Cons by fake debt relief corporations still rampant

Over the past few years, some may have observed a greater number of advertising campaigns and other marketing associated with debt reduction or debt settlement businesses. Many of these corporations are on the level and are trustworthy. However, some of them are frauds. Several debt reduction corporations still try to evade the laws concerning debt services.

Regulation in the Federal Trade Commission ignored

The Federal Trade Commission started some new rules up over half a year ago to stop fake debt settlement and debt settlement businesses from stealing from individuals. KNDU, an NBC affiliate in Washington state, explained that debt servicing companies aren’t allowed to ask for a fee in advance, must give upfront information and are not allowed to misrepresent themselves. The upfront fees on the service and what a person can save both have to be told to the person. This is upfront information. Companies aren’t following the laws right now.

Settlement for large business made

Laws for debt services weren’t being followed by Freedom Debt Relief. This is what the states of New York and Washington discovered in a sting, WalletPop explains. Customers in those states were misled by the California firm. The business agreed to a settlement of nearly $2 million to be paid to its consumers in both states. The company is dealing with a class action lawsuit right now. It also made comparable settlements with four other states. The Federal Trade Commission, according to the Wall Street Journal, recently won large settlements against two debt management corporations illegally “robocalling” consumers with automated phone messages. The two businesses promised reduced debt for a hefty fee when robocalling individuals. These companies were Dynamic Financial Group and Advanced Management Services NW. Advanced Management Services offered a refund if efforts were unsuccessful, but both companies would just pocket the cash and send a card tell! ing customers to pay charge card bills on time.

Go back to an old saying

The old maxim that “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is” holds true when it comes to debt settlement businesses. Any business that states it will take bad things off your credit for “pennies on the dollar” is a scam, according to both the Federal Deposit Insurance Business and Federal Trade Commission. Also, it is illegal for any debt settlement or debt reduction company to ask for any money whatsoever until after the debt is reduced or somehow changed. Consumers can get a debt reduction plan from nonprofit debt counselors too. According to the FDIC, do not go straight for the for-profit debt reduction services. Try the not-for-profit credit counseling first. For instance, check with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling to discover qualified financial advisers in the area.

Articles cited

Walletpop

walletpop.com/2011/03/08/freedom-debt-relief-agrees-to-pay-back-consumers-after-accusatio/

KNDUO/p>

kndo.com/story/14696586/how-new-federal-debt-relief-rules-protect-consumers

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110526-711657.html

FDIC

fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnfall10/debtoverload.html

FTC

ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/moneymatters/dealing-with-debt-relief-services.shtml

NFCC

nfcc.org/

California female detained with trashcan with limbs

A California female was imprisoned Sunday for supposedly pushing a giant trash can with dead and torn apart human body parts down a residential road. She was booked on suspicion of homicide, and is still uncooperative, law enforcement says.

The woman was found

The container was being pushed by 51 year old Carmen Montenegro in San Bernardino, California. She was found at 2:30 in the afternoon moving it. There were residents that either saw or smelled the trash and contents and called the police.

Reporters spoke with Ontario Law enforcement Detective Jeff Crittendon who said “Officers stopped her leaving the location and in the trash can we found human remains.”

Just one male killed

Even though the cause of death was not yet determined, the law enforcement think the parts all belong to one man. According to Crittendon, “I can’t comment on the condition of the body because I am not sure of the exact extent of the injuries. I do know that it was dismembered. It appears to be a homicide.” Then, Crittendon said Montenegro “had evidence on her that seemed to be consistent that she was involved with disposal of the body.”

Finding a hold in her lawn

They think that Montenegro may have found the remains from a former resident in the yard. She was arrested about 200 yards from the property. After the arrest, police investigated the property and found a hole which had been dug in the lawn.

Suspect lived in house on and off

Either Montenegro’s cousin or mother owned the home, according to local residents, and Montenegro was in the home living for 15 years on and off.

More of an investigation

The police try to determine who the victim is. They’re working on it. The investigators were checking out the property Monday. Body fluids were supposedly found.

Right now she is in Montenegro is in Rancho Cucamonga, California. She has not been cooperative with the investigation.

