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THE
CONSUMER ADVOCATE
VOL. 1 NO.5
Mass Joinder Lawsuits: A New Twist on Foreclosure Rescue Scams ...see page 5
Do I Have a Law Suit? ...see page 8
FREE PUBLICATION
Local Chamber Offers Day of Opportunities to Entrepreneurs BY PEARL PHILLIP
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rooklyn, NY: The New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), established in October 2005, is having its Annual International & Multicultural Business Expo on Thursday, June 14, 2012, at the New York Marriott at
the Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams Street, Downtown Brooklyn. All businesses, chambers, entrepreneurs, budding and current of all ages, professionals, nonprofit organizations and youth accompanied by their parents or an adult are invited to this one-day, business-to-businessevent. The day starts off at 7:00am with a Build Your Business Breakfast where new and established immigrants and Americans can learn how to do business with and in New York State and City. Representatives from the Governor and Mayor’s offices as well as a high-ranking United States Small Business Administration (SBA) official will be making presentations. China is the international hot spot for companies looking to manufacture and expand their prod-
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Ministry with a Difference
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Do You Know Your Child Could Be a Target for Identity Theft? ...see page 17
n a world where traditional Christian values seem to be less evident, and what many today term “immoral practices,” based on biblical teachings are more noticeable, the Christian ministry is flourishing. In the borough of Brooklyn, for instance, one can hardly walk a block without noticing a church or some kind of ministry. The work of evangelism is infiltrating the community and very soon churches may be competing for members. In the Brooklyn community, many ministries are finding a niche of their own. While some seem to focus on the
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Protections For Women At Risk... see page 11
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he Obama Administration recently announced a $26 million multiagency Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge to foster innovation-fueled job creation through public-private partnerships. These coordinated investments will help catalyze and leverage private capital, build an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and promote clusterbased development in regions across the United States. This is the third round of the Jobs Accelerator competition, which is
Bailout:
BY VANDELL M. PARK
Ten Tips to Manage Your Money Through Unexpected Life Changes ...see page 16
Obama Administration Launches $26 Million Multi-Agency Competition
Brian Figeroux, Esq.
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ABOUT US
3 THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE TEAM Publisher I.Q. INC. Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip
Contributors Valerie Jarrett Seth Hoy Michelle Waslin Vandell Park John Benjamin Charlayne Hunter-Gault Randall N. TourĂŠ Rev. Dr. Clenard H. Childress, Jr. Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq.
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OPINION
African American Clergy Must Decide: A Line Drawn in the Sand — Or — Walking The Plank
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BY REV. DR. CLENARD H. CHILDRESS, JR
ationwide: Dr. Martin Luther King's book, "A Stride Toward Freedom," was considered the handbook of the Civil Rights movement of the fifties and sixties. It was in this writing Dr. King expressed the necessity for the Church to be engaged and informed about the social injustices plaguing the country. Dr. King said, "It is not enough for the Church to be active in the realm of ideas; it must move out to the area of social action." As I have related repeatedly, America is not at the crossroads, it has all ready gone down the wrong road and it's all happened while the Church in America has stood amicably by. Race is not found in heaven but certainly plays a major role here on earth and certainly in America. It is quite ironic, no, just down right insidious that it would be the first Black president to 'draw the line in the sand' demanding the Black Church to follow in complete allegiance, in complete lockstep. 'Drawing the line in the sand' does not adequately describe the challenge to the Church, since the president has now declared his open support for Homosexual marriage; it is more like walking the plank, and just before you step into oblivion, Obama removes the blindfold. Being fair, the president inherited Roe Vs Wade. Abortion has been a scourge on the land for nearly 40 years. Unfortunately the Black Church ignored Obama's deplorable record on the moral issues, his heartless, cal-
loused voting record on abortion, and his ever advancing abortion agenda with many of the key Church leadership knowing the decimating effect abortion is having on the African-American community. Moreover, these last few years, much of the Black Leadership—well meaning with good intentions — have been blindly following and supporting the president's policies but last Tuesday, Obama lifted the blindfold. f you didn't know where Barack Obama was going all along, you should most assuredly know now. You excused his Klanlike relationship with Planned Parenthood and blatant disregard for the Judeo-Christian ethic you claim as your own. Yes, Church, he's been cheating on you all along, but you ignored the signs because, you just wanted to work it out. You were hoping you could make him love you and take care of home. Well, we ignored the late nights coming home... the missing cufflinks... the strange numbers on his cell phone... and calls made when you were not around. Now the president has let you know, he is in bed with someone else, and demands you must go along with it. And when you asked him why he cheated on you, he said he "talked it over with his daughters and Michelle," and to add insult to injury, hoping he'd fooled all of us, had the audacity to claim it was teachings he learned from the One who built and founded you.. Wake Up Church! In a further effort to blur the lines between truth and falsehood, Nancy Pelosi is emailing
America telling you how wonderful it is for the president to stand up for marriage equality, and Al Sharpton has written you letters literally asking you to not let this effect your — voting — allegiance to the president, 'cause he's counting on you' this November. And no doubt, Roland Martin of CNN — appealing to your vanity — is on the phone right this minute, burning up the wires, trying to get the biggest names in Christendom to do another interview with the sole purpose of damage control and further bewitching the minds of the saints so you stay enthralled with the color of the president's skin and not the content of his character. Let's go back to Dr. Martin Luther King's 'Stride Toward Freedom' and hear what he says about the preacher... "It is impossible to speak about the role of the Church without referring to the ministers. Every minister of the Gospel has a mandate to stand up courageously for righteousness, to proclaim the eternal verities of the Gospel, and to lead men from the darkness of falsehood and fear to the light of truth and love." One of the "eternal verities" of the Gospel is that, marriage is between one man and one woman; another "eternal verities" of the Gospel is, Thou shalt not kill. Some who are reading this may say, 'The Christian is supposed to forgive and go on and stay together.' Well, first let me say in reply, we are to always forgive, but that does not mean I am to follow and support what is patently untenable and undeniably unconscionable. Others may say, 'Just as a wife or
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husband should forgive due to infidelity, we should forgive Barack Obama for his.' That would be fine, Church, but in the spirit of John the Baptist, I declare unto you, it is not lawful for you to have him, for you are not married to him. Obama is not your husband! You must go back to your first love — JESUS — and ask for His forgiveness. He will take you back, for he is married to the backslider and stands at the gate waiting for the Prodigal.... We must be free to stand up for righteousness as Dr. King charged and we must be bold in our positions, for 'a man cannot serve two masters.' We cannot walk in support of ideologies which are destroying the social fabric of the African-American community, this country, and diminish and demean the Gospel we preach. In closing, let's look at Dr. King's 'Stride Toward Freedom' once again for insight: "Any discussion of the role of the Christian minister today must ultimately emphasize the need for prophecy. Not every minister can be a prophet, but some must be prepared for the ordeals of his high calling and be willing to suffer courageously for righteousness." A line in the sand — or — walking the plank... brethren, which is it? l
Rev. Dr. Clenard H. Childress, Jr. is the founder of www.BlackGenocide.org — a website designed to reach the Afro-American community with the truth about abortion.
