America’s rising white collar crime Essay

Senior citizens especially, have proved to be particular targets of identity theft and credit card fraud. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation web site, senior citizens are often targeted for five common reasons. The first is because older citizens usually have a â€Å"nest egg† hidden away or excellent credit ratings that the thieves may tap into. Second, people born in the 30’s or 40’s particularly the women, are generally used to being polite and trusting of whatever they are told. Third is that senior citizens generally do not recognize fraud in its earlier stages and even if they did, would not know who to report it to. Usually, they also feel hesitant at admitting the fraud for fear that relatives will just chalk it up to diminished mental capacity and incapability to handle their own finances. ( â€Å"Fraud Target: Senior Citizens,† para. 1-6. ) Fraudsters also count on the elderly citizens making poor witnesses even if the fraud is discovered and the perpetrator caught. The elderly are also susceptible to scams and often end up giving credit card and financial information in the belief that they are purchasing health aids and the like. 15. Some credit card transactions issue carbon copies of the charges along with the sales receipt. Destroy these carbon copies as they also carry credit card information that fraudsters and counterfeiters may use. 16. Never write credit card information in public places especially where there is glass. The glass or mirror may very well reflect what you are writing down to the person standing behind you. 17. Never lend your credit or identification cards to anyone not even family. They may not cheat you but you never know how careful they will be of your cards. It takes just a few minutes to copy information off of a card and a few seconds to take photos of these for duplication. 18. In shopping online, make sure that you are dealing with legitimate companies only. Check their privacy and security policies. When possible, do a research on the company’s background through the Better Business Bureau of well-known consumer protection offices. Make sure that there is an email or working phone number for a customer service department that you can contact for any issues that may arise. Customers may also want to check the site’s browser security. Check the URL address on pages where you are required to give personal or financial information. Secure browsers will start wit https:// rather that the usual http://. (Jackson) The ease by which unscrupulous identity thieves and credit card fraudsters can ruin their victim’s reputation and credit line can be horrifying. It is a crime that does not discriminate and has targeted victims both from all classes. In a May 2001 congressional hearing on the joint investigation done by the Secret Service and the New York Police Department (NYPD), the US Secret Service revealed that even wealth and influence does not deter thievery and fraud. The well-protected financial and credit card accounts of some of the nation’s richest and most influential men have been compromised by identity thieves and credit card fraudsters. (Dutta 290) With the use of mobile technology such as mobile phones and the Internet, the fraudsters were able to obtain their victims’ credit card numbers and by creating fictitious addresses and bank accounts, attempted to transfer around $22million from brokerage firms and banks handling their victim’s finances. (290) One such fraudster was caught in October 2002. The 32-year old restaurant workers confessed to obtaining and breaking into the â€Å"bank, brokerage and credit card accounts belonging to the richest Americans, including billionaire Warren Buffet, in his scheme to steal over $80million. † (290) Identity theft is not limited to purposes of financial gain either. Illegal immigrants have been known to use fraudulent and stolen identification cards and documents so they may obtain work and residency. The past years of terrorist threats reveal that this ease in stealing and counterfeiting identification papers and financial documents have been employed by terrorists as well. One of the defendants for the World Trade Center bombing was found with a number of counterfeit identification documents that included among which â€Å"†bank documents, medical histories and education records from which numerous false identities could have been created. â€Å"† (290) Even the FBI admits that the stolen credit cards may well be used in funding terrorist activities. Today’s modern and computerized lifestyles and services have made everything so convenient. People would well be guided however in remembering that this convenience comes with a price. No matter how many consumer help lines, specialized police agencies or consumer advocacy groups there are, taking care of one’s self and possessions still rest largely on individuals themselves. How often is it that pure carelessness can amount to a multitude of troubles? It is easy enough to think that â€Å"that sort of thing will never happen to me† until the next moment when you’re kicking yourself for not having taken more care and diligence in safeguarding your identification papers and financial documents. To believe that it is â€Å"better to be safe than sorry† is not a bad thing. In fact, it can very well be the most sensible thing to remember in everyday life. Bankruptcy and credit cards are expensive. Common sense is free. Bankruptcy and the sorrows and problems of being victimized by unscrupulous people may very well have been avoided and forestalled if people would apply a measure of old-fashioned common sense and careful judgment in their daily lives and transactions. In a bid to protect the citizenry from the relatively new spate of cyber based crimes the U. S. Congress has passed several laws meant to prevent identity theft. One of these laws is the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which compels credit reporting agencies to disclose to people the contents of their own records and to correct mistakes if any. Another law meant to prevent credit card fraud is the Fair Credit Billing Act which grants cardholders the right to dispute credit card charges. Under this law, cardholders cannot be compelled to pay any portion of a disputed amount till the matter has been resolved within 30 days. The only requirement is for cardholders to notify the card issuer in writing within 60 days. Another protective law is the Federal electronic fund transfer act, which regulates the use of plastic cards and other access devices such as credit cards and ATMs. The act also gives the Federal Reserve Board the power to regulate the liability of customers for unauthorized transfer of funds. Directly hitting the problem of Identity Theft is the law Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. This law punishes the act of â€Å"‘knowingly transfer[ing], possess[ing] or us[ing], without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, †¦ any unlawful activity'†(Howard).

