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WASHINGTON — The House passed a $895 billion measure Wednesday that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. The bill passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. The Pentagon and the surrounding area is seen Jan. 26, 2020, from the air in Washington. Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. People are also reading... Lawmakers said service member pay failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. "No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "This bill goes a long way to fixing that." The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation's borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators wanted to increase defense spending about $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a "tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions in the bill. "We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it," Wicker said. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., speaks with reporters Nov. 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many nondefense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, proved effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. "These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives," Smith said. "And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar service members' children from having access to that." Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted on the ban and said the provision "taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation." Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, "I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates." Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, "and yet, here it is in this bill." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., responds to reporters Dec. 6 during his weekly news conference at the Capitol in Washington. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team did not tell Democrats how to vote on the bill. "There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well," Jeffries said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January. U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors Rising threats from debt collectors against members of the U.S. armed forces are undermining national security, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal watchdog that protects consumer rights. To manage the impact of financial stress on individual performance, the Defense Department dedicates precious resources to improving financial literacy, so service members know the dangers of notorious no-credit-check loans. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Andrew Cohen, the director of financial readiness in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. But debt collectors are gaining ground. Last quarter, debt collection complaints by U.S. military service members increased 24% , and attempts to collect on “debts not owed” surged 40%. Complaints by service members against debt collectors for deceptive practices ballooned from 1,360 in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,833 in the first quarter of 2024. “There’s a connection between the financial readiness and the readiness of a service member to perform their duty,” said Jim Rice, Assistant Director, Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Laws exist to protect the mission readiness of U.S. troops from being compromised by threats and intimidation, but debt collectors appear to be violating them at an alarming pace. “If they’re threatening to call your commander or get your security clearance revoked, that’s illegal,” says Deborah Olvera, financial readiness manager at Wounded Warriors Project, and a military spouse who’s been harassed herself by a collection agency that tried to extort money from her for a debt she didn’t owe. But after she requested the name of the original creditor, she never heard from them again. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities.” —Andrew Cohen, Director of Financial Readiness at the Pentagon Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it’s illegal for debt collectors to threaten to contact your boss or have you arrested because it violates your financial privacy. The FDCPA also prohibits debt collectors from making false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of a debt, even for borrowers with bad credit scores. But according to the data, debt collectors are increasingly ignoring those rules. “Debt collection continues to be one of the top consumer complaint categories,” said a spokesperson at the Federal Trade Commission. The commission released a report earlier this year revealing that consumers were scammed $10 billion in 2023, a new benchmark for fraud losses. In his book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, David Graeber argues that debt often creates a relationship that can feel more oppressive than systems of hierarchy, like slavery or caste systems because it starts by presuming equality between the debtor and the creditor. When the debtor falls into arrears, that equality is then destroyed. This sense of betrayal and the subsequent imbalance of power leads to widespread resentment toward lenders. Most Menacing Loan Messengers Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock The debt collector reportedly harassing military service members most was Resurgent Capital Services, a subsidiary of collection giant Sherman Financial Group. The company tacks on accrued interest and junk fees and tries to collect on debts purchased for pennies on the dollar from cable companies, hospitals, and credit card companies, among others. Sherman Financial Group is run by billionaire Benjamin Navarro, who has a reported net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. Sherman Financial also owns subprime lender Credit One Bank and LVNV Funding, which outsource collections to Resurgent Capital. According to CFPB data, the second worst offender is CL Holdings, the parent company of debt-buyer Jefferson Capital Systems. The company has also been named in numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau for alleged violations of the FDCPA, such as failing to properly validate debts or update credit reports with accurate information. Under the leadership of CEO