Thursday, July 27, 2023

University of Pisa scholarships to international student

   
The University of Pisa allocates every year 24 merit scholarships to international students admitted to one of the Master Degrees taught in English language, or in the Bachelor's Degree in Management for Business and Economics, in order to promote the academic offer in English of the University to international students.

The merit study grant consists of:
  • First year of course: 6 thousand 500 euros gross and exemption from University fees (except for € 140,00 for Regional taxes, and € 16.00 for stamp duty)
  • Second year of course for Master's Degree: 8 thousand euros net and a reduction of 50% of the University fees if the student has obtained at least 36 CFU credits
  • Second and third year of Bachelor's Degree: 8 thousand euros net and a reduction of 50% of the University fees if the student has obtained at least 36 CFU credits (first year) and 96 CFU credits (second year).
Find out more and apply at https://www.unipi.it/index.php/tuition-fees-and-financial-support/item/2274-unipi-scholarship

Studentship for underrepresented communities for PhD at The King’s College

   
The King’s College London Centre for Doctoral Studies are offering one studentship to support underrepresented communities for PhD study in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities.

Subject areas:
Arts, culture and media. History and classics. Languages and literature. Philosophy and religion.

Funding type:
Tuition fee. Living cost. Bench Fees / Research Training & Support Grant.

Awarding body:
Centre for Doctoral Studies.

Country:
United Kingdom.

The Award is available for the 2023/24 academic year (February 2024 or June 2024 entry)

Read more and apply at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study-legacy/funding/harold-moody-pgr-studentship-202324-call-2

Second call: PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change

   
Second call for 11 additional “Innovation” scholarships

Deadline 4 August 2023


A research programme in which ideas and methods linked to environment, society, technology, economy and health are perfectly integrated into a global vision, in order to develop a better future.

A network of public and private research centers fully interconnected and coordinated by IUSS PAVIA, in Italy.

Read more and apply at: https://www.phd-sdc.it/how-to-apply

University Winter Courses in Germany for Foreign Students and Graduates

   
This scholarship programme is designed for students, graduates and doctoral candidates. It aims to help them improve their knowledge of the German language (general language) as well as German regional and cultural studies. Applications are open to students and graduates as well as doctoral candidates in any subject area.

Undergraduate students must have completed at least two academic years when the scholarship period starts.

Students in the last year of a study programme are eligible to apply if they continue their studies in a postgraduate study programme shortly after completing their undergraduate degree. Please submit a letter of confirmation from your university as proof.

Read more and apply: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=50046485

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Common scams

   
Some scammers take their time to persuade you by using stories to play on emotions in order to gain trust before they steal from you.

Here are some examples to learn from:


  • A deal via social media or online shopping websites such as eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, OfferUp, Swappa etc., by selling stuff you may be interested in but ask that you must pay using cash or an app other than the app from the site you're purchasing through.
  • Imposters such as pretending to be from the tax agency because you owe some taxes and a lawsuit is pending if you don't pay right away. Others pretend to be from tech companies and say they need to update your computer system, while others pretend to be from your utility company inquiring about a late payment where they ask you to supply personal and financial information so they can compare it in the system.
  • Grandma, Grandpa calls - they pretend to be a grand kid that's stranded somewhere, or in some sort of trouble, or kidnapped and nee money fast.
  • You've won! - Some scammers will tell you that you've won a large sum of money from lottery or raffle, or money left under your name or money entitled to you from example a class action settlement or unclaimed money from the past, etc. They will ask for your personal and financial information in order to collect tax on the money before they "pay you."
  • Investment pitch. Scammers will try to tell you about a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to invest and reap big rewards. You will be promised massive profits and guaranteed great returns in a short and long term. You will be asked to invest immediately.
  • Romance scams. Scammers play with emotions and feelings, especially online when they can promise anything you desire after learning about your situation. They do not care if you've been looking for a soulmate for a long time, or you've recently separated or divorced and trying to heal, or you've lost your spouse and are vulnerable. The promise to mee you in person but first, they need some money because they cannot afford to travel or are trapped on a mission somewhere.
  • Business compromise emails (BCE). Some scammers will infiltrate the institution you're doing business with for a home, property, car, office or business equipment, by phishing and spoofing their email address and tell you of a change in closing information and you have to wire money to a new account.

How to try and protect yourself


  • Do not share your personally identifiable information (PII) with anyone
  • Do not share your bank information
  • Do not click links in emails or text messages - go to the company's website directly or call them from the number in your statement or in the back of your card.
  • Do not access your financial accounts information using a public internet.
  • Trust your instincts or gut feeling. Think before you act. Genuine people will understand if you need time to double check and verify. It is better to be late or laughed at than be sorry.
  • Protect others by sharing information about scams and how to stay ahead. Listen and from others as well, you may learn or get reminded of something.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

"Pay Yourself" scams

   

In general, no bank will ever ask you to send money in order to resolve or reverse fraud on your account.

Any text message, phone call, or email stating that it is from your bank and asking you to send money by wire or pay via Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, Apple gift cards, PayPal, or any other forms of payment for a service that you do not remember or recognize or solve an issue in your account it is a scam.

Try to stay safe by:

  1. Knowing the person, you're talking to. If you are not comfortable with the questions or information being asked, or you're feeling that something is not right, trust your intuition and hang up the phone before providing such information as full names, phone number, bank account number, debit number, credit number with 3-digit verification number, username, password, verification code from a text message or from your 2-factor authentication app (2FA). Go to your account and check the number (can also be found on your statements) for your financial institution provider and call them directly. This is also a good habit that can be applied to any suspicious form of communication even if it doesn't involve money at first.

  2. Take a deep breath and think through. Scammers may take time to persuade you into doing something, but usually most of them will create a sense of urgency and trigger your emotions so that you react without thinking thoroughly. They use this method to force you into doing something without realizing it at the moment. 

  3. Don't send money before you know for sure why you're sending money and why. Some trained or experienced bank employees may be able to spot a scam and try to warn you. Stop and listen to them even if the scammer told you not to. They may help you save your money.

Monday, July 24, 2023

Check (cheque) fraud

   
When using checks, be aware that the checks you write most of the time will include your name, your address, and your bank account number. If they fall into the wrong hands, you may lose your personal information stolen and financial loss.

How do scammers get your check?
  1. by taking them your checks from the mailbox
  2. by getting them from the trash cans if they were not disposed of properly
How do they get money from this fraud?

By rewriting your check to themselves after using chemicals to erase your information.
  1. by selling your personally identifiable information (PII) to other scammers
  2. by using your PII to forge checks 
  3. by using your PII to create profile that they can use to apply for services as if they were you
Some tips to help with making it harder to alter your check
  1. User a permanent pen
  2. In the payee field, fill out the name in the entire space or make a line to the end of the space
  3. Use the same signature every time to be consistent
  4. Go to the post office and mail it from inside, and not dropping them in the drop boxes outside