麻州政府提供低息貸款援助劍橋市十級火災受難者

Baker-Polito Administration Announces SBA Assistance for CambridgeAssistance Available to Those Affected by December 3rd Fire

FRAMINGHAM - Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced that individuals, families and businesses impacted by the ten-alarm fire in Cambridge on Saturday December 3, 2016 can apply for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The major fire, which occurred in the area of York and Berkshire Streets, damaged or destroyed more than 18 buildings and displaced 81 families.  Thankfully, the fire did not result in any serious injuries.  Numerous automobiles were also destroyed or damaged in the fire.

In the immediate aftermath of the devastating fire, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) asked the SBA to conduct a damage assessment in Cambridge.  The assessment determined that the damage exceeds the Small Business Administration’s criteria for a physical disaster declaration: damage to 25 or more homes and businesses resulting in uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of the estimated fair market value of the damaged property.

Following the SBA damage assessment, the administration formally requested the SBA to issue a Physical Disaster Declaration and to make low interest loans available to the many people and businesses who suffered significant uninsured property losses.  Today, the SBA issued the requested disaster declaration.

“The Small Business Administration’s prompt approval of this disaster declaration will help the residents of Cambridge rebuild their lives and their community,” said Governor Baker. “These loans are a key resource for the survivors who lost their homes or property in the fire.”

“Those impacted by the fire need all available resources to put their lives back together,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “This SBA assistance program is one of the ways that our administration is working to support the City of Cambridge and its affected residents.”

“Disaster assistance from the SBA for those impacted by the devastating fire will support Cambridge and its residents as they move forward in the recovery process,”said MEMA Director Kurt Schwartz.

“I want to thank the SBA for their quick approval of this disaster declaration,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale.  “The assistance that the SBA can provide is another tool that impacted residents can utilize to move forward in their recovery process. The City of Cambridge, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the broader community have been working to support the fire victims. I am pleased to have the SBA joining our recovery efforts.”

Types of loans that will be available:

·       Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate or personal property owned by the victim. Renters are eligible for their personal property losses, including automobiles. (Limited to a maximum of $200,000 for the repair/replacement of real estate, and $40,000 to repair/replace personal property). These SBA loans provide an important source of financing for uninsured or under-insured residents

·       Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. (Limited to $2,000,000 for repair/replacement of real estate, inventories, machinery, equipment, etc.).

·       Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. (Limited to $2,000,000 for economic injury caused by the disaster). EIDL assistance is available only to entities and their owners who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources, as determined by the U.S. Small Business Administration

SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available at the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center being stood up at Cambridge City Hall to answer questions about the loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application.

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center location:

Cambridge City Hall – City Council, Second Floor

795 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, Massachusetts  02139

Opening:              

Thursday, December 15, 2016 – 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Days:                    

Monday – 8:30 am to 7:00 pm

Tuesday – Wednesday – 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Fridays – 8:30 – 12:00 pm

Closed:                  

Saturday and Sunday, December 17, and 18, 2016

Closing: 

Thursday, December 22, 2016 – 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is February 13, 2017.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is September 14, 2017.

MEMA is the state agency charged with ensuring the state is prepared to withstand, respond to, and recover from all types of emergencies and disasters, including natural hazards, accidents, deliberate attacks, and technological and infrastructure failures. MEMA's staff of professional planners, communications specialists and operations and support personnel is committed to an all hazards approach to emergency management. By building and sustaining effective partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies, and with the private sector - individuals, families, non-profits and businesses - MEMA ensures the Commonwealth's ability to rapidly recover from large and small disasters by assessing and mitigating threats and hazards, enhancing preparedness, ensuring effective response, and strengthening our capacity to rebuild and recover. For additional information about MEMA and Emergency Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema.

Continue to follow MEMA updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA;Facebook at www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA; YouTube atwww.youtube.com/MassachusettsEMA.

