Tag Archives: Fraud
Court Orders Credit Repair Operation To Stop False Claims; Family-Run Scam Surrenders Cars, Houses and Real Estate
September 1st, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
A credit repair operation has agreed to stop making false claims and stop charging up-front fees under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement is part of an ongoing crackdown on scams that target financially strapped consumers, in this case taking hundreds of dollars in fees to purportedly remove negative information from consumers’ credit reports even if the information is accurate and timely. The FTC filed the action in “Operation Clean Sweep” in October 2008. The settlement agreement requires that Clean Credit Report Services, Inc., Ricardo A. Miranda, Ruthy Villabona, and their son, Daniel R. Miranda give up two cars, three houses, and six commercial properties in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in Florida, and in Bogota, Colombia. According to the FTC, they told consumers they would help remove all the negative remarks from their credit reports, as well as current debt. Clean Credit often debited $400 from consumers’ bank accounts before receiving a signed contract, and then did little, if anything, to fulfill its promises. See http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/10/opcleansweep.shtm . The settlement order bars Clean Credit and its owners from making misrepresentations about any good or service, such as the ability to improve a consumer’s creditworthiness or remove negative information from a consumer’s credit report. The order also prohibits Clean Credit from charging money up-front for credit repair services, and from collecting payments from consumers who purchased its services before October 22, 2008, when the court froze the defendants’ assets, including their bank accounts. The order further bars the defendants from disclosing, benefitting from, or failing to properly dispose of customer information. In addition, the settlement order imposes a $14.4 million judgment that will be suspended, contingent upon the defendants surrendering their assets, including frozen funds totaling about $165,000 and any proceeds received from selling their six commercial and three residential properties under foreclosure in Florida; commercial property in Bogota, Colombia; a 1992 Mercedes S300; and a 1997 Chevrolet Venture. The full judgment will become due immediately if the defendants are found to have misrepresented their financial condition. The Commission vote to file the stipulated final order was 5-0. The order was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. NOTE: Stipulated court orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the full force of law when signed by the judge. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .
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Court Orders Credit Repair Operation To Stop False Claims; Family-Run Scam Surrenders Cars, Houses and Real Estate
Debt Collectors Beware Federal Court Rules One Party Consent Telephone Recordings Are Okay
August 24th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
Over the last several years there has been an ongoing debate regarding the lawfulness of one party telephone conversation recording, such as recording a debt collector making illegal, abusive and threatening phone calls. To date consumers only had their own state laws one the legality of one-party consent phone calls (only one person being aware or consenting to the recording). The US 2nd circuit
Crackdown on carbon credit scam – Telegraph.co.uk
August 24th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Crackdown on carbon credit scam Telegraph.co.uk Carbon credit trading is to be subject to reverse value-added tax (VAT) charges in a bid to prevent fraud. By Emma Rowley From November, a zero VAT rate put … and more
Auto Warranty Robocaller To Pay $2.3 Million, Sell Mercedes For Consumer Redress
August 23rd, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
Consumer Redress Collected from All Defendants in Robocall Case Totals $3 Million One of the telemarketers who blasted U.S. consumers with millions of illegal auto “warranty” robocalls last year will pay approximately $2.3 million, give up his Mercedes, and be barred from telemarketing, under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission that wraps up the agency’s case against the deceptive operation. In sum, the FTC is collecting nearly $3 million to reimburse victims of the scam. The settlements resolve FTC charges that Damian Kohlfeld and his two firms made millions of illegal prerecorded calls to consumers nationwide in an attempt to deceive them into buying extended auto warranties or service contracts (audio files of these calls can be found on the FTC’s website as a link to this press release). The robocalls misled consumers into thinking that the callers were affiliated with consumers’ car dealerships or manufacturers, and that their auto warranty was expiring or about to expire. Earlier this year, the FTC announced a settlement with two other defendants who helped make the robocalls, under which they have paid more than $655,000. The FTC also announced a settlement in September 2009 with Transcontinental Warranty, Inc, the company that employed the defendants in this case to make the illegal prerecorded calls. (See press release at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/09/twi.shtm .) “Fortunately for American consumers, the telemarketers who were responsible for millions of unsolicited and annoying robocalls will never be able to telemarket again,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. “We’ve also taken away all of their money to provide redress for consumers who were defrauded. This case serves as a clear message: telemarketers who violate the privacy of ordinary Americans will have to pay the price.” According to the FTC’s complaint, Kohlfeld and the Chicago-based firms Voice Foundations, LLC, and Network Foundations, LLC, violated the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry and falsely represented that: the telemarketers were calling from, or affiliated with, the manufacturer or dealer of the consumer’s automobile; the consumer’s original automobile warranty was about to expire; and the telemarketer had specific information about whether the consumer’s vehicle was the subject of a recall. The settlement requires Kohlfeld to pay more than $2.2 million. In addition, he is required to liquidate two investment accounts totaling approximately $130,000 and to sell his 2006 Mercedes. All of the money collected will be used for consumer redress. The settlement order also bans Kohlfeld from telemarketing or assisting others engaged in telemarketing, prevents him from making the misrepresentations alleged in the FTC’s complaint, and bars him from making any misrepresentations related to the sale of any goods or services. The order specifically prohibits him from misrepresenting the cost, use, or effectiveness of any product or service or any of the refund policies associated with any product or services. In addition, Network Foundations will pay $50,000 to be used for consumer redress. Voice Foundations has no assets to pay toward a judgment. If either of the companies later is found to have misrepresented its financial condition, it will be subject to a larger monetary judgment. The Commission vote authorizing the three stipulated final orders settling the court actions against Network Foundations, LLC, Voice Foundations, LLC, and Damian Kohlfeld was 5-0. They were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, on August 19, 2010, and signed by the judge the same day. NOTE: These stipulated final orders are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated final orders requires approval by the court and have the force of law when signed by the judge. Copies of the stipulated final orders are available from the FTC’s website at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.shtm or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm .
