Cybersecurity - Ready.gov
Cyberattacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer or network system. Cyberattacks can lead to the loss of money or the theft of personal, financial and medical information. These attacks can damage your reputation and safety.
Cybersecurity involves preventing, detecting and responding to cyberattacks that can have wide-ranging effects on individuals, organizations, the community and the nation.
Cyberattacks can occur in many ways, including:
• Accessing your personal computers, mobile phones, gaming systems and other internet- and Bluetooth-connected devices.
• Damaging your financial security, including identity theft.
• Blocking your access or deleting your personal information and accounts.
• Complicating your employment or business services.
• Impacting transportation and the power grid.
Protect Yourself Against Cyberattacks
You can avoid cyber risks by taking steps in advance:
• Limit the personal information you share online. Change privacy settings and do not use location features.
• Keep software applications and operating systems up-to-date.
• Create strong passwords by using upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Use a password manager and two methods of verification.
• Watch for suspicious activity that asks you to do something right away, offers something that sounds too good to be true or needs your personal information. Think before you click. When in doubt, do NOT click.
• Protect your home and/or business using a secure Internet connection and Wi-Fi network, and change passwords regularly.
• Don’t share PINs or passwords. Use devices that use biometric scans when possible (e.g. fingerprint scanner or facial recognition).
• Check your account statements and credit reports regularly.
• Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, social security number, or credit card number. Only share personal information on secure sites that begin with https://. Do not use sites with invalid certificates. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that creates a more secure connection.
• Use antivirus and anti-malware solutions, and firewalls to block threats.
• Back up your files regularly in an encrypted file or encrypted file storage device.
• Do not click on links in texts or emails from people you don’t know. Scammers can create fake links to websites.
• Remember that the government will not call, text or contact you via social media about owing money or receiving economic impact payments.
• Keep in mind that scammers may try to take advantage of financial fears by calling with work-from-home-opportunities, debt consolidation offers and student loan repayment plans.
During a Cyberattack (click to read further)
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OTEXA: Announcements - Office of Textile & Apparel
[03/08/2022] – January 2022 Textile and Apparel Import Report
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Steel Propane Cylinders From Thailand: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2018-2020
• Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Freight Rail Coupler Systems and Certain Components Thereof: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Truck and Bus Tires From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, Rescission of Review in Part, and Intent To Rescind in Part; 2020
• Large Power Transformers From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2019-2020
• Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags From Malaysia: Final Results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber From India: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2020
• Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Determinations, Investigations, etc.: Urea Ammonium Nitrate Solutions From the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago: Amended Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews
• Certain Steel Nails From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2019-2020
• Pentafluoroethane (R-125) From the People's Republic of China: Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders; Correction
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Wet Dry Surface Cleaning Devices; Notice of Institution of Investigation
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products From Taiwan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2020-2021
• Finished Carbon Steel Flanges From India: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review and Rescission of Review, in Part; 2019
• Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod From Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Uncovered Innerspring Units From the People's Republic of China: Final Determination of No Shipments; 2020-2021
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Polycrystalline Diamond Compacts and Articles Containing Same
• Narrow Woven Ribbons With Woven Selvedge From China and Taiwan
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Large Diameter Welded Pipe From Canada: Amended Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2018-2020
• Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2019-2020
• Light-Walled Rectangular Pipe and Tube From Mexico: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2019-2020
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Freight Rail Coupler Systems and Components From China; Scheduling of the Final Phase of Countervailing Duty and Anti-Dumping Duty Investigations
• Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Resin From India and Russia; Determinations
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Department of State Partners with GoFundMe.org - US Department of State
The Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships has established a public-private partnership with GoFundMe.org to direct funds to organizations that are helping to address the humanitarian needs of those impacted by the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine. This partnership with GoFundMe.org is designed to mobilize private-sector donations and individual giving to support relief organizations aiding those impacted by Russia’s actions.
Businesses, philanthropies, and individuals interested in supporting the humanitarian response can visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/ukraine-humanitarian-fund to learn more. Please note: while recipient organizations identified have undergone due diligence, the Department must disclaim any and all responsibility or liability for donor and GoFundMe transactions relating to this fundraiser.
To help promote the campaign on social media, donors are encouraged to include the campaign’s website and the hashtag #UnitedWithUkraine in social media posts.
