Retail customers can expect charges from many German savings banks and institutions of finance just for holding their money in the aftermath of an announcement from the CEO of Deutsche Bank, John Cryan. Cryan stated what many interpret to be an early warning sign of monetary repression across Europe. It isn’t spelled out any clearer than “fatal consequences” for savers, to use his terms exactly. German cooperative savings bank, Raiffeneisen Gmund am Tegernsee, located in a small Bavarian village was the first to make the announcement to customers that merely holding their cash will come at a charge. Consequently, home safes are rising as a popular alternative to risky savings accounts at negative interest rates. German savers seem to be wasting no time to put their savings in something more secure than grandma’s shoebox and not as risky as the bank. As interest-rates plunge to abysmally negative depths, Germans are the first to follow in the footsteps blazed by the Japanese just over a year ago. Japanese consumers started stashing their cash at home upon the introduction of negative interest rates there. Following the wisdom of basic mathematics, which proves zero is greater in value than a negative, home safes are looking more attractive than negative interest rates with additional charges for the mere safekeeping of cash — taxes added. Cue a 25 per cent spike in safe sales from the largest safe manufacturer in Burg-Waechter KG. Increases are pushing manufacturers to limit. There are now waiting lists for safe-deposit boxes in many of Germany’s metropolises. And it’s not your average cast of tin-foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists acting contrary to the European Central Bank’s policies, but the banks themselves. It is reported that financial institutions such as the retail, savings and other investment banks are hoarding more cash along with some gold bars in preparation for an unclear economic future. The fallout of bankers announcing negative interest rates shows no end in near sight, and those with their eyes to the horizon are noting the benefits of stocking their savings in a place more secure than under their mattresses. Some are opting to keep it in a safe-deposit box at the bank for extra security, but fees for this service can be avoided by investing in a quality home safe. Paying to save at a retail bank is nothing less than ridiculous according to one Munich-based entrepreneur. Many citizens echoed his sentiments when asked about the new bank charges for holding savings. In contrast to an array of European and North American nations where credit cards are often taken for granted as another form of cash, regardless of a negative balance, Germans are adhering to the old tried and true adage of their elders that, “Only cash is real.” And they seem to mean it, at almost a 2:1 ratio of cash transactions comprising 80 per cent compared to U.S citizens. Maybe we can learn from their foresight. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/70-germans-lose-faith-in-banks.html
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The Calgary Police Service and the RCMP are asking for public assistance in tracking down a person who stole a locksmith truck from Airdrie and then stole equipment that is used in making keys for properties managed by the City of Calgary. Owned by Locksmith ABOE, who is a contractor with the Calgary Housing Company, the truck was taken from a parking lot in southwest Airdrie Monday night. While the truck was found Tuesday morning on Township Road 264 in Balzac, a number of items were missing from the vehicle, including some equipment and tools that can be used to manufacture keys. In addition, a number of sensitive documents about several CHC buildings were also taken. Fortunately, the missing documents do not contain any personal information such as tenant names, according to City of Calgary officials. However, the documents and the equipment create the possibility the culprits could manufacture keys for specific CHC properties. Because of this danger, tenants are being notified about what happened. “Above all else, we are focusing on the security and safety of our tenants,” said Calgary Housing Company President Sarah Woodgate. “Currently we are partnering with law enforcement, neighbourhoods, the Fire Department and other partners to reach out to tenants and offer support. We want to make sure that there is no risk to their safety and take precautions prevent future breaches like these. According to the CHC, this is the first time such a theft has occurred. The CHC currently manages 7,300 units with 25,000 in about 211 properties scattered throughout the city. Officials aren’t sure about the number of tenants that would be impacted by the breach, but are working to change the locks on many of them. They don’t have any estimate on how many units are in need of having the locks changed, but the work should last six weeks. There are also no details about where the money for the work will come from. And for the time being, authorities are also boosting the number of security on CHC properties to help keep residents safe and they are working closely with tenants who have raised specific security concerns. Officials have also declared their intention to start working more with contractors about their processes for storing and handling information. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/69-truck-locksmith-tools-taken-by-thief.html Ever have wanderlust? You’re not alone! If you’ve been itching to get away and to do it solo, you’re in luck! Thanks to various statistical sources, we’ve compiled a list of the top safest places in the world to travel to alone. Find yourself, reflect, or have an adventure in one of these destinations: 1) Auckland, New Zealand Last year, this country was rated as the #4 most peaceful country worldwide and with good reason. Danger here is slim to none due to how open-minded everyone is along with the fact that their police force is one of the most trusted in the world. Basically, less corruption = less danger. Take a ride on the ferry to an island close by and see the youngest volcanos of the area. 2) Sydney, Australia Isn’t it funny that a place that used to house criminals was named #5 safest place in the world in 2015? Sydney is unapologetically unique—walk along the Sydney Harbour and visit the Sydney Opera House. Soak up the sun on Bondi beach and be dazzled by the serene waves. 