Business

The Nigerian Letter or “419” Scam


I wrote a blog about the Nigerian scam sometime ago.  I’m repeating this warning from the FBI since I know someone who fell for this scheme.  The person would not tell me how much he lost, and he was somewhat sheepish about it.

So anyhow, here goes, hopefully it will prevent someone from going off the deep end and losing a lot of money to these dirt bags.

“Nigerian letter frauds combine the threat of impersonation fraud with a variation of an advance fee scheme in which a letter mailed from Nigeria offers the recipient the “opportunity” to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that the author—a self-proclaimed government official—is trying to transfer illegally out of Nigeria. The recipient is encouraged to send information to the author, such as blank letterhead stationery, bank name and account numbers, and other identifying information using a fax number provided in the letter. Some of these letters have also been received via e-mail through the Internet. The scheme relies on convincing a willing victim, who has demonstrated a “propensity for larceny” by responding to the invitation, to send money to the author of the letter in Nigeria in several installments of increasing amounts for a variety of reasons.

Payment of taxes, bribes to government officials, and legal fees are often described in great detail with the promise that all expenses will be reimbursed as soon as the funds are spirited out of Nigeria. In actuality, the millions of dollars do not exist, and the victim eventually ends up with nothing but loss. Once the victim stops sending money, the perpetrators have been known to use the personal information and checks that they received to impersonate the victim, draining bank accounts and credit card balances. While such an invitation impresses most law-abiding citizens as a laughable hoax, millions of dollars in losses are caused by these schemes annually. Some victims have been lured to Nigeria, where they have been imprisoned against their will along with losing large sums of money. The Nigerian government is not sympathetic to victims of these schemes, since the victim actually conspires to remove funds from Nigeria in a manner that is contrary to Nigerian law. The schemes themselves violate section 419 of the Nigerian criminal code, hence the label “419 fraud.”

Tips for Avoiding Nigerian Letter or “419” Fraud:

  • If you receive a letter from Nigeria asking you to send personal or banking information, do not reply in any manner. Send the letter to the U.S. Secret Service, your local FBI office, or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. You can also register a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission Complaint Assistant. 
  • If you know someone who is corresponding in one of these schemes, encourage that person to contact the FBI or the U.S. Secret Service as soon as possible.
  • Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government officials asking for your help in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.
  • Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.
  • Guard your account information carefully.

Source The FBI

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Uncategorized

Nevada County Weather – Dry Start For 2011 – 2012

Nevada Irrigation District Water Source Map
Nevada Irrigation District Water Source Map


I believe we are all wondering what’s happened to the rain and snow this year.  It’s certainly the driest season I can remember so far.  The Nevada Irrigation District’s newsletter has some interesting facts as to what’s happening to our weather this winter season.

Here’s what they have to say:

Precipitation Season

The 2011/12 rainfall season is off to a very slow start. By Dec. 31, precipitation at NID’s Bowman Reservoir (elev. 5600 ft.) had reached only 12.55 inches, or 50 percent of average for the date (seasonal precipitation is measured July 1-June 30).

From Very Wet to Very Dry

A year ago at this time, rain and snow poured down on the area; by late December 2010, precipitation at Bowman had reached 60.3 inches. By the time the 2010/11 rainfall season ended June 30 it had become the fifth wettest year on record, producing 124.15 inches of precipitation, or 179 percent of average.

This December produced just 0.32 inches of precipitation, the third driest December in 126 years of record-keeping at Bowman. Even with the dry conditions, NID water storage remains strong. As of Dec. 31, district storage was measured at 177,100 acre-feet of water, which is 114 percent of average for this time of year.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s Dec. 15 outlook called for near-normal precipitation and below-normal temperatures in our region through the first quarter of 2012.

Source: Nevada Irrigation District

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Entertainment

Local Nevada City Song Artist Makes Internet History With 365 Songs In 365 Days

httpv://youtu.be/jawOarugkgI

 

Chris Crockett began creating songs at age 13 and has a compilation of hundreds of songs written throughout his life. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Crockett Family Kentucky Mountaineers, musicians who were instrumental in bringing country music to California.

Chris was born in Los Angeles, California. In the early 1960’s Chris coaxed his brothers Joel and Jeremy Crockett to form The Crockett Brothers trio. During the Crockett Brothers era Chris and the boys recorded two classic surfing/hot rod songs, “Mother Mother May I Go Surfing” and “Fastest Car In Town”. Both songs are highly prized by collectors on 45 rpm, and have recently been re-released on CD by Del-Fi/Donna Records , the label which originally recorded these two classics.

