Scam threatens victims with arrest
Calls from a real debt collector are scary enough; these calls are from abusive thugs armed with enough personal data to make them seem legit. Don't be fooled.
[Related content: banking, financial privacy, payday loans, debt reduction, bills]
By MSN Money staff and wire reports
Con artists armed with Social Security numbers, bank account information and other sensitive personal data are threatening consumers with arrest, the Better Business Bureau warns.
The callers claim to be lawyers with the "Financial Accountability Association" or the "Federal Legislation of Unsecured Loans," trying to collect on defaulted payday loans, the BBB says. The callers demand immediate payments of as much as $1,000, by wire or by credit or debit cards, to head off lawsuits before they go to court. In some cases, victims have received dozens of calls in an afternoon.
Facebook users: Become a fan of MSN Money
"Because the scammers have so much information about potential victims, BBB is concerned that this may be the result of a data breach," says Steve Cox, a BBB spokesman. "Thousands of people may have had their personal information compromised, and, given the scammers' tactics, it appears that those who have previously used payday loan services could be particularly at risk."
Many of the intended victims had visited online payday loan sites. The scammers often have a victim's Social Security number, old bank account numbers or driver's license numbers, as well as home addresses, employer information and even the names of friends and professional references, the BBB says.
More from MSN Money
22 ways to protect your identity
Who clicks on spam? We do
Has the Social Security code been cracked?
When a parent steals your identity
When debt collectors come knocking
A poster on 800notes.com describes the experience:
"Got a message on my cell phone asking to speak to my husband stating not to disregard this message and (may) God help us if he did not call back for whatever may unfold upon you. A few months back I visited a payday online site and filled it out, but decided against it because of the fees. I answer the phone the next time I see the number and tell them my husband is not home so they speak to me and tell me my husband will be charged with loan fraud, they will call his job and he will probably lose the job, etc.
"So I ask them, has a letter been sent to our address about this matter? No they say it has been e-mailed. I tell them that I will go to my bank tomorrow to research this issue and to see if any money has ever been deposited without my knowledge because I feel like this is a scam, and he tells me if you do that I will download your case right now. I said good bye. This is such a scam but what scared me is that had the last four digits of my husband's Social Security number and the name of my mother and sister-in-law due to the filling out of the application."
Video on MSN Money
Defending against debt collectors
It's against the law for a debt collector to harass you. Know what your rights are and how to exercise them.
What to do if you're called
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, among other things, prohibits collectors from making threats, harassment or misleading statements, or contacting third parties such as family members.
The BBB offers the following advice to consumers if they receive suspicious telephone calls about outstanding debts:
Ask debt collectors to provide documentation that substantiates the debts. Every collector must send a written validation notice within five days of contacting someone, including the name of the creditor and how to proceed.
Do not provide or confirm any bank account, credit card or other personal information over the phone until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the call.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online if a caller is abusive, uses threats or otherwise violates federal telemarketing laws.
File a complaint with the BBB online if you believe a debt collector is trying to scam you.
According to complaints online, phone numbers that the scammers are calling from include 949-468-5107, 415-200-0274, 213-784-5745, 408-715-1614 and many others.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Proposed Algae-to-Biofuels Pilot Facility on Cape Cod
Proposed Algae-to-Biofuels Pilot Facility on Cape Cod
8 August 2009
Under the leadership of Massachusetts-based Plankton Power and the Regional Technology Development Corp. (RTDC) of Cape Cod, the Massachusetts National Guard, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), and Cape Cod Commission are forming a public-private consortium to establish the Cape Cod Algae Biorefinery.
The new facility will focus on pilot- and commercial-scale development of algae biodiesel that is cost-competitive with existing petroleum- and vegetable-based fuels, with improved performance characteristics.
The planned biorefinery is proposed for construction on five acres of land on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) in Bourne, Massachusetts, supported by the Massachusetts National Guard pending legal and regulatory reviews. The pilot facility will provide the required infrastructure for testing commercial scale-up of an algae-growth technology resulting from 20 years of cold saltwater species research and production.
