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June 13, 2018 0

Spam Calls Are Multiplying — Here’s Why (And What You Should Do About It)

Feel like robocalls are out of control? You’re right. Nearly 3.4 billion automated calls were placed to landlines and cell phones in April 2018 — an increase of 900 million a month compared with April 2017.

These calls cover all the bases: scam attempts from callers claiming to be with the IRS, customer service for companies like Microsoft, credit card companies, student debt lenders, utility firms, and even foreign governments. Last month, New York’s state government warned Chinese-Americans about calls purporting to be from the Chinese consulate demanding money. So far, 21 consumers have lost $2.5 million to the scam.

Nearly 3.4 billion automated calls were placed to landlines and cell phones in April 2018

Lawmakers have taken notice — and taken action. The United States Congress held hearings on the issue in April, with several pieces of pending legislation aimed at fighting unwanted robocalls. Last November, the FCC also adopted new rules allowing phone companies to proactively block illegal robocalls in response to rising consumer complaints. Those complaints went up from 3.1 million in 2014 to 7.1 million in 2017.

New York’s state government warned Chinese-Americans about calls purporting to be from the Chinese consulate demanding money. So far, 21 consumers have lost $2.5 million to the scam.

The problem is still huge, though. Scammers can route their calls through a multitude of carriers and networks, making it difficult to determine exactly where they originate. The latest twist on the scam comes from “neighborhood spoofing,” in which robocalls are placed using local numbers to try and entice recipients to pick up. Similarly, scammers can spoof an existing number, tricking consumers into thinking a trusted business is calling them.

Consumer complaints went up from 3.1 million in 2014 to 7.1 million in 2017.

The federal Do Not Call list was intended to stem the tide of spam calls, but experts liken it to more of a tennis net trying to stop a flood. Its protections for landlines are stronger than for cell phone numbers, as well, which may explain why spam calls to smartphones represent the biggest increase in recent months. Adding your number to the list can help, but the most fraudulent hackers (many of whom are based overseas) have so far been undeterred by the rules.

How can you keep your information safe?

1. Don’t answer calls from unfamiliar numbers.

The most straightforward way to avoid robocalls is not answering in the first place — especially when it comes to calls received on your cell phone. If you get a call from an unfamiliar number, let it go to voicemail; if it’s somebody important, they’ll leave a message. This advice aligns nicely with the number-one rule for preventing ransomware, which is not to click links or open attachments from unfamiliar email addresses.

2. Don’t engage the caller.

If you do find yourself on the phone with a potential spammer, don’t respond to invitations to press a number to opt out — that will let the hackers know your number is working. The best bet in most instances is to hang up once you know the call is unwanted.

3. Be careful what you say.

Spammers can ask a variety of questions like “Can you hear me?” If you answer “Yes,” that voice signature can be used at a later date to authorize fraudulent charges via telephone. In addition, don’t yell at or accuse a live caller. In many instances, this can result in more calls to your number — or the hackers spoofing your number and trying to take advantage of your trusted network of contacts.

4. Report spammers to the National Do Not Call Registry.

Once your number has been listed on the Registry for a month, you can start reporting unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission. Consider this one aspect of a multi-layered defense, though — not a surefire way to stop all calls.

5. Look into technological fixes.

A variety of these exist, from call blocking options on your cell phone to apps that block calls from known spam numbers and services that deliver a message to robocallers alerting them that your number is out of service. Working with a trusted IT provider is key — you wouldn’t implement firewalls or network security defenses on your own, and you shouldn’t try manipulating your phone systems alone, either.

This article is provided by CMIT SOLUTIONS – an Immigrant Business Technology Partner

At CMIT Solutions, we understand the complexities of today’s digital world — and we know that threats now extend beyond computers and networks to our phone systems, as well. Our goal is to keep your business, your data, and your employees safe.

Find out more about opening your own franchise at CMIT Franchise.com.

Find a CMIT Solutions location near you.

Israeli Entrepreneur Finds Success In The US With SEARS

From Israel to Los Angeles: Immigrant Entrepreneur Finds Success with SEARS

Even among immigrant entrepreneurs— a truly dynamic field in business—Raz Ben Aharon stands out.

