Latest news with #Identifier
Time Business News
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time Business News
Ultimate Guide to Using a FORD VIN Decoder for Free Vehicle History Reports
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is like a car's fingerprint. Every vehicle, including all Ford models, has a unique 17-character VIN that serves as a universal identifier. This sequence isn't just random—it's packed with important information about the vehicle, including where it was manufactured, its engine type, body style, and even safety features. WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier) : First 3 characters (e.g., 1FA for Ford USA) : First 3 characters (e.g., 1FA for Ford USA) VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section) : Middle 6 characters (describe vehicle model and body type) : Middle 6 characters (describe vehicle model and body type) VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section): Last 8 characters (includes year and serial number) Understanding this code allows consumers to unlock vital information about their Ford vehicles. Ford, like other manufacturers, follows the international VIN format. Here's what each character means in a Ford VIN: Position Meaning 1-3 Country & manufacturer 4-8 Model, engine type, body style 9 Check digit 10 Model year 11 Assembly plant 12-17 Production serial number Each Ford VIN holds critical clues about a vehicle's identity and history. A Ford VIN Decoder is a specialized tool that translates a Ford vehicle's VIN into readable data. It works by pulling records from vehicle databases, government registries, and manufacturer data. Car buyers, dealers, insurance agents, and even curious Ford owners use these decoders to learn more about a vehicle's: Accident history Manufacturer recalls Title status Mileage inconsistencies Using a Ford VIN Decoder can protect you from costly mistakes. Here's what it can reveal: Ownership History – Know how many people owned the car. – Know how many people owned the car. Accident Records – Learn about past damages or airbag deployments. – Learn about past damages or airbag deployments. Title and Registration Details – Avoid cars with salvage or rebuilt titles. – Avoid cars with salvage or rebuilt titles. Odometer Tampering – Detect rollbacks that suggest mileage fraud. – Detect rollbacks that suggest mileage fraud. Manufacturer Recalls – See if the car has pending safety issues. Here's a step-by-step guide to decoding your Ford's VIN: Locate your VIN (dashboard, engine block, or documents). Enter the VIN into a trusted online Ford VIN Decoder. Click 'Search' or 'Decode.' Review the report—scan for red flags like 'salvage' or 'accident reported.' It's quick, often free, and could save you thousands of dollars. Ford vehicles display their VIN in multiple places: Driver's side dashboard (visible through windshield) (visible through windshield) Driver's side door jamb Engine bay Title, registration, and insurance documents Always double-check to ensure all numbers match. Here's an example: 1FAFP404XWF135826 1FA : Ford USA : Ford USA FP404 : Mustang Coupe : Mustang Coupe X : Check digit : Check digit W : 1998 model year : 1998 model year F : Built in Dearborn, MI : Built in Dearborn, MI 135826: Serial number A Ford VIN Decoder would quickly interpret this and reveal if the vehicle has any reported issues. Feature Free Decoder Paid Decoder Basic vehicle specs ✅ ✅ Accident reports ❌ ✅ Odometer check ❌ ✅ Ownership history ❌ ✅ Recall info ✅ ✅ Free decoders are great for basics, but paid reports offer peace of mind. Used Car Shopping – Detect hidden problems before buying. – Detect hidden problems before buying. Insurance Quotes – Confirm correct vehicle info. – Confirm correct vehicle info. Recalls & Safety – Ensure no recalls are outstanding. – Ensure no recalls are outstanding. Ownership Transfer – Verify title status during sale. – Verify title status during sale. Fleet Management – For businesses managing Ford vehicles. Pre-owned Ford vehicles can sometimes come with baggage. A VIN decoder helps uncover: Flood or fire damage Salvage title scams Hidden mileage rollbacks Unpaid loans or liens Without decoding, you risk buying a lemon. Modern VIN decoders pull data from: DMVs Insurance companies Manufacturer records National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) While most are highly accurate, free tools may not have access to full databases. Here are some reliable decoders: CheapCarfax Carfax AutoCheck Each offers various levels of detail, with CheapCarfax standing out for affordability and ease of use. For a seamless and trusted experience, consider using the Ford VIN Decoder by CheapCarfax. It's designed specifically for Ford vehicles and offers: Instant decoding Affordable, detailed history reports Accurate data from verified sources This tool is perfect for buyers who want to avoid scams without breaking the bank. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- The Citizen
Randpark resident urges the community to look out for scammers
