Tech Talk

My friend Bea had an experience that really rattled her nerves. She received an email from “Amazon” telling her that her account was charged $3,000.00 for a television. After confirming with Tony, her husband, that he didn’t buy it, they concluded it must be a mistake. Tony immediately called the customer service phone number that was included in the email.

Once he finally got through to “customer service” he received yet more discouraging news. Bea and Tony’s Amazon account had been hacked according to the “representative.” Needless to say, they were both astounded. Fortunately, the “representative” was able to offer them a quick solution. For $500.00 the “rep” could repair the “hacked account” and expunge the charges for the $3,000.00 television.

Tony wasn’t thrilled with the solution but reluctantly agreed to the “rep’s” terms. Tony reached for his American Express card to pay. As Tony read off his Amex number the “rep” immediately stopped the transaction and told Tony that their credit card processing system had just gone down, again. The “rep” explained to Tony that they were having problems with the system all day. Tony asked if the “rep” would call him when the system came back up. The “rep” agreed but warned that if Tony delayed, that $3,000.00 TV might ship before the order could be cancelled; and then Tony would also have to pay the shipping to return the TV.

In order to expedite the cancellation, the “rep” suggested Tony pay with a $500.00 gift card. The “rep” explained that they process gift cards on a different system than credit cards, so that even though their credit card system was currently down, they could still process the payment by having Tony read off the numbers on a gift card. Tony sent Bea out to pick up a $500.00 gift card.

While waiting for Bea to return, Tony asked the “rep” how something like this could happen and why he had to pay so much? The “rep” explained that it was not Amazon who was hacked, but it was Tony’s IP address that had been hacked which led to Tony’s Amazon account being hacked. Therefore, the financial responsibility fell on Tony, according to the “rep.”

Tony was determined to get to the bottom of this nightmarish mess. Finally, Tony called me and filled me in on what was going on. I cringed as he revealed the events that transpired. I immediately explained to Tony that he was in the process of being scammed. Tony and Bea came within inches of giving away a sizeable pile of money to cyber criminals. Fortunately, they did not give the gift card code to the scammers.

Can you tell me what Tony should have done differently? He assumed that the Amazon customer service phone number that was listed in the email was legit. The cyber criminals were so good that Tony believed he was actually speaking with Amazon when he called. But he wasn’t. What Tony needed to do was look up Amazon’s phone number instead of relying on the contents of this bogus email. Had he actually called Amazon Tony would have found out that Amazon had nothing to do with this and that Tony, Bea and Amazon were all unsuspecting players in this deception. I cannot tell you how happy I am that Tony contacted me before he and Bea handed over the 500 bucks to these criminals.

There are a lot of scams like this circulating. If you ever receive a suspicious email like this, call the company directly. Be sure to look up the phone number on your own and not rely on any phone numbers given in the email. Companies like Amazon want to know about these scams. So, report any emails claiming you owe money. By the way, Bea and Tony were just one of many folks caught up in a cyber scam claiming to be Amazon. If you get any emails from Amazon and want to verify them, Amazon’s “real” customer service number is 1-888-280-4331. Please stay on guard and stay safe.

Never forget, cyber criminals will exploit the easy victims and unprotected systems. Whether you are a business or non-profit who keeps records about clients, customers, prospects, employees, vendors, sales, budgets, inventories… you get the idea. It is your responsibility to protect your personal network, your computer’s operation, and your data. Even a home user who may only keep records about club members, kids’ sports leagues, volunteer work, filing your income taxes, or just ordering a pizza using your credit card on your home computer is a target.

Are you certain your computer is safe? You don’t have to do this alone my Friend. My staff and I are here to keep your computer safer and keep it running. We have the best solutions already in place and we’re only a phone call away. Call us anytime at 727-5344000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades.

We Keep You Safer In Your Digital World!

displays many of the products that they offer.

Husband and wife Chris and Andrea Scura, local New Port Richey residents, purchased PWD from the original owner back in 2014. They are entirely hands-on and have worked hard to steadily grow the business each year. Raising three daughters, who are all active in community sports and running the company, has kept them quite busy over the years.

PWD specializes in window and door installation, different types of hurricane/ security protection, screen/ sunrooms, garage screens, and performing different kinds of glass, screen, and window repairs. PWD offers commercial glass and commercial door repairs, such as door closers, hinge pins, and panic bar replacement.