Immigrant Statistics

Name: Ben Aharon
Country of Origin: Israel
Business: SEARS Home Services
Annual Revenue: $3 million
US Jobs Created: 25 – 30

Getting Started In The US

This proud denizen of Israel moved to the United States at 22, but he’d already lived a full life by then—working in construction, moving heavy equipment, doing his time in the Israeli Defense Forces. He never lost his love for construction, he says, and even after officially moving to America he went back and forth between the two countries, putting in time at different companies and tasks in that challenging field.

“My first real job in America was carpet cleaning,” he says now, but there was a problem: It was really hard finding customers. And that’s when things took a turn. Specifically, it brought him to Sears Home and Business Franchises.

“The Sears franchise is a great opportunity for everybody, even those without experience”

Investing In A SEARS Franchise

Sears is unquestionably one of the greatest brands in American business, and a key principle of the Home and Business Franchises unit is to be ‘nationally known, locally owned.’ The company actively seeks out aspiring entrepreneurs who are deeply embedded in their own communities, which they want to serve.

Mr. Ben Aharon definitely meets that description, but he was initially working with a contractor who had a franchise deal of his own. Eventually, this driven and dedicated businessman realized that he needed to be the one running the franchise—and that’s exactly what happened. Today, Mr. Ben Aharon owns four of the five franchise concepts Sears offers:

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Air Duct Cleaning
Garage Solutions and Handyman Services (the one exception is Maid Services)

It didn’t happen overnight; the longtime contractor had built up a nest egg flipping and building houses, and those savings, along with some family money, went into the deal. He also acknowledges that it wasn’t an easy transition. He’d always been an independent operator, yet now, despite technically being his own boss, he had to abide by an American corporation’s rules. But over time he learned how to combine Sears’ corporate strength with his individual acumen, and the results are plain to see.

With four franchises, 25-30 employees and many more part-time workers, Ben Aharon estimates that his annual revenue is in the $3 million range already

Benefits Of Buying A SEARS’ Franchise

Today, he raves about the working arrangement, particularly about Sears Home and Business Franchises President and CEO Larsen Sharp. “The Sears franchise is a great opportunity for everybody, even those without experience,” he says. “They guide you, they give you real support, real help. You’re way better off than being on your own,” adds this fiercely independent franchisee.

Best of all, he knows why he has customers. “I advertise locally, but the customers don’t come because of me,” he admits. “They come because of the brand.”

With four franchises, 25-30 employees and many more part-time workers, Mr. Ben Aharon estimates that his annual revenue is in the $3 million range already. And best of all, there’s steady growth—the business is getting bigger and better.

Be like Ben – become a SEARS Franchisee

What’s The Cost?

The startup cost varies a little based on the SEARS business selected. In each case there is an initial franchise fee, then related costs for equipment, advertising signage, etc. and the total estimated initial investment for each franchise is:

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning: $56,250 – $167,050
Air Duct Cleaning: $56,250 – $167,050
Garage Solutions: $46,150 – $113,350
Maid Services: $52,900 – $134,800
Handyman Services: $47,900 – $135,300

Find out more about the SEARS’ Franchise Opportunities

Size of the Home Services Market

The home services market is huge, estimated to be $400 billion overall. Specific segments are similarly massive:

Floor covering sales & renovation in 2014 alone accounted for over $19.5 billion. Perhaps as a result, the market is heavily fractionalized, with many lone vendors competing for the same customers.

See What SEARS Franchisees Are Saying

In this environment, the Sears brand is incredibly valuable. However, even with so many common needs, no two neighborhoods—and no two entrepreneurs—are exactly alike. Sears Home and Business Franchises meets that challenge with five distinct concepts that allow franchisees to put together a multi-service package that best suits their abilities, resources and target markets

More Information About SEARS Franchises

Sears: Bringing the Best Services Home

On The Road To A $63 Billion Opportunity

Gr ease Monkey and SpeeDee Offer Franchisees a Classic $63 Billion Business Opportunity

The image is pure Americana—a man and his car, grease and tools, fixin’ and fine-tunin’. In the nation’s mythology, working on the car may be the favorite weekend activity. But in some ways that’s all it is: mythology.

