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THEVOICE • rockfordchamber.com
August 2021
Passport backlog a ripe environment for scams According to the Better Business Bureau, passports scams are rising, as the U.S. Department of State is experiencing significant processing backlogs. Currently, there is an estimated backlog of between a million and a half to 2 million applications, with a wait time for both new and renewal routine passport applications tracking up to 18 weeks. Even “expedited passports” with the $60 fee are taking up to 12 weeks. “Scammers, posing as passport expeditors are stepping in and convincing their victims for a higher fee they can get quickly get through the processing time, including applications and mailing,” said Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau. He warns: “Along with money losses in these scams, passports contain critical personal information that unlocks identity theft for years to come.” Scammers play on people in an emotional and stressful situation, and those without passports under pressure to possibly cancel their upcoming trips. BBB Tips ■ Watch for spoofers pretending to be a government agency. It’s extremely easy to make phone calls, e-mails, texts and even phony websites look like they are coming from a real agency.
IGNITE: YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
■ Never trust an unsolicited phone call or email pretending to be the State Department or Passport Agency asking for personal information or payment of fees. ■ Always check out any company with BBB.ORG before you do business with them. ■ Any form of unusual forms of payments like gift cards, wire transfers, even bitcoin, are “tip offs to the rip off.” ■ If you have lost money or encountered a scam, please report it to the BBB Scamtracker and help protect other consumers and your community.
PLAN WELL AHEAD The U.S. Department of State suggests at this time to apply for a passport at least six months before planned travel. The website reads: “Due to limited availability for urgent travel appointments, we cannot guarantee you can receive in-person service at a passport agency or center. We are prioritizing customers with life-or-death emergencies.” Visit travel.state.gov/content/ travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/ passport-covid-19 for more on obtaining passports from the U.S. Department of State.
CARMEN KELLERMAN IGNITE ROCKFORD
Hello events: Check out what IGNITE has planned
If you had told me during the pandemic that I would be excited to be around large groups of people again, I would have told you that you were talking nonsense. I am an introvert by nature and large groups of people usually freak me out. This is no longer the case. No, I did not suddenly become an extrovert overnight (still an introvert over here…), but I am finding myself actually searching for events and being excited to go to events, both in my professional and personal life.
Professional Life When I was told we would be planning in-person events again, I was excited and nervous. I was excited because I missed the planning process (no matter how stressful it can get at times) and the people, but nervous because I had not been out in groups much since the pandemic. I have been to about 6 or 7 work events now, and I have to say I am happy to be back! I did not realize how much I missed the people. It was so good to see familiar faces … even though it still takes me a bit to put a name to a face. I missed being in a room full of people. I missed the small talk and the catching up. I missed the laughter scattered throughout a room while the voices of 20, 30, 40, 50+ people all mesh as one. It felt so good to laugh with others.
Personal Life In my personal life, I have found myself interested in seeing what is going on in the city of Rockford/surrounding areas and actually going to the events. I have had so much fun and have found so many new
things to do in our area! I also have found that I want to travel and see the world more! We traveled to Tennessee in June, and I already have ideas of where to go next (which is saying a lot because I am a self-proclaimed homebody!)
What I’ve Learned I have a few realizations now that we are “getting back to normal”: 1. Recently, I have felt as if I have the energy to attend events and expand my social horizons a bit more. This could just be me, but I truly do feel more energized and ready for events! 2. Gathering in person again has helped me become more intentional. Before the pandemic, people would ask how you were and would want to catch up, but we were all so busy, it was easy to not be fully present. Now, everyone is so eager to find out how the rest of the world is that I think we are taking the time to hear others and actively listen to them. 3. I am more of a people person than I realized. I like to be surrounded by individuals. I like to hear their stories and how they got to where they are today. I missed people! If you miss this feeling as well and have been wanting to get out, but don’t know what to do, be sure to check out IGNITE’s Facebook page for upcoming events, such as Lunch with a Leader, After 5s, volunteer events and more! Carmen Kellerman is event & program coordinator at IGNITE Rockford.
TELL US YOUR PLANS FOR ROCKFORD DAY! Rockford Day is rapidly approaching, and with 8/15 falling on a Sunday in 2021, the City of Rockford encourages the community to spend the entire weekend demonstrating how proud and resilient the people of the Rockford area truly are. Throughout this past year, we have been frequently reminded that we are “stronger together.” Participating in Rockford Day on Aug. 13, 14 and 15 demonstrates this connection among residents, businesses and organizations.
Put an 815 (or 779) Twist on Your Offering The city invites all local businesses, agencies, nonprofits and other organizations from the public and private sectors to find creative ways to join in the celebration and demonstrate pride in the Rockford area. Ideas are offering Rockford Day-themed specials or discounts or hosting an event, in person or virtually, across the city or in one of the surrounding communities. Submit your deals, specials and events by Aug. 6 to be listed on the Rockford Day event page on GoRockford.com and featured on the Rockford Day google map. There is no charge. Watch your email, the Rockford Day Facebook page, and Rockford Day Twitter feed for additional ideas for participation, or contact Barb Chidley, 779-348-7448 or rockfordday815@gmail.com, for help in developing your plan for the day.
