An expert on identity theft and scams is in Omaha-Council Bluffs today (Thursday) to talk about personal security and his own adventures in crime that put his life’s story on movie screens in 2002. Frank Abagnale was 16 when he posed as an airline pilot, and by age 21, convinced people he was a doctor, a lawyer or a special agent, depending on the situation. Devorah Lanner, with A-A-R-P, says the talk by Abagnale is part of the organization’s Fraud Watch series.

Frank Abagnale

“He is perhaps one of the most famous con artists in recent history,” Lanner says. “Frank Abagnale was portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie, “Catch Me If You Can.” He will be sharing his knowledge and tips with the public about how we can all protect ourselves from being scammed and having our identity stolen.” While Abagnale’s exploits were depicted in the film that was set in the 1960s, he’s spent the following decades helping the authorities to outsmart crooks.

“He was a con artist from age 16 to 21 and then he was caught and agreed to cooperate with the FBI,” Lanner says. “He has now been working as a consultant for the FBI for about the last 40 years.” Abagnale is A-A-R-P’s Fraud Watch Ambassador and he will speak at Omaha’s Jewish Community Center tonight (Thursday), though the event is already sold out.

“For people who can’t attend, because we are full, you can go to our website: aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork,” Lanner says. “There are links to videos with Frank Abagnale and also an online scam and fraud quiz.”

(Radio Iowa)

As the Syrian refugee crisis continues to grow, the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance (BBB WGA) warns donors to be cautious when making donations to assist refugees in need. H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of BBB WGA says “Tragedies generate public sympathy but unfortunately also attract scam fund raising efforts.” He says they remind contributors “To be on the lookout for questionable solicitors and recommend that they focus giving efforts on charities that already have a presence in the impacted areas.”

When donating to assist in the Syrian refugee crisis, keep the following tips in mind to avoid scams….

Be cautious when giving online. Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. Instead, go directly to the charity’s web site.

Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations from bloggers or other web sites. The public can go to Give.org to verify if a charity meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims.
Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fund raising and administrative costs.

Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas. Unless the charity already has staff in the affected areas, it may be difficult to bring in new aid workers to provide assistance quickly.

Determine if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and giving directly to those that have a presence in the region.

The following organizations are collecting funds for Syrian refugee relief and meet all of the BBB Charity Standards: CARE USA; Catholic Relief Services; Church World Service; Concern Worldwide US; GlobalGiving; Helping Hand for Relief and Development; International Medical Corps; International Rescue Committee; Islamic Relief USA; Lutheran World Relief; Medical Teams International; Mennonite Central Committee; Mercy Corps; Oxfam America; Plan International USA; Save the Children; United States Fund for UNICEF; World Food Program USA; World Relief, and World Vision.

Officials with the Cass County Health System invite you to participate in the 4th Annual Trailing for Tatas event is scheduled for October 3, 2015 at Lake Anita State Park. The four-mile run/walk was organized by Deanna Spry in 2012 after her personal battle with breast cancer.

The Cass County Health System Foundation is partnering with Deanna Spry and her family in efforts to support women in Southwest Iowa fighting their battle with cancer. Staff from the Cass County Health System Diagnostic Imaging and Physical Therapy departments, along with the CCHS Foundation, will be on site to share information and assist in the cause.

All funds raised will be administered through the CCHS Foundation, with guidance from a local volunteer committee. The funds will be used to assist area residents as they battle cancer with needs not met by personal insurance or American Cancer Society resources.

The walk begins at 11 a.m., with a balloon release at 1 pm. The Cub Scout Pack #61 will be manning the water station, and the Anita Town and Country Club will have a food stand, with proceeds going to the event. Music will be provided by Jesse Swanson of Chaos Production Mobile DJ Service. There’s also an inflatable bounce house and treasure hunt for children.

Registration fees are $20 for adults and $10 for youth ages 6-12. Teams of 10 or more can register for $15 per person. Register before September 19, 2015: Online at www.trailingfortatas.org, or contact Dawn Marnin, CCHS Foundation Director, 712-243-7409 or mardd@casshealth.org.

The first national survey about chiropractic medicine shows a mixed report for the profession. Palmer College in Davenport, where the practice was founded in 1895, hired the Gallup organization to design and conduct the survey of more than 54-hundred people. Palmer Chancellor Dr. Dennis Marchiori says earlier surveys showed about eight-percent of Americans used chiropractors, while the new survey found 14-percent had seen a chiropractor in the past year.

“Chiropractors are seen in a positive light especially for spine-related complaints and the things that we focus on,” Dr. Marchiori says. “Americans, even if they’re not seeing a chiropractor, are very open to visiting a chiropractor in the future.” On the down side, respondents didn’t recognize the length and breadth of chiropractic training and some worry about the safety of seeing a chiropractor. Marchiori says it’s very safe.

“Lots of studies have been out to demonstrate that including business practices such as very low malpractice insurance rates,” he says. “It’s a rare complication that causes a problem for a chiropractic patient.” Marchiori says the next steps include studying these “barriers” to chiropractic and figuring out how to remove them. Palmer College plans more surveys in the coming years, based on what was learned in this one.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrest Wednesday night of a Pacific Junction man, on drug charges. 35-year old Matthew Joseph Tyson was taken into custody on a warrant for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Tyson was being held in the Mills County Jail on $300 bond.

In an update to our story Wednesday morning, authorities in Pottawattamie County have released additional details about the chase that began early that same morning, and made its way into Cass County and back into Pott. County.  Lt. Rob Ambrose, with the Pott. County Sheriff’s Dept. told KJAN news the incident began at around 2:23-a.m., with a traffic stop for speeding at the City Limits of Hancock.

Ambrose said a deputy tried to pull over a Ford Taurus driven by 38-year old Daniel Campbell, of Walnut, when the car sped-off and eventually made its way into Cass County on Boston Road. Deputies deployed stop sticks at 560th and Boston Road, but the device wasn’t immediately effective in deflating the vehicles’ tires. The chase ended between Marne and Walnut, near 530th and Westgate Road at around 2:45-a.m.

Campbell was taken into custody and is being held on $35,000 bond in the Pottawattamie County Jail. He faces charges that include On-going Criminal Conduct, Felony Eluding, three counts of Possession with the Intent to deliver (marijuana/methamphetamine/prescription drugs), Carrying a Weapon, and OWI. He was also cited for speeding and stop sign violations.

Deputies from Pottawattamie, Cass, Audubon and Shelby Counties assisted in the pursuit.

(DES MOINES) – Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today ordered flags be flown at half-staff Friday, September 11, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in remembrance of those killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Flags will be flown at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.