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How to avoid the gift-card 'gotcha'

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:46:00 GMT

Dec. 5--REMEMBER THE GIFT-CARD "GOTCHAS" -- the expiration dates, fees for dormancy or monthly use, and initial set-up charges?
In Minnesota, cards cannot have expiration dates or fees, with a few exceptions, including debit cards, prepaid calling cards, reward cards such as the $25 bonus card from a restaurant (see below), and cards sold at banks that can be used anywhere issued by Amex, Visa or Mastercard.
If you want to give a "use almost anywhere" card, American Express costs less in fees.

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Star Tribune, Minneapolis, John Ewoldt column: How to avoid the gift-card 'gotcha'

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:48:00 GMT

Dec. 6--REMEMBER THE GIFT-CARD "GOTCHAS" -- the expiration dates, fees for dormancy or monthly use, and initial set-up charges?
In Minnesota, cards cannot have expiration dates or fees, with a few exceptions, including debit cards, prepaid calling cards, reward cards such as the $25 bonus card from a restaurant (see below), and cards sold at banks that can be used anywhere issued by Amex, Visa or Mastercard.
If you want to give a "use almost anywhere" card, American Express costs less in fees.

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Police: Scams target Toledo's older residents

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Dec. 3--Toledo police yesterday reminded residents to be vigilant against an old scam in which criminals will con their way into homes and steal valuables.
There have been several burglaries during the past several months, primarily in West Toledo, in which two suspects claiming to be city water department employees deceived elderly homeowners.
"They approach the door and they say there is a leak in the house and that they have to come into the house to check," Lieutenant Schmidt said.

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Frederick Watchdog -- Protect your identity this holiday season

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:52:00 GMT

Nov. 30--With the end of the weekend following Black Friday, where shoppers wake at ungodly hours to find a bargain, comes Cyber Monday.
And in the next few weeks, we'll all be out hitting the stores for Christmas presents, so it's best to be alert and wary that some thieving knuckleheads are after a Christmas bonus of their own -- your bank account.
"Identity theft can happen to you whether you're shopping online or shopping at the mall, making it critical that we all take specific steps to fight both low- and high-tech ID thieves," said Angie Barnett, president/CEO of BBB Greater Maryland.

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OPINION: One cell phone call brings 4 police cruisers

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:46:00 GMT

Nov. 30--Republican activist Mike Ridgway might be the Utah version of Joe Btfsplk, the luckless Li'l Abner character who always traveled with a dark cloud hovering over his head.
This time his confrontation was with four Salt Lake City police officers, and he tape recorded it.
On Nov. 16, Ridgway traveled to his brother's apartment in the Avenues.

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Inclement weather can pose danger to travelers

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:48:00 GMT

Nov. 30--Holiday travel can take you to areas where weather is far different from Luna County's.
If you're flying then renting a vehicle at your initial destination, you can also benefit from some of these tips.
"By preparing for winter driving conditions," Wheeler said, "you can protect yourself and your passengers.

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Holidays prompt warnings to shoppers

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:49:00 GMT

Nov. 28--Online scams, deals that sound too good to be true and gift cards riddled with hidden fees are among the schemes that prompt warnings this holiday shopping season from consumer advocates.
That represents a 22 percent increase over the previous year, making it a particular issue for consumer watchdog groups.
"Identity theft can happen to you whether you're shopping online or shopping at the mall, making it critical that we all take specific steps to fight both low-and high-tech ID thieves," said Allison Southwick of the Better Business Bureau.

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OPINION: One cell phone call brings 4 police cruisers

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:48:00 GMT

Nov. 28--Republican activist Mike Ridgway might be the Utah version of Joe Btfsplk, the luckless Li'l Abner character who always traveled with a dark cloud hovering over his head.
This time his confrontation was with four Salt Lake City police officers, and he tape recorded it.
On Nov. 16, Ridgway traveled to his brother's apartment in the Avenues.

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Shoppers should be wary of scams and thieves

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:53:00 GMT

Nov. 27--From computer hackers to car window smashers, holiday shopping can provide ample opportunities for thieves, consumer advocates and police warn.
"Unfortunately, not everybody out is shopping and preparing for the holiday in a positive manner," Salem police Capt. Shawn Patten said.
Reports of identity theft increased by 22 percent in 2008, with 10 million people reporting their identities had been stolen, according to a report from Javelin Strategy and Research.

