Broward's 'Felony Lane Gang' spreads crime wave across U.S.

WASHINGTON—

Highly organized packs of thieves from the Fort Lauderdale area are spreading a rash of crimes across Florida and much of the nation, breaking into cars in Orlando, stealing identities in North Carolina, cashing bad checks in Pennsylvania and providing a model for copycat gangs from coast to coast.

The "Felony Lane Gang" — so named because they use drive-thru bank lanes farthest from security cameras and tellers — began as a group of friends and family in Broward County, and police say marauding members and recruits still send much of their ill-gotten gains back home to South Florida.

Their origins remain mysterious, but Broward County Sheriff's Detective Mitch Gordon thinks "it pretty much started here in Broward County, or the tri-county area. Some are family — cousins, brothers, sisters. It was a bunch of low criminals, and someone said, 'Hey, let's use these criminals to go steal credit cards.' That's how it got organized."

A series of criminal convictions and sentencings in Pennsylvania this month has stymied at least one traveling crew of the Broward-based gang. The 10 culprits were accused of stealing about a million dollars and victimizing 150 people. But investigators expect the crime wave to continue as other gang members roam the country and unaffiliated thieves follow their example.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-felony-lane-gang-spreads-broward-20140328,0,4559931.story

Broward's 'Felony Lane Gang' spreads crime wave across U.S.

WASHINGTON—

Highly organized packs of thieves from the Fort Lauderdale area are spreading a rash of crimes across Florida and much of the nation, breaking into cars in Orlando, stealing identities in North Carolina, cashing bad checks in Pennsylvania and providing a model for copycat gangs from coast to coast.

The "Felony Lane Gang" — so named because they use drive-thru bank lanes farthest from security cameras and tellers — began as a group of friends and family in Broward County, and police say marauding members and recruits still send much of their ill-gotten gains back home to South Florida.

Their origins remain mysterious, but Broward County Sheriff's Detective Mitch Gordon thinks "it pretty much started here in Broward County, or the tri-county area. Some are family — cousins, brothers, sisters. It was a bunch of low criminals, and someone said, 'Hey, let's use these criminals to go steal credit cards.' That's how it got organized."

A series of criminal convictions and sentencings in Pennsylvania this month has stymied at least one traveling crew of the Broward-based gang. The 10 culprits were accused of stealing about a million dollars and victimizing 150 people. But investigators expect the crime wave to continue as other gang members roam the country and unaffiliated thieves follow their example.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-felony-lane-gang-spreads-broward-20140328,0,4559931.story

Court: NC Legislators Must Reveal Documents, Purpose Behind Challenged Voting 'Reform'

A U.S. District judge has ruled that Republican legislators in North Carolina must provide documents revealing their work in passing and implementing a radical election reform bill which, when it was passed last year, was described by opponents as the "worse-than-anyone-would-have-ever-imagined voter suppression bill."

Late last week, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Joi Elizabeth Peake issued an Order [PDF] in which she rejected a blanket refusal by NC Republican state legislators to provideany documents that relate to the question of whether the sweeping legislation known as the Voter Information Reform Act ("VIVA" aka HB 589) amounted to nothing less than a racially-motivated attempt to deprive African-Americans of their constitutional right to vote.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=10560

Court: NC Legislators Must Reveal Documents, Purpose Behind Challenged Voting 'Reform'

A U.S. District judge has ruled that Republican legislators in North Carolina must provide documents revealing their work in passing and implementing a radical election reform bill which, when it was passed last year, was described by opponents as the "worse-than-anyone-would-have-ever-imagined voter suppression bill."

Late last week, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Joi Elizabeth Peake issued an Order [PDF] in which she rejected a blanket refusal by NC Republican state legislators to provideany documents that relate to the question of whether the sweeping legislation known as the Voter Information Reform Act ("VIVA" aka HB 589) amounted to nothing less than a racially-motivated attempt to deprive African-Americans of their constitutional right to vote.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=10560

Hackers hit Microsoft Word and Excel users with evolved Tor malware

Hackers are targeting Word and Excel users with a sophisticated new data-siphoning malware that hides its movements using the Tor network, according to security firm Trend Micro.

Trend Micro threat response engineer Alvin John Nieto reported the campaign in a blog post. "Malware targeting Word and Excel files has been around for some time, but we recently encountered a new malware family Crigent (also known as ‘Power Worm'), which brings several new techniques to the table," he said.

"This particular threat arrives as an infected Word or Excel document, which may be dropped by other malware, or downloaded or accessed by users. When opened, right away it downloads two additional components from two well-known online anonymity projects: the Tor network, and Polipo, a personal web cache/proxy."

In the first stage of the attack, criminals target a flaw in Windows PowerShell to steal critical information about the victim system. The information includes the system's IP address, location, user account privilege, OS version, architecture and language as well as what Microsoft Office applications and Office versions are running.

