Coalition Against Insurance Fraud: Pa. Airbag-Fraud Bill Would Help Knock out Knockoffs

Coalition urges state Senate passage to protect consumers from shady body shops

Making airbag scams a specific crime in Pennsylvania will save lives and deal a blow to insurance scams, the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud has urged the state senate majority leader.

“Airbags protect us from serious injuries or worse. We rightfully expect they will protect us during crashes. The use of counterfeit or non-functional airbags jeopardizes that expectation,” director of government affairs Howard Goldblatt wrote Sen. Jake Corman.

HB 1476 cleared the state Senate Finance Committee this week, and faces a vote on the full Senate floor. The Coalition urged swift passage.

Motorists face a serious safety peril. Knockoffs generally won’t open properly in a crash. Drivers have died and been injured in crashes involving non-functioning counterfeits or fraudulently removed airbags. Knockoffs also spewed shrapnel and flames at crash dummies in federal tests.

Dishonest body shops can easily buy knockoffs on the black market or mainstream sites such as eBay or Craigslist. Counterfeits cost just a few dollars, though shady body shops charge auto insurers $1,000 or more for legitimate manufacturer originals.

“The ethically challenged repair shop thus pockets a large and illegal profit. This is insurance fraud against the consumer and insurer, helping keep premiums higher for honest drivers in Pennsylvania,” Goldblatt wrote.

Thirteen states have made airbag fraud a specific crime in recent years. HB 1476 would add similar protections for Pennsylvania consumers, Goldbatt wrote.

A Chinese national named Dai Zhensong tried to flood the U.S. with fake airbags made in his factory in China. They looked like legitimate models from mainstream carmakers. His airbags spewed shrapnel onto crash dummies in federal tests.

Thousands of airbags made it to the U.S. Many could’ve been installed on vehicles. Zhensong’s network was dismantled and he received 37 months in federal prison.

“HB 1476 will help protect Pennsylvania consumers from counterfeit airbags and the public-safety problems they pose,” Goldblatt wrote.

Bacall Associates Travel - Tips for a Fun and Better Beach Vacation Trip

Beach is probably one of the favorite place of families to go to during vacations. Kids will be super excited when you tell them you're going to the beach, and they will definitely start packing their favorite things to bring with them.

You can enjoy listening to the waves while enjoying your favorite book and laying down on a soft towel under an umbrella. Bacall Associates put together a few tips to consider for your perfect beach vacation.

Location

Obviously, there are a lot of beaches to choose from, and each of them offers unique services. Before booking your trip, make sure to choose the best beach that suits your family's interests. Your family's enjoyment should be your utmost priority. You can ask your close friends or other relatives for suggestions, or you can just browse the internet and trust Google's results. Don't choose a beach that is exclusive for singles or couples if you're planning to have a vacation with your whole family. For a new adventure, you can also choose a 'virgin' beach or a quiet and less crowded beach. Your family will surely enjoy the serenity of such places, and you can do activities on your own without disturbing other people. For example, lots of reviews state that Singapore doesn’t really have nice beaches because it’s only known for its towering steel and glass towers, but it has few beaches that are very beautiful, quiet and peaceful and only the locals know their locations and some of which doesn’t have an officialbeach name. Secret beaches are amazing! But since they are not made to cater tourists, your family need to prepare everything you need by yourselves.

Accommodations

If you're planning to stay for a few days at the beach, then you and your family should have a place to stay in. You can choose between hotels often available at the beachfront, or hotels within walking distance of your beach's location. You don't want to choose faraway hotels, right? Choose the one that is the most convenient for your family, and has a wide variety of beach accommodations perfect for any beach experience you're looking for. You can choose between romantic cottages, full-service resorts, family-friendly hotels, or even campsites. You should ask your family members for their preferred accommodation to have a unified decision.