Windows and doors get old. Like most products, they must be maintained to continue to function correctly. Helpful Hint: Manufacturers recommend waxing the inside of vinyl frames of windows, tracks of sliding glass doors, and hurricane shutters with a high-quality car wax. Additionally, inspect your windows and doors and re-caulk the outside with a high-quality exterior caulk as needed. Do not use a pressure washer to clean your windows. Remember to operate and clean your windows, doors, and hurricane shutters at least two times a year to keep parts moving and ensure they function correctly.

Whether you choose to replace your windows with insulated or hurricane impact products, you will be making your home more energy-efficient, lowering your energy bills, increasing the security and value of your home, and giving you peace of mind during storms.

Do you dislike hearing the garbage trucks, lawnmowers, the neighbor’s dog barking? Hurricane impact windows will help solve these problems as well!

PWD installs windows and sliding glass doors manufactured by PGT & CWS (made by Pella). Both of these manufacturers are leaders in the industry and provide high-quality products that are fully warrantied. (Please see their websites for each warranty offered).

Broken glass, windows not staying up, sliding glass door roller needing replacement? Bring your repairs to them, or they can come to you! PWD has specialized service technicians that come to your home to perform these types of repairs (as long as you are located within their service area). They specialize in custom-sized glass cutting and replacement, replacing sliding glass door rollers, rescreening, and more!

Have pets? You can change from a standard screen to a more substantial pet screen. Is the scorching Florida sun blinding you but still want the ventilation? If so, Sun Screen may be the answer for you. PWD offers solutions to most screen problems!

“Pasco window & door is a hidden gem. We are new to FL and were recommended to have window screens replaced. They did a quality job within a few days,” says recent customer Rosemary B. on her 5-star google review. “The price was better than we expected. We received excellent friendly service. We will use this company to replace windows and for a storm door. Highly recommend!”

Not all Contractors are Created Equal! PWD knows there are many options when

choosing a window company. PWD is unique in having a full-time Service Department. This means that they have the trained staff who are able to perform any service or repairs needed beyond the one-year labor warranty supplied by the manufacturer. Most other window contractors ONLY do installations, so if there is an issue down the road, they cannot help.

PWD takes pride in its workmanship and stands behind its installations. “We do not take shortcuts, and we make sure we do the job right. Being a licensed and insured contractor, we always pull building permits. We have a lot of repeat customers and referrals, which is always our biggest compliment!”, says Chris.

When a county permit is pulled, the jobs are inspected by county Inspectors to ensure the job was installed correctly.

PWD explains that the biggest mistake they see people make is hiring a “handyman” to install these products.

“We get calls every week where a customer is in tears asking for our help because the customer made the mistake of hiring an unlicensed contractor,” says Andrea. “Handymen are NOT legally allowed to install windows and doors, nor are they able to pull a required building permit. Unfortunately, they are very good at convincing consumers otherwise!”

When you hire a handyman:

#1 You are at risk for them walking away with your money, #2 You are at risk for a fine for hiring an unlicensed contractor, #3 If caught by Code Enforcement, your property will be “Red Flagged” by the county. In addition to fines, the county will make you remove the products (if they aren’t up to the current Building Code) and install new ones that are up to code, ultimately costing you more than double! #4 If you have any issue with the install initially or down the road, you have NO recourse against a handyman. After all, you chose to hire an unlicensed contractor.

Florida licensed contractors are fingerprinted and registered with the state, background, and financial checks are performed on the license holder.

Contractors are required to hold General Liability Insurance and Workman’s Compensation insurance. This is all to help protect the consumer.

PWD explains that they see handymen confusing homeowners, making them believe that the worker is licensed by showing a Registration Number. This is not a Contractor License. This is simply a number that anyone can get once they register a business with the state of Florida.

BEWARE! Think about who you are letting into your home! Some handymen are very skilled; however, many cannot become licensed with the state due to past criminal records.

To verify who you are hiring is genuinely licensed, please call your local county Building Department or check the state’s website at: www.myfloridalicense.com.

“We know it is because of the customer loyalty that we have been able to stay in business for thing long… so, we truly thank you!” - Chris and Andrea.

Help keep this longstanding, New Port Richey business around for another 41 plus years! Give Pasco Window & Door a call for a FREE estimate on any new product installation job or any of your replacement or repair needs. 727-847-2254 or visit www.pascowindowanddoor.com for more information on their products and services.

every step of the way when it comes to Investing,

Retirement, Income Planning, and Taxes.