David Burton, Jefferson Capital Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CompuCredit Corporation, which markets subprime credit cards under the names Aspire, Majestic, and others. The third most referenced debt collector is publicly traded Portfolio Recovery Associates [NASDAQ: PRAA], which was forced to pay $27 million in penalties for making false representations about debts, initiating lawsuits without proper documentation, and other violations. Portfolio Recovery Associates is run by CEO Vikram Atal. Fourth place for alleged worst offender goes to Encore Capital Group [NASDAQ ECPG], which was required to pay $42 million in consumer refunds and a $10 million penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Encore collects under its subsidiary Midland Credit Management Group. These debt collectors all operate under a veritable shell game of company and brand names, almost none of which are disclosed on their websites, sending consumers on a wild goose chase to try and figure out how they’re related to each other. But despite their attempts to hide their tracks behind a smoke screen of subsidiaries, a leopard can’t change its spots, and the CFPB complaint database makes it harder for them to try. Loan Harassment Hotspots Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock Although widely considered a consumer-friendly state, complaints spiked most in California, which saw a 188% increase in complaints filed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. California is home to 157,367 military personnel, making it the most populous state for active-duty service members. The second-largest increase in debt collection complaints was in Texas, which saw a 66% jump from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense reports 111,005 service members stationed in the Lone Star State, which is the third-most populous state for active-duty military. The rising trends do not correlate to the number of military personnel by state. Complaints against debt collectors in Virginia, the second most populous state with 126,145 active duty personnel, decreased by 29% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. And complaints filed quarter-over-quarter in North Carolina, the fifth most populous state with 91,077 military personnel, decreased by 3% in the same period. The third largest percentage increase in debt collection complaints was from service members stationed in Maryland, where alleged harassment reports jumped 112% from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. Maryland ranks number 12 with just 28,059 active duty service members. Fourth place goes to Ohio – the 28th most populous active-duty state – where complaints doubled, followed by Arizona – the 15th most populous military state – where complaints were up 70% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. Billionaire Bets on Bad Credit Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock In 2007, Congress passed the Military Lending Act to cap the cost of credit to a 36% annual percentage rate, inclusive of junk fees and late charges, for active duty military service members. That rate is still considerably higher than average credit card rates, which range from 8% for borrowers with excellent credit scores to as high as 36% for borrowers with bad credit. But lenders still get hauled into court for violating the MLA. Don Hankey, the billionaire subprime auto lender who funded Donald Trump’s $175 million appeal bond , is among those violators. His company, Westlake Financial, which markets high-interest car loans for bad credit, has been sued twice by the Department of Justice for harassing military service members. In 2017, the DoJ alleged Hankey’s Westlake Financial illegally repossessed at least 70 vehicles owned by military service members. Westlake Financial paid $700,000 to settle the charges. In 2022, Westlake Financial paid $250,000 for allegedly cheating U.S. troops out of interest rates they were legally entitled to. Westlake Financial continues to receive complaints from military service members alleging abusive debt collection practices on its no-credit-check loans. A steady year-over-year increase in the number of complaints filed against Westlake Financial continued from 2020 to 2023. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data shows a 13% increase in the number of complaints against the company from 2020 to 2021, a 28% increase from 2021 to 2022, and a torrential 119% surge from 2022 to 2023. The numbers suggest systemic complaint-handling processes and inadequate customer service resources. Lenders Try to Shutter CFPB Photo Credit: Cynthia Shirk / Shutterstock On May 16, 2024, a deceptively named predatory lending industry front group dubbed the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) lost a legal attempt to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In an effort to deprive Americans of essential consumer protections, the lobby group argued that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure was unconstitutional. But the Supreme Court denied its claim. In a 7-2 ruling, the Court held that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure is indeed constitutional. That means the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot be defunded, but it does not mean the agency cannot be defanged. The New York Times suggested that Hankey’s incentive to finance Trump’s $175 million bond could have been a reciprocity pledge to neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election. If Trump wins a second term, he could replace Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Rohit Chopra, an American consumer advocate, with a predatory lending advocate. In 2020, the Trump Administration secured a Supreme Court ruling that made it easier for the president to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The ruling struck down previous restrictions on when a president can fire the bureau’s director. Like other federal agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also been confronted for overstepping its bounds, pushing too far, and acting unfairly against entities it regulates. Holidays, Interest Rates Not to Blame Photo Credit: Lux Blue / Shutterstock Seasonality and rising interest rates do not explain the increase in debt collection complaints from service members. The surge in complaints is not tied to predictable seasonal fluctuations or changes in interest rates. The increase in debt collection complaints by service members may point to underlying systemic issues, such as aggressive and predatory debt collection practices that exploit the unique financial vulnerabilities of service members, who face frequent relocations and deployments. Debt Complaints by Service Members The 24% spike in debt collection complaints exhibits no correlation to fluctuations in interest rates. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Pandemic stimulus checks were also not a factor. COVID-19 relief benefit checks went through three major rounds during the pandemic. The final round of Economic Impact Payments went out in March 2021 . To better understand the rising trend of debt collection complaints, we calculated the increase in the total number of complaints and the percentage increase quarter-over-quarter. For example, New Jersey has the second largest percentage increase in complaints quarter-over-quarter, but the total number of complaints increased by just 16. Methodology The data for this study was sourced from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database. The dataset specifically targeted complaints filed by U.S. military service members, identified using the tag “Servicemember” within Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. Readers can find the detailed research methodology underlying this news story in the accompanying section here . For complete results, see U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors on BadCredit.org . Veteran homelessness is on the rise despite government efforts—here's how it happens Veteran homelessness is on the rise despite government efforts—here's how it happens Homelessness reached record levels in 2023, as rents and home prices continued to rise in most of the U.S. One group was particularly impacted: people who have served in the U.S. military. "This time last year, we knew the nation was facing a deadly public health crisis," Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said in a statement about the 2023 numbers. He said the latest homelessness estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development "confirms the depth of the crisis." At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to HUD. While that's about half of what it was in 2009—when the organization began collecting data—things have plateaued in recent years despite active efforts to get that number to zero. Although they make up just 6.6% of the total homeless population, veterans are more likely to be at risk of homelessness than Americans overall. Of every 10,000 Americans, 20 were experiencing homelessness. Of veterans living in the United States, that number jumps to 22, HUD data shows. Complicated by bureaucracy, family dynamics, and prejudice, the path from serving in the military to homelessness is a long one. According to a 2022 study by Yale School of Medicine researchers, homelessness typically occurs within four years of leaving the military, as veterans must contend with the harsh reality of finding a job in a world where employers struggle to see how skills on the battlefield transfer to a corporate environment. These days, veterans also deal with historically high rent and home prices, which causes many to rely on family generosity while figuring out a game plan. Stacker examined academic studies, analyzed government data, and spoke with members of the Biden administration, experts, and former members of the armed forces to see the struggles members of the military face when leaving the armed forces. Veterans struggle to find a path forward The Department of Veterans Affairs offers transition assistance to the roughly 250,000 service members who leave each year. However, those programs can be burdensome and complex to navigate, especially for those who don't have a plan for post-military life. Only a small portion of veterans have jobs lined up when they leave, according to 2019 Pew Research. Many also choose to live with relatives until they get on their feet, which can be longer than anticipated. Some former service members are unsure what kind of career they'd like to pursue and may have to get further education or training, Carl Castro, director of the Military and Veteran Programs at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, told Stacker. "It takes years for that kind of transition," Castro said. Many have trouble finding a job after leaving the service, even if they are qualified. Some employers carry misconceptions about those who have served. A 2020 analysis from the journal Human Resource Management Review found that some veterans face hiring discrimination due to negative stereotypes that lead hiring managers to write them off as a poor culture fit. Underemployment, or working low-wage jobs below their skill level, is also an issue. While the unemployment rate for veterans was 3% in March 2024, a study released by Penn State at the end of 2023 found three years after leaving the service, 61% of veterans said they were underemployed because of perceived skill mismatches . This phenomenon can have long-term economic effects, and eventually, that frustration can boil over, strain relationships, and potentially lead to housing instability. Working, especially a low-wage job, is not protection against homelessness. A 2021 study from the University of Chicago found half of people living in homeless shelters and 2 in 5 unsheltered people were employed, full or part-time. Some veterans struggle to find homes in their budget High rents make it difficult to save up, even when applying for a VA loan—a mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that typically has more favorable terms. While the VA does not require a downpayment, some lenders, who ultimately provide the loan, do. They're not entirely risk-free either, and veterans can still lose their homes if they are unable to keep up with their mortgages. In November 2023, the VA put a six-month pause on foreclosures when an NPR investigation found thousands of veterans were in danger of losing their homes after a COVID forbearance program ended. Biden officials pointed to high rents and the end of COVID-era housing restrictions like eviction moratoriums to explain the spike in Americans