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FORECLOSURES & BANKRUPTCY
Mass Joinder Lawsuits: A New Twist on Foreclosure Rescue Scams
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new scam is targeting financially strapped homeowners across the country. So-called specialized law firms are sending invitations to homeowners, urging them to participate in "mass joinder" lawsuits against their mortgage lenders as a way to get favorable loan modifications and stop foreclosure. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, cautions that the firms involved in this scam promise relief, but generally don't deliver. In fact, many of the firms fail to use qualified attorneys or pursue homeowners's cases, and often leave their clients in worse financial shape than before.
How the Scam Works The firms market their services through direct mail solicitations to homeowners who are behind in their mortgages, or who are in default or foreclosure. The firms charge fees in advance that range from a few thousand dollars to more than $10,000; they falsely lead homeowners to believe that by joining with other people in similar circumstances to sue their mortgage lender, they can stop their foreclosures, reduce their loan balances or interest rates, get them money damages, and even get them title to their homes, free and clear of their existing mortgages. Mass joinder law-
suits are not class action lawsuits. What's the difference? In a class action, most class members don't have to pay legal fees in advance. Mass joinder scam artists often tout that they have an attorney on staff. But that attorney likely is not reviewing each homeowner's file, and likely is not even licensed to practice in the homeowner's state. In fact, a recent case filed by the FTC centered on consumers who responded to the scammers' direct mail offers, and got legal advice from sales agents — not lawyers. The sales agents allegedly made deceptive claims about their experience and provided inaccurate legal advice about the likely results of joining the lawsuits.
Finding Legitimate Help Even if the foreclosure process has already begun, the FTC and its law enforcement partners say that there are legitimate options you should explore to try to save your home. Housing experts say that when you're behind on your mortgage payments, maintaining communication with your lender is the most important thing you can do. Contact your lender or servicer immediately if you're having trouble paying your mortgage or you've received a foreclosure notice. You may be able to negotiate a new repayment schedule. If you choose to take legal action
against your lender, the FTC recommends that you: Get the name(s) of the lawyer(s) who will represent you. Check them out with your state bar association: Are they licensed in your state? Have they been subject to any disciplinary actions? The National Organization of Bar Counsel has links to your state bar. Ask relatives, friends, and others you trust for the name of an attorney with a proven record of getting help for homeowners facing foreclosure.
Ask to speak with the attorney directly Ask questions, including how many mortgage-related cases the attorney has filed and handled through trial or settlement. Get proof: Ask for copies of the pleadings and copies of any news articles about their successes. Get specific information about the work the lawyer or firm will do for you, including the cost, and the payment schedule. Get this in writing. Stay away from attorneys who make bold promises or who guarantee the outcome of your case. A reputable attorney doesn't guarantee results, no matter what your circumstances. Maintain communication with your attorney throughout your case. Keep a file with a record of your conversations, correspondence, and paperwork.
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Reporting Fraud If you think you've been dealing with a foreclosure fraudster, contact the Federal Trade Commission and your state Attorney General. The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTCHELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866653-4261. Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. l
CIVIL NAMERIGHTS OF PAGE HERE
Saluting Julian Bond, Civil Rights Icon
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BY CHARLAYNE HUNTER-GAULT, THE ROOT
ith Bond honored, a friend recalls how the college activist became a social-justice legend. If ever there was a man for all seasons, Julian Bond certainly fits the bill — a man whose collegestudent activism challenged the lie of "separate but equal" all over the South and particularly in his home state of Georgia. He went on to serve four terms in the Georgia House of Representatives and six in the Georgia Senate. Among other things, Julian also served four terms on the national board of the NAACP and was its chairman from 1998 to 2010. Now the University of Virginia, located in a South that Julian helped change, is set to establish the H. Julian Bond Professorship of Civil Rights and Social Justice. There was a celebration of Julian's many gifts and good works and a fundraiser for the chair on May 2 at New York's Plaza Hotel, where I will recalled some of the seasons of Julian's life that inspired so many, including myself. What amazes me about Julian is that he is the same Julian today as he was back when I first knew him as a soft-spoken, baby-faced college student. His innocent facade was betrayed by the wicked twinkle in his eye and the searing certainty of his pen during the heady days of the Atlanta Student Movement, when he was not only one of its leaders but also its poet and scribe.
Three Friends Just Driving Through Even before the movement in Atlanta started in 1960, Julian, Carolyn Long and Ben Brown had the fire within to get what should have been rightfully theirs. Initially it was about a hamburger. The three college students had gone to a busy "whites-only," pre-McDonald's drivethrough in Atlanta known as the Yellow Jacket— not to make a statement, but simply because they were hungry. At the same time, they knew that American blacks would not be served, so displaying some of the creativity that they later employed during their days challenging the lie of "separate but equal," they posed as foreigners. (Foreign blacks had more entrée than those who were homegrown.) They rummaged around in the trunk of Carolyn's father's car, knowing that as a traveling umpire, he had something in his packed bag that they could use. They fished out enough underwear to make turbans. They then wrapped their heads in the underwear and drove into the Yellow Jacket and attempted to order—in French. But on that occasion, the one black carhop recognized them as locals. Undoubtedly worried as much about his own job as he might have been about the three hungry black stu-
dents, he told them in no uncertain terms, as Carolyn still remembers it word for word, "You'd better get the hell outta there before your black [blankety-blanks] get arrested." (Substitute a five-letter word beginning with "a" for "blankety-blanks.") It was probably one of the last times such a warning would be heeded by that group. For soon after the Greensboro, N.C., sit-ins that lit the fire igniting the civil rights movement in 1960, Julian and friends like Carolyn and Ben decided that their time had come, too. In no time, Julian made contact with other students from around the South, eventually creating the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which provided the "shock troops" of the movement. Heeding the advice of Ella Baker, an older civil rights pioneer, Julian set about creating a movement that was about more than a hamburger.
