Pre-Paid Legal and You

From textografico.com:

Finding a sense of security in today’s world can be a challenge. With the way that the economy and job market is these days it can be hard for you to feel safe in this world. Some people may want to take advantage of you in these hard times and when they do it can leave you feeling helpless if you’re not prepared.

Having a lawyer on standby is a luxury that many of us feel like we cannot afford. With the high prices that lawyers charge and with the standard income of an Average Joe like you and me it is difficult to take care of ourselves when a legal dispute arises. Fortunately for us there are pre-paid legal services like legalshield that we can use. By using these pre-paid legal services we can have a sense of security as we go throughout our normal days. It will be similar to having “legal insurance”. I urge you to look into it, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg and you deserve the security that comes with it. Remember, you don’t have to be taken advantage of!

Go to http://www.brandonjking.info to get started on your membership.

LegalShield Hero

 

 

 

For more information, please log on to my website, http://www.brandonjking.info

Slip on fries leads to suit against McDonald’s

This is another example of how frivolous lawsuits come about and how litigious our society has become. Check out my website for more information.

By Kelly Holleran
4/20/2011 6:27 PM

A woman claims she sustained back, neck and arm injuries after slipping on French fries at a St. Clair County McDonald’s

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Donna Armstrong filed a lawsuit March 28 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Garjo doing business as McDonald’s and employee Christina Whitmore.

In her complaint, Armstrong alleges she ate at the restaurant and attempted to exit through its southeast door when she slipped on fries left on the floor.

Because of the incident, Armstrong became sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled and incurred medical costs in addition to her injuries, according to the complaint. She also suffered disability, experienced pain and suffering and lost money, the suit states.

Armstrong blames McDonalds for causing her fall, saying it negligently failed to manage its premises in a safe condition, failed to have a safe procedure for cleaning spills, failed to provide a safe entrance and exit and failed to provide a safe place for her to walk.

In addition, the fast food chain negligently allowed the premises to become unsafe, failed to inspect the premises to make sure they were in a safe condition, failed to warn Armstrong of the premises’ unsafe condition and failed to place a warning sign over the spillage, the complaint says.

Armstrong also names Whitmore as a defendant, saying she negligently failed to manage the premises in a safe manner, failed to have a safe procedure for cleaning spills, failed to provide a safe entrance and exit, failed to provide Armstrong with a safe place to walk, allowed the premises to become unsafe, failed to inspect the premises, failed to warn Armstrong of the unsafe condition and failed to erect a warning sign.

In her two-count complaint, Armstrong seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Thomas C. Rich and Kristina D. Cooksey of Fairview Heights will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-155.

An ID theft service you should take a look at

Ada,OK based Pre Paid Legal Services has been around since 1972. Their popular Life Events Legal Plan,which allows it members access to top rated law firms nationwide to deal with any legal matter , are now  used by over one million families and tens of thousands of companies also offer their services as an employee benefit. This is what they are most known for but they have an identity theft service that, from what I have seen, is second to none.

Read the rest of this article here

What type of ID theft protection service should you get?

As identity theft continues to escalate, many people are looking to protect themselves by investing in the myriad of identity theft protection services. In a previous article entitled, “Clearing up the id theft service picture”, I differentiated between the various types of identity theft services. However, with so many products out there it can be difficult to decide which one to purchase.

From personal experience, I know that dealing with identity theft can be an overwhelming ordeal. Many people do not know what to and even if you do, the amount of time spent in rectifying the situation can be tremendous. It is for these reasons that people obtain these services.

Read the rest of the article here.

Clearing Up The ID Theft Service Picture

Brandon King

Examiner.com

May 20,2010

As everyone knows, identity theft is a major problem. With any problem, there will be a myriad of companies and individuals looking to cash in and this is no different when it comes to identity theft.

There are a plethora of companies that offer services that tout their ability to help people combat identity theft with the most common being reimbursement, resolution and restoration. There seems to is some confusion as to the difference between the three and those will be cleared up.

Read the Entire Article here

An ID Theft Service You Need To Have

Brandon King

Examiner.com

June 10,2010

Ada,OK based Pre Paid Legal Services has been around since 1972. Their popular Life Events Legal Plan,which allows it members access to top rated law firms nationwide to deal with any legal matter , are now  used by over one million families and tens of thousands of companies also offer their services as an employee benefit. This is what they are most known for but they have an identity theft service that, from what I have seen, is second to none.

Read entire article here

Medical ID Theft

Brandon King

Examiner.com

June 18, 2010

Although medical id theft is one of the fastest growing segments of identity theft, most people are still unaware of this crime even though it can cost people many thousands of dollars or worse your life.

Medical identity theft occurs when someone utilizes your medical information. They may get prescriptions, get treated for illnesses or have other procedures done in your name.

