MasterCard and Visa are alerting banks nationwide about a security breach that occurred in January and February at a company that processes credit cards and debit cards for banks and merchants. The company, Global Payments Inc., says its processor was compromised between Jan. 21, 2012 and Feb. 25, 2012. According to the blog Krebs on Security, "Track 1 and Track 2 data was taken - meaning that the information could be used to counterfeit new cards." One thing the compromised cards have in common? NYC parking garages! more ›

The Department of Education has had its fair share of problems lately, including being perpetually understaffed. So a decade ago, the DOE attempted to recruit teachers from the Caribbean with the promise that they could earn permanent residency in the US. But years later, just 276 of the 700 immigrants have become permanent residents, leaving many living on cultural-exchange visas they need to renew every year. "We just need not to feel like we were used and thrown out," third grade teacher Shirleth Johnson-Scott told the Daily News. more ›

A Councilwoman says the NYPD takes too long to process visa applications for immigrants who are the victims of crimes—leaving some applicants waiting more than a year for paperwork that can be completed in a day. Julissa Ferreras (D-Elmhurst) told the Daily News that police are obstructing a federal law intended to encourage immigrant crime victims to come forward by offering them a chance to apply for "U-Visas." While it can take cops more than a year to process applications, the city's district attorneys only need one day to turn around the visas—which when granted allow immigrants to remain in the country if they cooperate with law enforcement investigations. "It seems like it's something very simple to implement and it would take something off the commissioner's plate," said Ferreras. more ›

Like a plotline out of “Gossip Girl” a 21-year-old model and “wannabe socialite” allegedly stole her best friend’s credit card and committed thousands of dollars worth of fraud after the two fought. Among other things Kashmir Snowdon-Jones—who claims Eric Clapton is her godfather— bought an $800 pair of leggings, bathing suits, ballet flats and flowers that she sent to addresses in California. She must have a high metabolism, since she also picked up junk food like burritos and Domino’s pizza. The name on the card was that of Snowdon-Jones’s old friend Jennifer Hirsch; the two had attended private school together but had a falling out in the Hamptons, when according to friends Snowdon-Jones acted “manipulative and negative.” "I made the credit-card charges to get back at my friend," she told cops plainly, according to the Post. more ›

People, always check your bank statements. Eighteen-year-old Lydia Alcock was checking her Visa statement online when she saw that her off-peak Metro-North ticket from Grand Central to Goldens Bridge cost $23,148,855,308,184,500. Yesterday, the NY Times' Peter Abblebome wrote about the college student's amazement:

Ms. Alcock looked. She looked again. She gasped. She laughed. She shouted to her father: “Dad, you need to come here. Right now.” And then after realizing, to her chagrin, that she owed the staggering sum, not that she was the recipient of a tidy little windfall, she typed into Google: “How to say really big numbers,” and cut and pasted $23,148,855,308,184,500. It read: “twenty-three quadrillion, one hundred forty-eight trillion, eight hundred fifty-five billion, three hundred eight million, one hundred eighty-four thousand, five hundred dollars.”

The Post is all excited and "EXCLUSIVE" in a "report" on campaign donations made by foreign models to Representative Anthony Weiner's mayoral campaign. Back in June, not long after Weiner made headlines by pushing for visa changes to make it easier for foreign models to work here, a fundraiser was held for his campaign at Merkato 55. According to the Post, the gala was co-hosted by an immigration lawyer whose firm represents some of the top modeling agencies, and several foreign models in attendance made donations ranging from $300 to $500. That's illegal—not because Weiner is rallying to their cause—but because they're not citizens. Weiner's spokesman says it was a simple mistake; they never even deposited the checks, which were returned months ago, and one the models doesn't actually recall attending the party (no surprise there). So why is the Post even talking about this? Because who can resist a headline like, "Weiner's Naughty Hottie$" Certainly not us! more ›

After Boy George's visa was denied he spoke out on the problem that could put a glitch in his touring plans. The U.S. State Dept. also told their side of the story, and in the end The Man won. A press release sent out this morning stated that his tour, which included a special concert for the New York Department of Sanitation workers and families this summer, was canceled as a result of the problem. George stated, “I was really hoping that the issue would be resolved and that some kind soul at the US Visa Office would realize that if the police in the UK placed no restrictions on my movements, that should have been good enough for them. I am very sorry that I will not see all my American fans this year, but I wish them a happy and healthy Fourth of July. I include the Visa Office in those good wishes and realize they are doing a very difficult job and I just got unlucky.” Those wishing to see him in the U.S. will have to wait until Winter 2009! more ›

This morning Boy George visited the Today show the only way he could: via satellite. He spoke to Meredith Viera about his visa denial in an upbeat tone, noting, "I got so much love from the people of New York every day, people were so supportive. I was getting honks, and people coming out of manholes going, ‘Go on, George!’ I was surprised by how much affection I received. Everyone talks about it being a humiliating experience. I didn’t feel humiliated. I thought it was a really good experience.” He added that if the tour doesn't happen now, "it will happen in the new year.” more ›

The US State Department was forced to address a hot topic yesterday during a press briefing about Iran, Afghanistan and Albania when a hard hitting question was spouted about...Boy George? Spokesman Tom Casey nearly spit out his drink when asked about the singer being denied a visa. After regaining his composure he stated, "I’d simply note that there often are difficulties for individuals who either are currently subject to criminal charges or otherwise may have criminal records." When the reporter noted it was tragic, Casey countered with a knowing, "Do you really want to hurt him?" Then it was back to business. Watch the video here. more ›

Boy George, scheduled for a U.S. tour this summer, including a stop at NYC's Dept. of Sanitation picnic, has been denied a visa. He told Papermag: "I'm pretty devastated because I am so excited about this forthcoming tour and having my visa application denied seems unfair after I swept the streets of New York spotless. I committed a crime and I happily paid the consequences and I should be allowed to move on and get on with what I do best and that is performing and making people dance and cry!" Maybe the DoS can relocate their picnic to Hyde Park. more ›