Department of Homeland Security Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Complete DHS Daily Report for December 24, 2009

Daily Report

Top Stories

 ABC News reports that the Department of Energy may jeopardize the security of its nuclear weapons and energy technology and lose millions of dollars if it does not improve its cyber security, according to a recent Inspector General’s report. (See item 9)


9. December 22, ABC News – (National) Cyber security shortcomings at nuclear labs? The Department of Energy (DOE), which is responsible for the nation’s nuclear weapons and nuclear energy, may jeopardize the security of its technology and lose millions of dollars if it does not improve its cyber security, according to a recent Inspector General’s report. Delays by the DOE’s Office of Science in enhancing cyber security and standardizing its computer protocols may leave the agency’s sensitive information vulnerable and cost taxpayers upwards of $3 million. DOE has been embarrassed by security lapses in the past, like a past illegal download of classified information at the Los Alamos nuclear lab, the use of unauthorized laptops at the Oak Ridge lab, and successful cyberattacks that may have originated in China. Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/security-shortcomings-nuclear-labs/story?id=9394614


 According to Reuters, an American Airlines Boeing 737 carrying more than 150 passengers and crew overshot the runway while landing in torrential rain in Jamaica Tuesday, cracking open its fuselage and halting just short of the Caribbean sea. Ninety people were taken to local hospitals, where they were treated for broken bones, cuts, and bruises, as well as shock. (See item 13)


13. December 23, Reuters – (International) U.S. plane overshoots Jamaica runway, dozens hurt. An American Airlines Boeing 737 carrying more than 150 passengers and crew overshot the runway while landing in torrential rain in Jamaica late on Tuesday, cracking open its fuselage and halting just short of the Caribbean sea, authorities and eyewitnesses said. The Jamaican information minister said none of the 145 passengers and six crew on board Flight AA 331 were killed, but 90 people were taken to local hospitals, where they were treated for broken bones, cuts, and bruises, as well as shock. An American Airlines spokeswoman said at least three people were kept at the hospitals for observation and treatment. Others were treated and released. “Upon impact, the aircraft hit an embankment when it overran the runway, so the landing gear and the engines detached from the aircraft, as they are designed to do. The left wing tip also broke away from the aircraft,” she said. “The fuselage is intact, but there are cracks in two areas,” she added. Source: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE5BM0IX20091223?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0


Details

Banking and Finance Sector

11. December 23, SWVolusia News – (Florida) Attorney general sues three companies for loan modification scam. The Florida Attorney General on December 23 announced he has filed a lawsuit against three businesses operating in Miami-Dade County, their principles and affiliated attorneys on allegations of deceptive and unfair trade practices regarding their involvement in a foreclosure rescue scam affecting homeowners nationwide. The Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division began investigating Kirkland Young LLC in July after receiving numerous consumer complaints against the company. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Attorney Aid LLC and ABK Consultants were affiliated with Kirkland Young LLC. The companies allegedly charged up-front fees for loan modification services and misrepresented to consumers that lenders required “qualifying payments” in order to qualify for modifications. The companies also charged “back end” fees upwards of $1,299 for the first mortgage modification and approximately $499 to $699 for a second mortgage modification. To facilitate the collection of additional fees, consumers were required to set up escrow accounts with the attorneys affiliated with the companies, misleading consumers into believing they were retaining attorney representation for their loan modification. The funds fraudulently collected in the attorney escrow accounts were used for the benefit of all the defendants. Source: http://www.swvolusia.com/?p=4247


12. December 22, Gainesville Sun – (Florida) Starke Police: Man robs bank, leaves behind suspicious device. A bank robber on December 22 left behind a device with protruding wires in Starke, and it was disposed of as if it were an explosive. Starke police said the robber walked into the Capital City Bank at 350 North Temple Ave. at 10:55 a.m. The man walked up to a teller window and demanded $50 and $100 bills. The man also told the teller not to say or do anything. When the teller opened the cash drawer, the man said he also wanted $10 and $20 bills. According to images captured by surveillance cameras, the man put the money into a black travel bag, then put the device on the counter and walked out. Witnesses said he was last seen walking south on Clark Street. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Bomb Squad was called in to look at the device, which later was determined not to have been a bomb, according to police. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement processed the crime scene, and the FBI sent an agent to assist Starke Police. Source: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091222/ARTICLES/912229944/1109/SPORTS?Title=Starke-police-Man-robs-bank-leaves-behind-suspicious-device-


Information Technology


11. December 23, SWVolusia News – (Florida) Attorney general sues three companies for loan modification scam. The Florida Attorney General on December 23 announced he has filed a lawsuit against three businesses operating in Miami-Dade County, their principles and affiliated attorneys on allegations of deceptive and unfair trade practices regarding their involvement in a foreclosure rescue scam affecting homeowners nationwide. The Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division began investigating Kirkland Young LLC in July after receiving numerous consumer complaints against the company. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Attorney Aid LLC and ABK Consultants were affiliated with Kirkland Young LLC. The companies allegedly charged up-front fees for loan modification services and misrepresented to consumers that lenders required “qualifying payments” in order to qualify for modifications. The companies also charged “back end” fees upwards of $1,299 for the first mortgage modification and approximately $499 to $699 for a second mortgage modification. To facilitate the collection of additional fees, consumers were required to set up escrow accounts with the attorneys affiliated with the companies, misleading consumers into believing they were retaining attorney representation for their loan modification. The funds fraudulently collected in the attorney escrow accounts were used for the benefit of all the defendants. Source: http://www.swvolusia.com/?p=4247


12. December 22, Gainesville Sun – (Florida) Starke Police: Man robs bank, leaves behind suspicious device. A bank robber on December 22 left behind a device with protruding wires in Starke, and it was disposed of as if it were an explosive. Starke police said the robber walked into the Capital City Bank at 350 North Temple Ave. at 10:55 a.m. The man walked up to a teller window and demanded $50 and $100 bills. The man also told the teller not to say or do anything. When the teller opened the cash drawer, the man said he also wanted $10 and $20 bills. According to images captured by surveillance cameras, the man put the money into a black travel bag, then put the device on the counter and walked out. Witnesses said he was last seen walking south on Clark Street. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Bomb Squad was called in to look at the device, which later was determined not to have been a bomb, according to police. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement processed the crime scene, and the FBI sent an agent to assist Starke Police. Source: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091222/ARTICLES/912229944/1109/SPORTS?Title=Starke-police-Man-robs-bank-leaves-behind-suspicious-device-


Communications Sector


37. December 22, Suffolk News-Herald – (Virginia) Fire knocks out phone service. A fire at the Verizon substation on Church Street in Windsor, Virginia knocked out telephone service in parts of Isle of Wight, Franklin, Southampton, and Suffolk Tuesday morning. A falling power line likely caused the fire, which is still under investigation. At about 6:50 a.m., a power line fell and came into contact with a Verizon telephone line, according to a Dominion Virginia Power spokesman. He said about 900 Dominion customers lost power as a result, but all power was restored within three hours. A spokeswoman for Verizon said about 1,600 of the company’s customers lost telephone service. However, service was restored by Tuesday afternoon to most customers, except for sections of southern Isle of Wight and Southampton County. The Isle of Wight County’s director of emergency services said the county’s 911 system is “functional,” but residents in the Windsor and Zuni areas who are without landline service can dial 911 from cell phones or visit their local fire, rescue or police station for assistance. Source: http://www.suffolknewsherald.com/news/2009/dec/22/fire-knocks-out-phone-service/