Wednesday, September 2, 2009
ID Theft ring including wig-wearing check casher One woman drained bank accounts..Including Bernanke's
ID theft ring included wig-wearing check casher One woman drained bank accounts � including Bernanke�s � in personThe Associated Pressupdated 2:02 p.m. MT, Tues., Sept . 1, 2009MIAMI - A sophisticated identity theft ring that counted Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's wife among its victims didn't stop at stealing money electronically. Authorities said Tuesday it also sent a woman wearing a variety of wigs into bank branches to drain their accounts in person. Shonya Michelle Young, 38, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was being held Tuesday at a federal detention center in Miami on a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. "She was a major check casher," U.S. Marshals Service spokesman Barry Golden said Tuesday. At her first court appearance Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Turnoff ordered Young held until Thursday, when another hearing will be held to determine when she will be transferred to federal custody in Virginia. Prosecutors said Young had been a fugitive for more than two months. Anna Bernanke�s purse stolenHundreds of victims were targeted in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Illinois and elsewhere. Among them: Anna Bernanke, whose purse was stolen outside a Capitol Hill (Washington, D.C.) coffee shop in August 2008. Someone started cashing checks using the Bernankes' bank account days later. According to District of Columbia police, the purse contained Anna Bernanke's Social Security card, checkbook, credit cards and IDs. The amount of money stolen from the couple has not been disclosed. When Young was arrested Monday at a corporate apartment complex near Miami International Airport, authorities said she had a fraudulent New York driver's license and a Visa debit card under the name Deborah L. Taverna, along with several wigs. "She had about three wigs that she would wear to mimic her victims or change her appearance," Golden said. Young would impersonate the victims to obtain fake IDs and cash illegal checks, draining their bank accounts, authorities said. In court Tuesday, Turnoff listed numerous aliases and three Social Security numbers Young allegedly used. Ring members chargedSimilar scenes played out at bank branches across the country as other ring members used IDs, personal checks and bank information to impersonate victims, according to court documents. Ten of the alleged ring's members have been charged, and other fugitives are being sought, authorities said. The suspects were identified in an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Secret Service and D.C. police. U.S. Marshals initially sought Young at her South Carolina home, but she had fled to Miami, authorities said. Young told the court that she is an unemployed widow who supports a 19-year-old. Her federal public defender did not return a phone message Tuesday. Authorities described her as a girlfriend of one of the alleged ringleaders but wouldn't identify which one. The Federal Reserve declined to comment Tuesday because the investigation is ongoing. Last week, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke thanked law enforcement officials for working to solve the case and prevent others from becoming victims. "Identity theft is a serious crime that affects millions of Americans each year. Our family was but one of 500 separate instances traced to one crime ring," Bernanke said. From January 2007 through May, the ring allegedly stole more than $2.1 million, and the frauds involved at least 10 financial institutions, according to court documents. A suspected ringleader, Clyde Austin Gray Jr., pleaded guilty July 22 in Alexandria, Virginia, federal court. Prosecutors said Gray hired pick pockets then made counterfeit IDs for coconspirators who conducted the bank transactions. Gray allegedly took a cut of the proceeds. Another man and another woman who prosecutors say were check cashers in the scheme also have pleaded guilty.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Man charged in largest-ever ID theft scheme
Man charged in largest-ever ID theft scheme
Prosecutors accuse ex-informant of trying to swipe 130 million accounts
WASHINGTON - Federal prosecutors on Monday charged a Miami man with the largest case of credit and debit card data theft ever in the United States, accusing the one-time government informant of swiping 130 million accounts on top of 40 million he stole previously.
Albert Gonzalez, 28, broke his own record for identity theft by hacking into retail networks, according to prosecutors, though they say his illicit computer exploits ended when he went to jail on charges stemming from an earlier case.
Gonzalez is a former informant for the U.S. Secret Service who helped the agency hunt hackers, authorities say. The agency later found out that he had also been working with criminals and feeding them information on ongoing investigations, even warning off at least one individual, according to authorities.
Gonzalez, who is already in jail awaiting trial in a hacking case, was indicted Monday in New Jersey and charged with conspiring with two other unnamed suspects to steal the private information. Prosecutors say the goal was to sell the stolen data to others.
How much of the data was sold and then used to make fraudulent charges is unclear. Investigators in such cases say it is usually impossible to quantify the impact of such thefts on account holders.
Targeting chainsProsecutors say Gonzalez, who is known online as "soupnazi," targeted customers of convenience store giant 7-Eleven Inc. and supermarket chain Hannaford Brothers, Co. Inc. He also targeted Heartland Payment Systems, a New Jersey-based card payment processor.
According to the indictment, Gonazalez and his two Russian coconspirators would hack into corporate computer networks and secretly place "malware," or malicious software, that would allow them backdoor access to the networks later to steal data.
Gonzalez faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the new charges. His lawyer did not immediately return a call for comment.
Gonzalez is awaiting trial next month in New York for allegedly helping hack the computer network of the national restaurant chain Dave and Buster's.
The Justice Department said the new case represents the largest alleged credit and debit card data breach ever charged in the United States, based on a scheme that began in October 2006.
Sophisticated attackGonzalez allegedly devised a sophisticated attack to penetrate the computer networks, steal the card data, and send that data to computer servers in California, Illinois, Latvia, the Netherlands and Ukraine.
Also last year, the Justice Department announced additional charges against Gonzalez and others for hacking retail companies' computers for the theft of approximately 40 million credit cards. At the time, that was believed to be the biggest single case of hacking private computer networks to steal credit card data, puncturing the electronic defenses of retailers including T.J. Maxx, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority and OfficeMax.
Prosecutors charge Gonzalez was the ringleader of the hackers in that case.
At the time of those charges, officials said the alleged thieves weren't computer geniuses, just opportunists who used a technique called "wardriving," which involved cruising through different areas with a laptop computer and looking for accessible wireless Internet signals. Once they located a vulnerable network, they installed so-called "sniffer programs" that captured credit and debit card numbers as they moved through a retailer's processing networks.
Gonzalez faces a possible life sentence if convicted in that case.
Restaurants are among the most common targets for hackers, experts said, because they often fail to update their antivirus software and other computer security systems.
Scott Christie, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice in New Jersey, said the case shows that despite the best efforts by companies to protect data privacy, there are still individuals capable of sneaking in.
"Cases like this do cause companies to sit up and take notice that this is a problem and more needs to be done," said Christie.
Prosecutors accuse ex-informant of trying to swipe 130 million accounts
WASHINGTON - Federal prosecutors on Monday charged a Miami man with the largest case of credit and debit card data theft ever in the United States, accusing the one-time government informant of swiping 130 million accounts on top of 40 million he stole previously.
Albert Gonzalez, 28, broke his own record for identity theft by hacking into retail networks, according to prosecutors, though they say his illicit computer exploits ended when he went to jail on charges stemming from an earlier case.
Gonzalez is a former informant for the U.S. Secret Service who helped the agency hunt hackers, authorities say. The agency later found out that he had also been working with criminals and feeding them information on ongoing investigations, even warning off at least one individual, according to authorities.
Gonzalez, who is already in jail awaiting trial in a hacking case, was indicted Monday in New Jersey and charged with conspiring with two other unnamed suspects to steal the private information. Prosecutors say the goal was to sell the stolen data to others.
How much of the data was sold and then used to make fraudulent charges is unclear. Investigators in such cases say it is usually impossible to quantify the impact of such thefts on account holders.
Targeting chainsProsecutors say Gonzalez, who is known online as "soupnazi," targeted customers of convenience store giant 7-Eleven Inc. and supermarket chain Hannaford Brothers, Co. Inc. He also targeted Heartland Payment Systems, a New Jersey-based card payment processor.
According to the indictment, Gonazalez and his two Russian coconspirators would hack into corporate computer networks and secretly place "malware," or malicious software, that would allow them backdoor access to the networks later to steal data.
Gonzalez faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the new charges. His lawyer did not immediately return a call for comment.
Gonzalez is awaiting trial next month in New York for allegedly helping hack the computer network of the national restaurant chain Dave and Buster's.
The Justice Department said the new case represents the largest alleged credit and debit card data breach ever charged in the United States, based on a scheme that began in October 2006.
Sophisticated attackGonzalez allegedly devised a sophisticated attack to penetrate the computer networks, steal the card data, and send that data to computer servers in California, Illinois, Latvia, the Netherlands and Ukraine.
Also last year, the Justice Department announced additional charges against Gonzalez and others for hacking retail companies' computers for the theft of approximately 40 million credit cards. At the time, that was believed to be the biggest single case of hacking private computer networks to steal credit card data, puncturing the electronic defenses of retailers including T.J. Maxx, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority and OfficeMax.
Prosecutors charge Gonzalez was the ringleader of the hackers in that case.
At the time of those charges, officials said the alleged thieves weren't computer geniuses, just opportunists who used a technique called "wardriving," which involved cruising through different areas with a laptop computer and looking for accessible wireless Internet signals. Once they located a vulnerable network, they installed so-called "sniffer programs" that captured credit and debit card numbers as they moved through a retailer's processing networks.
Gonzalez faces a possible life sentence if convicted in that case.
Restaurants are among the most common targets for hackers, experts said, because they often fail to update their antivirus software and other computer security systems.
Scott Christie, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice in New Jersey, said the case shows that despite the best efforts by companies to protect data privacy, there are still individuals capable of sneaking in.
"Cases like this do cause companies to sit up and take notice that this is a problem and more needs to be done," said Christie.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Recession scams..
Recession scams
by Hasti Taghi
IDAHO FALLS - "Well my husband works for a car dealership so we didn't know where things were going there. So we just wanted a little extra income, something to put into savings, to help pay the bills," says Ellie Dahl, scam victim.
And that's what made Dahl fall for a work-at-home scam. When she saw an ad in the Post Register advertising for a stay at home job, she couldn't resist. The Company, DR LTD Mail Express asked her to be a sort of "middle-man" for shipping electronics overseas. A few e-mails later, and Dahl was an employee. In exchange for her social security number, drivers license and other personal information, she received two packages to be sent overseas. After shipping the first one, she got a call.
"It turned out that they were all purchased by fraudulent credit cards," says Dahl.
Dahl know she had fallen for a scam. She called the Better Business Bureau and the FBI. Although no money was exchanged yet, her fear is, the company may open a credit card in her name. Work at home scams are some of the most popular in the current economy.
"They're falling more prey and these scams are a little more appealing. They want very much to believe it," says Donna Oe, BBB.
Other scams popping up recently, stimulus bill money scams, loan scams, and lottery scams.
"We did a large piece on Publisher's Clearing House. They're starting to get wiser, these scammers, using names that have been around for years, consumers kind of trust in that," says Oe.
So how can you protect yourself? By checking up on the company. The e-mails Dahl received didn't have any sort of address or phone number and when I google the company on line, there's nothing.
"Ask questions, lots of questions. If it's legitimate, they'll be only too happy to give you that information, if it's not, you'll get hung up on," says Oe.
"So when they see something like this that sounds too good to be true, what should they think?" asks reporter Hasti Taghi
"That it's too good to be true," says Dahl.
by Hasti Taghi
IDAHO FALLS - "Well my husband works for a car dealership so we didn't know where things were going there. So we just wanted a little extra income, something to put into savings, to help pay the bills," says Ellie Dahl, scam victim.
And that's what made Dahl fall for a work-at-home scam. When she saw an ad in the Post Register advertising for a stay at home job, she couldn't resist. The Company, DR LTD Mail Express asked her to be a sort of "middle-man" for shipping electronics overseas. A few e-mails later, and Dahl was an employee. In exchange for her social security number, drivers license and other personal information, she received two packages to be sent overseas. After shipping the first one, she got a call.
"It turned out that they were all purchased by fraudulent credit cards," says Dahl.
Dahl know she had fallen for a scam. She called the Better Business Bureau and the FBI. Although no money was exchanged yet, her fear is, the company may open a credit card in her name. Work at home scams are some of the most popular in the current economy.
"They're falling more prey and these scams are a little more appealing. They want very much to believe it," says Donna Oe, BBB.
Other scams popping up recently, stimulus bill money scams, loan scams, and lottery scams.
"We did a large piece on Publisher's Clearing House. They're starting to get wiser, these scammers, using names that have been around for years, consumers kind of trust in that," says Oe.
So how can you protect yourself? By checking up on the company. The e-mails Dahl received didn't have any sort of address or phone number and when I google the company on line, there's nothing.
"Ask questions, lots of questions. If it's legitimate, they'll be only too happy to give you that information, if it's not, you'll get hung up on," says Oe.
"So when they see something like this that sounds too good to be true, what should they think?" asks reporter Hasti Taghi
"That it's too good to be true," says Dahl.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Fake check scams spread
Fake check scams spread
1.3 million Americans have fallen for this trick, according to CFA report
By Herb Weisbaum
updated 4:04 p.m. MT, Wed., May 27, 2009
To a con artist, cash is king. International scammers have developed a deviously clever way to trick people into sending them cash. The crooks mail out counterfeit checks or money orders and come up with a creative story to get their victims to wire back thousands of dollars.
According to a survey released Wednesday by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), nearly a third of all adult Americans have been approached with fake check scams and at least 1.3 million have fallen for it.
“They didn’t realize the pitch and the check were both phony until they wired off the money,” says Susan Grant, CFA’s director of consumer protection. She says the average victim gets taken for between $3,000 and $4,000.
Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, puts the yearly loss at $20 to $60 billion a year. Her group runs the Web site fakechecks.org. “These are very persuasive scams that play on people’s vulnerability,” she says.
Here’s another reason so many people get burned by these counterfeit checks: They look legitimate. “They look so real your bank teller can’t always tell it’s a fake,” says Allison Southwick of the Better Business Bureau.
It starts with that bogus check or money orderWhy did you get that unexpected check or money order for thousands of dollars? Maybe you’ve won a contest. Maybe you hit the jackpot in a lottery. Maybe it’s payment for a work-at-home job. The storylines are varied, but the con always works the same way. You need to deposit the check and wire off most of the money right away.
“Once it’s wired it’s gone, gone, gone,” Greenberg says.
The CFA survey pinpoints one reason why this scam is so successful. Most people (59 percent of those responding) mistakenly believe that when you deposit a check or money order, your bank confirms that it is good before letting you withdraw the money. Forty percent believed they would not be held responsible if the check or money order turned out to be counterfeit. Wrong!
Many victims tell me they asked their bank if the check “cleared” before they wired the money and were told yes. Here’s the deal: When a bank says a check has cleared, it means you have access to those funds. It does not mean the check is good.
If the check bounces – which could take a few days or many weeks – you are responsible to repay your bank for any of the money you withdrew.
Bogus checks can be used for almost anything. All the bad guys need to do is concoct a story about why they sent you a sizeable check and why you need to cash it and wire them money.
Here are some of the most common fake check scam scenarios:
Prize and lottery scams“Congratulations!” the letter says. You’ve won a bundle of money in a contest, sweepstakes or foreign lottery – one you never entered. The letter looks official and comes with a check for thousands of dollars. You’re supposed to cash it and wire off the money to pay for outstanding fees or taxes. Don’t do it!
Reality check: You never have to pay to claim a prize. If you’re asked to wire off any money, it’s a scam. More on this scam.
Mystery shopper scam You answer an ad and are accepted as a secret shopper. Your first assignment is to evaluate the MoneyGram payment system at a local Wal-Mart store. The letter tells you to cash the enclosed check – usually between $2,500 and $5,000 – keep a couple of hundred dollars for yourself and use the MoneyGram service to wire off the rest. Don’t do it!
Reality check: Never accept a job that requires you to cash a check and wire money. No legitimate company would ever make you do this. More on this scam.
Overpayment purchase scamYou’re trying to sell something that’s fairly expensive, maybe a car or some furniture. So you place an ad in the newspaper or online. Before long you get an e-mail from an eager buyer who is willing to send you a check for more than the asking price. You’re supposed to wire the extra money to a mover, decorator, shipping company or some other non-existent entity. Don’t do it!
Reality check: You’re being set up. No legitimate business transaction involves a check for more than the asking price with the requirement that you wire the difference to some person or company. More on this scam.
Other victimsInnocent businesses are also hurt by the fake check scam. Many of these bogus checks use the name, address and bank account number of legitimate companies.
This increases the chance the teller will accept the check. Try to deposit a big check from the El Gordo Lottery and the teller might start asking questions. But a check from Bob’s Auto Supply doesn’t call attention to itself.
“Often businesses don’t even know their checks are being used in these scams until they get angry calls from people who want to know where their prize money is,” says the BBB’s Southwick tells me.
A few months ago, I warned you about con artists sending out counterfeit Publisher’s Clearinghouse prize notices – along with fake prize checks. Some of those fake checks listed the payer as Alpine Environmental Services of Stanwood, Wash.
