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SCAMS
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Alert: credit card scam. Kansas’s Attorney General’s office released a
warning of a scam involving people calling and claiming that the
recipient’s credit card record shows an unusual purchase. They gain the
victim’s trust by saying they know the name and the last four digits of
the recipient’s social security number. Subsequently, they ask for the
credit card three-digit code in order to get rid of the purchase. The
officials warn people not to give their code numbers because the scammers
probably have their credit card information, but need the three-digit code
to make purchases.
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Agency
says seniors being targeted by medical ID scam. The
program director with the Houston’s Better Business
Bureau Education Foundation announced Monday that her office received
reports of scammers targeting seniors by posing as telemarketers. The
fraudsters claim that the seniors’ Medicare cards are no longer valid and
that they need to sign up for a new one. Then, they ask for a bank account
number and when they are refused “they yell at people, they tell them they
are stupid and will call back repeatedly in hopes of scaring the seniors
into giving out their banking information,” according to the director.
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New scam making the rounds. A
new scam is making the rounds. The
scammers call people and say that, for a small fee, they will
file a return, claiming they can get a rebate on people’s Social Security
tax. However, the law does not allow
people to get a refund on taxes paid into Social Security. So the people are
out some cash, and they can face a penalty for filing a false return.
If you receive such a call, contact the IRS Tax Fraud Hotline immediately at
800.829.0433. More online at www.irs.gov.
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PERSONAL SAFETY
AWAY
FROM YOUR RESIDENCE:
| Always
be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts
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| Be
aware of other people around you and make note of their behavior
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| Walk
with authority and purpose
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| Have
your keys ready when approaching your vehicle (and residence) and do not
have several items in your hands. If
you are shopping, periodically take purchased items to the car and lock them
in the trunk or away from view.
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| Lock
all personal items in the trunk or away from view – roll up windows, lock
doors, and take keys.
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| Park
in well lit areas with a lot of activity.
Park as close to the entrance as possible.
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| Avoid
carrying a purse whenever possible. Place
wallet and/or money and credit cards in a front pocket or jacket pocket.
Carry only items necessary for a particular outing.
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| If
you must carry a purse, never leave it open; carry it close to your body
with flap facing inward; and place strap around your shoulder (never wrap it
around your body or neck).
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| If
you carry a defensive object (pepper spray, etc.) have proper training
first.
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| Use
personal body alarm, whistle, etc.
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| Notify
a trusted neighbor or family member where you are going and when you are
expected back.
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| If
you notice a suspicious person or activity in a parking lot near your car,
return to the store and ask for an escort and notify security or store
management.
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IN
YOUR VEHICLE:
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Keep
all doors locked.
Place
purse and other valuables out of sight (when traveling and parked).
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Don’t
travel in curbside lane, especially at a stoplight. |
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Be
aware of your surroundings when stopped at a light – be aware of people
approaching your car. |
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Don’t
stop too close to the car in front of you.
Allow enough space to “pull around.” |
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If
you are followed, drive to a safe, active, and well lit location (don’t
drive home) and quickly leave your vehicle and go inside to call the police
and request assistance. |
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Use
a cell phone to call the police, but don’t let it distract your
driving. |
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Avoid
any confrontation while driving, no matter how minor. |
AT
YOUR RESIDENCE:
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Get
to know your neighbor and establish trusted relationships.
Encourage them to watch out for you, your family, and your residence. |
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Consider
starting a Neighborhood Watch program. |
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Make
sure the lighting on the exterior of the residence illuminates the entire
area. |
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Each
entrance should have solid core doors and deadbolt locks with a minimum of a
one-inch throw. |
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All
primary window locks should be operational and secondary locks should be
installed. |
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Trim
all bushes down and up from the ground.
Trim trees up 6-8 feet from the ground. |
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Place
lights, radios, and TV on timers to give the appearance someone is home when
away. |
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Stop
mail and newspaper delivery and have a trusted neighbor place/remove trash
carts in the typical location when away.
Also, ask them to keep an eye on your residence. |
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Let
neighbors, family, and friends know when you will return from a trip.
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