PowerShell is an interactive scripting tool that is available for all current versions of Windows and pre-built into Windows 7 and Windows 8. A Trend Micro spokesperson told V3 the use of PowerShell is atypical and suggests the attack is the first stage in a wider campaign.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2336966/hackers-hit-microsoft-word-and-excel-users-with-evolved-tor-malware

Hackers hit Microsoft Word and Excel users with evolved Tor malware

Hackers are targeting Word and Excel users with a sophisticated new data-siphoning malware that hides its movements using the Tor network, according to security firm Trend Micro.

Trend Micro threat response engineer Alvin John Nieto reported the campaign in a blog post. "Malware targeting Word and Excel files has been around for some time, but we recently encountered a new malware family Crigent (also known as ‘Power Worm'), which brings several new techniques to the table," he said.

"This particular threat arrives as an infected Word or Excel document, which may be dropped by other malware, or downloaded or accessed by users. When opened, right away it downloads two additional components from two well-known online anonymity projects: the Tor network, and Polipo, a personal web cache/proxy."

In the first stage of the attack, criminals target a flaw in Windows PowerShell to steal critical information about the victim system. The information includes the system's IP address, location, user account privilege, OS version, architecture and language as well as what Microsoft Office applications and Office versions are running.

PowerShell is an interactive scripting tool that is available for all current versions of Windows and pre-built into Windows 7 and Windows 8. A Trend Micro spokesperson told V3 the use of PowerShell is atypical and suggests the attack is the first stage in a wider campaign.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2336966/hackers-hit-microsoft-word-and-excel-users-with-evolved-tor-malware

Bank of America close to beating DOJ $850M RMBS fraud suit

he U.S. Department of Justice has not proven its charges that Bank of America (BAC) misled investors about the quality of loans bundled into $850 million in mortgage-backed securities.

That’s the word from presiding U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cayer, who is recommending that the case be dismissed.

Attorneys for the Justice Department can appeal the recommendation for dismissal.

The case against Bank of America is one in a series of prosecutions being brought by U.S. attorneys against financial institutions under the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. The law allows the government to sue for fraud rather than just charge institutions with a crime when the alleged fraud is against a federally insured institution.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.housingwire.com/articles/29472-bank-of-america-close-to-beating-doj-850m-rmbs-fraud-suit

Bank of America close to beating DOJ $850M RMBS fraud suit

he U.S. Department of Justice has not proven its charges that Bank of America (BAC) misled investors about the quality of loans bundled into $850 million in mortgage-backed securities.

That’s the word from presiding U.S. Magistrate Judge David Cayer, who is recommending that the case be dismissed.

Attorneys for the Justice Department can appeal the recommendation for dismissal.

The case against Bank of America is one in a series of prosecutions being brought by U.S. attorneys against financial institutions under the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. The law allows the government to sue for fraud rather than just charge institutions with a crime when the alleged fraud is against a federally insured institution.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.housingwire.com/articles/29472-bank-of-america-close-to-beating-doj-850m-rmbs-fraud-suit

Robocalls

16174499929 Robocaller 3-28-2014 09:11:00

Returned call forwarded to a shoretel phone mailbox.

Robocalls

16174499929 Robocaller 3-28-2014 09:11:00

Returned call forwarded to a shoretel phone mailbox.

Local Phone Numbers Being Hi-Jacked By Robot Dailers

I got a telemarketer call this morning from a local plumbing contractors businesses number. I am not sure how they routed the call but it didn't come from that company. I called to verify, I know you can fake a number but using a local businesses number too hide behind.

I am going to see if I can find out more about the company so I can report them.

Local Phone Numbers Being Hi-Jacked By Robot Dailers

I got a telemarketer call this morning from a local plumbing contractors businesses number. I am not sure how they routed the call but it didn't come from that company. I called to verify, I know you can fake a number but using a local businesses number too hide behind.

I am going to see if I can find out more about the company so I can report them.

5 men wanted for questioning in fraud investigation

BEAUFORT, N.C. -Detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify five men wanted for questioning in a fraud investigation.

Deputies say the fraud involves the use of stolen and forged checks from a business in Carteret County. They say they five suspects cashed fifteen checks at three different banks in Jacksonville back in February.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.wnct.com/story/25081589/5-men-wanted-for-questioning-in-fraud-investigation

5 men wanted for questioning in fraud investigation

BEAUFORT, N.C. -Detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify five men wanted for questioning in a fraud investigation.

Deputies say the fraud involves the use of stolen and forged checks from a business in Carteret County. They say they five suspects cashed fifteen checks at three different banks in Jacksonville back in February.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.wnct.com/story/25081589/5-men-wanted-for-questioning-in-fraud-investigation

Two more UNC football players talk about academic fraud on HBO, ESPN

by Dan Kane, Charlotte Observer, March 26, 2014.

Two more football players said in national cable TV reports Tuesday that UNC-Chapel Hill’s tutoring program for athletes steered them to suspect classes to help keep them eligible to play sports.