On The Road Again 1 In reality, the market for auto repairs is around $63 billion and growing! For resourceful entrepreneurs, seeking the right business opportunity, this is truly massive. And for enterprising franchisers in particular, it’s exactly why the Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change business model are so appealing.

The market for auto repairs is around $63 billion and growing.

Ralph Yarusso, CDO – Franchising at FullSpeed Automotive, which includes both Grease Monkey International & SpeeDee Oil Change brands, is uniquely qualified to make this case. This proud veteran originally served in the United States Air Force as a C141 Aircrew member of the 18th Military Airlift Squadron—the Blue Diamonds—where he logged over 3,000 hours of flight time and was combat air drop certified. After nearly nine years serving his country, he moved to the private sector, and ever since has built a stellar track record in the auto repair and franchising business.

The do-it-yourself market has given way to the do-it-for-me market, particularly amongst baby boomers not interested in doing repairs anymore and millennials.

He planned to be a weatherman, but the job’s climate led him to Meineke, where he started with only one franchise and rose to own 15 franchise outlets. With deep knowledge of what it’s like to be a franchisee after 23 years in that role, he switched to the corporate side and became Regional VP and Chief Operations Officer of Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc. After five years, he moved to Grease Monkey International.

Growing & Sustainable Market

So why is this market so appealing? “The do-it-yourself market has given way to the do-it-for-me market, particularly among baby boomers not interested in doing repairs anymore and millennials who choose to have others do it for them,” Mr. Yarusso notes. Meanwhile, gas prices have (mostly) held steady, people drive more than ever, and the average age of the car on the road is 11.6 years. In this market, Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change offer the perfect launch pad.

Industry Leader

Grease Monkey International has a huge presence—it’s the country’s largest independent franchisor of automotive fast lube centers, serves more than 2 million customers a year, and provides a comprehensive review of each car’s maintenance needs with every full-service oil change.

There are currently 421 franchised outlets in the FullSpeed family, along with 93 additional that are company-owned. The brand family includes:

SpeeDee Oil Change
Grease Monkey
Monkey Shine Car Wash
Havoline Express Lube Centers Driven by Grease Monkey.

Together they perform a variety of services, and the company is growing rapidly around the world. There are already Grease Monkey locations outside the U.S. with facilities in China, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Mexico and several other countries on their radar.

But of course, the U.S. is an exciting market, and the growth potential is undeniable. So what does it take to acquire and lead a successful franchise?

What It Takes To Be Successful

On The Road Again 4 Automotive experience is definitely not a requirement. “I owned 15 automotive repair locations and I’m not the guy you want working on your car,” Mr. Yarusso happily acknowledges, “we’re not looking for mechanics, we are looking for business people.” As with most franchises, what’s needed instead is a spirit of entrepreneurship, leadership and dedication. This includes the willingness to take on all relevant tasks, from payroll management and marketing to customer service and business networking. Additionally, franchisees are able to learn the nuances of the auto business with our training and operations departments assisting them to help them be successful.

We’re not looking for mechanics, we are looking for business people.

Thanks to the variety of brands, services and locations available, franchisees have considerable flexibility:

The average Grease Money location has three to four bays and many offer a car wash with the Monkey Shine bolt on franchise. They are incredibly quick and most customers are back on the road in 15-20 minutes.

SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service, meanwhile, does a deeper dive with most customers—diagnostics, tires, brake repair, etc.—and the average location has six to eight bays.

Investment Needed

Here are the investment ranges needed to get a franchise started:

Grease Monkey $157,000-$340,000
SpeeDee $181,000-$523,000

This includes costs for:

The franchise fee
Equipment
Initial inventory
Signage
Information technologies
Training

These fees do not include building or real estate costs, which can vary greatly by region.

Ongoing Support & Training

For its part, Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change and Auto Service are deeply invested in the success of each franchisee.

Aspiring entrepreneurs must first make their case to the franchisee approval and real estate committees; after the deal is signed, the brands get heavily involved.

Franchise Site Selection – The real estate department staff helps find locations and helps negotiate real estate deals.

