix the ‘problem’ which ends with them allowing remote access to their PCs.

This can then be used to access financial details and security settings such as passwords, enabling them to gain access to their computers and important private information such as bank accounts.

Phil Bird, managing director of The PC Support Group, advised people to be extra vigilant when receiving calls about their PCs.

He said: “We have received a number of calls from irate computer users who had money fraudulently taken from their accounts.  They had received calls from someone claiming to be their Internet Service Provider.

“They then offered what they called essential IT support services and gained access to their financial information. Within days these people found money had been withdrawn from their bank accounts without their agreement.

“Anyone receiving a call about IT support needs to show extreme caution. Listen to what the caller has to say and then politely say that you will call them back.

“You can then use your normal contact numbers or email addresses to get in touch with your ISP to check whether they have really called about a problem.

“The PC Support Group never makes cold calls to consumers and we don’t believe any reputable company would, so if you receive such a call there is a high probability that it is a scam.”

On Tuesday 19th January, Phil Redmond relaunched the new Open Culture website; a great offer for all Merseysiders. Open Culture has worked closely with FACT to redevelop www.culture.org.uk

Phil Redmond said: “I’m delighted our partnership with FACT is flourishing. The new Open Culture website is easy and clear to operate, keeping to the original aspirations of our prototype - to get people to act creatively; creating culture not just consuming it!”

So what does the Open Culture website offer?

• An online exhibition space for everyone to share and promote their creativity and events, in the form of words, pictures and video. Simply log in and upload

• Find help through Culture Swap; an online swap shop for individuals/groups who either need or are offering something, for example: sponsorship, a tin of paint, a venue, a double decker bus – think ‘freecycle’ for creatives. Simply post a listing and receive responses directly

• Current highlight from Culture Swap – The Liverpool Art Prize Needs Sponsors. This is an ideal opportunity for local businesses or individuals to sponsor a major annual art prize and improve their business profile. See link for details -http://www.culture.org.uk/sections/culture/show/18

• It offers local cultural News and DIY sections that will keep you up to date with participatory arts and opportunities in the region

• And not forgetting the Signposting section that provides useful links to key organisations across the Northwest

A new website aimed at helping Liverpool businesses weather the current economic climate has been launched this week.

Liverpool Business Lifeline is a website aimed at providing useful advice and guidance for businesses affected by the current economic downturn.

The site pulls together information on the services and support that is available from the major business support providers, particularly Liverpool Vision, Business Link, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ACAS.

As well as providing advice on sources of funding for smaller businesses, the site also highlights some of the practical help available to enable businesses to shape up the financial management, marketing and sales of their business so that they emerge from the credit crunch with a stronger and more competitive business.

Mike Taylor, director of investment and enterprise, Liverpool Vision, said: “Liverpool businesses are coping well with the credit crunch, but its effects are undoubtedly being felt here and we want to help as many as possible weather this economic storm.

“The Liverpool Business Lifeline website is targeted at the city’s small-to-medium sized businesses and all Liverpool organisations that are struggling to find an easy route to advice and guidance during the recession.

“We hope it will prove to be an essential reference point for businesses looking to ensure that they will come through these difficult times in a healthy state from which they can again consolidate and grow.”

The website offers comprehensive advice on finance, property, employment and marketing and sales, together with links to seek further specific advice.

The launch of the website will be supported by an awareness campaign that starts at the end of the month which will include information on buses, taxis and posters around the city.

Liverpool Business Lifeline web site is now live and can be viewed at www.liverpoolbusinesslifeline.com

Ends
For further information please contact Jonathan Caswell, head of Public Relations at Liverpool Vision on 0151 600 2946 or via email at jcaswell@liverpoolvision.co.uk

Swine flu could have serious consequences for small and medium size businesses so ensuring your business is properly prepared is essential.

Ministers have warned that in a worst case scenario, 100,000 people could contract swine flu every day by the end of August, with 1 in 8 employees forced to take time off work. Should these projections come to bear, the sheer number of people affected will undoubtedly have an impact on business productivity and the wider economy.

The British Chambers of Commerce is hosting a live WebTV show on Tuesday 28th July at 11am to discuss the current situation, how businesses should prepare for swine flu and how you should react if it hits your business.

Joining presenter Ian Collins in the studio are Bruce Mann, Head of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat at the Cabinet Office and David Frost, the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce. They will also be joined representatives from two businesses – Robert Stead and Sue Hill – who will discuss how their businesses are coping with the crisis.

This is an excellent opportunity to give businesses a chance to share their own contingency plans and ideas they have implemented to deal with the spread of swine flu in the workplace.

To submit a question live to the panel visit www.britishchambers.org.uk on Tuesday 28th July at 11:00-11.30am.

You may be aware of Liverpool Chamber’s new Green Ambassador scheme which aims to showcase and celebrate the achievements of businesses that are promoting environmental best practice in Liverpool.

If yours is a company, organisation or agency that has something ‘Green’ to shout about (e.g. the ISO14001) then here is a fantastic opportunity to get noticed.

Simply complete the attached form and send back to Kush Thakar at Liverpool Chamber by email.

Download the form here [XLS]

Email completed forms to kush.thakar@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Your company’s good work will then be displayed online on the city’s official Year of the Environment website: www.ourcityourplanet.org.uk.

The b.TWEEN 09 Interactive Digital Media Forum is just around the corner (11/12 June at FACT in Liverpool). It’s a chance to hear some of the most influential individuals from across the media industries - from advertising, branding, broadcast, social media, tech, mobile, gaming and web

Featuring a superb array of speakers from Spotify, Orange, Ogilvy, Channel 4, Penguin, Aegis Media, Bebo, New Media Age, Sellaband, Endemol, Mint Digital, Tate Media, Holler, Culture 24 and Emmy award winners RAW TV

b.TWEEN is at the intersection of the new creative economy… can you afford to miss it?

You can find out the latest at http://btween.co.uk and you can book tickets here: http://www.btween.co.uk/pages/book-now

b.TWEEN forum is now in it’s 5th year,  and remains the only event of its kind where delegates have total access to the panelists, and can take part in the discussion in real time via live web chats and Twitter.

At b.TWEEN you will make connections and collaborations, engage with the minds shaping the future of digital media and seed the deals to bring in business for the coming year.

The full programme can be viewed here: Thursday 11 June / Friday 12 June

Just announced is the chance to Present at b.TWEEN 09! Tell us about yourself and what makes you tick - pitch to speakers and delegate. Submit your idea here: http://www.btween.co.uk/quickfire

b.TWEEN 09 Sessions include Brand Grenades, Sacred Cows with Morgan Holt (HUGE), Mike Bayler (Strategy Review), Thomas Benski (Pulse Films) & Jamie Conygham (Dojo Media). Exploring the myths about Brands as content commissioners, this session will ask what branded content is, what success looks like and how to start conversations with Brands.

The Case Against Advertising featuring Steve Taylor (Aegis Media) & Jonathan MacDonald (JMA) exploring the new consumer sees straight through advertising dishonesty: they expect integrity, not a glossy film of glitter. What can agencies do to create real consumer value and enable conversations? This passionate session presents two sides of the same coin, exploring what the industry might look like once the dust settles

Boom & Bust 2.0? With panelist Jon Mitchell (Spotify), Mike Nutley (new media age), William Owen (made by many) & Giles Rhys-Jones (Ogilvy). Online success has its cost. Social networks raise revenue from their communities in a number of ways, but do they really turn page impressions into enough hard cash to cover mounting costs?

What is the end game? Are we careering towards the next boom and bust?

Book now
www.btween.co.uk