U.S.A.'s latest interesting news

Mobile Banking Basics and Security Tips

If you're traveling this summer, you can use your mobile device as an easy and convenient way to fulfill your banking needs. This includes downloading mobile applications (apps) to check account balances, retrieve account information, or make transactions. Keep in mind, it's important to be safe and secure when using online banking services.   Join Us Live to Talk Patent Process and History! Join us and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office NOW as we chat about getting a patent for your inventions, great inventors in U.S. history, and the 10 million patents milestone! Bring your questions, learn how to navigate the patent application process, and unlock your inner inventor or entrepreneur. We'll answer as many questions as we can live on camera or in the comments. Don't Let Spoiled Food or Water Ruin Your Trip It’s great to explore new places, but it’s important to focus on food and water safety. Don’t let diseases caused by contaminated food and drinks spoil your trip. Reduce your risk of getting sick by following these tips: Drink only bottled water or water that has being boiled or disinfected. Do not eat salads, fruits, raw eggs or fresh-made fruit juices. When unsure about water quality, avoid every form of tap water, such as ice or even when brushing your teeth. Volunteer with NPS this Summer Now that school is out for the summer, you may be searching for ways to get outdoors and enjoy the warm weather. Consider volunteering with the National Park Service (NPS) in a park near you. Learn more about one-time service projects as well as longer-term opportunities in your area. National Archives Professional Development Webinars Looking for professional development opportunities this summer? The National Archives offers a range of workshops tailored to educators, such as classes on Native American history and social justice. Find out more about upcoming webinars and check out their summer professional development schedule. Free Summer Meals for Kids USDA’s Summer Food Service Program provides free, nutritious meals to children in need who normally depend on school lunches. Distribution sites are located throughout the U.S.—find a site in your area and learn how you can raise awareness in your community. Federal Trade Commission Statement by FTC Chairman Simons on DOJ’s Remitting more than $500 Million to FTC for Consumers Deceived in Payday Lending Scheme Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons issued the following statement regarding the Justice Department’s plan to remit more than $500 million to the FTC for consumers who were harmed by a massive payday lending scheme: “We are very pleased that the Justice Department was able to recover this money in connection with its criminal and civil cases, and that we can help by returning it to consumers,” Simons said. Last year, the FTC obtained a $1.3 billion civil court judgment in connection with this scheme, in which then-racecar driver Scott A. Tucker and his companies deceived consumers and illegally charged them undisclosed and inflated fees. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. FTC and DOJ Approve Procedural Changes to HSR Form The Federal Trade Commission, with the concurrence of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, has approved amendments to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Premerger Notification Rules and to the instructions for filling out the form that companies use to report a proposed merger, acquisition, or similar transaction under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. The Premerger Notification and Report Form (known also as the HSR Form) is designed to provide the FTC and the Antitrust Division of DOJ with the necessary information for an initial evaluation of the potential anticompetitive impact of proposed transactions. The amendments simplify and clarify some language used in the Rules and the instructions, and they allow for the use of email in certain circumstances, such as in granting early termination. A notice in the Federal Register provides more information. Enacted by Congress in 1976, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act gives the federal government the opportunity to investigate and challenge mergers that are likely to harm consumers before injury occurs. The Commission vote to authorize publication in the Federal Register final amendments to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Rules Part 801-803 was 5-0. (FTC File No P859910; the staff contact is Nora Whitehead, 202-326-3262.) The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about how competition benefits consumers or file an antitrust complaint. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and sub Cryptocurrency webcast starts soon By Lesley Fair The Cubs are in Los Angeles and the White Sox have the day off, but there’s still a lot happening in Chicago today. The FTC’s workshop Decrypting Cryptocurrency Scams is set to start at 1:00 PM Central Time at DePaul University. Speakers will explore how scammers are exploiting the interest in cryptocurrencies and what can be done to protect and  empower consumers. Can’t make it to the Loop Campus this afternoon? A few minutes before the event starts, the FTC webcast link will go live. And we’ll be live tweeting from @FTC using the hashtag #cryptoscamsFTC. Read more >