Scams galore........... Protect yourself

I have mentioned it before but I think it is important for you to know that you need to protect yourself from scammers. Today I had more than I wanted to spend any time on, so I guess I have to start reporting it all to the authorities. Internet fraud is quite popular and many are devastated. Today I got an email from Italy who pretended to be Interac. A Lea Wright not the name on the email. That actually sounded Italian and I have it but cannot post it here, had sent me $714.00. I know of no Lea Wright. However, thank you for sending this because I was assured previously by a bank employee when I asked, that e transfers are safe. Now I know better. Of course I did not accept any money which is probably why another was sent so soon. So, I shall bring the emails and source information to the bank and let them deal with it. In the past and not for a while, I was getting emails about wanted therapy for people and was sent a money order for a check of a sizeable amount. Much more than the therapy would cost (I do not accept money in advance). It looked so real, that the bank employee thought it was legitimate. At my insistance he looked further into it and found some scam network out west. Today I also received an email stating that my password had been compromised and if I didn't send funds porn sites would be associated with my name and released to the media. I love Disney movies, thrillers etc....but porn is not on the list. I have nothing to hide and I cannot be bribed. I normally just block such emails but this is wasting too much time. So any further scams will be reported to the police authorities or government. Last week in the mail, I received two applications for attending a seminar at Harvard. I called Harvard. I will not let you know how I knew that was fraudulent. So, that was made aware to the Harvard police. Any further emails, mails etc.....shall be kept and forwarded to the appropriate authorities. It is very sad that so many innocent people lose all their savings. A neigbhour not too long ago asked me to listen to her voice mail. Another scam. The police will not call you to ask for money or they will arrest you. Hopefully, internat scammers will become easier to find and prosecute. Many can barely speak English and others have such a heavy accent that you know they are targeting a certain demographic. Others are pros. So, if anyone sends you money or tells you they want to give you their estate because there is no one else in their lives, don't fall for it. Unfortunately because I have a business I probably get more than average. However, nuisance is costing me time. So, let's all be cautious. No one is going to give you money for nothing. I have a secure site at www.silvaredigonda.com so if you want to give me money just because I am charming than just use my site and forget about cheques or moneyorders or etransfers. My site is secure. It is paypal. So, to the scammers, I know this is easy money for you but think of the havac you do to good people. I know working for a living won't let you live with the lifestyle you have earned by scamming. But try utilizing those skills for something good. For the rest of you. Please protect yourself. If you go on a dating site, don't let the person trick you into giving him/her money. Always be safe. You do not know who you are dealing with. So, if I have made one of you think about being more careful then I feel rewarded. What do you think? Never hesitate to share or ask a question.

News flash..............................

I normally begin my day with prayer, reflection and then I watch the news. I turn on CP 24, City Pulse 24 hour news. Reporters inform us of what is happening in the city and if that is not enough there is a scroll of news as well. When this scrolling began, I thought listening to one without reading the scrolls was enough. However, I have begun to be quite proficient at doing both, especially since I can reverse what I am seeing and speed forward at a seconds notice. This morning I stopped as I read “UN report says the number of people facing chronic food deprivation globally increased to 821 million in 2017.” I am stunned. The numbers are staggering. I pause to write that down and then I read, “Authorities in Vietnam’s capital are urging residents to stop eating dog meat because it hurts the city’s image.” What can I say to that? I continue to be bombarded with city news regarding TIFF and then the scroll continues to rapture me, “20,336 people were murdered in South Africa between April 2017 and March 2018”. I decide to take out my laptop and record this news for you and then I see the date on my lap top, Sep 11. Is there one of us who is not touched by that date? There was no mention of that on the news but I almost turned off the tv because I didn’t want to see anymore bad news. I wanted to return to my normal. My sense of safety and security which I realize is an illusion. Then the Amazing Race Canada Heroes popped up and the final three were interviewed. I focused on them, as the scroll continued with news I had already read. The finale is tonight. I watch the American and Canadian shows. Remember I tape all my shows and watch it at leisure. I continue to read the scrolls, “Apple growers in Nova Scotia say frost in the spring has destroyed nearly 50% of their crop.” I then turn off the news. I have heard enough for this morning. The phone rings, I am needed to help someone who is in a minor crises. It is a private client. I ponder. I love my life. I am right where I want to be at this stage of my life. After my second career, I had believed I saw it all and heard it all. I was wrong. Now at this young, old age of mine, I know better. I hear horrendous stories. That is my work. Living in a multi-cultural city, I have seen people from all religions and cultures. If I have missed one, I probably will get another opportunity. I have admired many who I have seen who have been able to overcome so many obstacles and challenges in their lives. When I joined my first career, my mother said it would be difficult for me because I would be forced to deal with people I didn’t like. She was right. She told me that right up to my twenties, I had decided who was in my circle of friends and associates. However, by being forced to work and socialize with people who I normally would avoid, I have become a better person and therapist. I know there are extreme views which are so engrained that to see beyond that view is impossible for some. However, I also know that exposure and education works. We live in a world where people are starving when they shouldn’t be. Politicians act as if they are God. Even the Western world is becoming threatened with elected officials challenging democracy. One thing I have learned is that freedom is very important. I cherish my freedom. Would I allow myself be tortured because of my religion by some low IQ tyrant? I don’t know. I would think that I was ok to say anything to survive, because deep in my soul, I am who I am and regardless of what I would say, I would never give up my religion within my soul. However, I know that until I am in a situation, however clear it is to what I think I will do, will or may not happen. People are always amazed by their own behaviours when dealing with an unforeseen crises. We live in a beautiful world where anything good is possible. Look at the marvel of nature. How often do I encourage my clients to spend time in nature or at least to utilize the brain by taking mini breaks of imagining nature as chaos is around them. I know that average intelligence is not all that high. I know that one cannot assess their own intelligence accurately. But I have a dream. In that dream, people take a stand against dictatorship. Priorities change from ridiculous wars on trade to actually uniting about feeding all people in the world and to begin sincerely caring for others. I believe that corporations now in charge will dwindle in their immense, as climate change becomes so obvious to the most resistant person. We live in a beautiful world and though we seem to keep repeating our mistakes throughout history, we have the technology to know so much. Now we just have to catch up emotionally and ethically to take care of each other and question…….What can I do to make a difference for others and myself? What can I do to make a difference for my planet? What can I do? My thoughts will be in New York today. It is my favourite city. What do you think?

