January 13, 2010 by Tim McDowell.

1810z: Castel Haiti, an office and convention center in Port-au-Prince, is said to have collapsed.

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January 13, 2010 by Tim McDowell.

1724z: U.S. Coast Guard evacuates four critically injured U.S. Embassy staff members from Port-au-Prince. The U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing are expected to deploy to the Port-au-Prince airport this afternoon. The staff members will be take to the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. U.S. Southern Command states that the U.S.S. Carl Vinson will arrive off the coast of Haiti on 14 January. Pentagon states that some smaller vessels from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard cutters are already en route.

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January 13, 2010 by Tim McDowell.

Status summary as of 1500z: A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Haiti at approximately 2153 UTC (1653 local time) on 12 January 2010. The quake was centered approximately 10 mi/16 km from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami watch for parts of the Caribbean region shortly after the initial quake, but it was later canceled. The quake was reportedly also felt in the Dominican Republic and Cuba, but there were no reports of damage in those countries. The initial quake has been followed by a series of at least 28 strong aftershocks, all with a magnitude of at least 4.0. Seismologists anticipate that aftershocks will continue.

Preliminary reports indicate that damage in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area is extensive and that most of the city has been destroyed. The quake has also caused massive power and communications outages across the country, hindering rescue efforts. Reports indicate that the communications tower at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (MTPP/PAP) has collapsed, but the rest of the airport was not significantly damaged and the airport remains open. However, the main road leading to the airport is blocked with rubble and debris. American Airlines and Spirit Airlines have both canceled all flights to Haiti until further notice, and Delta Air Lines has halted its only flight to and from the country out of New York’s JFK airport.

There is currently no clear estimate of casualties, but the Red Cross has reported that the quake has affected at least 3 million people. Among the known casualties are several U.N. peacekeepers, including the mission chief. President Rene Preval was reportedly uninjured. Additional information on damage and casualties is likely to emerge over the next 24-48 hours as rescue efforts continue.

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January 13, 2010 by Tim McDowell.

http://monitor.asigroup.com/

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January 12, 2010 by Tim McDowell.

Volume 2 Issue 12 December 2009

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January 5, 2010 by Tim McDowell.

For years, Better Business Bureau has educated consumers about not giving out personal information over the telephone or to anyone who shows up at their front door.  With the U.S. Census process beginning, BBB advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.
 
The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.  Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.  “Most people are rightfully cautious and won’t give out personal information to unsolicited phone callers or visitors, however the Census is an exception to the rule,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson. “Unfortunately, scammers know that the public is more willing to share personal data when taking part in the Census and they have an opportunity to ply their trade by posing as a government employee and soliciting sensitive financial information.”
 
The Census data will be used to allocate more than $300 billion in federal funds every year, as well as determine a State’s number of Congressional representatives. Households are actually required by law to respond to the Census Bureau’s request for information. During the U.S. Census, households will be contacted by mail, telephone or visited by a U.S. Census worker who will inquire about the number of people living in the house. Unfortunately, people may also be contacted by scammers who are impersonating Census workers in order to gain access to sensitive financial information such as Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
 
• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.  However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

• Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.  While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

• Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home.  However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the look out for e-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org

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