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Auto Warranty Robocaller To Pay $2.3 Million, Sell Mercedes For Consumer Redress
A better alternative than the carbon credit scheme – Indianapolis Star
August 7th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
A better alternative than the carbon credit scheme Indianapolis Star The carbon – credit scam in Europe has been at the center of fraud and abuse since its inception. It has enriched an elite few beyond belief on the basis of …
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A better alternative than the carbon credit scheme – Indianapolis Star
Fraudulent green investments should be met with healthy skepticism – San Diego Daily Transcript (subscription)
August 6th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Fraudulent green investments should be met with healthy skepticism San Diego Daily Transcript (subscription) … interest in environmental innovations tied to clean energy, such as wind energy, wave energy, carbon credits and other alternative energy financing. …
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Fraudulent green investments should be met with healthy skepticism – San Diego Daily Transcript (subscription)
The Global Warming Fleecing of American Taxpayers – Canada Free Press
August 5th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
The Global Warming Fleecing of American Taxpayers Canada Free Press “Global warming”, a hoax and a fraud, had nothing whatever to do with climate and everything to do with the creation of a scam called carbon trading. … and more
Dietary Supplement Maker to Pay $5.5 Million to Settle FTC False Advertising Charges
July 15th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
As part of its ongoing efforts to stop bogus health claims, the Federal Trade Commission is requiring a major marketer of dietary supplements to pay $5.5 million to settle charges that it falsely advertised that its supplements could help consumers lose weight and treat or prevent colds and other illnesses. The $5.5 million will be used for refunds to consumers who purchased Accelis, nanoSLIM, and any Cold MD, Germ MD, and Allergy MD product.
More fraud within the clean development mechanism – Environmental Expert (press release)
June 30th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
More fraud within the clean development mechanism Environmental Expert (press release) … incurred by carbon trading. And in February of this year, $4.1 million in offset credits were stolen from six German companies through an phishing scam . … and more
More Fraud Within the Clean Development Mechanism – Triple Pundit
June 28th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
More Fraud Within the Clean Development Mechanism Triple Pundit … incurred by carbon trading. And in February of this year, $4.1 million in offset credits were stolen from six German companies through an phishing scam . …
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More Fraud Within the Clean Development Mechanism – Triple Pundit
Buyers beware: Brigands and organized criminals threaten the global carbon market – Stabroek News
June 27th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.