Chris is a lifetime member of the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS), the organization that votes for the Grammys, and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has had several published songs and has written for major artists, motion pictures, independent artists and commercials. In 1975, Chris became a staff writer for music publisher Snuff Garrett (Garrett Music Enterprises, Inc.) During that time, he wrote songs recorded and performed by artists including Brenda Lee, Larry Mahan, Donnie Brooks, Susie Allenson and several others.

In 2001, Chris made internet history with his “365 songs in 365 days” project, in which he uploaded a new song he had written every day from January 1 through December 31, 2001, completing a total of 365 original compositions and releasing 26 CDs each with 14 original songs. The 365/365 CDs are out of print, but you can download Chris’ newest album “Stranger In This Land” from ITunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, CDBaby as well as most other music sites.

The first single from the album is “Land Of Nod”, and can be viewed on the following link: Nevadacounty.com

Also, Chris’ comedy motorcycle song “You’re the One Who Made Me Sell My Bike” has been in the top 3 of YouTube’s top 10 Motorcycle Songs for 6 months, and can be seen at this link: Nevadacounty.com

Since 1979, Chris has been performing in Nevada City and Grass Valley at venues including The National Hotel (7 years), Main Street Bar and Grill, Holbrooke Hotel, Friar Tucks, The Owl Tavern, and venues from the past such as The Coach House (with “Rock of Ages”), Jolly Roger Lanes (“The Dead Cowboys”). He is a railroad minstrel on “The Snow Train” which travels from Emeryville to Reno during January, February and March. Chris also warms up the crowd every Friday and Saturday night before the plays at Off Broad Street Theater in Nevada City, and performs in several musical comedy plays every year at that theater.

You can reach Chris: chris@chriscrockett.com

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Real Estate

Distressed Properties Drive Home Prices Down In California

The Saitta House, Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, New...
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California home sales declined from both the prior month and year in January, according to data from the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).  The median price also was lower, primarily due to a sales increase in the distressed market.

  • Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 517,740 in January, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide.
  • January’s sales were down 0.6 percent from December’s 520,940 pace and down 5.7 percent from the revised 548,760 sales pace recorded in January 2011.  The statewide sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2012 if sales maintained the January pace throughout the year.  It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.
  • The statewide median price of an existing, single-family detached home fell to $268,280 in January, down 6.7 percent from $285,920 in December.  The median price also dropped 3.9 percent from the revised $279,220 median price recorded in January 2011.
  • “The decline in the January median home is largely a reflection of an increase in the share of distressed home sales,” said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “Seasonal factors in the non-distressed market also played a role in the softening of the median home price, as prices typically decline in the non-peak home buying season.”
  • California’s housing inventory rose in January, with the Unsold Inventory Index for existing, single-family detached homes increasing to 5.5 months in January, up from 4.1 months in December but down from the 6.8-month supply in January 2011.  The index indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate.

Read the full story 
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animals, Environment

Racoons Are Cute, But Can Be Dangerous To Your Health

Common raccoon (Procyon lotor) and skunk (Meph...
Image via Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is more appealing than the face of a raccoon, cute, a mask over their eyes and their overall facial features make them look wise. But, what a problem. They get into your cat food in the garage, overturn garbage cans and leave behind quite a mess. Not only that, if you continue reading, you’ll understand how dangerous they can be to your health, even fatal.

These bandit-masked raccoons are a familiar sight just about everywhere, because they will eat just about anything. These ubiquitous mammals are found in forests, marshes, prairies, and even in cities. They are adaptable and use their dexterous front paws and long fingers to find and feast on a wide variety of fare.

In the natural world, raccoons snare a lot of their meals in the water. These nocturnal foragers use lightning-quick paws to grab crayfish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. On land, they pluck mice and insects from their hiding places and raid nests for tasty eggs.

Raccoons also eat fruit and plants—including those grown in human gardens and farms. They will even open garbage cans to dine on the contents.

They do not have opposing thumbs, but that does not seem to hinder them at all. Raccoons sample food and other objects with their front paws to examine them and to remove unwanted parts. The tactile sensitivity of their paws is increased if this action is performed underwater, since the water softens the horny layer covering the paws. However, they do not use water to clean their food as often thought. (Wikipedia)

I don’t think that feeding raccoons is a good idea, since they carry rabies and distemper, A more dangerous disease is found in raccoon feces which can contain a parasite called Baylisascaris procyonis.  This is a type of roundworm that can also infect humans.  If this parasite is transferred to humans, it can be extremely dangerous.  In children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems, infection with this roundworm can even be fatal.  Infections occur when someone comes into contact with raccoon droppings.  Millions of this parasite’s eggs are often present in the droppings.  Even though roundworm parasites need to be inside the host to survive, the eggs can remain alive and dangerous for years in the soil.  This is how people can come into contact with the parasite without even knowing that they have.

