TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today issued a warning to Floridians who are holiday shopping online to be wary of phishing websites designed to look like a company’s legitimate website. According to a Threat Report by Webroot, traffic to fake websites spikes during the holiday season—increasing by more than 20% on some of the most popular shopping days. A cybersecurity report, released in August, also shows that over the past six years, the impact of phishing attacks quadrupled, now costing companies $14.8 million per year. With many signs pointing to a continued increase in online sales during the holiday shopping season, Attorney General Moody encourages Floridians to stay on the lookout for websites that are not what they seem to be.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Last year, online shopping saw record-breaking numbers, and there is a good chance that this year will be similar. With millions of people searching online for holiday gifts, it is no wonder that scammers are creating fake websites to steal their money. All it takes is a simple letter change, extra space or a wrong click for a consumer to visit a fraudulent website. Be extra cautious this holiday season of the websites you visit and make sure to only give financial information to trusted sites.” Continue reading
The Consumer Protection Division took on a travel company that left thousands stranded without travel arrangements.
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Tuesday Florida has recovered more than $11 million lost by consumers in pandemic-related fraud, scams and cancellations.
Moody said her Consumer Protection Division is spearheading the ongoing recovery effort. To date, the division has addressed thousands of consumer complaints including reports of price gouging and wrongful cancellations, among others.
“We have secured millions of dollars in relief for consumers nationwide following reports to my office about cancellations, purchases and scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Moody said. “My Rapid Response Team worked with a sense of urgency to quickly address reports of price gouging and other unfair trade practices in real time to reduce harm to consumers and increase awareness about potential price gouging and other financial matters arising from the pandemic.” Continue reading
Along with the Florida Retail Federation and law enforcement leaders, I announced the launch of Florida’s first statewide task force to combat large-scale retail theft, as well as a new tool designed to help better coordinate prevention and prosecutorial efforts.
The new tool called FORCE, or Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange, is an interactive database that will help law enforcement and retailers spot trends, identify suspects and take down massive, organized retail theft rings.
Videos from major cities across the country show mobs of criminals ransacking department stores—burglars smashing display cases and running away with ill-gotten gains.
A recent study by the National Retail Federation showed that nearly 70% of store owners nationwide reported an increase in crime over the past year—most alarmingly, retailers report gangs are more aggressive and violent than in years past. About 65% of respondents noted an increase in violence. Continue reading
Sunlight is reflected off the Earth onto the Moon’s surface. Scientists use measurements of this reflectance, called Earthshine, to track changes in Earth’s net brightness.
Credit: sebastien lebrigand from crépy en valois, FRANCE, cc-by-sa-2.0
(NAPSI)—Warming ocean waters have caused a drop in the brightness of the Earth, according to recent research.
Scientists used decades of measurements of earthshine—the light reflected from Earth that illuminates the surface of the Moon—as well as satellite measurements to find that there has been a significant drop in Earth’s reflectance, or albedo, over the past two decades.
The Earth is now reflecting about half a watt less light per square meter than it was 20 years ago, with most of the drop occurring in the last three years of earthshine data, according to the new study in the AGU journal Geophysical Research Letters, which publishes high-impact, short-format reports with immediate implications spanning all Earth and space sciences. That’s the equivalent of 0.5% decrease in the Earth’s reflectance. Earth reflects about 30% of the sunlight that shines on it. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—The way people live—from how they eat, sleep, work and move their bodies—has been disrupted in the last year-and-a-half, and adapting to and achieving mind-body balance amid these changes is no easy task. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter routines and take a toll on physical and mental health, it’s important to focus on overall well-being to achieve balance and overcome obstacles. To help, exercise physiologist, certified sports nutritionist and Bowflex fitness advisor Tom Holland has expert advice for reconnecting with yourself and creating the right routine to support your new normal.
Adjust to a New Way of Fitness
As many people were forced to adjust their fitness routines, they also discovered there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to exercise. The new fitness normal is a hybrid approach of working out at home, at the gym or even on the road. Holland points out that as many people have shifted to a new work model that could include working from home, the office or while traveling, they also want solutions that allow them to work out whenever and wherever.
From livestream and on-demand classes to more in-person offerings, there’s more flexibility than ever before to fit exercise into your schedule. With tools such as the JRNY digital fitness platform (https://www.bowflex.com/jrny.html), you can have 24/7 access to coaching and curated workout options. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—A new approach to indoor ventilation has been developed that can significantly decrease the risk of COVID and influenza outbreaks in schools, offices and other indoor environments, and even speed a reduction in mask wear.
The innovative invention captures and cleans individuals’ breaths within seconds, before potential viruses have a chance to be dispersed throughout a room, improving overall indoor air quality. Current methods, including upgrades to existing HVAC systems, have proven somewhat ineffective as COVID outbreaks continue to create disruptions in indoor settings throughout the United States.
“Existing ventilation systems in schools, offices and elsewhere were not built for virus control. Not only does better ventilation decrease the risk of catching COVID, it has been shown to also improve work productivity and school performance,” said Larry Schoen, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Principal Engineer for Schoen Engineering Inc. “And even after upgrading a traditional HVAC ventilation system with better filters, it still allows virus-laden air to affect others in a room, creating the potential for contagion.” Continue reading
by the We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign
(NAPSI)—Questions and misinformation about the effect of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility and pregnancy have left some people uncertain about getting vaccinated if they are pregnant or hoping to get pregnant, but the facts should be reassuring.
“It’s understandable that parents and those who hope to become parents are cautious about COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Steven Gordon, Chair of the Department of Infectious Disease at Cleveland Clinic. “However, it should be comforting to know that the vaccines are safe and effective during pregnancy. Growing data and science demonstrate that the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh any risks and we have a long history with vaccines that makes it clear they do not affect future fertility.” Continue reading
(NAPSI)—For decades, medical researchers struggled to solve the mystery of how to reverse paralysis caused by serious spinal cord injuries. Finally, hope appears to be at hand.
Making Mice Move
Remarkable video footage shows how paralyzed mice regained some of their ability to walk again after receiving an experimental drug treatment.
The injectable pre-clinical therapy, which is designed to regenerate nerve cells in spinal cord injuries, is being developed by researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
However, the scientists have yet to make the big leap from animal to human clinical trials, meaning that this drug candidate is quite a few years from potentially being approved by government regulators for commercialization. Continue reading
Jerry Abis Owner Operator of the FunGi’s features low pressure washing. In red is Bronson Mosley helping Jerry with some humor in his presentation at the Ocala Business Leaders. On right is Rachel Perez. Photos taken by Tammy Portrait Artist Inc.
Pictured Parrish Tanner Ocala Car Audio presenting his services at the OBL breakfast. Parish is the founder and has been in business since 2008. Photos taken by Tammy Portrait Artist Inc.
