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 Help Protect Your Family from AI-Powered Scams
As AI-driven fraud continues to rise, we want to share helpful resources from the Pettinelli Financial Partners that provide simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tools that can fool even careful, tech-savvy people. In 2024, consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud, and impersonation scams increased by 148 percent.
AI has made fraud cheaper, faster, and more convincing. Criminals can now create realistic fake emails, websites, documents, voices, and even video calls that are difficult to distinguish from real ones.
While the threat is serious, there are ways to reduce your risk. Awareness and simple precautions can make a meaningful difference.
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Establish a Family Code Word: Create a shared word or phrase for emergencies or financial requests. Ask for the code word if someone claims to be a family member in distress.
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Verify Before You Act: For urgent requests involving money or sensitive information, hang up and call back using a trusted number. Treat demands for immediate payment with caution.
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Limit Your Digital Footprint: Review privacy settings and limit public posts, especially videos or voice recordings that could be used for scams.
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Be Suspicious of Urgency: Scammers rely on fear and time pressure. Take a moment to verify before acting.
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Use Multifactor Authentication: Add extra security to email, banking, and financial accounts and use strong passphrases or a password manager.
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Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off during a video call, ask the person to perform a simple action to confirm it is real.
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Protect Yourself While Traveling: Avoid accessing financial accounts on public Wi-Fi and back up your data before trips.
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Consider Freezing Your Credit: A free credit freeze with the major credit bureaus can prevent unauthorized new accounts.
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Getting More Help: Some households choose to work with cybersecurity specialists, especially those with public visibility.
AI has changed how fraud occurs, but prevention still depends on awareness, skepticism, and verification. We encourage families to talk about these risks now, especially with older adults and young people, to help prevent losses later.
Happy Hydrants and Utility Box
Help us celebrate Belmont’s Centennial by showing your artistic talent with a nod to Belmont’s history! Our second round of Happy Hydrant applications is now live. We’re also looking for an artist to paint our utility box at the corner of Ralston and Sixth Avenue. Please visit www.belmont.gov/100years for more information about requirements and deadlines. Many thanks to the hydrant artists from our first round who have completed their projects. We’re enlivening the streets of Belmont, one hydrant at a time!
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Protect your home and loved ones with a free smoke alarm installation! San Mateo Consolidated Fire is teaming up with the American Red Cross to install free smoke alarms for residents in San Mateo, Foster City, and Belmont on February 21, 2026. Call (650) 259-1769 to schedule your appointment or complete this form.
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Public Meetings
Council Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 10
6 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 17
7 p.m.
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Mark Your Calendar
Obscure Move Club
If you enjoy watching new movies, then this club is for you! Join the Obscure Movie Club this Saturday, Feb. 7, to watch the film ‘Nine Days’ at Twin Pines Manor. Watch the screening from 5-7 p.m. and stay for the discussion from 7-8 p.m. Make new friends as you explore films that you may not have heard of. This event is free; no tickets or registration are required! For more information, please email twinpinesarts@belmont.gov or call (650) 394-7590.
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Lunar New Year Celebration
Join us on Feb. 8 from 2-5 p.m. at the Twin Pines Senior and Community Center for a Lunar New Year Celebration! This free event will feature dance, music, crafts, and more. We encourage you to wear red to bring in good luck for the new year!
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Coffee with a Cop
Join the Belmont Police Department for a free coffee on Feb. 11 from 7:30-9 a.m. at Peet's in Belmont (1200A El Camino Real) for Coffee with a Cop!
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Development Corner
Charles Armstrong School Expansion Project
The proposed school expansion project consists of two phases: Phase I will construct an approximately 11,900-square-foot academic wing, and Phase II will include a new 11,100-square-foot gym. The project also includes proposed modifications to school operations to increase the maximum enrollment from 260 to 290 students. The project went before the Planning Commission on January 6 and is scheduled to go before the City Council on February 10 for final entitlement review.
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1301 Shoreline Project
The 1301 Shoreline Project proposes the demolition of the existing office building and construction of two new buildings totaling 542,000 square feet and a parking structure. The buildings will be 7 to 8 stories tall, with a maximum height of 128 feet. The buildings are proposed to be entitled for biotech and/or office uses. Outdoor amenities, including a sports court, seating areas, and exercise nodes, will be open to the public along the rear of the property, accessible from the Belmont Creek trail. The project went before the Planning Commission on January 20 and is scheduled to go before the City Council on February 24.
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Infrastructure Insider
Middle Road Concrete and Pavement Work Upcoming
The 2025 Pavement Rehabilitation Project is nearing completion, with the primary outstanding item being the paving of Middle Road near El Camino Real. The work was delayed last year due to permitting issues with Caltrans. The work is now anticipated to begin with pedestrian accessibility improvements on the corners in late February, followed by paving in March. Please use caution and follow all posted signage around work zones.
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Commute.org Employer Recognition Program
Congratulations to Vilmont Investment Properties in Belmont for being certified through Commute.org’s Employer Recognition Program. This program recognizes employers that partner with Commute.org to promote free commuting programs and services to their employees, with the shared goal of encouraging more sustainable commuting options. By participating, employers earn points for their engagement and can achieve official certification. Learn more about sustainability incentives with Commute.org.
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In Our Community
Counties Urge Residents to Sign up for Emergency Alerts
Ahead of major events like the Super Bowl, the County of San Mateo urges residents to stay alert, recognize signs of human trafficking, and use available resources, such as opting in to local alert systems, to keep informed about weather, transit disruptions, and event-related impacts. The County is partnering with San Francisco and Santa Clara counties to support public safety during the busy weekend. San Mateo County residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by texting SUPERBOWL to 672-83 or visiting www.smcalert.info.
Peninsula Clean Energy Locks In 10% Discount Amid Rising Energy Rates
Peninsula Clean Energy is reducing electricity generation rates to maintain a 10% discount compared to PG&E. It continues a multi-year trend of providing generation rate relief amid other rising PG&E costs. Since 2016, Peninsula Clean Energy's discounted rates have generated $225 million in community savings. Learn more about how Peninsula Clean Energy’s generation rates help lower energy bills.
Belmont Library May Events
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