Buyers beware: Brigands and organized criminals threaten the global carbon market Stabroek News These refer to those frauds/ scams in which con artists and bogus firms sell carbon credits to businesses that need them in order to comply with regulatory …
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Buyers beware: Brigands and organized criminals threaten the global carbon market – Stabroek News
Save $21 on veteran meteorologist’s scorching exposé of global warming fraud – WND.com
June 20th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Save $21 on veteran meteorologist's scorching exposé of global warming fraud WND.com Finally, a highly respected meteorologist breaks ranks with his “global warming” peers and proves the hysteria to restrict carbon -dioxide emissions, …
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Save $21 on veteran meteorologist’s scorching exposé of global warming fraud – WND.com
Pro Se Consumer Gets Default Judgment Vacated Using “Stick It To Sue Happy Debt Collectors” Book
June 18th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
I love reading success stories of consumers that have used my book “ Stick it to Sue Happy Debt Collectors ” to beat debt collection law firms that file lawsuits, but have no actual proof that a debt is owed. In this case a Pro Se consumer that purchased the book used what they learned to have a default judgment vacated. “I just wanted to let you know that we were able to remove a judgment after 6 months using your book helped my confidence and knowledge. After the hearing the lowlife attorney approached me to talk about it and i told him there’s nothing to talk about now but you will be in court where i sue you for fraud, FDCPA, FCRA and other violations. That felt soooo good!” ~ S. Brunelle 6/17/2010 Below is a link to the Motion they filed to get the judgment vacated, note that I have REDACTED personal information of the consumer to protect their privacy. View the Motion (PDF format) Consumers defending themselves can win in court and the book “Stick it to Sue Happy Debt Collectors” **WILL** show you how to do it yourself as a pro se defendant. Consumers don’t have to be afraid on debt collection lawsuits any more. I show you have to stick it right back to the debt collectors and their greedy attorneys that will do anything to get a judgment. Here are what other consumers that bought the book have to say (one is a consumer attorney!): “I knew nothing about any of this and I feel like I’ve gotten quite an education following your book. I’m still learning and don’t understand some of the stuff. But talk about sticking it to them….WOW…. after typing up my Discovery to the Plaintiff. I know why you never had to go any further in any of your cases, you stuck it to them alright ! The most dedicated person would throw in the towel rather then gather all that evidence.” ~Petra K. “Thanks for taking the time to write and publish your book. As a someone who has been studying this issue for quite sometime, I can say without circumlocution that your book is hands down the BEST currently available on the market. Indeed, I recognize much of the research in it having spent countless hours over the past 2 years researching debt collection defense, federal consumer rights statutes such as the FDCPA and the FCRA, the “consumer bibles” available from the National Consumer Law Center, et cetera.” ~ CJ Mandolin “Allen’s book is truly the “Holy Grail” for fighting ruthless debt collectors. Most of the examples in the book can be used as is, or slightly modified for your particular state. It will take a little work on your part, but with internet research and Allen’s guidance, your confidence and ability to fight your way out of a debt burden changes from being on the defensive, taking all the collection blows, to going on the offensive with the information you will need to win. Knowledge is power and Allen’s book is filled with the right knowledge and power. Allen also provides the strategy you need. Once you know how the game is played, you will be more effective. Also he gives an excellent explanation of the examples he uses.” ~ Bob P. “I just got out of court, and thanks to the information we learned in your book, I was able to have the judgment vacated. I am starting from scratch in answering the original summons, and will be employing the tips from your book in my response. Thank you so much for all of the help you have provided.” Best Wishes, Kerri A. “Thanks again for the inspiration to use the real party in interest defense in a motion to dismiss, and for the asset-backed securities info. I do think that some judges will be sympathetic to this. If nothing else, it gives us another issue to turn the tables on the collection agencies after they file their motions for summary judgment. Very good resource for pro-se debtors. Following the instructions in this book should win most creditor lawsuits.” ~ Attorney Brett W. Clark, Niketas & Clark, LLP www.NiketasLaw.com “Thank you, with your book I won my first case now working on the next.” ~ H Dodson “Allen you ROCK!!! Dan and I were saying today just how blessed we feel to have found you and your book!” ~ Charlotte V. “I meant to tell you that I read the book on Friday and it is incredible. I love the motion to dismiss. Powerful and easy to understand.” ~ Barbara www.nextlevelunlimited.net “Hi Allen, I got it downloaded just fine and am finding it astoundingly useful. Gives me some hope that I have a chance to defend my cases. I wish I had come across this book before I filed my answer, but I think I did well enough to keep the pressure on. Thanks again for the help. Much appreciated, and well worth the price.” ~ Rick T. “What can I say – this book instantly saved my life! Mr. Harkleroad is “one of us.” He’s been there, done that, and he knows how hideous it feels to be victimized by aggressive Debt Collectors. He writes with common sense and expertise – a rare combination. After spending hours online trying to come up with my own solution, I took a chance and purchased this book and I am so glad I did. Why shouldn’t I do everything legally possible to protect myself? These are real, practical and proven solutions. Many thanks to Allen Harkleroad for helping to empower hard-working people and level the playing field against the Debt Collecting Goliaths.” ~ J. Silva “One of the invaluable characteristics of a great man or woman is their ability to “discern the times” and provide for what is needed in that season. Truly, Allen possesses that ability! His discernment of the times is vividly displayed in his “RIGHT ON TIME” book, “How to Stick It to Sue Happy Debt Collectors”! This book came to me in one of those “need it now” moments and after devouring the first 50 pages, I sat with jaw dropped at the information contained within these pages. How could so much information be out there without my knowing about it? Why have I felt so defeated as I swam against the tide of Debt? Quoting my favorite author, I will tell you how..”My people are destroyed by lack of knowledge!” Hosea 4:6. As I sat with bills in hand, and the phone ringing off the hook, watching gov’t bail outs of bank after bank, I would often ask myself “who is looking out for the little guy?” I have found him! Allen Harkleroad! The information provided in this book is not simply “he said, she said” second hand information that sounds good on paper. This book contains tried and true step-by-step tactics formed from investigation that would take years for the “common man” to pull together. (And he did!). Allen has implemented this information into his own situations, stood as David against Goliath, and WON!!!