If the massive bills you could receive and the potentiality to be dropped from your insurance are  not bad enough, the changes to your medical records are devastating. This is because most victims of identity theft do not know they have been such for quite sometime after the crime has occurred, but also because most people never check their medical records. The thief may have a different blood type or other medical information than that of the victim and the thief’s information get placed in the medical file with that of the victim. Incorrect medical information can wreak havoc on a victim.

Read the rest of the article here

Pre-Paid Legal Services: 36 Years and Counting

PPD Plans Marketing Re-Launch in Las Vegas in September

ADA, Okla., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (NYSE: PPD) will utilize its 2009 Las Vegas Summit, September 9-12, as a stage for introducing a marketing platform that will revolutionize the way the company markets its legal service plans throughout the U.S. and four Provinces of Canada. Building upon a successful foundation of direct selling, the new marketing process represents the first re-launch in the 36 year history of the company.   “We’re not replacing our existing marketing methods,” said Pre-Paid Legal Services Founder and CEO Harland C. Stonecipher. “We are introducing a new web-based marketing process that is so comprehensive it impacts our entire marketing program and enhances our existing business model.”   Although PPD is keeping the specifics of this initiative under wraps until the Las Vegas event, the company introduced a package of special August promotions to encourage more U.S. and Canadian Associates to come to the 2009 Summit to be a part of the company’s historic marketing re-launch and to be on the front line during the roll-out of the new marketing platform.   Launching an Industry When Pre-Paid Legal Services launched on February 9, 1973 in Ada, OK, the concept of prepaid legal service plans was still in its infancy in the U.S. PPD took bold steps to spread the word about this approach to providing quality legal services in a cost-effective legal service plan. With this core vision, the company grew, and in the process garnered accolades from national news media, such as Forbes, Fortune, Money, Financial World, Black Enterprise and others. On August 22, 2007, USA Today published an article, based on its own database study of company stock value at corporations where the founder remained at the helm. In this broad ranging study that included 63 companies, PPD ranked third on the list with a 15-year stock gain of 4,302 percent.   PPD has also been the recipient of a number of awards and corporate recognition. In 2006, the Foundation for Fair Civil Justice designated PPD for the “Line in the Sand” award for the company’s battle against abuse of the legal system. In addition, PPD was pleased to see the National Association of Attorneys General adopt the “Resolution in Support of the Concept of Prepaid Legal Services Plans” in 2008.   Marketing Re-Launch “If ever there was a time when we needed to make affordable legal services available to people, the time is now,” Stonecipher said. “As a result of the prolonged recession, all too many citizens are facing significant challenges, such as foreclosure, bankruptcy and credit issues.” Armed with the right legal services, including direct access to designated, customer-focused attorneys, individuals have the best means for meeting these financial and personal issues.   Pre-Paid Legal Services now provides legal service plans to approximately 1.5 million families, yet even with the combined coverage of all legal service plan providers, there remains a large segment of the population without access to legal services. The re-launch of PPD will help us reach a much greater audience within the U.S. and Canadian markets. It will also provide a means for extending the reach and impact of our Independent Associate network.   During a recent teleconference in which he spoke to thousands of PPD Associates, Stonecipher said, “You may not have been here for the launch of Pre-Paid Legal Services in 1973, but you can be a part of our corporate history in September when we announce the re-launch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. We’re taking it to a new level from there.”   About PPD Pre-Paid Legal Services was one of the first companies in the United States organized solely to design, underwrite and market legal service plans. PPD provides legal service plans to more than 1.5 million families across the U.S. and Canada. Plan benefits are delivered through a network of independent provider law firms. Members have direct, toll-free access to their provider law firm. Provider firms are carefully selected and quality of service is closely monitored to maintain the high standards of Pre-Paid Legal. The company website is: www.prepaidlegal.com.   Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, regarding our future plans and objectives and expected operating results, dividends and share repurchases and statements of the assumptions underlying such statements, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain assumptions that may not be correct. They are subject to risks and uncertainties incident to our business that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the reports and statements filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including (among others) those listed in our Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, and include the risks that our membership persistency or renewal rates may decline, that we may not be able to continue to grow our memberships and earnings, that we are dependent on the continued active participation of our principal executive officer, that pending or future litigation may have a material adverse effect on us if resolved unfavorably to us, that we may have compromises of our information security, that during an economic downturn in the economy consumer purchases of discretionary items may be affected which could materially harm our sales, retention rates, profitability and financial condition, that we could be adversely affected by regulatory developments, that competition could adversely affect us, that we are substantially dependent on our marketing force, that our stock price may be affected by short sellers, that we have been unable to increase our employee group membership sales and that our active premium in force is not indicative of future revenue as a result of changes in active memberships from cancellations and additional membership sales. Please refer to pages 15 – 17 of our 2008 Form 10-K for a more complete description of these risks. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements in this release.      For more information about Pre-Paid Legal Services, you can log on to http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/bking62 , http://www.BrandonKing.greatcareerplan.com , or you can also call 1-866-510-7907.

