WASHINGTON — As the holiday shopping season accelerates, consumer protection officials are warning residents to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated gift card scams. District Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a public consumer alert on Monday, cautioning shoppers about a growing form of retail fraud known as gift card draining, which has become more prevalent during peak gift-giving periods. According to Schwalb’s office, gift card draining differs from traditi

Leaked internal documents have exposed a shocking revelation about Meta, suggesting the company earned an estimated $16 billion annually from scam and fraudulent advertisements across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Despite publicly claiming to prioritize user safety and ad transparency, these documents show a deep conflict between Meta’s financial gains and its enforcement of ad integrity policies. According to the leaked materials reviewed by Reuters,

A wave of fraudulent text messages has resurfaced across Illinois, falsely warning residents of unpaid traffic tickets and threatening immediate penalties if payment is not made within 24 hours. The messages claim to come from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and include alarming statements about possible suspension of vehicle registration, prosecution, credit score impact, and extra toll fees. Officials have confirmed that these messages are fake and part of an ongoing scam designed t

If you are an NRI parent moving to the United States or already living there, a common question is whether your child’s Indian vaccination certificate will be accepted. The good news is that in most cases the answer is yes, but there are a few important points to keep in mind. Indian vaccination records are generally recognized in the US as long as they are complete, accurate, and clearly documented. The records should include the child’s name, date of birth, vaccine nam

Parenting is challenging on its own, but when a health emergency strikes—whether it involves a parent, child, or another family member—the stress can feel overwhelming. Balancing the responsibilities of caring for children while managing medical needs requires strength, planning, and emotional resilience. With the right approach, parents can provide stability for their children while navigating uncertain times. The first step is to stay calm and organized. Children quick

In a recent town hall event at John Muir Middle School, Congressmember Sam Liccardo and Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas engaged with residents of South San Jose to discuss a range of pressing issues. The meeting, held Thursday, provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns on various political and social matters, from the federal government's stance on immigration to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and public health challenges.

Imagine visiting a dentist not only for your teeth but also for your overall well-being, including mental health support, all in one appointment. This vision has become a reality at Asian Health Services, a community health center in Alameda County that is pioneering a first-of-its-kind integration of dental and wellness care. For thousands of patients in the area who cannot afford private care and who face language barriers, this innovative approach has become

Santa Clara County is urging support for a proposed sales tax increase that it says is critical to keeping its hospital system alive in the face of looming federal funding cuts. The measure, known as Measure A, would add a five-eighths cent sales tax and has been fast-tracked for the November 4 special election ballot. County officials warn that without additional revenue, essential public hospital services, trauma care, and safety net programs could be jeopardi

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries, and healthcare and biotechnology are at the forefront of this transformation. Google Cloud AI is playing a major role in driving innovation, improving patient outcomes, and accelerating scientific discoveries. By combining advanced machine learning capabilities with scalable cloud infrastructure, Google Cloud AI enables medical institutions, biotech companies, and research teams to process vast amounts of data faster and more accurately

The United States remains one of the top destinations for skilled professionals worldwide, especially for Indian job seekers. With its diverse job market, ample opportunities in technology, business, healthcare, and more, many Indians are making the move to the US in search of better career prospects. But the big question is: What’s the best route to gain the right skills and qualifications to land a job in the US quickly? While traditional college degrees have been the stan

The healthcare industry has always been driven by innovation, but the integration of artificial intelligence is pushing it into a new era. At the forefront of this transformation is IBM Watson, a cognitive computing system that’s redefining how medical professionals diagnose, treat, and manage diseases. By analyzing vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, IBM Watson is helping doctors make more informed decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes. One of the key ways

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a strong warning to consumers about a new scam involving fake text messages that appear to come from Amazon. According to officials, many individuals have reported receiving texts that claim an item they purchased has been recalled. These messages include a link promising a full refund, but the FTC has clarified that these messages are fraudulent and designed to steal money or personal information from unsuspecting victims. Scammers are becomi

As the countdown begins for the highly anticipated Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning fans to stay vigilant against a surge in ticket-related scams. With the four-day music event set to take over Grant Park from July 31 to August 3, scammers are expected to exploit the urgency of last-minute ticket buyers with fake websites, counterfeit tickets, and fraudulent merchandise. BBB President and CEO Steve J. Bernas cautioned that scammers prey o

Residents across Illinois are being warned to stay alert after a new wave of phishing text messages began targeting individuals with a fake legal reference—“Code 15c-16.003.” These messages claim to be from state agencies, often referencing vehicle registration issues, and are designed to steal personal or financial information through fake links and scare tactics. The scam texts typically claim that the recipient’s vehicle registration is in jeopardy of be

NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) looking for housing in Texas can fall victim to scams. These frauds target those unfamiliar with local markets or unable to inspect properties in person. Here are the top 3 scams to watch out for and how to avoid them. 1. Phantom Rental Listings How It Works: Fraudsters post fake listings on websites like Craigslist, Zillow, or Facebook Marketplace. They ask for an upfront deposit or rent through untraceable methods after the NRI

Senior TDP leader and Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has made serious allegations against the previous YCP government, claiming that transactions worth ₹1.30 lakh crore took place in liquor shops during their tenure. Speaking to the media, Somireddy pointed out that this staggering volume of cash-based transactions could potentially set a world record for the highest number of cash dealings in the liquor business, especially at a time when the entire country has moved toward di

Two healthcare executives were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a massive medical fraud operation that bilked the U.S. government out of $127 million through a scheme involving unnecessary medical braces and illegal kickbacks. The sentencing took place in federal court in Newark, marking the conclusion of one of the more brazen cases of healthcare fraud in recent years. Eric Karlewicz, 46, of Rockland County, New York, and Nicco Romanowski, 33, of Roswell, Georgia,

Superstar Mahesh Babu, a prominent name in the Telugu film industry, has found himself at the center of a serious legal development. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued notices to the actor in connection with an ongoing money laundering probe tied to controversial Hyderabad-based real estate firms, Sai Surya Developers and Surana Group. According to reports published in a leading national English daily, Mahesh Babu was associated with these real estate groups as a brand endorser. The

In a high-profile development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of raids on Tuesday, including one at the Jaipur residence of senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas. The action is part of the central agency's ongoing investigation into the multi-crore Pearl Agro Corporation Limited (PACL) scam, which is one of India’s largest known ponzi schemes, reportedly involving a staggering Rs 48,000 crore. According to ED officials, t

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has landed in fresh controversy after social activist H Ramamurthy Gowda submitted a formal petition to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, seeking sanction to prosecute the CM under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The complaint alleges that Siddaramaiah accepted a Rs 500 crore bribe in 2015 for renewing eight mining leases without opting for the auction route. The petition, accessed exclusively by India Today, claims that Siddaramaiah’s