New crash tests of midsize cars

New crash tests of midsize cars: protection in side impacts improves, but most cars tested still afford marginal or poor protection in rear crashes.
New crash tests of midsize cars

Government Jobs: MSHA to hire more mine inspectors in Idaho, Oregon and Washington

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is seeking to hire new federal mine inspectors for positions in Boise, Idaho; Albany, Ore.; and Kent, Wash. Applicant screenings for these positions will be held April 12 and 13 in Pasco, Wash., at the Best Western Pasco Inn & Suites. Interested citizens who have not previously registered via MSHA's Web site are welcome to attend, subject to space availability.Government Jobs: MSHA to hire more mine inspectors in Idaho, Oregon and Washington

Internet Crime Dollar Loss Reaches All-Time High, The FBI reports

According to the 2007 Internet Crime Report, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 206,884 complaints of crimes perpetrated over the Internet during 2007. Of the complaints received, more than 90,000 were referred to law enforcement around the nation, amounting to nearly $240 million in reported losses. This represents a $40 million increase in reported losses from complaints referred to law enforcement in 2006. All complaints received by IC3 are accessible to federal, state, and local law enforcement to support active investigations, trend analysis, and public outreach and awareness efforts. Internet Crime Dollar Loss Reaches All-Time High, The FBI reports

Phishing Scams: FTC Releases New Videos

The Federal Trade Commission has released three 60-second videos to help alert consumers to phishing scams. Phishing uses deceptive spam to trick consumers into divulging sensitive or personal information, including credit card numbers and other financial data, through an email or a link to a a copycat site. The goal of the videos is to offer practical, useful, and memorable messages. Phishing Scams: FTC Releases New Videos

Dillards Settles Sexual Harassment LawSuit

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced it has settled its class sexual harassment lawsuit against the Dillard's depart­ment store chain for $500,000 and substantial remedial relief on behalf of a class of 12 female former employees who were sexually harassed by an assistant store manager in two states. Dillard’s To Pay Half Million To Settle EEOC Class Sexual Harassment Suit

Insuring Your Business: A Small Businessowners Guide to Insurance

The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has just published the print version of Insuring Your Business: A Small Businessowners Guide to Insurance. Designed to help businessowners decide what kinds of insurance they need for their business, the 123-page book has sections devoted to property insurance, liability protection, life insurance for key employees and workers compensation, among other topics. I.I.I. Publishes New Business Insurance Book

OSHA Update: OSHA Implements RSS Feeds for its Communications Products

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented RSS Feeds to provide OSHA customers a personal, direct channel for receiving the latest news and information from the OSHA web site. OSHA Update: OSHA Implements RSS Feeds for its Communications Products

Filing Your Federal Tax Return

Once you complete your 2007 federal tax return, you can either file it electronically or mail it to the IRS. IRS Tax Tip: Filing Your Federal Tax Return

Student Identity Theft:What is it and how can you avoid it?

Identity theft is becoming increasingly common and can result in significant damage to your personal and financial credibility and reputation, including for example, damage to financial credit history, difficulty in obtaining student educational or other loans, and poor credit that could impact future job opportunities. Once identity theft has occurred, the victim can spend an extensive amount of time correcting information and working out information problems with credit reporting agencies, creditors, banks and credit unions and other impacted agencies. Student Identity Theft:What is it and how can you avoid it?

Is it a free scholarship? Or a scam?

A scholarship or grant is free money - you should never have to pay for one. Watch out for companies that make generous scholarship promises, charge you money to apply for or receive a scholarship, try to get you to send money by claiming you're a finalist in a scholarship contest, or request your credit card or bank account number to hold a scholarship or grant for you. Also be wary of free seminars that turn into high-pressure sales pitches for financial aid information that's readily available for free. Reputable companies neither guarantee scholarships nor use agressive tactics. Is it a free scholarship? Or a scam?

