Financial Institutions Directory
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
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Published in U.S. 1 Newspaper on January 26, 2000. All rights
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Business Fraud
How can I scam thee? Let me count the ways — there
are at least six in a recent Dun and Bradstreet report, “How to
Protect Yourself from Business Fraud.” Call 800-756-6329.
First, there’s the “bustout” or “overbuy,” where a
swindler orders merchandise from a few suppliers, pays promptly, and
then proceeds to use those credit references for even greater
purchases.
Eventually, they go MIA.
By contrast, the “hit and run” swindler uses phony certified
cashiers checks or COD to scam businesses. There’s also the “Home
Town Repeater,” where a person uses different trade styles and
sticks to scamming out-of-towners, and the Advance Fee Scams, Phony
Stock Transfers.
To avoid scams Dun and Bradstreet suggests:
Check the ownership of a company. Favorite fronts of conartists are young people (long business background not necessary)or very old, retired people. Management background should be easyto check always.Check references. You can use the Yellow Pages, and askto speak to the credit manager rather than the person you were toldto contact. Tell-tale signs of foul play: a glowing account of thebusiness in question before records are checked, and hard-to-tracefax numbers that could lead to a single location.Look at the financial statement of the business; if itis heavy on assets, and low on debt, it might look too good to betrue. Call the company’s primary bank for a reference — ask aboutthe average balance. Make sure their number jells with the numberyou see on the balance sheet.Be wary of the unsolicited customer, someone who refusesto mention a reference, and makes a strong case for urgent delivery— especially of a very large order. If the customer is toofamiliarwith your credit policy, you may have a criminal in your midst.Check the location of an unfamiliar business. Fraudulentbusiness operations generally utilize short-term, low-rent locations,and prefer mail drops. Make sure the address is appropriate to thetype of business. You can check with the building management firmor ask a third party to drop by the address for you.People should be aware, according to Dun and Bradstreet, thatcertain industries are rife with swindlers — the wholesale generalmerchandise, small item, and low-to-medium priced apparel industriesin particular. Be cautious because, as they say: “Running aprofitablebusiness is hard enough without getting ripped off.”Top Of PageFinancial Institutions DirectoryThe Winter 2000 edition of the NJBA New Jersey Financial InstitutionsDirectory has just been released. The directory lists banks and theirbranches in New Jersey, along with town population and the name ofcounty and Federal Reserve District in which each are located. NJBAofficers and information are also included. The state directory is$33, but consolidated orders are slightly less. Call 609-924-5550.Top Of PageTax HelpAlready dreading the day April 15? Before you tear yourhair out, there are some area organizations that can help. For the17th straight year, Rider University accounting students will beworkingwith the IRS to offer free tax assistance to those who cannot affordprofessional help. Volunteers will be at the court near Lord andTaylorat the Quaker Bridge Mall on Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m., and Saturdaysfrom 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., from February 7 to March 4.On Tuesdays, from noon to 3 p.m., volunteers will also be in the mainlobby of the Student Center on the Lawrenceville campus. Call Rider’sPublic Relations office: 609-896-5192.If Lawrenceville is too far from home, the Princeton Senior ResourceCenter is also sponsoring free tax assistance for low andmoderate-incomesenior citizens. Trained volunteers from the American Associationof Retired Persons will be available Mondays from February 7 to April10, between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. Call the Princeton Senior ResourceCenter to schedule an appointment: 609-924-7108.For either program, participants should bring a copy of their 1998Federal and New Jersey tax returns, as well as all pertinent 1999tax information.Top Of PageCertificate in Nonprofit ManagementLearn how to fundraise, build an effective board, andestablish a reputation for your nonprofit organization with MercerCounty College’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management. MargeSmith,former executive director of the YWCA of Princeton and consultantfor nonprofits for 20 years, teaches “Fundamentals of NonprofitManagement,” a four-session course offered on Mondays at 7:10p.m. beginning February 28 ($100).Experts in the area of finance discuss budgets, accounting procedures,capital campaigns, solicitations, endowments, and fundraising duringfour sessions of “Financial Management and Fundraising,”beginningApril 10 ($80). Call 609-586-9446.Top Of PageDonate PleaseHere’s a corporate gift with a one/two punch — withone sum of money you not only send a gift basket, but you also helpa charity. The “Touch of Taste” division of the ARC/Mercer’semployment center on New York Avenue, run by Dilys Henninger,offers all kinds of gift baskets for any occasion. The baskets rangein price from $15 to $55, and you can make your picks from afour-colorcatalog and have them delivered — or sent out of town by U.P.S.”Our prices are very competitive,” says Arlene Gold,the marketing director, “and you are helping a good cause andputting a group of people to work.” A hand crafted ceramic potwith seasonal bulbs is $15, and an office party basket, perhaps fora nurse’s station, is $50. Some corporations include items with theirown logo — a key chain or a t-shirt, for instance — to theirclients.ARC can also take donations of products to be used in the baskets— overruns, overstocks, or samples of “gifty” type itemsor even canned and packaged food items. Call 609-393-2483.Top Of PageDonate PleaseThe Mercer County Community College Foundationsponsors its 11th annual scholarship gala, “Join us for a ChineseNew Year Celebration,” on Saturday, March 4 at the Hyatt Regencyin Princeton. Proceeds go directly towards student assistance. Ticketsare $175, or support the event through donations, corporatesponsorships,or by placing ads in the gala journal. Contact Linda Lichtfusat 609-586-4800, ext. 3269.Top Of PageCall for EntriesThe Business & Professional Women of Hightstown/EastWindsorare accepting applications for their Career Development awards. Theawards are for women 25 or older who are continuing with college,or returning, or seeking vocational training. Application deadlineis Monday, February 28. Call 609-448-5599 for an application.The Russell Berrie Foundation seeks nominations for the”Making a Difference” awards, to those “unsung heroes”who sacrifice their time for others. To submit a nomination, contactRamapo College at 201-684-7050 by Monday, February 14.The Business Marketing Association of New Jersey isseekingapplicants for the 2000 Impact Awards, a competition for excellencein marketing communications. The deadline for entries is Friday,February4. All entries must have been produced during calendar year 1999.The cost is $60 for members, $85 non-members. Call AndrewSerenyiat 732-225-7115, or visit the website at https://www.bma-nj.org.Previous StoryNext StoryCorrections or additions?This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