Police History Essay

Starting In 1829, Sir Robert Peel began developing his theory of policing. These nine principles are as relevant today as they were in the 1800’s. Peel established the Metropolitan Police when he served as Home Secretary of England. Since Sir Robert Peel introduced his principles of policing in the early 1800’s, our country has continued to follow his ideas of effective policing. Community policing is based on Peel’s concept of prevention. According to one of Peel’s principals, the real key for policing is â€Å"The police are the people and the people are the police†. Peel believed that prevention of crime could be accomplished without intruding into the lives of citizens. Sir Robert Peel’s first principle was that, â€Å"The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder† (Westminster Police Department, 2012) In our diverse society, it is necessary for police to understand the different cultures that make up the communities that they patrol. If police can relate to and understand the different cultures of the community, they will be able to successfully gain public approval. I believe this is important for his second two principals. â€Å"The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions. † Also, â€Å"Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public†. (Westminster Police Department, 2012) Peel also felt strongly about the idea of the use of force as well. In two other principals Peel stated â€Å"The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force† and that â€Å"Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient. † (Westminster Police Department, 2012) Excessive force has been a public concern and the first sign of community mistrust in the police. It can take years to gain the trust of a community and one incident to lose that trust. By providing adequate training on the use of force and having the public’s trust and respect can ensure that force is only used to the extent necessary. When individuals have little or no respect towards the police, they are most likely to ignore the requests or demands of officers. This can lead to the officer having to use force in order to gain control of a situation. Peel felt that â€Å"The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it. (Westminster Police Department, 2012) When police are faced with dispersing large crowds, it is necessary for the public to have the respect to follow police orders. When individuals lack trust and respect for the police, riots may occur, which can also lead to arrests, serious injuries, and even death. Sir Robert Peel’s principles and Community Policing go hand in hand and share the same concepts and goals in policing. One of the distinct similarities between Peel’s approach and Community Policing is that prevention of crimes is the number one priority. I believe that Peel felt morals played an important role in effective policing. It is important that police officers think things through and have the best interests in mind before making decisions. Peel’s principals â€Å"Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law†, and â€Å"Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary† (Westminster Police Department, 2012) Are important and should be demonstrated to earn the trust of the people in the long run and to uphold the law. The relationship between the U. S. overnment and police organizations across the United States can be analyzed in several ways. I believe that because the police organizations and the government have a close relationship in several ways. Not only are police organizations expected to follow rules from their own departments, they also must follow standard federal guidelines as well. There are federal, state and, local levels of police organizations. The federal government roles are similar to that of local and state; however there are a few differences. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the Department of Homeland Security are examples. Employees of these organizations are by law, allowed to make an arrest in any county or state. Unlike local or state police organizations, these officers do not provide basic protection services or simple criminal investigations unless the local or state agency cannot control the situation (say for example a serial killer). There are some problems with the way our government controls certain things with the other agencies. For example our government ran U. S. military is being used for domestic law enforcement. Also, the federal government is taking over the training, financing and delegation of local police. This could cause many issues, removing the police from local control may not be the smartest move. The concern is arising that the federalized police have increasingly turned to violent tactics and assaults on people who have not committed any crimes. When issues like this arise, it can cause problems within local or state organizations when it comes to police procedures and the way policing is being done. If the organizations don’t feel as though they are in control, or that their problems or concerns are not being addressed properly, this may affect the quality of law enforcement. It could also cause communication issues and lapses. There is the other possibility, that some people may have the opinion that things are better with more outside control. Policing may have to change in many ways to adapt to the change in control. Conclusion In conclusion I think there can be both pros and cons to the relationship between the U. S. government and the police organizations. I also believe that Sir Robert Peel had a major effect on the policing of his time, our current police procedures, and community policing.