When the bank realized Alpine’s account number had been stolen it locked up the company’s accounts. The company’s manager, Dennis Dutoit, tells me he could not pay any bills for three days until everything was straightened out. “It created a major mess,” he says.
The bottom lineIt’s not very hard to protect yourself from these fake check scams. In fact, Carmen Christopher, an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission, was able to sum it up in one sentence. “If you get a check that requires you to wire money – don’t do it!”
1.3 million Americans have fallen for this trick, according to CFA report
By Herb Weisbaum
updated 4:04 p.m. MT, Wed., May 27, 2009
To a con artist, cash is king. International scammers have developed a deviously clever way to trick people into sending them cash. The crooks mail out counterfeit checks or money orders and come up with a creative story to get their victims to wire back thousands of dollars.
According to a survey released Wednesday by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), nearly a third of all adult Americans have been approached with fake check scams and at least 1.3 million have fallen for it.
“They didn’t realize the pitch and the check were both phony until they wired off the money,” says Susan Grant, CFA’s director of consumer protection. She says the average victim gets taken for between $3,000 and $4,000.
Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, puts the yearly loss at $20 to $60 billion a year. Her group runs the Web site fakechecks.org. “These are very persuasive scams that play on people’s vulnerability,” she says.
Here’s another reason so many people get burned by these counterfeit checks: They look legitimate. “They look so real your bank teller can’t always tell it’s a fake,” says Allison Southwick of the Better Business Bureau.
It starts with that bogus check or money orderWhy did you get that unexpected check or money order for thousands of dollars? Maybe you’ve won a contest. Maybe you hit the jackpot in a lottery. Maybe it’s payment for a work-at-home job. The storylines are varied, but the con always works the same way. You need to deposit the check and wire off most of the money right away.
“Once it’s wired it’s gone, gone, gone,” Greenberg says.
The CFA survey pinpoints one reason why this scam is so successful. Most people (59 percent of those responding) mistakenly believe that when you deposit a check or money order, your bank confirms that it is good before letting you withdraw the money. Forty percent believed they would not be held responsible if the check or money order turned out to be counterfeit. Wrong!
Many victims tell me they asked their bank if the check “cleared” before they wired the money and were told yes. Here’s the deal: When a bank says a check has cleared, it means you have access to those funds. It does not mean the check is good.
If the check bounces – which could take a few days or many weeks – you are responsible to repay your bank for any of the money you withdrew.
Bogus checks can be used for almost anything. All the bad guys need to do is concoct a story about why they sent you a sizeable check and why you need to cash it and wire them money.
Here are some of the most common fake check scam scenarios:
Prize and lottery scams“Congratulations!” the letter says. You’ve won a bundle of money in a contest, sweepstakes or foreign lottery – one you never entered. The letter looks official and comes with a check for thousands of dollars. You’re supposed to cash it and wire off the money to pay for outstanding fees or taxes. Don’t do it!
Reality check: You never have to pay to claim a prize. If you’re asked to wire off any money, it’s a scam. More on this scam.
Mystery shopper scam You answer an ad and are accepted as a secret shopper. Your first assignment is to evaluate the MoneyGram payment system at a local Wal-Mart store. The letter tells you to cash the enclosed check – usually between $2,500 and $5,000 – keep a couple of hundred dollars for yourself and use the MoneyGram service to wire off the rest. Don’t do it!
Reality check: Never accept a job that requires you to cash a check and wire money. No legitimate company would ever make you do this. More on this scam.
Overpayment purchase scamYou’re trying to sell something that’s fairly expensive, maybe a car or some furniture. So you place an ad in the newspaper or online. Before long you get an e-mail from an eager buyer who is willing to send you a check for more than the asking price. You’re supposed to wire the extra money to a mover, decorator, shipping company or some other non-existent entity. Don’t do it!
Reality check: You’re being set up. No legitimate business transaction involves a check for more than the asking price with the requirement that you wire the difference to some person or company. More on this scam.
Other victimsInnocent businesses are also hurt by the fake check scam. Many of these bogus checks use the name, address and bank account number of legitimate companies.
This increases the chance the teller will accept the check. Try to deposit a big check from the El Gordo Lottery and the teller might start asking questions. But a check from Bob’s Auto Supply doesn’t call attention to itself.
“Often businesses don’t even know their checks are being used in these scams until they get angry calls from people who want to know where their prize money is,” says the BBB’s Southwick tells me.
A few months ago, I warned you about con artists sending out counterfeit Publisher’s Clearinghouse prize notices – along with fake prize checks. Some of those fake checks listed the payer as Alpine Environmental Services of Stanwood, Wash.
When the bank realized Alpine’s account number had been stolen it locked up the company’s accounts. The company’s manager, Dennis Dutoit, tells me he could not pay any bills for three days until everything was straightened out. “It created a major mess,” he says.
The bottom lineIt’s not very hard to protect yourself from these fake check scams. In fact, Carmen Christopher, an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission, was able to sum it up in one sentence. “If you get a check that requires you to wire money – don’t do it!”
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Immigrant sentenced for fake ID sales in Idaho Falls.
Immigrant sentenced for fake ID sales
A 52-year-old illegal immigrant will spend 16 months in prison for four counts of document fraud.
By HEATHER WELLS hwells@postregister.com
An illegal immigrant from Mexico has been sentenced in federal court for selling phony identification cards in Idaho Falls and Blackfoot.
Ernesto Santillanes-Escoto, 52, will spend 16 months in federal prison for four counts of document fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Santillanes-Escoto to be subjected to immigration-removal proceedings once he's released from prison.
A federal grand jury indicted Santillanes-Escoto in July, three months after the Idaho Falls Police Department began investigating him, Sgt. Phil Grimes said.
Shortly thereafter, undercover IFPD detectives and officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement bought several counterfeit Permanent Resident cards and fake Social Security Administration cards from Santillanes-Escoto.
He also was selling the counterfeit documents to several individuals in the area, who cooperated with authorities, Grimes said.
"We get a lot of fake IDs around here," Grimes said. "We were able to solve this case with a lot of evidence."
Santillanes-Escoto was arrested in September in Southern California and was brought to Idaho to face the charges.
Santillanes-Escoto pleaded guilty in February and was sentenced Friday.
A 52-year-old illegal immigrant will spend 16 months in prison for four counts of document fraud.
By HEATHER WELLS hwells@postregister.com
An illegal immigrant from Mexico has been sentenced in federal court for selling phony identification cards in Idaho Falls and Blackfoot.
Ernesto Santillanes-Escoto, 52, will spend 16 months in federal prison for four counts of document fraud.
Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Santillanes-Escoto to be subjected to immigration-removal proceedings once he's released from prison.
A federal grand jury indicted Santillanes-Escoto in July, three months after the Idaho Falls Police Department began investigating him, Sgt. Phil Grimes said.
Shortly thereafter, undercover IFPD detectives and officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement bought several counterfeit Permanent Resident cards and fake Social Security Administration cards from Santillanes-Escoto.
He also was selling the counterfeit documents to several individuals in the area, who cooperated with authorities, Grimes said.
"We get a lot of fake IDs around here," Grimes said. "We were able to solve this case with a lot of evidence."
Santillanes-Escoto was arrested in September in Southern California and was brought to Idaho to face the charges.
Santillanes-Escoto pleaded guilty in February and was sentenced Friday.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
It's a legal victory for illegal immigrants in Utah and across the United States.
Illegal immigrants score Supreme Court victory
May 5, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY -- It's a legal victory for illegal immigrants in Utah and across the United States.
The U.S. Supreme Court voted unanimously in favor of a Mexican immigrant living in Illinois, saying prosecutors can't charge undocumented workers with aggravated ID theft unless they can prove intent to commit fraud.
That ruling comes in Flores-Figueroa v. United States on Monday. Proyecto Latino de Utah director Tony Yapias was thrilled with the 9-to-0 vote. "5-to-4, we would have said, you know, ‘Wow! … That's a good victory.' But 9-to-0, it's unprecedented," he said.
Yapias says prosecutors have used ID theft as the justification for several immigration raids, including here in Utah, but he says in many cases, the illegal immigrants have no idea they're buying a Social Security number that belongs to someone else.
"Here it is, the Supreme Court of the United States has just said unanimously that this law has been misused by prosecutors," Yapias said.
To him, there's a big difference between the kind of accidental ID theft that someone undocumented and looking for work might commit, compared to the kind committed by someone who rummages through garbage or mailboxes, knowingly stealing someone's identification with the intent to commit fraud.
U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman says this week's Supreme Court ruling should not affect the way he goes after illegal immigrants. "In anticipation of this very issue, we have been operating under this heightened or higher standard for the last two years. So, our prosecutions have been consistent with what the Supreme Court has now ruled on," he said.
Tolman says, as a result, it should not affect cases like the raid on the Swift meat packing plant. "If you take, for example, the Swift case, what we … we were one of the few that were concerned at the outset, that anyone we prosecute for identity theft needed to know that they were actually stealing the identity of someone," he said.
The Utah Attorney General's Office says it is subject to separate Utah laws rather than the federal statutes affected by the ruling.
May 5, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY -- It's a legal victory for illegal immigrants in Utah and across the United States.
The U.S. Supreme Court voted unanimously in favor of a Mexican immigrant living in Illinois, saying prosecutors can't charge undocumented workers with aggravated ID theft unless they can prove intent to commit fraud.
That ruling comes in Flores-Figueroa v. United States on Monday. Proyecto Latino de Utah director Tony Yapias was thrilled with the 9-to-0 vote. "5-to-4, we would have said, you know, ‘Wow! … That's a good victory.' But 9-to-0, it's unprecedented," he said.
Yapias says prosecutors have used ID theft as the justification for several immigration raids, including here in Utah, but he says in many cases, the illegal immigrants have no idea they're buying a Social Security number that belongs to someone else.
"Here it is, the Supreme Court of the United States has just said unanimously that this law has been misused by prosecutors," Yapias said.
To him, there's a big difference between the kind of accidental ID theft that someone undocumented and looking for work might commit, compared to the kind committed by someone who rummages through garbage or mailboxes, knowingly stealing someone's identification with the intent to commit fraud.
U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman says this week's Supreme Court ruling should not affect the way he goes after illegal immigrants. "In anticipation of this very issue, we have been operating under this heightened or higher standard for the last two years. So, our prosecutions have been consistent with what the Supreme Court has now ruled on," he said.
Tolman says, as a result, it should not affect cases like the raid on the Swift meat packing plant. "If you take, for example, the Swift case, what we … we were one of the few that were concerned at the outset, that anyone we prosecute for identity theft needed to know that they were actually stealing the identity of someone," he said.
The Utah Attorney General's Office says it is subject to separate Utah laws rather than the federal statutes affected by the ruling.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
LexisNexis warns of possible data breach
NEW YORK - The LexisNexis online information service is warning 32,000 people their personal information may have been improperly accessed in a credit card fraud scheme that postal officials say bilked hundreds.
New York-based LexisNexis says in a letter mailed Friday that former customers of the service may have viewed information including names, birth dates and Social Security numbers.
U.S. Postal Service officials have launched a criminal investigation and say 300 people in the databases of LexisNexis and a Santa Fe, N.M., company called Investigative Professionals were victims in the credit card fraud scheme. No suspects have been arrested.
New York-based LexisNexis says in a letter mailed Friday that former customers of the service may have viewed information including names, birth dates and Social Security numbers.
U.S. Postal Service officials have launched a criminal investigation and say 300 people in the databases of LexisNexis and a Santa Fe, N.M., company called Investigative Professionals were victims in the credit card fraud scheme. No suspects have been arrested.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Scammers offering Swine flu vaccinations..
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - The top headlines for the past several days are the swine flu outbreak. It seems to be catching the attention of everyone, including scammers.
The Idaho Falls Better Business Bureau (BBB) said scammers are offering a vaccine for the swine flu, but there isn't one.
If you just go online and Google swine flu, you'll see it. The scam is a swine flu vaccine offered by CanadaPharmacy.com.
The BBB said scammers are preying off people's fear of the swine flu.
"They are going have that panic attack and they are going to try to do everything they can to try to protect themselves. And again, these are not the remedies this is not a cure. They are wasting their money," said Donna Oe, BBB Spokesperson.
It is very dangerous to buy medication over the internet; you just can't be sure what you're getting.
If you have flu-like symptoms, talk to your doctor and get a prescription from a pharmacist.
IDAHO FALLS - The top headlines for the past several days are the swine flu outbreak. It seems to be catching the attention of everyone, including scammers.
The Idaho Falls Better Business Bureau (BBB) said scammers are offering a vaccine for the swine flu, but there isn't one.
If you just go online and Google swine flu, you'll see it. The scam is a swine flu vaccine offered by CanadaPharmacy.com.
The BBB said scammers are preying off people's fear of the swine flu.
"They are going have that panic attack and they are going to try to do everything they can to try to protect themselves. And again, these are not the remedies this is not a cure. They are wasting their money," said Donna Oe, BBB Spokesperson.
It is very dangerous to buy medication over the internet; you just can't be sure what you're getting.
If you have flu-like symptoms, talk to your doctor and get a prescription from a pharmacist.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
shopper scam,,, again
By Danielle Grant, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - It's nothing new, scammers going to great lengths to swindle you out of your own hard-earned cash.
Some are blaming the rough economy and payday lenders agree, they're seeing many more fraudulent checks coming into their doors.
A local couple with a check totaling close to $5,000 found out it's all a scam.
The Check 'N Loan store says they see bad checks at least once a week.
And the check the Espinosa family received was no different. It's a classic "too good to be true" offer nearly any woman would love: getting paid to go shopping.
"What woman wouldn't want to be a mystery shopper and get free stuff," said Dianna Espinosa.
Dianna got a check in the mail for $4,984 but after reading the letter along with it, things began to look a little fishy.
"[I thought] this is awesome. This seems too good to be true. This is almost $5,000 dollars and these people don't even know who I am," she said.
Although suspicious, she took it to Check N' Loan where they called the Bank of Easton to verify money was there.
"We didn't even get two words out and the bank said, ‘Is the check for this amount of money? Then its fraud.' We didn't even have a chance to confirm the funds, they automatically knew," Melanie Rhodes, a Check ‘N Loan teller, explained.
They've seen stacks of cases just like Dianna's come in: all fraudulent.
Dianna even tried to get the company on phone with us but all we heard was a disconnected signal.
Dianna believes these scammers target the weak.
Her husband's on social-security and she's looking for a job.
"With the check looking so real, I thought maybe they'll give me a shot at this. I'll get a steady income," Dianna explained.
Spending someone else's money and getting paid for it; sounds good but probably is too good to be true.
If you do get scammed and you cash a fraudulent check, you are then responsible for it and have to pay that money back.
If you don't pay, you could face felony forgery charges and end up behind bars.
Most of these types of scammers are beyond our borders so it makes prosecuting them more difficult.
If you think you may have been scammed, make sure to always call your local police department to report what happened.
IDAHO FALLS - It's nothing new, scammers going to great lengths to swindle you out of your own hard-earned cash.
Some are blaming the rough economy and payday lenders agree, they're seeing many more fraudulent checks coming into their doors.
A local couple with a check totaling close to $5,000 found out it's all a scam.
The Check 'N Loan store says they see bad checks at least once a week.
And the check the Espinosa family received was no different. It's a classic "too good to be true" offer nearly any woman would love: getting paid to go shopping.
"What woman wouldn't want to be a mystery shopper and get free stuff," said Dianna Espinosa.
Dianna got a check in the mail for $4,984 but after reading the letter along with it, things began to look a little fishy.
"[I thought] this is awesome. This seems too good to be true. This is almost $5,000 dollars and these people don't even know who I am," she said.
Although suspicious, she took it to Check N' Loan where they called the Bank of Easton to verify money was there.
"We didn't even get two words out and the bank said, ‘Is the check for this amount of money? Then its fraud.' We didn't even have a chance to confirm the funds, they automatically knew," Melanie Rhodes, a Check ‘N Loan teller, explained.
They've seen stacks of cases just like Dianna's come in: all fraudulent.
Dianna even tried to get the company on phone with us but all we heard was a disconnected signal.
Dianna believes these scammers target the weak.
Her husband's on social-security and she's looking for a job.
"With the check looking so real, I thought maybe they'll give me a shot at this. I'll get a steady income," Dianna explained.
Spending someone else's money and getting paid for it; sounds good but probably is too good to be true.
If you do get scammed and you cash a fraudulent check, you are then responsible for it and have to pay that money back.
If you don't pay, you could face felony forgery charges and end up behind bars.
Most of these types of scammers are beyond our borders so it makes prosecuting them more difficult.
If you think you may have been scammed, make sure to always call your local police department to report what happened.
credit score disputes...