Will be signing and selling my books this Saturday at Fairbanks Park

It is that time of the year again and this time I will be selling my books at two events in two weeks. You know about Word on the Street at the Harbour Front, but I will also be at Fairbanks Park, on Dufferin Street, South of Eglinton and the East side. There is free parking and a bakery just across the street. Rain or shine...............www.silvaredigonda.com I am always available for readings and selling my books.

My bad........no more reports from Federal retirees news

It has come to my knowledge that reports for Federal Retirees is not for public information. Therefore, I will not be reporting any further news. Since I have been reporting anything I thought was positive for the people, I now know better. My bad.

Hierarchy Approach for Psychoanalyst - abnormal psychology notes continues

Hierarchy Approach for Psychoanalyst I am going to take a break from the conference notes though I have more such as pet grief therapy and pregnancy loss grief. I want to return to my Abornormal psych notes from undergrad to eliminate some note books. I last wrote to you about fear. I will now continue with Hierarchy Approach for psychoanalyst. For the psychoanalyst everything is symbolic of the non-conscience, if it comes into the conscience awareness. A therapist tries to bring the conflict from the sub-conscience to conscience and to help the client deal with it. Eg. spider represents - whatever- find what it represents and then deal with it. Not simply to get rid of fear of spider - previously stopped at some level - when resolved go to the next level. Cognitive therapy is not trying to change your whole personality. It is trying to change the way you think about the topic. So in that case heirachy of what therapy is for. Most research finds that phobias psychoanalytical is a waste of time. Cognitive is oky but takes a fair amount of time. Phobia behaviour works well five or six times. Next: for abnormal : Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Word on the Street - Visit me. Will be signing and selling my books at booth 401b

Come and visit me Sunday 23 September 2018 at Queens Quay Harbour Front. Find me at Booth 401B, and look for my sign, "Hey Guy Buy Me." I will be near the Learning Station , opposite of where I normally am. "Hey Guy Buy Me" is a book for men. I was inspired by the men I have worked with to write it. It has cartoons guys! It is an easy read and my first book. Satire anyone? Women like it too and I recommend that women give it to the men in their lives and ponder their reactions to it. My second book "For Love of Country - Military Police Woman" is my second book and bio. It stems from my own rite of passage. My third book is my favourite to date, "The Internet Murders", which is a fictional account of a serial killer in Toronto. It involves a non politically correct police Sergeant raised in Toronto of Italian descent. Get an idea of some tourist hot spots you may want to venture at. Come and talk to me.

For Federal Retiree's (Canada) (quotation)

Federal Court of Appeal to hear Federal Retirees’ PSHCP Appeal On September 18, 2018 the Federal Court of Appeal in Ottawa will begin hearings in the matter of the National Association of Federal Retirees and its named applicants who are challenging the decision by the Treasury Board of Canada to increase the health care premiums of retirees from 25% to 50% under the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP). New Federal Retirees CAF Veteran Membership Card We are pleased to announce that Air Canada and Porter Airlines recently confirmed that they will accept the new Federal Retirees CAF veteran membership card as valid ID for their enhanced baggage allowance programs! With this new card, eligible members can check their luggage for free when flying with Air Canada or Porter according to each airline’s military baggage policy. To receive your own Federal Retirees CAF veteran membership card, don’t hesitate to contact the national office.