Latest news with #BPCA
New York Post
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Milford Entities of NYC allegedly scammed out of $19M — thanks to single phishing email
A well-known city firm that owns and manages luxury properties was allegedly scammed out of nearly $19 million thanks to a single phishing email, The Post has learned. Milford Entities/Management Company — whose tony properties include Liberty View and Liberty Luxe in Battery Park City — was the victim of thieving cybercriminals in early July, sources and emails show. The 'spoofing'' email led to the gargantuan sum getting accidentally transferred to a TD Bank account posing as the Battery Park City Authority, according to sources with knowledge of the situation and the internal correspondence. Advertisement Milford Entities/Management Company — the owner of Liberty Luxe in Battery City Park — lost nearly $19 million in a phishing scam. Google Maps The Department of Homeland Security is now leading a multiagency task force investigating the whopping fraud, according to sources and emails obtained by The Post. 'Last month, Milford Management was the victim of a fraud involving the theft of funds through the creation of a fraudulent bank account in the name of the Battery Park City Authority,' the Manhattan-based company said in a statement. Advertisement 'The theft involved buildings directly owned by Milford Management-related entities, as well as others the company manages,' it said. 'As this fraud is the subject of an ongoing law enforcement investigation, we will have no further comment on the matter.' The BPCA — a state entity that maintains and develops the Hudson River-side Manhattan neighborhood — confirmed it did not receive the company's quarterly payment due in early July. The luxury real estate firm transferred money to an account posing as the Battery Park City Authority. Google Maps Advertisement The lifted funds involved ground-lease payments and taxes, or PILOT fees, that are collected from Battery Park City apartment owners and sent to the BPCA on a quarterly basis. PILOT fees — or 'Payment In Lieu Of Taxes' — are essentially property taxes paid by condo owners to their building, which then sends the funds to the BPCA to cover operations. Milford Entities owns three buildings in Battery Park City and is the management company of at least six others in the trendy downtown neighborhood — collecting PILOT fees and ground-lease payments from more than 2,000 units. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! Advertisement The board of managers at one luxury Battery Park residential tower managed by the firm was informed July 18 that $3.5 million worth of its quarterly dues were lost in the scam, an email shows. The BPC Homeowners Coalition, a non-profit composed of elected members representing 18 condos and 5,000 homeowners in the neighborhood, also sent out an email obtained by The Post warning residents in buildings unaffected by the scam to review their cybersecurity policy. 'This appears to have been the first cyber-attack in BPC, but it will not likely be the last,' the letter said. Justine Cuccia, president of the BPC, wrote, 'This is time for open, verbal dialogue between the condominium Boards, as this could have happened to any one of our building management agents, and so, to any one of us.'' BPCA said in a statement to The Post, 'The Battery Park City Authority has been made aware of a cyber incident resulting in payment issues that affected several buildings in Battery Park City. 'BPCA was not involved in this incident and its operations are not impacted. 'BPCA will continue to work with residents of the affected buildings, the property management company, and law enforcement agencies as the investigation continues.' DHS did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Raccoons could become UKs next invasive pest threat
Raccoons could become the UK's next invasive pest threat. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) has identified the species as a growing concern, noting that raccoons are already well-established pests in parts of Europe and could quickly adapt to UK environments if introduced. Niall Gallagher, technical manager at the BPCA, said: "Raccoons were imported into Germany from North America during the 1930s and rapidly became established across central Europe. "What we've learned from this is that once established, raccoons can thrive in our natural environments." While there is no evidence of a breeding population in the UK, raccoons have been identified by the Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) as one of the top 20 species most likely to become invasive over the next decade. Raccoons can live for up to four years in the wild and pose risks to both property and wildlife. They also carry diseases and parasites that can be harmful to humans.
Daily Record
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Three mistakes attracting fruit flies into your home this summer and how to avoid them
Fruit flies wreak havoc in British homes during the summer months. Fruit flies are a real nuisance around homes during the summer and early autumn months. Warmer weather shortens their life cycle, meaning they breed more quickly and multiply faster. At this time of the year, many of us display fruit bowls on our kitchen counters, teeming with apples, bananas, and oranges. Unfortunately, this common practice invites unwelcome visitors into our homes. According to Which?, you could be inadvertently creating the perfect environment for fruit flies without realising it, whether by eating food without picking up crumbs or overbuying their favourite snacks. The consumer website asked experts at the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) for the best way to get rid of and prevent fruit flies this summer. Three fruit fly mistakes you could be making Eating and drinking in your bedroom Although they're often associated with kitchens and other food prep areas, fruit flies aren't fussy. They'll happily settle in any room where there's suitable nourishment – including your living room or bedroom. Be vigilant about clearing up crumbs or spills on furniture, carpets and rugs – even hard-to-spot spills, such as sweet fizzy drinks. You might not be able to see it, but a fruit fly will detect it instantly. Although fruit flies don't bite humans, they can still potentially transmit harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, listeria, or salmonella, as they move from dirty to clean environments—for example, from kitchen bins to countertops. Relying solely on fly spray or homemade traps You might be tempted to reach for the fly spray, fly tape or even a homemade trap (such as apple cider vinegar in a narrow-necked bottle they can't escape from), but this is unlikely to be a complete solution. Fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at a time, and it only takes a week to go from egg to adult – so infestations occur quickly. A spokesperson for the British Pest Control Association said: "You need to tackle the whole lifecycle, from egg through fully-grown fly, to achieve complete control.' The association advises starting with strategies such as emptying and cleaning bins, and keeping doors and windows closed where possible, before moving on to traps and electronic fly killers. If nothing else works, you can try a chemical insecticide. Buying too much fresh produce Try not to overbuy fresh produce that's in danger of languishing in your kitchen. It's the perfect spot for fruit flies to lay their eggs (and for their larvae to feast on). Check your fruit bowl frequently for rotting or rotted produce. Use a lidded bowl or refrigerate fruit to disrupt the lifecycle of any eggs and larvae that happen to be on the produce. Look for rotting or rotted items in your vegetable box. If you have veg and fruit delivered, check when it arrives to ensure there's nothing lurking at the bottom that could attract fruit flies and rot other produce. Freeze any food that can be frozen. For example, put white bread products in the freezer if they're past their best-before date, and only defrost what you need. Don't forget to check less obvious hotspots. Cut flowers in vases can attract fruit flies if the water becomes stagnant. Refresh the water regularly, trim dying stems — or better still, preserve your bouquet to enjoy it for longer. Keep an eye on houseplants – overwatering can create the kind of damp soil conditions fruit flies love. Let soil dry out between waterings and remove any decaying leaves or organic debris.
