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Have You Seen This? World's first BMX triple front flip
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We've seen the BMX quad back flip, the biggest jump in action sports history and even a double back flip on a motorcycle. Now, the Nitro Circus gives us the world's first BMX triple front flip. - photo by John Clyde


BONKERS TOWN Those of us on the Have You Seen This team love the Nitro Circus. Don't believe us? Well, take a look at this, and this, and this. Told you. We dig these crazy cats.

Well, in addition to all this madness, here's one more insane stunt, the world's first BMX triple front flip.

Nitro Circus athletes Ryan Williams and Andrew Ahumada jumped on their BMX bikes and launched off a giant ramp in hopes of being the first person to land a triple front flip. Attempt after attempt was made until Ryan Williams finally stuck the landing and became the world's first.

Now, I don't want to take anything away from Williams, but I think I was actually the first to pull this trick off. Granted it wasn't on purpose, but still. When I was about 9 years old I was headed down Glider Lane in Sandy, Utah, on my Huffy. It was neon green and the object of desire of most of the neighborhood.

About halfway down the hill I got curious and wondered what sound I could make if I rubbed my shoe on my tire. I did so, got an interesting sound and my inquisitive noggin decided to push it a little further. "What will it sound like if I rub my shoe on my spokes?"

An interesting question, but a terrible decision. My foot got caught in the spokes and I did three complete front flips and landed on my tires. I wasn't on my seat and my tires weren't on the road, but rather I was literally on top of my tires as my Huffy laid on its side.

Mine wasn't as pretty, but I think I deserve some credit.

Back to the professionals. It was cool to hear Williams say he thought of their recently departed friend Erik Roner just before the jump. That was heartbreaking news and it was cool to see his friends and teammates thinking about him.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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