Information from

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43223519/ns/us_news-weird_news/

NY Daily News

nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/05/31/2011-05-31_california_woman_spotted_pushing_trashcan_of_human_body_parts_down_the_street_ar.html

Huffington Post

weirdnews.aol.com/2011/05/31/carmen-montenegro-dismemb_n_869203.html#s284153&title=Dumb_Crime_Masterminds

A regular service for Call of Duty is all anyone wants

The “Call of Duty” has sounded yet again for online multiplayer FPS enthusiasts, but does that indicate they’ll spend more for the “Elite” game? “Call of Duty: Elite” is ramping up for summer customer beta testing. Conjecture is the service will cost less than $7.99 per month and will be released late 2011.

How excited Activision is for the ‘CoD: Elite’ moneymaker

Massively multi-player online role-playing games, or MMORPGs, for instance “World of Warcraft,” have been very popular. It just makes sense for Activision to get in on the money by doing a model for the online multi-player FPS which is a very popular game on the console and PC. Most games now and day will lock gamers into their worlds just like “Call of Duty” is planning, claims Jamie Berger. Berger is the Activision VP of Digital Business.

“In an always-on world, the competition for our players’ time has exploded,” he told Wired. “Online interactivity and community is critical for us to face that world. It’s what sets apart games with growing audiences from really great games struggling to find an audience.”

'Black Ops’ will go ‘Elite’

Activision has already confirmed that “Call of Duty: Elite” will work with the game “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” which in February became the best-selling video game in United States history, according to NPD research. There are over 30 million individuals that spend over 170 hours each year playing “Call of Duty” games.

The beauty of “Elite,” suggests Activision, is that “Call of Duty” enthusiasts will not have to run out and buy another $60 game. Players are able to continue the “call of Duty” saga online in many chapters with “Call of Duty: Elite” which isn’t actually a game at all. It should prove to be an intoxicating community for FPS online multi-player enthusiasts, while serving as a “Holy Grail” for Activision, suggests analyst Bill Harris of the blog Dubious Quality.

How ‘Call of Duty: Elite’ works

More than just player-versus-player will happen with “CoD: Elite,” according to GamePro. The “Elite” site will reportedly break down into four categories:

Career: Where total analysis of your play style and weapon choices occurs, as well as intensive play map details. You might be great at FPS but have no idea much about ‘Elite’ and the way it works. Try a different status in the future.

Connect: This is a good place for socializing. “Call of Duty” enthusiasts will enjoy it. Chat, join groups, share highlight reels and simply go crazy.

Compete: Matchmaking on FPS is really good. It is just like eHarmony style. Expect a fight. Firepower will be strong.

Improve: Get tips for “Call of Duty” here.

Articles cited

Call of Duty: Elite

callofduty.com/elite

Dubious Quality

dubiousquality.blogspot.com/

GamePro

gamepro.com/article/previews/219778/call-of-duty-elite-full-details/

Wired

wired.com/gamelife/2011/05/call-of-duty-elite/

‘Call of Duty: Elite’ Legend of Karl trailer (Note: Contains video game violence)

youtube.com/watch?v=s3Ixz7pHXdg

Heat and Mavs will both be in the 2011 NBA Finals

The 2011 NBA Finals have arrived, and the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat have been getting ready for war comes Tues, May 31 at Miami’s American Airlines Arena. The Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat will hold the home-court advantage. For the rabid fan, experience this NBA Finals schedule and match-up story.

Sirius and ESPN places to listen while ABC plays NBA Finals

All 2011 NBA Finals games will air on ABC television and broadcast on ESPN Radio and Sirius XM satellite radio. The game schedule is as follows:

Game 1: Tuesday, May 31 in Miami, 9 p.m. ET
Game 2: Thursday, June 2 in Miami, 9 p.m. ET
Game 3: Sunday, June 5 in Dallas, 8 p.m. ET
Game 4: Tuesday, June 7 in Dallas, 9 p.m. ET
Game 5 (if necessary): Thursday, June 9 in Dallas, 9 p.m. ET
Game 6 (if necessary): Sunday, June 12 in Miami, 8 p.m. ET
Game 7 (if necessary): Tuesday, June 14 in Miami, 9 p.m. ET

How the competitors will do

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are the dynamic duo for the Miami Heat that can scare any defense. The individuals are both known for how well they’re able to score, and they have learned to play together very well recently.