Carbon Offsets Fraud Continues – Energy Collective (blog)
June 15th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
The Low Carbon Economy (blog) Carbon Offsets Fraud Continues Energy Collective (blog) The activists accuse the companies, based largely in China and India, of creating greenhouse gas emissions for the sole purpose of earning credits from … Kyoto Protocol Fraud: Watchdog Group Unearths Carbon Trading Scam Take Part (blog) all 7 news articles
Kyoto Protocol Fraud: Watchdog Group Unearths Carbon Trading Scam – Take Part (blog)
June 14th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Kyoto Protocol Fraud: Watchdog Group Unearths Carbon Trading Scam Take Part (blog) “It's completely unacceptable for the UN to keep issuing an inflated number of bogus credits that create vast profits for carbon trading groups and chemical … and more
Phishing, Bribery and Falsification: Combating the Complexities of Carbon Fraud – Knowledge@Wharton
June 9th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Phishing, Bribery and Falsification: Combating the Complexities of Carbon Fraud Knowledge@Wharton But if cap and trade is poorly managed, it results in a lot of sound and fury — including potential for fraud — but little actual climate benefit. …
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Phishing, Bribery and Falsification: Combating the Complexities of Carbon Fraud – Knowledge@Wharton
Bank of America / Countrywide Will Pay $108 Million for Overcharging Struggling Homeowners; Loan Servicer Inflated Fees and Mishandled Loans
June 7th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud. No Comments.
Two Countrywide mortgage servicing companies will pay $108 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they collected excessive fees from cash-strapped borrowers who were struggling to keep their homes. The $108 million represents one of the largest judgments imposed in an FTC case, and the largest mortgage servicing case. It will be used to reimburse overcharged homeowners whose loans were serviced by Countrywide before it was acquired by Bank of America in July 2008. “Life is hard enough for homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgage. To have a major loan servicer like Countrywide piling on illegal and excessive fees is indefensible,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. “We’re very pleased that homeowners will be reimbursed as a result of our settlement.” According to the complaint filed by the FTC, Countrywide’s loan-servicing operation deceived homeowners who were behind on their mortgage payments into paying inflated fees – fees that could add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Many of the homeowners had taken out loans originated or funded by Countrywide’s lending arm, including subprime or “nontraditional” mortgages such as payment option adjustable rate mortgages, interest-only mortgages, and loans made with little or no income or asset documentation, the complaint states. Mortgage servicers are responsible for the day-to-day management of homeowners’ mortgage loans, including collecting and crediting monthly loan payments. Homeowners cannot choose their mortgage servicer. In March 2008, before being acquired by Bank of America, Countrywide was ranked as the top mortgage servicer in the United States, with a balance of more than $1.4 trillion in its servicing portfolio. When homeowners fell behind on their payments and were in default on their loans, Countrywide ordered property inspections, lawn mowing, and other services meant to protect the lender’s interest in the property, according to the FTC complaint. But rather than simply hire third-party vendors to perform the services, Countrywide created subsidiaries to hire the vendors. The subsidiaries marked up the price of the services charged by the vendors – often by 100% or more – and Countrywide then charged the homeowners the marked-up fees. The complaint alleges that the company’s strategy was to increase profits from default-related service fees in bad economic times. As a result, even as the mortgage market collapsed and more homeowners fell into delinquency, Countrywide earned substantial profits by funneling default-related services through subsidiaries that it created solely to generate revenue. According to the FTC, under most mortgage contracts, homeowners must pay for necessary default-related services, but mortgage servicers may not mark up the cost to make a profit or charge homeowners for services that are not reasonable or appropriate to protect the mortgage holder’s interest in the property. Homeowners do not have any choice in who performs default-related services or the cost of those services, and they have no option to shop for those services. In addition, in servicing loans for borrowers trying to save their homes in Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, the complaint charges that Countrywide made false or unsupported claims to borrowers about amounts owed or the status of their loans. Countrywide also failed to tell borrowers in bankruptcy when new fees and escrow charges were being added to their loan accounts. The FTC alleges that after the bankruptcy case closed and borrowers no longer had bankruptcy court protection, Countrywide unfairly tried to collect those amounts, including in some cases via foreclosure. Settlement Terms The FTC’s complaint and settlement order name two mortgage servicers as defendants: Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. and BAC Home Loans Servicing LP, formerly doing business as Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP. The settlement requires Countrywide to pay $108 million, which will be refunded to homeowners who Countrywide overcharged before July 2008. In addition, the settlement order prohibits Countrywide from taking advantage of borrowers who have fallen behind on their payments. The defendants continue to service millions of mortgage loans, including tens of thousands of loans involving borrowers in bankruptcy and foreclosure. In the servicing of loans, the defendants are permanently barred from: Making false or unsubstantiated representations about loan accounts, such as amounts owed. Charging any fee for a service unless it is authorized by the loan