Deunta Williams, a former defensive back, said he and other football players took no-show classes within the African studies department that were advertised as lecture-style classes but actually never met and only required a paper at the end. Grades were typically good. Bryon Bishop said he was steered to African studies when he showed up at the university because it had plenty of easy classes.

Williams spoke on ESPN’s Outside The Lines program Tuesday afternoon, while Bishop is featured in an HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel report that aired Tuesday at 10 p.m. Michael McAdoo, another former UNC football player who previously spoke to The News & Observer and The New York Times about the classes, is also on the HBO report.

Williams has given numerous interviews since he received a four-game suspension during the NCAA’s investigation into improper financial benefits from agents and others nearly four years ago. While he’s been critical of other ways in which athletic demands impeded academic opportunities for athletes, this is the first time he has acknowledged being in the no-show classes.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.ncspin.com/2014/03/26/two-more-unc-football-players-talk-about-academic-fraud-on-hbo-espn/

Two more UNC football players talk about academic fraud on HBO, ESPN

by Dan Kane, Charlotte Observer, March 26, 2014.

Two more football players said in national cable TV reports Tuesday that UNC-Chapel Hill’s tutoring program for athletes steered them to suspect classes to help keep them eligible to play sports.

Deunta Williams, a former defensive back, said he and other football players took no-show classes within the African studies department that were advertised as lecture-style classes but actually never met and only required a paper at the end. Grades were typically good. Bryon Bishop said he was steered to African studies when he showed up at the university because it had plenty of easy classes.

Williams spoke on ESPN’s Outside The Lines program Tuesday afternoon, while Bishop is featured in an HBO Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel report that aired Tuesday at 10 p.m. Michael McAdoo, another former UNC football player who previously spoke to The News & Observer and The New York Times about the classes, is also on the HBO report.

Williams has given numerous interviews since he received a four-game suspension during the NCAA’s investigation into improper financial benefits from agents and others nearly four years ago. While he’s been critical of other ways in which athletic demands impeded academic opportunities for athletes, this is the first time he has acknowledged being in the no-show classes.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.ncspin.com/2014/03/26/two-more-unc-football-players-talk-about-academic-fraud-on-hbo-espn/

Concord triple shooting survivor charged with insurance fraud

The man who survived a triple shooting last July in Concord has been charged with insurance fraud, state officials say.

Timothy Crumitie, 48, of Concord, was charged Saturday with two counts of insurance fraud, according to the N.C. Department of Insurance. He is jailed under $75,000 bond.

Investigators with the Department of Insurance allege that Crumitie filed fraudulent physician statement forms, in connection with a disability claim related to the shootings last year.

Crumitie’s wife, Sharon, and James Blanks were killed in the July incident at the Crumities’ home. Timothy Crumitie was wounded in the incident.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/26/4795918/concord-triple-shooting-survivor.html#.UzN6VPldU1I

Concord triple shooting survivor charged with insurance fraud

The man who survived a triple shooting last July in Concord has been charged with insurance fraud, state officials say.

Timothy Crumitie, 48, of Concord, was charged Saturday with two counts of insurance fraud, according to the N.C. Department of Insurance. He is jailed under $75,000 bond.

Investigators with the Department of Insurance allege that Crumitie filed fraudulent physician statement forms, in connection with a disability claim related to the shootings last year.

Crumitie’s wife, Sharon, and James Blanks were killed in the July incident at the Crumities’ home. Timothy Crumitie was wounded in the incident.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/26/4795918/concord-triple-shooting-survivor.html#.UzN6VPldU1I

Gov. McCrory 'saddened and angered' over Charlotte mayor's fraud charges

As news of Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon's federal corruption and fraud charges swept across the city, state and country on Wednesday afternoon, reactions of anger, shock and the predictable "no comment," followed closely behind.

N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, a former Charlotte mayor, released the following statement on Wednesday:

"I am both saddened and angered because I have known Patrick and his family for over 30 years, but more than anything, my heart is broken for the City of Charlotte,” McCrory said. “This is not the city that I know, served and love. This alleged behavior is inexcusable and cannot be tolerated.”

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2014/03/gov-mccrory-saddened-and-angered-over-charlotte.html

Gov. McCrory 'saddened and angered' over Charlotte mayor's fraud charges

As news of Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon's federal corruption and fraud charges swept across the city, state and country on Wednesday afternoon, reactions of anger, shock and the predictable "no comment," followed closely behind.

N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, a former Charlotte mayor, released the following statement on Wednesday:

"I am both saddened and angered because I have known Patrick and his family for over 30 years, but more than anything, my heart is broken for the City of Charlotte,” McCrory said. “This is not the city that I know, served and love. This alleged behavior is inexcusable and cannot be tolerated.”

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2014/03/gov-mccrory-saddened-and-angered-over-charlotte.html

ATM malware, controlled by a text message, spews cash

A group of enterprising cybercriminals have figured out how to get cash from a certain type of ATM -- by text message.

The latest development was spotted by security vendor Symantec, which has periodically written about a type of malicious software it calls "Ploutus" that first appeared in Mexico.