The Eye of the Storm Given the kind of upbringing they had in race-proud black families, and educated in the renowned historic hub of black higher education known as the Atlanta University Center, the students cockily set about creating what they determined would be the bestorganized protest movement to date. They pretty much got it right. With Julian as one of the chief strategists and scribes, they did their research, polling students in the area about what they saw as the major inequities in Atlanta. They organized the Committee on Appeal for Human Rights and drafted a paper that contained a list of demands calling on "the white power structure," as it was known, to meet forthwith. They not only had demands but also dramatized them in unprecedented action in the streets, with the so-called white power structure conceding nothing. Julian sat at the nerve center of the move-
ment, strategizing, deploying and keeping up with the hundreds of college students who filed out of their classrooms and took to the streets, getting arrested by the dozens. Julian was a quiet but firm leader, and almost always with that deceptive twinkle in his eye. He relished the good fight and never shrank from the myriad challenges it presented, including getting arrested. While there were times when the young warriors knocked heads among themselves, Julian was the (mostly) calm at the center of the storm. When the white newspapers only halfheartedly covered the burgeoning movement, and the one black newspaper was cowed by its white advertisers into ignoring the protests, Julian was among a small group to start a muckraking newspaper called the Atlanta Inquirer. It was published in the basement of M. Carl Holman, one of Clark College's English professors and an activist. Julian was one of a handful of young men and women who made up the motley crew the paper called a staff. Julian, who left Morehouse to devote himself full time to the paper and the movement, had his work cut out for him. Students who protested in the morning, got arrested by noon and bailed out in the afternoon would then make their way to Holman's basement. There, they would recount their experiences to Julian, who would write them up for the paper.
In time the Inquirer also expanded its mission to expose even more of the lie of "separate but equal" in places other than lunch counters: in the schools and hospitals; in the substandard housing, especially the projects; and in many other places. As a student fighting my own battles at the University of Georgia, I joined them whenever I could, in a collaboration that would put a stamp on my consciousness as a journalist for the rest of my days. It was during these times that Julian also became a key player in SNCC as the organization's communication director and editor of its newsletter, the Student Voice.
Dangerous Times — and Time for Fun Make no mistake: This was a tough and dangerous time for anyone involved in the movement, no matter their role. The Ku Klux Klan marched threateningly against the students when they picketed downtown department stores. A white racist who later became governor went after them with an ax. Moreover, despite their commitment to going to jail without bail until freedom rang,
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jail for these otherwise sheltered students was a frightening experience. They were thrown into cold cells without blankets and with prisoners who ranged from prostitutes and thieves to murderers (who were nonetheless won over by their young cell mates). But what sustained the students was not only their own commitment to end Jim Crow; it was also colleagues like Julian, who instinctively understood that there needed to be "time-outs" as well as "time-ins." To that end, the students often gathered in each other's home to relieve the stress they were all under by way of a "pah-tee." There may have been others who could boogie down better than Julian, but scribe and poet that he was, he sho nuff had some rhythm -as you can see in this poem he wrote during one of those "pah-tees": See that girl shake that thing, We can't all be Martin Luther King.
I had left Atlanta by the time Julian moved into the Georgia Legislature after being denied his seat more than once over his principled stance against the Vietnam War. I had begun to realize my dream of becoming the black Brenda Starr at the New Yorker. And in 1967, when I learned that my old friend Julian was coming to speak at an event in New York, I quickly secured the assignment and found him at the hotel where he was speaking and interviewed him about this new season of his life. He was, as usual, low-key, but his passion was as high as always as he talked about the next phase of the civil rights movement. While he had written that we couldn't all be Martin Luther King, he nevertheless powerfully echoed Dr. King's message against the war and for ongoing engagement and struggle with what he told me then: "Negroes must not forget race consciousness as long as they are victims of racism." Then he dipped back into history to remind that audience of the early Negro activists whose heritage of dissent helped create this country. The night at the Plaza, when Julian Bond — my friend, my colleague, my role model and inspiration —was rightfully honored as one whose heritage of dissent helped move this country closer to fulfilling its promise of freedom, justice and equality for all. He is truly one of the giants on whose shoulders our first black president has acknowledged that he stands, as do so many of us. Thank you, Julian.l
Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Julian Bond became friends during the Atlanta sit-in movement, after she desegregated the University of Georgia in 1961.
CARIBBEAN MARKET PLACE
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NAME OF KNOW YOUR PAGE RIGHTS HERE
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Do I Have a Law Suit?
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BY JOHN BENJAMIN
his is a common asked question by a number a people who contact our office. It can be very confusing to the common individual without knowledge of the law. The answer will depend on, when did the accident occur? Where did it occur? What type of accident was it? Did the accident involve a motor vehicle or did it occur on a property? Was the property public or private? Normally you have 3 years from the date of accident to file the necessary court papers, a summons and verified complaint. These papers must be filed with the court that has jurisdiction (authorization to hear a case) before the statute of limitation expires. The three year statute of limitations does not apply to all claims. For example, if you were involved in an automobile accident that does involved a State, County or City vehicle the three year statute of limitations does not apply. However, if the motor vehicle accident does involve a State, County or City motor vehicle there are two time periods that you must adhere to. The first is ninety (90) days. The claimant must file a Notice of Claim within ninety (90) days from the date of accident according to State, County and Municipal law in order to commence the proceeding. The claimant will received notice of a hearing
after filing a notice of claim which gives the State, County or City a fact finding hearing as to what occurred. The time period is one (1) year. After filing the notice of claim the claimant has one year to file the actual law suit. Moreover, if you are filing a claim for injury involving a motor vehicle accident. You must meet the requirements under the New York State Insurance Threshold Laws. This requirement consist of suffering a serious injury. The claimant must first undergo vigorous medical treatment of at least ninety days and suffer partial and/or permanent disability. This means that you are unable to perform some if not all of your normal daily activities. This does not mean minor injuries go unclaimed, the treating doctor will be the determining factor with his diagnosis of the injuries complained of. The injured party must have medical documentation of medical treatment. Claims concerning injuries that occurred on personal or commercial properties also have a three year statute of limitations. Claims involved governmental properties have a one year and ninety days statute of limitations. The claimant should also be aware, accidents occurring on personal or commercial properties don’t have a New York State threshold law requirements. The claimant can file a personal injury claim for soft tissue injuries due to the negligence of property