3) Osaka, Japan Although Tokyo was named the #1safest place in the world, Osaka was #3 when it came to safe travels. Japan is both safe to live in and travel to. If you’re in Japan, you’ll probably notice that many women feel comfortable traveling alone late at night in the subway. Locals will often leave their belongings unattended in a coffee shop for example, without a care in the world. Sumiyoshi-taisha, one of Japan’s most ancient shrines is testament to this type of atmosphere. It features 3 gods as the Deities of Borders, who are believed to protect travelers! 4) Barcelona, Spain Spain’s romantic culture, delicious foods, and stunning architecture are a draw for any travel buff. Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia cathedral is a must-see! Although the country was only ranked #15 in terms of safety, when traveling, pickpocketing is essentially the biggest threat. 5) Amsterdam, Netherlands The #5 safest city in the world is also where drugs and prostitution are legal and many have argued whether this contributes to its safety. Take in the colourful architecture while biking and discover Van Gogh masterpieces while visiting the Rembrandt museum. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/68-the-safest-places-to-travel-solo-to.html Vaults and safes are probably the first things that come to mind when we think of keeping our personal belongings safe. However, there are always going to be situations in which time passes, the owner of a safe passes away, or perhaps moves, and a safe is left forgotten. Although forgotten for the time being, it sits there, and sometimes, it can sit there for decades. A safe cracker by the name of “Unkapier” took a crack at a sealed vault that had been considered missing for years and years. No one could track down the owner. No one knew what was inside. However, when Unkapier took a crack at opening it, the contents proved to be very shocking indeed. Getting inside proved to be only a minor challenge for Unkapier, who may have simply worked out the combination. Upon getting the initial door open, Unkapier was struck by the discovery of a second door behind the first one. Opening the second door proved to be easy enough, revealing a number of drawers that might be used to hold jewels, important documents, and similar valuables. Unkapier discovered several hundred dollars, including several extremely rare two dollar bills. There were apparently other treasures inside the safe but Unkapier refuses to reveal the rest of the contents. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/67-what-did-the-locksmith-find-in-the-old-safe.html The federal government has put forth plans to spend approximately two million dollars on a comprehensive series of essential security updates to the home of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family. Rideau Cottage is getting a 1.6-million dollar upgrade from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The National Capital Commission (NCC), the group responsible for Canada’s official resources, is going to provide the rest of the funds. Still waiting for parliamentary approval, the request takes up a small portion of the 101-page supplementary estimates document that was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday. Trudeau has chosen to live in Rideau Cottage, which can be found on the grounds of Rideau Hall. This has been the alternative to the traditional address at 24 Sussex, which is currently undergoing some very significant repairs. When asked why the security measures are only now being applied to Rideau Cottage, the RCMP pointed out that the house is traditionally not designed for a Prime Minister. When used, it has often been designated to someone else in government. Someone who is obviously not on the same level as the Prime Minister, which is a job that comes with a vast larray of complex security concerns. The RCMP further elaborated on this by saying that it has simply proven to be a challenge to bring the home completely up to the standards of security for a Prime Minister. This is due to the fact that the house was never designed to be used for a Prime Minister. At the same time, the RCMP has not indicated any specifics regarding what the money is going to be spent on. Built well over a century ago, Rideau Cottage has a grand history behind it. As you may or may not know, it is indeed a historically-recognized site. However, some speculate as to what the money will be used for, which the RCMP has indicated as information that will be delivered “in due course.” Others point to the fact that the projected costs for renovations to 24 Sussex could run in excess of thirty-eight million dollars. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/66-trudeau-s-home-is-getting-a-2-million-dollar-security-upgrade.html When it comes to home safety tips, you can’t get a better source than a locksmith! We work with a wide variety of commercial and residential properties to address a litany of security concerns and demands. Whether you are a new homeowner who wants to take care of your new, somewhat intimidating investment, or if you have owned a home for a long time and simply want to brush up on home security measures, you might want to take note of the following tips: • Regarding New Homes: When you buy a new home, replace or rekey the locks. You honestly don’t know what the previous owner might have done in terms of making copies, losing copies, giving out copies, and so forth. • Deadbolts: A deadbolt is an essential component to protecting your home but you’re going to want to make sure this item is installed correctly. • Windows and Locks: In the event that you have a window near your door, avoid the deadbolt. In situations such as these, use a double cylinder lock that requires a key. • Finding a Locksmith: If you are on the hunt for a locksmith, there are several things you are going to want to keep in mind. Research any locksmith you come across carefully. Learn about their reputation in the community. Check out reviews on consumer websites. In the end, you want someone who is affordable, professional, efficient, and reliable. • Strong Doors: When it comes to the doors that separate your home from the outside world, you want solid wood, or you want steel. Anything less than that is something intruders can destroy and toss aside with ease. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/65-locksmith-tips.html A group of hackers recently used ransomware to trap a number of hotel guests in their room. Taking control of the central key management system at Romantik Seehotel Jägerwir, the hackers forced guests of the hotel out of their rooms. The discovery that hackers were behind the incident came when several guests of the Alps hotel realized that they could no longer use their card keys to return to their rooms. The reservation system was also hit by the hackers, in addition to the cash desk system. All of this was done in the name of a $1605 ransom demand, which was to be paid in bitcoin. Left without any options, the hotel had no choice but to pay the ransom. The hotel reacted quickly in the aftermath. Not only was the system replaced, but some computers were also delinked. This was done to ensure essential services would be able to endure, in the event of an attack in the future. This story is unfortunately not a singular event. Ransomware attacks continue to be problematic for businesses of all shapes and sizes, and all across the world. A hospital in 2016 had its patient records hijacked, attached to a ransom demand of $17, 000. A university in Canada was recently forced to pay out a ransom of $20, 000 in order to get their hacked network back. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/64-ransomware-used-to-lock-hotel-guests-in-their-room.html After spending the past eight years in the White House with tons of security, it makes sense that the Obama family would want to make sure that their new home is as safe as possible. They will stay in the Kalorama neighborhood in D.C. while their daughter Sasha finishes high school. The home that they will be moving into is a $5.3 million dollar home that will be getting a number of security upgrades in order to make it as secure as possible. Moving is a headache for everyone, but for past presidents and their families, it can be even more difficult to find a suitable home and make sure that it is safe. The major security upgrade that will be the most noticeable is a large brick wall that will be built in front of the house. Obviously, this is being built to deter anyone coming onto the property uninvited. Another change in the home is that the garage will be changed into an office. People everywhere have their fingers crossed for an Obama memoir and perhaps this is where that writing will occur. The Obama family has always had impeccable style and this nine bedroom, eight and a half bath home will no doubt be lovely when they are moved in. Neighbors are said to include Jeff Bezos and Ivanka Trump. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/63-obamas-new-home-will-undergo-a-security-renovation.html Does your commute to and from work each day leave you frazzled? Do you ever wish you could just fly to the other side of town and skip over all the congestion and bumper-to-bumper traffic? Well, Frantisek Hadrava, a locksmith from a small village in the Czech Republic, turned this wish into reality by building his own personal aircraft for his routine commute. It took Hadrava two years to build his beloved Vampira, an ultralight airplane this is built with a wood frame. It is quite similar to the Minimax Ultralight aircraft, except the Vampira has no cover over the cockpit, leaving the pilot exposed to the elements. Most people are surprised to learn the Vampira is actually fuel efficient, saving precious time and money. Sounds too good to be true, right? Aircrafts go through rigorous tests to be able to fly within local zones and the pilot must be certified to fly through the federal aviation department. Parking is no doubt an issue since most cities wouldn’t be able to accommodate even the smallest of planes. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/62-locksmith-builds-his-own-aircraft-to-travel-to-work.html At the moment, Microsoft is working on a new feature for Windows 10 that will automatically lock and then secure your device if the O.S. picks up that the individual has stepped away from the machine. The feature has been called Dynamic Lock in a variety of recent test-build efforts. Internally, the company has referred to this feature as “Windows Goodbye”, which certainly makes sense. Presently, Microsoft utilizes something known as a Windows Hello camera to allow Windows 10 users to log into their devices with only their faces. This would definitely change things. At the moment, individuals can use the Winkey+L combination to lock and secure their devices. It is believed that streamlining the concept with the Dynamic Lock feature represents an easier, safer method for protecting devices. It is likely that Windows is going to include the Dynamic Lock feature within a major release. In all likelihood, this is going to be in the April Windows 10 Creators Update. Source: http://www.actionlocksmiths.ca/blog/61-windows-10-can-lock-your-pc.html |
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