instruments, by law, or by the consumer for a specific service requested by the consumer. Charging any fee for a default-related service unless it is a reasonable fee charged by a third party for work actually performed. If the service is provided by an affiliate of a defendant, the fee must be within limits set by state law, investor guidelines, and market rates. Defendants must obtain annual, independent market reviews of their affiliates’ fees to ensure that they are not excessive. In addition, Countrywide must advise consumers if it intends to use affiliates for default-related services and, if so, provide a fee schedule of the amounts charged by the affiliates. The settlement also requires Countrywide to make significant changes to its bankruptcy servicing practices. For example, Countrywide must send borrowers in Chapter 13 bankruptcy a monthly notice with information about what amounts the borrower owes – including any fees assessed during the prior month. The defendants also must implement a data integrity program to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data they use to service loans in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This case was brought with the invaluable assistance of the United States Trustee Program, the component of the Department of Justice that oversees the administration of bankruptcy cases and private trustees. This action represents the FTC’s continuing work to help consumers who have been hurt by the economic downturn. For more information about the case and the FTC’s refund program, see www.ftc.gov/countrywide . The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the complaint and settlement was 5-0. The complaint and settlement were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The Federal Trade Commission is a member of the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. For more information on the Task Force, visit www.stopfraud.gov . NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendants have actually violated the law. Stipulated court orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the full force of law when signed by the judge. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .
The euro crisis is a judgment on the great lie of ‘Europe’ – Telegraph.co.uk
May 22nd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Telegraph.co.uk The euro crisis is a judgment on the great lie of 'Europe' Telegraph.co.uk The extent of the carbon dioxide fraud is difficult to comprehend. It is gifting money to the East from the West that can ill afford it (US is in hock to … and more
Notorious Rogue Internet Service Provider Permanently Shut Down
May 20th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
3FN Service Specialized in Hosting Spam-Spewing Botnets, Phishing Websites, Child Pornography, and Other Illegal, Malicious Web Content At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a district court judge has permanently shut down a rogue Internet Service Provider that recruited, hosted, and actively participated in the distribution of spam, spyware, child pornography, and other malicious and illegal content. The ISP’s computer servers and other assets have been seized and will be sold by a court-appointed receiver, and the operation has been ordered to turn over $1.08 million in ill-gotten gains to the FTC. In June 2009, the FTC charged that 3FN, which does business under a variety of names, actively recruited and colluded with criminals to distribute harmful electronic content including spyware, viruses, trojan horses, phishing schemes, botnet command-and-control servers, and pornography featuring children, violence, bestiality, and incest. The FTC alleged that the defendant advertised its services in the darkest corners of the Internet, including a chat room for spammers. The FTC complaint alleged that 3FN actively shielded its criminal clientele by either ignoring take-down requests issued by the online security community, or shifting its criminal elements to other Internet protocol addresses it controlled to evade detection. The FTC also alleged that 3FN deployed and operated botnets – large networks of computers that have been compromised and enslaved by the originator of the botnet, known as a “bot herder.” Botnets can be used for a variety of illicit purposes, including sending spam and launching denial-of- service attacks. According to the FTC, the defendant recruited bot herders and hosted the command-and-control servers – the computers that relay commands from the bot herders to the compromised computers known as “zombie drones.” Transcripts of instant-message logs filed with the district court show the defendants’ senior employees discussing the configuration of botnets with bot herders. And, in filings with the district court, the FTC alleged that more than 4,500 malicious software programs were controlled by command-and-control servers hosted by 3FN. This malware included programs capable of keystroke logging, password stealing, and data theft, programs with hidden backdoor remote control activity, and programs involved in spam distribution. The FTC charged that 3FN’s distribution of illegal, malicious, and harmful content and deployment of botnets that compromised thousands of computers, harmed consumers and was an unfair practice, in violation of federal law. On June 15, 2009 the court issued a preliminary injunction to prohibit 3FN’s illegal activities and require its upstream Internet providers and data centers to stop providing services to 3FN. The court has now ordered a permanent bar on the illegal activities of 3FN and its agents and has appointed a receiver and instructed him to liquidate the operation’s assets. The defendants named in the FTC’s complaint are Pricewert LLC, also doing business as 3FN.net, Triple Fiber Network, APS Telecom, APX Telecom, APS Communications, and APS Communication. This case was brought with the invaluable assistance of NASA’s Office of Inspector General, Computer Crime Division; Gary Warner, Director of Research in Computer Forensics, University of Alabama at Birmingham; The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; The Shadowserver Foundation; Symantec Corporation; and The Spamhaus Project. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .
