Latest news with #RobertJohnson
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Small business owner sounds the alarm on new scam targeting unsuspecting Aussies
A small business owner is warning others to stay vigilant after she was targeted by a sophisticated scam that almost cost her hundreds of dollars. Melanie Rose Moss, who runs a lifestyle and aromatherapy brand, took to TikTok to share her ordeal in the hopes it would help others avoid the same trap. The 38-year-old received a call from someone claiming to be from her bank, St George, who told her there was an $800 charge on her credit card. The caller then read out the first five digits of her card, details that were correct. The scammer went on to say they would freeze the transaction, before asking Melanie to confirm more personal details. Shockingly, the information they had was all accurate. 'My name, my email, my address and the first five digits of my credit,' she said. But when the caller asked her to provide the remaining numbers on her card and the expiry date, Melanie became suspicious. She told the operator she wasn't comfortable sharing that information over the phone. Trying to gain her trust, the caller asked her to search the number they were calling from on Google. When she did, it came up as a genuine number for St George Bank. Still, Melanie didn't feel right. 'I am so sorry if you genuinely work for St George and you're just doing your job. But I am not giving those details over the phone,' she told the caller. 'I want your name, your badge ID and I am going to call St George and chase this up.' The man gave her the name 'Robert Johnson' and a badge number. Melanie hung up and immediately called the bank herself - which revealed it was a scam. 'I don't know how they got all my details, everything was correct,' she said. Melanie said that when she finally spoke to a legitimate representative at St George, they were 'so proud' of how she had dealt with the scammer. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is warning Australians to stay vigilant in the face of cunning scams. A spokesperson for the National Anti-Scam Centre has urged people to follow three key steps if they suspect a scam; Stop, Check and Protect. They advise people to pause and avoid giving out money or personal information if something feels off, as scammers often create a false sense of urgency. Always verify contact by reaching out to organisations through official channels, not using details provided in a suspicious message or call.
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
American Sports Moguls In Talks To Take Over Crystal Palace FC, Guardian Reports
Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards celebrate their side's second goal against ... More Tottenham on May 11, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images) As Crystal Palace prepares for an FA Cup final that could see the south London club win a major trophy for the first time in its history, the team's co-owners are reportedly engaged in a boardroom battle for control. American businessman John Textor, who already owns 45% of Crystal Palace through his investment fund Eagle Football, has been sounding out his fellow co-owners David Blitzer and Josh Harris about buying their stakes in Palace, according to a report in the Guardian newspaper. If the trio can reach an agreement, Textor's stake in the club could increase to more than 80%, giving him the power to complete a full takeover. But the Guardian's report also said Textor's bid for control faces competition from Robert "Woody" Johnson, the co-owner of the NFL's New York Jets and a former ambassador to the U.K. As heir to the Johnson & Johnson family fortune, Forbes estimates that he's worth $3.4 billion. Johnson was spotted in the stands at the City Ground last week, when Palace drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest. The American billionaire had earlier sought to buy Chelsea, but his bid was eclipsed by the £4.25 billion ($5.4 billion) offer from billionaire Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022. Johnson is said to have already held talks with Palace Chairman Steve Parish about buying up the shares currently held by Textor and the other investors. Parish, who maintains a 10% stake in Palace, has effectively had day-to-day control of the club since 2010, when he saved it from liquidation. New York Jets owner Woody Johnson speaks at the press conference announcing the hiring of new head ... More coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on January 27, 2025 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by) Crystal Palace, Eagle Football and the New York Jets did not respond to requests for comment on the Guardian's report. Harris and Blitzer are said to be willing to sell their stakes in Palace now due to the rising costs of redeveloping the club's home ground, Selhurst Park. First announced in 2017, the project was expected to cost roughly £75 million, but that estimate has since jumped to more than £200 million. The club said the development will increase the stadium's capacity from 25,486 to more than 34,000, and construction is expected to commence after the season concludes. Harris and Blitzer are Wall Street financiers with extensive investments across the sporting world, which include the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils and Washington Commanders, among others. Forbes estimates that Harris has a net worth of $9.9 billion, which is mainly derived from Apollo Global Management, the alternative investment firm he cofounded. Blitzer's fortune is pegged by Forbes at $3.6 billion. He runs the tactical opportunities group at investment giant Blackstone. Textor has previously expressed frustration that his investment in Palace hasn't led to him having a greater say in the club's direction. He even sought to offload his shareholding in May last year so he could buy Everton, but another American billionaire, Dan Friedkin, trumped his bid. Textor is an advocate for the multi-club ownership model that City Football Group and Red Bull have been pursuing on a much larger scale. Textor's Eagle Football has rapidly built stakes in French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais, Brazilian Serie A side Botafogo of Rio de Janeiro and Belgian outfit RWD Molenbeek in the hopes of creating an ecosystem of clubs that develop players and work together.