experiencing homelessness. In the last year, homelessness rose 12%—to more than 650,000 people—the highest level since data began being collected in 2007. Overall, more than half of people experiencing homelessness in 2023 live in states with high living costs. Most were in California, followed by New York and Florida. Western states, including Montana and Utah, experienced massive population growth during the pandemic, becoming hubs for remote workers who drove home prices and rents even further. Vets with mental health issues most at risk for homelessness For veterans, housing costs certainly play a role, but those who leave the military also face systemic barriers. "It's worrying there are people that continue to fall through the cracks," said Jeanette Yih Harvie, a research associate at Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Just under a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness have a severe mental illness , according to 2022 HUD survey data. They are also likely to have chronic illnesses but are unable to maintain preventative care, which only exacerbates these problems. Veterans facing homelessness are more likely to have experienced trauma , either before or after joining the military, according to Yale researchers who analyzed the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Childhood trauma was among the most significant commonalities among vets who become homeless. Substance use disorder is also widespread and can indicate an undiagnosed mental illness . Racial and ethnic disparities are at play, too. A 2023 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that Hispanic and Black veterans were more likely to screen positive for PTSD, and Hispanic veterans were more likely to report having suicidal ideation. Overall, access to mental health care has improved in the last decade or so. In December 2023, the VA announced it would open nine additional counseling centers. However, the stigma of getting help remains, especially after years of being conditioned to be self-reliant and pull oneself up by their bootstraps. That help, in the form of public policy, is slowly working to catch up to the need. In 2023, the Biden administration invested millions into research programs and studies on suicide prevention by the VA office in addition to a proposed $16 billion to improve quality and lower-cost mental health care services for veterans. And, in February of this year, HUD and the VA announced they would give up to $14 million in vouchers to public housing agencies for veterans experiencing homelessness. The program would also offer case management and other services. Still, with a culture that pushes people to keep going, it can be challenging for servicemembers to take advantage of these opportunities, Harvie said. "When you've been doing that for the last 15 or 20 years, it's difficult to stop and say, 'I'm the person that needs help.'" Story editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.The Seven Network is thrilled to announce David Woiwod as the new co-host of Australia’s favourite weekend breakfast show, Weekend Sunrise. The seasoned broadcaster returned from the US this week, where he has been based for the past five years as 7NEWS US Bureau Chief. From Saturday, he takes on this new role alongside Monique Wright. A familiar face to Weekend Sunrise viewers, Woiwod was Sunrise’s resident Melbourne reporter for four years prior to his stint in the 7NEWS Los Angeles bureau. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Woiwod said: “Five years on the road as a foreign correspondent covering the world’s biggest events has prepared me for the major stories, early hours and bad coffee that 3am starts demand – I’m excited and ready “In all seriousness, this is a thrilling full circle moment for me. I’m beyond excited to return to the Sunrise family and to keep telling the stories that matter most to Australians. “Mon is the most talented, generous, hilarious and wickedly smart person to work with and I look forward to riding her coattails until the bosses notice. “Aussies lead busy lives, so to be invited into their homes on precious weekend mornings is a privilege not lost on me.” Seven’s Director of Morning Television, Sarah Stinson, said: “We’re delighted to welcome David back to the Sunrise family and can’t wait to begin this exciting new chapter with him at the helm of Weekend Sunrise. “David’s depth of experience, strong work ethic and authentic warmth make him the perfect choice for this role. “He’s a passionate storyteller, he delivers news with integrity, and he has an outrageous sense of humour. Viewers are in for an entertaining ride.” Weekend Sunrise co-host Monique Wright added: “I’ve been a big fan of Woi for years, particularly his ability to move between reporting in a war zone, to covering American politics, natural disasters, interviewing the biggest celebrities on earth and everything in between. “But all of that is insignificant to the awe I felt witnessing his moves on the dance floor at a Sunrise Christmas Party a few years ago. I even think he crowd-surfed at one point. Massive respect. I can’t wait to spend weekends with such a legend.” Hailing from Melbourne, Woiwod is no stranger to the intensity of live reporting having spent two decades covering the biggest stories in Australia and around the world. Woiwod most recently spent two months in Israel during the war and notably faced rocket fire from Hamas while reporting live on air from the Gaza border. As US Bureau Chief, he led 7NEWS’ US Presidential election coverage including the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the history-making Republican National Convention, and Joe Biden’s sensational campaign withdrawal. Woiwod has also been at the scene of America’s biggest tragedies – including school shootings in Texas and Tennessee, as well as deadly US race riots and the devastation caused by hurricanes, wildfires and floods. He gained exclusive access to Cuba’s Guantanamo Bay for the Bali Bomber’s court appearance last year and was also the only Australian journalist on the scene in Canada’s Newfoundland province during the Titan Submersible tragedy. Woiwod reported live from Windsor Castle’s Long Walk during Queen Elizabeth II’s final funeral procession and covered the 2022 Winter Olympics in China under strict COVID isolation. He also led Sunrise’s coverage of New Zealand’s White Island volcanic explosion tragedy in 2019. From Australia’s devastating Black Summer bushfires to Hollywood’s biggest red carpets, Woiwod’s varied work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling often under the most challenging circumstances. With a Master’s Degree in International Relations, Woiwod became a trusted face for 7NEWS Melbourne and later served as Sunrise’s Melbourne reporter. He has also previously worked for The Associated Press and Sky News UK in London. Join David Woiwod for his first edition of Weekend Sunrise this Saturday live from 7.00am on Channel 7 and 7plus.Syria's New Dawn: Sharaa Plots Path to Stability