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Notorious Rogue Internet Service Provider Permanently Shut Down
Being unemployed
May 16th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Unemployment. No Comments.
Few thoughts about the individuality of all of us in regards employment and unemployment.
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Being unemployed
Used carbon credit seller named, deals revealed – Forexyard
May 14th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Used carbon credit seller named, deals revealed Forexyard This is the latest in a string of events involving carbon trading, which also include tax fraud and an email phishing scam , that has dented the reputation … and more
Scots accountant held in £156m fraud probe after customs swoop – Scottish Daily Record
May 9th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Scots accountant held in £156m fraud probe after customs swoop Scottish Daily Record The German-led probe is into suspected cross-border fraudulent trading of carbon credits and involves $239million – around £156million – of VAT fraud. …
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Scots accountant held in £156m fraud probe after customs swoop – Scottish Daily Record
Carbon credit traders in EU raided by anti-fraud investigators – American Thinker (blog)
May 5th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Carbon credit traders in EU raided by anti-fraud investigators American Thinker (blog) Prosecutors do not yet see the warmist panic and its financial scam carbon credits as a fraud designed to enrich Al Gore, Goldman Sachs, and all of Obama's …
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Carbon credit traders in EU raided by anti-fraud investigators – American Thinker (blog)
The $10 Trillion Climate Fraud – Before It’s News
May 5th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
The Cypress Times The $10 Trillion Climate Fraud Before It’s News This article from Investors Daily talks about the Cap and Trade scheme and how it will make people like Al Gore wealthy beyond belief. … BARACK OBAMA, AL GORE, GOLDMAN SACHS, AND THE GREATEST SWINDLE IN HUMAN HISTORY The Cypress Times all 2 news articles
EU Emitters Face Deadline as CO2 Rises Above Recession, Fraud – BusinessWeek
April 29th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
EU Emitters Face Deadline as CO2 Rises Above Recession, Fraud BusinessWeek Carbon-dioxide discharges in the EU fell 11 percent to 1.69 billion metric tons in 2009, the biggest decline since the bloc started its cap-and-trade … and more
Carbon trading no cure-all: Detractors cite lack of enforcement, fraud potential – Probe International
April 26th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Carbon trading no cure-all: Detractors cite lack of enforcement, fraud potential Probe International Carbon trading, also known as carbon offsetting or a cap-and-trade system, allows companies and governments that produce a lot of carbon dioxide to mitigate … and more
General Election 2010: Britain’s silent, green revolution – Telegraph.co.uk
April 23rd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Telegraph.co.uk General Election 2010: Britain's silent, green revolution Telegraph.co.uk When it comes to carbon trading it will be the new bonanza in theft and fraud. We pay politicians to steal with any and all new inventions. … and more
Industrial Wind and the Wall Street Cap and Trade Fraud Part 1 – NewsByUs
April 23rd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Industrial Wind and the Wall Street Cap and Trade Fraud Part 1 NewsByUs Schemes to leverage risk and cheat the public are mainstays of the mad “ Cap and Trade ” stratagem, in the ongoing war, against genuine free enterprise. … and more
Carbon permit spot trade should be regulated: BarCap – Chem.Info
April 20th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Carbon permit spot trade should be regulated: BarCap Chem.Info A phishing scam followed in February, when online fraudsters targeted the market to steal emissions permits from companies and sell them illegally. … and more
Industrial Wind and the Wall Street Cap and Trade Fraud Part 1 – American Daily
April 19th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Industrial Wind and the Wall Street Cap and Trade Fraud Part 1 American Daily Schemes to leverage risk and cheat the public are mainstays of the mad “ Cap and Trade ” stratagem, in the ongoing war, against genuine free enterprise. … and more
Check receipts to protect debit card from fraud – Seacoastonline.com
April 18th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Check receipts to protect debit card from fraud Seacoastonline.com At the grocery store, I usually pay by credit card or debit card. From multiple sources, I recently learned about a “cash back scam . …
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Check receipts to protect debit card from fraud – Seacoastonline.com
Helping Hands of Hope Telemarketers Barred from Falsely Telling Consumers That Proceeds from the Sale of Household Goods Will Benefit Charities or the Disabled
April 9th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
Complaint Brought as Part of 2008′s “Operation Tele-Phoney” Law Enforcement Sweep An Arizona-based telemarketing operation that identified itself as “Helping Hands of Hope” has settled charges that it conned consumers into buying household items such as light bulbs and trash bags that were priced substantially higher than at retail, by falsely promising the proceeds would benefit charities or the disabled. The defendants will be permanently barred from such fraudulent conduct and from calling consumers who have asked not to be called. According to the FTC’s complaint, filed in May 2008 as part of the “Operation Tele-Phoney” multi-agency law enforcement sweep against telemarketing fraud, the Helping Hands of Hope defendants used telemarketing to target consumers nationwide, including many who were elderly. In addition to making false promises, Helping Hands’ telemarketers harassed consumers who resisted buying products, sent consumers products they never ordered, and then claimed that they