Miami Herald
10-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Americans Fear Retirement Shortfall
Older Americans fear that they will not have enough money to live out their ideal retirement, according to a new survey. The survey for investment banking firm D.A. Davidson polled 1,008 U.S. adults 50 years and older between March 20 and 25 and found that 41 percent said they won't be able to support the retirement lifestyle they envisioned. Recent decades have seen a significant shift in how many Americans retire. A 2023 Pew Research Center report found that around one in five Americans aged 65 and older were still employed, nearly twice as many as 35 years ago. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 10 years ago, in February 2015, some 8.2 million people over 65 were employed in some capacity. This increased by 11.1 million, 35 percent, in February 2025. Saving for retirement has become more challenging for many reasons. The cost of living, including health care and housing, continues to rise, and wages have not risen consistently at the same pace. Increased life expectancy also means people need more savings. Stable pensions have largely been replaced by less reliable 401(k) plans, putting the burden of saving on individuals. Student loan debt and caregiving duties often force people to delay saving money for later life. "Once one gets to retirement age and hasn't accumulated enough retirement savings, one only has two options left-continue working or accept a lower standard of living in retirement-and neither of them are good," Robert Johnson, chairman and CEO at Economic Index Associates, told Newsweek. Over half of pre-retirees are considering taking up a side gig during retirement to bridge the financial gap. Among Americans aged 50 and older-mostly Gen Xers-who have not yet given up work, 63 percent say they have considered taking on a side hustle to raise some extra cash once they exit the workforce. Other survey results reflect the same anxiety held by Gen X, with many retired Americans grappling with the reality of post-working life and financing it, which falls short of their expectations. However, only a small portion of the population is turning to supplemental income sources. While 92 percent of retired Americans report not having a side gig, 60 percent say they wish they did. For those who have taken on part-time work in retirement, the experience appears to be positive. The study found that an impressive 93 percent of retirees with a side gig said they enjoy the work, and more than half, 55 percent, report that they pursued their side job to stay mentally or socially engaged. Financial motivations, however, play a key role. Twenty percent took on side gigs to pay down existing debt, while 17 percent said they aimed to fund a more ideal retirement lifestyle. "The definition of-and classic timeline for-retirement is changing," said Andrew Crowell, financial adviser and vice chairman of wealth management at D.A. Davidson. "While many retirees might picture never working again, a side gig in retirement can be a fun and meaningful way to stay engaged in the community while supporting a more ideal retirement overall." Setting up a side hustle in your later years can be a boon, but it's not without its hurdles, explains Zack Swad, president and wealth manager at Swad Wealth Management. "America is a land of opportunity. Unlike past generations, people today have the ability to learn virtually anything online, build side hustles, and create their own careers," he said. "But with that opportunity comes responsibility and often, a lack of structure. Without employer pensions or consistent guidance, more of the retirement burden falls squarely on individuals." Aging can also get in the way of pursuing new income avenues. "Health-their own or the health of a loved one," is a big factor in whether any sort of work is still tenable in later life, Johnson said. "People may want to continue working past retirement age but simply may not physically be able to do so." Many older Americans are considering or have already taken on side hustles or other work during their later years, and it's not without good reason. The Schroders 2024 U.S. Retirement Survey, published in December, found that Gen Xers anticipate having just shy of $603,000 in retirement savings when they stop working, but they believe they'll need just over $1,069,746 to fund an ideal retirement. Only 14 percent of Gen Xers felt that they had saved enough to live on in their later years. Another study, by Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, found that more than half of current workers-52 percent-plan to work at least part-time in retirement. Almost seven in 10 workers-69 percent-said they could work until retirement age and still not save enough to meet their needs. "The biggest challenge facing today's pre-retirees is financial uncertainty-rising health care costs, inflation and longer life expectancies have made it harder than ever to retire comfortably," Brian Harrison, financial planner and president of SAVVI Financial, told Newsweek. "Many individuals haven't saved enough, and even those who have are struggling to manage their retirement funds efficiently." Related Articles Social Security Beneficiaries Reaches New HighDOGE Announces Deadline for Major Retirement ChangeWhat New Social Security Head Frank Bisignano Has Said About OverpaymentsSocial Security Announces Changes Coming This Summer: What To Know 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
10-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Americans Fear Retirement Shortfall
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Older Americans fear that they will not have enough money to live out their ideal retirement, according to a new survey. The survey for investment banking firm D.A. Davidson polled 1,008 U.S. adults 50 years and older between March 20 and 25 and found that 41 percent said they won't be able to support the retirement lifestyle they envisioned. Recent decades have seen a significant shift in how many Americans retire. A 2023 Pew Research Center report found that around one in five Americans aged 65 and older were still employed, nearly twice as many as 35 years ago. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 10 years ago, in February 2015, some 8.2 million people over 65 were employed in some capacity. This increased by 11.1 million, 35 percent, in February 2025. Saving for retirement has become more challenging for many reasons. The cost of living, including health care and housing, continues to rise, and wages have not risen consistently at the same pace. Increased life expectancy also means people need more savings. Stable pensions have largely been replaced by less reliable 401(k) plans, putting the burden of saving on individuals. Student loan debt and caregiving duties often force people to delay saving money for later life. "Once one gets to retirement age and hasn't accumulated enough retirement savings, one only has two options left—continue working or accept a lower standard of living in retirement—and neither of them are good," Robert Johnson, chairman and CEO at Economic Index Associates, told Newsweek. Over half of pre-retirees are considering taking up a side gig during retirement to bridge the financial gap. Among Americans aged 50 and older—mostly Gen Xers—who have not yet given up work, 63 percent say they have considered taking on a side hustle to raise some extra cash once they exit the workforce. Other survey results reflect the same anxiety held by Gen X, with many retired Americans grappling with the reality of post-working life and financing it, which falls short of their expectations. However, only a small portion of the population is turning to supplemental income sources. While 92 percent of retired Americans report not having a side gig, 60 percent say they wish they did. Composite image created by Newsweek. Composite image created by Newsweek. Photo Illustration by Newsweek Working in Retirement: Good or Bad? For those who have taken on part-time work in retirement, the experience appears to be positive. The study found that an impressive 93 percent of retirees with a side gig said they enjoy the work, and more than half, 55 percent, report that they pursued their side job to stay mentally or socially engaged. Financial motivations, however, play a key role. Twenty percent took on side gigs to pay down existing debt, while 17 percent said they aimed to fund a more ideal retirement lifestyle. "The definition of—and classic timeline for—retirement is changing," said Andrew Crowell, financial adviser and vice chairman of wealth management at D.A. Davidson. "While many retirees might picture never working again, a side gig in retirement can be a fun and meaningful way to stay engaged in the community while supporting a more ideal retirement overall." Setting up a side hustle in your later years can be a boon, but it's not without its hurdles, explains Zack Swad, president and wealth manager at Swad Wealth Management. "America is a land of opportunity. Unlike past generations, people today have the ability to learn virtually anything online, build side hustles, and create their own careers," he said. "But with that opportunity comes responsibility and often, a lack of structure. Without employer pensions or consistent guidance, more of the retirement burden falls squarely on individuals." Aging can also get in the way of pursuing new income avenues. "Health—their own or the health of a loved one," is a big factor in whether any sort of work is still tenable in later life, Johnson said. "People may want to continue working past retirement age but simply may not physically be able to do so." Retirement Finances Many older Americans are considering or have already taken on side hustles or other work during their later years, and it's not without good reason. The Schroders 2024 U.S. Retirement Survey, published in December, found that Gen Xers anticipate having just shy of $603,000 in retirement savings when they stop working, but they believe they'll need just over $1,069,746 to fund an ideal retirement. Only 14 percent of Gen Xers felt that they had saved enough to live on in their later years. Another study, by Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, found that more than half of current workers—52 percent—plan to work at least part-time in retirement. Almost seven in 10 workers—69 percent—said they could work until retirement age and still not save enough to meet their needs. "The biggest challenge facing today's pre-retirees is financial uncertainty—rising health care costs, inflation and longer life expectancies have made it harder than ever to retire comfortably," Brian Harrison, financial planner and president of SAVVI Financial, told Newsweek. "Many individuals haven't saved enough, and even those who have are struggling to manage their retirement funds efficiently."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AG punishes companies over asbestos cleanup at former Springfield YMCA
SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office announced settlements Friday with two companies over illegal asbestos work at the former YMCA of Greater Springfield building at 275 Chestnut St. Defendants will pay $105,000 into Environmental Justice Trust and additional civil penalties. Ray Services Inc. and Allegrone Construction Co. Inc. were accused of violating the Massachusetts Clean Air Act and its asbestos regulation by illegally handling, removing and storing asbestos-contaminated demolition debris, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office said in a statement. Home City Development Inc. is redeveloping the former Y into housing. In 2021, Ray and Allegrone were accused of storing asbestos-containing materials in and around a rusted-through storage container next to a parking lot and playground, storing asbestos abatement equipment in an unsecured room next to an active classroom and scraping asbestos-containing material without keeping it sufficiently wet and without ensuring the work area was contained. 'This illegal work risked harm to the defendants' employees and contractors, as well as the public and environment in the dense residential and commercial neighborhood surrounding the former YMCA,' the AG's office said in a statement. Under the terms with Ray, the company will pay a $150,000 civil penalty, $50,000 of which will be suspended contingent upon Ray's avoiding future violations of the Clean Air Act, and $50,000 of which will be paid into the state's Environmental Justice Fund to support on-the-ground projects to address environmental harms in disadvantaged communities. Under the terms with Allegrone, the company will pay a $150,000 civil penalty, $40,000 of which will be suspended contingent upon Allegrone's avoiding future violations of the Clean Air Act, and $55,000 will be paid into the enviro-justice fund. Two other companies already have been disciplined for their work at the same site. In March, Suffolk Superior Court entered a separate consent judgment with O'Reilly, Talbot & Okun Associates Inc., the asbestos project monitor for the work, requiring it to pay a $25,000 penalty in relation to some of the asbestos violations. In January 2024, the same court entered a default judgment against Service Transport Group Inc., the company that provided the faulty storage container for the project. Springfield Partners for Community Action still serves as the connection place in city Western New England University president Robert Johnson stepping down Holyoke Landing, location of Popeyes and Starbucks, sold Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive.
