Clip ’n’ save scam stopper

SCAM STOPPER 613041

The WA-ID Volunteer Center, in the Lewiston Community Center at 1424 Main St., strives to provide individualized volunteer opportunities for those wishing to serve in Lewiston, Clarkston, Asotin, Pomeroy, Moscow and the Orofino area. Information and other volunteer openings can be found at waidvolunteercenter.org or by calling (208) 746-7787.

Volunteer needs include: ï Tutors — America Reads needs tutors to help K-third grade students become proficient readers. Volunteers need to be able to commit to at least an hour a week for the school year. Background check required. ï Companions — The Senior Companion program provides companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled. It allows lowincome senior volunteers an opportunity to assist those who need minor help to continue living independently. Senior Companions visit clients in their homes, but it isn’t an in-home care program. ï Food bank help — Volunteers are needed

FV O L U N T E E R O P P O R T U N I T I E Sinancial predators are alive, well and on the prowl, hoping to separate you from your money. Catfishing predators to re-pack frozen and may claim to be looking for romance. Here are a few tips on how to avoid dry foods for distribubecoming their next victim. Feel tion. Front counter volfree to clip this and tape it near unteers and drivers for your phone and/or computer. morning food pickups > RED FLAGS INCLUDE CALLS, EMAILS OR LETTERS THAT: also are needed. ï Meal sites — Volunteers are needed as regular and substitute meal  are unsolicited (you didn’t initiate contact)  are threatening in tone, delivery drivers. A valid promising scary or embarrassing driver’s license and auto consequences for noncompliance or insurance are required.  are euphoric in tone (great news, you ï AARP tax preparer — AARP Tax Aide Pro-won the lottery — we need your bank account number to deposit your winnings) gram needs volunteers  request personal information to help prepare free basic tax returns for  request money — usually in the form of a prepaid debit or credit card seniors and low-income  carry an aggressive sense of urgency individuals. No experi> IF YOU SUSPECT YOU’RE BEING TARGETED BY A SCAMMER: ence necessary; comfort working with computers helpful. Training and

DON’T materials are provided. share any personal information ï Project Warmup  send money — Crafters are needed

DO to make hats, scarves,  hang up the phone mittens and lap blankets  delete the email or (yarn is provided) and to  shred the letter help tie quilts. Completed  Check legitimacy of claims if desired, items are donated to local but not using a number supplied by the nonprofit agencies.caller. Instead, look the company up in the ï Project Warmup phone book or online. Lead— Organize and  Report the scam (more information stock yarn, manage and follows). inventory completed > THINK YOU’VE BEEN TAKEN? cold-weather items, and help staff to prepare and complete fall disbursement event. ï Local Hospital Auxiliary — Greet people, deliver flowers, courtesy cart, deliver mail, gift It’s a good idea to pay attention to details on bills and other fi nancial transactions; discrepancies can be a red fl ag for identity theft. But many fraudulent schemes currently circulating are sophisticated and able to trick even the most savvy. Anyone who believes they’ve been contacted by a scam artist and/or fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme may …  Report it to local police at (208) 7460171 in Lewiston, (509) 758-2331 in Clarkston, (208) 883-7054 in Moscow or (509) 334-0802 in Pullman. Police can alert the community to new scams and help victims take steps to minimize damage and protect themselves.  Report it to their bank or credit institution if money was taken or information was shared.  Report it to the business or organization involved.  Report it to the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us.  Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling (877) FTC-HELP.  Find a list of current known scams and more information on avoiding scams, at www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alert.  Find information on scams circulating locally on the Lewiston Police Department’s Facebook page, where citizens also may sign up for news alerts.  Ask door-to-door solicitors to show their licenses, and call the police if they don’t. > BEWARE OF CATFISHERS LOOKING FOR “LOVE” Catfi shing is when someone fakes an online identity to scam victims for money, romance or physical harm. These predatory online relationships can last for months or even years. It’s catfi shing if ...  They ask for money: An online friend or romantic interest whom you’ve never met asks you to send money or provide your bank information.  They won’t meet. Beware if the contact strings you along but avoids meeting in person. Some catfi shers agree to meet but have an “emergency” — such as a canceled fl ight or a medical issue — that prevents it. Catfi shers often claim to be stationed abroad or working on an oil rig as an excuse for not meeting.  Skyping is off limits, too. Catfi shers refuse to video chat.  They seem too good to be true. Some people who catfi sh feel bad about themselves and often assume the online persona of a fashion model, actor, successful businessperson, etc. > DON’T GET HOOKED Before meeting in person or providing any information about yourself, fact-check claims and verify online identities using Google and SocialCatfi sh.com. — Golden Times

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Dennis Hastings

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