Month: February 2022

To click or not to click?

Post author By scott
Post date February 28, 2022
No Comments on To click or not to click?

Online scams have been in the news again. Fortunately, following some simple steps can minimise the risk of you falling prey to scammers.

Phishing scams have unfortunately been in the news again. Here are some simple steps you can take to avoid falling victim to common scams online.

TEXT: MELODY TAN

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

Imagine losing your life savings in a matter of minutes. That nightmarish scenario was reality for many victims of the recent OCBC Bank phishing scam, which saw S$13.7 million lost from the accounts of 790 bank customers.

Phishing scams are online attacks in which cybercriminals trick people into handing over their confidential information, such as bank details, passwords and credit card information by creating websites, emails and text messages that seem to come from a legitimate organisation, such as a government agency or a bank.

In the last few years, Singaporeans’ financial activity has increasingly shifted online – a trend accelerated by COVID-19 as digital finance and e-payments were encouraged to maintain safe-distancing measures. However, this has also resulted in an increase in phishing scams and hacking attempts. In the last five-and-a-half years, online scammers have stolen close to S$1 billion from people living in Singapore, with 2020 seeing the highest amount of S$268.4 million lost.

Instead of going back to the old days of stashing money in Milo tins and piggy banks under your bed, these few simple checks can help to ensure that your precious savings are safe from online criminals and their phishing methods.

LOOK FOR THE SMALL DIFFERENCES

Phishing has become more sophisticated, as cybercriminals are able to spoof the Short Message Service (SMS) Sender IDs of real banks. This means that their fraudulent text messages will be sorted into the same SMS thread as legitimate ones. This causes victims to assume the messages are real and act on them accordingly.

However, there are still some differences. Phishing messages often have errors in grammar or spelling. They may use threatening language or issue ultimatums to scare victims (“Your account will be deleted if you don’t act now!”).

If they arrive via email, their addresses won’t match those belonging to the real organisation they’re imitating – for example, a phishing email might be from frontline@hmeteamns.com instead of frontline@hometeamns.sg. For WhatsApp messages, check for a green check mark next to the organisation name. This indicates that the message is from the organisation’s official business account.

In addition, if you accidentally click on a phishing website, you might notice that it starts with ‘http’ instead of ‘https’. The latter denotes a secure version used by legitimate websites like banks and online retailers, to protect your login credentials.

DON’T CLICK THE LINK

If you receive a message that claims to be from a trusted organisation, don’t click on the link automatically. Besides, banks in Singapore have recently announced that they’ll stop using clickable links in emails and SMSes for greater security. To see where a link leads to, mouse over it on your computer, or hold it down with a finger on your phone to see the full address.

It’s safer to log in using the bank or organisation’s app on your phone, or by visiting their website. If the message is real, you should see a notification in the app or on the website. If you don’t see anything but would still like to check, it’s safer to call the organisation. Don’t use any numbers provided in the suspected message. You may end up speaking to a scammer instead!

DON’T PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

No genuine organisation will ever ask for your personal information (like NRIC number, Singpass login, bank account details or passwords) online. Should a bank or government agency require sensitive information, they would ask you to visit a branch or office in person.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Phishing messages might try to tempt victims with freebies, chances to win prizes or unusually large discounts on popular goods. Last year, NTUC FairPrice alerted customers to an email – supposedly from FairPrice Online – that offered people S$80 for answering a few survey questions. If the offer is suspiciously generous, it’s probably fake.

WHAT’S THE RUSH?

Finally, phishing attacks often rely on a victim being distracted or panicked, two emotions which override their natural caution.

For example, one victim of the OCBC Bank phishing scam was anxious when she received a fake text message claiming that her account would be suspended, as she needed to make several transactions to her children’s bank accounts. Scammers eventually took close to S$100,000 from her and her children’s bank accounts.