Franchise Financing – The development department helps franchisees identify the most appropriate financing options and connects them to financing resources.

Franchise Training – There’s classroom training at the support center in Colorado—there are no additional costs for attending training and then ongoing training with other franchisees and Franchise Support Directors in the field. An online university offers some 200 courses, of which 18 are required by the franchisee and all of their staff.

There’s a monthly live webinar, regional meetings two or three times a year, and a full convention every 18 months or so.

Franchise Marketing – Grease Monkey has developed a wide range of marketing materials and programs that franchisees can easily implement to promote their centers. The company’s field marketing specialists are also available to provide personalized support for local franchise marketing.

Purchasing – Grease Monkey has negotiated national account pricing for all in-center supplies and services giving its franchises significant savings.

Grease Monkey is not owned by an oil company. This means there is no obligation to buy a specified brand of products, allowing the company to negotiate the best possible pricing for its franchise owners.

The goal is to achieve breakeven in 12 to 15 weeks, and reach profitability in six to nine months.

Management Knows What It Takes To Succeed

None of this is accidental—every member of the management team previously worked as a franchisee in the automotive space, and knows what it takes to succeed. Most Grease Monkey and SpeeDee franchisees open for business within 9 to 18 months after signing the franchise agreement. The goal is to achieve breakeven in 12 to 15 weeks, and reach profitability in six to nine months.

Great Opportunity For Immigrant Entrepreneurs

And of course, just as many franchise programs have a rich source of immigrant talent, many of the best business owners in their cases come from distant lands as well. Current franchisees include entrepreneurs from Peru, Japan, Fiji, China, Afghanistan and India to list a few.

So, if you’ve been looking for that right opportunity, and know what it’s like to have your car serviced right, consider Grease Monkey or SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service.

For more information about the Grease Monkey franchise opportunity contact Lori Schneider at 720-454-4412 or loris@greasemonkeyintl.com

Read What Franchisees are Saying about Grease Monkey

Immigrants Revitalizing America’s Heartland

While Trump continues his assault on immigrants (from “shithole” countries and all points west – but not north), recent data shows the immense economic value that immigrants from ALL parts of the world have on the U.S. economy. Numerous studies posted by Immigrant Business in the past have already highlighted similar data, but a stunning new Map the Impact study focused on Cleveland, Ohio, reveals the dramatic and positive impact of immigrants on that city’s local economy.

We need to make sure that America returns to its position as being the beacon for the best, brightest and most courageous to come here, start businesses and revitalize America.” – Foulis Peacock

As reported by Cleveland.com, immigrants are just 5% of the population of Greater Cleveland, but according to the Partnership for a New American Economy report, the region’s 113,252 immigrants:

Paid $1.2 billion in state and local taxes
Own 33,493 homes
Weild $3.2 billion in spending power.

“This new research proves what we’ve known for years: immigrants are an advantage to our local economy and in every community in America,” said Joe Cimperman, president of Global Cleveland.

“Despite the ongoing repetition of misinformation, immigrants don’t take away jobs,” Cimperman added. “They’re teachers, nurses, and physicians.” They start businesses, open stores, buy homes, send their children to school, and become part of the community, he said.

“This new research proves what we’ve known for years: immigrants are an advantage to our local economy and in every community in America”

The report also said that immigrants are far more likely than their native-born neighbors to be entrepreneurs, and to work in professional, scientific, technical, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Other highlights from the report, include:

In Cleveland, immigrants are 75.1 percent more likely to be entrepreneurs than native-born Clevelanders.
The five-county region is home to 7,405 immigrant entrepreneurs.
Immigrants are more likely to be of working age — between the ages of 25 and 64 — than the native-born population. In Greater Cleveland, nearly 64 percent of immigrants are of working age, compared to only 52 percent of the native-born population.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues its assault on immigrants across America, pursuing travel bans, border walls and disparaging immigrants from “Shithole Countries”. Instead of focusing on positive data, the President has focused on calling attention to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, by asking the Department of Homeland Security to create an office called VOICE (Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement).

Immigrant Business founder, Foulis Peacock, says Trump should be focusing on new, overwhelmingly positive data coming from Cleveland and around the U.S.. which reinforces the fact that immigrants are a huge positive for America.