Massachusetts Alerts: to receive emergency information on your smartphone, including severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service and emergency information from MEMA, download the Massachusetts Alerts free app. To learn more about Massachusetts Alerts, and for information on how to download the free app onto your smartphone, visit: www.mass.gov/mema/mobileapp.

麻州總檢察官辦公室破獲兩起華裔人口走私案 四人被逮

(Boston Orange 周菊子編譯)麻州總檢察官辦公室今(14)日公佈，破獲兩起重大人口走私案，逮捕4名嫌犯，找到10名受害者。其中3名嫌犯，預定明(15)日一早在北安普頓地方法院受審。

受害人據稱是從紐約被人載到麻州的北安普頓(Northampton), 哈德雷(Hadley),傅萊明罕(Framingham), 東牧草(East Longmeadow)，以及艾格灣( Agawam)等多個社區裡的按摩院賣淫。麻州總檢查官奚莉(Maura Healey)表示，麻州及紐約警方和聯邦人員攜手合作，才破獲此案。

住在蘇德蘭(Sunderland)，50歲的劉鳳玲(Feng Ling Liu)和她丈夫，48歲的宋江(譯音，Jian Song)夫婦，以及她女兒，26歲，住在紐約新海德公園(New Hyde Park)的尹婷婷(譯音，Ting Ting Yin)，都因為在紐約及麻州多地之間走私人口，今日被捕。

劉鳳玲和宋江是在麻州蘇德蘭被捕，預定明(15)日早上9點，在Belchertown的東漢普夏(Eastern Hampshire )區域法院出庭，被控罪名包括走私人口從事性服務，從賣淫，洗錢，共謀等行為獲利。

尹婷婷在紐約新海德公園被那沙(Nassau)郡地方檢察官辦公室逮捕，罪名包括走私人口從事性服務，從賣淫，洗錢，共謀等行為獲利

尹婷婷的有翻譯聽證，安排在稍後日期。

麻州總檢察官辦公室和西北區總檢察官辦公室，北安普頓警察局，在多個地方及聯邦執法人員協助下調查了數個月，才逮人，起訴。

警方在調查期間掌握的證據顯示，劉鳳玲和李淑治是相似的兩起人口走私案的首領，以按摩院做門面來從事牟利的有組織犯罪，藉由這些女子和嫖客的交易來賺取費用。

在警方的這次行動中，找到10名受害者。麻州總檢察官奚莉的受害者服務組正和受海者服務機構合作，為受害者提供援助。

警方表示，劉鳳玲在宋江的幫助下，在哈德雷經營哈德雷按摩理療院(Hadley Massage Therapy)，在東牧草經營鳳健康中心(Feng Health Center)，並在傅萊明罕經營身體按摩院(Massage Body Work)。表面上這些店鋪是按摩院，但實際上是大型人口走私行動的門面。

尹婷婷協助把那些受害女子從紐約新海德公園載到麻州。

根據調查者的說法，劉鳳玲在宋江協助下，管理財務以及日常事務，包括招募婦女，在網上做性服務廣告，為性交易訂約會，以及載送婦女。這些交易的大部分收入都歸他們兩人。劉鳳玲把大部分要被載送的女子安排在同一棟大樓中住。 

住在西春田市，52歲的李淑治(譯音，Shuzi Li)則因為在紐約皇后區的法拉盛和她位於北安普頓及艾格灣的店舖間走私人口而被捕。

在調查中，有關當局找到李淑治在皇后區法拉盛有獨立但相似的營業運作。她經營的店鋪有北安普頓的”Noho 松溫泉”，艾格灣的”艾格灣按摩理療院”。

李淑治和劉鳳玲依樣，也招募婦女，做網上性服務廣告，安排性交易約會，載送女子等。那些女子據說就住在提供性服務的房間裡。

李淑治是在麻州西春田市被麻州警察逮捕的。她預定明早9點，在北安普頓地方法院受審。

TWO EXTENSIVE HUMAN TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS DISMANTLED IN MAJOR MULTISTATE TAKEDOWN

Victims were Allegedly Transported from New York and Trafficked in Multiple Communities Including Northampton, Hadley, Framingham, East Longmeadow, and Agawam 

BOSTON – Two extensive human trafficking operations have been dismantled in a major multistate law enforcement takedown led by Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office.