The malware is engineered to plunder a certain type of standalone ATM, which Symantec has not identified. The company obtained one of the ATMs to carry out a test of how Ploutus works, but it doesn't show a brand name.

Ploutus isn't the easiest piece of malware to install, as cybercriminals need to have access to the machine. That's probably why cybercriminals are targeting standalone ATMs, as it is easy to get access to all parts of the machine.

Early versions of Ploutus allowed it to be controlled via the numerical interface on an ATM or by an attached keyboard. But the latest version shows a remarkable new development: it is now controllable remotely via text message.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2014/032514-atm-malware-controlled-by-a-280030.html

ATM malware, controlled by a text message, spews cash

A group of enterprising cybercriminals have figured out how to get cash from a certain type of ATM -- by text message.

The latest development was spotted by security vendor Symantec, which has periodically written about a type of malicious software it calls "Ploutus" that first appeared in Mexico.

The malware is engineered to plunder a certain type of standalone ATM, which Symantec has not identified. The company obtained one of the ATMs to carry out a test of how Ploutus works, but it doesn't show a brand name.

Ploutus isn't the easiest piece of malware to install, as cybercriminals need to have access to the machine. That's probably why cybercriminals are targeting standalone ATMs, as it is easy to get access to all parts of the machine.

Early versions of Ploutus allowed it to be controlled via the numerical interface on an ATM or by an attached keyboard. But the latest version shows a remarkable new development: it is now controllable remotely via text message.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2014/032514-atm-malware-controlled-by-a-280030.html

NC man sentenced for role in tobacco scheme

ABERDEEN, Miss. (AP) — A North Carolina man has been sentenced to 40 months in prison and $5.1 million in restitution payments for his involvement in a multi-state scheme to avoid taxes and fees on tobacco sales.

Calvin Phelps, who operated four tobacco sales businesses in Mocksville, N.C., pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, contraband cigarette trafficking and money laundering in 2012. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1nX2ldA ) Phelps was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Aberdeen, Miss.

Phelps was accused of bilking the U.S., Mississippi and some other states out of more than $4 million.

In his plea agreement, he admitted reporting that certain brands of cigarettes were to be exported and consumed outside the U.S., when, in fact, they were to be sold domestically.

The plea document states that from 2007 into 2009, Phelps sold some 16,022 cases of these cigarettes for $3.19 million through G-Corp and evaded nearly $5 million in fees and taxes.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/NC-man-sentenced-for-role-in-tobacco-scheme-5346767.php

NC man sentenced for role in tobacco scheme

ABERDEEN, Miss. (AP) — A North Carolina man has been sentenced to 40 months in prison and $5.1 million in restitution payments for his involvement in a multi-state scheme to avoid taxes and fees on tobacco sales.

Calvin Phelps, who operated four tobacco sales businesses in Mocksville, N.C., pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, contraband cigarette trafficking and money laundering in 2012. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1nX2ldA ) Phelps was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Aberdeen, Miss.

Phelps was accused of bilking the U.S., Mississippi and some other states out of more than $4 million.

In his plea agreement, he admitted reporting that certain brands of cigarettes were to be exported and consumed outside the U.S., when, in fact, they were to be sold domestically.

The plea document states that from 2007 into 2009, Phelps sold some 16,022 cases of these cigarettes for $3.19 million through G-Corp and evaded nearly $5 million in fees and taxes.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/NC-man-sentenced-for-role-in-tobacco-scheme-5346767.php

Microsoft defends its right to read your email

Microsoft is defending its right to break into customers' accounts and read their emails.

The company's ability -- and willingness -- to take such an approach became apparent this week. Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) admitted in federal court documents that it forced its way into a blogger's Hotmail account to track down and stop a potentially catastrophic leak of sensitive software. The company says its decision is justified.

From the company's point of view, desperate times call for desperate measures.

"In this case, we took extraordinary actions based on the specific circumstances," said John Frank, one of the company's top lawyers, in a blog post Thursday night.

According to an FBI complaint, Microsoft in 2012 discovered that an ex-employee had leaked proprietary software to an anonymous blogger. Fearing that could empower hackers, Microsoft's lawyers approved emergency "content pulls" of the blogger's accounts to track it down. Company investigators entered the blogger's Hotmail account, then pored over emails and instant messages on Windows Live. The internal investigation led to the arrest on Wednesday of Alex Kibkalo, a former Microsoft employee based in Lebanon.

Source and Full Story Here: http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/21/technology/security/microsoft-email/index.html?iid=SF_T_LN

Microsoft defends its right to read your email

Microsoft is defending its right to break into customers' accounts and read their emails.

The company's ability -- and willingness -- to take such an approach became apparent this week. Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) admitted in federal court documents that it forced its way into a blogger's Hotmail account to track down and stop a potentially catastrophic leak of sensitive software. The company says its decision is justified.

From the company's point of view, desperate times call for desperate measures.