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Protect yourself while shopping and don't hesitate to complain if you're cheated

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:50:00 GMT

Shoppers are gearing up for a busy holiday season - and so are the bad guys.
And with all loud advertising and sales tags, it's also easy to make a bad purchase when it comes to return and refund purchases.
Here are some ways to stay out of trouble as recommended by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

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L-1 Identity Solutions Reports Second Quarter and Six Month 2009 Financial Results

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:13:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:ID), a leading supplier of identity solutions and services, today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2009.[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions Introduces New Live Scan Device for High Volume Civil Applications

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:50:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: ID), a leading supplier of identity management solutions and services, today introduced Agile TP, a new live scan fingerprint solution designed for high-volume civil identification programs. The lightweight, easy-to-use device is capable of capturing a full set of flat fingerprints in less than 10 seconds. It is ideal for civil identification systems used at border control checkpoints, airports or other security terminals, and background checks at job application centers where speed and accuracy are a necessity. Initial shipments will begin in August to a recently awarded program in Latin America.[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions Shipped $8.3 Million of HIIDETM and PIERTM Devices in the Second Quarter 2009

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:49:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: ID), a leading provider of identity solutions and services, announced that in the second quarter it shipped $8.3 million in PIER and HIIDE biometric enrollment and recognition devices for use in areas of conflict around the world. Of that, $2.7 million was from new purchase orders awarded in the quarter. The orders were received by the Biometrics Division of L-1.[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions Amends Credit Agreement

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:29:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: ID), a leading provider of identity solutions and services, elected to amend its credit agreement to provide more flexibility for working capital and to enhance compliance with certain overly restrictive financial covenants. The total available credit remains unchanged at $423.7 million, comprised of $288.7 million in term loans and a $135 million revolving credit line, of which, net of letters of credit, approximately $124 million is available to the Company.[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions Receives $27.6 Million from Multiple U.S. States for Secure Driver’s License Solutions

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:33:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: ID), a leading provider of identity solutions and services, was awarded contracts and contract extensions from Delaware, Louisiana, Tennessee, Indiana and a State to be named at a later date, to continue providing secure driver’s license solutions, bringing the total value of these contracts to $27.6 million. Extension options in the yet-to-be-named State would add an additional $16 million. All of the awards were made to the Secure Credentialing Division of L-1.[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions to Report Second Quarter 2009 Results on July 29, 2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:27:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: ID), a leading provider of identity solutions and services, will report financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 before the market opens on July 29, 2009. A conference call will be held at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on the same day to discuss operating results.[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions Facial Recognition Technology Proves to be an Effective Tool in Fraud Detection Efforts in the U.S. and Canada

Wed, 20 May 2009 12:06:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: ID), a leading provider of identity solutions and services, today announced that facial recognition technology is proving to be a highly effective tool in fraud detection efforts among U.S. and Canadian driver’s license issuers. L-1 recently signed new facial recognition contracts with an aggregate value of approximately $4.1 million with New York and the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO).[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions Announces Results of 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Thu, 07 May 2009 16:41:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: ID), a leading supplier of identity solutions and services, today announced results from the Company's 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions Provides State of Texas with Full Hand Biometric Scanning Technology for Use in Criminal Investigations

Wed, 06 May 2009 21:49:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:ID), a leading provider of identity solutions and services, today announced that the L-1 Biometrics Division was awarded a new contract with the State of Texas to upgrade existing L-1 TouchPrint™ live scan systems to incorporate full hand scanners. In addition to electronic finger and facial images, law enforcement and investigators across the State can now capture full hand prints which are sent to the state-wide criminal AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System). Local law enforcement agencies searching latent palm prints against the AFIS will have high quality full hand images to search against for improved matching accuracy. The contract is valued at $2.5 million and the upgrade was completed by L-1 in April 2009.[More...]

L-1 Identity Solutions Awarded Contract from Colorado to Continue Driver’s License Issuance and Upgrade Front Office Processes

Wed, 06 May 2009 13:34:00 GMT

L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:ID), a leading provider of identity solutions and services, was awarded a three year extension to an existing contract by the Colorado Department of Revenue / Division of Motor Vehicles. The contract expands the scope of driver’s license issuance services and will facilitate an upgrade of front office processes by L-1 to improve customer service and help combat fraud in Colorado. The award was made to the Secure Credentialing Division of L-1.[More...]