Instead of reacting immediately to any messages or emails, take the time to evaluate their content. Don’t perform transactions or disclose banking details when you’re in a rush, or distracted. Set aside the time to sit down and focus fully on the information presented to you. This might take a few extra minutes, but it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

In The Force

Empowered to save lives

SGT (V) Lim is an active Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit volunteer and a community first responder via the myResponder app.

With myResponder, SCDF ORNSmen such as Sergeant1 (V) William Lim Wei Loon are always prepared for emergencies.

TEXT AND PHOTO: SCDF

Community First Responders (CFRs) have always played a pivotal role in times of need. Smart solutions like the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)’s myResponder mobile application (app) significantly enhance their response to emergencies. Launched in 2019, more than 100,000 CFRs have registered with the app. These responders include members of the public, as well as in-house personnel such as the SCDF Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) men and volunteers from the Civil Defence Auxiliary Unit (CDAU).

READY TO RESPOND

“I would have the myResponder app turned on, even at work, so that I could respond to any emergency happening nearby,” shared SGT1 (V) William Lim Wei Loon, an Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) Fire and Rescue Specialist with 1^st SCDF Division, who works as a retail supervisor at NTUC FairPrice.

SGT1 (V) Lim completed his full-time National Service (NSF) in 2008 and joined the CDAU as a volunteer firefighter in 2011. “Since my NSF days, I have been trained to be very alert to my surrounding environment, and my first instinct is to always check for any emergency nearby,” he added.

THINKING ON HIS FEET

It was through the myResponder app that SGT1 (V) Lim was alerted to a rubbish bin fire at a void deck in Bukit Batok at about 3am one morning. When he arrived at the location there was neither a fire hose nor an extinguisher nearby.

After surveying the area, he spotted a funeral wake a block away and rushed over to request for assistance to put out the fire. “Whenever I respond to a fire incident, I have to be creative enough to find an effective solution to a problem in the fastest way possible,” said SGT1 (V) Lim. “The people there were very kind and they helped me to extinguish the fire using pails of water from the temporary toilets located outside the funeral hall.”

Besides responding to the myResponder app’s alerts, SGT1 (V) Lim also extinguished a rubbish bin fire near his home two years ago. He was alerted to the blaze after hearing an explosion in his neighbourhood. He rushed to the location but the flames had already spread to a minivan parked nearby.

“As I did not want any passers-by to be harmed, I put out the fire with two fire extinguishers that were taken from the nearby coffeeshop before the firefighters arrived. At the same time, I had to ensure that no one was injured,” said SGT1 (V) Lim.

He added: “As a CFR, I am touched whenever a member of the public thanked me for helping him or her through a crisis. That keeps me going as a volunteer with the SCDF!”

Find out more about how you can make a difference in your community with the CDAU and how other MHA volunteers are helping to keep their neighbourhoods safe.

Visit mha.gov.sg/volunteers and volunteer.gov.sg/mha for more information about their volunteer schemes or connect with the Home Team Volunteer Network on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.

Shape Up

Powering up in pairs

Fitness Workz trainers Azmirah Azman and Aidid Haidil are big advocates of couple workouts, as these unlock exercises that you wouldn’t be able to do solo.

Couples who train together stay together. In the first of a two-part series, our HomeTeamNS Fitness Workz trainers share why couple workouts are a great way to keep those fitness aspirations roaring in the Year of the Tiger.

TEXT: NICHOLAS JACOB

PHOTOS: FITNESS WORKZ

The Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day festivities have come and gone. For many of us, it means resuming our exercise programme after a relatively lengthy break. Fortunately, hitting the gym or fitness corner to burn off those calories needn’t be a chore. Here’s how a good workout buddy can not only help pull you to into a consistent workout routine, but also push you to greater fitness heights.

GETTING YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME

According to Fitness Workz Fitness Trainer, Azmirah Azman, couple workouts are a great way to boost comfort levels and motivation as you embark on your fitness regime. “It’s a common case where an individual may feel lost and not know what to do in the gym,” she explains. “Your partner can be there for guidance and to brainstorm more exercises that both of you can do together.”