Randpark Ridge resident Mduduzi Nkosi is warning fellow residents to stay vigilant following a troubling encounter with a scammer impersonating a City of Joburg official. Read more: City Power launches imbizo programme Nkosi explained that a man claiming to be a contractor arrived at his property, stating he was conducting an audit of electricity meters in the area. The individual alleged that Nkosi's meter had been tampered with and threatened to disconnect his electricity supply. However, the so-called contractor was driving an unmarked vehicle and failed to present any identification or documentation from the City of Joburg. 'I argued that my meter is not prepaid and that I have never tampered with it. I asked what evidence he had that I breached the meter. He failed to answer my questions. I have never elected to do the readings myself, but I rely on the statements received from the city monthly. I have never received phone calls that the City had issues with my meter,' Nkosi said. Concerned, Nkosi contacted the city directly. After some engagement, officials confirmed that it was indeed a scam—one that appears to be on the rise. 'Following the talk with the city official, an internal person was sent with the correct documentation and vehicle to check the meter. He confirmed that the scammer had tampered with it to create the impression that we breached it, likely to demand a ransom,' he said. The meter was subsequently repaired, and a new bill from the city confirmed that all records were accurate. Nkosi now wants to alert other residents. 'I can confidently confirm that it was a scam and something other residents should know about, as this is becoming a pandemic of lawlessness by criminal syndicates.' City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed that they are aware of these incidents, stating that criminals are using counterfeit credentials to pose as City Power employees or contractors to gain access to homes and businesses. Mangena urges customers to remain cautious and verify the identities of anyone claiming to represent City Power. 'Our employees and contractors are required to always carry their official City Power ID cards while on duty. These ID cards are colour-coded according to different sections within the entity and display important identifying information.' Residents and business owners are encouraged to check the credentials of City Power personnel by calling the number provided on the back of the ID card. Official City Power ID cards include: A photograph and personal details of the employee or contractor A verification (badge) number and expiry date A firefly hologram for added security Contact details on the back for verification Additionally, authorised Token Identifier (TID) agents can be identified by their yellow-branded bibs or T-shirts and valid ID cards that display their photo, name, surname, and expiry date. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
PayID Payments at Australian Online Casinos in 2025
The Rise of PayID Payments at Online Casinos PayID is one of Australia's fastest-growing payment systems. It had more than 18.5 million users in 2025, and the number keeps growing. Australians appreciate the privacy this system provides, making it a suitable choice for gambling platforms like Transaction proportion increased by 12 percent too (according to the Australian Banking Association), showing a steady trend. Punters are looking for ways to deposit and withdraw money quickly without a financial footprint. In this article, you can learn more about how PayID online casinos in Australia let you achieve that. What Is PayID and How Does It Work for Online Casinos? It is a service that lets you use an identifier such as your mobile number or email. This is linked to an eligible bank account so that you can perform real-time transactions. This alternative is an Australian New Payments Platform (NPP), and the majority of banks support it. Punters must visit the payments section of their account on the gaming platform. The following things will happen: Users select PayID as the preferred depositing method The casino gives out an Identifier The PayID is added to the online banking app, which starts the fund-sending process The funds are transferred within moments Since no middlemen are needed, there is no transaction delay. On the plus side, users no longer have to remember long account numbers each time they want to put down money. Why PayID Is Revolutionising Online Casino Payments The best PayID casino in Australia has changed the way casinos operate. Punters can enjoy the following benefits once they implement this type of system. 1. Real-Time Deposits Funds enter a punter's account almost instantly, unlike traditional banks which can take hours or days for deposits. Users often lack the patience for that, especially when placing wagers. PayID allows them to skip the wait and play within seconds. 2. Faster Withdrawals Many gaming sites allow players to withdraw winnings via Identifier, providing a quicker alternative to traditional methods. Funds take around two to five business days to enter the target account when going the original route. The payment system takes only a few minutes or a couple of hours at most. 3. Enhanced Security Perhaps one of the greatest advantages is that you won't have to share important banking details with your gaming platform. Instead, punters should offer an identifier, such as their email and phone number. This offers an extra layer of security for players. It is especially convenient now that bank identity fraud has increased by 2.1% in 2024. 