Plus, two persuasive schemes targeting Floridians’ money
ORLANDO, Fla. – Human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit.
Sex trafficking and human smuggling are both forms of human trafficking that victimize many, yet experts say another form of trafficking that is easier to accomplish is creating what many consider modern-day slavery.
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It’s called labor trafficking.
Labor trafficking happens here in Florida and all over the U.S. and the traffickers often take advantage of the current visa programs to get away with it.
Thankfully, there are groups trying to help these workers find a way out.
Getting Results in the Fight Against Human Trafficking in Florida
The Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking is a nonprofit created by Florida lawmakers in 2019 to help trafficking victims, show people how to spot the signs of human trafficking and know where to report them.
The Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking is a nonprofit organization created by the Florida Legislature to provide funding, support and assistance to the statewide effort to end human trafficking. (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)The organization points to several ways the community can help save the lives of human trafficking victims.
Physical signs of human trafficking can be branding, scars, burns or certain tattoos;
Drug Addiction or sleep deprivation
Verbal signs of human trafficking can be a person responding as if coached;
Allows someone to speak for them
Fearful, anxious or paranoid
Reluctant to discuss their injuries
You can take action by either reporting suspicious activity to Florida law enforcement by calling 1-855-FLA-SAFE. You can also create a report online by clicking here.
If you need help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
New initiative against human trafficking launched in South FloridaOn Oct. 3, Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit brought together local, state, and national leaders working to eradicate all forms of trafficking.
You can watch the entire summit online here.
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Lithium-ion batteries: they power everything from cell phones to scooters and electric cars.
Unfortunately, these batteries have a history of overheating and catching fire.
Let’s take a look at one fire-fighting technique that’s already getting results.
Fire blankets are one solution, but what about preventing fires in the first place?
A News 6 investigation revealed there are no state regulations for safely storing lithium-ion batteries, prompting Solutionaries Correspondent Erik Sandoval and Producer Erika Briguglio to find out when that could change.
You can read the entire story here.
Schemes Targeting Your Money
It’s considered to be one of the fastest-growing types of fraud in the country and here in Florida: Bitcoin scams.
More than 100 people have reported being ripped off in Brevard County alone and one of those victims, Isabel Castro, is sharing her story with the hopes others will not make the same mistake.
So what are the solutions for preventing this kind of scam from happening to you or someone you love?
Remember: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Are they scaring you into buying cryptocurrency? That is a major red flag.
If someone you know is contacting you over the web, pick up the phone and call that person to confirm that it is really them messaging you online.
Picking up the phone and verifying the identity of this supposed “friend” would have prevented Isabel Castro from getting scammed.
But what if the scammer calls you using your loved one’s caller ID while using their voice?
News 6 Investigator Mike Holfeld looked at how a technique called “spouse spoofing” has evolved.
The main takeaway from this story is this:
Have a family meeting and establish a family password.
If the caller cannot produce the password, hang up.
Keep up with new episodes of Solutionaries on the News 6+ Takeover every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on News 6 or watch on demand by downloading the News 6+ for your smart TV (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV).
Solutionaries is a production of the news teams at Graham Media Group stations KPRC-Houston, WDIV-Detroit, KSAT-San Antonio, WKMG-Orlando, WJXT/WCWJ-Jacksonville, and WSLS-Roanoke. On Solutionaries, we’re highlighting the creative thinkers and doers who are working to make the world a better place.
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Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.
About the Author:
Katrina Scales
Katrina Scales is a producer for the News 6+ Takeover at 5:30 p.m. She also writes and voices the podcast Your Florida Daily. Katrina was born and raised in Brevard County and started her journalism career in radio before joining News 6 in June 2021.
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