The Cape Cod Algae Biorefinery Consortium recently submitted a $20 million proposal to the US Department of Energy (DOE) that would leverage $4 million in private funding to construct the proposed facility. MassDevelopment, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and Loud Fuel Company are also supporting the initiative.
Beginning in autumn 2010, Plankton Power expects to initiate pilot-scale operations to generate up to one million gallons of biodiesel per year—enough fuel to supply Cape Cod’s current biodiesel usage. The company projects that commercial-scale operations on 100 acres could eventually yield 100 million gallons of biodiesel, which would meet 5% of the demand for diesel and home heating fuel in the state of Massachusetts.
Plankton Power applies proprietary technologies to create cost-effective, low carbon-emitting, 100% renewable biofuel products from cold-saltwater algae species. The company’s algae crude, biodiesel, biojet fuel, and other products are derived from a patent-pending technology that is the culmination of 20 years of research.
Plankton’s fully contained recirculating algae production system uses closed ponds and novel algae-to-fuel bioreactors and recycles much of the nutrient content and virtually all the water used in production, minimizing environmental impact. Plankton was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
August 8, 2009 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
An interesting idea. It will be miraculous if all these players can actually make something with commercial viability. After digging around the Plankton b.g. it seems they have acquired the Greenfuels bioreactor IP as well as a former designer of the same. These are greenhouse type closed grow ponds utilizing naturally occurring algae species.
One of the biggest problems for bioreactors has been methods to circulate fast growing algae through the photosynthesis cycle. Race ponds enclosed or otherwise suffer the same problem. How to cycle algae so increasing biomass gets even exposure to light. This seems to be a major challenge for any bioreactor design and will be the challenge for this consortium. One solution is active separation via controlled fluid dynamics - a proprietary IP.
But they are on the right track with utilization of waste water nutrients, ocean water and State land. They may want to consider using GMO algae with lipid yields higher than the 25% from wild species. We wish them good luck and congratulations on an imaginative adventure.
8 August 2009
Under the leadership of Massachusetts-based Plankton Power and the Regional Technology Development Corp. (RTDC) of Cape Cod, the Massachusetts National Guard, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), and Cape Cod Commission are forming a public-private consortium to establish the Cape Cod Algae Biorefinery.
The new facility will focus on pilot- and commercial-scale development of algae biodiesel that is cost-competitive with existing petroleum- and vegetable-based fuels, with improved performance characteristics.
The planned biorefinery is proposed for construction on five acres of land on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) in Bourne, Massachusetts, supported by the Massachusetts National Guard pending legal and regulatory reviews. The pilot facility will provide the required infrastructure for testing commercial scale-up of an algae-growth technology resulting from 20 years of cold saltwater species research and production.
The Cape Cod Algae Biorefinery Consortium recently submitted a $20 million proposal to the US Department of Energy (DOE) that would leverage $4 million in private funding to construct the proposed facility. MassDevelopment, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and Loud Fuel Company are also supporting the initiative.
Beginning in autumn 2010, Plankton Power expects to initiate pilot-scale operations to generate up to one million gallons of biodiesel per year—enough fuel to supply Cape Cod’s current biodiesel usage. The company projects that commercial-scale operations on 100 acres could eventually yield 100 million gallons of biodiesel, which would meet 5% of the demand for diesel and home heating fuel in the state of Massachusetts.
Plankton Power applies proprietary technologies to create cost-effective, low carbon-emitting, 100% renewable biofuel products from cold-saltwater algae species. The company’s algae crude, biodiesel, biojet fuel, and other products are derived from a patent-pending technology that is the culmination of 20 years of research.
Plankton’s fully contained recirculating algae production system uses closed ponds and novel algae-to-fuel bioreactors and recycles much of the nutrient content and virtually all the water used in production, minimizing environmental impact. Plankton was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
August 8, 2009 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
An interesting idea. It will be miraculous if all these players can actually make something with commercial viability. After digging around the Plankton b.g. it seems they have acquired the Greenfuels bioreactor IP as well as a former designer of the same. These are greenhouse type closed grow ponds utilizing naturally occurring algae species.