4. Convenience and Simplicity Bank deposits involve copying and pasting long codes and numbers that you may not remember. Making a simple transaction may require you to retrieve your card from your wallet. With this system, all that's needed is some info you may be familiar with, like your mobile number or email. This makes it perfect for people trying a PayID casino for the first time. 5. Improved Privacy Some punters don't want to leave a footprint for their gaming activities. This isn't just for banks, but the gaming websites themselves. All that third parties see is the Identifier you use. This offers peace of mind during transactions, as the activity won't be traced back to you. Not unless you want it to. Growing Acceptance at Online Casinos These days, an increasing number of casinos accept PayID as a main method. They recognise the demand of their punters for faster and more transparent payment options. Major iGaming platforms and niche operators alike are adopting this method so that players can feel confident enough to spend more. We can expect its popularity to grow in the future. Updates to the app and potential innovations will further solidify its position at the top. Platforms are also more inclined to use this method because it minimises chargeback disputes. Final Thoughts A PayID casino Australia real money brings the advantage of quick bets. Payments are made almost immediately, and punters appreciate the privacy of the system. In the future, we can expect a growing number of platforms to adopt it.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Air Force Unveils New Policies on Shaving, Nail Polish, Hair Length in Leaked Memos
Medical shaving waivers for thousands of airmen and Space Force Guardians will be reset and reevaluated, according to new Department of the Air Force memos, marking one of several new changes as the service's top officers continue to push for a return to certain dress and grooming standards. The Air Force Surgeon General's new memo calls for a reset and reevaluation of all airmen's shaving profiles starting March 1 after a service member's most recent health assessment. Medical shaving waivers are often due to pseudofolliculitis barbae, a skin condition known as PFB that causes frequent and painful razor burn that disproportionately affects Black men. Lt. Col. Karl Wiest, a spokesperson for Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, confirmed to that the shaving waiver guidance was "connected" to the top uniformed leader's new push earlier this month for unified standards throughout the service. Read Next: Trump's Pick for Army Secretary, Dan Driscoll, Heads into Senate Hearing Mostly an Unknown "Extended duration shaving profiles are generally reserved for severe cases of PFB, while mild-to-moderate cases may benefit from more frequent management, follow-ups and temporary shaving profiles," according to the memo, which was leaked online and confirmed as authentic by the Air Force. reported last year that shaving waivers had exploded in popularity among the Air Force and Space Force in recent years. Between 2021 and 2023, the number of active-duty airmen with medical shaving waivers grew from 10,965 to 18,991. Another Jan. 24 memo signed by Allvin, which was leaked online and confirmed by as authentic on Tuesday, also called for various changes starting Feb. 1. It says that "Duty Identifier Tabs" are "no longer authorized for wear," nail polish must be "clear or French or American manicure," and hair must "not touch the ears." The memo also calls for a "gig line" when in dress uniform -- or neatly lining up the front button edge of the shirt, belt buckle and fly of the pants. Like the Air Force Surgeon General's memo, Allvin's also stated that, "unless male airmen have a current medical waiver or religious accommodation ... airmen must be clean shaven." Allvin, in a video to the entire Air Force earlier this month, called for the service to "come together in uniform" and in formation for inspections on their appearance and to make sure everyone is in compliance with regulations. In recent years, there have been a large number of updates to dress and appearance standards for the service, ranging from changes to hair and mustache length, approved nail polish colors and certain wardrobe changes. The Air Force did not respond to follow-up questions asking if the policy change, since it widely impacts Black airmen, was connected to President Donald Trump's recent executive orders calling for the removal of programs, initiatives and efforts tied to diversity within the ranks. Black service members have advocated for changes to shaving waivers for years. Studies by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology identified that pseudofolliculitis barbae occurs in about 60% of Black men. In recent years, the Air Force's Barrier Analysis Working Groups advocated for and studied the idea of a beard pilot program for Black airmen, given the research. Last week, the service dismantled all of those groups, which were hoping to improve quality-of-life issues for minority, LGBTQ+ and female airmen, in response to Trump's executive orders, reported. The memo detailed that the new rule "does not apply to religious accommodation shaving waivers," which have been offered for Sikhs, Muslims and Norse Pagans in the past. Related: Air Force to Put Renewed Emphasis on Safety and Uniform Standards