owners for lousy up keeping of the premises. In order for the injured party to begin the process of filing any claim, the claimant should always call 911 and be evaluated at the accident location by EMS and be transported to the nearest hospital for further medical evaluation. This is the beginning of the process of placing the owner on notice where as there is a report of the accident. Then follow up with additional medical treatment. Here are some tips if you are involved in a accident. • Stay at the scene of the accident and wait for the police and/or EMS to arrive • Check on All Drivers and Passengers • ALWAYS call the Police • Exchange Information • Talk to Witnesses • Take Pictures — Property Damage Estimate
• Take pictures of the exact location in which the incident occurred • Seek Legal Counsel ASAP!!! • Consult Figeroux & Associates Let us take the burden off of you! After your free consultation and you retain our services, we will make sure your medical bills are paid by the insurance carrier. If you loss time from work due to the accident, we will file a loss wage claim on your behalf. As well as resolving any personal damage issues. It is extremely important for you to protect your rights! A Premises Liability Lawyer will be able to review the accident and provide you with an explanation of your rights. Additionally, the attorney will be able to investigate the accident in an official capacity. Be prompt in retaining a lawyer as there are time restraints for filing a claim. l
NAME OF OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PAGE HERE
Obama Administration Launches $26 Million Multi-Agency Competition continued from page 1
being funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); the U.S. Department of Energy; the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration; the Small Business Administration; and the National Science Foundation (NSF). “This $26 million Accelerator Challenge is yet another example of the Obama Administration’s commitment to supporting American manufacturers in building things here and selling them everywhere,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. “We are so pleased to join with our federal agency partners to further strengthen the American manufacturing sector, which creates high quality, good paying jobs. Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has a strong record of investing in regional innovation clusters that foster the job creation and business development crucial to an economy that is built to last. This Challenge further bolsters our efforts and builds on the momentum we have seen in the manufacturing sector in recent months, including the 489,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs that have been added since January 2010.” Advanced manufacturing is critical to the health of the national economy and provides essential goods and equipment direct-
ly to consumers as well as to a wide range of industries, including the energy production, agriculture, medical and computing industries, and the security and intelligence sectors. “The Accelerator Challenge is one way the federal government is helping to support the manufacturing industry, a vital source of middle-class jobs,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The innovative products developed as a result of this federal grant program will help our economy maintain its global competitive advantage, while also creating jobs at home.” Manufacturing accounts for 70 percent of private-sector R&D and 60 percent of U.S. exports–including a record $1.2 trillion in goods exported in 2011. Over the past 25 months, manufacturers have created nearly half a million jobs–the best streak since 1995. The Jobs Accelerator Challenge is designed to assist the development and implementation of regionally-driven economic development strategies that will support advanced manufacturing and cluster development. The goal is to create jobs, grow the economy, and enhance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers in the global marketplace. “Made in America’ is making a comeback,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs Accelerator is an opportunity to build on the momentum we’re seeing in U.S. manufacturing and to support small businesses
10 # and local economies through regional innovation clusters. By working with other federal agencies, we can link, leverage, and align our resources to give small businesses the tools they need to work together, grow and create jobs in the manufacturing sector.” Approximately 12 projects are expected to be chosen through a competitive interagency grant process. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that will help grow a region’s industry clusters by strengthening connections to regional economic development opportunities and advanced manufacturing assets; enhance a region’s capacity to create high-quality sustainable jobs; develop a skilled and diverse advanced manufacturing workforce; increase exports; encourage the development of small businesses; and accelerate technological innovation. “Through this partnership, the National Science Foundation will connect innovations from NSF-supported advanced manufacturing research with stakeholders who can accelerate technology commercialization and economic growth,” said Thomas Peterson, NSF Assistant Director for Engineering. “NSF is making available up to $1 million for existing NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II grantees that are part of winning projects. The deadline for applications is July 9, 2012, and guidelines for submissions are accessible here. In addition to the six funding partners, the initiative is supported by
eight other Federal agencies: U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Education, Housing and Urban Development; Environmental Protection Agency; Denali Commission; and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA), Minority Business Development Administration (MBDA), and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). “As President Obama made clear, an American economy built to last will depend on American manufacturing, American energy and skills for American workers,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “This is why the Energy Department invests in innovative, public-private initiatives like the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge that support American leadership and competitiveness in manufacturing.” As part of President Obama’s commitment to putting more people back to work and creating an economy built to last, the Administration has invested over $200 million promoting regional innovation clusters. The Administration also created an interagency task force, known as the Taskforce for the Advancement of Regional Innovation Clusters (TARIC), to develop and administer interagency grant competitions. More than a dozen federal agencies have participated in TARIC-led grant competitions by providing grant funding or other forms of support to the winners of the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenges. l
NAME OF PAGE HERE IMMIGRATION
Still No Resolution on VAWA, Protections for Immigrants at Risk
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BY MICHELLE WASLIN
espite the recent controversy over amendments to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), there is still no resolution on its reauthorization. The bill remains stalled in Congress due to conflicting versions passed by the House and Senate. As one source put it, while the current impasse is technically procedural (due to a revenuerelated procedural rule), the source of frustration is certainly political. The House version passed this month strips VAWA of critical protections for immigrants — protections that have been part of the law since its inception. Earlier in May, the Senate passed a reauthorization VAWA (S. 1925) which provides protection to people who are the victims of domestic violence, rape, trafficking, sexual assault, stalking, and similar crimes. The Senate bill expanded several of the protections for immigrant victims of domestic violence by increasing the annual allowance of U visas by 5,000; adding “stalking” to the list of criminal activities covered by U visas for victims; and adding protections for fiancées or fiancés of potentially abusive partners, among other protections. Recently, the House passed H.R. 4970, introduced by Rep. Sandy Adams
(R-FL). Unlike the Senate version, the House bill not only fails to expand important protections; it also rolls back the VAWA protections for immigrants that have existed for decades. Faith based organizations, law enforcement officials, academics, immigrant advocates, advocates for victims of domestic violence, and others have all come out in opposition to the House version of the bill. The White House has publicly opposed the Adams bill. In its May 15 Statement of Administration Policy (SAP), the White House states that the provisions of HR4970 “senselessly remove existing legal protections, undermine VAWA’s core purpose of protecting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, frustrate important law enforcement objectives, and jeopardize victims by placing them directly in harm’s way.”
