computers_web.jpgBET, Netspend join to market prepaid payment card
WASHINGTON — BET Networks is entering the exploding business of prepaid cards, partnering with Netspend, one of the biggest prepaid card companies, in hopes of reaching millions of black Americans who don't use banks. Netspend hopes the endorsement will help it turn some of BET's viewers into fee-paying customers.

Blacks are overrepresented among people who don't have bank accounts or who use such high-cost services as check-cashing and payday loans. Prepaid cards are marketed as a less expensive alternative. Although like debit cards, prepaid cards aren't attached to a checking account and sometimes lack the consumer protections offered by debit and credit cards. The Federal Reserve says they are the fastest-growing electronic payment method.

FBI: Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen a fraud victim
Federal investigators allege that AWOL soldier Brandon Lee Price ran a simple scheme to defraud billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, one of the richest men in the world. Price changed the address on a bank account held by Allen, then had a debit card sent to his Pittsburgh home. He used it for four transactions totaling $15,936.99. Price, listed as Absent Without Leave from the Army and wanted as a deserter, was arrested and ordered detained.

Brazil takes on websites that promote sex tourism
BRASILIA, Brazil — Brazil has taken on more than 2,000 websites that promote Latin America's biggest country as a sex tourism destination, the Tourism Ministry said. Last year the ministry identified 2,169 websites, many hosted in the United States.The ministry last week said 1,100 of the websites have eliminated their sex-oriented content and that it was trying to convince the remaining sites to do the same. Tackling the websites is part of an ongoing campaign to combat the sexual exploitation of minors during the 2014 World Cup.

Filipino student banned over Facebook bikini photo
MANILA, Philippines — A Catholic school student has been banned from graduation ceremonies in the Philippines because a photo on her Facebook page shows her wearing a bikini while holding a cigarette and a liquor bottle. Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said the department will investigate a complaint by the girl's mother against the St. Theresa's College High School in central Cebu City to determine whether the penalty was appropriate. The girl will graduate but has been told she cannot join her classmates in the ceremonies. The school policies allegedly violated involve immorality, exposure online and smoking and drinking. The girl's lawyer says the picture was taken during a family outing.

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