Everybody makes mistakes. But not every mistake is forgiven. In our capitalist society, mistakes with money are carefully logged, categorized and entered into a formula that controls your financial future -- your credit score.
But what happens when the companies that keep this list make mistakes? After all, the credit bureaus -- which keep the list of who's been naughty and who's been nice -- are staffed by people who are just as fallible as the rest of us. Theirs is a complicated business. They keep track of billions of pieces of information. Mistakes do happen.
Unfortunately, complaining about mistakes on your credit report can be one of the most maddening experiences a consumer can have. Erasing an unfair black mark on your credit history after a bout with identity theft or a run-in with a malicious company can turn into an odyssey worthy of a Kafka novel. That's why the first installment of our "How to Complain About" series takes on this most vexing of consumer issues.
The credit report is composed of voluntary submissions by companies that you do business with. Those companies are called "furnishers." A credit card company is a furnisher. So is a furniture store where you bought a living room set from on credit; so is a car dealership. As you might imagine, your credit report is only as accurate as the furnishers who contribute information about you. Their quality control measures vary widely.
There are many reasons a mistake might find its way onto your credit report. Perhaps a furnisher forgot to give you credit when you paid your final bill. Perhaps someone impersonated you, and didn't pay their bills. Perhaps a furnisher made a data entry error when submitting updates, and accidentally blamed you for someone else's unpaid bill. Or perhaps you and a creditor have a real difference of opinion about a debt it says you owe.
In most arenas of life, if someone makes false statements about you that cost you money or reputation, you can sue for libel. That's not true in the credit reporting system, however. Decades ago, Congress granted furnishers general immunity from libel lawsuits. That gives them less incentive to be impeccably accurate when they send data to the credit bureaus.
Credit report mistakes range from inconsequential misspellings to wrongful reports of debt defaults that prevent the victim from ever borrowing money. Credit reports are notoriously inaccurate, though it's hard to say with precision how many reports have errors, as the credit bureaus keep that secret. But studies by third parties have found error rates as high as 25 percent. A small pilot study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission recently showed that 16 percent of consumer reports contained errors that would impact a consumer’s credit score. The credit bureaus, which compile and sell the credit reports, told Congress in 2004 that the error frequency is much smaller -- only 3 percent -- but that would still impact nearly 6 million Americans.
So it's entirely possible you'll find yourself battling a credit bureau about a mistake at some point in your adult life.
Dispute process is bornDecades ago, it was almost impossible to see the contents of your credit report and to fix mistakes. In response to an avalanche of complaints, Congress set up a formal dispute process when it passed an update to Fair Credit Reporting Act in 1997. In that law , Congress mandated that consumers be given a fair trial when they believe something inaccurate is being reported. It requires the nation's credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian, Trans Union and the smaller regional bureaus -- to take evidence from consumers, evidence from furnishers and decide who is right.
Unfortunately, this process has been turned into something of a kangaroo court. In a recent report called "Automated Injustice," the National Consumer Law Center described the disheartening procedures that are now in place.
Consumers who initiate disputes often send in pages of documentation supporting their claims. But in many cases, the paperwork is sent overseas to places like Mumbai, India, for cursory processing, the law center reported. There, employees work under tight quota and bonus systems. Subcontractors for Equifax, for example, must resolve more than 13 disputes every hour, or about one every four minutes, according to the report.
So, according to the report, the paperwork is almost always ignored and the complaint boiled down to a two-or three digit code. About one-third of the time, that code indicates simply that the consumers claims the credit blemish is "not his/hers." This code is then sent to furnisher, which is asked simply to affirm the original entry. If it does, the bureau will often decide that the case is closed.
The National Consumer Law Center doesn’t mince words when describing this procedure.
"The FCRA dispute process has become a travesty of justice," it said in the report.
How can you get around this travesty? It's not easy. But as is typical of most consumer protection disputes, there are two keys: persistence and the threat of a lawsuit. If your dispute process hits a serious snag along the way, you'll probably have to consider filing a lawsuit. But to win, you have to prove more than a simple mistake occurred. You'll have to prove the bureau, or the furnisher, were negligent. The mere threat of a lawsuit might gain you satisfaction, but you'll have an empty threat if you don't have good records showing the bureau and furnisher ignored your repeated requests for justice.
Maintaining your rights to sue, and building a good case along the way just in case, are critical to a successful dispute with the credit bureaus, says attorney Chi Chi Wu, who authored the “Automated Injustice” report. Much of the advice she gives has a dual purpose: to win the dispute, but also to preserve legal rights and create a lawsuit-ready paper trail, just in case. Here are some of the steps she recommends.
1. Request a review in writingAll three credit bureaus allow you to dispute errors using online forms.
• EXPERIAN http://www.experian.com/disputes/• EQUIFAX http://www.equifax.com/online-credit-dispute/• TRANS UNION http://annualcreditreport.transunion.com/entry/disputeonline
Wu says using them is a big mistake. The forms only help the bureaus steer your issue into one of their dispute "buckets," helping the agency automate your claim. It also means you'll have less of a paper trail to demonstrate negligence later on. Wu strongly recommends that consumers use old fashioned U.S. mail to file their complaints and send the letter return-receipt requested. And naturally, keep good records of all contact with a credit bureau. At this point, buying a shiny new notebook for just this purpose is a good idea.
• EQUIFAX mailing address• TRANS UNION mailing address• EXPERIAN No link. Address will be on credit report.
And while all three companies provide a simple form to fill out with dispute information, Wu recommends adding narrative detail and supporting documents anyway – again, to prevent the bureaus from “bucketing” you. That will help a lawyer make a case later than the bureau didn't perform even the most basic investigation.
It's always good to send the dispute to all three bureaus. While the reports can differ, the reports generally overlap and a black mark on one report usually becomes a black mark on all three. So while there may only be one bill in dispute, you probably have three disputes on your hands.
2. Also notify the furnisherIt seems reasonable that the credit bureau would send a copy of your dispute to the company that's involved, but don't count on. Send a separate, return-receipt-requested letter to the company that claims you didn't pay your bill. A carbon copy version of your dispute letter to the credit bureau should be sufficient.
3. Be ready for surprising account numbersWhen tracking a credit bureau entry, it's likely that your "bad debt" will have an unfamiliar account number next to it. Companies often assign new numbers to accounts that go into default. Also, when debts are sold to debt collectors, they usually give an account its own number. For example, a dispute involving a furniture store account No. 345234 might end up listed on your credit report as Joey's Collections No. 432432. When filing dispute letters, including all possible account numbers. That cuts down on possible confusion -- or legal squirming -- later on. For example, a consumer might send a letter saying, "Please delete account No. 345234, and the bureau might "agree" to the request while doing nothing, and leaving the unpaid bill under the other account number.
4. Tell them where to goThis step might sound presumptive, but Wu suggests that the consumer explicitly recommend the steps that the credit bureau should take to investigate the matter. For example, if you've spoken to an operator at a furnisher who admits an error, tell the credit bureau to call that furnisher and interview that operator. The bureau may not do this, but this inclusion could help a lawyer at a later date persuade a judge that the bureau didn't take even the most obvious steps to resolve the dispute.
5. Discredit the furnisherA little legal legwork can help make your case, too. If there is evidence that the furnisher involved in your dispute has a reputation for complaints of inaccuracy, include that evidence in your letter. This will help build the case that the bureau should not have presumed the furnisher was accurate.
Other adviceIt might seem natural to complain directly to the furnisher of the information rather than the credit bureaus. However, the original Fair Credit Reporting Act granted no legal rights for to consumers to do so, and steered all complaints to the credit bureau dispute process. That limitation is changing. The Fair and Accurate Transaction Act of 2003 includes provisions calling for "direct disputes" with furnishers, though the Federal Trade Commission has yet to issue formal guidelines for the process. They should appear soon; public commentary on proposed rules was entertained by the agency last year.
In the meantime, consumers can try a direct dispute, but should only do so after completing the dispute process with the credit bureaus and getting an answer. Skipping the bureau process would force a consumer to surrender their rights to sue the furnisher, Wu says.
Even before the final rules are determined, Congress spelled out a few specifics in its 2003 law. Send a letter to the furnisher demanding a “reinvestigation” of the debt. Ask for all paperwork documenting the debt. Like the credit bureaus, the furnishers will be required to supply a response within 45 days. If none is forthcoming, the debt must be removed from the credit file. Even if a response arrives, it's entirely possible the company will not be able to produce detailed records documenting the debt, which would also enable a request for removal of information.
In advance of the FTC rules, consumers may not have the right to sue companies for non-compliance. But the process can work anyway, and stronger consumer rights should arrive soon.
Finally, if either the bureau or the furnisher isn't playing ball, a lawsuit is the consumer's last resort. Credit report dispute cases are highly specialized, and it's generally best to use a lawyer who specializes in these cases, Wu said. A list can be found at the National Association of Consumer Advocates Web site, www.naca.net.
There aren't nearly as many FCRA experts as there are credit report disputes, however, so some consumers may be frustrated by their inability to interest a lawyer in their case. That's why the previous five steps are so important. Lawyers love plaintiffs who are well-prepared with the right documentation and arrive with what amounts to an open-and-shut case. It's not necessarily fair, but it's true: Consumers who think like a lawyer from step one are much more likely to get justice, and a clean credit report, in the end.
But what happens when the companies that keep this list make mistakes? After all, the credit bureaus -- which keep the list of who's been naughty and who's been nice -- are staffed by people who are just as fallible as the rest of us. Theirs is a complicated business. They keep track of billions of pieces of information. Mistakes do happen.
Unfortunately, complaining about mistakes on your credit report can be one of the most maddening experiences a consumer can have. Erasing an unfair black mark on your credit history after a bout with identity theft or a run-in with a malicious company can turn into an odyssey worthy of a Kafka novel. That's why the first installment of our "How to Complain About" series takes on this most vexing of consumer issues.
The credit report is composed of voluntary submissions by companies that you do business with. Those companies are called "furnishers." A credit card company is a furnisher. So is a furniture store where you bought a living room set from on credit; so is a car dealership. As you might imagine, your credit report is only as accurate as the furnishers who contribute information about you. Their quality control measures vary widely.
There are many reasons a mistake might find its way onto your credit report. Perhaps a furnisher forgot to give you credit when you paid your final bill. Perhaps someone impersonated you, and didn't pay their bills. Perhaps a furnisher made a data entry error when submitting updates, and accidentally blamed you for someone else's unpaid bill. Or perhaps you and a creditor have a real difference of opinion about a debt it says you owe.
In most arenas of life, if someone makes false statements about you that cost you money or reputation, you can sue for libel. That's not true in the credit reporting system, however. Decades ago, Congress granted furnishers general immunity from libel lawsuits. That gives them less incentive to be impeccably accurate when they send data to the credit bureaus.
Credit report mistakes range from inconsequential misspellings to wrongful reports of debt defaults that prevent the victim from ever borrowing money. Credit reports are notoriously inaccurate, though it's hard to say with precision how many reports have errors, as the credit bureaus keep that secret. But studies by third parties have found error rates as high as 25 percent. A small pilot study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission recently showed that 16 percent of consumer reports contained errors that would impact a consumer’s credit score. The credit bureaus, which compile and sell the credit reports, told Congress in 2004 that the error frequency is much smaller -- only 3 percent -- but that would still impact nearly 6 million Americans.
So it's entirely possible you'll find yourself battling a credit bureau about a mistake at some point in your adult life.
Dispute process is bornDecades ago, it was almost impossible to see the contents of your credit report and to fix mistakes. In response to an avalanche of complaints, Congress set up a formal dispute process when it passed an update to Fair Credit Reporting Act in 1997. In that law , Congress mandated that consumers be given a fair trial when they believe something inaccurate is being reported. It requires the nation's credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian, Trans Union and the smaller regional bureaus -- to take evidence from consumers, evidence from furnishers and decide who is right.
Unfortunately, this process has been turned into something of a kangaroo court. In a recent report called "Automated Injustice," the National Consumer Law Center described the disheartening procedures that are now in place.
Consumers who initiate disputes often send in pages of documentation supporting their claims. But in many cases, the paperwork is sent overseas to places like Mumbai, India, for cursory processing, the law center reported. There, employees work under tight quota and bonus systems. Subcontractors for Equifax, for example, must resolve more than 13 disputes every hour, or about one every four minutes, according to the report.
So, according to the report, the paperwork is almost always ignored and the complaint boiled down to a two-or three digit code. About one-third of the time, that code indicates simply that the consumers claims the credit blemish is "not his/hers." This code is then sent to furnisher, which is asked simply to affirm the original entry. If it does, the bureau will often decide that the case is closed.
The National Consumer Law Center doesn’t mince words when describing this procedure.
"The FCRA dispute process has become a travesty of justice," it said in the report.
How can you get around this travesty? It's not easy. But as is typical of most consumer protection disputes, there are two keys: persistence and the threat of a lawsuit. If your dispute process hits a serious snag along the way, you'll probably have to consider filing a lawsuit. But to win, you have to prove more than a simple mistake occurred. You'll have to prove the bureau, or the furnisher, were negligent. The mere threat of a lawsuit might gain you satisfaction, but you'll have an empty threat if you don't have good records showing the bureau and furnisher ignored your repeated requests for justice.
Maintaining your rights to sue, and building a good case along the way just in case, are critical to a successful dispute with the credit bureaus, says attorney Chi Chi Wu, who authored the “Automated Injustice” report. Much of the advice she gives has a dual purpose: to win the dispute, but also to preserve legal rights and create a lawsuit-ready paper trail, just in case. Here are some of the steps she recommends.
1. Request a review in writingAll three credit bureaus allow you to dispute errors using online forms.
• EXPERIAN http://www.experian.com/disputes/• EQUIFAX http://www.equifax.com/online-credit-dispute/• TRANS UNION http://annualcreditreport.transunion.com/entry/disputeonline
Wu says using them is a big mistake. The forms only help the bureaus steer your issue into one of their dispute "buckets," helping the agency automate your claim. It also means you'll have less of a paper trail to demonstrate negligence later on. Wu strongly recommends that consumers use old fashioned U.S. mail to file their complaints and send the letter return-receipt requested. And naturally, keep good records of all contact with a credit bureau. At this point, buying a shiny new notebook for just this purpose is a good idea.
• EQUIFAX mailing address• TRANS UNION mailing address• EXPERIAN No link. Address will be on credit report.
And while all three companies provide a simple form to fill out with dispute information, Wu recommends adding narrative detail and supporting documents anyway – again, to prevent the bureaus from “bucketing” you. That will help a lawyer make a case later than the bureau didn't perform even the most basic investigation.
It's always good to send the dispute to all three bureaus. While the reports can differ, the reports generally overlap and a black mark on one report usually becomes a black mark on all three. So while there may only be one bill in dispute, you probably have three disputes on your hands.
2. Also notify the furnisherIt seems reasonable that the credit bureau would send a copy of your dispute to the company that's involved, but don't count on. Send a separate, return-receipt-requested letter to the company that claims you didn't pay your bill. A carbon copy version of your dispute letter to the credit bureau should be sufficient.
3. Be ready for surprising account numbersWhen tracking a credit bureau entry, it's likely that your "bad debt" will have an unfamiliar account number next to it. Companies often assign new numbers to accounts that go into default. Also, when debts are sold to debt collectors, they usually give an account its own number. For example, a dispute involving a furniture store account No. 345234 might end up listed on your credit report as Joey's Collections No. 432432. When filing dispute letters, including all possible account numbers. That cuts down on possible confusion -- or legal squirming -- later on. For example, a consumer might send a letter saying, "Please delete account No. 345234, and the bureau might "agree" to the request while doing nothing, and leaving the unpaid bill under the other account number.
4. Tell them where to goThis step might sound presumptive, but Wu suggests that the consumer explicitly recommend the steps that the credit bureau should take to investigate the matter. For example, if you've spoken to an operator at a furnisher who admits an error, tell the credit bureau to call that furnisher and interview that operator. The bureau may not do this, but this inclusion could help a lawyer at a later date persuade a judge that the bureau didn't take even the most obvious steps to resolve the dispute.
5. Discredit the furnisherA little legal legwork can help make your case, too. If there is evidence that the furnisher involved in your dispute has a reputation for complaints of inaccuracy, include that evidence in your letter. This will help build the case that the bureau should not have presumed the furnisher was accurate.
Other adviceIt might seem natural to complain directly to the furnisher of the information rather than the credit bureaus. However, the original Fair Credit Reporting Act granted no legal rights for to consumers to do so, and steered all complaints to the credit bureau dispute process. That limitation is changing. The Fair and Accurate Transaction Act of 2003 includes provisions calling for "direct disputes" with furnishers, though the Federal Trade Commission has yet to issue formal guidelines for the process. They should appear soon; public commentary on proposed rules was entertained by the agency last year.
