Month: November 2021

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Security News in Brief: South Florida Addiction Treatment Facility Operators Convicted in $112 Million Addiction Treatment Fraud Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice News

After a seven-week trial, a federal jury in the Southern District of Florida convicted two operators of two South Florida addiction treatment facilities for fraudulently billing approximately $112 million for services that were never provided or were medically unnecessary, and for paying  kickbacks to patients through patient recruiters, and receiving kickbacks from testing laboratories. One defendant was also convicted of money laundering, and of separate charges of bank fraud connected to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

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Security News in Brief: Justice Department Settles with Transport Packaging Services Company to Resolve Immigration-Related Discrimination Claim

Source: United States Department of Justice News

The Department of Justice today announced it has reached a settlement agreement with Rehrig Pacific Company (Rehrig Pacific), headquartered in California. The settlement resolves allegations that Rehrig Pacific discriminated against a non-U.S. citizen when, because of his citizenship status, it did not give him the opportunity to produce his choice of valid documentation proving his permission to work.  

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Oregon FBI Tech Tuesday: Building a Digital Defense Against Big Bucks Job Scams

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 job scams that promise big money-making opportunities.

For many folks, the last 18 months of COVID isolation has only reinforced their desire to always work remotely—or to quit the traditional 9 to 5 altogether in lieu of an alternate work option. Unfortunately, fraudsters are looking at your new work style as a new avenue for making money themselves.

To that end, our partners at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have put out a new warning in an effort to stop companies from using phony or misleading claims to draw people in. Multi-level marketing companies, business opportunities, franchises, investment coaching companies, and “gig” companies are of high concern. Many are legitimate, but some are not.

The concern: that some companies will greatly overestimate your earning potential, causing you to lose significant time and money in the process. Here’s what companies CAN’T do:

  • Make false, misleading, or deceptive claims about your expected earnings.
  • Misrepresent that you don’t need the appropriate experience to earn income.
  • Misrepresent that you must act immediately.
  • Misrepresent that the opportunity is low risk or no risk.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

  • Do your research. Before starting a new “gig,” search for information about the company online. Find out how it pays its workers and any other conditions that come with the offer.
  • Be suspicious if someone claims you will be able to quit your day job, work from home, and live lavishly.
  • Avoid anyone using high-pressure sales tactics. The company should give you time to study the company and the opportunity. If pressured to “act now,” you might be better walking away.

If you are the victim of this kind of fraud, you can reach out to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or you can also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

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FBI Alert—Seeking Information

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

The FBI is seeking information on the individuals and vehicles included in this news release.
El FBI está solicitando información sobre los individuos y vehículos que se aprecian en las imágenes que se acompañan a este correo electrónico.

We ask the public to take a good look at these images.
Le pedimos al público que mire bien las imágenes.

If you or anyone you know, knows the identity or whereabouts of the persons and/or vehicles depicted, please call 787-987-6500 or leave a tip online by visiting tips.FBI.gov.
Si usted o alguien que conoce conoce de la identidad y/o paradero de estos individuos y/o vehículos, por favor llame al 787-987-6500 o deje una confidencia en línea a través de tips.FBI.gov.