Never underestimate the power of two people aligned towards a common goal. Studies have shown that couple workouts can have a positive impact in the long term. According to research, married pairs working out together were twice as likely to experience weight loss. Two years on, it was observed that seven in 10 married pairs continued to work out weekly, compared to only 25% of individuals doing the same.

According to our expert, the reasons for this are manifold — whether it’s due to having someone to schedule workouts with, a consistent partner to spot you at the gym, or simply the fun of doing something with someone you love. “A partner acts as support system when one is in doubt,” Ms Azmirah shares. “Having similar goals to be achieved together will lead to a stronger bond and increased confidence levels for both parties.”

A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF EXERCISE

Fitness Trainer Aidid Haidil, who is also a big advocate of couple workouts, notes that couples don’t necessarily need to head to the gym to get their blood pumping. “You can head to the park, fitness corners, stadiums or even your own void deck to do bodyweight exercises and other fitness programmes,” he suggests.

He adds that working out as a pair unlocks a slew of new and varied exercises that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do solo. This spans a large range of workouts that cover both calisthenics and exercises incorporating fitness equipment. For example, with an exercise buddy, you can add greater depth to conventional exercises like push-ups. Partners can attempt new variants such as partner push-ups with shoulder taps and elevated push-ups.

Mr Aidid personally recommends exercises like leg raises, resistance band jumps and sit-up medicine ball passes, depending on each person’s level of fitness. He also reminds couples keep things fresh in order to stay motivated. Outside of workouts, they can also explore ‘fitness date’ activities like spin classes, hiking, kayaking and rock climbing.

OPTIMISED WORKOUTS FOR EVERY LEVEL OF FITNESS

As with every training regimen, it’s important to understand both your and your partner’s level of fitness and adapt your routine accordingly. For beginners, Ms Azmirah recommends starting off your couple workouts slow and steady. Set short-term, achievable goals in order to keep each other going. “Start off with a 5-minute dynamic warm-up. This is to mobilise and increase blood flow to prepare their body for a workout and to avoid injuries,” she advises.

Instead of opting for heavy weights, beginners could start off with stack weight machines and plate loaded machines before changing to free weights. “Help each other perform the exercises with better form before increasing the weights,” she advises. “Of course, don’t be shy to approach fitness professionals or fitness enthusiasts to ask for assistance and advice.”

For more advanced exercise aficionados, Mr Aidid recommends some friendly competition and benchmarking in order to push each other to greater heights. “Veteran fitness buffs — who already have the knowledge — could set challenges for each other, be it carrying the max weight or hitting their personal records,” he suggests.

He further notes that as couples become more advanced in both physical fitness and workout knowledge, they should make imbalances and differences in strength work to their advantage. “Pick your own sprint- and rest-speeds. Teach each other and keep things interesting!” he says.

IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN

Just like any good relationship, recognise that your fitness journey as a couple is a marathon, not a sprint. Understanding your partner’s strengths and weaknesses are just as important as recognising what their goals are and how comfortable they are embarking on certain types of exercises.

Whatever the case, it’s most important to keep things consistent. Our Fitness Workz trainers recommend getting into a routine schedule and sticking to it. “If you both work office hours, an hour of working out together should be fine, excluding cardio. Doing so 3 times a week would be a good start,” shares Azmirah. “30 minutes of cardio a day for 5 days in a week is recommended for each individual. If both of you could brisk walk or run together after their workout, that would be even better!” Mr Aidid adds.

Looking for workout inspiration? In Part 2 of this series, our Fitness Workz trainers recommend some exercises for couples to try out, whatever your skill level! Stay tuned for more.

Close Up

Becoming a family man

CPT (NS) Muhd Saufi says that getting married and starting a family changed his perspective on life.

CPT (NS) Muhd Saufi bin Abdul Rashid on marriage and starting a family of his own helped him view life from a fresh perspective.