My mother lived her faith. Her example inspires me to live mine
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Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is cautioning Iowans to be aware of sweepstakes scams after helping a central Iowa couple save more than $16,000 from a scamming attempt. Sweepstakes scams are when scammers use the promise of a prize to get someone’s money or personal information. These scams typically take place over the phone where scammers usually ask individuals to pay money or provide personal and financial account information to receive prize, which is actually nonexistent. Last month, Bird’s office helped the couple after a scammer called the 72-year-old husband, telling him he won a Publishers Clearing House prize of $3.5 million, plus $5,000 a week for life, according to a release put out by the office on Monday. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird speaks during a town hall campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on May 17, 2023, in Ankeny, Iowa. He was instructed to pay $16,340.18 in upfront fees and taxes, leading him to mail a cashier's check to a Miami address provided by the scammer. The man’s wife and daughter learned what happened and contacted their son-in-law, who was at a training for Iowa county attorneys, the release said. The son-in-law spoke with an investigator from the Iowa Attorney General’s office about the scam and they were able to intercept the package and return it to the couple after working with a local postal inspector. “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Bird said in the release. “I am so glad that we saved this Iowa couple their $16,000. Sweepstakes scams are evil and manipulative. And con artists will do everything they can to exploit Iowans’ emotions, like the excitement of hitting the jackpot, in order to steal from you.” Bird encourages Iowans to call her office at 1-888-777-4590 if they or someone they know is suspicious of a sweepstakes scam. Here are ways to spot a sweepstakes scam, according to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office: AARP is warning shoppers about these scam texts seeking personal information such as date of birth, Social Security Number, or account log ins. (Scripps News Baltimore) Financial scams are an unfortunate reality of life for consumers. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadians reported $530.4 million (CND) in financial fraud losses in 2022, a 170.2% increase in just one year. And the situation in the U.S. is even bleaker, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting Americans lost more than $10 billion (USD) from financial fraud in 2023. While some scams are obvious, others can be rather convincing. It doesn't help that scams are constantly evolving, and new types of fraud are invented daily. A quick slip-up, and you could be giving away some of your vital information. To protect yourself, Money.ca shares tips to think like a thief and stay current with the most common scams. While Facebook is a great place to connect with people, it's almost become a prime hunting ground for thieves. One common scam involves fraudsters who set up a group or fan page that looks identical to an authentic brand. For example, it could be an airline or a popular retailer. They'll then advertise a contest where all you need to do is enter your personal information or bank details for your chance to win. As soon as any "brand" starts asking for specific information about you, red flags should be going off. It's okay to give your name and email, but if they're asking for your government ID numbers, bank account, or copies of your ID, it's probably a scam. Note that there are other scams on Facebook, including account cloning, where someone poses as a relative or friend and asks for financial help. There are also romance scams where the end game is getting you to send them money. If something doesn't seem right, don't be afraid to call the brands or your friends in person to see if what they're advertising or asking for is legit. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is seemingly everywhere nowadays, so it's only fitting that AI is now making its way into consumer financial scams. Fraudsters are using AI for a whole host of scams, including deepfakes, a process in which scammers employ AI to create convincing voice clones, making it difficult for victims to distinguish between real and fake emergency situations. But the threat of AI scams also extends to phishing attacks, with fraudsters using AI bots to create sophisticated emails, text messages, and social media accounts. These bots are highly personalized and can bypass traditional spam filters, increasing the likelihood of users falling for the scam. Online shopping scams have become a prevalent issue in today's digital age. Scammers have honed their skills and are now specifically targeting online shoppers, who are particularly vulnerable to fraud. These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers creating fake websites and launching social media campaigns to deceive unsuspecting consumers. What makes these scams even more dangerous is that they often impersonate well-known brands, luring shoppers with unbelievably low prices that are simply too tempting to resist. What makes these scams even more dangerous is that they often impersonate well-known brands, luring shoppers with unbelievably low prices that are simply too tempting to resist. Because of this, it's important to be cautious when encountering too-good-to-be-true offers, especially when shopping online , as they can have devastating financial consequences. Tax