Four individuals were arrested and ten victims were identified during the operation. The victims were allegedly transported from New York and trafficked for commercial sex in “massage parlors” in multiple Massachusetts communities including Northampton, Hadley, Framingham, East Longmeadow and Agawam.  

“Human trafficking is happening right here in our own communities across the state,” said AG Healey. “It is an egregious crime that victimizes vulnerable people, while traffickers profit. This is about the exploitation of human beings and my office will continue to prosecute these cases to hold traffickers and sex buyers accountable. We thank all of our law enforcement partners who assisted us in this major operation.”

            Today, law enforcement authorities, including local, state and federal agencies from both Massachusetts and New York orchestrated the takedown.

Feng Ling Liu, age 50, her husband Jian Song, age 48, both of Sunderland, and her daughter, Ting Ting Yin, age 26, of New Hyde Park, N.Y., were all arrested today in connection with trafficking women between New Hyde Park, N.Y. and locations in Hadley, East Longmeadow, and Framingham.

Shuzi Li, age 52, of West Springfield, was arrested in connection with trafficking women between Flushing in Queens, N.Y. and her businesses in Northampton and Agawam.

These charges are the result of a months-long joint investigation by the AG’s Office, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, and the Northampton Police Department, with the assistance of various other local and federal law enforcement agencies, including agencies in New York.

“We are proud of the investigation by the Northwestern District Anti-Crime Task Force in helping dismantle these two human trafficking operations,” said Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. “The sexual exploitation and servitude of the victims in these operations is deplorable. We are grateful for the resources and expertise of Attorney General Healey’s Human Trafficking Division in this investigation. This major investigation could not have been accomplished without the special commitment made by the Northampton Police Department under the command of Chief Jody Kasper and the case agent Detective Peter Fappiano.”

“These are difficult cases for all involved. We are pleased that we were able to collaborate with so many partners within the criminal justice system who were committed to addressing the complex matter of human trafficking,” said Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper. “Everyone involved worked diligently to ensure that this months-long investigation was completed thoroughly and thoughtfully so that the victims would be removed from these environments and that the parties responsible for these egregious offenses would be held accountable for their actions.”

During the course of the investigation, authorities developed evidence indicating that Li and Liu were the leaders of two separate but similar operations, running profitable and organized criminal enterprises through “massage parlors” that had been set up as fronts for human trafficking. Through these businesses, Li and Liu allegedly offered sexual activity between women and buyers in exchange for a fee.

            Ten victims were identified during this operation. AG Healey’s Victim Services Division is working with victim service organizations to ensure victims have the assistance and services they need.

FENG LING LIU/JIAN SONG/TING TING YIN

Authorities allege that Liu, with help from Song, allegedly operated Hadley Massage Therapy in Hadley, Feng Health Center in East Longmeadow and Massage Body Work in Framingham. She allegedly portrayed these businesses as massage parlors while they were in fact fronts for an extensive human trafficking operation.

Authorities allege that Yin helped to coordinate the transport of women to Massachusetts from New Hyde Park, N.Y.

According to investigators, Liu, with help from Song, managed the financial and day-to-day aspects of the operations including recruiting women, advertising sexual services online, setting up appointments for sexual encounters, and transporting women. Liu and Song allegedly received the majority of the profits from these sexual encounters. Liu arranged for most of the women to stay in the same buildings where they were trafficked.

Liu and Song were arrested in Sunderland by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, with assistance from the Sunderland Police Department, after search warrants were executed at the Massachusetts business locations and their residence in Sunderland.

They are scheduled to be arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown tomorrow in the morning session beginning at 9 a.m. on the charges ofTrafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Deriving Support from Prostitution, Money Laundering and Conspiracy.