TEXT: KEENAN PEREIRA

PHOTOS: CPT (NS) MUHD SAUFI BIN ABDUL RASHID

For many, the year-end season is a period to slow down and spend time with family and friends. However, CPT (NS) Muhd Saufi bin Abdul Rashid’s work in the medical technologies sector brought him to Switzerland in December 2021 for a month, away from his wife and their three-year-old son. “I missed my family! What’s worse, my son kept asking my wife ‘Where is daddy?’ and why I wasn’t home yet,” shares the 32-year-old.

For those who know CPT (NS) Saufi from his national service days, this might sound like an out-of-character statement, because he never expected to be a family man.

After all, he describes himself as being the “joker” of the Special Rescue Unit, where he was a platoon commander during his fulltime NS stint. Despite his rank, he was always ready to cheer up those around him with a joke — if the time and situation allowed for it, of course. “I didn’t think this would change,” he reflects.

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE

But change he did, after meeting his wife of five years and having their first child three years ago. “They completely transformed my perspective on life. I realised I had to get serious about things, such as getting a house, doing well in my career and being the best version of me. I wasn’t living for myself anymore; I had a family to care for and who depend on me.”

Fortunately, it was an effortless transition. That’s because CPT (NS) Saufi had “lived singlehood to the fullest”. Any sport you name, he is likely to have played it, be it badminton or archery tag. “I also took part in various cultural activities, like dikir barat (a style of Malay choral singing) and even lion dance,” he says.

With so many endeavours under his belt, it’s no wonder CPT (NS) Saufi is happy to give as much time as he has to his family. He tells Frontline that he hopes his brood will grow in the coming year. “Ideally, I’ll want two more children to complete the set,” he quips.

COMMITTED AND CARING

CPT (NS) Saufi’s commitment to his family’s wellbeing is clear as he discusses his return to Singapore from Switzerland in early January. To protect his young one from COVID-19, he opted to stay at his parents’ house for seven days upon his return, even though he had tested negative for the virus. “My son is too young to be vaccinated so I wanted to make sure he doesn’t suffer needlessly, in case the virus manifested after I came back,” he explains.

“I did not video call him often when I was away because of the seven-hour time difference between Singapore and Switzerland. So it was quite a big sacrifice to have to be away from him for another week,” says CPT (NS) Saufi. Still, he was determined to do “what’s right for (his) family”.

As someone who had received great support from his parents throughout his life, CPT (NS) Saufi understands the strength of family bonds. Crucially, they encouraged him to forge his own path, motivating him to complete his Normal (Technical) education, enter the Institute of Technical Education and later, a polytechnic.

CPT (NS) Saufi went on to become an officer in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). “Their encouragement reminded me that it’s not about how far others say you can go; what’s more important is how far you want to go. I owe so much to them,” he says with gratitude.

CPT (NS) Saufi’s striving for excellence continues to this day, both at work and in his role as an Officer Commanding (OC) of the 31 Rescue Battalion. For his strong and inspirational leadership, he was presented with the NSman of the Year Award in 2021. He cherishes this honour, but true to form, credits those around him for his success. “I am who I am because of them.”

FINDING BALANCE

Like many young parents, CPT (NS) Saufi knows what it feels like to balance commitments to family, work and National Service. He currently works in the medical technologies industry, where he pulls 12-hour shifts.

“After a long day, I look forward to going home and spending time playing with my son and chatting with my wife,” he says. CPT (NS) Saufi works a four-day week, giving him just enough time to also visit his parents, in-laws and, crucially, himself as well. “Sundays are my ‘do-nothing’ days, where my wife and I just watch Netflix or relax.”

Lifestyle

Special deals to celebrate your special someone

Post author By scott
Post date February 14, 2022
No Comments on Special deals to celebrate your special someone

Whether you’re embarking on a new relationship or celebrating decades of marriage, a treat on Valentine's Day will add a spark of romance to any relationship. Photo: Shutterstock

From favourite flowers to a mid-day getaway, make this Valentine’s Day one to remember without burning a hole in your pocket.

