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Scammers placing skimmers in SC ATMs

April 16, 2010 By

Reported by David Waterman, affiliate WVOC in Columbia

The U.S. Secret Service is warning residents in South Carolina and four other states about skimming devices attached to automated teller machines (ATMs)  that can copy of your personal account information when you swipe your debit or credit card – -data that scammers can later use to commit ID theft.  Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service in Columbia, Michael Williams says:

These skimming devices would fit actually over the card reader. And if you aren’t paying close attention, you would think that this is actually part of the ATM. But it actually protrudes a little bit farther out than your actual card reader, so when you insert your card, the scammer is able to capture all the electronic information that’s attached to your ATM card or your credit card prior to being processed by the bank. 

One of those devices turned up April 1, 2010 on the ATM at the Publix supermarket off Harbison Boulevard in Columbia. The Secret Service monitored the area and removed and confiscated the device before any bank accounts could be compromised. Williams says they have video footage of the individual who actually placed the skimmer on “and we’re working it with offices in other states.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Crime & Courts, News

SC unemployment rate improves for second month

April 16, 2010 By

South Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped slightly for a second straight month in March — a slight sign of improvement after the worst downturn in 80 years. In February, South Carolina’s jobless rate fell for the first time in two years. That continued in March as the unemployment rate slid to 12.2 percent, down from a revised 12.4 percent in February and hitting the lowest mark since October.

According to a report from the SC Employment Security Commission,  the non-farm jobs increased by 15,900 in March along with increases in every major industry division except Manufacturing. Retail Trade added 3,700 positions in March. This was followed by increases in Leisure and Hospitality (+4,600), Professional and Business Services (+3,200), Education and Health Services (+800), and Government (+1,100). Construction jobs were up 900 over the month, and Manufacturing showed a small loss of 200 jobs.

The state still has one of the nation’s worst jobless rates, well below the U.S. average of 9.7 percent. In a press release, Samuel R. Foster, ESC’s  interim executive director says:

We are encouraged by the improvement we have seen over the past couple of months; however, the state’s economy remains fragile. We have a ways to go before we can feel confident that unemployment is on a path to sustained recovery.

Filed Under: Business, Economy, News

Voices From the Statehouse 4-16-10 (Audio)

April 16, 2010 By

Lawmakers returned to Columbia after a furlough. William Christopher looks at this part week at the Statehouse, which was filled with news of an expensive lack of communication between state officials, as well as visits from loud public school advocates and supporters of the Tea Party movement.

(Voices from the Statehouse  MP3  1:47)
5legwrapAPR16

 

(This is a regular political feature of SCRN)

Filed Under: Legislature, News

Graham continues efforts to squelch civilian trials for 9/11 terrorists

April 16, 2010 By

Testifying before the Senate Tuesday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder continued to claim that New York City is still a viable option for the 9/11 terrorist trials, much to the chagrin of South Carolina Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham is continuing his attempt to broker a deal with the White House to help close GITMO. In exchange Graham wants the Obama Administration to find a location to hold military tribunals for the terrorists being held there. Graham appeared on Fox News Thursday.

“My view of Guantanamo bay is that it is a safe and secure jail, it’s well run, but when it comes to image, it is an iconic image according to General Petraeus. It is still being used against us in the War on Terror and our allies don’t like us using that jail. I am willing to find another jail only if you understand that we are at war. I’m not willing to let Khaled Sheikh Mohammed(KSM) be tried in civilian court.”

Graham says it is important to continue to stress that the country is at war and enemy detainees should not have the same rights as civilians. “We need a rule that allows enemy combatants to be held indefinitely without trial, and if a judge orders one of these guys be released, we need a statute that says you can’t come to the United States. So we can close GITMO safely but they (Obama Administration) have no plan. They have no plan for future captures, and with this idea of KSM going into civilian court blew up in their faces, I want to help them but they’ve got to help themselves.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Military, News, Politics & Government

SC municipalities awarded energy grants for improvements (Audio)

April 16, 2010 By
The State Energy Office says that South Carolina taxpayers will see a significant amount of savings through special energy efficiency grants awarded to the state. Megan Herring of the South Carolina Energy Office says 72 cities and counties in the state will each get a part of $5.8 million.
 
 “This is part of the federal stimulus program for energy efficiency given to our office to disburse throughout the state to local government municipalities. It’s going to cities and counties in South Carolina that didn’t qualify for the ten largest grants from the federal Department of Energy,” says Herring. [Read more...]
Filed Under: Energy, News, Politics & Government, Taxes
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