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The Wales equivalent to our Winz published this job ad for a Webcam Performer nationwide on their website. The role involves "explicit dialogue" and "performing for clients' or customers' fantasies". The Department for Work and Pensions in Cardiff says it is legally obliged to carry the advertisements.
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Reader Karen Barr had the hard sell from a telemarketer, which went something like this:
Telemarketer: Hello madam, how are you today?
Karen: Fine thank you. [I thought poor girl she's probably on commission. I'll try to be kind.]
Telemarketer: You are one of a lucky number randomly chosen for free accommodation blah, blah, blah. Are you planning a trip in the next 20 months?
Karen: Yes, actually I'm going to Antarctica in February.
Telemarketer: Can we help you with your reservations or hotel accommodation?
Karen: Thank you, but that's already been arranged and we won't be staying in a hotel.
Telemarketer: Are you staying with family or friends?
Karen: Perhaps you weren't aware that there's not much in Antarctica but ice and a few penguins?
Telemarketer: Only ice and penguins, then why are you going? I can arrange for you to go to the Gold Coast.
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The US Federal Trade Commission has released the latest results from its Consumer Fraud Survey. An estimated 30.2 million Americans were victims of fraud last year through varying means - credit card insurance scams, prize promotions and foreign lottery scams. But the most effective way to defraud the public is through fraudulent weight-loss products.
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Steve O'Donnell writes: "Many thanks to Sky Sport TV. After a great season of broadcasting the North American Baseball League games on their ESPN channel, the season's finale, both divisional and the World Series gets shifted, quite timely, to Sky Sport 1, a channel which, not surprisingly, costs additional to subscribe to. It seems that NZ Rugby isn't the only sport that's all about money here!"
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Passengers on a German train mistook a young man who had passed out and was dressed for Halloween as a gore-covered zombie for a murder victim. After getting no response from him and believing his hands and face were smeared with blood, passengers alerted police. A first aid team called to the scene soon cleared up the confusion. Police told the man, who was on his way home to the town of Bad Segeberg, to remove his make-up, after which he was allowed to continue his journey. "Bad Segeberg is in a rural area and Halloween isn't very well known there," a police spokeswoman said.
Today's Video Webpick: The most effective way of dealing with loud telephone users in the office. Wouldn't you just love to do this? Watch it here. Scroll down. These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.