”King” James ends up with the ball when the Heat is in danger though. James’ freakish combination of size, athleticism, shooting touch and basketball IQ can’t be contained. Dallas will have to work a lot on his teammates which might be hard with Wade. The Miami Heat will very easily win the 2011 NBA Finals in five games if Chris Bosh plays very well and Udonis Haslem can keep Dirk Nowitzki scared.

Hard for the newbie Nowitzki

Careful passing and a commitment to challenging James and Wade on the offensive end won’t only ensure the Dallas Mavericks remain in the series, but it should spell victory against the less experienced Heat. Dirk Nowitzki has worked on his lower body strength quite a bit lately while doing well in the playoffs with 28.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Haslem will realize how good the kid is doing. The veterans Kidd and Terry, both Jasons, will help a lot too. The same could be said for Shawn “The Matrix” Marion, who has made key plays.

It is true that the championship window is slowly closing for Kidd, Terry and Marion which might make them work harder. Not only that, but Nowitzki appears to have finally ditched the catcalls of being “soft.” Even with injuries, the Dallas Mavericks could beat the Miami Heat in seven games. Jose Barea and Tyson Chandler could do this effortlessly.

Wait until next year, LeBron.

Citations

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/27/nba-finals-schedule-2011-_n_867972.html

Yahoo! Sports

sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-8546101

Giving city workers some sex change insurance coverage is necessary according to the Portland mayor

Transgender community workers of Portland, Ore., Mayor Sam Adams thinks the area should pay for your gender change medical operation. According to Adams, it is only right that area health insurance cover the procedure. The Portland Community Council is expected to vote on Adams’ proposal as early as June.

‘Fair, common sense,’ said Adams

According to Mayor Adams, the bill is “fair, common sense.” This is what he told The Oregonian newspaper. The previous year, the committee decided that sex change operation charges should not be covered in the Portland self-insurance fund, which would be overridden if the legislation makes it. The denial ended up occurring. This was because the community did not decide entirely to change community policy like this.

It would cost about $32,000 a year for transgender medical operation benefits in Portland according to Adams’ estimates. The area would have to increase its self-insurance plan spending budget. It would only be about a .08 percent increase though.

Keeping ‘medically necessary’ things covered for staff

The American Medical Association made a decision in 2008. It decided that transgender health care is “medically important.” Under the AMA resolution, withholding coverage for procedure of gender identity disorder when such treatment has been prescribed by a physician is not allowed.

“As Mayor, it is important to me that we attract and retain the best and brightest employees to the City of Portland,” writes Adams in a press statement. “Covering basic, medically-necessary care is a matter of fairness, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Choosing an insurance

Kaiser and self-insurance plans called CityCore are both offered to employees of Portland. These are the only two possibilities the employees have. CityCore would cover gender change surgery if Adams gets what he wants making the city’s plan the same as 22 percent of Fortune 100 Companies’ plans and just like many other Oregon businesses.

Just like San Fran

Transgender operation benefits became covered in 2001 in San Francisco. This made it the first United States city to do so. Then-Mayor Willie Brown and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a bill that extended coverage of the gender change operation for city employees, as well as accompanying hormone treatments and related medical needs.

Male to female medical operation costs $37,000 and female to male cost $77,000 at that time. Fees were capped at $50,000 per person for life in the San Francisco ordinance while 15 percent if the surgeon is on the community health plan had to be paid.

Sam Adams at a rally for same-sex marriage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BMPgHIrjKA

Articles cited

Basic Rights Oregon

basicrights.org/

OregonLive.com

blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2011/05/mayor_sam_adams_to_push_sex-ch.html

Portland Online

portlandonline.com/mayor/?a=350579&c=49278

SF Gate

sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/02/16/MN202072.DTL

Rare vehicles auctioned for millions in Italy

RM Auctions had its first auction at the Villa d’Este concourse in Cernobbio, Italy this last weekend. The auction featured a catalog assured to make a vintage car buff salivate. A plethora of rare, classic and historically important automobiles were offered for sale. Many of the cars went for multi-millions of dollars.