If you have been exposed to this parasite or its eggs, your symptoms could include becoming nauseous, tired, and you may notice a lack of attention or coordination.  Other more serious symptoms are the loss of muscle control, blindness, and coma.  It can also cause a person’s liver to become enlarged.  If you have come into contact with raccoon feces and have any of these symptoms, contact a doctor as soon as possible.  With the proper treatment, the ringworms can be eliminated before they travel throughout the body.

If you’ve found raccoon feces in your yard, take precautions before cleaning it up.  Be sure to wear rubber gloves and eye protection.  Experts also recommend that you wear rubber boots, tyvek overalls, and that a respirator be used.  It is also recommended that you double or triple bag the droppings before disposing of them.  This will prevent other people coming into contact with the dangerous parasite.  If you are unsure, or if you suspect a large raccoon population, you can call a professional pest controller.  They have the appropriate equipment and the training to clean up the droppings safely and they can also offer some advice for deterring raccoons from playing and foraging in your yard.

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Bits & Pieces, Entertainment

You’re The One Who Made Me Sell My Bike – A Motorcycle Song by Chris Crockett

httpv://youtu.be/jt-DXiZHQqM

Chris’ comedy motorcycle song “You’re the One Who Made Me Sell My Bike” has been in the top 3 of YouTube’s top 10 Motorcycle Songs for 6 months.

Of course, you have to listen to the song to find out why he had to sell his bike.  A short bio furnished to me by Chris:

“Chris Crockett began creating songs at age 13 and has a compilation of hundreds of songs written over the past 44 years. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Crockett Family Kentucky Mountaineers, musicians who were instrumental in bringing country music to California.

Chris was born in Los Angeles, California. In the early 1960’s Chris coaxed his brothers Joel and Jeremy Crockett to form The Crockett Brothers trio. During the Crockett Brothers era Chris and the boys recorded two classic surfing/hot rod songs, “Mother Mother May I Go Surfing” and “Fastest Car In Town”. Both songs are highly prized by collectors on 45 rpm, and have recently been re-released on CD by Del-Fi/Donna Records , the label which originally recorded these two classics.

Chris is a lifetime member of the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS), the organization that votes for the Grammys, and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has had several published songs and has written for major artists, motion pictures, independent artists and commercials. In 1975, Chris became a staff writer for music publisher Snuff Garrett (Garrett Music Enterprises, Inc.) During that time, he wrote songs recorded and performed by artists including Brenda Lee, Larry Mahan, Donnie Brooks, Susie Allison and several others.

In 2001, Chris made internet history with his “365 songs in 365 days” project, in which he uploaded a new song he had written every day from January 1 through December 31, 2001, completing a total of 365 original compositions and releasing 26 CDs each with 14 original songs. The 365/365 CDs are out of print, but you can download Chris’ newest album “Stranger In This Land” from ITunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, CDBaby as well as most other music sites.”

By Permission of Chris Crockett

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Real Estate

New Mortgage Deal Could Bring Billions In Relief

English: A Wells Fargo bank on College Avenue ...
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On Thursday, federal and state officials announced a $26 billion foreclosure settlement with five of the largest home lenders.  California is expected to receive approximately $12 billion in principal write-downs, including through short sales, over the next three years, according to the state attorney general‘s office.

 

  • The deal settles potential state charges about allegations of improper foreclosures based on robo-signing, seizures made without proper paperwork.
  • The settlement sets up a federal monitor to oversee the process and try to prevent the challenges that tripped up many homeowners seeking help in earlier programs designed to address the housing crisis.
  • Most of the relief will go to those who are underwater on their homes.  That relief will come over the course of the next three years, with banks having incentives to provide most of the relief in the next 12 months.
  • At least $17 billion will go to reducing the principal owed by homeowners who are underwater and behind on their mortgages.
  • Up to 750,000 other underwater homeowners who are current on their mortgages will be able to refinance their current loans at lower rates.  They will not receive a reduction in principal, but with mortgage rates near record lows, they could receive substantial savings on their monthly payments.
  • Approximately $1.5 billion will go to homeowners who had their homes foreclosed upon between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2011, and who meet other criteria.  They will receive up to $2,000 each.
  • The five mortgage servicers that are parties to the settlement include Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Ally Financial (formerly GMAC).