"In this case, we took extraordinary actions based on the specific circumstances," said John Frank, one of the company's top lawyers, in a blog post Thursday night.

According to an FBI complaint, Microsoft in 2012 discovered that an ex-employee had leaked proprietary software to an anonymous blogger. Fearing that could empower hackers, Microsoft's lawyers approved emergency "content pulls" of the blogger's accounts to track it down. Company investigators entered the blogger's Hotmail account, then pored over emails and instant messages on Windows Live. The internal investigation led to the arrest on Wednesday of Alex Kibkalo, a former Microsoft employee based in Lebanon.

Source and Full Story Here: http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/21/technology/security/microsoft-email/index.html?iid=SF_T_LN

Woman charged with welfare fraud

HICKORY NC – A Hickory woman who allegedly took her young son with her to use a stolen EBT card was arrested after police recognized the boy outside the woman’s apartment.

Donna Monique Williams, 40, of 1840 20th Ave. Drive NE, Apt. E, was charged with one count of felony welfare fraud.

Police were called to Catawba Ridge Apartments on 20th Avenue Drive NE Friday afternoon when the victim, a 33-year-old woman, noticed her car was broken into, said Lt. Philip Demas with the Hickory Police Department. The victim reported a duffle bag containing her wallet, credit cards, EBT card and other items was missing from her vehicle.

Officers determined fraudulent purchases were made with the EBT card at the Lowes Foods on 29th Avenue Drive NE, the Fresh Air Galaxy on 12th Avenue NE and the Vinai Asian-International Market on 16th Street NE, Demas said. The purchases totaled $491.98.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.hickoryrecord.com/news/article_78ebdabe-b1f2-11e3-8a44-0017a43b2370.html

Woman charged with welfare fraud

HICKORY NC – A Hickory woman who allegedly took her young son with her to use a stolen EBT card was arrested after police recognized the boy outside the woman’s apartment.

Donna Monique Williams, 40, of 1840 20th Ave. Drive NE, Apt. E, was charged with one count of felony welfare fraud.

Police were called to Catawba Ridge Apartments on 20th Avenue Drive NE Friday afternoon when the victim, a 33-year-old woman, noticed her car was broken into, said Lt. Philip Demas with the Hickory Police Department. The victim reported a duffle bag containing her wallet, credit cards, EBT card and other items was missing from her vehicle.

Officers determined fraudulent purchases were made with the EBT card at the Lowes Foods on 29th Avenue Drive NE, the Fresh Air Galaxy on 12th Avenue NE and the Vinai Asian-International Market on 16th Street NE, Demas said. The purchases totaled $491.98.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.hickoryrecord.com/news/article_78ebdabe-b1f2-11e3-8a44-0017a43b2370.html

It's Tick Season Already

Decided to take a walk in the swamp today, came back with 5 ticks please be careful in the woods and yards.

It's Tick Season Already

Decided to take a walk in the swamp today, came back with 5 ticks please be careful in the woods and yards.

Conover man charged with credit card fraud

HICKORY NC – Police arrested a Conover man after they said he used a hospitalized woman’s credit card in fraudulent transactions.

Carlton Dewey Seawell Jr., 30, of 4004 Herman Sipe Road, was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense and felony financial card fraud.

The victim, a 49-year-old Lenoir woman, was in Frye Regional Medical Center on Sept. 19, 2013, Aleia Burwell with the Hickory Police Department said. The woman’s boyfriend, who police do not believe was involved in the crime, took her purse home with her when he left her at the hospital. When the woman got home, she realized her wallet was missing from the purse.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.hickoryrecord.com/news/article_e46e95be-b13f-11e3-9807-0017a43b2370.html

Conover man charged with credit card fraud

HICKORY NC – Police arrested a Conover man after they said he used a hospitalized woman’s credit card in fraudulent transactions.

Carlton Dewey Seawell Jr., 30, of 4004 Herman Sipe Road, was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretense and felony financial card fraud.

The victim, a 49-year-old Lenoir woman, was in Frye Regional Medical Center on Sept. 19, 2013, Aleia Burwell with the Hickory Police Department said. The woman’s boyfriend, who police do not believe was involved in the crime, took her purse home with her when he left her at the hospital. When the woman got home, she realized her wallet was missing from the purse.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.hickoryrecord.com/news/article_e46e95be-b13f-11e3-9807-0017a43b2370.html

Duke Health to pay $1M penalty for overcharging government

DURHAM, N.C. — Duke University Health System has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it overcharged government insurance programs, state and federal authorities said Friday.

Leslie Johnson, a former employee of a Duke Health-owned firm that handles billing and collection services for the hospital system, filed a whistleblower lawsuit in December 2012 under the False Claims Act, which attracted the attention of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the North Carolina Attorney General's Office.

"Health care fraud like this wastes tax dollars, harms patients who need care and drives up medical costs for all of us,” Attorney General Roy Cooper said in a statement. “We’re working closely with federal officials to root out this kind of fraud in North Carolina and make wrongdoers pay."