Yin was arrested in New Hyde Park by authorities from the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office on the charges of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Deriving Support from Prostitution, Money Laundering and Conspiracy. Massachusetts authorities executed search warrants at a residential unit and two other massage parlors in New Hyde Park, N.Y. that are allegedly involved in the operation.

 A rendition hearing for Yin will be scheduled at later date. 

SHUZI LI

During the course of the investigation, authorities also developed evidence that Li was running a separate but similar operation between Flushing, Queens and her businesses, Pine Spa NoHo in Northampton and Agawam Massage Therapy in Agawam.

Like Liu, Li allegedly recruited women, advertised sexual services online, set up appointments for sexual encounters, and arranged for transportation for the women. The women allegedly stayed in the same rooms where Li arranged for them to provide sexual services to buyers for a fee. Authorities allege that Li typically received the majority of the profits from these sexual encounters.

Li was arrested in West Springfield by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, with assistance from West Springfield Police Department, after search warrants were executed at her businesses and her residence in West Springfield.

Li is scheduled to be arraigned in Northampton District Court tomorrow in the morning session beginning at 9 a.m. on the charges of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Deriving Support from Prostitution, and Money Laundering.

These investigations remain ongoing. These charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

AG Healey has a dedicated Human Trafficking Division that focuses on policy, prevention and prosecution and includes a team of specialized prosecutors, victim advocates and Massachusetts State Police troopers who handle high impact, multi-jurisdictional human trafficking investigations and prosecutions across the state. Through the Human Trafficking Division, the AG’s Office has charged nearly 30 individuals in connection with human trafficking since the law was passed.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bourgeois, of AG Healey’s Human Trafficking Division, Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Vasiliades, of the AG’s Western Massachusetts Office and Criminal Bureau and Special Assistant Attorney General Jeremey Bucci, Chief Trial Counsel of the Northwestern DA’s Office, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab, Senior Financial Investigator Eugene Griffin and Victim Witness Advocate Rebecca Auld, Director of the AG’s Victim Services Division.

The Northwestern, Hampden, and Middlesex District Attorney’s Offices and the Northampton, Framingham, Sunderland, Hadley, East Longmeadow, Agawam, West Springfield, Greenfield, Malden, Belmont, Amherst, Easthampton and Lexington Police Departments also assisted in the investigation, as well as the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and the Hampden State Police Detective Unit.

Federal agencies including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security also offered assistance.

            New York authorities also assisted in the investigation and operation including the Nassau County DA’s Office, the Queens DA’s Office, the Manhattan DA’s Office, and the New York Police Department.

麻州大麻合法化12/15生效 波市府提醒市民相關規定

CITY OF BOSTON REMINDS RESIDENTS OF MARIJUANA REGULATIONS IN ADVANCE OF DECEMBER 15 LEGALIZATION

BOSTON - Wednesday, December 14, 2016 - On Thursday, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will recognize marijuana as a legal substance for adults 21 and over, and the City of Boston reminds residents of the following rules and standards that are to be enacted with the new law: Possession of Marijuana Adults may carry up to one ounce of marijuana in public. Five grams of that may be a marijuana concentrate. Adults cannot have more than ten ounces of marijuana in their residence. Growing Marijuana Each resident in the state can grow up to six plants, but there can be no more than 12 plants in a household. Adults must grow plants in their primary residence in a locked or secured location. Plants cannot be visible from a public space without the use of binoculars, an aircraft or other visual aids. Medical Marijuana The new law will not affect medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is a separate program overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Smoking in Boston Residents and visitors cannot smoke in public parks in Boston. This includes marijuana and tobacco. "No smoking" means residents cannot inhale, exhale, burn or carry any: lighted cigar, cigarette, or pipe, lighted or vaporized substance in any manner or form. This includes marijuana, even if it's used for medical reasons. Additional Restrictions The marijuana law prevents adults from consuming marijuana in a public place where smoking tobacco is prohibited. The law allows for a fine of up to $100 for each offense. Under the law, "marijuana products" include: edible products and beverages topical products and ointments, and oils and tinctures. Under the law, resident cannot have an open container of marijuana or marijuana products in their motor vehicle. Offenders can be fined up to $500 for each offense. "Open container" means a package of marijuana or marijuana products with a broken seal, or with some of the contents removed. Residents must keep an open container in a locked glove compartment or trunk. The new law doesn't change the existing state laws for operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana. It's still illegal, and subject to the same fines and penalties.

