12 minute read
Money Matters
Debt Collectors: Mind the “No Parking” Signs On Credit Reports
BY SEENA GRESSIN, FTC
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There’s a virtual “NO PARKING” sign planted smack in the middle of your credit report. It means that debt collectors can’t report your debt — or your supposed debt — to credit reporting agencies without first trying to check with you. That’s a key takeaway from the FTC’s case against Midwest Recovery Systems, LLC. The FTC says Midwest used “debt parking” to collect fake or questionable debts. Debt parking is an illegal practice where collectors post debts to people’s credit reports without first trying to contact them. Many people don’t learn about the debts until they apply for loans, jobs, or housing, and someone pulls their credit report. Some people pay the debts to clear their credit even if they don’t owe them. Others never discover the debts but lose job offers or other opportunities because of the information. The FTC says Midwest parked more than $98 million in fake or unverified debts on credit reports, including certain medical debts and debts for fake or unauthorized payday loans, sometimes called phantom debts. The FTC says Midwest continued collecting the supposed debts even after finding that 80% to 97% of the debts that people disputed each month were inaccurate or invalid. Under a settlement, Midwest and its owners must stop all unlawful collection practices, ask credit agencies to delete any debts they previously reported, and take other steps to assure they only report and collect valid debts. How can you protect yourself against debt parking? Check your credit reports regularly. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each must give you a free copy of your credit report every 12 months. And, all three are offering free weekly online reports through April 2021 due to the pandemic. Dispute any errors or inaccurate information you find. If you plan to apply for a job or financing, check your credit reports at all three agencies before you apply, even if you have to pay for a report. That will let you clear inaccurate information from your report before it causes problems. If you’re dealing with debt collectors, know your legal rights. And, if you spot deceptive or abusive collection practices, let us know at reportfraud.ftc.gov.p
Seena Gressin is Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC
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Nurses Raise Their Voices In Solidarity Speaking Out for Safe Patient Care and a Fair Contract
New Rochelle, NY: On December 1, approximately 200 nurses at Montefiore New Rochelle hospital participated in an Unfair Labor Practice strike, demanding safe staffing and a voice in patient care. They were joined by elected officials, labor and community supporters, who urged Montefiore to come back to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract. On December 2, nurses marched on the picket line outside the hospital from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Their spirits were lifted by live music and chanting throughout the day. Emergency room nurse Maria Castillo, RN, said: “What has Montefiore done since June? They put a bunch of billboards up on the highway. They bought TV commercials calling us "heroes. “What has Montefiore done since June? They put a bunch of billboards up on the highway. They bought TV com-
Photo courtesy NYSNA Facebook
mercials calling us "heroes." They want the community to think they appreciate us. The reality is, they would rather spend millions of dollars on their public image, instead of making sure we have enough nurses to care for everyone who is sick!” Negotiations with the hospital stalled when the hospital refused to negotiate on the nurses’ top demand—hiring more nurses and improving safe staffing enforcement to ensure quality patient care. The hospital also attempted to silence RNs from communicating with fellow RNs and restrict RNs’ ability to use social media. “We would prefer to be inside with our patients, but we can’t do what we need to do without the right number of staff,” explained Shalon Mathews, RN. “We want a fair contract. We want to deliver safe patient care. We want to uphold the oath we took in nursing school—do no harm. Montefiore, we need you to hear us.” p
The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) represents more
Historic Moment/
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broadcasted Lindsay's shot's video feed into a live news conference. The needle that went into her arm contained genetic instructions that would prime her cells to recognize and defend against the coronavirus. "This is the weapon that will end the war," Cuomo said shortly after her shot. Speaking to the media, Lindsay, who works in the Intensive Care Unit at Long Island Jewish Medical Hospital in New York, is Jamaican and urges her countryfolk to get it. Her message: "My hope is that this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic. I have seen what it has done and what it is doing to our people, and I just want it to be over." Having seen first-hand the suffering and pain COVID-19 has caused in New York, Lindsay said she was ready to get her shot. She confirmed that she was not pressured or paid but volunteered because she desires to see this pandemic end. "I feel the healing is coming. I hope this marks the beginning of the end of the very painful time in our history," said Lindsay. Lindsay added that it was essential for her to as a Black woman, to take the vaccine as an example to those who distrust the medical system because of historical wrongdoing or sufferings from medical racism. "Unfortunately, due to history, my population — minorities, people that look like me — are hesitant to take vaccines," she said. She wants to send a message that science can be trusted. She pointed out that the vaccinations won't work "if only some people take the vaccines." It is historic also that a Black woman, Dr. Michelle Chester, director of employee services for Northwell Health, administered the injection.p
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Family: The True Modern Relationship
10 Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve at Home