Among the troublesome provisions: HR4970 makes U Visas temporary. Under the House bill, U Visas would only be valid for four years, after which the victim would have to leave the U.S. or risk deportation. Domestic violence experts agree that this would discourage victims from coming forward to report crimes. While their cooperation with the police could end their dependency on an
abusive spouse, their legal status would be temporary — meaning they eventually would be forced to leave their jobs, homes, and children and return to their home countries. HR4970 takes adjudication of T and U Visas out of the hands of experts. Currently, a centralized VAWA unit at the DHS Vermont Service Center adjudicates all T and U Visa applications. This is consistent with law enforcement practices across the country, where specially trained experts protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. The House bill would delegate these responsibilities to local DHS offices who do not have such expertise and may be less likely to accurately determine the credibility of victims and abusers. HR4970 allows DHS adjudicators to interview the abusers, obtain evidence from abusers, and inform abusers about the victims’ cases. The House bill would eviscerate the confidentiality protections of VAWA and give the abusers additional power over their victims. It would discourage victim cooperation with law enforcement. HR4970 links adjudication of visas to the status of the domestic violence investigation or prosecution. There are many reasons why a case may never be fully investigated or prosecuted which have
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nothing to do with the merits of the victim’s case. Under the House bill, victims would be denied a visa because of a process that is out of their control. Supporters of HR4970 say that these provisions are necessary to prevent fraudulent applications for relief. However, there is no evidence of widespread or systematic fraud, and the thousands of victims potentially saved by VAWA protections far outweigh any isolated incidents of fraud. By eroding protections for victims of domestic violence and discouraging them from coming forward to report crimes and cooperate in the prosecution of perpetrators, the Adams bill undermines two decades of bipartisan support for the protection of victims of domestic violence, regardless of their immigration status, striking at the very heart of VAWA. l
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uU.S. Citizenship uFamily-sponsored Permanent Residence uGreen Cards/Labor Certification (RIR) uImmigration Visa Petitions:Employment Based uTemporary Work Visas uNaturalization Derivative Petitions uLabor Certifications uApplication for Asylum uPetitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus
uAppeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals
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RECESSION & JOBS NAME OF PAGE HERE
Launch of AAICC
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BY RANDALL N. TOURE, ESQ
he African-American International Chamber of Commerce, Inc., (AAICC) is a member led organization whose purpose is to increase AfricanAmerican business presence across the globe. As the world becomes more interconnected it will become important for businesses everywhere to begin to develop a multinational supply chain and an international customer base. The AAICC will help to broaden our members’ business potential by leveraging the strength and contacts of the chamber with small businesses, corporations and political leaders from around the world. The AAICC is looking to create synergy by forming coalitions with other ethnocentric and regional chambers of commerce like the New American chamber, the Brooklyn chamber, the Hispanic chambers, the Asian and Pako-Indian chambers, Italian- American chambers. We will also collaborate with key stakeholders such as the NAACP, the Urban League, La Raza and many more. In numbers and coalitions come strength and that will be one of the key principles of the AAICC from the beginning, to be inclusive and collaborative. Though we will be working with our members to be global players on the business scene, we know that unless they can operate effectively locally then it will be impossible to launch on an international level. We will work with members to make sure that they are structurally and fiscally
sound by providing technical assistance to those organizations that need a little help. We will help our members get all necessary certifications so that they can compete for contracts with city, state and federal governmental entities as well as on-going business opportunities like the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn or Hudson Yards in Manhattan. We are not trying to recreate the wheel, many great organizations and agencies exist to help small businesses succeed and flourish. However, our mission is to provide our members with something that they cannot get from these other organizations, that is a commitment to putting their needs first and to be the catalyst for them to become world class businesses.l
Randall N. Touré is the President of the AAICC.
Success Starts June14 continued from page 1
itics, fashion, sports and entertainment, Caribbean-Americans are at the top of their game and in many cases are setting records, reaching new heights and breaking new ground. This is a wonderful opportunity for Caribbean-American entrepreneurs existing, new and budding to network, promote and take their businesses to the next level. One of the highlights of the day is the launch of the African American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC). The launching of AAICC coincides with Juneteenth Celebration. The Juneteenth commemoration date—June 19, 1865— is when the slaves in Galveston, Texas, first received word of the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery which was originally issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom which emphasizes education and achievement which all minority communities can be a part of. During the day, attendees will have the opportunity to network with other businesses and share information about their products and services as well as attend FREE educational seminars and workshops. Workshops will be provided by some of our sponsors such as Constant Contact on the importance of a social media strategy for businesses in general and specifically restaurants, beauty salons, daycare centers and lawyers and their staff; the Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates and Advance Wealth Solutions on Estate Planning for Same-sex Couples/LGBT community; publishing
12# giant Mc-Graw Hill’s author, Michael J. Lee on the Chinese Way to Wealth & Prosperity; CBS Local New York on online marketing for small businesses, NY’s favorite paper, The Daily News onon Advertising in the Digital Age; Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses on Strategies to Accelerate Revenue Growth by; Aflac on Tax Savings for Small Businesses and so much more. For more information, please visit www.mynacc.org. We are making a special plea to youth to attend. Parents, guardians and family members, please come with your daughter, son, niece, nephew, granddaughter, grandson, cousin, and neighbor’s kid(s). We need our young people to plant the seed of entrepreneurship in our young people; think as employers, not employees. Too many of our youth are unemployed, graduating from college with a degree and no hope for employment or gainful employment. Success starts on Thursday, June 14, 2012. It’s one day, one location, endless opportunities. What you will learn is secrets and strategies for success. You can and will realize your entrepreneurial dreams, and grow and take your business to new heights. Don’t miss this opportunity. Don’t miss out on this event. Register to attend at www.mynacc.org or text MYNACC to 41411. It’s FREE. Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are still available. Call 718-722-9217 ext 112. Listen to the NACC Empowerment Hour every Saturday on WNSR Radio 620AM and www.diasporaradio.com. Visit www.diasporaradio.com for the program schedule. l
SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS
How to Brand Your Business and Position it for Success
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or small businesses, having a wellestablished brand with a loyal customer base is critical to both immediate and long-term success. While investing money in brand developing tools may be costly, building a suite of business cards, postcards, signs, banners, brochures and other products that give your business a professional look can be easily and inexpensively accomplished. When your brand acts as your identity, anything you can do to increase public awareness will only help your company. Here are some tips on what to consider as you're developing your business suite. First and foremost, it is important that your company map out exactly what it stands for, who your target customer is, how you would like to be represented, and how you want your message to be delivered. Once that has been decided, define your brand — how you are going to help a customer identify your business with a given product, promotion or piece of advertising. Will it be with a logo, color scheme or a slogan? To make this as effective as possible work with focus groups made up of current and potential clients, as well as peers within your industry so you can come to an educated decision on which vehicles will work best to accomplish your goals and objectives. Also, remember to always keep your marketing tools up to date.
Next, focus on which marketing tools your company is going to use to deliver your message. If you're not in a position to develop a complete set of marketing materials, then focus your efforts on one piece at a time. For instance, one of the most valuable tools in today's market is a simple business card. With a business card in hand, an ambassador of your brand is effectively able to provide your contact info and exposure to the corporate brand. Business cards are most impactful when the logo is prominently featured and includes your associate's contact information, title, website URL and Twitter handle, among other things, and the font is easily readable. It's also important to develop a consistent message to deliver across all channels at all times. This assists in building a recognizable brand that consumers will automatically associate with your company. It's also important that you consider your geographic location. If your company is located in a bustling community with a large amount of foot traffic, it may be a good idea to create a large banner to place on your store front which features a special offer or promotion. Using this type of tool assists in generating awareness and not only helps to attract new customers but retains existing ones by providing additional incentives to keep them coming back
for more. Alternatively, if you have a business specializing in lawn care or real estate, then perhaps creating a lawn sign to place on your client's property may be beneficial as the property serves as a testament to your services. Another low-cost promotional tactic is a well-crafted brochure to feature within the office or give to potential customers/clients. A high-quality brochure enables your company to relay in-depth information, such as the company's mission statement, pricing, services, accreditations, certifications and more. Additionally, they give your organization an extra level of credibility since consumers have come to expect printed material from companies with whom they are doing business. Also if you truly want to make your brochure buzz-worthy, try to integrate an offer or coupon into the copy of the brochure itself. Lastly, it's important to remember that creating an effective marketing strategy will take a considerable level of effort to organize and execute. However, having an assortment of customized marketing materials will attract your desired target customer and leave them with the information and incentive they need to revisit your company in the future. l (ARA)
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Do You Support Equal Pay for Women?
