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Personal finance startup BillGuard has raised $10 million in second-round financing, and it's using it to expand its service that helps protect accounts from fraudulent activity, the company said Tuesday. BillGuard protects users by registering their credit and debit cards and keeping an eye out for questionable and fraudulent charges. The company uses a crowdsourced approach to identifying unauthorized charges, by not only providing its own detection but also incorporating users' billing complaints to track and analyze payments. BillGuard's big second round of funding comes from a powerhouse group, including Khosla Ventures, Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors and Peter Thiel's Founders Fund. "At Khosla Ventures we love entrepreneurs who dare to tackle large problems with disruptive, bottom-up methods," said Vinod Khosla, founding partner of Khosla Ventures, in a statement. At present, BillGuard is free to use for anyone who wants to sign up. So how is it going to make money? The company is talking to large banks that could act as partners and incorporate BillGuard on a per-customer basis for a small fee. BillGuard is also exploring the idea of a merchant certification program that would let merchants have access to some its data, and follow up with customers who end up with fraudulent or questionable charges. New York-based BillGuard previously raised $3 million in its first round of funding from Bessemer Venture Partners and IA Ventures. Bill

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http://amazongoldnico.livejournal.com/.../1355.html Personal finance startup BillGuard has raised $10 million in second-round financing, and it's using it to expand its service that helps protect accounts from fraudulent activity, the company said Tuesday. BillGuard protects users by registering their credit and debit cards and keeping an eye out for questionable and fraudulent charges.

Personal finance startup BillGuard has raised $10 million in second-round financing, and it's using it to expand its service that helps protect accounts from fraudulent activity, the company said Tuesday. BillGuard protects users by registering their credit and debit cards and keeping an eye out for questionable and fraudulent charges. The company uses a crowdsourced approach to identifying unauthorized charges, by not only providing its own detection but also incorporating users' billing complaints to track and analyze payments. BillGuard's big second round of funding comes from a powerhouse group, including Khosla Ventures, Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors and Peter Thiel's Founders Fund. "At Khosla Ventures we love entrepreneurs who dare to tackle large problems with disruptive, bottom-up methods," said Vinod Khosla, founding partner of Khosla Ventures, in a statement. At present, BillGuard is free to use for anyone who wants to sign up. So how is it going to make money? The company is talking to large banks that could act as partners and incorporate BillGuard on a per-customer basis for a small fee. BillGuard is also exploring the idea of a merchant certification program that would let merchants have access to some its data, and follow up with customers who end up with fraudulent or questionable charges. New York-based BillGuard previously raised $3 million in its first round of funding from Bessemer Venture Partners and IA Ventures. BillGuard made its public debut on stage at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in May 2011

Here is a roundup of alleged cons, frauds and schemes to watch out for. Bank theft -- A Central California bank employee has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $100,000 from the accounts of two customers. Brenda Hurtado, 26, pleaded guilty in August to committing theft by a bank employee. A former employee of U.S. Bank in Arroyo Grande, she admitted changing the contact information for two customers in their 80s, closing their accounts and issuing herself cashier's checks for the closing balances. It is a good idea to check bank statements regularly to avoid mistakes, improper charges or theft, consumer advocates say. E-books -- Consumers should take care when purchasing electronic books for devices such as Amazon's Kindle or the Barnes & Noble Nook, the Better Business Bureau said in a recent bulletin. Some websites have been offering e-books for sale that were pirated or contain harmful malware, the BBB said. The bulletin cautions consumers to check the URL to make sure it begins with https://, a sign that it is secure, and to use reputable websites to avoid being victimized. Mortgage modification -- Five people have agreed to repay millions of dollars to victims who they duped by promising to help them reduce their mortgage payments but providing no services after receiving their fees of $4,250. According to a lawsuit filed last year by the Federal Trade Commission, the defendants offered a "Government Mortgage Relief Program," even though they had no affiliation with the government. The company promised full refunds if they were unsuccessful at reducing mortgages, but failed to return the money and disconnected their telephones.

