Hacked out of $1000+ from an E-Transfer

Before reading this: I'm not sure if anyone still follow this old blog. But I want to improve my writing and get into a habit of writing just whatever's on my mind so thought I'll just continue on this old blog semi-privately as I bet no one reads anyway. 

On January 1st  my email transfer of over $1000 to my fiance's work email address was deposited by someone else. I saw the notification that my fiance's name made the deposit but my fiance was beside me and he hasn't deposited the money yet. We checked the money wasn't there so we called the next day to TD to confirm (we both use TD). The fraud department is investigating and told us to file a police report, in the meantime while both our cards are frozen. We need to verify our identity at the bank to reactivate. 

From further research after this whole incident, I found out e-transfer interception is a very common fraud. I don't think many consumers are aware of the security risks of email transfer! Banks really spin it off as a quick and convenient way, which leaves consumers to let their guard down. The sender is always at risk even if the recipient's address was compromised.  

If you're ever doing e-transfers, here are some safety tips: 

1. Always set up auto-deposit as a recipient, adding passwords can give an opportunity for the hacker to guess and deposit the money.
2. If there is no auto-deposit set up by the recipient, select a very hard-to-guess password and tell the recipient via phone or another secure line of communication besides email.
3. Don't do e-transfer if you can, bank-to-bank transfers are more secure.
4. Don't accept e-transfers to people you don't know well such as FB Marketplace, Kijiji, etc. As a lot of fraudsters can use a hacked account to send you money or trick someone else to send you money which they were intending to send to the fraudster for another transaction. Money could be reversed by the bank if there is fraudulent activity proven. If you need to sell using E-transfer or Paypal (which is bad also) at least take a picture of you giving the item to the person though it might not be enough proof. 
5. Don't leave money sitting in your email undeposited.

I've heard horror stories from rent e-transfers from rent, contractors and lawyers stolen. I would hear my verdict in 10 business days. If TD is not reissuing my money, I'll have to take my business someplace else. I hope there is a happy ending to this. 

PS - I got my money back! Super lucky, though I can't say the same for other users that I've seen online.

The love of house plants

With everyone in quarantine, people develop new love and interests as they shift gears on how they spend their time. I myself, find that house plants have gained a new place in my heart. Looking at Google Trends, we can see that indoor plants have peaked this growing season. 

Impact of COVID has made peopled siloed in their own homes and plants are inexpensive companions that can help decorate the home and give a sense of nature indoors. I recently discovered that plants can do a lot more than just being a simple decor piece. Many people attribute plants as air purifiers but plants are actually not as efficient at filtering toxins in the air does really little to help that. However, the biggest benefit and well researched is the numerous ways that plants can actually help with mental wellbeing such as signs of improving mood, focus and relieving stress. I've read studies comparing a group that was doing a computer activity vs. a group that repotted a plant, the plant group improve their test for creativity. Also having greenery in the office supported improved creativity as well. 

For me, caring for a living thing that relies on you as a support can be very rewarding, watching the changes the plant goes through. It's also a less demanding kind of pet compare to getting a dog or cat in the home. A plant dying is a learning process in plant care, whereas a living breathing cat and dog dying can feel much more tragic. 

For these reasons, I think that plants are a great addition to any home, a great gift to those who aren't plant lovers yet. These are my favourite and interesting plants that are common enough that you can find them in some big box stores.

1. Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma, most commonly known as Mini Monstera. These plants grow super fast, a new leaf each week in front of my east-facing window and just a joy to watch it grow. The plant can be grown as a trailing basket or a trellised plant. The compact growth habit doesn't take much space horizontally like a traditionally Monstera so perfect for even smaller spaces. The cheapest price point I've seen is $8 at Canadian Tire for a baby pot with no fenestrations on the leaf yet ($13 with fenestrations 5inch pot). 
2. Scindapsus Pictus - There are many versions but I highly recommend the Exotica as the leaves are 3x the size of regular Argyraeus and have lovely silver speckled leaves and inexpensive in comparison with other 'rare' forms. Huge velvety silvery sparkly leaves in the light, a great bang for the buck especially if you are able to catch it at the big box stores. Also can tolerate lower light conditions (not no light!). Cheapest price point I've seen it is $7 at Canadian Tire 4inch. 
   
3. ZZ Plant - It's basic but also very reliable as it can be tucked in the corner without natural sunlight and still look unphased. Water once every 3 weeks or a month when the soil is dry and it's good to go. Slower growing but mine has grown a few branches this growing season.$14 at Ikea. 
   

With the quarantine in place in Toronto, picking up a plant can lift up your spirits. It may be trickier to find many plants to fill up a home during the middle of winter. Though I've heard there are still some great finds at Queensway Canadian Tire and if you're downtown Tiny Flower is a local small shop and plants are reasonably priced.