Forum Promotes Opportunities to Link Life Sciences Industry with Philanthropy in Greater Boston

Forum Promotes Opportunities to Link Life Sciences Industry with Philanthropy in Greater Boston

Boston – Leaders of the life science sector convened at The Boston Foundation Tuesday evening to initiate what all insisted would be a long-term conversation aimed at educating the public and the philanthropic sector about where life sciences fit in Greater Boston’s burgeoning innovation economy and educating the life science sector on how best and most practically to participate in philanthropy and give back to their host communities.

Speakers at the public forum included Paul S. Grogan, President and CEO of The Boston Foundation, Rob Perez, Founder and Chairman of Life Science Cares, and Travis McCready, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.

Grogan hailed the forum as an opportunity to further introduce Pledge 1% to leaders in the region’s innovation economy. Pledge 1% is the San Francisco-based global nonprofit that assists businesses  in establishing charitable programs in which participants commit one percent equity to nonprofits and good causes. The Boston Foundation is the facilitator of Pledge 1% Boston.  Life Sciences Cares recently announced an alliance with Pledge 1% Boston.

“In our custodial role with Pledge 1% Boston and our general advocacy for greater unity between the philanthropic sector and the burgeoning innovation economy in Greater Boston, The Boston Foundation is thrilled to help announce this alliance,” Grogan said. “It is a tangible demonstration of the commitment on both sides to light a path to meaningful charitable giving, and at the same time is a show of good faith that the life sciences community is eager to participate.”

Perez said, “We are excited to partner with Pledge 1% Boston and the Boston Foundation to embed giving back into the DNA of life sciences companies. The mission of Life Science Cares is to put the true good that life sciences companies represent into action—not just for human health, but for human potential.”

Life Science Cares is an emerging nonprofit that engages leaders and companies in the life sciences space with giving back.  In just the last year, Life Science Cares has recruited more than 70 leaders and companies to unite their human and financial resources to end poverty in greater Boston.  The organization has attracted leaders from across the industry to its Board of Advisors, including Alnylam Pharmaceuticals CEO John Maraganore, Vertex Pharmaceuticals CEO Jeffrey Leiden, MassBio President and CEO Robert K. Coughlin, Ovascience Founder and Chairwoman Michelle Dipp, and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s Travis McCready. Other notable Greater Boston community leaders on Life Science Care’s Board of Advisors include Deval Patrick and Greg Shell from Bain Capital, former Millennium and Forum Pharmaceuticals CEO Deborah Dunsire and former Cubist Pharmaceuticals CEO Mike Bonney. Initial nonprofit grant partners include Citizen Schools, Bottom Line, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay.

"This gathering was an important opportunity for the life sciences ecosystem and civic leaders to join together and discuss how together we can work to improve the communities we live and work in every day," McCready said.  "Through the leadership of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, MassBio, Life Science Cares, and The Boston Foundation, we hope to extend the life sciences' civic participation from discovering cures to empowering healthy communities.  Yesterday’s discussion of collaboration opportunities that will meet community needs in Boston and throughout Massachusetts was an important start."

MassBio’s Coughlin called on peers in the life science sector to view the alliances demonstrated Tuesday as a gateway to better ways of giving back.

“We know that Massachusetts life sciences companies and their employees are driven by the mission to help people in need,” Coughlin said. “So we are thrilled to work with The Boston Foundation, Life Science Cares and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to harness that drive and make significant impact throughout Greater Boston.”