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.wral.com/duke-health-to-pay-1m-penalty-for-overcharging-government/13500385/

Duke Health to pay $1M penalty for overcharging government

DURHAM, N.C. — Duke University Health System has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it overcharged government insurance programs, state and federal authorities said Friday.

Leslie Johnson, a former employee of a Duke Health-owned firm that handles billing and collection services for the hospital system, filed a whistleblower lawsuit in December 2012 under the False Claims Act, which attracted the attention of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the North Carolina Attorney General's Office.

"Health care fraud like this wastes tax dollars, harms patients who need care and drives up medical costs for all of us,” Attorney General Roy Cooper said in a statement. “We’re working closely with federal officials to root out this kind of fraud in North Carolina and make wrongdoers pay."

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.wral.com/duke-health-to-pay-1m-penalty-for-overcharging-government/13500385/

Fake Tor Browser App for iOS Full of Adware, Spyware

Concerned about online tracking and eavesdropping? Considering TOR? If so, don't download the iOS app for the Tor Browser from Apple's App Store.

It appears the Tor Browser app for iOS devices is fake, and "full of adware and spyware," according to a support ticket opened two months ago by "Phobos," a volunteer with the Tor Project. "Tor Browser in the Apple App Store is fake," Phobos wrote on the ticket, adding, "We should have it removed."

It appears from the ticket that Tor Project officials notified Apple of the fake app in December, and Apple said it would give the developer a chance to defend the app. Even though other users have filed complaints, the app remains available on the App Store, and other Tor users and volunteers have expressed their frustrations on the ticket and elsewhere online.

Source and Full Story Here: http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/apple-ios-iphone-ipad-ipod/321803-fake-tor-browser-app-for-ios-full-of-adware-spyware

Fake Tor Browser App for iOS Full of Adware, Spyware

Concerned about online tracking and eavesdropping? Considering TOR? If so, don't download the iOS app for the Tor Browser from Apple's App Store.

It appears the Tor Browser app for iOS devices is fake, and "full of adware and spyware," according to a support ticket opened two months ago by "Phobos," a volunteer with the Tor Project. "Tor Browser in the Apple App Store is fake," Phobos wrote on the ticket, adding, "We should have it removed."

It appears from the ticket that Tor Project officials notified Apple of the fake app in December, and Apple said it would give the developer a chance to defend the app. Even though other users have filed complaints, the app remains available on the App Store, and other Tor users and volunteers have expressed their frustrations on the ticket and elsewhere online.

Source and Full Story Here: http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/apple-ios-iphone-ipad-ipod/321803-fake-tor-browser-app-for-ios-full-of-adware-spyware

Former Cherryville worker sentenced for fraud

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A former Cherryville employee has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling city funds.

The U.S. Attorney's office said Thursday that 36-year-old Jennifer Neal Hoyle pleaded guilty to three felony charges of program fraud.

A federal judge ordered Hoyle to serve three years of supervised release after completing her sentence and to pay $92,922.55 as restitution. She had faced maximums of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/03/20/3718244/former-cherryville-worker-sentenced.html

Former Cherryville worker sentenced for fraud

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A former Cherryville employee has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling city funds.

The U.S. Attorney's office said Thursday that 36-year-old Jennifer Neal Hoyle pleaded guilty to three felony charges of program fraud.

A federal judge ordered Hoyle to serve three years of supervised release after completing her sentence and to pay $92,922.55 as restitution. She had faced maximums of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/03/20/3718244/former-cherryville-worker-sentenced.html

Must-listen: The Guardian talks to Jake ‘Topiary’ Davis on life before, during and after LulzSec

The saga of hacker collective LulzSec dominated the tech news in 2011, and Topiary (real name Jake Davis) grabbed plenty of attention thanks to his witty, eloquent press releases and tweets. This week’s episode of The Guardian’s Tech Weekly podcast features a 40-minute interview with Davis, and it’s a fascinating listen.

The interview covers the full timeline from Davis’ isolated youth on the Shetland Islands, through his time with Anonymous and LulzSec and his incarceration in a young offenders’ institution and onto his release and his rediscovery of the Internet after a lengthy, court-enforced ban. Davis appears full of remorse for his actions and says he regularly warns young people from making the same decisions he did. Give it a listen.

Source and Full Story Here: http://thenextweb.com/insider/2014/03/19/must-listen-guardian-talks-jake-davis-aka-topiary-life-lulzsec/#!AHfrQ

Must-listen: The Guardian talks to Jake ‘Topiary’ Davis on life before, during and after LulzSec

The saga of hacker collective LulzSec dominated the tech news in 2011, and Topiary (real name Jake Davis) grabbed plenty of attention thanks to his witty, eloquent press releases and tweets. This week’s episode of The Guardian’s Tech Weekly podcast features a 40-minute interview with Davis, and it’s a fascinating listen.