“Immigrants create wealth and jobs for Americans”

“Immigrants are launching businesses at twice the rate of native born Americans – at a rate of 80,000 every single month — and these businesses, as can be seen from the Cleveland data, are revitalizing American cities, creating jobs for Americans and pouring tens of millions of dollars into our tax coffers. Immigrants create jobs and wealth for Americans,” said Peacock.

“We need to get that message across to the Trump administration. We need to streamline our burdensome immigration process and attract more immigrant entrepreneurs to the U.S. We need to make sure that America returns to its position as being the beacon for the best, brightest and most courageous from around the world, to come here, start businesses and help revitalize America.”

Green Card 101: Everything You Need to Know

Immigrant Business is pleased to share this essential Immigration information from Lacroix Ramos, Attorneys at Law, LLP:

You finally received your green card! Congratulations! This is one of the biggest steps toward being able to legally live and work in the United States. This might be the last step for you, if you want to eventually return to your home country and you come from a country that does not allow dual citizenship. For many this may be the bridge to remaining in the United States permanently and enjoying all the rights and benefits of U.S. Citizenship.

No matter where you started on your immigration journey or where you are headed. You do not want to lose your Green Card status unintentionally.

What’s a Green Card?

First let’s start with defining the term “Green Card” which is a bit of a misnomer. By now you have probably realized that the card is not actually green. At one point, they were and the name has stuck ever since. Green or not, what IS a “green card” and what does it mean to have one?

A “green card” grants you Lawful Permanent Resident status in the United States. You are authorized to live and work in the United States permanently with this status.

So, how “permanent” is Permanent Residence?

Ah, now that is the real question.
Generally, once USCIS approves your green card, you have Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status indefinitely, but not necessarily permanently. Therefore, you have the status until you do something that triggers immigration to end your status. If that happens, ICE will place you in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. You have an opportunity to prove that you should be allowed to keep your LPR status in removal proceedings. You will likely need to hire an attorney to represent you in those proceedings and this can cost upwards of $10,000 to $20,000. And you will need to be sure that your lawyers is a real lawyer and not a “notario.” There are also unscrupulous attorneys that prey on immigrants in removal proceedings, they take your money and do very little to prevent your deportation.

The best thing to do is to avoid losing your LPR status.

What can cause me to lose my Green Card?

You commit a crime.
- There are many types of crimes that can trigger removal proceedings. I could write an entire s
  eries of blog articles on the crimes that can affect your LPR status. Let’s just say – don’t commit any crimes. None. Avoid them at all costs. This includes drug related offenses and drunk driving. See INA 212(a) and INA 237(a). If you find yourself in criminal court, get a criminal lawyer that knows about immigration consequences of crimes. Do not make a plea deal without first talking to an immigration attorney.
You abandon your status.
- You are allowed to travel abroad while in LPR status. But, you should not remain outside of the United States for more than 6 months at a time. There are some exceptions for longer trips that require special permission from USCIS. However, longer trips – even with permission – can interrupt the accrual of continuous residence for Naturalization purposes.

This list isn’t exhaustive and it assumes that there was no fraud or misrepresentation in the application process. But, in a nutshell committing a crime and abandoning your residence in the United States are the most common ways of losing your Green Card.

The BEST way to lose your Green Card.

Actually, there is one more way your LPR status can end: Naturalization. Once you are a US Citizen, you will no longer require a green card to remain in the United States. You can travel as long as you want without losing your right to return to the United States. You still shouldn’t commit any crimes – for obvious reasons – but for the most part you won’t have to worry about unintentionally committing a crime that results in losing your right to remain in the United States.

Of course, naturalization is the ideal way to end your Permanent Residence for those that intend the US to be their permanent home.

Glossary:
- LPR: Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card)
- USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
- ICE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Tel: 914-719-7570

Disclaimer:

Immigrant Business published this article by Lacroix Ramos, Attorneys at Law, LLP for educational purposes only. It is to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. You understand that using this blog site does not create an attorney client relationship between you and Lacroix Ramos or it’s attorneys. You should not use this blog as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.