I
t's been nearly 50 years since Congress passed the Equal Pay Act, but today a woman who works full time still earns just 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. That's not just unfair. When women, who make up nearly half the workforce, bring home less money each day, it means they have less for the everyday needs of their families. That's bad for kids, it's bad for communities, and it's bad for the entire country. So President Obama is supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is designed to update the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and help close the pay gap. Congress is scheduled to vote on the legislation this week. To help raise awareness of pay discrimination and make it clear that it is a problem with serious consequences, we've put together a series of e-cards to highlight the issue. l Pick your favorite, then email it to your friends or share it online visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/equal-pay
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NAME OFISSUES HEALTH PAGE HERE
FTC Resolves First Action Against "Affiliate Network" of Internet Advertisers Charged with Deceiving Consumers about Acai Berry Products
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wo more online marketers have agreed to settlements with the Federal Trade Commission that will permanently halt their allegedly deceptive practice of using fake news websites to promote acai berry supplements and socalled “colon cleansers” with deceptive claims that consumers could use them to lose weight. In the first case, the FTC settlement with Intermark Communications, Inc., doing business as Copeac and several other defendants allegedly involved in the scheme results from the first FTC suit against an affiliate network. As an affiliate network, Copeac not only operated its own fake news sites, it also recruited an entire network of affiliates that used fake news sites to promote products with allegedly deceptive claims. The FTC’s original complaint against the New York-based Copeac was part of a law enforcement sweep the agency conducted last year against 10 alleged operators of fake news sites. The FTC charged all of them with deceptive advertising for portraying the sites as legitimate news sites; making false and unsupported weight-loss claims; and failing to disclose
that they were being paid by the merchants of their so-called weight-loss products. In settling with the Copeac defendants, the FTC amended its complaint by adding allegations that the operation developed an affiliate network, and by adding three individual defendants. Under the settlement, the Copeac defendants will pay more than $1.3 million, which represents revenues they received from deceptive fake news site ads for acai berries, colon cleansers, and other supposed weight-loss dietary supplements; and revenues they received for other products marketed on fake news sites. The settlement also requires Copeac to monitor all its affiliate marketers when selling any good or service, obtain adequate information about the affiliate marketers it hires, approve their advertisements, and immediately stop processing payments generated by any affiliate marketer using deceptive advertisements. In the second case, under the terms of the settlement with Coulomb Media, Inc., and Cody Low, also known as Joe Brooks, the defendants’ $2.7 million judgment will be suspended after they pay $170,000 in cash, proceeds from the sale of Low’s 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe, and a certificate of
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deposit. As part of the FTC’s ongoing crackdown on bogus health claims, the proposed settlements with the Copeac and Coulomb defendants will require the operators to make clear when their commercial messages are advertisements rather than legitimate journalism, and will bar the defendants from further deceptive claims about health-related products such as the acai berry weight-loss supplements and colon cleansers they marketed. The defendants also are required to disclose any material connections they have with merchants, and will be barred from making deceptive claims about other products. With these two settlements, eight of the 10 fake news site cases the FTC brought in 2010 have been resolved, and all the fake news sites affiliated with the eight operations have been permanently shut down. When federal courts temporarily halted all 10 fake news operations last year at the FTC’s request, the agency alleged that their websites were designed to falsely appear as if they were part of legitimate news organizations, but were actually nothing more than advertisements deceptively enticing consumers to buy the fea-
tured acai berry weight-loss products from online merchants. With titles such as “News 6 News Alerts,” “Health News Health Alerts,” or “Health 5 Beat Health News,” the sites often falsely represented that the reports they carried had been seen on major media outlets such as ABC, Fox News, CBS, CNN, USA Today, and Consumer Reports. Investigative-sounding headlines presented stories that purported to document a reporter’s first-hand experience with acai berry supplements — typically claiming to have lost 25 pounds in four weeks, according to the FTC complaints. In pitching the acai weight-loss products, the defendants posted attention-grabbing ads on search engines and high volume websites, such as “Acai Berry EXPOSED – Health Reporter Discovers the Shocking Truth,” driving traffic to the fake news sites and ultimately to the sites where merchants sell the products, according to the complaints. The FTC received numerous complaints from consumers who paid between $70 and $100 for weight-loss products after having been deceived by fake news sites. Derived from acai palm trees that are native to Central and South America, acai berry supplements often are marketed to consumers who hope to lose weight. In recent settlements with other online acai berry marketers, defendants in the Central Coast Nutraceuticals case were required to pay $1.5 million, and Jesse Willms was required to surrender corporate and personal assets, including bank account funds, a Cadillac Escalade, a fur coat, and
SAVE THE DATES
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Breakfast Empowerment Seminar Series
Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge
The New American Chamber of Commerce
cordially invites you to our Clergy Breakfast Seminars on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 Wednesday, Sept 12, 2012 Wednesday, Nov 14, 2012 and Wednesday, Dec, 19, 2012
EXCITING SPEAKERS. NEW TOPICS. GREAT NETWORKING. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES & MORE! 8:30am-9:00am: Registration & Breakfast 9:00am-11:00am Program 11:00am -12noon: Networking
Seating is limited. Must register in advance. Please call 718-722-9217 or email info@mynacc.org
Location: NACC Conference Room, 26 Court Street, Suite 701 Brooklyn, NY 11242
In diversity, we have strength!
FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY
Ministry with a Difference very soon churches may be competing for members. In the Brooklyn community, many ministries are finding a niche of their own. While some seem to focus on the community, setting up faith- based congregations, traditional evangelical worship centers and even using the ministry for what appears to be self-serving agendas, the fact is that a ministry can be found if one is truly seeking to minister to the needs of people. This fact was revealed by Bishop Dr. Michael Clarke, who over the past four years, established a ministry that can be considered unique to many who have, or are seeking to build, a ministry. Dr. Clarke has chosen to minister directly to drug addicts, recovering drug addicts, exincarcerated individuals and other socially polarized members of the community. According to Dr. Clarke, this type of ministry is not too popular simply because of the sacrifice it involves. The bishop believes that the gospel of Jesus Christ should be made available to all humanity irrespective of one’s status in life; thus he is determined to reach those who otherwise would be overlooked or ostracized by the regular church-oriented ministry. A native of Guyana, Bishop Clarke grew up in a Christian home affiliated with the United Mission Church. As a youth, he struggled with the idea of denominational religion. As a result of his struggles with the discrimination and segregation sometimes presented by organized denominational religious bodies, he attended any and every Christian church, at times even attending non-Christian faiths, even though he was a member of the Full Gospel Assemblies of God Pentecostal. Bishop Clarke believes that God is not so much concerned about denominations; rather, God is concerned about people learning about Him and His desire to save them from sin and the inevitable destruction it causes. Bishop Clarke did not immediately answer to what he termed his “calling to the ministry” in his earlier years, but he knew that it was only time before he would respond to the inner yearnings of his being. However, in 1986, he could not resist the voice of God’s Holy Spirit speaking to him. Though he did not start out in the pastoral ministry, he was committed to working for the Lord when he became a deacon in the Bethel Fellowship Church in Atlanta, Georgia, a position he served in until 1993. From 1993 to 1999, he attended the Full Gospel Assembly of God Church in Brooklyn, during which period he pursued theological studies and obtained his ministerial certificate. In 2000, he was called to a higher office in the ministry — that of being an associate pastor, a position he served in for eight years. Upon this appointment Bishop Clarke sought to deepen his understanding and knowledge of the scriptures. He subsequently graduated with a Doctorate in Theology (THd) from the Macedonia Theological Seminary; where he is currently a Director and Professor. In 2008, Bishop Clarke was promoted to senior pastor of a congregation. It was with this promotion that he seized the
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opportunity to develop the kind of ministry he envisioned, thus branching out on his own to commence his current ministry of working with those he calls “the rejects of society.” According to the bishop, he started the Redeemers Tabernacle Ministry in his home with a few individuals as a prayer group. The ministry has since outgrown his home to the point where they are now meeting in a larger building located in downtown Brooklyn and has blossomed. He says that it is a joy to work with this class of individuals: “you’ll be surprised to know how many of these people when you reach them; they really realize that they need God. So, like Christ who mixed basically among these people in his day... I realize that this is my area of ministry that I needed to concentrate on and so I spend a lot of time out there in the streets talking with them and trying to present Jesus to them.” Asked about the overall growth of his ministry, the bishop says: “It depends on how we look at the ministry. In terms of coming to church every Sunday morning — that’s a slow growth, because a lot of these persons might have a weekend job, or have to be engaged otherwise, so this affects their regular attendance.” He quickly added though: “another way of looking at this ministry is, instead of waiting for people to come to you, I have discovered that we have to go out and reach them where they are. Christ said ‘to go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.’ While I don’t have a problem with the church setting, my calling is to find myself in places that are unfamiliar and this is what I consider my ministry to be.” Bishop Clarke admits that his ministry has its challenges: “The difficulty of course is raising funds, because when you are dealing with people who are on parole or who are recovering drug addicts you know that they do not have money and so you don’t expect them to contribute much financially. You explain to them the importance of tithing and offering, but you cannot expect them to tithe. Many of them live in shelters and do not have jobs. This is the main difficulty this ministry is facing, but God is good. God is providing for us financially and for that I am extremely thankful.” The Redeemers Tabernacle Ministry also focuses on other areas of need. Domestic violence is an area of serious concentration. Bishop Clarke states that he is passionate about helping to curb this problem and this has led to him volunteer as the spiritual caregiver at the Brooklyn Justice Center in the offices of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes. He noted that the problem of domestic violence seems to be on the increase and that many men and women are hurting, thus justifying the need for direct spiritual involvement. Bishop Clarke also ministers to the wider community by way of his involvement with various community-based organizations. Currently he serves as the president of the 83rd Police Precinct Clergy Council. This position enables him to coordinate activities such as the gun buyback program and immigration education programs, while he forges closer relationships between churches and
key community organizations. He also serves as the parliamentarian of the 83rd Police Precinct Community Council. He speaks of his role in this capacity: “It helps to foster a good relationship between the police and the community. The police have a lot of excellent programs that will benefit our young people, but many times people don’t know it, so presiding over the clergy council and being involved in the community council enables me to bring awareness of these programs in order for the community to benefit from them.” In addition to his involvement with the 83rd Precinct, Bishop Clarke serves as the police director of Clamor Por New York, a Spanish organization, and as chaplain for a number of civic groups across Brooklyn. He also serves as the Chaplain for the New American Chamber of Commerce. According to the bishop, Redeemers Tabernacle Ministry is committed to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and as much as possible meeting the social and physical needs of people in Brooklyn. In order to accomplish its goals, the ministry broadcasts its services live every Saturday on WNSR Radio 620AM. Visit www.diasporaradio.com for program schedule. Bishop Clarke is passionate about working with people and he will leave no stone unturned, in his quest to do the work Christ has entrusted him with: “My ministry is one that is focused on Christ. I believe in truth, truth and only truth. So, I
am not about hype. If you are looking for hype you would not get it from my ministry. But if you are looking for the straight, truthful biblical teaching that will help you better understand how to live your Christian life, that’s what my ministry offers. In addition, if you are willing to assist in working for the less fortunate and the so-called rejects of society, the doors of my ministry are open and you will be welcomed with open arms.” The Redeemers Tabernacle Ministry is situated at 26 Court Street, Suite 701 in downtown Brooklyn where transportation by both train and bus is easily accessible.l
FINANCE TAXES NAME OF&PAGE HERE
Ten Tips to Manage Your Money Through Unexpected Life Changes
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ne of the many benefits of marriage is having a partner to share in the day-to-day tasks. One person might handle the laundry while the other takes over yard work. But, when it comes to money management, while you may end up delegating most of the responsibility to one person, it's in every couple's best interest to be mutually involved in the family finances. Life is full of uncertainty and change, and it's possible, even likely, that you will be responsible for your own finances at some point. For many, the financial impact of significant life changes, from the good, like marriage and children, to the not-so-good, like death and divorce, is often a costly afterthought. While divorce and death are difficult possibilities to accept or anticipate, they are changes that come with many financial implications. This holds especially true for women who typically outlive their male counterparts. According to the National Association of State Treasurers Foundation, 90 percent of women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives.However, despite the likelihood of eventually living this new financial reality, less than half of women (45 percent) and men (41 percent) have a contingency plan in place should something happen, according to
research by TD Ameritrade, Inc. "It's not always the easiest conversation to discuss with your partner because it forces you to think about worst-case scenarios," says Lee McAdoo, director of Women's Initiatives at TD Ameritrade. "But you'll find that discussing your family finances and setting goals together can also give you peace of mind." Life transitions are often times unexpected and highly emotional, which can make decision making more difficult. For those reasons, it's best to plan ahead. Here are 10 suggestions to help you make sure you can effectively handle your personal and family finances:
1. Create a detailed household budget. 2. Compile all your financial documents, make copies and store them with your attorney or place them in a safe deposit box that you both can access. 3. Conduct an inventory of marital assets. 4. Determine medical expenses and other annual costs for your family such as activities fees for your children and gym memberships. 5. Review all your debt, including mortgages, student loans, car loans and credit cards. Obtain a current version of your credit report at least once a year. 6. Make sure each person is aware of
how you file your tax returns and your tax filing status. 7. Discuss long-term savings plans and goals, including retirement and college savings plans. 8. Review beneficiary designations in your will and update if necessary. 9. Consider employee benefits for each person. 10. It can be helpful to have an attorney or financial adviser review financial documents and give you advice should you desire it.