IRS Offers Tips for Tax Filers on Economic Stimulus Payments

The Internal Revenue Service today urged taxpayers eligible for the economic stimulus payment to file their tax return now in order to get their payment in a timely manner. IRS Tips for Tax Filers on Economic Stimulus Payments

Prepaid Calling Scam: FTC Asks Court to Halt Prepaid Calling Card Scam;

The Federal Trade Commission has asked a U.S. district court judge to order a halt to the alleged illegal practices of CTA, a major distributor of prepaid calling cards across the country. In the last quarter of 2007 alone, CTA’s revenue from the sale of cards exceeded $28 million. The FTC charges that CTA misrepresents the number of calling minutes consumers get, fails to disclose that consumers’ cards will be charged whether or not the calls go through, and charges hidden fees. Prepaid Calling Scam: FTC Asks Court to Halt Prepaid Calling Card Scam; Alleges Consumers Receive Fewer Calling Minutes Than Advertised and Pay Hidden Fees

IRS Tax Relief Available For Those Affected By January Floods

The IRS will postpone certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area until May 6. The postponement applies to return filing, tax payment and certain other time-sensitive acts otherwise due between Jan. 7 and May 6. In addition, the IRS will waive failure to deposit penalties for employment and excise deposits due on or after Jan. 7 and on or before Jan. 22, as long as the deposits were made by Jan. 22. IRS Tax Relief Available For Those Affected By January Floods

The 2008 Edition of VA's Federal Benefits for Veterans is Now Available

The 2008 Edition of VA's Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents booklet is Now Available
The 2008 Edition of VA's Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents booklet is available for viewing on-line or for download in portable document format (PDF).  

China Travel Warning

This Travel Alert is being issued to update U.S. citizens to safety and security concerns in China's Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) as well as the neighboring provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai .  American citizens in Tibet, especially in Lhasa , are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place.  American citizens should defer travel to Tibet at this time.  This supersedes the Travel Alert for China dated March 15, 2008 and expires on April 21, 2008. China Travel Warning

H-1B Visas: USCIS Announces Interim Rule on H-1B Visas

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) transmitted an interim final rule to the Federal Register today that prohibits employers from filing multiple H-1B petitions for the same employee.  These changes will ensure that companies filing H-1B petitions subject to congressionally mandated numerical limits have an equal chance to employ an H-1B worker. To ensure a fair and orderly distribution of available H-1B visas, USCIS will deny or revoke multiple petitions filed by an employer for the same H-1B worker and will not refund the filing fees submitted with multiple or duplicative petitions. H-1B Visas: USCIS Announces Interim Rule on H-1B Visas

IRS Has $1.2 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2004 Tax Return

Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $1.2 billion are awaiting about 1.3 million people who failed to file a federal income tax return for 2004, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2004 must be filed with an IRS office no later than Tuesday, April 15, 2008.  IRS Has $1.2 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2004 Tax Return

Mortgage Scams: California Shuts Down Mortgage Scam Artists

As the mortgage crisis worsens, a growing number of fly-by-night companies are employing utterly brazen tactics to push homeowners into illegal and unconscionable loans, Attorney General Brown said. The illegal sales practices of these companies, run by Eric Pony and his family, included psychological pressure, forgery, and outright lies, Brown added. Mortgage Scams: California Shuts Down Mortgage Scam Artists

Asbestos, Mold and Lead Assessment, Testing, Training, Consultation Contract Opportunity

The State of California is seeking a contractor to  furnish all labor, including travel and per diem, materials, nonconsumable supplies, transportation, equipment, and every other item of expense necessary to perform Asbestos, Mold and Lead Assessment, Testing, Training, and Consultation Services specified herein for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Folsom State Prison (FSP) located at Prison Road, Represa, California 95671- Asbestos, Mold and Lead Assessment, Testing, Training, Consultation Contract Opportunity

Reebok to Pay Record $1,000,000 Civil Penalty for Importing Charm Bracelets

The penalty settles allegations that Reebok International Ltd., of Canton, Mass., imported and distributed charm bracelets that contained toxic levels of lead. The charm bracelets were provided as free gifts with the purchase of various styles of children's footwear. In March 2006, a 4-year-old boy from Minneapolis who swallowed the bracelet's heart-shaped pendant died. Reebok to Pay Record $1,000,000 Civil Penalty for Importing Charm Bracelets