To learn more about how to partner with the U.S. Department of State, interested parties can contact the Office of Global Partnerships at partnerships@state.gov. For further updates, visit
ttps://www.state.gov/united-with-ukraine/ or follow @GPatState on Twitter..
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Proposed Modification on One Ruling Letter and Proposed Revocation of Treatment Relating to the Tariff Classification of Belts - US Customs & Border Protection
CBP AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice of proposed modification of one ruling letter and proposed revocation of treatment relating to the tariff classification of belts.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 625(c), Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1625(c)), as amended by section 623 of title VI (Customs Modernization) of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 103–182, 107 Stat. 2057), this notice advises interested parties that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intends to modify one ruling letter concerning tariff classification of belts under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Similarly, CBP intends to revoke any treatment previously accorded by CBP to substantially identical transactions. Comments on the correctness of the proposed actions are invited.
DATE: Comments must be received on or before April 1, 2022.
ADDRESS: Written comments are to be addressed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, Attention: Erin Frey, Commercial and Trade Facilitation Division, 90 K St., NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229–1177. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CBP is also allowing commenters to submit electronic comments to the following email address: 1625Comments@cbp.dhs.gov. All comments should reference the title of the proposed notice at issue and the Customs Bulletin volume, number and date of publication. Due to the relevant COVID-19-related restrictions, CBP has limited its on-site public inspection of public comments to 1625 notices. Arrangements to inspect submitted comments should be made in advance by calling Ms. Erin Frey at (202) 325–1757.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Parisa J. Ghazi, Food, Textiles, and Marking Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, at (202) 325–0272
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
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Baltimore CBP Seizes $2.5 Million in Palm Oil Shipments Under Forced Labor Finding - US Customs & Border Protection
BALTIMORE – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized four shipments of palm oil in Baltimore since February 11 due to information indicating that the palm oil was manufactured by forced labor, a form of modern slavery. The palm oil shipments are valued at nearly $2.5 million.
CBP officers seized the latest shipment, consisting of 108 super packs of palmitic acid, on March 1 and seized three earlier shipments of a combined 270 super packs of palmitic acid on February 11. Super packs are large flexible sacks that are used to transport bulk cargo, such as sand, grain, coffee beans or powdery substances.
Palmitic acid is palm oil refined into a powder that can be easily incorporated into food, beverages, and skin and health care products. Refining oils also removes unwanted free fatty acids, gums and waxes.
All four shipments of palmitic acid were produced in Malaysia and destined to a processing facility in Delaware. The combined weight of the four shipments of palmitic acid came to 544,176 pounds and had an appraised value of about $2,466,500.
On January 28, CBP issued a Notice of Finding to the Federal Register [FRN 2022-01779] that certain palm oil and derivative products made wholly or in part with palm oil produced in Malaysia with the use of convict, or forced or indentured labor are inadmissible in violation of 19 USC 1307 and 19 CFR 12.42.
“There is no place for forced labor in today's world, and Customs and Border Protection stands firm against foreign companies that exploit vulnerable workers,” said Marc Calixte, CBP’s Acting Area Port Director in Baltimore. “CBP will continue to ensure that goods made with forced labor do not enter our nation’s commerce and we will help to root out this inhumane practice from the U.S. supply chain.”
Effective December 30, 2020, CBP issued a Withhold Release Order that directed personnel at all U.S. ports of entry to detain palm oil and products containing palm oil produced by Sime Darby Plantation Berhad and its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and affiliated entities in Malaysia. The issuance of this Withhold Release Order is based on information that reasonably indicates the presence of all 11 of the International Labour Organization’s forced labor indicators in Sime Darby Plantation’s production process.
CBP officers initially detained the first three shipments on November 30, 2021 and detained the latest shipment on December 3, 2021. CBP provides importers of detained shipments an opportunity to export their shipments or demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor. The importer did not respond to CBP within the three-month period for taking one of these actions, and CBP seized all four shipments.
CBP receives allegations of forced labor from a variety of sources, including from the general public. Any person or organization that has reason to believe merchandise produced with the use of forced labor is being – or is likely to be – imported into the United States can report detailed allegations by contacting CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
CBP's border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. CBP officers use a variety of techniques to intercept narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products, and to assure that global tourism remains safe and strong. Learn about what CBP accomplished during “A Typical Day” in 2021.
