Watch out for lost pet scam

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Please warn your readers to watch out for a new scam targeting pet owners. ese despicable people look for “Lost Pet” signs and call the owner’s number, claiming that they are a nearby shelter and that they’ve found their pet. But there’s a catch: In order to get the pet back, the owner must pay the shelter using an online payment app or by sending gi cards. And here’s the cruelest part: e scammers don’t have their pet. ey just take the money and disappear. Please sound the alarm. -- Denise O., San Francisco

DEAR DENISE: Absolutely, and thank you for this alert! Losing a pet is heartbreaking. Scammers always strike when we’re at our most vulnerable, and it’s easy to fall for their scheme when we would do anything to get our pet back home.

More details on the rise of this scam in the San Francisco area can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/3dnmtsjs.

And here’s info on a similar scam in the Rochester, New York, area that targets your phone number: https://tinyurl.com/yt96mhn9.

If you’re contacted by someone claiming to have found your lost pet, always use caution. Look for these red ags:

-- e person claims you need to pay a ne to get your pet back, using an online payment service or gi cards.

-- e scammer says they need to send you a Google veri cation code. -- e scammer refuses to send you a photo of your pet. Here’s what to do next: vitamins and minerals, it’s easy to make. Serve with an array of garnishes, allowing diners to customize their bowls.

-- Call a friend and get their perspective. It’s hard to think clearly when you’re upset.

-- Call the scammer’s number back. If they don’t answer, or it’s a wrong number, it’s a scam.

-- Report the scam call to the local police department. ey can’t recover your pet, but they can alert others in your community.

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

California Sweet Potato Chili Serves 6

2 T oil

1 lb ground beef, turkey, chicken or pork

Salt and pepper

1 onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 T chili powder

1 T smoked paprika

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp dried oregano

¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes

2 c low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

2 15-oz cans kidney or pinto beans (with their juices)

1½ lb orange- or yellow-fleshed sweetpotatoes,oracombo,diced

In large saucepan or small stockpot over medium-high, warm 1 T oil. Add meat and cook until brown. Add salt and pepper, transfer to bowl, set aside. Return to medium-high. Add 1 T oil. Add onion and bell pepper, cook until crisp-tender, 2 minutes. Add garlic, spices, and 1 tsp salt and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer until sweet potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

Learn more at www.casweetpotatoes.com.

Fish John Valby Dr. Dirty

Served

WADSWORTH

TIPS

For Better Breakfasts

Saturday (weather dependent)

July 7, Rhonda Federation

July 8, Monica Hall

July 9, The Songbirds

July 14, Julie & Mike

July 15, David Knaudt

July 21, Josh Hawkins

July 22, Orange Dog Club

July 28, Julie & Mike

July 29, Begging Angels

Weeklyto-gospecials visit www.redosier.com

Route

Get On The Fast Track To Being Organized

• Keep a cleanup bin handy. Put an empty basket in a central location, using it to gather stray items scattered around main living areas. Once everything has been collected, items can be returned to their rightful place.

• Make the bed. One of the easiest ways to keep a room looking neat is to make the bed each day. Store clean linens in a pillow case so the entire set is together and ready to go.

• Purge closets and cabinets. There’s no point allowing old, stained or damaged items to take up space. Set aside days to clear expired medication from the bathroom cabinet, discard ripped or ill-fitting clothing from the closet, or to dispose of broken toys in a nursery.

• Write things down. Tasks seem more manageable when they are writtendowninblack-and-whiteandcanbecrossedoffascompleted. Writing things down also helps make the mind feel more organized.

• Exercise caution before buying. Don’t buy more than you need; otherwise, you’ll have to find space for extra items. Also, keep inventory of food and supplies in the house so you’re not unwittingly buying duplicates.

• Sort mail and paperwork. Establish different categories for papers so they can be sorted and discarded as needed. These may include bills, invitations, school papers, and junk mail. Reduce paper clutter by opting for digital correspondence when possible.

• Make one repair at a time. Tackle that source of stress by focusing on one repair and seeing it through to completion.

• Delegate the work. If kids want to help organize, let them. It can be a fun project for an adolescent to rearrange the pantry or offer their ideas for corralling messes.