By Tim Dempsey

 

President Babjak opened the meeting with the Pledge and a prayer. The song meister is in Florida so no song.

 

-Kim Smith and Rich Schoeneman bragged that the Centre Club is celebrating its 35^th anniversary.

 

-Elliot Pinsel is in his 32^nd year of his ornament program. He distributed 495 gifts this year.

 

-Pat Hart is leaving the Club at the end of the year. He is a 29-year member and leaves a big hole in the Bulletin and highway cleanup staffs.

 

-Rich Babjak served on the Evans Scholars Committee in Wisconsin and 5 caddies from his club were awarded scholarships.

 

-Rotary anniversaries: Rob Likus – 4 years, Jon Robb – 13 years, Ron Lapins – 14 years. Polly Grover’s birthday is December 16^th.

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The Libertyville Food Pantry fed 73 families this holiday season.

 

-Fundraiser news: We still need sponsors. City of Hope is our title sponsor. Libertyville Bank & Trust is a platinum sponsor. We have 13 others so far. The registration system will be up this week. We will be emailing promotional videos. We need silent auction items. We will be printing a program this year as well as posters. We have an increase in restaurant partners.

 

-Meeting will be at Lamb’s next week and at Mickey Finns on 12/27. The meeting on 12/27 will be 45 minutes and you are encouraged to bring guests who are prospective members. 6:00 pm.

 

-Thanks to Tom Gore for stepping up as President Elect next year.

 

-EVENING MEETINGS IN 2024: Jan 31, Feb 21, Mar 27, April 24 and May22. Prospective members are encouraged to attend.

 

-Rick Mittelman’s brother passed away. Details to follow.

 

FUN $ FROLICS:

-Dave Potts did a noodle balancing contest.

 

PROGRAM: 

Today’s program was Todd Gallentine from MG computers. Todd told us about phishing which is a common form of fraud. In 2022 internet fraud was $10.3 billion. Criminals masquerade as reputable companies asking for information. Most phishes come from overseas. Usually there is no retribution. They prey on small and medium size businesses primarily because they don’t have sophisticated defenses. MG conducts forensic analysis on incidents of fraud.

 

Fraud occurs in 3 areas, identity, privileges, and authority. Identity fraud takes the form of fake tax returns, credit card applications, lines of credit, and home title theft. Privileges include gaining access to your computer network, access to HR data and emails. Hackers can stay for months without detection. They can change payrolls and auto deposits. Authority involves buying gift cards, ex. Holliday gifts for employees, sending HR data, wiring money to fraudulent accounts and billing from fraudulent vendors.

 

Recognizing phishing involves things that are unusual. Unfamiliar emails, suspicious links. Messages with a sense of urgency. Greetings that are too general. Never use phone numbers from emails. Employees need to slow down. Hover over a link without clicking on it. That will reveal the source. Spelling and grammar mistakes are an indicator of fraud. Use password managers with 2 factor authentication. Business groups and trade associations can help if fraud has occurred.  

 

-Daily: $27, won by Bob Zamor who donated his proceeds to the Food Pantry.

 

-Progressive: $27 with 52 cards. Bob Zamor drew the king of diamonds. ROLLOVER!

 

-Greeter & Prayer: Diana Servos.

 

-Fun & Frolics: Howard Jaffe subbing for Bill Rickert.

 

“I wish I had an answer to that question because I’m tired of answering that question!” Yogi Berra