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DTA Notice To Retailers Regarding Skimming


In recent weeks, the Department of Transitional Assistance has seen a notable increase in skimming incidents affecting DTA clients.

Skimming, as you are undoubtedly aware, is a fraudulent practice wherein criminals obtain card information illegally by installing skimming devices on point-of-sale terminals or ATMs. These devices capture sensitive card data -- including card numbers and PINs -- which are then used for unauthorized transactions, leading to financial losses for customers and businesses.

Given the severity of this issue and its potential impact on our clients, it is imperative that we all take collective immediate action to address and mitigate the risks associated with skimming.

In this regard, we respectfully urge all retailers to:
  • Conduct Regular Inspections: Ensure that all point-of-sale terminals and ATMs are routinely inspected for any signs of tampering or unauthorized devices. Encourage staff to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.
  • Enhance Security Measures: Consider implementing additional security measures such as tamper-evident seals, security cameras, and encryption technologies to safeguard customer data and prevent skimming attacks.
  • Educate Staff and Customers: Provide training to employees on how to recognize and respond to skimming attempts. Educate customers about the importance of vigilance when using payment cards and advise them to report any suspicious transactions promptly.
  • Collaborate with Law Enforcement: Work closely with local law enforcement agencies to report incidents of skimming and gather intelligence to identify and apprehend perpetrators.
Thank you! 

 

RAMHIC Offerings for 2024  

RAMHIC continues to partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to offer members access to the carrier's entire portfolio of high quality, small group health insurance plans.  

All members purchasing their health insurance coverage through the cooperative will also receive an expanded list of ancillary benefits, FREE of charge. 

Click image above to view a BCBS produced informational video on the power of the RAM/BCBS Cooperative. 

Please see our brochure for more detail on the expanded benefit package.  Specific information regarding each benefit may be found below: 

For more information please visit the RAMHIC page of our website. 


 

 

 

RAM Annual Health Insurance Survey

Small business health insurance renewal season is upon us. If you have recently renewed, or are currently reviewing your rates, we want to hear from you.  Collecting small business health insurance cost information from our members is critical for our efforts to seek fairness for small employers in choices and premiums.
 

Click here to access survey.

 

 

CDC Updates Respiratory Virus Guidance – COVID-19 Isolation Period Shortened

On March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated Respiratory Virus Guidance. The guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people lower their risk from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV. Most notably, the guidance updates the isolation period for individuals who are sick. Previous guidance had suggested a five-day isolation period. The updated guidance recommends that people stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall, and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). To learn more about the Respiratory Virus Guidance, updates to the isolation period, and FAQs please visit the CDC’s website.

 

MA Legislature Returns for 2024 Session
 

On Wednesday, January 3rd, the Legislature officially opened for business for the second year of the current two-year legislative session.  For the next seven months, through July 31st, the Legislature will operate in Formal Session.  During this upcoming busy stretch, lawmakers will have to make decisions on thousands of bills currently pending before various joint committees.  
 
Simultaneously, the development, debate and eventual adoption of an annual state budget will again dominate a good portion of the agenda.  Budget writers will have their work cut out for them this cycle as state revenues have missed projected benchmarks for the first six months of the current fiscal year, FY24.  Governor Maura Healey responded to the revenue trend with a series of immediate budget cuts in FY24, and a lowering of future revenue expectations.  She is due to file her FY25 budget proposal on January 24th.
 
In addition to the budget, other high profile agenda items may include gun reform, curbing health care costs, improving childcare access and affordability, housing affordability and adoption of an economic development plan. 


 

U.S. Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirement

RAM members are reminded of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s new beneficial ownership information reporting requirement.  Under the 2021 Corporate Transparency Act, companies doing business in the United States must now report certain information about the individuals who ultimately own or control them. 
 
Filing is simple, secure, and free of charge.  Companies that are required to comply (“reporting companies”) must file their initial reports by the following deadlines:
  • Existing companies: Reporting companies created or registered to do business in the United States before January 1, 2024 must file by January 1, 2025.
  • Newly created or registered companies: Reporting companies created or registered to do business in the United States in 2024 have 90 calendar days to file after receiving actual or public notice that their company’s creation or registration is effective.
Beneficial ownership information reporting is not an annual requirement. A report only needs to be submitted once, unless the filer needs to update or correct information. Generally, reporting companies must provide four pieces of information about each beneficial owner
  • name;
  • date of birth;
  • address; and
  • the identifying number and issuer from either a non-expired U.S. driver’s license, a non-expired U.S. passport, or a non-expired identification document issued by a State (including a U.S. territory or possession), local government, or Indian tribe. If none of those documents exist, a non-expired foreign passport can be used. An image of the document must also be submitted.
The company must also submit certain information about itself, such as its name(s) and address. In addition, reporting companies created on or after January 1, 2024, are required to submit information about the individuals who formed the company (“company applicants”).

For more information regarding this requirement, including educational videos and webinars, frequently asked questions, connecting to the contact center, and learning more about how to report, please click here .  Small businesses may also access the Treasury’s Small Entity Compliance Guide which walks them through the process in plain language.