The interview covers the full timeline from Davis’ isolated youth on the Shetland Islands, through his time with Anonymous and LulzSec and his incarceration in a young offenders’ institution and onto his release and his rediscovery of the Internet after a lengthy, court-enforced ban. Davis appears full of remorse for his actions and says he regularly warns young people from making the same decisions he did. Give it a listen.

Source and Full Story Here: http://thenextweb.com/insider/2014/03/19/must-listen-guardian-talks-jake-davis-aka-topiary-life-lulzsec/#!AHfrQ

Are Credit Monitoring Services Worth It?

In the wake of one data breach after another, millions of Americans each year are offered credit monitoring services that promise to shield them from identity thieves. Although these services can help true victims step out from beneath the shadow of ID theft, the sad truth is that most services offer little in the way of real preventative protection against the fastest-growing crime in America.

Having purchased credit monitoring/protection services for the past 24 months — and having been the target of multiple identity theft attempts — I feel somewhat qualified to share my experience with readers. The biggest takeaway for me has been that although these services may alert you when someone opens or attempts to open a new line of credit in your name, most will do little — if anything — to block that activity. My take: If you’re being offered free monitoring, it probably can’t hurt to sign up, but you shouldn't expect the service to stop identity thieves from ruining your credit.

Source and Full Story Here: http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/03/are-credit-monitoring-services-worth-it/

Are Credit Monitoring Services Worth It?

In the wake of one data breach after another, millions of Americans each year are offered credit monitoring services that promise to shield them from identity thieves. Although these services can help true victims step out from beneath the shadow of ID theft, the sad truth is that most services offer little in the way of real preventative protection against the fastest-growing crime in America.

Having purchased credit monitoring/protection services for the past 24 months — and having been the target of multiple identity theft attempts — I feel somewhat qualified to share my experience with readers. The biggest takeaway for me has been that although these services may alert you when someone opens or attempts to open a new line of credit in your name, most will do little — if anything — to block that activity. My take: If you’re being offered free monitoring, it probably can’t hurt to sign up, but you shouldn't expect the service to stop identity thieves from ruining your credit.

Source and Full Story Here: http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/03/are-credit-monitoring-services-worth-it/

A Prison Life: Ex-Banker Struggles

BUTNER, N.C.—Lee Farkas only a few years ago was chairman of a major mortgage company with a seaplane and a fleet of cars at his disposal.

Now, he chooses to eat some of his meals standing up, out of fear of his fellow inmates, and says he feels like a "zombie."

It has been a sharp reversal for the most senior executive...

Source and Full Story Here: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303287804579445813343137266?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303287804579445813343137266.html

A Prison Life: Ex-Banker Struggles

BUTNER, N.C.—Lee Farkas only a few years ago was chairman of a major mortgage company with a seaplane and a fleet of cars at his disposal.

Now, he chooses to eat some of his meals standing up, out of fear of his fellow inmates, and says he feels like a "zombie."

It has been a sharp reversal for the most senior executive...

Source and Full Story Here: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303287804579445813343137266?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303287804579445813343137266.html

Using Vapor or Cigarettes the Government is At it Again (Sin Tax)

I have been a smoker of tobacco for years, I tried the patches and even the Chantix. I finally was able to stop using tobacco cigarettes by using a Vapor E-Cig.

Now people are starting to ban them just as if they are normal cigarettes, why? This product saved my body from pesticides and tar that normal cigarettes can cause cancer or COPD.

Not only the smell is gone and the carsongenics I am can say it is honestly healthier. Now they want to treat it as the same thing just so they can outcast people outside bars and the public. It's like being taxed for trying to live healthier.

Yet we have people that say the insurance system is so high because of smoking, drinking, and others. So I guess the reward for dieting should cost us more to try to live without preservatives and other bad things.

I guess I would be better off not exercising, smoking, drinking, and diabetes to get on disability to ease the pain of medicaid and medicare looking after me.

I am 2 weeks clean of tobacco and being able to be normal and not having withdrawals, I guess its not worth it anymore.

 - States of all US
Get your foot off our throat so we can provide for our children and others. Stop fighting wars we don't need to be in and lets look after our own, and borders.

Using Vapor or Cigarettes the Government is At it Again (Sin Tax)

I have been a smoker of tobacco for years, I tried the patches and even the Chantix. I finally was able to stop using tobacco cigarettes by using a Vapor E-Cig.

Now people are starting to ban them just as if they are normal cigarettes, why? This product saved my body from pesticides and tar that normal cigarettes can cause cancer or COPD.

Not only the smell is gone and the carsongenics I am can say it is honestly healthier. Now they want to treat it as the same thing just so they can outcast people outside bars and the public. It's like being taxed for trying to live healthier.

Yet we have people that say the insurance system is so high because of smoking, drinking, and others. So I guess the reward for dieting should cost us more to try to live without preservatives and other bad things.

I guess I would be better off not exercising, smoking, drinking, and diabetes to get on disability to ease the pain of medicaid and medicare looking after me.

I am 2 weeks clean of tobacco and being able to be normal and not having withdrawals, I guess its not worth it anymore.

