Money and Computing
US Department of Justice, Combatting CoronaVirus Fraud: Phishing Emails Posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
From the US Department of Justice: Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams. There have been reports of: • Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud. • Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received. • Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home though a number of platforms. more »
From Harvard Law: Top 20 Regulatory Rollbacks to Watch in 2020
One National Program which blocks California from setting its own greenhouse gas standards for vehicles and blocks Zero Emission Vehicle programs in all states. A final rule limiting the science EPA can consider would significantly impact EPA’s decision-making and rulemaking process, potentially leading the agency to ignore significant scientific findings that should inform its regulatory programs. The release of a final rule rescinding emissions limits for methane on oil and gas production and processing. more »
Help From a Familiar (and revamped) Government Resource: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Resources For Consumers During Covid-19 Pandemic
“During this difficult time, the Bureau is doing everything it can to facilitate the work of responsible financial companies supporting their customers and borrowers. We want consumers facing hardships to be are aware of this posture and encourage them to discuss their specific circumstances with their lenders. As a backstop, the CFPB stands ready to help consumers resolve issues with their financial services providers through our consumer complaint system,” said Director Kathleen L. Kraninger more »
Two Berkeley Professors: Targeted Intervention on COVID-19 Must Support Businesses, Workers
Absent government actions, and many businesses and workers do not have enough liquidity to weather dramatic shortfalls in demand causing mass redundancies. Keeping businesses alive through this crisis and making sure workers continue to receive their wages is essential. The most direct way to provide this insurance is to have governments act as payers of last resort, so that hibernating businesses can keep paying their workers (known in economic terms as idle workers) instead of laying them off, and can keep paying their necessary bills such as rent, utilities and interest instead of going bankrupt. more »