(BPT) – “What’s your favorite scary movie?”

This famous line from the film “Scream” sent shivers down the spines of moviegoers everywhere and made us all think twice about answering the phone. But while Ghost Face and his creepy question are nothing more than fiction, the wrong call in the real world can also be dangerous.

Phone scams are nothing new, but today thieves are using the phone to perpetrate tech support scams that prey upon the non-tech savvy. The fraudsters will make calls to would-be victims purporting to be with a reputable company, alerting the victim that there is a problem with their computer. Once the fraudster has earned the victim’s trust, they may then offer a software solution that could ultimately steal from the victim. The fraudsters inform potential victims what it will cost and tell them to send an online money transfer or provide their credit card number over the phone to cover the fee.

Understanding the dangers of tech scams

For the victims of a tech scam, the best case scenario is to discover that the solution they purchased doesn’t work or that they could have gotten the software elsewhere for free. They’re out the money they paid the scammer but little else.

In more serious cases however, the scammer may ask for remote access to “fix the problem” and then use that access to install malicious software (malware) on the victim’s computer. This software enables the scammer to steal the personal information the machine holds, including the victim’s phone number, social security information, credit information and other sensitive data they can obtain. The results of this identity theft could be devastating.

Protecting your computer and your sensitive information

To protect yourself from ending up the victim of a tech support scam, Western Union offers these fraud awareness tips.

Just say no. Never send a money transfer or provide your personal or banking information to people or businesses you don’t know personally. Scam artists can be very persuasive over the phone, so never turn over your information just because the person on the other line sounds legitimate.

Keep control. Never give control of your computer to someone that randomly calls you. Once you hand over control, you’re at the mercy of that other person to get control back.

Don’t be afraid to hang up. If you feel pressured or the caller mentions there is a subscription fee for the service they are offering, hang up. You can always call your software company on your own if you feel there is a problem with your computer.

Get professional help. If you suspect malware has been installed on your computer, take your device to a reputable computer repair service and have them run a diagnostics check on your machine to remove the suspicious software.

Act immediately. If you feel you’ve been the target of a scam, it’s in your interest to act as quickly as possible. The longer you delay, the longer you leave your personal information vulnerable to outside threats. If you get one of these phone calls and you have sent a money transfer via Western Union, call the company’s fraud hotline at (800) 448-1492 to report it. If the money has not been paid, then Western Union can stop the transaction and refund your money.

Unlike the characters in the movie “Scream,” tech support scams are very real. However, if you apply the fraud prevention tips above, you can help protect your personal information and keep the terror out of your technology. For more information on common scams, visit Western Union’s Fraud Awareness Center at wu.com/fraudawareness.

(BPT) – You engaged in spring cleaning and organization earlier this year, but with the holidays approaching, your home office could probably stand a bit of freshening up. Fall is the perfect time to make sure your office is a well-equipped and appealing workspace that boosts your efficiency and productivity.

The home office experts at Staples offer tips to refresh your office this autumn:

Improve organization

Does it seem like all the paperwork, junk mail and other useless stuff you cleared out in spring has found its way back to your office this fall? What are you going to do when holiday clutter starts to add up, too? It’s time to take another pass at organizing your office.

Redoing everything might not be practical, but it also might not be necessary. The desk is often the nexus of chaos in any home office, but it’s also the spot where most of your work gets done. Treat yourself to an array of desktop decluttering devices such as:

* All-in-one organizers merge file holders, paper trays, and storage compartments in a single, compact desktop display.

* Desk organizers that can hold files, reference materials and supplies.

* Letter sorters which allow you to prioritize incoming and outgoing mail, so you never miss a bill payment or request for proposal.

* Pencil cups are the simplest way to ensure you’re never hunting for a pen or pencil under a mound of paperwork while a client waits on the phone.

* Storage boxes are great for hiding supplies that you don’t need to use or see all the time.

Staples offers an array of desktop organizers, including the ZigZag suite of desktop products that include the All-in-One White ZigZag Desk Organizer, the White ZigZag Letter Sorter and the White Zigzag Storage Box. Visit www.staples.com to find more organization products.

Boost security

Bills, invoices and emails, attachments and downloads — a lot of valuable data will move through your home office during the holidays. It’s important to secure information and your home office hardware and software.

Make sure your anti-virus and firewall software are up to date. If you’re not sure, consider scheduling an appointment with a technician who can assess the security of your technology. Most security software providers now allow you to enroll in an automatic renewal program so that your protection never lapses.

Don’t overlook the importance of securing more mundane threats, like paperwork that contains proprietary information. If you don’t already have one, invest in a high-quality shredder, like the Staples 15-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder, and be sure to shred paperwork before discarding it. Old invoices, bills, customer records and even junk mail can all be a source of valuable information for criminals.

Care for your comfort

You spend a lot of time in your home office, and if the holidays are a busy season for you, you’ll likely be at your desk for extended periods. It’s important that your workspace cares for your comfort as much as facilitates productivity — and that means having good office furniture.

It may not be practical to replace a less-than-perfect desk when the holidays are bearing down on you, but swapping out your old office chair for something newer, better looking and more comfortable is an easy fix. It’s also a cost-effective way to make your home office a more productive place.

Be sure to test drive multiple chairs before choosing one. Resources like Staples have plenty of floor models for you to try before you buy. Whether you prefer light and ergonomic, like the Staples Professional Series 1500TM Mesh Chair available in a range of colors, or a more traditional look, such as the Turcotte Luxura High Back Office Chair in basic black, you can find a new chair that will give your office a whole new feeling.