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Call a professional if pigeons are a problem, says BPCA
Call a professional if pigeons are a problem The breeding season for feral pigeons is well underway – and while the birds can become a problem around homes and businesses, it is essential anyone experiencing issues get in touch with a professional, say experts at British Pest Control Association (BPCA). Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Pigeons – like all wild birds, their nests and eggs – are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which means anyone who disturbs them and who is not operating under an appropriate licence, may face prosecution. In certain circumstances, management and control techniques may be required, but anyone concerned about pigeons should always seek advice from a BPCA member who specialises in bird control. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Niall Gallagher is Technical Manager at BPCA. He said: 'The breeding season for pigeons is between March and September. 'In that time, they can have up to seven broods, with two or three eggs in each. With enough food, young pigeons become independent adults in just 30 days and more eggs can be hatched before the young have even left the nest, which means a population can grow rapidly. [1] 'If pigeons are becoming a problem around a home or business, it is vital that advice is sought from a BPCA member or appropriate professional. Interfering with a wild bird, their nest or eggs is illegal, so do not consider any form of DIY pest control.' Pigeons can reportedly carry around 110 pathogens, and can spread disease to humans, as well as potentially causing secondary infestations of mites, ticks, fleas and beetles that live on their bodies and in their nests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Niall added: 'Pigeon droppings are a public health risk and, in some circumstances, a potential slip hazard, once dry, pigeon droppings can become airborne in small particles, which can lead to respiratory complaints. 'The most effective way to deter pigeons from a particular site is to remove food sources. Bins should be kept securely closed, ensure the area is free of litter and debris and clear up any spills. 'Regularly flying a bird of prey in the area can be useful, but if pigeons are becoming a cause for concern, seek advice from a BPCA member.' BPCA member businesses are endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme as they must carry the correct insurances and are trained and qualified technicians who are assessed to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA's Codes of Best Practice. To find a BPCA member visit:
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Call a professional if pigeons are a problem, says BPCA
Call a professional if pigeons are a problem The breeding season for feral pigeons is well underway – and while the birds can become a problem around homes and businesses, it is essential anyone experiencing issues get in touch with a professional, say experts at British Pest Control Association (BPCA). Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Pigeons – like all wild birds, their nests and eggs – are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which means anyone who disturbs them and who is not operating under an appropriate licence, may face prosecution. In certain circumstances, management and control techniques may be required, but anyone concerned about pigeons should always seek advice from a BPCA member who specialises in bird control. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Niall Gallagher is Technical Manager at BPCA. He said: 'The breeding season for pigeons is between March and September. 'In that time, they can have up to seven broods, with two or three eggs in each. With enough food, young pigeons become independent adults in just 30 days and more eggs can be hatched before the young have even left the nest, which means a population can grow rapidly. [1] 'If pigeons are becoming a problem around a home or business, it is vital that advice is sought from a BPCA member or appropriate professional. Interfering with a wild bird, their nest or eggs is illegal, so do not consider any form of DIY pest control.' Pigeons can reportedly carry around 110 pathogens, and can spread disease to humans, as well as potentially causing secondary infestations of mites, ticks, fleas and beetles that live on their bodies and in their nests. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Niall added: 'Pigeon droppings are a public health risk and, in some circumstances, a potential slip hazard, once dry, pigeon droppings can become airborne in small particles, which can lead to respiratory complaints. 'The most effective way to deter pigeons from a particular site is to remove food sources. Bins should be kept securely closed, ensure the area is free of litter and debris and clear up any spills. 'Regularly flying a bird of prey in the area can be useful, but if pigeons are becoming a cause for concern, seek advice from a BPCA member.' BPCA member businesses are endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme as they must carry the correct insurances and are trained and qualified technicians who are assessed to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA's Codes of Best Practice.