In the meantime, consumers can try a direct dispute, but should only do so after completing the dispute process with the credit bureaus and getting an answer. Skipping the bureau process would force a consumer to surrender their rights to sue the furnisher, Wu says.
Even before the final rules are determined, Congress spelled out a few specifics in its 2003 law. Send a letter to the furnisher demanding a “reinvestigation” of the debt. Ask for all paperwork documenting the debt. Like the credit bureaus, the furnishers will be required to supply a response within 45 days. If none is forthcoming, the debt must be removed from the credit file. Even if a response arrives, it's entirely possible the company will not be able to produce detailed records documenting the debt, which would also enable a request for removal of information.
In advance of the FTC rules, consumers may not have the right to sue companies for non-compliance. But the process can work anyway, and stronger consumer rights should arrive soon.
Finally, if either the bureau or the furnisher isn't playing ball, a lawsuit is the consumer's last resort. Credit report dispute cases are highly specialized, and it's generally best to use a lawyer who specializes in these cases, Wu said. A list can be found at the National Association of Consumer Advocates Web site, www.naca.net.
There aren't nearly as many FCRA experts as there are credit report disputes, however, so some consumers may be frustrated by their inability to interest a lawyer in their case. That's why the previous five steps are so important. Lawyers love plaintiffs who are well-prepared with the right documentation and arrive with what amounts to an open-and-shut case. It's not necessarily fair, but it's true: Consumers who think like a lawyer from step one are much more likely to get justice, and a clean credit report, in the end.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Be wary of d0-it-yourself legal software
Be wary of do-it-yourself legal software
QUESTION: There are so many software programs and Internet services offering contracts, wills, deeds, incorporations, and even divorce and name changes, made specifically to order for me, do I really need a lawyer for routine legal services any more? Can't I save myself a whole lot of time and money by doing it online or buying a program?
ANSWER: Just because you can do something on your own doesn't mean it is in your best interest. Consider medical services. There are some things, such as a common headache, for which you wouldn't even consider calling your doctor. Others, like appendicitis, you wouldn't dream of treating yourself. The same is true of all professional services, including legal services.
Published legal forms, including online "self-help" services, cannot provide specific legal advice for your situation any more than a medical textbook or a video depiction of a particular surgery can teach you to perform surgery or prescribe medication.
When you consult a lawyer, you are not just buying an expensive legal form. You are obtaining legal advice from someone who will fashion, if possible, a document or a legal strategy designed to get you the specific result you need for your situation. Sometimes the document or strategy will be generic enough that a published legal form will suffice. Other times your situation will require something more specific or complex. Do you have enough knowledge, experience and expertise to differentiate between the two?
There will be some times when virtually anyone can handle a legal matter on their own, like taking a couple of aspirin. Other situations will require the equivalent of legal first aid; if you are trained or experienced enough, you can probably handle it. But if there is a lot at risk, or if you are at all unsure of what you are doing, you should at least get a free or low-cost initial consultation to check into the possible benefits of having specific legal advice before trying to perform what might be a legal appendectomy on yourself.
Don't be misled by claims that the form you are considering is "valid in all 50 states." Usually the substance of the document is equally crucial to getting a good result as the form's ultimate validity. What will it matter if the will or contract is valid, if it doesn't end up doing what you need?
The rule in the marketplace for legal documents is "buyer beware." All professions impose a higher standard on their members than that. With legal forms, you are on your own. With a licensed lawyer, doctor, accountant, engineer, architect or any other professional, you purchase the loyalty and expertise of a professional. Often enough, that's well worth the cost.
QUESTION: There are so many software programs and Internet services offering contracts, wills, deeds, incorporations, and even divorce and name changes, made specifically to order for me, do I really need a lawyer for routine legal services any more? Can't I save myself a whole lot of time and money by doing it online or buying a program?
ANSWER: Just because you can do something on your own doesn't mean it is in your best interest. Consider medical services. There are some things, such as a common headache, for which you wouldn't even consider calling your doctor. Others, like appendicitis, you wouldn't dream of treating yourself. The same is true of all professional services, including legal services.
Published legal forms, including online "self-help" services, cannot provide specific legal advice for your situation any more than a medical textbook or a video depiction of a particular surgery can teach you to perform surgery or prescribe medication.
When you consult a lawyer, you are not just buying an expensive legal form. You are obtaining legal advice from someone who will fashion, if possible, a document or a legal strategy designed to get you the specific result you need for your situation. Sometimes the document or strategy will be generic enough that a published legal form will suffice. Other times your situation will require something more specific or complex. Do you have enough knowledge, experience and expertise to differentiate between the two?
There will be some times when virtually anyone can handle a legal matter on their own, like taking a couple of aspirin. Other situations will require the equivalent of legal first aid; if you are trained or experienced enough, you can probably handle it. But if there is a lot at risk, or if you are at all unsure of what you are doing, you should at least get a free or low-cost initial consultation to check into the possible benefits of having specific legal advice before trying to perform what might be a legal appendectomy on yourself.
Don't be misled by claims that the form you are considering is "valid in all 50 states." Usually the substance of the document is equally crucial to getting a good result as the form's ultimate validity. What will it matter if the will or contract is valid, if it doesn't end up doing what you need?
The rule in the marketplace for legal documents is "buyer beware." All professions impose a higher standard on their members than that. With legal forms, you are on your own. With a licensed lawyer, doctor, accountant, engineer, architect or any other professional, you purchase the loyalty and expertise of a professional. Often enough, that's well worth the cost.
Watch an Identity thief's "commerical"
PLAY VIDEO: Click to see an excerpt of an identity thief's "commercial," which was posted on YouTube recently. Msnbc.com's Bob Sullivan reports.
Identity theft is usually a virtual, intangible crime. The theft often occurs in cyberspace, with criminals ordering merchandise with stolen credit cards, or downloading cash from online bank accounts. The victims rarely know anything has happened until months -- or even years -- later. There's no blood, no shattered glass, no broken locks. Not even the anxiety rush that comes after the brush of a pickpocket.
But identity thieves, in the end, are real people stealing real money and causing real harm. And surprisingly often, they are friends, family members, or co-workers who initiate the crime by stealing personal information found on papers left around offices or homes. The stolen data can be surprisingly easy to come by, as this ID theft “commercial” shows.
In it, a YouTube poster claims to have a cache of stolen data dossiers for sale. He films himself sitting in his car, sifting through what appear to be file folders, perhaps freshly stolen from an office or a dumpster outside an office building. With a shaky hand, he shows some of the files, then announces that he will sell complete data sets for $25 -- or at a discount of 5 for $100 -- to anyone who e-mails him.
You can watch part of the video by clicking above. We've included only a small portion of the video to avoid abetting what appears to be a crime. Here's more of what the salesman had to say in the video:
"I have records for sale. These records include the following: Name. Sex of the individual. Social Security number of the individual. Mother's name. Their current street address," he says.
At this point, a beeper begins to sound in his car, perhaps because his seat belt isn't fashioned. Then, he continues to list the items he has for sale. "License number. Their date of birth. Kind of work they are in, the industry that they're in. And their net worth. That's including real estate and any liquid assets. And I could get a good credit read on them as well."
Those details would give an identity thief all the information they’d need to wreak havoc with a victim’s credit report, and probably, their financial life,
Without purchasing records from the poster, it is impossible to determine that the records are genuine. But in a short e-mail dialog with msnbc.com, the poster claimed the information was real and said that he could sell us 100 records if we deposited money into his PayPal account.
He did not answer a question posed about the video, which was removed from YouTube a few days after it appeared, but not before msnbc.com viewed it and copied it. A message at the link now says the video was "removed by the user."
Before finishing the sales pitch in the video, the poster includes some fine print:
"These records are not to be used for any illegal purposes. They are for outsourcing marketing materials and anything of that nature," he said.
He then closed with a polite sign off.
Identity theft is usually a virtual, intangible crime. The theft often occurs in cyberspace, with criminals ordering merchandise with stolen credit cards, or downloading cash from online bank accounts. The victims rarely know anything has happened until months -- or even years -- later. There's no blood, no shattered glass, no broken locks. Not even the anxiety rush that comes after the brush of a pickpocket.
But identity thieves, in the end, are real people stealing real money and causing real harm. And surprisingly often, they are friends, family members, or co-workers who initiate the crime by stealing personal information found on papers left around offices or homes. The stolen data can be surprisingly easy to come by, as this ID theft “commercial” shows.
In it, a YouTube poster claims to have a cache of stolen data dossiers for sale. He films himself sitting in his car, sifting through what appear to be file folders, perhaps freshly stolen from an office or a dumpster outside an office building. With a shaky hand, he shows some of the files, then announces that he will sell complete data sets for $25 -- or at a discount of 5 for $100 -- to anyone who e-mails him.
You can watch part of the video by clicking above. We've included only a small portion of the video to avoid abetting what appears to be a crime. Here's more of what the salesman had to say in the video:
"I have records for sale. These records include the following: Name. Sex of the individual. Social Security number of the individual. Mother's name. Their current street address," he says.
At this point, a beeper begins to sound in his car, perhaps because his seat belt isn't fashioned. Then, he continues to list the items he has for sale. "License number. Their date of birth. Kind of work they are in, the industry that they're in. And their net worth. That's including real estate and any liquid assets. And I could get a good credit read on them as well."
Those details would give an identity thief all the information they’d need to wreak havoc with a victim’s credit report, and probably, their financial life,
Without purchasing records from the poster, it is impossible to determine that the records are genuine. But in a short e-mail dialog with msnbc.com, the poster claimed the information was real and said that he could sell us 100 records if we deposited money into his PayPal account.
He did not answer a question posed about the video, which was removed from YouTube a few days after it appeared, but not before msnbc.com viewed it and copied it. A message at the link now says the video was "removed by the user."
Before finishing the sales pitch in the video, the poster includes some fine print:
"These records are not to be used for any illegal purposes. They are for outsourcing marketing materials and anything of that nature," he said.
He then closed with a polite sign off.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Woman mistaken for girl's suspected killer
Woman mistaken for girl's suspected killer
She says she is getting death threats from people and fears for her safety
MANTECA, Calif. - A Northern California woman who has the same name as the Sunday school teacher charged with murdering an 8-year-old girl says she is getting death threats from people who mistake her for the suspect.
Like the Tracy resident who is accused of killing Sandra Cantu and putting her body in a suitcase, the Melissa Huckaby who lives 14 miles away in Manteca is 28 years old, has a 5-year-old daughter and volunteers at church.
The improbable similarities have created inevitable confusion. News crews keep calling or showing up in Manteca looking for the wrong woman. And so many people posted threatening messages on her MySpace page that the misidentified Huckaby says she fears for her safety.
She and her parents are speaking out in hopes of clearing her name.
She says she is getting death threats from people and fears for her safety
MANTECA, Calif. - A Northern California woman who has the same name as the Sunday school teacher charged with murdering an 8-year-old girl says she is getting death threats from people who mistake her for the suspect.
Like the Tracy resident who is accused of killing Sandra Cantu and putting her body in a suitcase, the Melissa Huckaby who lives 14 miles away in Manteca is 28 years old, has a 5-year-old daughter and volunteers at church.
The improbable similarities have created inevitable confusion. News crews keep calling or showing up in Manteca looking for the wrong woman. And so many people posted threatening messages on her MySpace page that the misidentified Huckaby says she fears for her safety.
She and her parents are speaking out in hopes of clearing her name.
Hackers grab more than 285M records in 2008
Hackers grab more than 285M records in 2008
Verizon: Identity thieves are getting better at exploiting careless mistakes
By Jordan Robertson
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO - Hackers made off with at least 285 million electronic records in 2008, more than in the four previous years combined, according to a new study that shows identity thieves are getting better at exploiting careless mistakes that leave companies vulnerable to attack.
The number comes from a study of 90 data breaches investigated by Verizon Communications Inc., which is hired to do a post-mortem on most big computer intrusions.
No victims are identified in the report. Many of the breaches aren't even public. That can happen if law enforcement insists on secrecy because of an ongoing criminal investigation, or if personally identifiable information wasn't lost in the hack.
In many breaches, especially involving lost or stolen laptops, the records aren't used for anything at all.
Verizon's study looked only at breaches involving attacks that resulted in compromised records being used in a crime, like making counterfeit credit cards and buying homes and medical coverage under someone else's identity — and on their dime.
The company found that 90 percent of the breaches it investigated could have been avoided with basic security measures.
One of those is recognizing how valuable so-called "non-critical" computers are to hackers.
Peter Tippett, vice president of research and intelligence for Verizon's business security solutions division, says criminals aren't looking to crash through the front door with a brazen computer attack. Often they're content to feel around the edges and look for vulnerabilities that can get them in through the equivalent of a side window.
Even by tapping into computers of low-level employees who don't handle sensitive data, hackers can get a toehold for installing more malicious software that scans the network traffic and looks for vulnerabilities in other computers.
The study also found that data breaches are getting more severe because criminals are using sophisticated new programs that were custom-designed for particular attacks and weren't known to the security community or law enforcement.
Verizon says 93 percent of all compromised records in its study came from the financial sector.
Verizon: Identity thieves are getting better at exploiting careless mistakes
By Jordan Robertson
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO - Hackers made off with at least 285 million electronic records in 2008, more than in the four previous years combined, according to a new study that shows identity thieves are getting better at exploiting careless mistakes that leave companies vulnerable to attack.
The number comes from a study of 90 data breaches investigated by Verizon Communications Inc., which is hired to do a post-mortem on most big computer intrusions.
No victims are identified in the report. Many of the breaches aren't even public. That can happen if law enforcement insists on secrecy because of an ongoing criminal investigation, or if personally identifiable information wasn't lost in the hack.
In many breaches, especially involving lost or stolen laptops, the records aren't used for anything at all.
Verizon's study looked only at breaches involving attacks that resulted in compromised records being used in a crime, like making counterfeit credit cards and buying homes and medical coverage under someone else's identity — and on their dime.
The company found that 90 percent of the breaches it investigated could have been avoided with basic security measures.
One of those is recognizing how valuable so-called "non-critical" computers are to hackers.
Peter Tippett, vice president of research and intelligence for Verizon's business security solutions division, says criminals aren't looking to crash through the front door with a brazen computer attack. Often they're content to feel around the edges and look for vulnerabilities that can get them in through the equivalent of a side window.
Even by tapping into computers of low-level employees who don't handle sensitive data, hackers can get a toehold for installing more malicious software that scans the network traffic and looks for vulnerabilities in other computers.
The study also found that data breaches are getting more severe because criminals are using sophisticated new programs that were custom-designed for particular attacks and weren't known to the security community or law enforcement.
Verizon says 93 percent of all compromised records in its study came from the financial sector.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Imposters wreak havoic with tax returns
When Aaron Marks tried to electronically file his tax return last spring, it was rejected by IRS computers. The reason, according to the agency, was that someone had already filed a return using his Social Security number. Not to worry, an IRS operator told him on the phone, just mail in your tax return and it’ll get fixed. "(The agent) acted like there was nothing to panic about," Marks said.
But a year later, the Boston resident still doesn’t have his $2,000 tax refund.
About the same time Marks tried to file, IRS officials testified before the Senate Finance Committee about the problem of tax return ID theft. The committee heard horror stories about the ease of filing false tax returns, the criminals who essentially steal citizens' refunds, and about the thousands of Americans who sometimes spend years dealing with the fallout.
For years, tax return scams have been relatively easy to commit. Armed with a Social Security number and the right company tax ID, criminals could file a return and likely get a refund check, as long as they filed before the legitimate SSN user. In fact, many criminals exaggerated deductions or withholding amounts in the returns to get an even bigger refund check, causing further problems for the real taxpayer down the road.
IRS Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman, who had just taken office weeks before the April 11, 2008, hearing, pledged major changes to stem the growing problem. He promised a new identity theft investigation unit within the IRS and a new 1-800 number for victims. He also said the entire agency would be trained to better handle the problem.
"If you say the words ‘identity theft,’ you'll be sent to a person trained to deal with identity-theft victims," he pledged.
The changes have achieved mixed results.
The IRS launched its new unit, the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit. There's a Web site and a toll-free number for victims at 1-800-908-4490 that's staffed 12 hours per day.
Aaron Marks, however, still hasn't received his $2,000 from the 2007 tax year, or, his 2008 stimulus check. And this year, when he tried to electronically file, his return was again rejected. He called the IRS. An agent told him to paper file. He insisted that more action be taken. He demanded a manager. She told him his refund check was sent out last year, but wouldn't tell him where, or even confirm that it wasn't sent to his home address.
"Then she told me to tell the Federal Trade Commission," he said. When he filled out an FTC Identity Theft affidavit, he was then told to get a police report.