Activities

Your family will definitely enjoy doing different kinds of activities during your beach vacation, so you should choose a beach that offers an amazing array of activities. Bacall Associates advise you to plan ahead and organize everything beforehand. Ask questions to the staff of the beach to plan the activities you’ll be having. Paying in advance is also an option so that you’ll not bother yourself bringing a large amount of money to the beach. Before booking, don't forget to ask if those services are available during your stay. You can also discuss this matter with your family members so that they know what to expect and what activities to perform on the beach.

Time

Note that choosing the right time is crucial for your beach vacation. You should know that peak season and public holidays mean crowded beaches, and expect traffic and fully booked airports. With these situations in hand, you should be able to make everything right for your vacation. Yes, you have a lot to consider that's why you shouldn't rush planning and take one step at a time. To avoid rainy and very hot seasons, check the weather of the area at different times of the year. Remember that choosing the most convenient time for you and your family is really important.

Packing

Bacall Associates advises you to pack right and light. Girls usually plan to pack their things in advance than boys, but it'll be better if everyone will do this beforehand. With this, you’ll have more time organizing your things and putting everything you need without forgetting anything important. This can result in a less stressful beach vacation. Making a list of the things you need can help you organize your things. Some of the most important things to bring with you include cash, hat and sunscreen, phone charger, reading materials, and of course, an extra outfit.

Bacall Associates has been in the travel arena for decades, so you can definitely trust the tips given above in planning your beach vacation. So what are you waiting for? Start preparing the things you need, and make sure that you will be having a memorable beach holiday with your family.

2013 Ducati 848 Evo - Al Lamb's Dallas Honda

General Information

848 EVO: Excitement EVO. The 140 hp of the Testastretta Evoluzione engine and the awesome braking power of Brembo monobloc calipers take the performance level of the 848 EVO – Ducati’s lightest ever Superbike – to the extreme. Joining the Ducati Superbike world has never been so thrilling. This 2013 Ducati 848 Evo is beautiful, Red with Termignoni exhaust, shorty levers, red Ducati bar ends, super low miles……. a must see!!!!

SPECS

ENGINE

Engine - L-twin cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder, Desmodromic

Bore And Stroke - 94 x 61.2 mm

Compression Ratio - 13.2:1

Induction - Marelli electronic fuel injection, elliptical throttle bodies

DRIVE TRAIN

Transmission - 6-speed

Final Drive - Chain; front sprocket 15; rear sprocket 39

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES

Front Brake - Front: (2) 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc 4-piston calipers

Rear Brake - Rear: 245 mm disc, 2-piston caliper

Front Tire - Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP, 120/70 ZR17

Rear Tire - Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP, 180/55 ZR17

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase - 56.3 in. (1,430 mm)

Seat Height - 32.60"

Curb Weight - 370.00 lbs

OTHER

Available Colors - Dark Stealth

Model Id - 848 EVO

Dr. Richard Isaacs: Kaiser’s summer internship program

Kaiser’s summer internship program gives high school students a chance to see if medical field is right for them

Valley High School senior Faith Allison thought she was interested in cardiology when she started a paid internship at Kaiser Permanente’s South Sacramento Medical Center this summer, but she liked the variety she saw in trauma.

Luther Burbank graduate Melany Caldera figured “you can’t go wrong with health care,” but she got dizzy every time she saw blood. Human resources, she likes.

The idea behind the Kaiser internship program is to give underrepresented and low-income students a close-up view of the career promise of health care before they make a career choice. A comprehensive program that focuses on careers in demand, it can also serve as a pipeline for future Kaiser employees.

“It’s really important for people who have an interest to see their destination before they begin their journey,” said Dr. Richard Isaacs, physician-in-chief at Kaiser’s South Sacramento hospital. “Our hope is they will go back to their own community with a better idea of what they can and want to do.”

The Summer Youth Employment Program is one of the community benefits Kaiser offers in exchange for tax-exempt status. There are 215 participants in Northern California this summer, about 30 in the Sacramento area.

Eleven high-achieving students were selected from 150 applicants for internships at Kaiser South Sacramento.

The full-time program runs for eight weeks. Students do workshops, projects and rotations in departments, meet weekly to share information — and get paid $8 an hour at a time when many high school students have trouble getting a job.