had, in fact, ordered them, the complaint alleged. Finally, the FTC charged that Helping Hands’ telemarketers violated the National Do Not Call Registry rules by calling consumers even after they had asked not to be called again. The court order settles the FTC’s charges against Helping Hands of Hope, Inc.; U.S. Blind Services, Inc.; Employment Opportunities of America, Inc.; Third Strike Employment, Inc.; and Robyn Mayhan. It prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting, or assisting anyone else in misrepresenting, that: a consumer’s purchase will benefit handicapped or disabled people; anyone working for the companies is handicapped or disabled; any of the companies’ products are made or packaged by the handicapped or disabled; or that any company operates a charitable organization. The order also bars the defendants from mailing or billing consumer for any merchandise they did not order. Further, Helping Hands and the other defendants are prohibited from violating the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule, including calling any number that is on the National Do Not Call Registry, calling consumers who have asked not to be called again, and failing to pay the annual fee required to access the Registry. Finally, the order imposes a judgment of $26.3 million against all of the defendants. The corporate defendants will turn over assets worth more than $60,000 in partial satisfaction of the judgment. The judgment against Mayhan, the companies’ president, has been suspended based on her inability to pay. She will have to pay the full amount if she is later found to have misrepresented her financial condition. The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file agreed-upon final order in consent of the court action was 4-0. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, on April 1, 2010, and entered by the Court on April 6, 2010. NOTE: This stipulated final order is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation. A stipulated final order requires approval by the court and has the force of law when signed by the judge. Copies of the stipulated final order are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.shtm or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm .
Firms Warns Of Carbon Credit Trading Pitfalls – Voxy
April 5th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Firms Warns Of Carbon Credit Trading Pitfalls Voxy Earlier this year around 250000 carbon credits were reported to have been stolen in a “phishing” scam in Europe. Bogus emails sent by fraudsters warned of a …
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Firms Warns Of Carbon Credit Trading Pitfalls – Voxy
Enjoy government control? Vote for liberals – Norwich Bulletin
April 3rd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Enjoy government control? Vote for liberals Norwich Bulletin … TARP, ACORN, ACLU, cap & trade , stimulus, VAT tax; health care reform that does not include fraud or TORT provisions and local spend, spend, …
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Enjoy government control? Vote for liberals – Norwich Bulletin
New Jersey-Based Telephone Fundraisers Banned from Soliciting Donations; Will Pay $18.8 Million for Violating FTC Order
April 3rd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
Defendants Deceived Consumers into Believing All Donations Would Help Local Police, Firefighters, Veterans The operators of a New Jersey-based telemarketing scheme will pay a record $18.8 million and leave the charitable donation business to settle charges that they violated a Federal Trade Commission order by misleading consumers to believe that they were donating directly to legitimate charities serving police, firefighters, and veterans, when in fact only a small slice of the donations actually went to these charities. The civil penalty against Civic Development Group, LLC; CDG Management LLC; and owners Scott Pasch and David Keezer is the largest ever in an FTC consumer protection case.
Destroying America With The EPA’s Carbon Lies – Eurasia Review
April 1st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Destroying America With The EPA's Carbon Lies Eurasia Review Finally, the Cap-and-Trade Act awaiting a vote in the Senate is based on the global warming fraud and, if enacted, would impose massive taxation on all … and more
EU capped carbon emissions drop sharply in 2009-UPDATE 3 – Forexyard
April 1st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
New York Times (blog) EU capped carbon emissions drop sharply in 2009-UPDATE 3 Forexyard … controversies including tax fraud and re-selling of used permits have damaged the reputation of the EU carbon market, as similar proposed cap and trade … EU to release 2009 emissions trade data Thursday-UPDATE 1 Forexyard all 80 news articles
Spain latest to crack down on carbon fraudsters – Business Green
April 1st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Spain latest to crack down on carbon fraudsters Business Green Carousel fraud occurs when goods, in this case greenhouse gas emissions credits – known as EUAs – are bought and imported tax-free from other EU countries, …
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Spain latest to crack down on carbon fraudsters – Business Green
EU to release 2009 emissions trade data Thursday-UPDATE 1 – Forexyard
April 1st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
New York Times (blog) EU to release 2009 emissions trade data Thursday-UPDATE 1 Forexyard … tax fraud scam and re-selling of used permits have damaged its reputation, just as similar proposed cap and trade schemes stall in the United States, … EU capped CO2 emissions fall 11.2 percent in 2009 Chem.Info all 63 news articles
‘Lying, cheating, defrauding taxpayer are all OK’ announces panel of MPs – Telegraph.co.uk (blog)
March 31st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
'Lying, cheating, defrauding taxpayer are all OK' announces panel of MPs Telegraph.co.uk (blog) … before we all sign up massive cap and trade scheme, which will cost billions if not trillions, and has already been shown to be open to corruption? …