scams are a very common form of fraud that prays on a collective fear of the tax man. These scams come in many forms, but follow one basic pattern: Someone claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency or the Internal Revenue Service will call or email and claim you owe back taxes. If you don't pay immediately, you'll be arrested or deported. The claim seems far-fetched, but it targets seniors or new immigrants who may not know any better. You'll know it's a scam when they ask you to pay by gift cards or Bitcoin. They'll also tell you that you'll be arrested or deported right away if you say anything to anyone. Just hang up if you ever get one of these calls. Tax authorities will never call you with aggressive language or threats. They'll also never ask for immediate payment. If you're not sure if a call you received is fraudulent, call the agency directly and ask them if an agent has been trying to contact you. Package delivery scams have become increasingly prevalent in recent times. Individuals are receiving fake messages, supposedly from reputable companies such as Amazon, UPS, FedEx, or the post office, regarding upcoming or missed deliveries. These scams aim to deceive you into clicking on links that direct them to fraudulent sign-in pages or websites infected with malware. It is crucial to remain vigilant and exercise caution when encountering such messages. With the cost of rent rising in many parts of the country, many people are looking to cut back on their living expenses. Thieves know that and are starting to exploit people by putting up fraudulent ads about apartments or rooms for rent on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The price will usually be a touch below market price, which will drive up interest. These listings will look legit as there will be plenty of pictures, but once you reach out, you'll know that it's a scam as they won't do a face-to-face showing. While it's easy for locals to verify if the rental available is real or not, fraudsters target people who don't live in the area, but need affordable housing. Also, note that this scam doesn't apply to just monthly rentals. The same scam has been used for short-term rentals in popular tourist destinations. The fraudster will demand the first and last month's rent via wire or e-transfer. Once you've made the deposit, you'll never hear from them again. To avoid this scam, always view the property in person and verify the person is the owner. The easiest way to do this is to ask to see a property tax bill with their name on it. You could even check with the city's public records to verify ownership. Many job postings online look legit, but are clearly fake. One of the most common job scams involves working from home. Your new employer will send you a cheque. You'll use part of that money to set up your home office. The rest of the money will be sent back to your employer via e-transfer. The cheque will seem legit at first since some of the funds become available right away. However, the cheque will eventually bounce after a week or two. While you could return any items you purchased, there's no chance of recovering the funds you sent via e-transfer. So although you're clearly a victim of fraud, your financial institution won't be returning any money to you. Fraudsters are constantly coming up with new scams, so it's important to take steps to protect yourself. Here are some tips to keep in mind: Remember, being proactive and cautious is key to protecting yourself from financial scams. Stay vigilant and follow these guidelines to safeguard your personal and financial information. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. 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LAS VEGAS — If Texas coach Steve Sarkisian holds aloft the College Football Playoff trophy next month, that will be bad news for BetMGM Sportsbook. It would be similarly disappointing if any of the coaches at Boise State, Indiana or Arizona State end up celebrating a title with confetti falling all around them inside Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Wait, what? Texas has attracted a lot of money all season to go all the way, but those other schools provide the hope of a big payoff. The fifth-seeded Longhorns are the co-favorite at BetMGM with No. 1 and unbeaten Oregon at 7-2 odds; the other three are least 40-1, while Georgia is right behind Oregon and Texas as the next favorite. "These teams get hot and people just want to have a flyer on them," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said. "They don't want to be standing there and not have a ticket on some of these long-shot teams." People are also reading... Expanding the playoff field from four to 12 teams this year meant more betting in general on college football and more varieties of wagering on the postseason. There were meaningful games played in the final month by not only Arizona State, Boise State and Indiana, but also SMU, Army and UNLV — a number of teams not always in the national title conversation. "It's one of the highest handles we've ever had on our national-championship market," Magee said. "We're in more states, for one, but the activity and the betting patterns we're seeing, it definitely feels a lot more than it has in years past." Riding with the Mustangs Magee said BetMGM has received action on both sides of the first-round game between 11th-seeded SMU and sixth-seeded Penn State, but the Mustangs have drawn notable action at DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook. Money on SMU dropped Penn State from a 9-point favorite at DraftKings to 8 1/2. "Any time they've played a real good team, they've had trouble," Johnny Avello, DraftKings race and sports operations director, said of the Nittany Lions. "SMU shows that they're pretty good on both sides of the football and pretty resilient as a team. Always in the game. Always finds ways to fight back." Joey Feazel, who oversees football trading for Caesars, said much of the early betting in general was on underdogs. "Usually, you see the dog money for these teams come late, especially on the sharps' (professional bettors) side," Feazel said. Little love for the Broncos Boise State, which as the third seed has a first-round bye, will be the underdog in its quarterfinal matchup with Penn State or SMU. The Broncos got into