全新AARP防範詐騙手冊介紹常見行騙手法及自我保護方式

New AARP Fraud Prevention Handbook

Outlines Common Scams and How to Protect Yourself

全新AARP防範詐騙手冊介紹常見行騙手法及自我保護方式

Download the free AARP Fraud Prevention Handbook in English and Chinese at aarp.org/aapi.

下載免費AARP 防範詐騙手冊英文及中文版本，請瀏覽網站：aarp.org/aapi。

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 14, 2016 – Approximately 15 million people are victims of identity theft every year. AARP’s new free Fraud Prevention Handbook outlines how to protect yourself from common types of fraud. It uncovers the strategies that scammers use and provides resources to help you defend yourself against their tricks.

“Con artists often target immigrant communities because they are particularly vulnerable, but knowing how they work can help you spot and avoid scams,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “AARP launched the Fraud Watch Network to provide people with information about what makes them vulnerable and the tools they need to outsmart con artists before they strike.”

Common scams include:

• An immigration scammer might place an advertisement in the newspaper or online offering to provide legal advice, help with paperwork, or other tasks involved in the immigration process. The scammer usually asks for an upfront fee, takes the money, and disappears immediately.
• Some scammers might use a natural disaster or current event to appeal to their target’s emotions. Setting up a fake charity, they solicit generous contributions using standard methods to collect “donations.”
• Blessing scams appeal to people’s superstitious beliefs. They first appeared in China and have seen a rise in the United States in recent years. Posing as a fortune-teller, the scammer will say that he or she can sense a curse on the target or a member of the target’s family.
• Most telemarketing scams involve offering targets highly attractive deals like vacations, trial offers, loans, or subscriptions that end up having hidden fees. A scammer may pose as a charming salesperson, making small talk and claiming to work for a reputable company.

A few steps to protect yourself against scams and identity theft include:

• Never give personal information, credit card numbers, or Social Security number to telemarketers who call you on the phone. If they pressure you, they could likely be a scammer.
• Double-check references for door-to-door sales, home repair offers and other products. Verify that businesses and others who contact you are who they claim to be before you provide any personal information. If you think the request for information is legitimate, contact the company at a number you know is valid to verify the request.
• Check out a charity before donating to make sure they are legitimate at charitywatch.org or charitynavigator.org.
• Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet, and limit the number of credit cards you carry.

To download the free AARP Fraud Prevention Handbook in English and Chinese, visit aarp.org/aapi.

【華盛頓哥倫比亞特區2016年12月14日訊】每年大約有1500萬人是身份盜竊的受害者，為了杜絕各種騙案，AARP特別推出免費的全新⎡防範詐騙手冊⎦（Fraud Prevention Handbook），向民眾介紹常見的詐騙手法和自我保護方式。 此手冊揭露騙徒慣用的技倆，並提供相關資源以幫助你保護自己避免墮入他們的圈套。

“騙徒常常瞄準最為弱勢的移民社區，但只要知道他們如何行騙，便可以幫助你明辨真偽和避免受到詐騙，”AARP多元文化引領亞太裔受眾副總裁Daphne Kwok（郭為婉）說。“AARP 推出監控詐騙網絡（Fraud Watch Network），就是要向人們解釋為何他們容易受到欺騙，以及向他們提供所需要的工具，在騙徒伸出魔掌前便讓他們碰釘，知難而退。”　

常見詐騙手法包括：

• 移民騙子會在報紙或網上刊登廣告，聲稱可以提供法律諮詢、幫助處理文件、或者協助移民過程中涉及的其他事務。這些騙子通常要求受害者先付一筆費用，但拿錢後便立即消失。
• 也有騙徒利用天災或者一個特別時事以牽動目標受害人的情緒。例如設立一個假的慈善機構，然後按照一般的方法向慷慨的民眾收集「捐款」。
• 「祈福黨」則是利用人們迷信的觀念行騙。他們最初在中國出現，但近年來美國的同類騙案也上升。騙徒扮作為算命師，並告訴目標受害人本身或者家中有親人被詛咒。
• 電話詐騙大多數涉及極為吸引的好處，例如假期旅遊、試用優惠、貸款或訂閱服務等，但當中含有隱藏費用。騙子可能裝成為一個能言善道的銷售人員，並自稱在一家信譽良好的公司工作，然後透過輕聲細語令人失去防備。