Anticipation is high

Several were excited for the auction to come around. Collectors were especially excited. Paul Lienert spoke before the event. He said, “The first-ever Villa d’Este sale will feature the crème de la crème of classic European hardware.”

Interest in the rare Ford roadster

The highlight of the sale was the rare 1965 Ford GT40 Works prototype roadster which collectors were excited about on May 21. In the 1965 Targa Florio, the vehicle was a works entrant. It was co-piloted by Sir John Whitmore and Bob Bondurant. Even though it was a top seller, it didn’t make as much as the event it anticipated.

Some vehicles cost millions to buy

There were a few top sellers. They sold for millions. The Ferrari 375 MM from 1995 was there. It sold for $4.8 million. The 1938 art-deco Talbot-Lago T150-C SS was there. It cost $4 million for a buyer. Almost $4 million was paid for the four-cylinder Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa. The 1959 Ferrari 250 California sold too. It was at $3.6 million. There was a 1947 Bugatti Type 57sc Atlante that sold for about the same price as the 1965 Ford GT40 roadster prototype. Both went for a little under $3 million.

The 1953 250 MM Ferrari was built specifically for Mexican collector Efrain Ruiz Echeverria and sold for $3 million. He drove it in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana.

Cost over a million for some

About $2.1 million was paid for the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal and $1 million for the 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero.

The millions mark was not for every auto

There were two Zagato-bodied Alfa Romeos which were from the 1960s and sold for $370,000 and $900,000. All totaled, the auction brought in about $32 million.

Articles cited

Autoblog

autoblog.com/2011/05/24/rare-classics-sell-for-millions-at-villa-deste-auction/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+weblogsinc%2Fautoblog+%28Autoblog%29

Top Gear

topgear.com/uk/photos/rm-auctions-villa-d-este-2011-05-17

Edmunds Inside Line

insideline.com/ford/gt/ford-gt40-prototype-headlines-villa-d-este-auction.html

Democrat wins chair from GOP in special House political election

Democrat Kathy Hochul won what was a Republicans chair in the House in a special political election held Tuesday in N.Y.’s 26th Congressional District. Hochul’s opponent was Republican Jane Corwin. Hochul narrowly won, 47 percent to 43 percent. Jack Davis, once a Democrat but now a Tea Party member, earned 9 percent of the votes.

Changes in Medicare don’t get candidates support

Hochul was very clear about the Medicare changes being considered. Ryan, the House Budget Committee Chairman, suggested these changes. These changes aren’t supported by Hochul in any means. In last week’s debate with Corwin, who supports Ryan’s spending budget plans, Hochul said: “I will fight any plan that tries to decimate Medicare. That is something people in this district feel passionately about, and I do as well.”

The win was something Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rep. Steve Israel commented on: “Even in one of the most Republican districts, seniors and independent voters rejected the Republican plan to end Medicare.”

Getting Medicare changes through the system

Ryan’s Medicare redesign was passed by the House on April 15 with all Democrats four Republicans opposing. The proposed changes include federally subsidized premiums for private insurance, and would apply to individuals who are now younger than 55.

Obama praises Hochul victory

On Tuesday, President Obama made a statement praising the Hochul win. “Kathy has shown, through her victory and throughout her career, that she will fight for the families and companies in western New York, and I anticipate working with her when she gets to Washington.”

Argument from Republicans

The idea that victory was depending on Medicare reform issues was debated by House Republican Leader Eric Cantor. ”This race is about the truth that it’s a three-way race,” Cantor said. He said this to reporters.

Chair vacated in sex scandal

Hochul will take the chair vacated in the wake of Republican Rep. Chris Lee’s sex scandal. Lee had nothing left to do but step down in February. There were shirtless photos of him shown publicly after he sent them to a woman he met on Craigslist.

More special elections slated

Later this year, there will be two more special House elections held. One, to be held in July, will be to replace California Democrat Jane Harman. In Sept, an election will be held in Nevada to replace Republican Dean Heller. The chair vacated by John Ensign will be filled by Heller in Senate.

Information from

Huffington Post

huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/24/new-york-special-election_n_866074.html

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/43161820/ns/politics-capitol_hill

Chicago Tribune

chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-pn-ryan-special-election-20110525,0,3908152.story