"The Boston PD aren't going to know what to do about this," he said. Including his expected refund from this year, Marks figures he's out $4,000 right now. Meanwhile, he figures, a criminal is running around with his tax refund.
"The only reason I found out about this was because I expected money back," he said. "Who knows how big this problem really is?"
The IRS says it knows, and it's miniscule. Spokeswoman Michelle Lamishaw said tax return ID theft hit a tiny fraction of 1 percent of all returns all returns last year.
"It is not what we consider widespread," she said. "But the impact on individuals we take very seriously." Lamishaw said she was unable to discuss Marks' situation because IRS agents are not allowed to publicly discuss any taxpayers' account.
'A huge potential to really address the problem'Nina Olson runs the National Taxpayer Advocate Service, an agency that helps citizens engaged in entrenched battles with the IRS. A frequent critic of the agency, she gave it relatively high marks for its new identity theft initiatives.
For the first time, she said, the agency has initiated a "flag" to track citizens struggling with identity theft. Even consumers who merely suspect they might suffer tax return fraud -- for example, a victim who lost a wallet -- can now ask the IRS to add such a flag and not send a refund check to a potential imposter. And it has developed "business rules" to help it determine the rightful SSN user when multiple returns are filed, similar to rules used by credit card firms to identify fraudulent credit card transactions, she said.
The agency also has added the ability to proactively inform a citizen if a Social Security number is being used by someone else, she said. The agency has plans to send warning letters to SSN holders, but has not begun. Only recently did it get legal clearance to send such letters, she said.
"The new unit has a huge potential to really address the problem," she said. "The progress in the last year has been enormous."
On the other hand, the National Taxpayer Advocate Service has seen an 88 percent increase in ID theft cases this year over the same period last year. It's unclear if the spike means an increase in crime or merely an increase in awareness, but either way, the problem is still severe, she said.
Last year, there were 24,000 known cases of tax ID theft, and that number severely undercounts the actual number of victims, many whom have yet to discover the problem, she said.
"Those 24,000 taxpayers are spending their lives on the phone. Maybe their wages are being garnished. Maybe they found out because there was a lien," she said. "For those victims the problem is very real. It's often a full-time occupation to fix it."
No faithIt's not clear why Marks' case continues to slip through the cracks. Lamishaw said IRS operators be aware of the agency's ID theft hot line, but speculated that there might be a communications lag because the office is new.
Recently, Marks found his way to the Identity Theft Resource Center Web site, which recommended people in his situation contact the Taxpayer Advocate office. He did so, and said that he spoke to a helpful caseworker who took an interest in his problem and offered to help. He’s optimistic, but he’s still waiting for his refund.
"My faith in the federal government has been kicked down yet another notch," he said.
Lamishaw, meanwhile, urged victims like Marks to contact the IRS’ toll-free ID theft number, even if they've already tried unsuccessfully to resolve the problem earlier.
"We do recommend people give this office a try, even if they were frustrated in the past," she said.
RED TAPE WRESTLING TIPSThere are many ways an identity thief can get a hold of the necessary information and file a tax return in someone else's name. Linda Foley, director of the Identity Theft Resource Center, says some imposters are illegal immigrants using someone's Social Security number in order to get work permission. But there are many other variations on the crime.
"People who don't want criminal histories known, have bad credit reports or may be hiding under another SSN to avoid child support payments," she said. "We get a number of cases like this."
Early detection of tax return ID theft is important to quickly resolving the problem. Watch for any suspicious signs -- the rejection of a return, a surprise bill from the IRS for unpaid taxes, a lengthy delay in refund payment, or even unexpected entries in your annual Social Security earnings statement.
The IRS ID theft fact page is very useful.
At the first sign of a problem, call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490. You don't have to wait for a tax problem to warn the IRS that you've been a victim of ID theft, however. If a criminal is using your SSN to open credit accounts or compromise your identity in other ways, consider calling the IRS hotline and asking the agency to flag your account. Lamishaw, the IRS spokeswoman, said that won't prevent a citizen from e-filing or delay refunds, it will just instruct the agency to take a bit more care before mailing out refund checks.
And every taxpayer should know about the National Taxpayers Advocate Service. Dealing with the IRS can be challenging. The advocate's service is designed to help taxpayers who feel they’ve hit a brick wall in dealing with the agency. Last year, the advocate’s office had 275,000 open cases. There are offices in every state in the nation. Click here to find the one for your state.
But a year later, the Boston resident still doesn’t have his $2,000 tax refund.
About the same time Marks tried to file, IRS officials testified before the Senate Finance Committee about the problem of tax return ID theft. The committee heard horror stories about the ease of filing false tax returns, the criminals who essentially steal citizens' refunds, and about the thousands of Americans who sometimes spend years dealing with the fallout.
For years, tax return scams have been relatively easy to commit. Armed with a Social Security number and the right company tax ID, criminals could file a return and likely get a refund check, as long as they filed before the legitimate SSN user. In fact, many criminals exaggerated deductions or withholding amounts in the returns to get an even bigger refund check, causing further problems for the real taxpayer down the road.
IRS Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman, who had just taken office weeks before the April 11, 2008, hearing, pledged major changes to stem the growing problem. He promised a new identity theft investigation unit within the IRS and a new 1-800 number for victims. He also said the entire agency would be trained to better handle the problem.
"If you say the words ‘identity theft,’ you'll be sent to a person trained to deal with identity-theft victims," he pledged.
The changes have achieved mixed results.
The IRS launched its new unit, the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit. There's a Web site and a toll-free number for victims at 1-800-908-4490 that's staffed 12 hours per day.
Aaron Marks, however, still hasn't received his $2,000 from the 2007 tax year, or, his 2008 stimulus check. And this year, when he tried to electronically file, his return was again rejected. He called the IRS. An agent told him to paper file. He insisted that more action be taken. He demanded a manager. She told him his refund check was sent out last year, but wouldn't tell him where, or even confirm that it wasn't sent to his home address.
"Then she told me to tell the Federal Trade Commission," he said. When he filled out an FTC Identity Theft affidavit, he was then told to get a police report.
"The Boston PD aren't going to know what to do about this," he said. Including his expected refund from this year, Marks figures he's out $4,000 right now. Meanwhile, he figures, a criminal is running around with his tax refund.
"The only reason I found out about this was because I expected money back," he said. "Who knows how big this problem really is?"
The IRS says it knows, and it's miniscule. Spokeswoman Michelle Lamishaw said tax return ID theft hit a tiny fraction of 1 percent of all returns all returns last year.
"It is not what we consider widespread," she said. "But the impact on individuals we take very seriously." Lamishaw said she was unable to discuss Marks' situation because IRS agents are not allowed to publicly discuss any taxpayers' account.
'A huge potential to really address the problem'Nina Olson runs the National Taxpayer Advocate Service, an agency that helps citizens engaged in entrenched battles with the IRS. A frequent critic of the agency, she gave it relatively high marks for its new identity theft initiatives.
For the first time, she said, the agency has initiated a "flag" to track citizens struggling with identity theft. Even consumers who merely suspect they might suffer tax return fraud -- for example, a victim who lost a wallet -- can now ask the IRS to add such a flag and not send a refund check to a potential imposter. And it has developed "business rules" to help it determine the rightful SSN user when multiple returns are filed, similar to rules used by credit card firms to identify fraudulent credit card transactions, she said.
The agency also has added the ability to proactively inform a citizen if a Social Security number is being used by someone else, she said. The agency has plans to send warning letters to SSN holders, but has not begun. Only recently did it get legal clearance to send such letters, she said.
"The new unit has a huge potential to really address the problem," she said. "The progress in the last year has been enormous."
On the other hand, the National Taxpayer Advocate Service has seen an 88 percent increase in ID theft cases this year over the same period last year. It's unclear if the spike means an increase in crime or merely an increase in awareness, but either way, the problem is still severe, she said.
Last year, there were 24,000 known cases of tax ID theft, and that number severely undercounts the actual number of victims, many whom have yet to discover the problem, she said.
"Those 24,000 taxpayers are spending their lives on the phone. Maybe their wages are being garnished. Maybe they found out because there was a lien," she said. "For those victims the problem is very real. It's often a full-time occupation to fix it."
No faithIt's not clear why Marks' case continues to slip through the cracks. Lamishaw said IRS operators be aware of the agency's ID theft hot line, but speculated that there might be a communications lag because the office is new.
Recently, Marks found his way to the Identity Theft Resource Center Web site, which recommended people in his situation contact the Taxpayer Advocate office. He did so, and said that he spoke to a helpful caseworker who took an interest in his problem and offered to help. He’s optimistic, but he’s still waiting for his refund.
"My faith in the federal government has been kicked down yet another notch," he said.
Lamishaw, meanwhile, urged victims like Marks to contact the IRS’ toll-free ID theft number, even if they've already tried unsuccessfully to resolve the problem earlier.
"We do recommend people give this office a try, even if they were frustrated in the past," she said.
RED TAPE WRESTLING TIPSThere are many ways an identity thief can get a hold of the necessary information and file a tax return in someone else's name. Linda Foley, director of the Identity Theft Resource Center, says some imposters are illegal immigrants using someone's Social Security number in order to get work permission. But there are many other variations on the crime.
"People who don't want criminal histories known, have bad credit reports or may be hiding under another SSN to avoid child support payments," she said. "We get a number of cases like this."
Early detection of tax return ID theft is important to quickly resolving the problem. Watch for any suspicious signs -- the rejection of a return, a surprise bill from the IRS for unpaid taxes, a lengthy delay in refund payment, or even unexpected entries in your annual Social Security earnings statement.
The IRS ID theft fact page is very useful.
At the first sign of a problem, call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490. You don't have to wait for a tax problem to warn the IRS that you've been a victim of ID theft, however. If a criminal is using your SSN to open credit accounts or compromise your identity in other ways, consider calling the IRS hotline and asking the agency to flag your account. Lamishaw, the IRS spokeswoman, said that won't prevent a citizen from e-filing or delay refunds, it will just instruct the agency to take a bit more care before mailing out refund checks.
And every taxpayer should know about the National Taxpayers Advocate Service. Dealing with the IRS can be challenging. The advocate's service is designed to help taxpayers who feel they’ve hit a brick wall in dealing with the agency. Last year, the advocate’s office had 275,000 open cases. There are offices in every state in the nation. Click here to find the one for your state.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Scam pretends to be Publishers Clearing House
Scam Pretends to be Publishers Clearing House
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - The Better Business Bureau is warning you to beware of letters claiming they're from Publishers Clearing House. The letters say you have won a second place prize of $1 million. Despite how official the letters look, the recipient is the target of a nationwide scam that is now in Idaho.
A check comes with the letter for as much as $5,900. The victims are told in order to receive the money, they must cash the check and wire back $4,000.
The BBB said the check is fraudulent and any money wired to the scammers cannot be recovered.
"If you get a check for $4,900 in the mail and it looks like it's coming from Publishers Clearing House, that's a name that's well known, as far as giving true cash giveaways and you're not going to look real logical. But do stop and think about it," said Donna Oe, Better Business Bureau.
The fake checks are copies from legitimate businesses stolen by the scammers.
Since last month, reports of the Publishers Clearing House scam have come in from 20 states. If you have received this scam, contact the better business bureau.
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - The Better Business Bureau is warning you to beware of letters claiming they're from Publishers Clearing House. The letters say you have won a second place prize of $1 million. Despite how official the letters look, the recipient is the target of a nationwide scam that is now in Idaho.
A check comes with the letter for as much as $5,900. The victims are told in order to receive the money, they must cash the check and wire back $4,000.
The BBB said the check is fraudulent and any money wired to the scammers cannot be recovered.
"If you get a check for $4,900 in the mail and it looks like it's coming from Publishers Clearing House, that's a name that's well known, as far as giving true cash giveaways and you're not going to look real logical. But do stop and think about it," said Donna Oe, Better Business Bureau.
The fake checks are copies from legitimate businesses stolen by the scammers.
Since last month, reports of the Publishers Clearing House scam have come in from 20 states. If you have received this scam, contact the better business bureau.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Phshing Scam hits local phones
Phishing Scam Hits Local Phones
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - There's something "phishy" going on and it's coming to cell phones in Bonneville and Fremont counties.
Both Sheriff's Offices received multiple complaints over the weekend. Residents receive calls and text messages on their phone from a caller asking them to verify credit and debit card information.
Fremont County Sheriff's office said it is an obvious attempt to obtain financial information.
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - There's something "phishy" going on and it's coming to cell phones in Bonneville and Fremont counties.
Both Sheriff's Offices received multiple complaints over the weekend. Residents receive calls and text messages on their phone from a caller asking them to verify credit and debit card information.
Fremont County Sheriff's office said it is an obvious attempt to obtain financial information.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Putting Scammers to the test
IDAHO FALLS - People are often tempted to believe they can make a few easy, extra bucks. One 84-year-old Idaho Falls woman, got a big check in the mail and this isn't the first time it's happened to her. The directions are simple: deposit the check and get the money."I thought I was really rich," says Alice Beaty, 84-year-old."She's gotten probably about six," Diane Reinhart, Alice's daughter."I think elderly people are more vunerable," says Leonard Beaty, Alice's son."My mom who is 84-years-old, she gets excited," says Reinhart."Didn't know, never had nothing like this happen before you know," says Beaty."We called about it, there was a guy from Canada said ok if she goes, takes it and puts it in her back account she could get the money," says Reinhart."Right now all you have to do it go to the bank and deposit it. Make sure you keep this confidential because we always have double claims, people always come and want people's money, always protect your winnings and protect the letter sent to you," says the operator."This check will also serve to help pay for your occurred expenses for fraudulent and stolen identity changes," reads Beaty."That check is to help pay for your taxes," says the operator."So I have a check for 3-thousand dollars, you're saying I am going to get another check in the mail for 250-thousand dollars?" asks Araksya Karapetyan."Yes, by Friday you'll get it in the mail," says the operator."We went went to the credit union and they said the check was no good," says Reinhart."That check is good ma'am, there's nothing wrong with that check ma'am," says the operator."Call us back when you deposit the check and we'll get your bank account information, that's why I said no," says the operator."All you need to do is go to the back and deposit it, when you finish then call me back," says the operator."Usually about 3-thousand 7-hundred 40 something dollars, and then the last one was like 48-thousand dollars," says Reinhart."I am assuming if this was a check they would have her name correct, her last name is spelled with one "t" not two," says Reinhart."You should be very excited, I don't know why you're asking me too many questions. You know I get this a lot, but I am just helping you get your winning ma'am," says the operator."If I had not been there for my mother, she probably would have done it and they would have got all the bank information, " says Beaty."I am a reporter for CBS affiliate television and I am calling because this is a scam. So, I want to know if you have anything to say... Hello??? " says Araksya Karapetyan.One lady who called Eyewitness News earlier this week, says she kept getting similar checks like those in the mail. But when she went to the bank they not only cashed them, they later forced her to pay every single penny back to the bank... all 10-thousand dollars of it.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
New scam hits Idaho
New Scam Hits Idaho
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - Scammers who tried to fool businesses last fall, are at it again. And, one Idaho Falls business almost lost $26,000 to the scam last week.
The scam looks like it is from the U.S. Department of Transportation. It asks for complete bank information for government records.
The Better Business Bureau says an unnamed business got caught up on the scam, and attempted to wire $26,000. Luckily the business's bank caught on before the wire was completed.
The BBB says scammers are saying they are from the U.S. government to get personal information. But the big tip-off in this scam was the wire information was out of the country.
"Just because it says U.S. government doesn't mean they are the U.S. government or the Department of Transportation," warns Donna Oe, CEO and President of the Better Business Bureau. "Know what you're working with. Anytime you send any of your personal information, know that's really where you are sending it."
If you run into this scam or any other, the Better Business Bureau would like to know about it.
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - Scammers who tried to fool businesses last fall, are at it again. And, one Idaho Falls business almost lost $26,000 to the scam last week.
The scam looks like it is from the U.S. Department of Transportation. It asks for complete bank information for government records.
The Better Business Bureau says an unnamed business got caught up on the scam, and attempted to wire $26,000. Luckily the business's bank caught on before the wire was completed.
The BBB says scammers are saying they are from the U.S. government to get personal information. But the big tip-off in this scam was the wire information was out of the country.
"Just because it says U.S. government doesn't mean they are the U.S. government or the Department of Transportation," warns Donna Oe, CEO and President of the Better Business Bureau. "Know what you're working with. Anytime you send any of your personal information, know that's really where you are sending it."
If you run into this scam or any other, the Better Business Bureau would like to know about it.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Woman with fake ID gets fake breasts.. No...I'm not making it up.
Cops: Woman with fake ID gets fake breasts
She skipped town after getting $12,000 surgery under false line of credit
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Police are seeking a woman they said used a false identity to get breast implants and liposuction, then skipped town.
