Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Airlines Join the Fight Against Human Trafficking
In an article posted on June 9, 2013 on thePhilaNews.com, four American commercial airlines have partnered with the government to provide special training for their employees to recognize signs of human trafficking in the air and on the ground.
Representatives from Delta AirLines and JetBlue Airways joined the U.S. Transportation Department Secretary, Ray LaHood, and U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection acting Deputy Commissioner, Kevin K. McAleenan, at a press conference in Washington on June 6, 2013 to announce the new association. The other two airlines joining this voluntary partnership are Allegiant Air and North American Airlines.
"We cannot let the American transportation system be an enabler in these criminal acts," said Secretary LaHood, according to a June 6 Transportation Department news release, "With today's announcement, we are sending a message to any would-be traffickers -whether you ravel by land, by rail, or by air, we will be watching you."
According to this news release from the Transportation Department, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collaborated to develop a training program called Blue Lightening Initiative that is available to airlines as part of a DHS Blue Campaign to help them educate their employees on potential indicators of human trafficking and how to identify potential victims.
The article goes on to discuss Blue Lightening in more detail as well as further efforts by the U.S. Department of Transportation to combat human trafficking.
To read the full article, visit the link below.
Airlines, U.S. Agencies Partner to Combat Human Trafficking
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Find a Charity You Can Trust
Charity Navigator, America's leading independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability and Transparency of 6,000 of America's largest charities.
The above testimonial is a description directly from Charity Navigator.
Beware of Charity Scams
As a nation, we are compassionate. Millions of people throughout the country rush to help those in need, whether they are our fellow countrymen or abroad. This is especially prevalent during a natural disaster such as the recent tornado in Oklahoma, Hurricane Sandy last year, or even the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. Human nature compels us to help victims of any kind; and yet, human nature also compels some towards dishonesty and deceitfulness.
A natural disaster is the perfect opportunity for scammers. People are looking to give money away left and right, and all a scammer needs to do is pose as a charity representative interested in raising money to help those affected by destruction. This is not only harmful to you, but to those in need of that monetary support because the scammers are stealing contributions away from legitimate charities who badly need those finances in order to offer any help and support.
It is important especially in times of disaster, to offer sustainance to those who require it. But keep in mind that there are people willing to take advantage of your kindness. So before you donate, consider these points below:
For more information, and to read the full article, please visit Fraud.org - Home
A natural disaster is the perfect opportunity for scammers. People are looking to give money away left and right, and all a scammer needs to do is pose as a charity representative interested in raising money to help those affected by destruction. This is not only harmful to you, but to those in need of that monetary support because the scammers are stealing contributions away from legitimate charities who badly need those finances in order to offer any help and support.
It is important especially in times of disaster, to offer sustainance to those who require it. But keep in mind that there are people willing to take advantage of your kindness. So before you donate, consider these points below:
- If you're approached by an unfamiliar charity, check it out. Most States require charities to register with them and file annual reports showing how they use donations. Ask your state or local consumer protection agency how to get this information. The Better Business Bureau Wise (BBB) Giving Alliance also offers information about national charities. Call 703-276-0100 or go to Give.org
- Ask for written information. Legitimate charities will be happy to provide details about what they do and will never insist that you act immediately.
- Beware of sound-alikes. Some crooks try to fool people by using names that are very similar to those of legitimate, well known charities.
- Ask about the caller's relation to the charity. The caller may be a professional fundraiser, not an employee or a volunteer. Ask what percentage of donations goes to the charity and how much the fundraiser gets.
- Be wary of requests to support police or firefighters. Some fraudulent fundraisers claim that donations will benefit police or firefighters, when in fact little or no money goes to them. Contact your local police or fire department to find out if the claims are true and what percentage of donations, if any, they will receive.
- Be especially cautious after after natural or other disasters. Fraudulent charities take advantage of those situations to trick people who want to aid the victims. If you're not sure whether a charity is legitimate, check it out with your state charities regulator and the BBB before you donate.
For more information, and to read the full article, please visit Fraud.org - Home
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
10 Tips to Avoid Identity Theft During Summer Travel
Enjoy your vacation more knowing your identity is safe!
1. Don't announce your travel plans on social media. “This invites identity thieves to target your house while you’re away.”
2. Place a hold on your mail. “When criminals see an overflowing mailbox, they see an easy way to steal personal information.”
3. Carry only necessities in your wallet when traveling. “Go through your wallet and leave at home your library card and other cards with your name on them.”
4. Set up a travel alert on your credit card accounts, and freeze your credit with the three credit bureaus.
5. Leave your laptop computer at home if you can. “If you must travel with a laptop, update your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. Do not access bank accounts from your laptop while in a hotel room or at a coffee shop or other public location.”