Visit CBP Ports of Entry to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders. Learn more about CBP at www.CBP.gov.
Follow the Director of CBP’s Baltimore Field Office on Twitter at @DFOBaltimore and on Instagram at @dfobaltimore for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.
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FTC, DOJ, and FDA Take Action to Stop Marketer of Herbal Tea from Making False COVID-19 Treatment Claims - Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission, jointly with the Department of Justice and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have sued a New York-based marketer of herbal tea, seeking to permanently block deceptive ads that claim its Earth Tea is clinically proven to treat, cure, and prevent COVID-19. The FTC also is seeking to impose civil penalties on the defendants behind Earth Tea under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act.
The complaint announced today names as defendants Brooklyn-based B4B Earth Tea LLC, B4B Corp., and its owner, Andrew Martin (“Busta”) Sinclair.
“Without any scientific evidence, the defendants claimed that drinking their herbal tea is more effective in preventing COVID-19 than approved vaccines, and cures anyone who has gotten ill within 24 hours,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “In bringing this matter with our partners at the Department of Justice and the Food and Drug Administration, the Commission continues its commitment to using every tool available to stop and deter those who would treat the pandemic as opportunity to peddle bogus treatments.”
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate individuals or companies seeking to profit from the COVID-19 public health emergency by unlawfully advertising unproven products,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “The Department is committed to protecting consumers and enforcing the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act and the FDCA against those who unlawfully market unproven COVID-19 treatments.”
“Products like this may delay patients from seeking proven treatments from their health care provider. Preying on patients’ vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic is unacceptable,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., FDA’s Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs. “The FDA will continue to actively monitor the U.S. market for any companies or individuals falsely marketing products with claims it prevents or treats COVID-19, and will take actions against those who violate the law and endanger patients.”
“COVID-19 has tragically claimed nearly one million lives in this country and close to six million lives worldwide,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Unfortunately, there are too many people who are taking advantage of this crisis by pushing alleged treatment products that are nothing more than snake oil. We will not tolerate attempts to make a dishonest dollar while putting our communities at risk during a pandemic.”
According to the joint agency complaint, Sinclair and the two companies he owns and operates sell Earth Tea for $60 per 16-ounce bottle to consumers nationwide via social media and the Internet. Since at least April 2020, the complaint alleges, on their own websites and through social media posts and videos on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter TikTok, and YouTube, Sinclair, and his companies have misrepresented that Earth Tea prevents or treats COVID-19 and falsely claimed to have evidence of its efficacy. The defendants say they have anecdotal evidence from customers to support the claims, but there are currently no published reports or any well-controlled scientific studies or research indicating that Earth Tea can either prevent or treat COVID-19.
Earth Tea’s ads also include unsupported claims such as: 1) “Vaccines trial shows preventing hospitalization is 85%-96% while so far Earth Tea Extra Strength is 100% we have helped people who are vaccinated;” 2) “No one who was positive and used Earth Tea went to the hospital;” and 3) comparing a vial of vaccine with a bottle of Earth Tea, “Which one is 100% effective with 0 side effects…#COVID19 Trial Report Is The Answer Not What Leaders Want…Compare Both.” The ads also falsely claim the Earth Tea is clinically proven to cure COVID-19 in 48 hours. In at least one tweet, the defendants claimed the cure would only take 24 hours.
The defendants behind Earth Tea cite one 15-person study conducted in India to support their health claims for Earth Tea, but the study has a small sample size, no control group, and the results were never published in a recognized scientific journal. The results do not rise to the level of providing “competent and reliable scientific evidence” to support the health claims, according to the complaint.
The Commission vote to refer the civil penalty complaint to the DOJ for filing was 4-0. The Department of Justice filed the complaint on behalf of the Commission in the U.S. District Court for Eastern District of New York. In addition to the violations alleged by the FTC, the complaint includes charges by the FDA alleging violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, stop deceptive and unfair business practices and scams, and educate consumers. Report fraud, scams, or bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Get consumer advice at consumer.ftc.gov. Also, follow the FTC on social media, subscribe to press releases, and read the FTC’s blogs.