Huntington Beach police said Monday that a 30-year-old woman opened a line of credit in someone else's name in September and had the procedures worth more than $12,000 performed at the Pacific Center For Plastic Surgery.
Employees said she never returned for follow-up visits.
Police said the woman faces charges of commercial burglary, grand theft and identity theft.
She skipped town after getting $12,000 surgery under false line of credit
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - Police are seeking a woman they said used a false identity to get breast implants and liposuction, then skipped town.
Huntington Beach police said Monday that a 30-year-old woman opened a line of credit in someone else's name in September and had the procedures worth more than $12,000 performed at the Pacific Center For Plastic Surgery.
Employees said she never returned for follow-up visits.
Police said the woman faces charges of commercial burglary, grand theft and identity theft.
Monday, March 16, 2009
FedEx scam
This is what i received in my email one day, if all this was true, wouldn't i be rich....
Dear Customer, On behalf of the entire staff of Fed-Ex, this email is coming to you as a reminder concerning your package that was deposited with us on your behalf. We want to bring it to your notice that your package has been registered and the delivery of your package will commence immediately we receive our security keeping fee ($95) from you. You are advised to make payment through Western Union or Money Gram to our FEDEX representative accounting officer over here.
So you are to make the payment of $95 Dollars via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the name of our accounting officer whose details are stated below.
Receiver Name: Mr. Tunde James Receiver Address: 70 International Airport Road Mafoluku, Abuja Nigeria You are to send the necessary payment details via e-mail to this same e-mail address. Once your payment information is recieved and confirmed by our Accounting officer Mr. Tunde James, we will immediately commence delivery and you will be able to track your package with the tracking details given to you and know where it is. Get back to me with the Below information immediately you send the money via Western Union Money Transfer:
Sender's Name: Your Name Sender's Address:
Your Address Amount To be Sent: $95usd Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N).........................
Text Question: What For Text Answer: Delivery Ensure you send the payment information which was given to you via WESTERN UNION for easy pick up.
Management,Suleman Isah
Dear Customer, On behalf of the entire staff of Fed-Ex, this email is coming to you as a reminder concerning your package that was deposited with us on your behalf. We want to bring it to your notice that your package has been registered and the delivery of your package will commence immediately we receive our security keeping fee ($95) from you. You are advised to make payment through Western Union or Money Gram to our FEDEX representative accounting officer over here.
So you are to make the payment of $95 Dollars via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the name of our accounting officer whose details are stated below.
Receiver Name: Mr. Tunde James Receiver Address: 70 International Airport Road Mafoluku, Abuja Nigeria You are to send the necessary payment details via e-mail to this same e-mail address. Once your payment information is recieved and confirmed by our Accounting officer Mr. Tunde James, we will immediately commence delivery and you will be able to track your package with the tracking details given to you and know where it is. Get back to me with the Below information immediately you send the money via Western Union Money Transfer:
Sender's Name: Your Name Sender's Address:
Your Address Amount To be Sent: $95usd Money Transfer Control Number (M.T.C.N).........................
Text Question: What For Text Answer: Delivery Ensure you send the payment information which was given to you via WESTERN UNION for easy pick up.
Management,Suleman Isah
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Iraq solider scam
By Araksya Karapetyan
IDAHO FALLS - If you get an email from someone claiming to be an attorney of a solider killed in Iraq, don't respond, in fact don't even bother reading any further."I have a personal proposal for you, to present you to my bank as a beneficiary to my late client who died in Iraq," reads Tara Carson.Tara Carson got this strange email."It was asking if I would like to be the person that gets the money because the guy died in Iraq and so did his family, and they haven't been able to trace down any of his other family, so they randomly picked me to just take his money," says Carson.We're talking $14.5 million."That's a lot and a lot of people will do almost anything for money," says Carson."Did you for a second believe that?" asks Araksya Karapetyan."No that's why I wanted to try to get more information on it," says Carson.So she wrote back and asked, one simple question - how did he die?She got a response, another email, with other details, but not an answer to her question."Once the funds is transferred to your account we shall split the ratio 65 for me, 30 for you, and 5 for the expenses. It was weird, I was like why me," says Carson.There was a number listed, so we gave it a shot.Operator: "We're sorry your call cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and dial again.""I am surprised because if he really wanted my identity that bad and wanted everything, he would have given me a real number to call," says Carson.It was along distance number, so some might not bother calling, and stick to the Internet."Think, get more information before you do anything, before you send out your social security number, your identity, your phone number," says Carson.
IDAHO FALLS - If you get an email from someone claiming to be an attorney of a solider killed in Iraq, don't respond, in fact don't even bother reading any further."I have a personal proposal for you, to present you to my bank as a beneficiary to my late client who died in Iraq," reads Tara Carson.Tara Carson got this strange email."It was asking if I would like to be the person that gets the money because the guy died in Iraq and so did his family, and they haven't been able to trace down any of his other family, so they randomly picked me to just take his money," says Carson.We're talking $14.5 million."That's a lot and a lot of people will do almost anything for money," says Carson."Did you for a second believe that?" asks Araksya Karapetyan."No that's why I wanted to try to get more information on it," says Carson.So she wrote back and asked, one simple question - how did he die?She got a response, another email, with other details, but not an answer to her question."Once the funds is transferred to your account we shall split the ratio 65 for me, 30 for you, and 5 for the expenses. It was weird, I was like why me," says Carson.There was a number listed, so we gave it a shot.Operator: "We're sorry your call cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and dial again.""I am surprised because if he really wanted my identity that bad and wanted everything, he would have given me a real number to call," says Carson.It was along distance number, so some might not bother calling, and stick to the Internet."Think, get more information before you do anything, before you send out your social security number, your identity, your phone number," says Carson.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Computer disk with Personal information of Site employees lost
Computer Disk with Personal Information of Site Employees Lost
IDAHO FALLS - Personal information for thousand of current and former Idaho National Laboratory employees may be at risk.
The Department of Energy's Office of Health, Safety and Security said a computer disk containing information like first and last name, date of birth and social security numbers, was lost during shipment on January 30.
The DOE said the disk is password-protected and there is no evidence that the personal information on the disk has been compromised.
However, they are advising workers to take precautions to protect their identities.
The Office of Health, Safety and Security is working with UPS, which was transporting the disk, to recover the disk and make sure the data is secured.
Idaho's Congressional Delegation is calling on the Department of Energy for improved security measures regarding employees.
"It is unacceptable that information including Social Security numbers, date of birth and other personal data could be lost in this fashion," the Delegation members said. "We are encouraging the DOE to follow through on plans to protect the credit histories and other personal liability for the employees involved. In addition, we call on DOE to take the proper security precautions to ensure this kind of incident never happens again."
The information was originally generated by INL to support a medical screening program for former workers who could have been exposed to hazardous materials on the job. The data contained information on past and present employees who worked at DOE's Idaho facilities prior to 2006.
Idaho National Lab then provided this information without incident to Queens College, who is supporting DOE's Former Worker Medical Screening Program.
The Idaho National Lab transmitted the data requested by Office of Health, Safety and Security in accordance with the data protection standards of the Department at the time, and instructed the subcontractor of the Department's rules for protecting private data.
While in its possession, Queens College shipped a password-protected computer disk to another program contributor, the CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, formerly known as the Center to Protect Workers' Rights, (CPWR), as part of the ongoing program. This computer disk was shipped overnight using UPS. On January 30, 2009, UPS notified Queens College that the package had been damaged in transit and its contents were currently missing.
Office of Health, Safety and Security is conducting an investigation of this incident to evaluate the adequacy of the procedures being used by contractors, subcontractors, and other program contributors for transmitting worker privacy information and for timely reporting of such incidents when they occur.
Frequently Asked Questions About Employee Information CD Loss
How do I know if I was affected? The lost CD contained personal information for anyone who ever was issued a badge to work at DOE's Idaho site from its inception in 1949 until the data was provided to DOE-ID in mid-April 2006. This includes employees of Argonne National Laboratory-West, the Idaho Cleanup Project, the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project, interns, subcontracted employees and employees of other government agencies (NOAA, USGS) who were issued badges to work at DOE's Idaho facilities. It does not include employees at the Naval Reactors Facility, which has its own badging system.
What is INL doing to assist people affected by this? INL, DOE and its other contractors are attempting to notify by letter all current and retired employees to inform them about the missing CD and provide information for free credit alert and reporting services. INL also created a Web page to provide information.
Why did Queens College have this information? As part of the Former Worker Medical Screening Program, the Department of Energy must notify current and former employees that they may be eligible for medical evaluation. In April 2006, the DOE Office of Health, Safety and Security asked INL contractor Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) to provide information for all employees who had worked at DOE's Idaho facilities. BEA provided information about anyone who had ever had a badge at the site, from its inception until the date of the request.
This information was provided to the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR, formerly the Center to Protect Workers' Rights) and Queens College, which the Office of Health, Safety and Security had hired to manage the construction-worker and non-construction-worker aspects of the program, respectively. In January 2009, those organizations prepared to send out a second mailing by revisiting the data to remove people who had already enrolled for medical screening. Queens College informed DOE and INL that it had mailed a password-protected CD containing Idaho employee and subcontractor data to the CPWR via overnight commercial delivery. When the package arrived at CPWR, it had been damaged - the disk had been separated from its case, was not inside the package and has not been located.
How many employees were affected? Data for approximately 59,000 people was on the CD.
What information was on the CD? First and last name (in some cases middle initial), date of birth, Social Security number, badge number, employer, separation date.
Why was such sensitive information needed to send people a letter? The Internal Revenue Service maintains the most reliable current address information, so Social Security numbers were used to ensure that everyone who has ever worked at the Idaho Site received Former Worker Medical Screening Program letters.
What should I do if my information was on that CD? You can register for free credit report monitoring through www.annualcreditreport.com, the federally-mandated site sponsored by the three credit reporting agencies, Transunion, Experian and Equifax. The law entitles individuals to one free credit report from each agency per year. Employees can also place a 90-day "fraud alert" on their file through the above site or by calling one of the credit reporting agencies directly at the numbers listed below.
IDAHO FALLS - Personal information for thousand of current and former Idaho National Laboratory employees may be at risk.
The Department of Energy's Office of Health, Safety and Security said a computer disk containing information like first and last name, date of birth and social security numbers, was lost during shipment on January 30.
The DOE said the disk is password-protected and there is no evidence that the personal information on the disk has been compromised.
However, they are advising workers to take precautions to protect their identities.
The Office of Health, Safety and Security is working with UPS, which was transporting the disk, to recover the disk and make sure the data is secured.
Idaho's Congressional Delegation is calling on the Department of Energy for improved security measures regarding employees.
"It is unacceptable that information including Social Security numbers, date of birth and other personal data could be lost in this fashion," the Delegation members said. "We are encouraging the DOE to follow through on plans to protect the credit histories and other personal liability for the employees involved. In addition, we call on DOE to take the proper security precautions to ensure this kind of incident never happens again."
The information was originally generated by INL to support a medical screening program for former workers who could have been exposed to hazardous materials on the job. The data contained information on past and present employees who worked at DOE's Idaho facilities prior to 2006.
Idaho National Lab then provided this information without incident to Queens College, who is supporting DOE's Former Worker Medical Screening Program.
The Idaho National Lab transmitted the data requested by Office of Health, Safety and Security in accordance with the data protection standards of the Department at the time, and instructed the subcontractor of the Department's rules for protecting private data.
While in its possession, Queens College shipped a password-protected computer disk to another program contributor, the CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, formerly known as the Center to Protect Workers' Rights, (CPWR), as part of the ongoing program. This computer disk was shipped overnight using UPS. On January 30, 2009, UPS notified Queens College that the package had been damaged in transit and its contents were currently missing.
Office of Health, Safety and Security is conducting an investigation of this incident to evaluate the adequacy of the procedures being used by contractors, subcontractors, and other program contributors for transmitting worker privacy information and for timely reporting of such incidents when they occur.
Frequently Asked Questions About Employee Information CD Loss
How do I know if I was affected? The lost CD contained personal information for anyone who ever was issued a badge to work at DOE's Idaho site from its inception in 1949 until the data was provided to DOE-ID in mid-April 2006. This includes employees of Argonne National Laboratory-West, the Idaho Cleanup Project, the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project, interns, subcontracted employees and employees of other government agencies (NOAA, USGS) who were issued badges to work at DOE's Idaho facilities. It does not include employees at the Naval Reactors Facility, which has its own badging system.
What is INL doing to assist people affected by this? INL, DOE and its other contractors are attempting to notify by letter all current and retired employees to inform them about the missing CD and provide information for free credit alert and reporting services. INL also created a Web page to provide information.
Why did Queens College have this information? As part of the Former Worker Medical Screening Program, the Department of Energy must notify current and former employees that they may be eligible for medical evaluation. In April 2006, the DOE Office of Health, Safety and Security asked INL contractor Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) to provide information for all employees who had worked at DOE's Idaho facilities. BEA provided information about anyone who had ever had a badge at the site, from its inception until the date of the request.
This information was provided to the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR, formerly the Center to Protect Workers' Rights) and Queens College, which the Office of Health, Safety and Security had hired to manage the construction-worker and non-construction-worker aspects of the program, respectively. In January 2009, those organizations prepared to send out a second mailing by revisiting the data to remove people who had already enrolled for medical screening. Queens College informed DOE and INL that it had mailed a password-protected CD containing Idaho employee and subcontractor data to the CPWR via overnight commercial delivery. When the package arrived at CPWR, it had been damaged - the disk had been separated from its case, was not inside the package and has not been located.
How many employees were affected? Data for approximately 59,000 people was on the CD.
What information was on the CD? First and last name (in some cases middle initial), date of birth, Social Security number, badge number, employer, separation date.
Why was such sensitive information needed to send people a letter? The Internal Revenue Service maintains the most reliable current address information, so Social Security numbers were used to ensure that everyone who has ever worked at the Idaho Site received Former Worker Medical Screening Program letters.
What should I do if my information was on that CD? You can register for free credit report monitoring through www.annualcreditreport.com, the federally-mandated site sponsored by the three credit reporting agencies, Transunion, Experian and Equifax. The law entitles individuals to one free credit report from each agency per year. Employees can also place a 90-day "fraud alert" on their file through the above site or by calling one of the credit reporting agencies directly at the numbers listed below.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
E-mail scams get makeover for recession
E-mail scams get makeover for recession
Identity thieves send spam purporting to come from hiring companies
By Jordan Robertson
The Associated Press
updated 2:15 p.m. MT, Wed., March. 4, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - A staple of the spammer's arsenal — those come-ons for job offers — is getting a makeover because of the recession as online identity thieves concoct clever new ways to sneak onto people's computers.
One tactic the bad guys are trying is a twist on an old standby: e-mails purporting to come from legitimate companies that say they're still hiring.
The messages are loaded with links to the company's official Web site to throw off suspicious recipients. However, they are also packed with a dangerous surprise — a computer virus — hidden in an attachment that is supposed to be a job application.
One message, supposedly from Coca-Cola Co., trumpets that "We are hiring!" All the recipient has to do is fill out the attached application to get started.
There are some tip-offs, though, that the message is fraudulent: the English is choppy, the company promises 12 weeks of paid vacation and that "None of the positions require any kind of education or work experience!"
Another tactic represents the flip side of that deception. Spammers are sending e-mails pretending to reject people for jobs, instead of trying to recruit them. Those messages say the recipients weren't selected for a particular job, so the company has sent back their application — disguising the malicious program.
"What they're trying to tap into is human curiosity," said Dermot Harnett, principal analyst of anti-spam engineering with Symantec Corp. "Maybe people have lost their jobs, or they're looking for another job, and they're looking at their e-mail constantly to see if they have responses from potential employers."
The Federal Trade Commission is also warning about a spate of economic-stimulus scams — spam messages promising stimulus money simply by revealing bank account or credit card numbers.
One way to protect yourself is by never clicking on links or opening e-mail attachments from people you don't know. If you're a jobseeker who gets one of these messages, contact the company's human resources department yourself to follow up on an application or to make sure a job opening exists.
And don't rely on the sender's e-mail address either as proof that the message is coming from a legitimate source. Hackers can easily spoof those.
Identity thieves send spam purporting to come from hiring companies
By Jordan Robertson
The Associated Press
updated 2:15 p.m. MT, Wed., March. 4, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - A staple of the spammer's arsenal — those come-ons for job offers — is getting a makeover because of the recession as online identity thieves concoct clever new ways to sneak onto people's computers.
One tactic the bad guys are trying is a twist on an old standby: e-mails purporting to come from legitimate companies that say they're still hiring.
The messages are loaded with links to the company's official Web site to throw off suspicious recipients. However, they are also packed with a dangerous surprise — a computer virus — hidden in an attachment that is supposed to be a job application.