6. While staying at a hotel, lock important documents such as your passport in a safe.
7. Use only ATMs located in banks.
8. Protect your smartphone. “Create a password for access, and use an application with a GPS locator to find your phone if it is lost or stolen.”
9. Don’t put your full name and address on luggage tags. “Include just your last name and phone number.”
10. Tear up and discard used boarding passes. “Many travelers leave boarding passes behind in airplanes or hotels. They often contain full names and other personal information.”
For the full article by Kelsey Owen at Better Business Bureau visit the link below.
10 Tips to Avoid Identity Theft During Summer Travel
1. Don't announce your travel plans on social media. “This invites identity thieves to target your house while you’re away.”
2. Place a hold on your mail. “When criminals see an overflowing mailbox, they see an easy way to steal personal information.”
3. Carry only necessities in your wallet when traveling. “Go through your wallet and leave at home your library card and other cards with your name on them.”
4. Set up a travel alert on your credit card accounts, and freeze your credit with the three credit bureaus.
5. Leave your laptop computer at home if you can. “If you must travel with a laptop, update your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. Do not access bank accounts from your laptop while in a hotel room or at a coffee shop or other public location.”
6. While staying at a hotel, lock important documents such as your passport in a safe.
7. Use only ATMs located in banks.
8. Protect your smartphone. “Create a password for access, and use an application with a GPS locator to find your phone if it is lost or stolen.”
9. Don’t put your full name and address on luggage tags. “Include just your last name and phone number.”
10. Tear up and discard used boarding passes. “Many travelers leave boarding passes behind in airplanes or hotels. They often contain full names and other personal information.”
For the full article by Kelsey Owen at Better Business Bureau visit the link below.
10 Tips to Avoid Identity Theft During Summer Travel
Legislation on Human Trafficking Will Give Minors Immunity from Prosecution
At what age are minors able to make decisions for themeless? Teenagers will surely argue that they always know what is best ; but this question is commonly addressed in a court of law. How old does a child have to be before they fully understand right from wrong? At what point is it acceptable to treat minors as adults when those minors perform acts with a full awareness of what they're doing? And what if they are not?
The link below goes to an article by Kevin O'Hanlon from JournalStar.com about a bill proposed by Nebraska Sen. Amanda McGill which deals with the questions above: Should a minor be prosecuted for prostitution? The bill is designed to protect underaged victims of human trafficking. Being trafficked is no doubt an unspeakably heinous situation for a child, or anyone for that matter, to experience. Sen. McGill's bill offers that any person under the age of 18 shall not be prosecuted for prostitution. The article offers several quote from the senator regarding this subject. According to McGill, experts say" anyone who is a minor who is performing sex acts for money is not doing it by choice. It isn't something that should be prosecuted."
The article also goes on to address that in some cases minors (often older teens) are not forced into prostitution. In those cases, though force may not be present, it is likely that those individuals made that choice based on a number of circumstances. The bill offers an amendment for situations where a minor engages in prostitution without being forced by any other person. Sen. McGill states, "That is incredibly rare. I'm not hearing of any cases like that. The specter is there, but I am not aware of any cases like that." The amendment offers that, in these situations, a juvenile court may have jurisdiction to order treatment.
Fro a full and more detailed account please visit the link below to read the article.
Human-trafficking bill would make minors immune from prostitution charges : Politics
The link below goes to an article by Kevin O'Hanlon from JournalStar.com about a bill proposed by Nebraska Sen. Amanda McGill which deals with the questions above: Should a minor be prosecuted for prostitution? The bill is designed to protect underaged victims of human trafficking. Being trafficked is no doubt an unspeakably heinous situation for a child, or anyone for that matter, to experience. Sen. McGill's bill offers that any person under the age of 18 shall not be prosecuted for prostitution. The article offers several quote from the senator regarding this subject. According to McGill, experts say" anyone who is a minor who is performing sex acts for money is not doing it by choice. It isn't something that should be prosecuted."
The article also goes on to address that in some cases minors (often older teens) are not forced into prostitution. In those cases, though force may not be present, it is likely that those individuals made that choice based on a number of circumstances. The bill offers an amendment for situations where a minor engages in prostitution without being forced by any other person. Sen. McGill states, "That is incredibly rare. I'm not hearing of any cases like that. The specter is there, but I am not aware of any cases like that." The amendment offers that, in these situations, a juvenile court may have jurisdiction to order treatment.
Fro a full and more detailed account please visit the link below to read the article.
Human-trafficking bill would make minors immune from prostitution charges : Politics
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