While involving yourself more in your finances means taking on extra responsibility, it can also help you feel empowered and set your mind at ease as you look to the future.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Provided by: TD Ameritrade, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC /NFA Information provided for educational and illustrative use only and is not a recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell any specific security or strategy and is not intended for persons residing in any jurisdictions where we are not authorized to do business. Although the information provided may include material about the investment process generally, neither TD Ameritrade nor any other
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third party is providing personalized investment advice and does not represent that any such securities or investments are suitable for any website visitor, investor or client. Investing involves risks and losses may occur, including loss of principal. Consider your financial circumstances before investing.
About the Survey These results are based on a survey conducted by Infogroup | ORC of Princeton, New Jersey on behalf of TD Ameritrade, Inc. One thousand one hundred twenty-seven (1,127) adults participated in a telephone survey conducted September 17 - 18, 2011. The margin of error in this survey is 2.9 percentage points. This means that in 19 cases out of 20, survey results based on 1,127 respondents will differ by no more than 2.9 percentage points in either direction from what would have been obtained by seeking the opinions of all adults living in the United States age 18 and older. Infogroup | ORC and TD Ameritrade, Inc. are separate, unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other's products and services. l
NAME OF FAMILY MATTERS PAGE HERE
Do You Know Your Child Could Be a Target for Identity Theft?
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magine that you've taught your child everything they need to know about personal finance. Then as he's getting ready to head off to college and applies for financial aid, he's unexpectedly rejected for financial aid due to poor credit. Yet he's never applied for credit in his life. Sounds outrageous, doesn't it? But this can happen to victims of child identity theft. Most Americans are aware that identity theft is a significant problem, and that it's important to take measures to protect your identity. What people might not know is their children may also be targets of identity theft before they even become old enough to own a credit card. The Federal Trade Commission has identified child identity theft as a growing problem and encourages parents to do what they can to minimize the risks to their children. How does it happen? The most common way a criminal can steal or misuse the identity of a child is to get access to the child's Social Security number. The perpetrator then uses the Social Security number to open credit card accounts or loans, rent an apartment, sign up for utilities like cell phone service, or even apply for a job. Credit issuers often don't have a way to verify the age of the applicant, so if the criminal changes the age of the identity associated with your child, it's possible that the issuer may approve them for credit, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Once an account has been established in your child's name, it's easier for criminals to establish subsequent accounts until this fraud is discovered. If your child's identity is stolen at an early age and the theft goes undiscovered until she reaches the age where she begins to establish her own credit, it can be very difficult to discover how the fraud first occurred. How can you help prevent it? Parents can take a number of steps to help prevent their children from becoming identity theft victims: 1. Store your children's Social Security cards in a safe place like a safety deposit box. Only give out your children's Social Security number when it's absolutely necessary, and provide alternate verification whenever possible. 2. Teach your children to never reveal personal information to anyone, no matter how trustworthy that person may seem. People close to the family are often found to be perpetrators in child identity theft cases. 3. If your child receives pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, you may want to check in with a credit reporting agency or Social Security. If you've been contacted by a collection agency regarding an account in your child's name, there's a possibility your child's identity was stolen. 4. Consider signing up your family members for a credit monitoring and identity protection solution such as the Equifax Complete(TM) Family Plan, which can help to protect two adults and
up to four minor children. With this product, you will be notified of any changes or suspicious activity on your adult credit files; in addition, you can monitor your minor child's identifying information for existence of an Equifax credit file and lock it, thereby preventing creditors from
accessing this file while the child is enrolled in the plan. By taking a few extra precautions to protect your children's identities, you can help ensure they get off on the right foot as they become adults and begin establishing their own credit histories. l
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artwork. In 2011, the Commission brought a suit against another online acai berry marketer, LeanSpa, LLC, which the Commission sued in conjunction with the State of Connecticut. In that case, the FTC obtained a preliminary injunction barring the defendants from engaging in the charged deceptive practices. The amended complaint and proposed settlement against Copeac also name as defendants Timothy McCallan, Michael Krongel, and Danielle Krongel. The Commission vote approving the amended complaint and proposed consent decree against the Copeac defendants was 4-0. The FTC filed the complaint and proposed consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, on March 1, 2012, and it was entered by the court on March 15, 2012. The FTC thanks the Florida Attorney General’s office for its assistance in the Copeac matter. The Commission vote approving the proposed consent decree for the Coulomb defendants was 3-1, with Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch voting no. The FTC filed the proposed consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on March 14, 2012, and it was entered by the court on March 21, 2012.
NOTE: These consent decrees are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendant that the law has been violated. Consent decrees have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge. l
Family Law Practice Summarized
NEW YORK IS NOW A NO-FAULT DIVORCE STATE
nDIVORCE nSEPARATION nSUPPORT nCUSTODY The lawyer you hire does make a difference! uContested &
Uncontested Divorces
uSeparation & Prenuptial Agreements
Has your spouse disappeared? We can find your spouse!
Matrimonial Investigations
u Business & Degree Evaluations
u Spousal Maintenance
u Custody/Visitation
uBank & Asset Searches
uRelocation
uAlimony Reduction
uWire Transfers
u Paternity
uChild Support
uCo-habitation
uAbuse/Neglect
Investigation
uRestraining &
uDivorce/Dating/Fraud
uModification of Previous
uVideo Surveillance
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As Supreme Court Listens, Here’s a Look at What It Means to Lock Kids Away for Life
R
ecently, the Supreme Court revisited the question of whether juveniles convicted of murder should be given mandatory sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole. This is the Court’s latest review of how juvenile offenders should be treated differently than adults; the justices have previously ruled against imposing death sentences on juveniles and imposing life sentences on youth who aren’t convicted of murder. The two cases they are debating are from two 14-year-olds who were sentenced to life without parole for two separate killings. One case is Miller v. Alabama which involved Evan Miller, who, with another juvenile, was convicted of killing his neighbor and setting fire to his home. The other case is Jackson v. Hobbs, which involved Kuntrell Jackson of Blytheville, Arkansas, who, with two other juveniles, attempted to rob a store and one of the youth killed the clerk with a sawed-off shotgun. Thirty-three states currently sentence juveniles to life without parole. And there are over 2,500 juvenile offenders living out these sentences, with the largest number — 444 — in Pennsylvania. Most of them are young black men.
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Call Park Slope Barack Obama at 347-683-9145 to sign up and get more information on how you can help. Those who argue against such lengthy sentences say that many of these juvenile offenders were caught in the cradle to prison pipeline — experiencing violence and abuse at a young age, and grappling with an unstable household and inability to attend school. Juveniles who are placed
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The time for action is NOW! in adult prisons are at much higher risk of physical and sexual assaults by older inmates and prison guards, a fact that some say make their lengthy sentences cruel and unusual. l
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