the field as the highest-ranked Group of Five champion, but Avello said that doesn't mean they are one of the nation's top 12 teams (they are ranked No. 8 by AP and No. 9 by CFP). Avello said BYU, Colorado and Miami — none of which made the playoff — all would be favored over them. "There are a lot of teams that aren't in the playoffs that would be favored," Avello said. "That's just not the way these playoffs work." Feazel said Boise State not being able to play at home on its blue carpet will be a notable disadvantage. Boise State's quarterfinal game will be at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. "It will be all neutral," Feazel said. "It's a big step up in class for Boise." How's the weather up there? Instead of all the games being played in climate-controlled domes or warm-weather locales — as has been in the case in past postseasons — three of the four first-round matchups will take place in the Northeast and Midwest. While that might not make a difference when Notre Dame hosts in-state foe Indiana, Ohio State will be at home against Tennessee and SMU visits Penn State. BetMGM favors all four home teams by more than a touchdown. "You have to take the weather into account for some of these games," Magee said. "It's going to be really cool to see a team like Tennessee that will have to go up to Columbus, where it can get really cold. SMU has to go from Dallas to Happy Valley. That's definitely going to be one of the coldest games a lot of those kids have played in their lives." Hypothetical matchup SMU was the last team in the field, getting the benefit of the doubt over Alabama. The Mustangs had one fewer defeat than the three-loss Crimson Tide, who did not appear in the SEC title game. SMU lost on a 56-yard field goal to Clemson in the ACC championship. The sportsbook operators said the Tide would be favored by 5-10 points if they met SMU on a neutral field. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Moreno tested positive for Nandrolone, and Crisostomo tested positive for Boldenone and Nandrolone, the commissioner’s office said. A 26-year-old right-hander, Moreno was released by the New York Mets’ Class A Brooklyn Cyclones on Tuesday. He was 5-1 with a 5.33 ERA in 12 relief appearances this season for Brooklyn after spending 2016-23 in the San Francisco Giants organization. Crisostomo, a 24-year-old right-hander, was released by Minnesota on Aug. 24 after going 0-1 with a 7.13 ERA this year with the Florida Complex League Twins. He signed with Boston in 2017, spent 2018 in the Dominican Summer League with the Red Sox, then signed with Minnesota and spent 2023 with the Twins DSL team. Nineteen players have been suspended this year for positive drug tests, including eight under the minor league program and nine under the new program for minor league players assigned outside the United States and Canada. Two players have been suspended this year under the major league drug program. Noelvi Marté , a 22-year-old infielder who is the Cincinnati Reds’ top prospect, missed the first 80 games following a positive test for boldenone. Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martínez was suspended for 80 games on June 23 following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug clomiphene, an announcement made two days after his major league debut . AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
In a way, Giuli was part of Meloni's vision years before she appointed him as a minister. She has long considered him one of the most suitable candidates to carry out a project that she cares about: building right-wing cultural hegemony. When Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano resigned over a sex scandal on Sept. 6, Alessandro Giuli was appointed in his place. Giuli had very little experience in politics, but like Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in his youth, he was a member of a neofascist party called the Italian Social Movement. Soon after her election, Meloni appointed him as the director of MAXXI , an important museum in Rome. When Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano resigned over a sex scandal on Sept. 6, Alessandro Giuli was appointed in his place. Giuli had very little experience in politics, but like Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in his youth, he was a member of a neofascist party called the Italian Social Movement. Soon after her election, Meloni appointed him as the director of MAXXI, an important museum in Rome. In a way, Giuli was part of Meloni's vision years before she appointed him as a minister. She has long considered him one of the most suitable candidates to carry out a project that she cares about: building right-wing cultural hegemony. Cultural hegemony is a concept developed by Italian communist philosopher Antonio Gramsci to explain why the worker's revolution that Karl Marx predicted had not yet happened. He theorized that it was because the ruling class controlled social institutions—from schools to the media—and used them to spread its ideologies, shaping the population's belief system and, thus, its actions. In other words, controlling culture meant controlling political and social outcomes. Meloni is not a communist, but she is convinced that the Italian left has succeeded, since the end of World War II, in dominating cultural institutions, such as the arts and academia, creating a situation which she has... Giorgio GhiglioneRelief, defiance, anger: Families and advocates react to Biden's death row commutations