The firm is dedicated to providing exemplary service while displaying the highest standards of ethics and professional knowledge. They are approved members of the National Ethics Association and the National Association of Tax Professionals.

Rizzotto Wealth Management’s main objectives are to help you Plan, Invest, and Protect. They work with clients to develop an overall plan that encompasses your entire financial picture, taking the time to establish a deep understanding of your financial needs in order to find the best investment strategy for you. Amidst the vast sea of negatives, they want to make sure you are properly positioned for the significant opportunities ahead.

Meet the Rizzotto Team

Ed Rizzotto, Founder and

Managing Partner, moved to Florida 51 years ago from New York and has been a Trinity resident since 2000. A graduate of Clearwater Central Catholic High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from National-Louis University in Evanston, IL. Ed also served both active and reserve duty for 13 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He started his Insurance and Financial career over 25 years ago. In 1999, he joined a local retirement planning firm, where he helped hundreds of people with tax and retirement planning for over six years. Ed Rizzotto enjoyed the opportunity to benefit the community, and was determined to create a complete local business where he could help clients (both preretirees and current retirees) save money on their taxes, better manage their portfolios, plan for the future and focus more on enjoying their retirement years – and The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group was established in 2006. In 2019 Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group officially rebranded as Rizzotto Wealth Management

Nic Ranocchia (left), Managing Partner and Ed Rizzotto (right), Founder and Managing Partner

to reflect the services they’ve always been passionate about, investments and retirement planning. Ed holds a stateregulated Life & Health license and specializes in finding the appropriate insurance vehicles for clients as well as retirement planning and tax reduction strategies.

Nic Ranocchia, Managing Partner, is a graduate of the University of South Florida, with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Nic is a financial advisor who takes pride in digging into clients’ portfolios and making suggestions that make sense based on data and current trends. He analyzes client accounts and gives indepth reviews in which clients’ discover any unnecessary fees, past performance, risk level, diversification, and more. He also brings a modern approach to the table using the latest technologies available to ensure all information is considered before a decision is made. With these techniques, Nic has been able to help many clients reach their financial goals. Together, Ed and Nic work efficiently as a team to serve their client’s financial needs as a whole. Nic is securities licensed and registered with FINRA as an Investment Advisory Representative and specializes in managed brokerage accounts.

Lorrie Rizzotto, Director of Operations, joined the firm in 2009. Before joining Ed in running their family business, Lorrie specialized in corporate incentive and meeting planning. Married for 32 years, Lorrie and Ed have two adult children.

Dori Greeson, Administrative Assistant, comes to us with a wide variety of experiences having worked with a law firm, engineering services, real estate office, insurance agencies, and a home healthcare agency. We are pleased to have her with us, knowing our clients will receive courteous and friendly attention from her at all times. Dori’s interests and personal experiences include enjoying time with her family and friends, strolling along the beach at sunset, reading, ministering with her husband in Florida prisons and short term mission trips to such places as South Africa, Mozambique, Vietnam, Jamaica, India and Taiwan.

Kim Mitchell, Marketing Coordinator, She has an associate’s degree in Business Marketing. Kim has many years of experience as a sales assistant in the mortgage industry. She enjoys spending time with her family, being at the beach, running, biking and just being outdoors.

Their team of IRS enrolled agents and senior tax preparers have an average of over 20 years of experience in tax preparation and tax law and are ready to assist you with all of your tax preparation needs. They also have a longstanding relationship with a trusted elder law attorney who specializes in wills, trusts and estate planning.

Many members of the community have grown to know and trust the firm as a tax service, but their services stretch far beyond just taxes. They handle investments, insurance, brokerage accounts, portfolio management, retirement income planning and more. Rizzotto Wealth Management is guided by your goals and objectives and is not obligated to any single product or company. They look at your complete financial picture to serve as the single source for all of your financial needs. Through all phases of life, the Rizzotto Wealth Management team can help you establish the appropriate portfolio to help you pursue your financial goals. Rizzotto Wealth Management is committed to assisting their clients every step of the way, whether you’re looking for something with higher growth potential or safety they’ve got you covered! To schedule a

tax consult or complimentary financial review, please call 727.683.9119.

Fee-based financial planning and investment advisory services are offered through Truvestments Capital, LLC an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products and services are offered through independent insurance agents.