 - States of all US
Get your foot off our throat so we can provide for our children and others. Stop fighting wars we don't need to be in and lets look after our own, and borders.

Google Releases Security Updates for Chrome

Google has released security updates to address multiple vulnerabilities in Chrome. Some of these vulnerabilities may lead to memory corruption or arbitrary code execution.

Updates available include:
Chrome 33.0.1750.154 for Windows.
Chrome 33.0.1750.152 for Mac and Linux.
Chrome 33.0.1750.152 for all Chrome OS devices.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review the Google Chrome release blog entries and apply the necessary updates.

Google Releases Security Updates for Chrome

Google has released security updates to address multiple vulnerabilities in Chrome. Some of these vulnerabilities may lead to memory corruption or arbitrary code execution.

Updates available include:
Chrome 33.0.1750.154 for Windows.
Chrome 33.0.1750.152 for Mac and Linux.
Chrome 33.0.1750.152 for all Chrome OS devices.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review the Google Chrome release blog entries and apply the necessary updates.

Software Firm CEO Guilty Of Securities, Wire Fraud

NEW YORK—The chief executive officer of Wwebnet, Inc., a software development company, plead guilty Friday in Manhattan federal court to securities and wire fraud charges.

Robert Kelly, 57, formerly of New York City, resides in Raleigh, NC.

He entered guilty pleas to one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud, which together carry a total maximum term of 40 years in prison.

Kelly also agreed to forfeit $2,111,600 and, separately, pay $2,111,600 in restitution.

The sentencing before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty is scheduled for July 17.

Kelly diverted for his own personal use more than $2 million in investor proceeds that was intended for the development of a software program capable of transmitting music, videos, and movies over the Internet. He used the money to trade options, to pay his personal income taxes, and for other purposes unrelated to software development or other legitimate business expenses.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2014/03/16/wwebnet_fraud/

Software Firm CEO Guilty Of Securities, Wire Fraud

NEW YORK—The chief executive officer of Wwebnet, Inc., a software development company, plead guilty Friday in Manhattan federal court to securities and wire fraud charges.

Robert Kelly, 57, formerly of New York City, resides in Raleigh, NC.

He entered guilty pleas to one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud, which together carry a total maximum term of 40 years in prison.

Kelly also agreed to forfeit $2,111,600 and, separately, pay $2,111,600 in restitution.

The sentencing before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty is scheduled for July 17.

Kelly diverted for his own personal use more than $2 million in investor proceeds that was intended for the development of a software program capable of transmitting music, videos, and movies over the Internet. He used the money to trade options, to pay his personal income taxes, and for other purposes unrelated to software development or other legitimate business expenses.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2014/03/16/wwebnet_fraud/

Three sentenced in armed robbery of Charlotte bank

A U.S. district judge in Charlotte sentenced three defendants Thursday after each pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of a Charlotte bank.

Kenneth Lamont Moore, Jr., 22, of Laurinburg, Antonio DeMarcus Clendening, 31, and Kamara Shanta McBrayer, 27, both of Charlotte, were sentenced to varying prison terms by Judge Max Cogburn, Jr., according to Anne Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

On May 20, 2013, the three defendants robbed an Albermarle Road branch of Bank of America, according to court documents and Thursday’s sentencing hearing.

Wearing gloves, women’s wigs and bandanas over their faces, Moore and Clendening entered the bank shortly after 9 a.m., court documents said.

They pointed guns at the bank tellers and ordered them to put the money in a pillow case provided by Clendening, then left with more than $7,700 in cash, according to court documents.

Moore and Clendening got into a vehicle driven by McBrayer, who did not stop for responding police officers, but led them on a high-speed chase through a residential neighborhood, court documents said.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/14/4766581/three-sentenced-in-armed-robbery.html#.UySHpfldVRU

Three sentenced in armed robbery of Charlotte bank

A U.S. district judge in Charlotte sentenced three defendants Thursday after each pleaded guilty to the armed robbery of a Charlotte bank.

Kenneth Lamont Moore, Jr., 22, of Laurinburg, Antonio DeMarcus Clendening, 31, and Kamara Shanta McBrayer, 27, both of Charlotte, were sentenced to varying prison terms by Judge Max Cogburn, Jr., according to Anne Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

On May 20, 2013, the three defendants robbed an Albermarle Road branch of Bank of America, according to court documents and Thursday’s sentencing hearing.

Wearing gloves, women’s wigs and bandanas over their faces, Moore and Clendening entered the bank shortly after 9 a.m., court documents said.

They pointed guns at the bank tellers and ordered them to put the money in a pillow case provided by Clendening, then left with more than $7,700 in cash, according to court documents.

Moore and Clendening got into a vehicle driven by McBrayer, who did not stop for responding police officers, but led them on a high-speed chase through a residential neighborhood, court documents said.

Source and Full Story Here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/03/14/4766581/three-sentenced-in-armed-robbery.html#.UySHpfldVRU