SHAMELESS!

Con Men Ca$h in on Typhoon Tragedy

Prey Off People Trying to Help the Philippines

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 14- The Department of Justice, the FBI, and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) remind the public that there is a potential for disaster fraud in the aftermath of a natural disaster. 

Suspected fraudulent activity pertaining to relief efforts associated with Typhoon Haiyan should be reported to the toll-free NCDF hotline at 866-720-5721. The hotline is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the purpose of reporting suspected scams being perpetrated by criminals in the aftermath of disasters.

NCDF was originally established in 2005 by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud associated with federal disaster relief programs following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud related to any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies—including the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the U.S. Secret Service—participate in the NCDF, allowing the center to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to disaster relief fraud.

In the wake of natural disasters, many individuals feel moved to contribute to victim assistance programs and organizations across the country. The Department of Justice and the FBI remind the public to apply a critical eye and conduct due diligence before giving to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of hurricane victims. Solicitations can originate as e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings, telephone calls and similar methods.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including the following:

▪ Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including by clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.

▪ Be cautious of individuals representing themselves as victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

▪ Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.

▪ Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the existence and legitimacy of non-profit organizations by using Internet-based resources.

▪ Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because those files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

▪ To ensure that contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make donations directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

▪ Do not be pressured into making contributions; reputable charities do not use coercive tactics.

▪ Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

▪ Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by debit or credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.

▪ Legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services.

▪ Most legitimate charities maintain websites ending in .org rather than .com.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud by a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, contact the NCDF by phone at (866) 720-5721, fax at (225) 334-4707, or e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.

You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

Tags: Haiyan, Typhoon

Westchester Square News: Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut

Westchester Square News: Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut : BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 8- Four red panda cubs are debuting at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zo...

Red Panda Cubs Make Their Zoo Debut

BRONX, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 8- Four red panda cubs are debuting at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo. 

Two cubs are at the Himalayan Highlands at the Bronx Zoo and two are at Discovery Trail at the Prospect Park Zoo.

Both litters consist of a male and female and were born this summer.

WCS has a successful history breeding red pandas at the Bronx, Central Park and Prospect Park Zoos as part of the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums designed to enhance the genetic viability and demographic stability of animal populations in accredited zoos.

Red pandas are native to Nepal, India, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. The subspecies of red panda at the Bronx Zoo (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is found in the western part of their Himalayan range. The Prospect Park pandas (Ailurus fulgens refulgens) are a subspecies from the eastern portion of the range and are characteristically darker in color and slightly larger.

Panda cubs are born with a very soft, plush coat. They reach adulthood at around 18 months.

Adult red pandas have reddish-brown and black coats that serve as camouflage in the wild. They have an adaptation on their wrists much like a thumb that enables them to grasp food items like bamboo as well as tree branches.

The species is listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss caused by deforestation for timber, fuel and agricultural use. Their population is declining. WCS works in China and Myanmar to save red pandas and other Asian wildlife. 

Westchester Square News: Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

Westchester Square News: Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer: By Patricia McDow BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October...

Bronxites Walk to Find Cure for Breast Cancer

By Patricia McDow

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 24- Marie Barbarto, along with her Mom Dorothy are breast cancer survivors. On October 20^th, Marie joined thousands of local breast cancer survivors, volunteers, business and community members at Orchard Beach as they united to fight breast cancer and save lives at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 3K walk. This noncompetitive, inspirational event raises awareness and funds to fight breast cancer and provides hope to all people facing the disease.

More than 229,060 women and men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, and more than 39,920 will die from the disease. Funds raised through Making Strides will help the American Cancer Society save lives and create more birthdays by helping people stay well by taking steps to prevent cancer or find it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking research; and by fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

Many of the participants are already looking forward to next year October 19, 2014, hope you can join. If interested visit their website http://makingstrides.acsevents.org to join, donate or create your own team.

Westchester Square News: Customers Say They Will Return to Hawaii Sea Despi...

Westchester Square News: Customers Say They Will Return to Hawaii Sea Despi...: (Customers of Hawaii Sea Restaurant stand on line outside Herbert H. Lehman High School for a free shot from the Department of ...

Customers Say They Will Return to Hawaii Sea Despite Hepatitis Outbreak

(Customers of Hawaii Sea Restaurant stand on line outside Herbert H. Lehman High School for a free shot from the Department of Health.--Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

  

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 22- Hundreds of patrons of a popular Westchester Square restaurant have been immunized after an outbreak of hepatitis A that has so far sickened four customers and one employee.

Officials from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOH) ordered the New Hawaii Sea Restaurant, located at 1475 Williamsbridge Road, closed on September 19, after the outbreak came to light.

The following day an alert was issued for customers of New Hawaii Sea, who ate there between September 7 and September 19, urging them to get a free hepatitis A Vaccine.

One customer who declined to be identified, drove up to the restaurant to read the signs posted on the businesses front door, before driving the half-mile to Herbert H. Lehman High School where the free shots were being offered.

The customer who has been a frequent visitor of the New Hawaii Sea for the last 25-years, recalled, "I ate there twice in the last month. I got an alert on facebook and heard it on the news. Actually, it's one of the better restaurants around here." 

When the restaurant's B letter grade on its front window was pointed out to the customer, he responded, "I never noticed the rating. The place seems to be clean, the service is good and the portions are a very nice in size... it's shocking."

On September 21 officials from the DOH were back at New Hawaii Sea re-inspecting the restaurant as several hundred customers waited for over an hour for the free shot, just a short drive away.

The official said the business could be back open after enough food handlers at the restaurant could be immunized--possibly in time for the Saturday night dinner crowd.

The DOH alert stated, "Hepatitis A is spread by eating food (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated by an infected person. Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea."

DOH Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley told reporters, "If people experience symptoms, they should see a doctor immediately. This incident serves as an important reminder to always wash your hands thoroughly before handling food to prevent the spread of disease."

"I love Hawaii Sea," another 25-year customer of the Chinese and Japanese eatery stated after exiting Lehman High School, adding, "It happens." The woman laughed after declaring, "I'll be back."

A third customer who waited 90 minutes for his shot was asked if he'd return, the man responded, "Probably not."

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus and is spread when trace amounts of fecal matter of an infected person is ingested. There is currently no treatment once a person is infected but the disease can be prevented with a vaccine within 14 days of exposure.

Officials say that hepatitis A is fatal in fewer than 1 percent of all reported cases.

On September 22 an employee of the New Hawaii Sea stated that the business, "will be closed for a few more days."