TEXT: MELODY TAN

Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year. But whether you’re embarking on a new relationship or celebrating decades of marriage, a treat on 14 February lends a spark of romance to even the most mundane of weekdays.

That doesn’t mean that you have to empty out your wallet, though. Little gestures like writing your loved one a simple, heartfelt message or getting up early to prepare breakfast for them before work can be far more meaningful than splurging on costly gifts or dinners.

You can even get creative and choose to make memories to last a lifetime by booking a photo studio session or a ManCave afternoon retreat for two. And if romance is not in the cards for you this February, feel free to treat yourself instead – after all, self-care is a form of love too!

GIFTS TO SPOIL YOUR VALENTINE

Humming

Flowers are a traditional Valentine’s gift – but if the seasonal price of a bouquet makes you feel less than warm and fuzzy, make sure to download the HomeTeamNS mobile app onto your device to retrieve the promo code. From 17 January to 15 February, enjoy 10 per cent off all Valentine’s Day flowers and gifts at Humming, with no minimum spend required.

JBL

Is your Valentine a musician, gamer or just someone who sits through too many Zoom meetings? JBL offers a wide range of speakers, headphones and earbuds to suit all audio needs. From 3 February to 28 February, enjoy 15 per cent off already-discounted promotional prices. View the promo code on the HomeTeamNS mobile app.

A DINE-IN DATE FOR TWO

Winestone

Impress your partner with dinner and drinks at Winestone, a modern European restaurant, bar and wine retail store at Stevens Road. Till 28 February, make a reservation and flash your HomeTeamNS card to redeem 10 per cent off the Valentine’s Day Set Menu (S$88++ per person), which features crowd-pleasers like seafood bisque, Australian beef tenderloin with foie gras and cured smoked salmon loin salad.

Lola Faye

For a sugary-sweet casual date, check out Lola Faye. Located in the Jalan Besar enclave, the Muslim-owned cafe offers wraps, sandwiches and their specialty gelato-based desserts.

Try the Buttermilk Belgian waffles topped with a scoop of gelato, or have your gelato stuffed into a buttery, flaky croissant and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Until 28 February, between Tuesdays to Thursdays from 2 to 6pm, display your HomeTeamNS membership card for 10 per cent off your total bill.

EXPERIENCES TO SHARE

Pierre Ooi Photography

Snaps meant for social media are fun, but having a professional take your photos can bring them to a whole new level, especially if you and your significant other want to take a more formal portrait. For families, it can also be a fun way to commemorate a broader celebration of love. Exclusive to HomeTeamNS and SAFRA members, enjoy a 50 per cent discount on Pierre Ooi Photography’s Classic Family Photography package (original price S$388, discounted price S$188) for shoots during the month of February.

Held at the HomeTeamNS-JOM Balestier Clubhouse, the photography package features one 20-inch by 16-inch canvas portrait with framing, one 12-inch by 8-inch laminated photograph with framing, and two soft copies of selected, edited, high-resolution images. WhatsApp 8112 3114 to book.

HomeTeamNS Khatib ManCaves

Despite the name, the ManCaves – well-equipped entertainment and work spaces at the HomeTeamNS Khatib Clubhouse – can be a getaway for couples. From just S$6 an hour on weekdays, you can enjoy lunch and tea break for two – as well as a great opportunity to reconnect in a quiet environment without the noise and interruptions of everyday life.

Relive your dating days while sipping coffee, get artsy with a paint-by-numbers kit or duel it out over a console game – being together in the moment is all you need to keep the flame alive. From 14 to 18 February, book your ManCave here for a Valentine’s Day celebration both of you will love.

More promotions and opportunities await at HomeTeamNS clubhouses! Keep abreast with the latest membership promotions and share them with your friends.

Whether you’re heading to the cinema or watching in the comfort of home, movies are another great option for Valentine’s Day.

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