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PA e-Comm News December 6

ADVERTISERS OF THE WEEK

Con artists are using stolen numbers to set up a growing number of increasingly convincing scams intended to part eBay buyers and sellers from their usernames and passwords and thereby defraud buyers out of potentially tens of thousands of dollars while evading detection. One fraudulent site tries to obtain not only the eBay user's name and password, but also complete credit card information, billing address, phone numbers, bank account routing number, checking account number, social security number, debit card PIN, mother's maiden name, date of birth, and driver's license number. One expert in the area of identity theft said that the eBay scams fit a classic mold of identity theft schemes whereby con artists send out scam e-mails that tell recipients someone has tampered with their account or that some unspecified fraud is suspected. The e-mail then tells the recipient to click on a link leading to a site where visitors can enter or change their username and password. eBay and other Web auction sites have long been happy hunting grounds for con artists of all types. Thousands of domain names with the word "ebay" have been registered and Web-savvy scam artists can dress up a Web address to look like it resolves to "ebay.com." Many of these bogus sites follow the "change-ebay.com" pattern, springing up for a matter of hours or days after being registered with a stolen credit card--just for the purpose of snaring a few unsuspecting users' passwords before shutting down or getting unplugged. AOL for years has warned its users that company representatives will never ask for an account password. eBay said it was tackling the problem in a similar way by educating people about what to look for in a potentially fraudulent eBay Web address and urging caution before parting with sensitive data.

According to Nielsen-Netratings, online travel advertising rose 39% in the third quarter compared to the same time last year. Total consumer online sales in the US reached $1.38 billion last week according to comScore Media Metrix, an increase of 37% over the same week last year. The toys category recorded a 66% increase in sales, flowers and gifts sales were up 48%, and movies and video sales grew 41%.

A new study from Jupiter Research indicates that only 9% of Internet users have picked up an item from a physical store after ordering it online. The main reason cited for this low number is the fact that the service is not yet widely available. According to Jupiter analysts, consumers would be interested in an in-store pickup service because it eliminates shipping and handling costs and provides instant gratification by eliminating the lag time of shipping.

The US has the most favorable environment for ebusiness, according to Booz Allen Hamilton who orchestrated a study commissioned by the Office of the E-Envoy to examine statistical indicators and government policies that affect e-commerce in Sweden, Australia and the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US and the UK). The study found that the US, UK, and Canada have developed the best overall environment for ecommerce through a combination of policy decisions and other factors. Sweden, the US, Canada, and Australia have the strongest egovernment development, according to the study. The UK scored better than the US when it came to the percentage of businesses trading online, but lagged behind several countries on measures such as the number of online shoppers and broadband users.

Books, CDs and DVDs bought at Amazon.com can now be picked up at local Borders stores, thanks to an extended agreement between the two retailers. Amazon is inviting its Internet shoppers to pick up and return items at one of Borders' 400 stores around the United States--a service talked about last year when the two companies first opened a cobranded store online. In recent weeks, Amazon opened an apparel wing to its online mall in partnership with retailers such as Gap, Eddie Bauer, Foot Locker and Nordstrom. In September, Amazon aligned with Office Depot to sell office products through its online store; it has similar agreements with Target and Circuit City. This continues Amazon's strategy of blending the real world and online points of sale. Borders sees the advantage of serving its customers who want to shop online. This newest program, "Express In-Store Pick Up at Borders," lets people choose to pick up videos, music or books at a local Borders store upon checkout. Borders records the sale and gives Amazon a commission. Shoppers will pay the price at the local Borders store with applicable state and local sales tax added, but not shipping charges. 

E-COMMERCE MEMBERSHIP UPDATE 

World Trade Center Harrisburg
227 W. Market Street
York, PA 17405-5046
(717)843-1090, (717)854-0087 Fax
Contacts: Tina Weyant tina@hwtc.org ; Kristin Bookhamer kristinb@hwtc.org
www.hwtc.org

The World Trade Center Harrisburg is the local coordinator for the State sponsored export assistance services, which range from trade event participation to customized market research from Pennsylvania's network of 17 foreign offices. Access to any of the following services is free of charge to Pennsylvania companies: Trade Counseling; Trade Leads; Trade Promotion and Missions; Market Intelligence and Research; Trade Finance Programs; Market Access Grants; Videoconferencing Facilities. A World Trade Center Harrisburg corporate membership provides additional benefits, including in-depth market research and discounts to World Trade Center programs and events.
Web Allies is committed to working with businesses and Web developers to create complete communication solutions.

PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a listing of recently published technology procurement opportunities with various governmental entities. We hope our readers take the opportunity to investigate these postings and increase their business:

GSA - Federal Supply Service (FSS)
GSA Hardware SuperStore (6FE)
80 -- SPQ-8040-00-145-0019
Solicitation 01, Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/GSA/FSS/6FE/SPQ-B8-8040-00-145-0019/listing.html

NASA - Headquarters
Office of Procurement (HQ)
A--ACCESS TO SPACE: THE EVOLUTION OF AN IDEA AND A TECHNOLOGY HISTORY
BOOK PREPARATION
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/NASA/HQ/OPHQDC/RFOW-08072/listing.html

USAF - Air Force Materiel Command
ESC - Electronic Systems Center
R--Professional, Admin; Management Support Services
Other Files 84
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/ESC/R189/listing.html

USAF - Air Mobility Command
436th CONS
99 -- Ruggedized Lap Tops
Combine Synopsis/Solicitation
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AMC/436CONS/F13TRX22900100/listing.html

USAF - Air Combat Command
366 CONS
T -- Newspaper
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/ACC/366CONS/F10603-03-R-0002/listing.html

USAF - Air Combat Command
4 CONS
70 -- Upgrade Computer Milling Program
Synopsis, Solicitation 01
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/ACC/4CONS/F31610-03-Q-0090/listing.html

USAF - Air Force Materiel Command
HSW - 311 Human Systems Wing
R -- Manufacturing Technical Assistance Procurement Program
Solicitation 01
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/HSW/F41622-03-R-0001/listing.html

TREAS - Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD)
Division of Procurement
T -- MICROFILM PROCESSING AND DUPLICATING
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/TREAS/BPD/DP/BPD-03-CI-0002/listing.html

NSF - Division of Contracts, Policy, and Oversight
CPO
D -- COTS Procurement Automation Software
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/NSF/DCPO/CPO/Reference-Number-DACS-
Automation/listing.html

DISA - Acquisition Directorate
DITCO-Scott
D--INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/DISA/D4AD/DITCO/VARIOUS-20-Nov-2002/listing.html

DISA - Acquisition Directorate
DITCO-Scott
D -- International Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT)
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/DISA/D4AD/DITCO/Reference-Number-DCA200-01-D-5008/listing.html

DISA - Acquisition Directorate
DITCO-Scott
D -- Inmarsat Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT)
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/DISA/D4AD/DITCO/Reference-Number-DCA200-02-D-5002/listing.html

ODA - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contracts Management Office
A -- Cognitive Information Processing Technology
Modification 03
http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA02-21/listing.html

USA - U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
National Ground Intelligence Center
99--REALSITE V2.3.1 SOFTWARE
Synopsis
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USA/INSCOM/DASC02/W26MT9-2298-2004/listing.html

NEWS & NOTES is a service of the PA e-Commerce Association. Please forward this e-mail to anyone else who might be interested in the content or in learning more about the Association. Remember to visit our website @ www.paecomm.org. or give us a call at 800-497-0809.

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