[NFBofAlaska] FW: Notes from the Scam aware support Group

Fri Nov 11 02:21:04 UTC 2022

Hello,

Our Center had a support group yesterday centered around scams of all kinds.
It was presented by Theresa Holt, the State Director of the AARP. It was
very informative and though I did not include virtually everything from her
presentation, there are some informational numbers and links that will allow
you to become well informed. Enjoy and learn!

Bonnie

NOTES ON SCAM AVOIDANCE

Presented by Theresa Holt

State Director

AARP Alaska

A big thank you goes to Theresa Holt for her Excellent presentation to our
support group. Here are a few of the tidbits she shared. 

IF YOU CAN SPOT A SCAM, YOU CAN STOP A SCAM!

*	To learn what the latest scams are, you may sign up for the "AARP
Watchdog Alerts" by sending a text message to the number 50757. In the
message, write the letters FWN. This stands for Fraud Watch Network.
*	To report a scam, call: 877-908-3360
*	Listen to the AARP "Perfect Scam" podcast. Go to this link:
https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/the-perfect-scam/info-2022/crypto-dating-scam.
html
<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarp.
org%2Fpodcasts%2Fthe-perfect-scam%2Finfo-2022%2Fcrypto-dating-scam.html&data
=05%7C01%7CBLucas%40AlaskaBVI.org%7C1ac49db86d3746914ae708dac33dc9ad%7Cf0392
12bd3354d77b527154ef398295b%7C0%7C0%7C638036967444042373%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZ
sb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C30
00%7C%7C%7C&sdata=w7T9FfsSnpz5v2f%2BxFWXtwBnPcc50Sto73iTFNkoinI%3D&reserved=
0>  

You can also listen with an Echo device, Apple podcast and many other
podcast apps. With your Echo simply say: "Wake word" Play perfect scam
podcast."

*       Check out https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/ to read a wealth
of information regarding scams. 

*       Types of scams include 

*       Charity scams where someone dupes you into thinking you are giving
to a charity. Never give money on the phone to someone who calls you. You
may find out whether the charity is legitimate by 

*       contacting one of the following: Charities Navigator, Charity Watch,
or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

*       Romance Scams where you may be scammed on a dating site, email, or
phone by someone needing help or wanting to help you. 

*       Technology scam: phishing, (it is spelled correctly), where you
receive an email that seems to be from someone or some place you are
familiar with, but it is not. Learn to check emails and web addresses
carefully, even when you Google a business.

*       A website should have the letters: HTTPS (the S stands for
security). Also make sure that the actual website name is spelled correctly
such as Amazon, not Amozon. 

*       Do not click on websites you find on social media. Rather, get off
the social media website and go to the internet and search for the site
yourself. Remember to make sure what you find is legitimate as mentioned
above. 

*       If after all you do, you get scammed, there are support group that
can help you work through and recover from your bad experience. Seniors are
the most vulnerable and many people have lost their entire life savings. If
you receive a phone call that is suspect in any way, hang up and call a
friend or 877-908-3360 to check it out!

Be aware so you can stay safe!

Bonnie Lucas, MS, CVRT, MSW

Older Blind Coordinator, Braille and Technology Instructor

Equipping Alaskans for Success

Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

3903 Taft Drive

Anchorage, Alaska  99517

Phone: (907) 248-7770    Direct: (907) 771-4306

www.alaskabvi.org       www.facebook.com/alaskabvi

The Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Call or visit our website
to learn more about how our work transforms lives.

This message contains information that may be confidential or privileged. If
you are not the intended recipient, copying or distribution of any of its
contents is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, kindly
contact the sende

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