One message, supposedly from Coca-Cola Co., trumpets that "We are hiring!" All the recipient has to do is fill out the attached application to get started.
There are some tip-offs, though, that the message is fraudulent: the English is choppy, the company promises 12 weeks of paid vacation and that "None of the positions require any kind of education or work experience!"
Another tactic represents the flip side of that deception. Spammers are sending e-mails pretending to reject people for jobs, instead of trying to recruit them. Those messages say the recipients weren't selected for a particular job, so the company has sent back their application — disguising the malicious program.
"What they're trying to tap into is human curiosity," said Dermot Harnett, principal analyst of anti-spam engineering with Symantec Corp. "Maybe people have lost their jobs, or they're looking for another job, and they're looking at their e-mail constantly to see if they have responses from potential employers."
The Federal Trade Commission is also warning about a spate of economic-stimulus scams — spam messages promising stimulus money simply by revealing bank account or credit card numbers.
One way to protect yourself is by never clicking on links or opening e-mail attachments from people you don't know. If you're a jobseeker who gets one of these messages, contact the company's human resources department yourself to follow up on an application or to make sure a job opening exists.
And don't rely on the sender's e-mail address either as proof that the message is coming from a legitimate source. Hackers can easily spoof those.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Idaho residents' ID's discovered in Utah bruglary
Idaho Residents' IDs Discovered in Utah Burglary Bust
Feb 5, 2009 06:04 PM MST
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS & CEDAR CITY, Utah - Three suspects are in jail in Southern Utah and police believe they are connected with about 30 car burglaries in Idaho Falls last month.
Tuesday, Iron County Sheriff's deputies pulled over April Rae Claudio, 20, of Taylorsville, Utah, for speeding just one mile north of Paragonah, Utah.
Michelle Vincent Gatti, 35, of West Valley City, Utah, and Sami Anders, 30, of Magna, Utah, were passengers in the car.
Deputies said they found fake ID's, fake checks and social security cards belonging to Idaho Falls residents in the car.
Police searched the car further and found drugs, a concealed weapon, a kit to make fake id's and false notarized paperwork that would allow them to access victim's bank accounts.
The Iron County Sheriff said they are part of a much bigger burglary ring that could involve up to ten people. They believe they steal ID's and money to make meth and to feed their drug habit.
The vehicle Claudio was driving was a rental car modified to look like an undercover police vehicle. Deputies found several forms of identification that did not belong to any of the three subjects, along with stolen checks from residents in Idaho, Colorado and Utah.
Between the three suspects, they could be charged with more than 50 felony counts involving drugs, fraud and forgery.
Idaho Falls police said they contacted the Cedar City authorities and will investigate to match ID's with victims in Idaho Falls.
Feb 5, 2009 06:04 PM MST
By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS & CEDAR CITY, Utah - Three suspects are in jail in Southern Utah and police believe they are connected with about 30 car burglaries in Idaho Falls last month.
Tuesday, Iron County Sheriff's deputies pulled over April Rae Claudio, 20, of Taylorsville, Utah, for speeding just one mile north of Paragonah, Utah.
Michelle Vincent Gatti, 35, of West Valley City, Utah, and Sami Anders, 30, of Magna, Utah, were passengers in the car.
Deputies said they found fake ID's, fake checks and social security cards belonging to Idaho Falls residents in the car.
Police searched the car further and found drugs, a concealed weapon, a kit to make fake id's and false notarized paperwork that would allow them to access victim's bank accounts.
The Iron County Sheriff said they are part of a much bigger burglary ring that could involve up to ten people. They believe they steal ID's and money to make meth and to feed their drug habit.
The vehicle Claudio was driving was a rental car modified to look like an undercover police vehicle. Deputies found several forms of identification that did not belong to any of the three subjects, along with stolen checks from residents in Idaho, Colorado and Utah.
Between the three suspects, they could be charged with more than 50 felony counts involving drugs, fraud and forgery.
Idaho Falls police said they contacted the Cedar City authorities and will investigate to match ID's with victims in Idaho Falls.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Attorney's are for criminals....right??
it's only people that are in trouble with the law that need attorney's, right? Wrong, that's another misconception, if it was true that only guilty people need attorneys that would mean that every wealthy person, or those that can afford to have attorney's on a retainer are always in trouble. What we need to realize is that those that have access to attorney's understand the benefit of having access to our legal system, there by being able to ask there attorney's questions to keep them out of trouble, saving them time and money.
The real question is, would you get an attorney to resolve a problem that only may cost you $50.00 or less, knowing that the attorney is going to charge you $100.00 to $300.00 per hour to resolve the issue, no. The cost out weights the means, so what do most of us do in these situations? We try to resolve it our selves, or we forget the whole matter and chalk it up to the way our society works, thinking that once again you got stuck with a bad deal..
But let's break it down as to why it seems that only certain people are able to have access to our legal system, if you took the total population of our country, and broke it down, you would see that it's a 20/80 ratio, that means that 20% of our population can access our legal system, but that 20% is divided in half as well, meaning that the top 10% are wealthy enough to have attorney's on retainer, while the bottom 10 % qualify for legal aid.
What about the middle, the 80%, those of us that don't make enough to always have attorney's on a retainer, yet we make too much money to qualify for legal aid,, what do we do?
Most of us will weigh the issue, is it really worth my time and money to peruse, will the out come of the situation be better for me, is it a wise investment, we play the odds. When in reality we all should have access to our legal system, no matter what our financial situation is.
So again back to my main question, are attorney's for criminals only, no, attorney's are for everyone, including the middle class, but access to them should not be a financial decision.. should it?
Wanna learn more go here, www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/brettferguson
The real question is, would you get an attorney to resolve a problem that only may cost you $50.00 or less, knowing that the attorney is going to charge you $100.00 to $300.00 per hour to resolve the issue, no. The cost out weights the means, so what do most of us do in these situations? We try to resolve it our selves, or we forget the whole matter and chalk it up to the way our society works, thinking that once again you got stuck with a bad deal..
But let's break it down as to why it seems that only certain people are able to have access to our legal system, if you took the total population of our country, and broke it down, you would see that it's a 20/80 ratio, that means that 20% of our population can access our legal system, but that 20% is divided in half as well, meaning that the top 10% are wealthy enough to have attorney's on retainer, while the bottom 10 % qualify for legal aid.
What about the middle, the 80%, those of us that don't make enough to always have attorney's on a retainer, yet we make too much money to qualify for legal aid,, what do we do?
Most of us will weigh the issue, is it really worth my time and money to peruse, will the out come of the situation be better for me, is it a wise investment, we play the odds. When in reality we all should have access to our legal system, no matter what our financial situation is.
So again back to my main question, are attorney's for criminals only, no, attorney's are for everyone, including the middle class, but access to them should not be a financial decision.. should it?
Wanna learn more go here, www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/brettferguson
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Bill bars illegals from getting tax credits
You may be wondering why in the world would i post this in the "identity theft" section, well once you understand what is really at risk by what this article is reffering to you will soon understand that those that are in this country illegally, will realize that without a SSN they won't be able to take part in the tax credit. That means that in order for then to get a tax credit, they will have to produce a valid SSN, there in lies the problem. So what's to stop them from using YOUR SSN? And would you know if someone other than you did, well that is until you DON'T get your tax credit, instead you get a letter explaining that you have already filed. The article below was in our local paper...
Bill bars illegals from tax credits
Illegals could not get tax credits in the stimulus bill because Social Security numbers are needed.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Illegal immigrants who lack Social Security numbers could not get tax credits under the $800 billion-plus economic stimulus package making its way through Congress.
Two senior GOP congressional officials expressed concern Thursday that the bill could steer government checks to undocumented workers, but in fact the measure indicates that Social Security numbers are needed to claim tax credits of $500 per worker and $1,000 per couple. It also expressly disqualifies nonresident immigrants.
The Republicans spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. But Democrats were quick to reject the notion.
"This legislation is directed toward people who are legal in our country. It is about time the Republicans got a different piece of reading material and get off this illegal immigrant stuff," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "This bill has nothing to do with anything illegal as far as immigration. It creates jobs for people who are lawfully in this country."
A revolt among GOP conservatives to provisions of last year's economic stimulus bill, which sent rebate checks to most wage earners, forced Democratic congressional leaders to add stricter eligibility requirements. That legislation, enacted in February 2008, required that people have valid Social Security numbers in order to get checks.
The current plan doesn't contain that requirement, but it imposes the same qualifications for the tax credit as are in place for the earned income tax credit, a program for low-income workers that is limited to people with Social Security numbers.
The House-passed economic recovery measure also requires that businesses that win contracts for projects funded by the plan use a federal Internet-enabled system to ensure they do not hire illegal immigrants.
Bill bars illegals from tax credits
Illegals could not get tax credits in the stimulus bill because Social Security numbers are needed.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Illegal immigrants who lack Social Security numbers could not get tax credits under the $800 billion-plus economic stimulus package making its way through Congress.
Two senior GOP congressional officials expressed concern Thursday that the bill could steer government checks to undocumented workers, but in fact the measure indicates that Social Security numbers are needed to claim tax credits of $500 per worker and $1,000 per couple. It also expressly disqualifies nonresident immigrants.
The Republicans spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. But Democrats were quick to reject the notion.
"This legislation is directed toward people who are legal in our country. It is about time the Republicans got a different piece of reading material and get off this illegal immigrant stuff," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "This bill has nothing to do with anything illegal as far as immigration. It creates jobs for people who are lawfully in this country."
A revolt among GOP conservatives to provisions of last year's economic stimulus bill, which sent rebate checks to most wage earners, forced Democratic congressional leaders to add stricter eligibility requirements. That legislation, enacted in February 2008, required that people have valid Social Security numbers in order to get checks.
The current plan doesn't contain that requirement, but it imposes the same qualifications for the tax credit as are in place for the earned income tax credit, a program for low-income workers that is limited to people with Social Security numbers.
The House-passed economic recovery measure also requires that businesses that win contracts for projects funded by the plan use a federal Internet-enabled system to ensure they do not hire illegal immigrants.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Facebook ID theft targets "friends"
Facebook ID theft targets 'friends' ( http://redtape.msnbc.com/2009/01/post-1.html
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Why do I need a will.. Read on...
I have a friend of mine that i have known for 8 years, he is our rep for Glidden paints at Home Depot. Last week, on Thurs, he came into the store, he says to me that he can't really talk much, his sister is in the hospital, she went in for a routine procedure and during the night in the recovery room she coded. No pulse, not breathing, they got here heart beating again, but they had to put her on a breathing machine. Friday, I called to see how his sister was doing, only to be told that she was now in a coma, and they don't think that she would come out of it.. Monday, after the weekend and returning to work, i called him to find out that his sister had passed away.. I started to talk to him, letting him get some things off his chest, in the course of talking this is what he revealed to me. His sister has a 12 year old son, the father was never in the families life due to drug addiction, and living in Cal..so the son was raised by his mother, and her brothers.. Now the kicker, because there was never a will, the drug addicted father gets custody of the child, because he did pay child support, when he could, so when they inputted the child's SSN, up popped the biological fathers info, Where's the justice in that?? Even though the families willing to take the boy into there home, with people that he is used to being around that love him, and know what his needs are, the state is contacting a drug addicted parent to let him know that he is responsible for a child now.. So now the family has to deal not only with a funeral, but now they are in a legal battle for the welfare of a child, which would have been taken care of with the dictates of a will, Please let everyone know the importance of having a will, and how the simple things in life that we all take for granted, can change overnight... The family has hired three attorneys to see what they can do to have her son stay with those that truly care for him.. so far there only hope is that the father will give up his parental rights..
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Plan "B" have you got one?
With what's going on in the world today, hearing companies that have been around for years, that are now closing there doors. It brought a question to my mind, "what's your plan B" or do you even think about ways to make extra income, or to supplement the income that you currently have. All of us, no matter what line of work that we are in, cannot guarantee that we will always have an income, we cannot control the markets, who our employers decide to keep and who the decide to let go.
So again, "what's your plan "B"? How would you make sure that you and your family will have the things that they need, food, clothing, shelter, etc, in our economic times that we are facing now? It's a question that most of us don't really think about, we go to work, do what we are paid to do, go home and do it all again the next day, and the next, we get comfortable in our life style we get a mind set that we are doing alright for ourselves, and so we don't think of the day that we may no longer be employed. We think it only think it happens to the "other" guy, what and how would you explain to your family that this year that they can't take the trip that you have been planning, and that your going to have to do with the car that you were planning to trade in.
It's not that you are a bad employee, or that you don't work hard enough, we all are in the game, someone is always willing to do the same job for less. How many of us have ever considered a job that we can do from our own home, work the hours that you want, and make the money that will be enough for your families life. And the best part, not having to worry about " the day". What are the benefits of working from home, besides what I've stated... well read on..
As the economy gets softer and softer, more and more people are desperately seeking ways to bring home more income. Are you one of millions of Americans who need extra money… right now? If so, what is your plan for getting it? Do you have one? Are you working more hours? Picking up a second job? A third job? Are you cutting back on your expenses? Are you selling things on eBay? Letting go of the second car? Backing down your minutes on your cell phone? Car pooling to work? Cutting back on the $5 Lattes? Turning off your heating and air? Packing a lunch for work rather than eating out?
Those are several ways of increasing your bottom line, but I have a better solution.
MAKE MORE MONEY!
How about going to work tomorrow and getting an IMMEDIATE RAISE, even if you’re the worst employee in the joint! You can! If you know the rules, you can walk into your human resource department tomorrow morning at your job, make a simple, legal and honest adjustment in your with holdings on your W-4, and immediately increase your take home income by $200-$600 a month or more!
Here’s the deal…
Your first day on your job, you filled out a W-4 form. Remember that section that asks about dependents, and how many “deductions” you claim? This tells your employer how much money to withhold from your paycheck to cover your taxes. That money goes to the IRS, and if you’re like most people, you overpaid the IRS last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that, so they have been sending you a tax refund every year. Sound familiar?
All that refund is, is the money you overpaid in taxes. In other words, you gave Uncle Sam a interest free loan throughout the year. Why in the world would we give Uncle Sam an INTEREST FREE LOAN? Why would we give them our hard earned money when in today's economy, we need it more than ever? And remember…IT WAS YOUR MONEY TO BEGIN WITH, not the IRS.
If you don’t know already, it’s vital to understand the major difference between the rich and poor.
The poor and middle class:
1. Work
2. Pay taxes
3. Spend what’s left over
The rich:
1. Work or have money/people at work for them
2. Spend & invest all that they can
3. Pay taxes on what’s left over
Did you get that? Do you see how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? The poor and middle class pay taxes FIRST, on the full amount they earn. The rich pay taxes LAST, after they have had a spending and investing spree.
Get me straight here. This article is not about tax evasion. I am all about paying taxes. I like the nice quality sidewalks for my kids, and nice highways for my stint in a friends Lamborghini. But I’m not about paying one cent more than my fair share.
Disclaimer - I am not a tax professional nor an attorney. I am a college drop-out, and according the man, know nothing and, am not qualified to make any of the above or following statements. I am not giving you specified financial advice, but merely making suggestions, based upon my uneducated and uninformed opinion. Further more, I am not in any way attempting to practice medicine without a license, nor impersonate a police officer or any other professional, licensed, decreed, credentialed or otherwise certified individual. How’s that for a disclaimer? You gotta do that in today's world, or wind up in prison.
HOW TO GET A RAISE… RIGHT NOW!
Educate yourself in regards to the rules of the game
The only reason the rich get richer and the poor get poorer is because the rich know the rules of the game. But, you don’t have to be rich to know, or to learn the rules. I was broke not that long ago, but I have become wealthy because I, as a broke person, learned the rules of the game, applied them consistently over time.
My friend, Ronald Muller, wrote an incredible book on this very topic. It’s How Much You Keep That Counts, Not How Much You Make. This is, in my opinion, the greatest book ever written on the topic. He covers all the “fine print” to make sure that you’re doing right, and teaches you how to legally write off, much that you are already paying for… after taxes. I highly recommend his stuff. So if you want to start playing the game of the rich and begin bringing home an extra $200-$600 or more per month, I would grab the book. But there’s a catch. In addition to buying the book, you’ll need to…
Start a H-ome B-ased B-usiness (HBB)
All the tips in this book are geared for people who own and operate a HBB. If you have one, congrats! If you have one and you don’t have the book, get the book. If you don’t have a HBB, get one, period, and then get the book!
On top of the savings listed above, once you start a HBB, your home phone becomes your company phone. Your home address becomes your business address. You can write off a percentage of your mortgage/rent and your utilities. Your car becomes your company car. Your vacations become business trips. And on, and on, and on.
It’s NUTS to me that every person in this country doesn’t have a HBB. I’ve determined there are only two reasons people don’t have a HBB.