保護自己免受欺詐和身份盜用的幾個步驟包括：

• 切勿將個人信息、信用卡號碼或社會安全號碼告知來電的電話推銷員。 如果他們向你施壓，他們很可能就是騙子。
• 仔細檢查上門銷售、家居維修服務和其他產品的參考資料。在你提供任何個人信息之前，驗證這些企業和與您聯繫的人實屬他們所聲稱的機構。如果你想知道對方向你索取個人信息是否正當，可以先致電一個你肯定正確的電話號碼向該公司驗證。
• 向一個慈善機構捐贈之前，先通過網站charitywatch.org或 charitynavigator.org 了解它們是否合法。
• 不要將社會安全卡放在你的錢包中，並限制所攜帶的信用卡數量。

下載免費的AARP 防範詐騙手冊英文及中文版本，請瀏覽網站：aarp.org/aapi。

Former investigator Audrey Moy shares with AARP simple tips and guidance to help others protect themselves against fraud, identity theft and scams. (Watch the video in English, Mandarin 普通話 or Cantonese 廣東話版.)

舊金山地檢處前偵查員Audrey Moy（梅綺蘭）向AARP介紹一些簡單的提示和指導，以幫助民眾保護自己免受欺詐、身份盜竊和其他各類騙局。（觀看視頻：英語、普通話或廣東話版）

TREASURER DEBORAH GOLDBERG RELEASES PROGRESS REPORT ON FINANCIAL LITERACY IN MASSACHUSETTS

TREASURER DEBORAH GOLDBERG RELEASES PROGRESS REPORT ON

FINANCIAL LITERACY IN MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON, MA ­­ Treasurer Goldberg unveiled a one year progress report on her Office of Economic Empowerment’s financial education initiatives. The review highlighted the advancements resulting from the 2015 Financial Literacy Task Force Report. The Task Force consisted of a diverse group of policymakers, educators, bankers and advocates, and convened last year to develop an action plan for Massachusetts residents to have access to the financial skills they need to attain economic stability. The report culminated with the release of 22 recommendations aimed at empowering

Massachusetts residents with the understanding of how to plan budgeting their money, saving for retirement and understanding the impact of the economic decisions.

“I am thankful for the many partners that share our vision and commitment to expanding economic security in Massachusetts” said Treasurer Goldberg. “We will continue to innovate and expand our programs through a digital delivery of financial education and partnerships throughout the state.”

In just one year, Treasurer Goldberg’s Office of Economic Empowerment has initiated 14 of the 22 policy recommendations provided by the Task Force, including the following highlights: 

• Establishing $eedMA, a pilot program, designed to help Massachusetts Kindergarten families save for post-secondary education and training  
• Creating the Women’s Economic Empowerment Series, a free financial empowerment workshop series for women
• Relaunching of Operation Money Wise as a grant program for organizations to provide financial education and programming to the Military, Veteran, Family and Survivor Community (MVFSC). 

You can find a more detailed review of the Progress Report and recommendations HERE.

"Treasurer Goldberg has demonstrated an agenda that keeps the economic empowerment of Massachusetts citizens on the front burner,” said former Undersecretary of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Barbara Anthony, who chaired the Task Force. “It’s terrific to work with her and her partners to enhance the lives of our residents from grade schoolers to seniors and at each stage in the life cycle.”

On day one, Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), led by a deputy treasurer with the deliberate goal of incorporating a range of economic empowerment initiatives, including financial literacy, college affordability and programming to support wage equality.