Hurricane Irene - Resources New Jersey / New York

New Jersey
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
(609) 538-6050 Monday-Friday
(609) 584-5000
www.ready.nj.gov

• New Jersey Office of Emergency Management on Facebook

New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance

• New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance - Notice Regarding Flood Damage
• New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance - Rules, Orders, Bulletins, and Notices

New York
New York State Emergency Management Office
(518) 292-2275
www.semo.state.ny.us/

• New York State Emergency Management Office - Laws and Regulations

New York State Insurance Department

• New York State Insurance Department Homeowners Insurance Resource Center -What To Do After a Loss
• New York State Insurance Department Homeowners Insurance Disclosure Information and Other Notices - Regulation 159 (pdf)
• New York State Insurance Department - Windstorm Deductibles (pdf)
• New York State Insurance Department - Laws & Regulations

Other Resources
American Red Cross
Disaster Planning for Pets

Google Domains and G-Mail Accounts - A Cranky Posting

I recognize it has been quite a few months since my last posting.  So besides business concerns, what's made for the delay?

Primarily I am still trying to figure out what Google is up to in changing domains over to g-mail accounts.....I know that it's all about money ultimately and I am not happy about it.   It's made getting into this blog a wee bit challenging just to start.

I used to be an advocate for Google domains....then they became GoDaddy domains.  That confused me because I had been using GoDaddy as the host for my Google domains.....that took some phone calls to straighten out with GoDaddy....but then I thought well I have these great email accounts that came with my original domains and they help keep info organized. But that was too good to last for long I have discovered.

Now - merger of email accounts?

Why?  Not interested.   Then I received a note today when I was trying to find my email settings in my law firm's email account - only 30 days of emails would be saved unless I upgrade, at $50/year, to a Google apps program.  HELLO?!  It's only me out here using the email account and I don't have a need for the business apps.

So - when's the last time you have tried contacting Google?

After much searching I found an email for contacting them.....BUT you have to put in your customer code - WHAT?!  Again.  WHAT?!    If you don't have the "code", you can not send an email.   Can they make this more difficult?

AWG  to quote Charlie Brown.

So these are my ravings as I'm stuck here in New Jersey recovering from the hurricane travails....

Beware Loan Mod Scams - FTC Files Complaint Against Firms

On February 2, 2011, in the U.S. Dist. Ct. S.D. of Florida, Miami, an FTC complaint was filed against U.S. Mortgage Funding Inc., Debt Remedy Partners Inc., Lower My Debts.com LLC, and principals John Incandela, Jr., Jamen Lachs, and David Mahler for misleading consumers that they were affiliated with or approved by consumers’ lenders. Consumers were advised not to contact their lenders and to stop making mortgage payments because doing so would demonstrate hardship and the need for a mortgage modification.

The defendants listed had targeted financially distressed consumers by using direct mail, the internet and telemarketing. They would falsely promise loan modifications to make consumers’ mortgages more affordable, even boldly promising to fully refund their money if they failed.

For their “help,” consumers were being charged up to $2,600 for these services, with half of the fee being required upfront. The defendants also claimed a 100% success rate—which should have been the first red flag for consumers. Very few companies or organizations have a 100% success rate for anything, much less something as complicated and as a loan modification.

According to the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services rule recently issued by the FTC, providers of mortgage foreclosure rescue and loan modification services are banned from collecting fees until homeowners receive a written offer from their lender or servicer that they decide is acceptable. Because the defendants’ ads predated the rule, the FTC could not allege any violations of that rule in this particular complaint filing.

New Definition of Service Animal

March 15, 2011 - new legislation takes affect as to the defnition of a service animal under the Department of Justice’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.


The new regulations now define "service animal" as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are no longer considered to be service animals. The final rule also clarifies that individuals with mental disabilities who use service animals that are trained to perform a specific task are protected by the ADA. For more information about the new regulatory provisions regarding service animals, please visit the ADA's website.

http://mpetersesq.com/animal.html

PETITION TO PROTECT SEEING EYE DOGS

Most people are unaware of the risk dog guides and their owners encounter each day. There is no way for a person who is blind and depends on a dog guide to know that a dangerous dog who has been chained to a light pole along a sidewalk might attack a dog guide as it passes. Nor to protect a guide dog from dangerous dogs who are unleashed.

Existing laws must be consistently enforced for the fair and safe treatment of people who are blind and their dog guides.

An attack by an unrestrained dog should be a criminal offense, charged to its owner.

You can send an email directly to New York Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. by clicking here to his website page.

Please send an email directly to New York Assembly Member Philip M. Boyle -- You can copy and paste the following and modify as you see appropriate:

      An attack by an unrestrained dog on a guide dog should be a criminal offense - charged to the attacking dog's owner.

     We need this law -- We need to strengthen state legislation to provide greater protection for people and their dog guides against attacks by other dogs.

     PLEASE give your full support to such a legislative initiative.

     Thank you.

New Federal Site Launches - Consumer Financial Protection

I received an email from the City Bar this afternoon announcing the launch of a new web site which is "open" for suggestions as to how you as a consumer can be protected regarding your financial situation.  As I looked into it, they are seeking postings with "humor" -- which I found just down right depressing to read.

The national banks are running roughshod over consumers, and this website funded by our taxes it appears, is looking for humor on the subject.

The press release states: 

In July 2010, Congress created a new federal agency to protect American

consumers. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will be a cop on the
beat, working to make consumer financial markets work better for
American families. As the first new consumer agency of the 21st century,
we can communicate directly with the people we serve.

And they are looking for humor....or a "tweet" or a U-Tube Video....as they write, "Most of all, be real

about what matters to you. "   Here is the link for suggestions where you can post as you like...

This month - Wells Fargo holding free loan modification decisions in Brooklyn, NY

January 25 & 26, 2011 - in Brooklyn - Wells Fargo represents that homeowners seeking loan modifications can meet with representatives and get immediate decisions.

Please call 1800-405-8067 for further information.

Homeowner Beats Bank of America In Small Claims Court

On January 4, 2011, the Huffington Post's Arthur Delany reported a homeowner who was successful in bringing Bank of America into California's Small Claim Court and being awarded $7,595 after the Bank denied him a loan modification.


Dave Graham, the homeowner told the Huff Post, "It was a good victory for me and I think for homeowners around the country."  This author agrees.

What is supposed to be a three month trial, the bank dragged on for 18 months - an all too common occurrence; at which point the Bank informed the homeowner that he did not qualify for a loan modification and the Bank demanded immediate payment of approximately $7,000 (the difference between the normal mortgage payment and the modified trial payments), or the Bank would foreclose on the property.


Graham was successful in bringing his case into the Small Claims Court.  The Bank states that they will appeal - something they can do in California.  Let's see what happens....