They are simply ignorant (unaware) of the thousands of dollars they are losing every year by not having one
Or, they are just flat out out ignorant
So which are you?
I know if you are reading this article, you either have a HBB or you will shortly. Once you understand the wealth that can be created, just by minimizing your number one expense in life, TAXES, it would be silly to not start your own HBB.
Everyone knows someone who runs a HBB. Most HBB’s allow you to recruit others into the business and have simple turn keys systems that anyone can follow. Perhaps someone sent you this article to help you decide to join them in theirs. Why not? If they took the time and cared enough to get this article in front of you, to educate you and help you succeed, they are probably going to be a great person to work with.
Most HBB opportunities out there are very inexpensive to start, ranging from about $100-$500, some even less than that. And, your investment is a tax write-off (Uncle Sam will pick up the tab).
This is a NO BRAINIER. The book is a tax write off, meaning Uncle Sam will reimburse you the purchase amount. The business you start will be a tax write off, as well as any other related expenses. And as a HBB owner, all or part of the following expenses can be written off…
your home
your cell phone
your home phone
home gas/electric bills
dinners and entertainment
your gasoline
your car and related expenses
“business related” gifts
seminars
books, cd’s and other educational items
vacations, and much, much more
Imagine what you would do with an extra $2,000 on up to $6,000 a year in income? And that doesn’t include the income generated from your HBB. The $2K - $6K represents possible tax savings alone!
If more money would be a blessing to you and your family, what are you waiting for? Get yourself a raise! Order the book, and get back to the person who sent you this article, and learn about their business and see if it’s a good fit. Then, go see your HR person at work and make a little adjustment on your paper work (the book will tell you how), and start bringing home an additional $200-$600 per month, this month!
So again, "what's your plan "B"? How would you make sure that you and your family will have the things that they need, food, clothing, shelter, etc, in our economic times that we are facing now? It's a question that most of us don't really think about, we go to work, do what we are paid to do, go home and do it all again the next day, and the next, we get comfortable in our life style we get a mind set that we are doing alright for ourselves, and so we don't think of the day that we may no longer be employed. We think it only think it happens to the "other" guy, what and how would you explain to your family that this year that they can't take the trip that you have been planning, and that your going to have to do with the car that you were planning to trade in.
It's not that you are a bad employee, or that you don't work hard enough, we all are in the game, someone is always willing to do the same job for less. How many of us have ever considered a job that we can do from our own home, work the hours that you want, and make the money that will be enough for your families life. And the best part, not having to worry about " the day". What are the benefits of working from home, besides what I've stated... well read on..
As the economy gets softer and softer, more and more people are desperately seeking ways to bring home more income. Are you one of millions of Americans who need extra money… right now? If so, what is your plan for getting it? Do you have one? Are you working more hours? Picking up a second job? A third job? Are you cutting back on your expenses? Are you selling things on eBay? Letting go of the second car? Backing down your minutes on your cell phone? Car pooling to work? Cutting back on the $5 Lattes? Turning off your heating and air? Packing a lunch for work rather than eating out?
Those are several ways of increasing your bottom line, but I have a better solution.
MAKE MORE MONEY!
How about going to work tomorrow and getting an IMMEDIATE RAISE, even if you’re the worst employee in the joint! You can! If you know the rules, you can walk into your human resource department tomorrow morning at your job, make a simple, legal and honest adjustment in your with holdings on your W-4, and immediately increase your take home income by $200-$600 a month or more!
Here’s the deal…
Your first day on your job, you filled out a W-4 form. Remember that section that asks about dependents, and how many “deductions” you claim? This tells your employer how much money to withhold from your paycheck to cover your taxes. That money goes to the IRS, and if you’re like most people, you overpaid the IRS last year, and the year before that, and the year before that, and the year before that, so they have been sending you a tax refund every year. Sound familiar?
All that refund is, is the money you overpaid in taxes. In other words, you gave Uncle Sam a interest free loan throughout the year. Why in the world would we give Uncle Sam an INTEREST FREE LOAN? Why would we give them our hard earned money when in today's economy, we need it more than ever? And remember…IT WAS YOUR MONEY TO BEGIN WITH, not the IRS.
If you don’t know already, it’s vital to understand the major difference between the rich and poor.
The poor and middle class:
1. Work
2. Pay taxes
3. Spend what’s left over
The rich:
1. Work or have money/people at work for them
2. Spend & invest all that they can
3. Pay taxes on what’s left over
Did you get that? Do you see how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? The poor and middle class pay taxes FIRST, on the full amount they earn. The rich pay taxes LAST, after they have had a spending and investing spree.
Get me straight here. This article is not about tax evasion. I am all about paying taxes. I like the nice quality sidewalks for my kids, and nice highways for my stint in a friends Lamborghini. But I’m not about paying one cent more than my fair share.
Disclaimer - I am not a tax professional nor an attorney. I am a college drop-out, and according the man, know nothing and, am not qualified to make any of the above or following statements. I am not giving you specified financial advice, but merely making suggestions, based upon my uneducated and uninformed opinion. Further more, I am not in any way attempting to practice medicine without a license, nor impersonate a police officer or any other professional, licensed, decreed, credentialed or otherwise certified individual. How’s that for a disclaimer? You gotta do that in today's world, or wind up in prison.
HOW TO GET A RAISE… RIGHT NOW!
Educate yourself in regards to the rules of the game
The only reason the rich get richer and the poor get poorer is because the rich know the rules of the game. But, you don’t have to be rich to know, or to learn the rules. I was broke not that long ago, but I have become wealthy because I, as a broke person, learned the rules of the game, applied them consistently over time.
My friend, Ronald Muller, wrote an incredible book on this very topic. It’s How Much You Keep That Counts, Not How Much You Make. This is, in my opinion, the greatest book ever written on the topic. He covers all the “fine print” to make sure that you’re doing right, and teaches you how to legally write off, much that you are already paying for… after taxes. I highly recommend his stuff. So if you want to start playing the game of the rich and begin bringing home an extra $200-$600 or more per month, I would grab the book. But there’s a catch. In addition to buying the book, you’ll need to…
Start a H-ome B-ased B-usiness (HBB)
All the tips in this book are geared for people who own and operate a HBB. If you have one, congrats! If you have one and you don’t have the book, get the book. If you don’t have a HBB, get one, period, and then get the book!
On top of the savings listed above, once you start a HBB, your home phone becomes your company phone. Your home address becomes your business address. You can write off a percentage of your mortgage/rent and your utilities. Your car becomes your company car. Your vacations become business trips. And on, and on, and on.
It’s NUTS to me that every person in this country doesn’t have a HBB. I’ve determined there are only two reasons people don’t have a HBB.
They are simply ignorant (unaware) of the thousands of dollars they are losing every year by not having one
Or, they are just flat out out ignorant
So which are you?
I know if you are reading this article, you either have a HBB or you will shortly. Once you understand the wealth that can be created, just by minimizing your number one expense in life, TAXES, it would be silly to not start your own HBB.
Everyone knows someone who runs a HBB. Most HBB’s allow you to recruit others into the business and have simple turn keys systems that anyone can follow. Perhaps someone sent you this article to help you decide to join them in theirs. Why not? If they took the time and cared enough to get this article in front of you, to educate you and help you succeed, they are probably going to be a great person to work with.
Most HBB opportunities out there are very inexpensive to start, ranging from about $100-$500, some even less than that. And, your investment is a tax write-off (Uncle Sam will pick up the tab).
This is a NO BRAINIER. The book is a tax write off, meaning Uncle Sam will reimburse you the purchase amount. The business you start will be a tax write off, as well as any other related expenses. And as a HBB owner, all or part of the following expenses can be written off…
your home
your cell phone
your home phone
home gas/electric bills
dinners and entertainment
your gasoline
your car and related expenses
“business related” gifts
seminars
books, cd’s and other educational items
vacations, and much, much more
Imagine what you would do with an extra $2,000 on up to $6,000 a year in income? And that doesn’t include the income generated from your HBB. The $2K - $6K represents possible tax savings alone!
If more money would be a blessing to you and your family, what are you waiting for? Get yourself a raise! Order the book, and get back to the person who sent you this article, and learn about their business and see if it’s a good fit. Then, go see your HR person at work and make a little adjustment on your paper work (the book will tell you how), and start bringing home an additional $200-$600 per month, this month!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
UPS Scam (this ones good)
This ones good, just reading through it you can clearly see that the person who wrote it has no understanding of the English language..
United Parcel Service Nigeria LTD12 Idowu Taylor StreetVictoria IslandLagos, Nigeria.Office Number: +234-807-596-9177Good day,
CLAIM NOTIFICATION.This is to notify you that your parcel is still in our possession, thisparcel contained an International Cashier Bank Draft/Cheque with your ATMCARD worth the sum of $2 Million dollars only and it is ready for deliveryto your door step. Meanwhile, before the delivery or shipment will takeplace, you are advice to send to us the following dates mentions Below.Fill this Form:Full Name:Contact Address:City:State:Postal Code:Country:And your contact phone number:The above requested informations will enable us deliver your parcelcorrectly without any mistake or delivering your parcel to a wrong person.Furthermore, you might be asking yourself how comes this email, Anyway,your consignment was brought to this office by a Federal Ministry ofFinance, and also we have some consignment from the Lottery FiduciaryAgent Or Claim Agent, signifying that you are a rightful owner of thepackages, which your email address is one of the lucky email address.UPS Courier Service Company mailing you as per your parcel that wasbrought to this company to be delivered to you, along the delivery processthat brought a misunderstanding between you and the sender and in regardsof their request as per their insurance certificate cost and tax with costof delivery fee which happened to be the course of your parcel beingpending for the past months/one year.Meanwhile we are hereby happy to inform you that the UPS Company hasfinalized everything with the icon insurance company of Nigeria and theinternal revenue office as the company has also listed 24 valuableparcelss to be intact in their office after the released of the parcelsfrom the icon insurance company and internal revenue office.We are happy to inform you once again that your parcel that contains thesum of $2 million dollars is among the 24 parcels listed which is now inour office and also with your E-mail as the receiver despite that we lostyour private residential addresses, which is an indication that you cannow re-send your residential address, telephone as stated above back tothe UPS company where your parcel can be delivered to you withouthesitation with this official E-mail: customerservices@europe-ups.com Meanwhile remember that the sender of this parcel to you that the fiduciary agent still owes this company the sum of $150 before incident occurs, note that this company has spend out of their incomes in theprocess by recovery back your parcels dear customer we once againappreciate your patronage in our favor.Without hesitations you are to pay for just the balance left by yoursender since we have lost his contact. via western union so that yourparcel can be delivered to your residential address before it accumulate ademurrage after one week only, as you know your parcel is not just anordinary parcel but with a huge amount and I think you understand what Imean by accumulating a demurrage? Which you will not allow to happen toyour recovery parcel that almost gone if not for the love that the goodGod have for you by favoring you with his favor because it was God who didit not by your power but by the spirit say the lord.We assure you that your parcel will arrive at your country in two daystime and it will get to your door step the third day as soon as thiscompany receive the balance left by your sender and the tracking number ofyour parcel will be sent to you via e-mail immediately so that you cantrack it yourself to see your parcel coming on the way and you will alsoknow when it will arrive at your country because we operate in trust andloyalty in your favor.And also the UPS Courier Service Company is hereby to inform all theircustomers by eradicating all their communication with the scam mails thatare going all-over the world be careful with their e-mails so that yourparcel will not be in danger with their evil planes.UPS provides access to a growing global market place through a network ofsupply chain, transportation, business and related information Services.
PAYMENT INFORMATION OFFICERECIEVERS NAME------ David Xyvanux
SENDERS NAME-------
YOUR NAMESENDERS COUNTRY-----
YOUR ADDRESSRECIEVERS COUNTRY----
LAGOS NIGERIA AFRICA.TEXT QUESTION------------
WHAT FOR?TEXT ANSWER---------------.
DELIVERYAMOUNT TO BE PAID---------$150
MTCN NUMBER......................
Please you have to send the full payment information including the MTCNNumber to our office to fully proceed on your deliveryUPS is one of the world's great success stories, the start-up thatrevolutionized the delivery of packages and information. In the past 30years, we've grown up and grown into a diverse family of companies - UPSthat's bigger, stronger, better than ever.
Call me: Tel: +234-01-735-4265and speak with the MD. Mr. Donald Ray for more info.And you are to reply to this email address only:customerservices@europe-ups.com WAITING TO READ YOUR E-MAIL.YOURS AFFECTIONATLY.MR WILLIAM THOMAS.Private email address: customerservices@europe-ups.com
United Parcel Service Nigeria LTD12 Idowu Taylor StreetVictoria IslandLagos, Nigeria.Office Number: +234-807-596-9177Good day,
CLAIM NOTIFICATION.This is to notify you that your parcel is still in our possession, thisparcel contained an International Cashier Bank Draft/Cheque with your ATMCARD worth the sum of $2 Million dollars only and it is ready for deliveryto your door step. Meanwhile, before the delivery or shipment will takeplace, you are advice to send to us the following dates mentions Below.Fill this Form:Full Name:Contact Address:City:State:Postal Code:Country:And your contact phone number:The above requested informations will enable us deliver your parcelcorrectly without any mistake or delivering your parcel to a wrong person.Furthermore, you might be asking yourself how comes this email, Anyway,your consignment was brought to this office by a Federal Ministry ofFinance, and also we have some consignment from the Lottery FiduciaryAgent Or Claim Agent, signifying that you are a rightful owner of thepackages, which your email address is one of the lucky email address.UPS Courier Service Company mailing you as per your parcel that wasbrought to this company to be delivered to you, along the delivery processthat brought a misunderstanding between you and the sender and in regardsof their request as per their insurance certificate cost and tax with costof delivery fee which happened to be the course of your parcel beingpending for the past months/one year.Meanwhile we are hereby happy to inform you that the UPS Company hasfinalized everything with the icon insurance company of Nigeria and theinternal revenue office as the company has also listed 24 valuableparcelss to be intact in their office after the released of the parcelsfrom the icon insurance company and internal revenue office.We are happy to inform you once again that your parcel that contains thesum of $2 million dollars is among the 24 parcels listed which is now inour office and also with your E-mail as the receiver despite that we lostyour private residential addresses, which is an indication that you cannow re-send your residential address, telephone as stated above back tothe UPS company where your parcel can be delivered to you withouthesitation with this official E-mail: customerservices@europe-ups.com Meanwhile remember that the sender of this parcel to you that the fiduciary agent still owes this company the sum of $150 before incident occurs, note that this company has spend out of their incomes in theprocess by recovery back your parcels dear customer we once againappreciate your patronage in our favor.Without hesitations you are to pay for just the balance left by yoursender since we have lost his contact. via western union so that yourparcel can be delivered to your residential address before it accumulate ademurrage after one week only, as you know your parcel is not just anordinary parcel but with a huge amount and I think you understand what Imean by accumulating a demurrage? Which you will not allow to happen toyour recovery parcel that almost gone if not for the love that the goodGod have for you by favoring you with his favor because it was God who didit not by your power but by the spirit say the lord.We assure you that your parcel will arrive at your country in two daystime and it will get to your door step the third day as soon as thiscompany receive the balance left by your sender and the tracking number ofyour parcel will be sent to you via e-mail immediately so that you cantrack it yourself to see your parcel coming on the way and you will alsoknow when it will arrive at your country because we operate in trust andloyalty in your favor.And also the UPS Courier Service Company is hereby to inform all theircustomers by eradicating all their communication with the scam mails thatare going all-over the world be careful with their e-mails so that yourparcel will not be in danger with their evil planes.UPS provides access to a growing global market place through a network ofsupply chain, transportation, business and related information Services.
PAYMENT INFORMATION OFFICERECIEVERS NAME------ David Xyvanux
SENDERS NAME-------
YOUR NAMESENDERS COUNTRY-----
YOUR ADDRESSRECIEVERS COUNTRY----
LAGOS NIGERIA AFRICA.TEXT QUESTION------------
WHAT FOR?TEXT ANSWER---------------.
DELIVERYAMOUNT TO BE PAID---------$150
MTCN NUMBER......................
Please you have to send the full payment information including the MTCNNumber to our office to fully proceed on your deliveryUPS is one of the world's great success stories, the start-up thatrevolutionized the delivery of packages and information. In the past 30years, we've grown up and grown into a diverse family of companies - UPSthat's bigger, stronger, better than ever.
Call me: Tel: +234-01-735-4265and speak with the MD. Mr. Donald Ray for more info.And you are to reply to this email address only:customerservices@europe-ups.com WAITING TO READ YOUR E-MAIL.YOURS AFFECTIONATLY.MR WILLIAM THOMAS.Private email address: customerservices@europe-ups.com
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