One of the biggest problems for bioreactors has been methods to circulate fast growing algae through the photosynthesis cycle. Race ponds enclosed or otherwise suffer the same problem. How to cycle algae so increasing biomass gets even exposure to light. This seems to be a major challenge for any bioreactor design and will be the challenge for this consortium. One solution is active separation via controlled fluid dynamics - a proprietary IP.
But they are on the right track with utilization of waste water nutrients, ocean water and State land. They may want to consider using GMO algae with lipid yields higher than the 25% from wild species. We wish them good luck and congratulations on an imaginative adventure.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Solar-powered Trash Collectors Save Bucks in Philly
Philadelphia likes solar-powered 'BigBelly'
City finds it can stuff more trash with compactors, saving money
The solar-powered trash compactor at right is one of hundreds of BigBelly units being deployed in Philadelphia, Penn.
View related photos
Matt Rourke / AP
Ex couple’s court fight for pug may change laws
updated 11:13 a.m. ET, Fri., July 24, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Is it any surprise that a city known for its love of cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and cannolis would embrace a solar-powered trash compactor called a BigBelly?
In the largest rollout yet, Philadelphia has replaced 700 downtown trash bins with 500 of the high-tech compactors, which use solar energy to condense trash — cutting down collection trips by 75 percent.
Facing a $1.4 billion, five-year budget deficit, the city estimates it will save $875,000 a year with the compactors, bought with state grant money. Cities from Vienna to Boston to Vancouver have tried the devices in smaller numbers, but Philadelphia put them along four collection routes in its heavily traveled downtown area.
Streets Commissioner Carmina Tolson said the compactors, the last of which was installed this month, usually need to be emptied five times a week — as opposed to 19 times for a regular can. The change frees up 25 streets department employees, who are now filling vacancies on trucks that collect household recycling.
"We now can go all day," Tolson said of the 32-gallon compactors, which can hold 150 to 200 gallons of trash.
The devices are being piloted by governments and other entities in 40 states and 20 countries, but no other group is trying an approach as comprehensive as what Philadelphia is doing, said Richard Kennelly, vice president of marketing for BigBelly Solar, based in Needham, Mass.
The BigBelly is powered by sun, but it does not need direct light, Kennelly said. When trash gets to the top of the bin, it breaks an electronic beam that triggers a motor that pushes it down. As trash gets more densely packed, the machine senses the resistance and changes a light out front from green to yellow.
'We're full' alerts
In Philadelphia, the cans also have a wireless monitoring system that notifies the city when they're full. In addition, the city is introducing curbside recycling containers next to many of the compactors.
Boston first got the solar-powered compactors in 2006 and now has 160, using them everywhere from historic Faneuil Hall to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
"Our problem with them right now is we don't have them concentrated, we've got them spread," said Dennis Royer, Boston's chief of public works and transportation, who estimates the compactors pay for themselves in 18 months.
Royer said he would love to replace more of his 1,595 trash cans with the BigBelly. The city has also gotten businesses to purchase 20 or 30 of the compactors, which cost from $3,195 to $3,995 apiece.
About 100 BigBelly compactors are being used by various entities in New York, including the Bronx Zoo. Chicago has 90. Overseas, Vienna has 60, Vancouver about 30 and they are also being used in parts of Australia, Israel and France.
But Philadelphia is the first to use them in such big numbers, along whole collection routes.
"They really moved forward on this, primarily because of the cost savings," Kennelly said of Philadelphia officials.
Mayor's double-take
In a city once dubbed the nation's fattest, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter initially did a double-take when an aide told him about the devices.
"What? Who's got a big belly?" he recalled asking.
But when he saw how they could save money and when the city came up with grant money to purchase them, he said, he warmed quickly. The city tested three of them last year and began adding them by the hundreds this year.
The targeted approach is also being tested in Somerville, Mass., where officials have focused them in densely packed areas.