Here is a roundup of alleged cons, frauds and schemes to watch out for. Bank theft -- A Central California bank employee has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $100,000 from the accounts of two customers. Brenda Hurtado, 26, pleaded guilty in August to committing theft by a bank employee. A former employee of U.S. Bank in Arroyo Grande, she admitted changing the contact information for two customers in their 80s, closing their accounts and issuing herself cashier's checks for the closing balances. It is a good idea to check bank statements regularly to avoid mistakes, improper charges or theft, consumer advocates say. E-books -- Consumers should take care when purchasing electronic books for devices such as Amazon's Kindle or the Barnes & Noble Nook, the Better Business Bureau said in a recent bulletin. Some websites have been offering e-books for sale that were pirated or contain harmful malware, the BBB said. The bulletin cautions consumers to check the URL to make sure it begins with https://, a sign that it is secure, and to use reputable websites to avoid being victimized. Mortgage modification -- Five people have agreed to repay millions of dollars to victims who they duped by promising to help them reduce their mortgage payments but providing no services after receiving their fees of $4,250. According to a lawsuit filed last year by the Federal Trade Commission, the defendants offered a "Government Mortgage Relief Program," even though they had no affiliation with the government. The company promised full refunds if they were unsuccessful at reducing mortgages, but failed to return the money and disconnected their telephones.

Amazon Gold Ventures is pleased to announce that the company is completing listing requirements with the Frankfurt market to gain a listing on the exchange. Amazon Gold Ventures has announced plans to list on a major stock exchange, namely the German Frankfurt exchange. The listing process is currently well under way and the company is looking forward to releasing further details in the very near future. About Amazon Gold: Amazon Gold Ventures Ltd. is in the process of identifying and qualifying existing independentgold mining operations in Colombia, Peru and Brazil. Through our associates and partners, the Company provides a team of engineers and mining industry experts to enable and assist growth directly in exchange for co-ownership and royalties in each mine or exploration project. The Company is primarily focused on partnering solely with operating gold mining projects and ventures, which have already completed the exploration phase of their operation. Once engaged, to enhance and maximize resources in the field, the Company compiles and reviews basic information records and geological-mining cartography structured and supported on new Geographic Information Systems (GIS) where data relating to mines in operations, historical production, reserves, free areas and environmental restrictions can be readily found, as well as geological maps, mining charts, and mineral occurrence charts in concert with current operators. Over the next three years, we will be partnering with an array of mines located in Colombia, Peru and Brazil. The Company will qualify each project or venture by reviewing claims and existing operations on a territory-by-territory basis.

Amazon Gold Ventures is pleased to announce that the company is completing listing requirements with the Frankfurt market to gain a listing on the exchange. Amazon Gold Ventures has announced plans to list on a major stock exchange, namely the German Frankfurt exchange. The listing process is currently well under way and the company is looking forward to releasing further details in the very near future. About Amazon Gold: Amazon Gold Ventures Ltd. is in the process of identifying and qualifying existing independentgold mining operations in Colombia, Peru and Brazil. Through our associates and partners, the Company provides a team of engineers and mining industry experts to enable and assist growth directly in exchange for co-ownership and royalties in each mine or exploration project. The Company is primarily focused on partnering solely with operating gold mining projects and ventures, which have already completed the exploration phase of their operation. Once engaged, to enhance and maximize resources in the field, the Company compiles and reviews basic information records and geological-mining cartography structured and supported on new Geographic Information Systems (GIS) where data relating to mines in operations, historical production, reserves, free areas and environmental restrictions can be readily found, as well as geological maps, mining charts, and mineral occurrence charts in concert with current operators. Over the next three years, we will be partnering with an array of mines located in Colombia, Peru and Brazil. The Company will qualify each project or venture by reviewing claims and existing operations on a territory-by-territory basis.