Ex-Informant Charged With Largest Credit Card Heist in US

y Erika Morphy
E-Commerce Times 
Part of the ECT News Network 
08/18/09 1:55 PM PT

New charges have been brought against a hacker already awaiting trials in two other cases of identity theft. In the latest indictment, 28-year-old Albert Gonzalez is accused of participating in the theft of 130 million credit card numbers. Two others are charged with conspiring in the crime.

Albert Gonzalez, 28, a hacker already in jail awaiting trial for what was deemed the largest identity theft in the U.S., has apparently topped himself. Along with two unnamed coconspirators, Gonzalez has been indicted by a federal grand jury in New Jersey for an identity theft that trumps the previous record-setter: 130 million credit and debit card numbers stolen over a two-year period, from 2006 to 2008.

At one point, Gonzalez was working as an informant with the U.S. Secret Service to hunt hackers, while at the same time allegedly stealing data.

Storied Resume

In August 2008, the Department of Justice fingered Gonzalez as the ringleader of a hacker gang that stole 40 million credit card numbers — then believed to be the largest single case of hacking theft. Consumers at T.J. Maxx, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority and OfficeMax were victimized in that raid. Those charges were filed in the District of Massachusetts. Gonzalez will face them in a trial scheduled to begin in 2010.

In May 2008, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York charged Gonzalez in connection with the hacking of a computer network run by a national restaurant chain. Trial on those charges is scheduled to begin in Long Island, N.Y., in September 2009.

This latest episode is also the most audacious, according to the Department of Justice. The Miami-based Gonzalez and two Russian accomplices hacked into corporate databases five times over a two-year time period, using a SQL injection attack to target 7-Eleven, Heartland Payment Systems and Hannaford Brothers, a Maine-based supermarket chain, among other companies.

The three allegedly hacked into the networks and placed backdoor access in the systems to allow them to revisit without detection in order to steal the data. They would then send the data to servers in California, Illinois, Latvia, the Netherlands and Ukraine for resale to criminals.

If convicted, Gonzalez faces up to 35 years in prison and US$500,000 in fines.

The Department of Justice did not return the E-Commerce Times’ call requesting comment in time for publication.

The fact that Gonzalez acted as an informant for the Secret Service and then turned around and played the government “is a common problem in law enforcement — but particularly acute in the prosecution of cybercrimes,” said Alexander H. Southwell, an attorney with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher’s white collar defense and investigations practice.

“That is because prosecutors and law enforcement are very dependent on using insiders to penetrate criminal activity,” Southwell told the E-Commerce Times. “These cases are hard to crack without somebody on the inside because of the nature of cybercrime.”

Informers have a tendency to think that because they have protection from the government, they get a free pass on anything else they want to do, he noted.

Familiar Environment

Apart from the James Bond elements of these cases, they’re much the same as other massive identity thefts. Despite episode after episode, the underlying breeding ground hasn’t changed. That environment is characterized both by the government’s patchwork approach to protection — which often allows perpetrators to escape undetected — and the reluctance of retailers to implement stronger security measures.

The United States follows a “sectoral” approach to cybersecurity, M. Peter Adler, an attorney at Pepper Hamilton, told the E-Commerce Times.

“This means that regulations and industry standards pertaining to information security may vary slightly for companies in healthcare, financial services, [firms that have] government contracts or that use payment cards,” he explained.

“Layer state laws on this, such as those in Massachusetts and California, and a company is left with a patchwork quilt of protections that are often not completely understood and that can result in security gaps,” said Adler, adding that what the country really needs is a unified and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity that will keep up with the hackers.

The private sector must step up as well, said Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com.

“Credit card companies, banks and retailers … clearly make huge profits that trump the losses from fraud — otherwise, they’d do something to stop fraud,” Siciliano told the E-Commerce Times.

“Credit card fraud can be stopped dead with numerous technologies that make the data useless to the thieves,” he noted, “but until banks, retailers and the credit card companies adopt them, the bleeding will continue.”

The recession is not helping, either.

Even if the government were strongly pushing more protective measures, said Adam Levin, cofounder of Identity Theft 911, it would have to balance those against the inevitable legitimate purchases stymied by such measures.

Furthermore, state governments in the forefront of enforcement have been forced to cut back because of budget cuts, he told the E-Commerce Times.

“Ultimately, it won’t be the government that solves this problem, but ultimate regulators of our economy — class action attorneys,” Levin concluded

 

 

 

 

 

 

           This is just another instance of personal information being stolen and tens of millions are now potential victims of Identity              Theft. It once again goes to show people it is not what we are doing with our information, but what others do with that                      information that can cause plenty of trouble. If you are concerned that you may be affected by this latest breach, or just                        concerned about Identity Theft, please log on to http://www.prepaidlegal.com/idt/bking62 or call 1-866-510-7907.