This year, New Year's Eve tumes or find some festive Fred Flintstone and Barney celebrations might not props, and let your kids get Rubble from Bedrock leading look like they normally creative. The photos can be into the 9 p.m. EST hour durdo. But that doesn't mean you great to share on your social ing "Dick Clark's New Year's can't still celebrate with family channels to wish friends a Rockin' Eve with Ryan and friends! In fact, given how happy new year. Seacrest 2021," which airs live difficult this year has been, a beginning at 8 p.m. EST on party might be exactly what is 3) Look through old photos or ABC. Tune in and join Fred needed. The good news is that home movies: As we head into and Barney for an epic countthere are plenty of fun, safe a new year, take a trip down down to 2021, which happens ways to ring in the new year as memory lane by looking to be the cereal's 50th birthday a family right from the comfort through old photos or watch- year. of your own home. ing home movies. This is sure Here are a few ideas for mak- to put a smile on everyone's 10) Make party favors: Pick up ing your New Year's Eve cele- face and is a great reminder of some party favors at a local bration a fun event for all: how far they've come this past keep everyone engaged. make their own masterpiece. store or better yet, make them year. at home. There are plenty of 1) Have a dance party: With a 6) Glam up everyday objects: 8) Have a virtual hangout: great tutorials online for fun little planning and spirit, any 4) Create a family time cap- Kids love sparkle! Add glitter Carve out some time and say party favors the kids will room can be transformed into sule: Ask each family member to playdough or slime and let hi to family and friends you enjoy. Try your hand at maka dance space. Turn on some to write down their wishes and them play. Use number cookie haven't been able to see. This is ing confetti poppers, a fun take tunes, get the family moving dreams for 2021. Then, seal re- cutters to spell out 2021. a great way to keep the kids on a celebration staple. What and raise the roof to ring in sponses in a box or jar with occupied and get some face better way to ring in the new 2021. You could even turn off other memorable items to open 7) DIY dessert bar: Set up a time with grandparents or oth- year than with some fun party the lights and use glow sticks next New Year's Eve. dessert bar, and let your kids ers who might be isolated. poppers the kids will enjoy or LED light-up wands for create a confetti-themed treat making and eating. added ambiance. 5) Board games, anyone? Get with some pre-made cupcakes 9) Watch an early countdown: the family energized with a lit- topped with frosting. Have a Nothing says New Year's Eve Whatever you end up doing, 2) Set up a photo booth: Make tle competition. Find a few variety of confetti colored top- like a good countdown. To don't forget to take some time it a night to remember by set- games everyone can enjoy or pings, like sprinkles, decorat- help families everywhere ring to reflect on this past year and ting up a photo booth for the host a tournament of your ing icing, and colorful Fruity in 2021, Pebbles cereal is host- celebrate the year to come. kids to enjoy. Pick a corner, family favorites. Consider giv- Pebbles cereal or candy pieces, ing a New Year's Eve count- 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1... pull out old Halloween cos- ing out some fun prizes to on hand for everyone to use to down on Dec. 31, featuring Happy New Year! (BPT)p
Teachers Union Balks at de Blasio’s Suggestion School Buildings Can Remain Open Amid Possible NYC Lockdown
BY ALEX ZIMMERMAN CHALKBEAT VIA THE CITY
Mayor Bill de Blasio warned on Tuesday that New York City may need a stricter set of restrictions to fight a surge of coronavirus cases shortly after Christmas. He called for an important exception: school buildings. “Right now we’re seeing extraordinary success in keeping our schools safe,” the mayor said. “I want to keep them open.” The teachers union — which supported the mayor’s move last week to reopen roughly 850 campuses serving elementary school students and those with the most significant disabilities — cast doubt on that approach. “If the coronavirus infection United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew speaks at a 2018 City Hall press conference with Mayor Bill de Blasio. New York City Department of Transportation
rate rises to the point that a citywide ‘shelter in place’ is necessary, keeping school buildings open would be irresponsible,” Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, said in a statement. The critical reaction could foreshadow a contentious debate about when it’s appropriate to shut down school buildings and represents a shift in tone from United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew. In recent months, he has been generally supportive of City Hall’s approach to reopening the nation’s largest school district. For now, the back-and-forth is largely symbolic. De Blasio has hinted that the city may need broader shutdowns, similar to those instituted last spring, though he has not put forward a specific plan. The final authority to make decisions about closing schools or other aspects of the city rests with Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The state’s current threshold for shutting down school buildings across New York City is 9% positivity rate over seven days, though Cuomo has not commented on whether he will stick to that. Monday’s positivity rate over one week was 4%, according to state data.
No Clear-Cut Science
If New York City schools shut down their buildings in the near future, it would affect about 20% of students at most, or roughly 190,000. The vast majority of children selected fully remote learning, and middle and high school students will remain virtual at least until January. De Blasio and his health advisors have made the case that health precautions in schools — including masks, social distancing, and weekly testing — have made schools incredibly safe, with little evidence that they are contributing to an uptick in cases. “Schools are not increasing the rate of transmission,” Dr. Jay Varma, a mayoral health advisor, told reporters when asked about stricter lockdowns. “People’s risk of getting infected, if you are a member of the school community, is either similar to, or in some situations, much less than it is for anybody else in the community.” A spokesperson for the teachers union did not immediately offer a more detailed explanation about why they believe keeping school buildings open would be risky. The exact threshold by which schools should close has been hotly debated and turns partly on how much risk policy makers are willing to accept given that there is not a clear-cut scientific answer. The city has other factors to consider, including whether freezing temperatures could make it more difficult to keep windows open as a primary source of ventilation in some classrooms. (The education department has said it has purchased 60,000 air purifiers, which should enable classrooms to keep their windows closed, education department officials said.) Educators have also raised questions about the city’s process for catching cases and informing communities, claiming it has been slow to inform schools of coronavirus infections in some cases. Complicating matters, the mayor pushed to shut down the city’s school buildings citywide last month after the city’s virus positivity rate crossed 3% over a seven-day average, making it more difficult for him to argue that school building shutdowns aren’t needed even as coronavirus cases remain above that level. Asked about the union’s comments, representatives of de Blasio and the city’s education department did not immediately respond.p
This story was published on December 15, 2020 by THE CITY.