Other local health systems offer internship programs for high school students, too. But most are unpaid.

“Any organized professional experience we can expose young people to — and high school seems to be the focus now — can pique interest in and provide direction for college and medical school,” said Scott Seamons, regional vice president of the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California.

A lot of exposure’

Karima Ziyarmal, now 23, was a 2006 summer intern at Kaiser’s South Sacramento hospital.

Dr. Richard Isaacs

Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology)

Sacramento, CA

25 Years of Experience

3 Insurance Plans

Dr. Richard Isaacs Practices

Kaiser Foundation Hospital South Sacramento

6600 Bruceville Rd

Sacramento, CA 95823

• Accepting New Patients

• Electronic Health Records

Your Biggest Source of Trouble and Anxiety

Meir Ezra - The biggest barrier to a successful career is not a lack of opportunities, the job market or your city. The greatest problem in business is not marketing, other companies or the economy. The greatest source of stress in life is not money or the weather or any physical thing.

The biggest source of business problems, career difficulties and personal stress is other people. Specifically, antisocial people—people who are devious, mean-spirited, cruel, hostile or negative. People who oppose you, treat you with disrespect and cause you trouble.

For example, one of the most famous antisocial personalities was Adolf Hitler. Hitler loved children and pets. He was a vegetarian who neither smoked nor drank. He was kind and considerate to the ladies, secretaries and chauffeurs. Most people thought he was a nice guy. You would never suspect he organized the deaths of millions of people.

Antisocial personalities can be doctors, lawyers, politicians, business leaders, police officers, newspaper reporters, employees, men, women, old, young . . . anyone. They can be family members, spouses and colleagues of any type. You probably know more than one antisocial person.

When the antisocial is openly nasty or critical of you, it is easy to see how they can ruin your life. What is worse are antisocial persons who hide their true intentions. These types are the most destructive as it’s hard to see who is stabbing you in the back.

When you handle an antisocial so he or she can no longer affect you, you feel great! You feel stable, more confident and in better control. Becoming a success is much, much easier.

Association of Certified Fraud Specialists: Membership Overview

The Benefits of Becoming a Member

- Low-Cost, Anti-Fraud Training
- Career Development Tools
- Exclusive ACFS Publications
- National Conferences
- Networking Opportunities

The Many Ways to Get Involved as a Member

1. REGULAR MEMBERS (Certified)
These are individual anti-fraud professionals who have sought member program and have been granted the Certified Fraud Specialist (CFS) designation.

2. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS (Non-Certified)
These are individual anti-fraud professionals who seek access to the publications, but are not yet certified.

3. STUDENT MEMBERS (Non-Certified Undergraduates)
These are college students who are actively enrolled full time, in an institution of higher education, in a fraud field of study, that may now join the ACFS as a Student Member.

4. RETIRED (Non-Practicing CFS’s)
These are Certified Fraud Specialists (CFS's) that are retiring from being active in the field but wish to remain actively involved in the ACFS.

Corporate Membership Program

Save your company money by choosing Corporate Membership.

Click Here to learn more about corporate membership.

Follow the Links Below for More Information About our Membership Program

- Apply for membership with the ACFS
- Rewards for members
- View our awards and award winners
- Application fees and membership dues
- New and Newly Certified Members

The ACFS is a non-profit organization helping members who are public and private sector investigators, auditors, law enforcement, attorneys, and other risk management professionals CONNECT.

Why is this so critical?

The ability to innovate based on newly acquired knowledge is the key to helping both fraud prevention professionals and citizens help keep the companies they work for safe.

Client/employer trust and reliance are the core values of membership. Our members are nationally recognized as professionals who have not only met the standards required to work in our profession, but are also professionals who have been carefully evaluated by their professional peers and have been found to merit advanced standing. Our members are highly sought after by clients and employers who need a specialist to handle their fraud concerns.

With chapters forming across the nation, the ACFS brings its members access to low-cost anti-fraud training, networking opportunities, career development tools, exclusive ACFS publications and many other benefits.