Read the full story

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Real Estate

$26 Billion Deal Could Offer Relief to Home Owners

Freddie Mac
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Daily Real Estate News | Thursday, February 09, 2012

After months of tense negotiations, the nation’s five largest banks and state and government officials have agreed to a $26 billion settlement aimed at holding banks accountable for the mishandling of some foreclosures.

The settlement is expected to help 1 million home owners, by having lenders reduce their mortgage debt or refinance into lower mortgage rates to reduce costs of their monthly payments. Also, about 750,000 people who lost their homes to foreclosure from September 2008 to the end of 2011 are expected to receive checks for about $2,000. The aid from the settlement will be distributed over the next three years, The New York Times reports.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a panacea for the housing industry but it is good for the banks to get this behind them,” Jason Goldberg, an analyst with Barclays, told The New York Times about the settlement.

Details of the settlement still need to be finalized, including how many states will participate. Also, federal officials say the final figure could move upwards to $39 billion. Mortgages owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not be part of the deal.

The banks involved in the settlement are Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and Ally Financial.

Source: “States Negotiate $26 Billion Deal for Home Owners,” The New York Times (Feb. 8, 2012)

 

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Real Estate

Major Foreclosure Servicer Charged With Forgery

 

Photo courtesy of Riverfront Times
Photo courtesy of Riverfront Times

Finally, someone is getting indicted for robo signing. Robo signing, if you haven’t heard or know what it was, is having  employees signing thousands of  false mortgage documents. Read the story below from the New York times for further explanation:

“DocX, one of the largest companies in the nation to provide foreclosure services to lenders nationwide, has been indicted by a Missouri grand jury on forgery charges stemming from foreclosures against home owners in the state.

The indictment marks one of the “few criminal actions to follow reports of widespread improprieties against home owners” nationwide, The New York Times reports.

According to the indictment, DocX is accused of making “mass-produced fraudulent signatures on notarized real estate documents” and could face up to 136 counts of forgery in the preparation of documents used to evict defaulting home owners from their homes. DocX could face a fine of up to $10,000 for each forgery conviction.

DocX is a unit of Lender Processing Services of Jacksonville, Fla. The company is accused of executing and notarizing millions of mortgage documents for banks and lenders the last few years. Lender Procession closed in April 2010 after allegations surfaced of alleged forged documents.

Some of its employees were also indicted last week and could face several years in prison if found convicted.

An attorney for DocX says the company will enter a plea of “not guilty” and declined to comment further about the charges.”

Source: “Company Faces Forgery Charges in Mo. Foreclosures,” The New York Times (Feb. 6, 2012)

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Entertainment, Grass Valley

Land Of Nod – Chris Crockett (with Connie Crockett)

httpv://youtu.be/-_JTE_u3BSA

I’ve always enjoyed listening to Chris wherever and when ever I get a chance to hear him play in Grass Valley  or  Nevada City. He has a great voice and this is one of his latest videos he posted on Facebook. Here’s  what he has to say about himself on his website:

Chris Crockett began creating songs at age 13 and has a compilation of hundreds of songs written over the past 44 years. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Crockett family of musicians who were instrumental in bringing country music to California.

Chris was born in Los Angeles, California in 1943. In the early 1960’s Chris coaxed his brothers Joel and Jeremy Crockett to form The Crockett Brothers trio. During the Crockett Brothers era Chris and the boys recorded two classic surfing/hot rod songs, “Mother Mother May I Go Surfing” and “Fastest Car In Town”. Both songs are highly prized by collectors on 45 rpm, and have recently been re-released on CD by
Del-Fi/Donna Records, the label which originally recorded these two classics.

Chris is a 30 year member of the National Academy of Recording Artists and Sciences (NARAS) and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has had several published songs and has written for major artists, motion pictures, independent artists and commercials. In 1975, Chris became a staff writer for music publisher Snuff Garrett (Garrett Music Enterprises, Inc.) During that time, he wrote songs recorded and performed by artists including Brenda Lee, Larry Mahan and several others.

Since 1979, Chris has been performing in Northern California’s Gold Country, primarily in Nevada City and Grass Valley. He is a traveling minstrel on “The Fun Train” which travels from San Francisco to Reno almost every weekend in January, February and March. Chris also warms up the crowd every Friday and Saturday night at a Nevada County Theater, “Off Broad Street”, where he also performs in several musical comedies written and produced by owners John Driscoll and Jan Kopp.

Source:  By permission of  Chris Crockett

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