Daily Post Nigeria EPL: ‘We need help’ – Guardiola Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sport EPL: ‘We need help’ – Guardiola Published on December 29, 2024 By Don Silas Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has urged the club to sign a holding midfielder and centre-back in the January transfer window. Guardiola believes both signings will help rejuvenate Man City. Guardiola’s side finally ended their five-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday. The Cityzens had won just one of their last nine Premier League games before their win over Leicester. Man City are now four points off the Premier League top four. Injuries have also affected City this term, with holding midfielder Rodri unlikely to play again for the Premier League champions this season. Also, centre-back John Stones has played just two out of Man City’s last 13 matches, while centre-back Ruben Dias has also missed the last three games. Speaking to Sky Sports on Sunday, Guardiola said: “Kevin [de Bruyne] is back but we need more in the middle and the back four; we have struggled with full-backs and central defenders. “In some positions, we need help. The squad is good; the problem is we don’t have the squad and that makes everything difficult. When we are all together, we are the team we were but with important players out for weeks and months, it’s so difficult. “I thought central defenders would be fit all season but we have struggled—holding midfield and central defenders. We need help. The market is the market; it’s not easy; it’s expensive so we will see what the club can do.” Related Topics: EPL guardiola Don't Miss EPL: Liverpool open eight-point gap with 5-0 win over West Ham You may like EPL: Liverpool open eight-point gap with 5-0 win over West Ham EPL: We’re far from winning title — Guardiola EPL: ‘It’s a relief’ – Guardiola reacts to Man City’s 2-0 win over Leicester City EPL: They’re total opposite – Maguire compares Amorim with Ten Hag EPL: Fulham boss raves about Iwobi ahead Bournemouth clash EPL: Jody Morris snubs Palmer, names Chelsea’s best player this season Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd
x YouTube Video Listen to our archived episodes: Pandora | LibSyn | YouTube Support the show: Patreon | PayPal: 1x or monthly | Square Cash * David Waldman is here with the Friday KITM, and also somewhere else entirely , all through the magic of “technology”... And, now for our discussion of “cryptocurrency ”: How big a scam is cryptocurrency ? It is so big that Eric Trump promises that his dad will become the most procrypto president in the history of America . Crypto, in fact could be the ultimate pyramid scheme, as it’s multilevel marketing with no levels, just a big pile of cash going to first person who grabs it when the other suckers’ greed makes them hold out too long. It’s perfect, all of the overhead is paid by chumps who believe all the others will be the chumps! Its only possible enemy could be regulation... That would be the Securities and Exchange Commission, who will soon be shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in this establishment . That is, if there were someone to regulate them. It seems that someone just might be the “ Person of the Year ”, recently witnessed sharing the parable of The Poor Woman and the Three Apples to his followers gathered inside of the national Temple of Money Changers. Why would Trump choose the low bar of being this country’s Mao , when he can aim for Ceasar , or higher ? Meanwhile, pity the poor Democrats fighting for President Joe Biden’s legacy . Think of the history Joe could make as the President who finally helped achieve certification for the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution!The Savannah River National Laboratory will soon have a new leader. Who is it?
Rs 25/Dividend, Last Date - November 29; Not Vedanta Or TCS, But This Penny Stock Has Highest Dividend YieldSAN DIEGO, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shareholder rights law firm Robbins LLP is investigating Paycor HCM, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYCR) to determine whether certain Paycor officers and directors violated securities laws and breached fiduciary duties to shareholders. Paycor HCM, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of human capital management solutions for small and medium-sized businesses primarily in the United States. What Now: If you own shares of Paycor HCM, Inc. and have lost money in your investment, contact us for more information about your rights. All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. Contact us to learn more: Aaron Dumas, Jr. (800) 350-6003 adumas@robbinsllp.com Shareholder Information Form About Robbins LLP: A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against Paycor HCM, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
As they get ready to say goodbye to Vera, plenty of viewers have already become thoroughly invested in a brand new drama, with people taking to social; media in shock at the 'big twist' in the show that boasts a cast led by Liar and Downtown Abbey star Joanne Froggatt. Next week will truly be the end an era for ITV , all involved with Vera and the show's legions of fans across the world, when the much loved show, led by Brenda Blethyn, comers to an end after 14 years, with its last ever series kicking off on Wednesday, January 1. Reeling from the announcement earlier this year that it would be coming to an end, Vera fans were then dealt a further blow when it was announced tha t the 14th and final series would consist of just two episodes. That means that the Vera finale is now less than a week away, with the show's two hour conclusion, The Dark Wives, airing just 24 hours after episode one, Inside. And those who are on the look out for another crime drama to fill the void left by Vera, might want to check out ITV's latest crime series - North Shore. While Vera is set very much in the UK, with each one of its series set all over the North East since 2011, North Shore is set right across the other side of the world in Sydney Harbour, with acclaimed actress Joanne, also the star of ITV''s Angela Black, central to the story of a British and Aussie detective duo, who team up to solve a complex murder mystery and uncover a conspiracy with international political consequences, after the death of a UK politician's daughter Down Under. The full boxset of North Shore's first series was released onto streaming service ITVX on Sunday and ir didn't long for viewers to not only tune in, but share their opinions on it over on social media. And it would b fair to say, it's already proven quite a hit, with one impressed fan taking to X after binging it all, to write: "Binged North shore on itv great series and twist at the end would never of thought!! Excellent" Equally impressed by the new drama, a second enthused: "Watching North Shore, Joanne Froggatt is exceptionally beautiful and such a good actress"
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University of Illinois Mourns Loss of Respected Offensive Assistant Coach Dana Dimel at 62
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