Somerville has saturated its main square and several other areas, freeing up several streets department workers to repair potholes, trim trees and fix playground equipment, said Michael Lambert, director of transportation and infrastructure.
One lesson Royer learned in Boston was that workers needed to keep the cans very clean so that people didn't shy away from them.
And even though they need to be emptied less often, he said, their fullness needs to be carefully monitored — especially during big events.
"You don't want anything to discourage people from using them," he said.
City finds it can stuff more trash with compactors, saving money
The solar-powered trash compactor at right is one of hundreds of BigBelly units being deployed in Philadelphia, Penn.
View related photos
Matt Rourke / AP
Ex couple’s court fight for pug may change laws
updated 11:13 a.m. ET, Fri., July 24, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Is it any surprise that a city known for its love of cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and cannolis would embrace a solar-powered trash compactor called a BigBelly?
In the largest rollout yet, Philadelphia has replaced 700 downtown trash bins with 500 of the high-tech compactors, which use solar energy to condense trash — cutting down collection trips by 75 percent.
Facing a $1.4 billion, five-year budget deficit, the city estimates it will save $875,000 a year with the compactors, bought with state grant money. Cities from Vienna to Boston to Vancouver have tried the devices in smaller numbers, but Philadelphia put them along four collection routes in its heavily traveled downtown area.
Streets Commissioner Carmina Tolson said the compactors, the last of which was installed this month, usually need to be emptied five times a week — as opposed to 19 times for a regular can. The change frees up 25 streets department employees, who are now filling vacancies on trucks that collect household recycling.
"We now can go all day," Tolson said of the 32-gallon compactors, which can hold 150 to 200 gallons of trash.
The devices are being piloted by governments and other entities in 40 states and 20 countries, but no other group is trying an approach as comprehensive as what Philadelphia is doing, said Richard Kennelly, vice president of marketing for BigBelly Solar, based in Needham, Mass.
The BigBelly is powered by sun, but it does not need direct light, Kennelly said. When trash gets to the top of the bin, it breaks an electronic beam that triggers a motor that pushes it down. As trash gets more densely packed, the machine senses the resistance and changes a light out front from green to yellow.
'We're full' alerts
In Philadelphia, the cans also have a wireless monitoring system that notifies the city when they're full. In addition, the city is introducing curbside recycling containers next to many of the compactors.
Boston first got the solar-powered compactors in 2006 and now has 160, using them everywhere from historic Faneuil Hall to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
"Our problem with them right now is we don't have them concentrated, we've got them spread," said Dennis Royer, Boston's chief of public works and transportation, who estimates the compactors pay for themselves in 18 months.
Royer said he would love to replace more of his 1,595 trash cans with the BigBelly. The city has also gotten businesses to purchase 20 or 30 of the compactors, which cost from $3,195 to $3,995 apiece.
About 100 BigBelly compactors are being used by various entities in New York, including the Bronx Zoo. Chicago has 90. Overseas, Vienna has 60, Vancouver about 30 and they are also being used in parts of Australia, Israel and France.
But Philadelphia is the first to use them in such big numbers, along whole collection routes.
"They really moved forward on this, primarily because of the cost savings," Kennelly said of Philadelphia officials.
Mayor's double-take
In a city once dubbed the nation's fattest, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter initially did a double-take when an aide told him about the devices.
"What? Who's got a big belly?" he recalled asking.
But when he saw how they could save money and when the city came up with grant money to purchase them, he said, he warmed quickly. The city tested three of them last year and began adding them by the hundreds this year.
The targeted approach is also being tested in Somerville, Mass., where officials have focused them in densely packed areas.
Somerville has saturated its main square and several other areas, freeing up several streets department workers to repair potholes, trim trees and fix playground equipment, said Michael Lambert, director of transportation and infrastructure.
One lesson Royer learned in Boston was that workers needed to keep the cans very clean so that people didn't shy away from them.
And even though they need to be emptied less often, he said, their fullness needs to be carefully monitored — especially during big events.
"You don't want anything to discourage people from using them," he said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)