Phony Investment Solicitations: SEC Launches New Offense to Alert Investors

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the launch of its latest offensive targeting online boiler rooms, cold calls, and other potentially fraudulent financial solicitations circulating to unsuspecting investors. Such solicitations often use phony claims of SEC registration, false U.S. addresses, or endorsements from make-believe government agencies or international organizations to make their investment opportunities appear more credible. Some also falsely claim to be affiliated with established brokerage firms. Phony Investment Solicitations: SEC Launches New Offense to Alert Investors

Free Computer Game To Teach Conflict Resolution Skills To Grades K-2 : Free for Teachers

A computer game designed to teach non-violence and conflict resolution skills to young children has found a home with Curriki, a nonprofit open-source educational Web site which will make it freely available for downloading by classrooms and families across the United States and around the world. Computer Game To Teach Conflict Resolution Skills To Grades K-2 : Free for Teachers

What the...Hail? These Ice Balls Can Be Dangerous and Expensive, Says I.I.I

Hail is often overlooked as an insurance concern, but even small hailstones can shatter windows, smash roofs, leave pockmarks in siding and cause thousands of dollars in damage to your property, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). Just imagine a golf ball dropped from an airplane flying at 30,000 feet, reaching speeds of 120 MPH as it falls to the ground. Now imagine the damage it could do if it hit the roof of your house or car. Hail can also cause serious injury and even death.What the...Hail? These Ice Balls Can Be Dangerous and Expensive, Says I.I.I

Women, Addiction and Recovery Conference September 15-17

Don't miss the 3rd National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery. This conference brings together the leaders, directors and other stakeholders in women's services to hear current research, discuss implementation and promote effective leadership to professionals and stakeholders to assist women with substance use disorders. Women, Addiction and Recovery Conference September 15-17

HUD to Expand Mortgage Help for Struggle Families

Expanded FHASecure able to help half a million homeowners stay in their homes by cutting mortgage payments.

HUD to Expand Mortgage Help for Struggle Families

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