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‘Lying, cheating, defrauding taxpayer are all OK’ announces panel of MPs – Telegraph.co.uk (blog)
Direct Marketing Associates Corp Settles FTC Charges; Falsely Told Consumers They Were Pre-Approved for Auto Loans
March 30th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
A marketing company that solicits prospective customers for automobile dealers has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it falsely told low-income and “credit-challenged” consumers that they were pre-approved for auto loans and improperly obtained their names from a consumer reporting agency. According to the FTC, the company prepared sales solicitations for automobile dealers telling consumers that a specific finance company would lend them money to buy a car, but the finance companies featured in the ads lacked business licenses and didn’t actually make any loans. The marketing company obtained lists of consumers from a credit reporting agency by falsely representing that the lists would be used to make prescreened firm offers of credit to consumers. The settlement order bars the company and its principal from telling consumers they are pre-approved for, or are likely to receive, an extension of credit or financing unless the defendants know that a lender can make good on the offer for all eligible customers. The order also prohibits the defendants from obtaining credit reports from consumer reporting agencies without a purpose authorized by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The order imposes a $157,000 civil penalty that is suspended based on the defendants’ inability to pay. The full judgment will be imposed if they are found to have misrepresented their financial condition. The defendants are Direct Marketing Associates Corp. and its president and owner, John M. Rainey, Jr. The Commission vote to authorize staff to refer the complaint and proposed stipulated final order to the Department of Justice for filing was 4-0. The documents were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Phoenix Division. NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. A complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendants have actually violated the law. Stipulated court orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the full force of law when signed by the judge. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .
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Direct Marketing Associates Corp Settles FTC Charges; Falsely Told Consumers They Were Pre-Approved for Auto Loans
Spain police arrest nine in CO2 tax probe – Reuters UK
March 30th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Spain police arrest nine in CO2 tax probe Reuters UK … in tax linked to trading in carbon credits . The arrests came after Spanish police announced last week they were investigating alleged tax fraud , … and more
Debt-settlement fraud rising with lack of regulation – Washington Post
March 27th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Debt-settlement fraud rising with lack of regulation Washington Post The Maryland General Assembly is considering a bill that would cap the firms' fees, which are often paid before they make a single call to a creditor. … and more
One take on the carbon credit trading system – Manitoban
March 27th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
One take on the carbon credit trading system Manitoban … benefit of the carbon credit system will be lost to the many sources that will take a cut, and some of the carbon credit will also be lost to fraud . …
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One take on the carbon credit trading system – Manitoban
Mainstream Media Ignores Climategate – Canada Free Press
March 26th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Mainstream Media Ignores Climategate Canada Free Press In the same way they are studiously avoiding the full story of the collapse of the “global warming” fraud , they will continue to propagandize Cap-and-Trade … and more
What a Bunch of Krupp-ola – American Spectator (blog)
March 26th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
What a Bunch of Krupp-ola American Spectator (blog) … and Climategate had nothing to do with it? The fraud behind global warming extends in every direction, and has not let up. And cap-and-trade is not dead.
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What a Bunch of Krupp-ola – American Spectator (blog)
Carbon market will bounce back from recycled CER scandal, say brokers – Risk.net
March 25th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Carbon market will bounce back from recycled CER scandal, say brokers Risk.net This scandal follows incidents of value-added tax fraud across the European carbon markets over the past 18 months, which have damaged the reputation of the … Europe's Cap-and-Trade Lesson Wall Street Journal all 4 news articles
Europe’s Rise Is Held Down By Portugal’s Downgrade – Wall Street Journal
March 24th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Europe's Rise Is Held Down By Portugal's Downgrade Wall Street Journal The UK Serious Fraud Office arrested three British directors of the French engineering group on allegations over bribery, money laundering and false … and more
Andrew McKillop // Low hope for low carbon – VHeadline.com
March 22nd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Andrew McKillop // Low hope for low carbon VHeadline.com Rising hype on global warming soon overshot into stratospheric data fraud by UN credible (that is IN credible) high level experts on climate change, … and more
Megan McArdle on the final health-care vote and why she opposes reform – Washington Post
March 21st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams. No Comments.
Megan McArdle on the final health-care vote and why she opposes reform Washington Post If health insurers can't get rid of you for fraud on your application, the temptation is obviously simply to wait until you get sick, and then lie to your …
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Megan McArdle on the final health-care vote and why she opposes reform – Washington Post