Month: July 2021

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

MILWAUKEE, WI—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Robert E. Hughes of the Milwaukee Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is pleased to announce that Victor Barnett, the founder of Milwaukee’s Running Rebels Community Organization (RRCO), has received the nationally recognized FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2020.

It was 41 years ago when Victor Barnett saw that gangs were beginning to form in Milwaukee around 1980. Mr. Barnett wanted to provide something to deter youth and focus them in a more positive direction. He believed that the right relationships and activities would keep them from gangs, violence, substance abuse, and other negative behaviors. As a young man himself, at the time—19 years old, Mr. Barnett founded the Running Rebels Community Organization.

The program was initially started as organized basketball teams that incorporated not only the fundamentals of the game, but also the elements that translate into strengthening talent and character both on and off the court. Education has also played an important part in RRCO programming. Each player had to bring their report card so Mr. Barnett could personally see the areas in which they needed additional help. From those early years to present day, hundreds of young men have come to know Mr. Barnett as a mentor, a brother, and a friend.

Today, the Running Rebels Community Organization is co-managed by Victor and his wife Dawn Barnett and serves 2,500 youth annually.

The Director’s Community Leadership Award was established in 1990 by the FBI to publicly recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities in the areas of civil rights, terrorism, cyber, drug, gang, or violence prevention and education. SAC Hughes is proud to present the DCLA award on behalf of FBI Director Christopher Wray, to the Running Rebels Community Organization for their significant impact on the young lives of thousands of teens in Milwaukee for more than four decades.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against travel scams.

It seems as though everyone is desperate to escape this summer… to go anywhere other than your basement office or the neighborhood park. And, finally, with lockdowns lifting, we are getting the chance to travel. Beware though—scammers are not going to let such a good opportunity go to waste. Your desire to get out drives their desire to cash out at your expense.

Here are some tips from our friends at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

• Watch out for offers of a “free” vacation that require you to pay fees or taxes to get it.
• Pay attention to the details. You get offered a stay at a “five-star” resort or a cruise on a “luxury” ship… but the contact won’t give you more specific details? It’s a red flag if you can’t get the name and address of the hotel or details about the cruise company.
• Just say no if the travel offer requires you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. Scammers know that once you pay in one of these ways, it is almost impossible for you to get your money back. Always pay by credit card.
• Don’t allow someone to pressure you into making a quick decision about a “great deal.” Scammers use social engineering techniques— playing on your fear of missing out—to rush you to act without thinking.
• Watch for premium vacation properties advertised for super cheap prices. Below-market rent can be a sign of a scam. Do some extra research to confirm the deal is legit before jumping in.
• Get a copy of the cancellation and refund policies before you pay. If you can’t get those details, walk away.
• Do your own research. Look up travel companies, hotels, rentals, and agents with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”
• Check the address of the property to make sure it really exists. If the property is located in a resort, call the front desk to confirm their location and other details on the contract.

If you are the victim of any online fraud, you should also report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.