AtekPC Project Management Office Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

AtekPC Project Management Office - Case Study Example It was mandated with developing entrepreneurial improvements in the cost reduction and management benefits. AtekPC desired to create new products for the markets meeting creative, adaptive and agile standards through designing innovative systems manufacture processes. The office depended on coming up with duties involving a project focus strategy and enterprise-oriented strategy. Responsibly, they were to mentor other workers within the organization through consultation, mentorship, and offering training (Warren McFarlan, 2007). At the heart of any company’s operation are its customers. They are the individual consumers who and why the company exists. AtekPC had different personnel and organizations they sell them PCs. It was identified through customer character that they feared and clung to old technology and could not buy new products that came into the market. AtekPC needed a reliable and cheaper production process to achieve its goal. The production department head Mr. Steven consented that they had challenges with their current manufacture processes (Warren McFarlan, 2007). There are many options available for meeting the process and could be through plant installation or outsourcing of the manufacturing process to another company. To deliver on milestones, a company needs the right employee mix from various departments to achieve their goals. In the project endeavor, AtekPC employee was divided into two factions; those that were pro-PMO and those who resisted the change. The IT department now of the need to change was not quite experienced. The management had the right experience but needed other expatriates to implement the process. Owing to the development of a new PMO, they needed to hire fresh and experienced professionals to spearhead the new department (Warren McFarlan, 2007). Every business wants a positive limelight, which presented from the media. To maintain customers, get to them, and receive their

High Carbohydrated food Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

High Carbohydrated food - Essay Example Hence, the main danger is the excessive intake of wrong high-carbohydrate intakes resulting in increase in weight. Carbohydrates may be beneficial if they include a healthy balance of different fats. A single dietary intake may, on one hand, result in excessive fats of one kind and on the other hand, lack of other healthier fats, proteins and fibers. High Carbohydrate diet contains more of vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron etc. and low of Vitamin B12, Zinc and Sodium (FitDay). The carbohydrates low on Glycemic index provides a control on blood sugar level after having the meals. The unawareness of high Carb/high Glycemic index diet boosts the sugar level to extremes which later on results in fatigues and distress due to energy crashes. French baguette has a Glycemic index of 95 and Peanuts has an index of 14. Hence, Peanuts are less likely to affect sugar level, whereas, French Baguettes are more likely to boost sugar level and provide an unnaturally high energy to the human body. Diabetic, cardiac and other patients must be aware of their intake needs. High-carb/low glycemic index helps preventing high blood sugar levels and balanced weight and energy of human body (Greenberg, 2011). FitDay. "Low vs. High Carbohydrate Diet: Which is Better? / Nutrition / Carbs."  FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal. N.p., n.d. Web. 26  Sept.  2013. . Greenberg, Riva. "The High Carb Diet That Keeps You Healthy, Fit and Trim."  The Huffington Post. HPMG News, 21  Mar.  2011. Web. 26  Sept.  2013.