(BPT) – You engaged in spring cleaning and organization earlier this year, but with the holidays approaching, your home office could probably stand a bit of freshening up. Fall is the perfect time to make sure your office is a well-equipped and appealing workspace that boosts your efficiency and productivity.

The home office experts at Staples offer tips to refresh your office this autumn:

Improve organization

Does it seem like all the paperwork, junk mail and other useless stuff you cleared out in spring has found its way back to your office this fall? What are you going to do when holiday clutter starts to add up, too? It’s time to take another pass at organizing your office.

Redoing everything might not be practical, but it also might not be necessary. The desk is often the nexus of chaos in any home office, but it’s also the spot where most of your work gets done. Treat yourself to an array of desktop decluttering devices such as:

* All-in-one organizers merge file holders, paper trays, and storage compartments in a single, compact desktop display.

* Desk organizers that can hold files, reference materials and supplies.

* Letter sorters which allow you to prioritize incoming and outgoing mail, so you never miss a bill payment or request for proposal.

* Pencil cups are the simplest way to ensure you’re never hunting for a pen or pencil under a mound of paperwork while a client waits on the phone.

* Storage boxes are great for hiding supplies that you don’t need to use or see all the time.

Staples offers an array of desktop organizers, including the ZigZag suite of desktop products that include the All-in-One White ZigZag Desk Organizer, the White ZigZag Letter Sorter and the White Zigzag Storage Box. Visit www.staples.com to find more organization products.

Boost security

Bills, invoices and emails, attachments and downloads — a lot of valuable data will move through your home office during the holidays. It’s important to secure information and your home office hardware and software.

Make sure your anti-virus and firewall software are up to date. If you’re not sure, consider scheduling an appointment with a technician who can assess the security of your technology. Most security software providers now allow you to enroll in an automatic renewal program so that your protection never lapses.

Don’t overlook the importance of securing more mundane threats, like paperwork that contains proprietary information. If you don’t already have one, invest in a high-quality shredder, like the Staples 15-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder, and be sure to shred paperwork before discarding it. Old invoices, bills, customer records and even junk mail can all be a source of valuable information for criminals.

Care for your comfort

You spend a lot of time in your home office, and if the holidays are a busy season for you, you’ll likely be at your desk for extended periods. It’s important that your workspace cares for your comfort as much as facilitates productivity — and that means having good office furniture.

It may not be practical to replace a less-than-perfect desk when the holidays are bearing down on you, but swapping out your old office chair for something newer, better looking and more comfortable is an easy fix. It’s also a cost-effective way to make your home office a more productive place.

Be sure to test drive multiple chairs before choosing one. Resources like Staples have plenty of floor models for you to try before you buy. Whether you prefer light and ergonomic, like the Staples Professional Series 1500TM Mesh Chair available in a range of colors, or a more traditional look, such as the Turcotte Luxura High Back Office Chair in basic black, you can find a new chair that will give your office a whole new feeling.

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(BPT) – Working from home seems like a professional dream for many, but sometimes your home isn’t the optimum place to do business. Perhaps you’ve outgrown your home office or your startup requires a more professional atmosphere for client meetings. Maybe you crave the kind of personal interaction that’s hard to achieve when you work alone, or you just want a change of scenery during the day.

When working from home isn’t right for you, there’s now an alternative to renting an office of your own — and taking on all the overhead that comes with it. Office sharing (also known as “co-working”) gives small businesses and entrepreneurs a cost-effective way to have all the amenities of their own office space, including, conference rooms, workspace and access to printing and copying, without incurring the costs of having their own office.

The concept that started in the tech industry has expanded well beyond it, with professionals of diverse disciplines now sharing workspaces.

“There are people who want more stimulation than sitting at home and being very productive working in your pajamas all day,” University of Michigan business professor Gretchen Spreitzer told Realty Today.

Typically, shared workspaces provide professionals with their desks — where they can set up their own laptops — access to secure WiFi networks, printing and copying services, private meeting rooms, and support staff such as a receptionist or office assistant. Some workspaces also offer lunch or break room facilities and other amenities.

Staples and Workbar are the newest entrants into the growing shared workspace industry. Workbar at Staples is currently in three Staples locations in the Boston suburbs of Danvers, Norwood and Brighton. Workbar at Staples focuses on serving small businesses with 2,500-3,500 square feet of custom-designed facilities that feature a mix of high-end workspaces, conference rooms, private rooms, printers, natural light, WiFi that is fast and secure, and complimentary coffee and tea.

“Small business owners are discovering that collaborative, convenient environments can make their workdays more productive and enjoyable,” says Peter Scala, executive vice president of merchandising at Staples. “The new Workbar at Staples locations, within our stores, provide professionals with the creative space, office essentials and support they need to run their business or launch a new idea.”

In addition to cost advantages, shared workspaces can also foster creativity, enhance work satisfaction, and generate networking opportunities, especially for small businesses and startups. A survey by Deskmag.com found most people sharing workspaces (70 percent) are very happy with the setup. Survey respondents said they were more motivated (85 percent), had better interaction with others (88 percent), and worked in teams more often (57 percent). Joining a shared workspace also resulted in feeling more organized at work and more relaxed at home (60 percent), and higher earnings (42 percent).

Typically, participating in a shared workspace costs far less than renting a private office. To learn more, visit www.staples.com/workbar or www.workbar.com/staples.